Caravan Suggestions

Kimbra · Member

Caravan Suggestions

Possum3 · Guru

Whatever you choose do Due Diligence there are several well known manufacturers going to the wall at the moment.

Ensure you follow Guidelines from Caravan Council of Australia www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance Note this is an independent body, unlike Caravan Industry Association.

Also checkout Buyer Beware List from Lemon Caravans and R V Facebook site www.facebook.com/groups/lemoncaravansinaus/

Checkout the owners of caravans in Caravan Parks ask them about the Pros and Cons of their choice of van, ask every owner of a Caravan that you come across - Avoid Buying at Caravan Shows and Special Deals - Insist on 7 day cooling off period in contracts. Many of the salesmen at shows don't even work for the Manufacturer they're spruiking for - they are Commission Salesmen only interested on selling and forget any verbal assurances and promises that they offer.

montie · Guru

Kimbra wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I hope I am not opening up a can of worms here (as I know you all probably did a lot of research and love the van you decided to purchase) but any suggestions on which caravan to buy that is within our towing specs, desires, etc., would be appreciated.
We are after a full caravan body - ie. no pop tops, etc. Would like the size to be around the 18ft mark, with full ensuite, etc. Only needs to sleep 2. To be semi off-road as we would like to do a fair bit of free camping. So solar, enough water for showering, etc. Also would like a decent payload.
Our tow vehicle is a Ford Territory, AWD, diesel. With the following specs. Towing capacity - 2700 kg, Towball weight - 270 kg, GVM 2635 kg and GCM of 5250 kg.
Price range - around $50,000 to $55,000.
Not really fussed if it is single or dual axle.
Thank you

-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 03:32:51 PM

-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 03:43:37 PM

-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 03:45:38 PM

Kimbra,
You need a van with a 2200kg ATM and Tare to give you 400kg payload.
Perfect for the tug you have got.
Some great 2017 plate clearance sales at the moment so you should buy for around $50K.
Talk to as many current owners as possible for the brand you are looking at...people love talking about their pride and joy.
Don't worry about Facebook or similar sites...all you will get there is negative feedback.
Avoid buying at shows.....just go there to look....you will always get a better deal at the dealers yard.

Kimbra · Member

Thank's Possum 3.

SouthernComfort · Guru

We bought our $50k van at a show and got a 10% factory direct discount offered only for the show period - not too shabby! Yes, always be cautious about the salesman's pitch, whether at a show or a dealer. We dealt only with staff employed by the manufacturer but I know of dealers who employ sales people with precious little technical knowledge or experience. It's not difficult to establish their credentials with a few questions of your own. Anyhow, your own thorough research and due diligence will pay off.

RustyD · Guru

A trip to caravanshow.com.au/Home maybe worthwhile.

Wylie foxes · Member

Hi Kimbra.

We're here from the UK only on a long visitor visa so didn't have a lot of time to spend on research but bought at the November Sydney show.

We got a good deal (well we think we did) on a New Age road owl, it is under 2000kg, 18 foot, semi off road, has a queen size bed, fully ensuite and is twin axle. We have had it since mid November and love it. There is most of the time only the two of us in it but we're currently sharing it with our daughters Labrador and it's no problem.

We bought the basic model but they wired it ready for solar as an extra, the fresh water tank is 100litres.

We think we got a good deal at the show, at $51,500, they threw in a few extras like recovery, air con, outside speakers, water and waste pipes, cables etc...

Hope this is of some help.

Good luck with your search.

Keith and Carol