Welcome to the forum Scoey. The search for the "right" van is fun but can be very difficult, wish you luck with it!
Start with a list of things you must have, things you'd like, how much weight you can tow with your vehicle, and budget limits. Then add all the places you want to visit, and consider the conditions you would be in. Easy!

We have a Jayco Discover pop-top "outback"... the chassis is stronger, and the clearance is higher, but the internal fittings are standard Jayco. It is ok for dirt roads which are not seriously corrugated, and water crossings below floor level. If you shake it to bits on a corrugated road the warranty is voided. We've been to lots of places you wouldnt expect to get a normal low-clearance van into, even service stations are easier! Its NOT an off-road van, but was much lighter in weight, and less expensive than true off-roaders, so we compromised. If we really want to go bush along bad roads, we leave the caravan behind and take a tent for a day or 2.

We were very happy owners of a Trakmaster for 14 years, until the Driver was no longer able to tow.

The bigger you get, the more restricted you are about where you can take it. Single axle more manoeverable than double.

Our van was only 14 foot inside, but we managed to live full time in it for three years, then did heaps more shorter periods in it after that. We have been told that 16 foot is max length for versatility.

We travelled a hell of a lot of corrugated tracks. Trakmaster chassis was nice and solid, everything inside stayed attached where it should. The pic on the left is indicative - that track was 63km long, like you see - and we had to go both ways on it. No problems.

-- Edited by wendyv on Monday 11th of March 2013 09:55:15 PM

Maybe have a look at the Nova Terra Sportz. I like the build quality and the extras that are included as standard.