Hello everyone, I'm a newbie, this is my first post. I have a 2004, 4 cyl., auto trans. X-Trail. Have been looking for a lightweight van or hardfloor camper to travel on my own in. Was interested in a Cub Junior but the 8" wheels put me off, thought they would get hot on a long trip? Anyway, the Cub factory told me they haven't made one for 2 to 3 years (so I wonder why it's still on their website ???? Tried to talk me into a Vacationer but if I fit that into the double garage beside my X-Trail I can't get the car door open (bit of a problem there). I am now contemplating a Basic model Avan Weekender. Supposedly 350 kgs. Anybody have any feedback on these or the Dingo camper with the Primus tent on it ? .... Val
-- Edited by benalla-ite on Friday 24th of April 2015 10:09:58 AM
Jeepers Jonesy - that fridge must have added to the weight, which would be a problem for me - have to keep everything light as I have a dicey disc in my back. Do you find the door heavy to lift up ? Have avoided tents as the thought of packing up wet canvas deters me, plus getting down to put in tent pegs not so good since I had a hip replacement 18 months ago. Am going down to Pakenham next week to have a look at a secondhand one for $10,490 - 2013 model. The crunch will be how easily I can lift up door, or not. Thanks for the info. ... Val
Yeah, the one for sale at Avan, Pakenham has the tiny annexe included (well, it's there in the photo, so it BETTER be included). I was thinking that the price was a bit steep but I was going to try to get them down a bit on price. Thanks again. ... Val
Welcome to the gang Val, enjoy here and out in the playground.
As an ex Avan Camper owner I would go with the Avan due to insulated solid walls around you, not canvas. Nice little unit the Avan Weekender. Maybe have a look at the Avan Campers before you make a final decision.
__________________
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)
Thanks Jade, but I've already looked at a teardrop camper at Mansfield (last Tuesday) and I had some reservations about the side-entry door which were ultimately confirmed when I had to pull my knees up to my chest to get into it. Soon as I laid down inside a cramp, which I get from my sciatic nerve, grabbed me. The best cure for this is to get up out of bed and pace up and down till the cramp goes away. This was not possible to do without again scrunching myself up to get out of the van. Not an experience I would want to repeat. Had to shamefacedly tell the vendor that "I'd better leave it for someone younger and more agile", not that it wasn't a lovely little red fibreglass unit, and I'm sure they'll find a buyer for it. I'm going to Pakenham to look at the Avan on Monday.
Thanks Dougwe for your encouragement to me to get on the road. Won't be doing any huge trips but looking forward to Mildura Country Music week in Sept. and Corryong's Man from Snowy River horse competition next March or April. Did a lot of horse trail riding until about 10 yrs ago when I had a week in hospital with a disc problem in my back. On horse trips up to the Victorian high country often used to camp in my horse float for a week at a time. Was thinking of getting a horse float and converting the inside, but they're already 750 kg before you start a conversion. Too heavy for this 70 y.o. who has to look after her back!
Well, I went to the Avan place and looked at the Weekender. Lucky it had been raining so it was immediately obvious there was a problem with rain getting in around the Left hand hinge at the top of the door. Just the spot to drip, drip, drop onto the cabinet. Then the guy had to get down on his knees (practically lie down flat) to find the spot to put the winder on to wind down the legs, and wasn't prepared to put the annexe on to show it to me. The tyres looked half flat and it wasn't registered, contrary to their claims that it had 12 months rego. I had emailed to say I was from the country and if I liked it I would be wanting to drive it away there and then, not willing to make two trips down to the big bad City. Jonesy, I told him I knew someone who had only paid $11,490 for theirs brand new and he immediately hummed and harred and dropped their price from $10,490 to $9,900. All in all I was not impressed so I left and went over and bought a lightweight camper from Dingo campers - I reckon it will answer all my needs for the time being and is light enough for me to manoeuver.
Hi there I'm new to this forum, found it will doing some research on Avan. I purchased an Avan Weekender about 18 months ago and have had nothing but trouble with it ! It started with the back door not staying open perpendicular as displayed on all advertising. The dealer here in Tas contacted Avan who indicated that this was easy to fix, just needed stronger hydraulic struts, which they supplied. Over the next 6 months the new struts have affected the door closing , this was first noticed via water leaking in then the door would not latch closed at all, the new struts had bent the hinges. This was all brought to the attention of AVAN back in February and I'm still waiting for it to be fixed ! Dealing with AVAN customer service is a nightmare, I felt like I was a nuisance ringing up to found out what was happening and why the delay. I heard all kinds of stories ; parts have definitely been sent , then not received here. Then the wrong parts sent . Now the story is I'm waiting for bits to be sent from CHINA! During this time waiting I have had to cancel 3 planned trips , at no time have AVAN showed me any concern or sympathy about this. I'm am very close to going to consumer affairs with this.
Wondering if any one else has a problem with the Avan weekender back door ? ...
Welcome to the gang yuppa, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Shut the front gate! Not sure how you found this thread as it is old and down in the dungeon now.
May I sugget you pop your question in the 'Techies' section of the forum. It will be on top and noticed by many then.
I feel for you though as I had a Avan 'Sportliner' Camper and loved it but as you say, Avan service is, well, cr.p really. I ended up re-wireing the camper as they used what I call
'toy' wire and was useless. It's a shame really because the ideas they have in their range are good.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
__________________
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)
