Hi Everyone, we have been a fan of the GN Times and looking through the forums for a while to get some much needed knowledge on the subject of leaving home and work to go on the big lap. The info on both the Times and Forums is fabulous and we are excited and glad we found both of them, so thank you all for your invaluable insight and info.
This being our first post, please excuse us if this topic has been covered before. We did try the search and couldn't get a lot of info on the specific issues.
We purchased the proverbial Pop Up first to see if we really would like the lifestyle, I can see many of you nodding and saying so did we, and yes we have the Bug and can't wait to get going.
We looked firstly at the Caravan Camping Shows and fell in love with many of the vans on offer, unfortunately "New" is out of the budget for now, so our next choice is near new but tried and maybe tested.
This is where we hope you can help, we have found a couple of real possibilities that certainly fit the bill and tick all the boxes, an 18ft Aussie Wide and a 19ft Billabong. Both are listed as "off road" and seem to have everything for off grid as well. Both around 2010 build and both with many extras. We don't intend to go Extreme Off Road but would like the freedom to do say the "Gibb River" road and not have everything fall to pieces.
Searching the internet for info on the Aussie wide it seems they have gone out of business and may now be trading under a different name. The owner reviews are all good with those who purchased giving glowing comments. Pretty much the same as the Billabong, in fact to look at the inside shots it's very hard to tell them apart right down to layout and color schemes.
Does anyone know of problems they have seen heard or had with either of these van's and would anyone have a recommendation for a better "Offroader". Our Tug is a 2009 BT50, my understanding is this will do the job just fine, but again reading through several of the forums here, many have found difficulty working the ATM, GSM, Ball Weight, Tare weight and so on. Even the experts can't seem to agree at the Caravan Shows. Is there a specific location to go too to find the right info on the towing allowances for vehicle and van that anyone can direct me too.
Looking forward to your comments, thanks in advance.
I would just like to be one of the first to welcome you to the forum I can not help with your question, sorry
With all things being equal I would assume that, if as you say, one manufacture is no longer in business, then perhaps parts may be, harder to obtain I would be leaning towards the one where the manufacture is still selling spare parts
It may pay to ask your question in the General Forum, as not many people come here, to welcome new members
Welcome, BoutTime I'm sure you will enjoy it out there and you may have noticed there are differing views on caravans particularly so called off-road models. I hope you get as much out of the site as we have.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Welcome to the gang BoutTime, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Due to Tugs and Dens being a personal choice, I keep away from all that stuff sorry. Just enjoy whatever you decide on.
Maybe do a search in the 'search' box in the thick blue line above as most things have been discussed many many times already and is a good place to start.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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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)
Hi Tony and Bev, thanks for your warm welcome and clear insight. I did think about the spare parts but figured the parts would be available at most caravan center's. With so many caravan manufacturers in Australia today, when you look at as many vans as we have in the last year, most parts look to be pretty much the same, just arranged differently.
Hi Possum 3, I do hope your carrier pigeon makes it back alright.
Thanks for welcome, we have been looking though the news letter's and forums for a while, there sure seems to be an abundance of information and help to Newbie's like us, oh there's a lot funny people out there on the road too, must be the lack of stress.
when u buy your van take it and your car over a weigh bridge to make sure the compliance plate is correct. Some garbage dumps will allow u to weigh car n tug for free. Then take van away n go back n weigh the car. Weights in car include all people, fuel n anything else. when we took our previous caravan to a paid weigh bridge we were able to disconnect the van n just weighed that. Good luck. Enjoy.
And it's welcome from us two 2 BoutTime most points have been covered , just to clarify rockets point about weight if you can get it weighed Before. You buy it that way you still have some power to get it rectified or look for another one.
Possum3 that's a well trained pidgeon you have there, and profitable too , shame that the ones that get lost n want to stay in my shed n poop over everything arnt trained as well. Some like it so much they will never leave , hmmm say no more .
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Hi Guru, Woody N Sue, thanks heaps for the info, all good sound advice. We do have a weigh bridge not too far away, I'll check with the rule makers and see if we can make a time to do it.
Re the pigeons, maybe they could be sent to Possum 3 for training, he seems to have a way with them, alternatively maybe they could be slow baked instead of the quale's, (Just an idea)
