How Do We Do This.

19bruce54 · Member

How Do We Do This.

Landfall · Guru

We went down exactly the same path, same choice of brand van, etc.

Sold the van after fourteen months, too many problems and after living in it for that time we now knew a lot more about layouts and what worked and what didn't.

If I was starting out again with the same limited knowledge, I would buy secondhand and pick a more upmarket brand, after getting my choice thoroughly checked out by a caravan repairer.

ken

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

If you have never owned a van before rent a van for a couple of weeks at a time travel around, look at vans owned by other travellers, talk with them, after doing this, look for a second hand van that you think will suit you and go for an extended trip.

It is very rare to get a first van that will suit you for long term travelling, once you have acquired a more extensive knowledge of you needs and requirements trade that van in on either another second hand van that better suits or even a new one.

If you buy right with the first van you might even make a profit but if you buy new then realize that van is not right you will loose big dollars on a changeover.

If I was buying again I would definitely look at second hand because most of the faults will have been sorted or if buying new I would get an Evernew van custom-made that van would certainly last a lifetime.

Cheers

David

19bruce54 · Member

Thank you Ken, would a Windsor or Coromal be a better choice or is there another we do not know of.

19bruce54 · Member

Thanks David. More involved in this than we thought it seems.

Hendo · Guru

Good idea to buy second hand. Good second hand vans hold their value. If there is a Caravan Repair business near by, ask them for advice. Before I bought my first second hand van I asked the local repair man for his advice.
He recommended in this order, Evernew, Golf and Roadstar. Asked his opinion of Jayco, he just looked at me and said, Evernew, Golf or Roadstar. I bought a s/h Roadstar, great van, sold it 2 years later for $8,000 more than I paid for it. Missed not having a van so bought another s/h Roadstar. Made the mistake of looking at the van in a dark shed. When I got it home I found evidence of water leaks. Brother bought a brand new Paramount, leaked like a sive. I think all vans will have some minor problems here and there. A must is an ensuite.

Having said all that I'de just like to say "YOU LUCKY BUGGERS!"

deverall11 · Guru

Bruce and Patricia,
What vehicle are you using to tow? Some parks will give you a hard time with a big van, mostly the older ones as they were built when a 19' van was big.
There are some logistics to consider when towing a big van.
Larry

NeilandRaine · Guru

Bruce because one person didn't find a Jayco to their liking doesn't mean they are bad. Consider the fact 1 in five vans on the road are Jayco They must be doing something right.
Consider cars, most would like a Mercedes but the fact is a lot more drive Holdens. Most people think a Holden a solid car but you will always get someone who isn't happy with it for some reason
and with so many sales you will get the odd lemon. You did get it right when you said Jaycos dealer network is very big, they also have the best after sales service. My sister paid a squillion dollars for a brand new Roadstar and has had nothing but problems.
Having said all that if you find a van, Cameron at Central Coast Caravans in Tuggerah will give you an honest assessment.
Have a good look around if your going for a used van, when you find the right one you will know. One thing to be careful of when looking at used vans is the amount of additions and modifications that have been already made. To many extras can put you close to your load limit
Good Luck

kiwijims · Guru

Howdy Bruce & Patricia,

As a retired Caravan repairer, I have had many, many years in and under all sorts and types of caravans.

My advice to you is as follows,

Don't buy a new van, as has already been stated, you can save heaps on buying second hand, and with luck, when it comes time to sell you have a very good chance of getting your money back, if not making a profit on it as well.

I would not go so far as to say what is the best van on the market, as there is so many to choose from, any one brand can be good in one van and the next one off the production line can be a real LEMON.

If you look in a sales yard just think, the price they are asking has probably got a mark-up on it of anything up to $4000 more than what the seller got for it as a trade-in, there-fore I suggest you look for private sellers, have the van inspected by a qualified person, this may cost you $100 or so but, it may save you $$$$$ in the long run, then if the van gets all good ticks, make the seller a cash offer of something near their asking price, this again may save you a couple of thousand.

There are many advantages in buying second hand, firstly a van will show signs of wear and tear if there are problems with suspension or frame-work etc, but on the plus side, you will probably gain extras that the owner has had fitted such as solar panels, battery, extra water tank, extra gas bottle, walls for the awning, a t.v. / d.v.d player, just to name a few of the many extras that are left in caravans in the hope of making a sale.

As a rule we had a 42 point check, which we carried out on every van before we let it go out, this check covered just about everything and all items had to be working correctly, or they were fixed on the spot.

One last thing to remember, there is no, or (if you are exceptionally lucky ) very limited warranty on second hand caravans.

I suggest, make up you own minds as to the lay-out you will be happy with, then have a good look around, it's bound to be out there some-where, then as I said, pay a qualified person to do an inspection.

Best of luck. kiwijims

19bruce54 · Member

Hi Larry : We have no problams there as we traded our Ranger on a new Colorado just before Xmas so we have 3.5 Ton.

-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Wednesday 26th of February 2014 05:40:02 PM

19bruce54 · Member

Hi Kiwijims. How do I find someone to check over a van when we find one, are they listed in the phone book or do I just approch someone at a Caravan repairer.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

19bruce54 wrote:
Hi Kiwijims. How do I find someone to check over a van when we find one, are they listed in the phone book or do I just approch someone at a Caravan repairer.

http://www.caravancouncil.com.au/

knowledgeable and independent.

Don't kid yourself that the first van you buy will last you many years.

The fact is that until you have spent a couple of years on the road you don't know what your longer term interests and needs really are.

All the more reason to buy second hand, because you will probably want a change fairly quickly.

Also consider a motorhome.

Cheers,

Peter

19bruce54 · Member

Thank you every one, learnt a lot and will start look at second hand vans instead of just new. Once again we apreaciate you all taking the time to help us.

grahos · Guru

KIWI JIm can you post a copy of your 42 points check list please.
We are also looking at a 2nd hand van.