We have been to the caravan shows and looked at second hand vans in the category of SEMI OF ROAD over the last few years to the point of confusion, so we have stayed away from looking for a few month so we could clear our heads and as said it now time to come up with our ideal van. We have looked at the Paramount Utility 21" great back storage area not bad lay out, Traveller 19" and 21", LOTUS TROOPER and FREELANDER , Glob Trotter and so on.
I think what I am really asking for is what are the things that Experience Caravaners have come up with as essentials in a van and then the I like to have, keeping in mind that we will be going off road mainly staying in National Parks and Free camping. For an example dose 240 w solar panels keep 3 120AH Batterys charged. What type of suspension etc. I have also been told that the kitchen need to be in the front of the van as it is more stable and unlikely to have cupboards coming open.
For those that have brought a Semi of Roader has it really done the job that you have asked of it.
Hi Gary. I wasn't going to comment on your post as I thought there were others here who could better answer your question from their length of experience in free camping. However, as no-one has said anything, heres what little I can tell you for what its worth...
We have what is called an "all terrain" which is the other name for a semi off roader.
We have compared it to many other black top only vans and noticed that there are few differences. With ours, the frame is much heavier and about 3" x 6" (sorry - its dark and could outside at the moment, so not going out there to measure it lol), the water tanks are covered with bash plates (mainly to avoid stones flicking up and making holes), the chequer plating around the van is higher up, off road light truck tyres (if such a thing exists) and apparently the suspension is stronger. Inside, the cupboards have more secure types of catches to stop them dropping open on bumpy roads.
Other than that, youre paying extra just for a marketing gimmick. They don't have coil springs/air bags and all the other fruit along with a more solid frame as an off roader does.
We have drive on metal roads with moderate corrugations and through some potholey areas to camp in - but I sure as don't treat it as a true off roader and bush bash it
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Hi Gary, First up I am not an expert, there are far better people here than myself , in the meantime here's my thoughts. we have a "dirt road van " 19' 4x2 chassis with a 4x2 riser, rocker suspension with shockers and a/t tyres. It has done the strez track the oodna track, through warri gate and many many more dirt roads we have dragged it through creeks and up dry river beds and if it wasn't for bloody cancer it would be going to the cape this year.
Double bed at the front, centre kitchen and full ensuite at rear.
plated for 3000kg with a 280kg ball weight in holiday mode. we have 2 large water tanks 1 fore 1 aft of axles with 2x 25lt water jerrys at rear ( ordered with this in mind ) almost 300lt all up, also a large fridge. We do probably 80% free camping or national parks our layout suits us fine and if I could order / afford a Bustracker we would pick the same internal layout.
Right here we go...... the van is 4 years old and the washing machine hasn't even been unpacked yet, while the oven door has been opened that's it never been used. the microwave has been used only a handful of times, and only today we replaced the 12volt TV with a 240 volt TV / DVD player as it was never used with out 240 power connected and the DVD system was APITA to use. I insisted on good tyres and as such spares have not been needed yet ( touch wood ). We only have 120watt solar which is not enough am going to add another 120watt. The one thing that we are going to add before full time on the road is a desiel heater really will be worth it.
We took our off road camper to cape York in june 2015 and at the top seen Kedron, bushtracker vans down to a few road going jayco's.
Garry, DIRT ROAD vans can be taken most places, remember back in the 70,s when dad turned the axles upside down fitted winter tread tyres and "walla" an off road glenlee, and hooked it up to the old 55 and dragged it over tracks that make the gibb look like the freeway. It just needed common sense. Like I said we are going to take our DIRT ROAD van to the cape but not this year in 2017.
has our van done what we wanted YES.
Hope this helps just a bit, cheers warren.
Thank you for your input, The info given is helpful, as my van at the moment is a Jayco Hawk that we have taken out bush quite a bit,but the next step up is a new learning curve and I am wanting to listen to those that are travelling now.
Hi Bruce, Thanks for the info every bit of information helps especially when you are trying to upgrade to something completely different to what we have got. once again thanks.
