As I couldn't find a dedicated van brand or owners section, just wondering if anyone one has a Golden Eagle Van.
I know they are built by Paramount, I've done a search and any posts here or other sites were a little dated and with the usual responses both positive and negative.
You get mixed answers for all types of vans Bushie, that's what I like about this forum. You can put all the different comments and or ideas in a pile and pick the best and end up with something really nice to suit your needs. I am going through the same thing and I am now at the shortening the long list to just 3 vans now.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I have a Golden Eagle Hunter - 2008 model. 21ft internal.
Despite having a bad (and very protracted and heated) experience with both the dealer and the factory back in 2008/2009, as they actually did not build the van we ordered which is too varied to go into now. However, ultimately those "problems" (which were 95% resolved) have not been an issue over the past five years.
I travel full-time. The van has now travelled at least 85-90,000km with not a problem. I had two small warranty claims in the first year - vent over shower recess and Shurflo pressure reducer but both changed quickly and without any drama. The only 'failure' I have experienced in five years was a plastic connection on the HWS which I had replaced in Wagga Wagga in 2011.
The van is 2.600Kg over the scales in my 'touring' trim, with full tanks, gas etc etc. The tyres wear very evenly - I am only on my second set and they are still at least only 50% worn. As an aside, I have not even had a single puncture in all my travels - but I had better stay quiet about that. I have a "chassis service" each January - brakes, bearings, grease etc checked - needed two brake magnets and drums in 2013 - not badly worn, just changed as a precaution. I change the anode every January at the service as well and lubricate the Winegard antenna myself every six months.
There are no leaks of any kind - windows seal perfectly still, no leaks into cupboards etc or through hatches.
All cupboards and doors close and open perfectly ... no hinges, locks etc have failed. I installed solar panels on the roof in 2012 and have changed all the lights in the van to LED, and upgraded the battery from 96Ah to 120Ah - the best things I have done I think.
The van is extremely stable to tow - although I have always taken particular care in how I load it. I cruise at 85-90kph although there have been times when I have found myself sitting on 100kph (eg when crossing the Nullarbor for instance) without any feeling of instablity.
The van is not affected by road-train buffetting (either oncoming or overtaking) or side winds - although I do not travel if the weather is very windy and/or raining (I prefer to stop and camp until the bad weather has passed - much more pleasant). I tow with a Discovery and perhaps that assists the van stability as well - no data to prove it but it does tow it extremely easily.
As long as you realise the Golden Eagle is the "budget Paramount" van you will find it is very good. Not as flash as some but certainly has met all my expectations.
Hope that helps - and I apologise if I sound like a Golden Eagle salesman - it is not intended as I found their sales people absolutely useless I would not want to be like one of them. Of course, like all caravans, some are 'monday builds' others seem good.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
We have just purchased a Golden Eagle. It is basically our floor plan which the factory was happy to oblige. It is 23' external. Actually the dealer was so impressed they will make our design a 'stock' item.
The one comment that was made to us by a reliable source was that the caravan industry is 'agricultural'. When you understand the meaning of that in the context of the built quality and inconsistencies, it all makes sense.
Hopefully our new acquisition will give us years of happy caravanning. We too are on the road full time.
Larry
Hi Guys
Thank you for the open and honest replies, I was recently fortunate to view both the Paramount and the Golden Eagle side by side with the dealer pointing out the differences. It's a pity Golden Eagle don't actually up grade their website to feature the latest upgrades etc. I actually spoke to another manufacture about the same layout, they wanted almost 8k more to build the same thing, looking at their vans I couldn't see any major difference in quality of fit and finish other than a different chassis, and they seemed more interest in selling us something in their range that was to big rather than build what we wanted.
So thus far have all but signed off on the Golden Eagle. as they had layout size that suited us and came within spec for our tow vehicle and budget, Dealer has been great with first rate service thus far.
