Welcome Alan
A great site and hopefully you will get the information you need.
Barb

Greetings Allan,good to have you amongst us.My only input to you is to consider a Jayco penguin or similar.We have one and are very happy with it.Ours is an on road model and so far has given many happy hours of fun.Cheers.Ibbo.

Thanks to all for the input so far.

Hi Xtrail51, that Coromal sounds just about spot-on to my needs at this point in my research. Am I correct in thinking you have both a rear & also a side roll-out awning - at least that is what it looks like in the very small pic beside your posting?


Cheers everyone ..... Alan

Hi Alan,

I've got a 13' Jayco Penguin off-road, queen size innerspring (but not island), 1350kg all-up (loaded) and I am more than happy with it. It's a wind-up which some do not like, but it doesn't have the pull-out beds which makes it super easy and quick to set up and pack up and it has tons of storage space. I wouldn't recommend it for two people for and extended period, but for one it's superb.

G'Day Alan,

I could be wrong, but I think you vehicle may already have a transmission cooler installed (a lot of 6cyl auto cars do), especially as it is a ute designed to take loads. In addition you had the tow pack installed which should have taken that into account, so unless you are sure I would check it out.

Just a tip on the A/C, if you are buying new, order it with the van as it is more expensive to fit them after delivery (around $1000 more with Jayco, but I think Coromal charge you the higher price whether you get it installed then or later from my past enquiries). Something to ask about anyway.

Vic

Edit:  Most new vans now come with A/C fitted as standard, but some don't.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 25th of August 2009 11:36:06 AM

G'day Allen and welcome to the forum,

the trans cooler that comes with the tow pack is barely serviceable and should be replaced with an aftermarket one if you are considering towing any weight for any distance, look for one that will add at least another litre of oil to the standard

heat will destroy the trans within one decent hill ascent, using the box of cogs will help a lot here, dont let it "lug" change early, look for roughly 2,000 - 2,500 rpm, also have a look at the size of the thermo fans and see if you can get another one installed in there, a minimum of two is considered barely adequate for towing in summer on hill ascents

you havent stated whether you are after a new van or a secondhand one, there are a lot of good ones on ebay at the moment, secondhand of course, I looked at a couple of 16 footers that are rated under 1100 kilo's with island bed and oven,

most of the rear entry vans (such as the "little ripper") has two single beds, not island and very little room

if you are on your own then this may be adequate but if there is two then I think "cosy" would be the byword even with two awnings

I would look at probably the jayco, they seem to have a reasonable representation out there and have reasonable staying power for the price

have a look around at a lot of van yards, try a few on for size, dont buy the first one you see try to imagine yourself doing everyday chores in it and see how you go, be prepared to bargain, it's a buyers market out there, know your price and the average price of vans before you fall in love with that particular one

see if you fit on the bed, some of these buggers have 3/4 beds and I dont fit

look for a lot of storage as well if you are going to be in it for awhile then you will need plenty

air-con is good but if you are going to free camp then that opens up a whole new set of needs

Alan, I had the transmission cooler fitted, not a spot of bother, towed during last years hot weather in Vic,  kept just ahead of the fires. Air con, of course, thats a personal choice, would be cheaper fitted when manufactured.
The side awning is roll out, rear one is bag... Need pegs and poles, but great.  You can get roll out too, but mine was already built.

Vic, do you mean the back door of the van? presume thats what you mean, there is a dust hatch fitted in pop top,  just open it when on dusty roads, worked a treat when driving into Gympie Country Music Muster, last week.

Hope this is of some help guys, 'happy travels.
Barb.....

-- Edited by Xtrail51 on Thursday 27th of August 2009 02:06:55 PM

Hey Vic,

You stated that your mechanic suggested adding an extra cooler to the auto.

That's exactly what my mechanic has said - quote "the standard one may not be up to towing a van long term so I recommend adding an external cooler"

I trust his suggestions but it is good to hear that other mechanics out there are on our side by keeping our auto up to the task.

Cheers .... Alan