GEIST CARAVAN

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

RE: GEIST CARAVAN

Bamboo · Veteran Member

ALL biased Geist information removed. Good luck. If you don't own a Geist van you should not be making ill advised comments. FULL STOP! PS: Geist don't make awnings. They fit other makes to their vans. The Orminstor awning that has the thin struts is a beauty & stands up to severe weather far better than the ridged models & erects in a quarter of the time. I have been using one for eight years now & would not have anything else. I have also been to eight repairers in Australia. & know that non of them know the first thing about Geist vans. Only the knowledgeable repairers are capable of doing a good of repairing them. Bamboj

-- Edited by Bamboo on Sunday 20th of January 2013 09:14:14 AM I have had the Grey Nomad site editor remove the biased info. from these posts. Don't want anyone getting good information that maybe useful to a Geist owner!

Bamboo · Veteran Member

Hi, Subject: - Geist couplings.

Yes, the ball and tonue are very important. Something else to be very wary of is the bad condition of tractor towing couplings in caravan parks that store or move vans.

We have used several caravan parks for storage and the condition of the coupling interior afterwards is deplorable. Now we carry solvent and rigourously clean out the grease and grit after such an event to restore the dry (non lube condition to the join that relies on the friction coupling of the grip pads). We have already replaced two grip pads due to being ignorant about cleaning the coupling joint of the V-Tec BPW/Winterhoff 3000 coupling. We also carry spare grip pads purchased from BPW in Melbourne. They mail then to wherever required.

There is also a sway bar (single and sliding) that can be imported from Europe for fitting to the Geist van. We are having one fitted in June 2013 at the 'Repairer from God' in Forest Glenn, Qld.

Regards, BAMBOJ

Bamboo · Veteran Member

The Geist gathering is happening in MAY 2013, at Yamba, QLD. Looking forward to meeting other GEIST owners. And exchanging information. Our LV 660 is undergoing a re-fit the following week. So, all new info. would be much appreciated.

walpol · Newbie

We are recent owners of a Geist caravan, LV535. Could you kindly tell me the date in May of the gathering for Geist owners in Yamba?

Regards Laurelle

Robert and Karen · Member

Hi we have a Geist XK660 and just love it.

We bought it second hand in 2011 and have done lots of travel with it up and down the easy coast. It tows like a dream! We tow it with an ML350 Merc and it's like they were made for each other.

We won't be attending this years Geist gathering as we are heading off in 2 days. Off to the west via Darwin.

I can't recommend the Geist highly enough and prices seem to be quite good at the moment.

There are dedicated repairers around the country but they are few and far between.

We have used:

Caravan and RV works in Forest Glen QLD (near Noosa)

Ballina RV and caravan centre in Ballina.

ANSU leisure caravan sales. in Pimpinio, Vic (Near Horsham)

There is also one in Gosford called Central Coast Caravans ( We haven't been here, but spoke to him on the phone when we were first buying our van and he was a great help.

They have been fantastic to deal with and have only been used by us for servicing every year, depending on where we are around the country :)

You have to be a member of geist owners to go to the geist gathering. Here is a link to the homepage.

http://geistowners.com/

Here is the link to join geistowners.

It costs about $15 a month to join.

http://qmail.qmail.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=507533&u=3977

Good luck purchasing a van and if you decide to go with a Geist I;m sure you'll be more than happy with it.

Karen and Robert :)

jimricho · Guru

I don't own a Geist so my knowledge of them is very minimal but on the subject of expressing opinions, comments such as "not made for Australian conditions" are totally worthless unless they are backed up with specific facts and data. It's no wonder that those who do know what they're talking about get upset by opinions coming from those who probably know even less about these vans than I do.

Folks such as the original poster come here seeking good reliable information not just unfounded opinion maybe even based on rumours spread by opposition sales people.

From time to time I see Australian made vans coming into caravan parks and grounding out on speed humps and gutters so I wonder if the "not suitable for Australian conditions" may apply to these Aussie made vans too.

herbie · Guru

I agree with you 100 % in what you say in your post .All vans no matter what brand/ make/ country they all cost us money to maintain.In one way or another. So until a caravan builder comes up with a no maintaintance set up, one brand is not much better than the next.

Bamboo · Veteran Member

Oakhurst went bust in 2008, so U are way behind the times. Only second hand units are available. 1,000 were made in Australia. Don't buy imports. They are not sufficiently strong. From a 2005, Geist LV 660 owner, still enjoying the experience.

PS: The Geist gathering is at Yamba, 22 May 2013. Big4 caravan park. Vacancies are still available. Contact Rachel Treasure.

I have been in central Australia, the last month & out of contact. My Geist is still going after doing 400 km on dirt roads in the Flinders Ranges & Menindee Lakes region, out of Broken Hill. The corrugations in these areas are something to behold. If U don't think they stand up to harsh conditions, well ours is still going with no structural problems. Our 660 has also been up the Buckland River Rd. to Beveridges Station; twice. So, they stand up to the harshest of Australian conditions.

I meet a Maryborough resident recently whom personally knew Wayne Muller, the former owner of Oakhust. They sympathised with their predicament. But Peter Treasure is still holding the Geist group together.

The other big player with modern day Geist experience is Gary Scambler, of Prestige RV in Forest Glen, Qld. He purchased all the spare parts from Oakhurst Caravans & his repair shop is highly regarded by insurance assessors. We know this from first hand experience.

PS: We won the court case recently against a Frankston RV repairer for malpractice on our Geist. We are now very selective in terms of who we use for our Geist repairs.

GOSEEAUSTRALIA is a good website for GEIST reviews. Garth Morrison is the editor & has excellent knowledge.

BAMBOO.

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Robert and Karen · Member

I'm pretty sure they were all made in Germany but to UK specs, they were then imported to OZ and the importer changed the gas and electricity to Australian standards. Bamboo, you own an LV660?

We are heading off in our XK660 on Thursday :)

Greg W · Newbie

Hi

It is a little late to be posting an answer, but I just joined the forum. Regarding the water heater on gas, it is necessary to remove the plastic cover on the outside of the van over the water heater. This prevents the air from entering the burner. To remove it, you pull out at the top, while pressing your thumb in just below the top. This action bends the cover slightly to allow it to clear a small lug at the top. Of course, this may not be your problem. My van didn't come with an instruction manual, so I found out the hard way.

Also like to add my bit about Geist vans. We have had an XK535 for four years, and like so many others, we love it. I still can't believe how well the brakes work. It is only a cable system. Not having the manual, I made the mistake of greasing the tow bar. You wouldn't believe how much noise came from the tow ball, especially along the Great Ocean Road, with the constant turning. I was able to get replacement hitch pads over the internet from England.

Nothing has failed at all on our van. I also tested the strength of the van when I failed to see a huge dip in the road in the middle of a town called Binaway. We were only going about 50 kph, but this was a serious dip. People came running out of stores to see who had crashed. I expected to find my van in two or more pieces, and was pleasantly surprised when it seemed to have suffered no damage at all.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned, and I may be wrong, but I couldn't find anyone who would insure the Geist van. Didn't particularly worry me, because I drive carefully, and insurance on vans seems overly pricey.

There are a few things I would stress to anyone new to caravanning (maybe it's not a valid word but I like it). It's not the same as driving a car. You may feel safe at high speed, but many people have come unstuck. I sudden twitch of the steering wheel, or strong gust of wind can start a sway, which at high speed can cause a nasty accident. I have seen a couple of vans who were travelling at the speed limit, and have nothing left above the floor. The maximum safe speed will vary from rig to rig, but I would suggest around 90 kph.

The other important issue that I don't hear much about is brake fade. Most vans these days have terrific brakes, so it is not a big a problem as it used to be. When travelling down long hills, the extra weight of luggage and caravan needs a lot more braking effort. The brakes can become so hot that the surface of the brake pads becomes liquid, and it suddenly feels like you have no brakes at all. The faster you are going, the more heat that is generated, so start slow at the top of the hill, keep in a low gear and use the engine for braking, and keep the speed down as low as practicable. Fortunately, there are not too many long steep hills around.

Well, that's my rant, I apologise for stating the obvious, but someone who reads this may be saved from unnecessary pain.

Greg

ShortNorth · Senior Member

Greg W wrote:
........................................One thing I haven't seen mentioned, and I may be wrong, but I couldn't find anyone who would insure the Geist van. Didn't particularly worry me, because I drive carefully, and insurance on vans seems overly pricey.................

Even if you can't find someone to insure the van as fully comprehensive insurance (which will replace or repair your van), you should at the very least get it insured for Third Party Property Damage - this way if you somehow lose the van and it spears through the front wall of a house (or worse), at least you are covered for the damage to others property that your van causes - however, your van itself won't be covered for its own damage. Compulsory Third Party Personal Damage (if the van injures someone) should be covered in the annual registration fee. You could also consider Fire and Theft insurance, as these are two of the common ways to lose a van.

barmy bill · Member

We have our van insured through Suncorp no problem with them having a Geist.

mongrel · Guru

Welcome to the forum Greg, Hope you get the assistance you may need at times from the people on here ,great folks. It doesn't hurt to have a rant every now and then,Actually in some cases ,makes for good reading ,brings to the fore things that we take for granted.Thanks mate and enjoy....Alan

Robert and Karen · Member

We have our geist fully insured with AAMI.

Cheers

Karen and Robert

(sitting in the van at Uluru resort :D)

aladdin · Newbie

Hi Greg

I get my XK630 insured with CIL.

Have had one claim for a bent awning arm and they replaced the complete awning.

Regards

Al

ozjohn · Guru

Bamboo.
No Geist's were even made in Australia.
And why do you need a sway Bar, is there a problem?
Ozjohn.

barmy bill · Member

Hi all we are on our big trip with the van a geist lv485 after three weeks into a 14 week trip its going great, went to the Brissy caravan show last week and bought a nice new awning to replace the old smaller one as it had a few tears in it. but need to buy a new mixer tap for the ensuite, due to my clumsyness. anyone point me in the way of a good website to buy Geist spares. would be easier to do a strait change out than mess around with new fittings to suit an aussie mixer tap. in no hurry post from europe is not to bad.. Bill

Robert and Karen · Member

Hi Bill,

There are 3 service agents that may be able to help you out with parts. Andy and ANSU Leisure Caravans Pimpinio , (03) 5384 2254 www.ansuleisure.com.au in Victoria, Harry at Coastal caravan clinic in Gosford 02 43252022 and Gary at Caravan and RV works in Forest Glenn QLD www.caravanandrvworks.com.au .

We also have a geist owners club. It used to be run by Peter Treasure but has been taken on now by the owners. http://geistowners.com/ The site is in the process of being changed over to the new group but there are links there to that effect. We are also on facebook if you use it. Search for Geist caravan owners and ask to become a member.

Good luck with your parts.

Karen and Robert

Greg W · Newbie

Thanks for that welcome Alan and Adele.

Our travelling status has recently changed. Our kids have been borrowing the Geist, and we don't want to risk them wrecking it, so we bought a Winnebago for them to borrow.

We plan to tow the Geist with the Winnebago when we take our kids, or friends with us. Gives us a bit more accommodation and options, and because I snore, my wife can get as far away as she likes.

Regards,

Greg

Galivanters · Member

Hi, have you already got your Geist? We have one for sale XK559.

Regards

Brian n Jude

-- Edited by Galivanters on Thursday 28th of November 2019 08:26:12 PM

TheHeaths · Guru

Hope so Brian and Jude.

This thread ended in Nov 2013!

Galivanters · Member

Thanks for the info, only joined the other day and am not up to speed(obviously).

-- Edited by Galivanters on Thursday 28th of November 2019 09:02:35 PM

Tony LEE · Guru

Cupie said "I think that your message would have been better received without the attacks on others." What vitriol was that? Get a grip.

Cap · Newbie

Your XK559 how much are you asking for it.Im looking for one tandem or single which is the best? Graham.

yobarr · Guru

Cap wrote:
Your XK559 how much are you asking for it.Im looking for one tandem or single which is the best? Graham.

Hi Graham,and welcome! You are unlikely to get a response to your request,as the last person to post here did so over a year ago,and the thread itself was started 8 years ago! Cheers.