feedback on first caravan

ED74 · Newbie

feedback on first caravan

PetenSue · Veteran Member

Has the last picture been reversed or is the door really on the drivers side ? Regards Pete

Possum3 · Guru

Ensure Australian compliance plate affixed - May be difficult to register in another State. It is a very long unit for a first time caravan.

PeterInSa · Guru

I would check to confirm that the van meets the rear overhang rule, see below:

www.caravanindustry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Rear-Overhang_December-2016.pdf

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 23rd of November 2019 10:32:46 AM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

While it is possible to import and use an imported van, it is illegal to sell it unless it has full Australian compliance (in fact it is illegal to even give it away).
That includes electrical details like the colour of the 240V wiring to approval for every individual appliance.
Buyer beware.
Cheers,
Peter

Daryl620 · Veteran Member

If you are going to be touring, you may have difficulties with the door on the wrong side....

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Daryl620 wrote:
If you are going to be touring, you may have difficulties with the door on the wrong side....

It is illegal to sell the van with the door on the wrong side. It might have a door on the other side too and that would be OK.

Cheers,

Peter

Meredith · Senior Member

9 metres is a very long van to tow for a first time caravaner. And the compliance is a huge issue, if it hasn't been properly fitted with Australian regulation electrical and gas and given full compliance and it doesn't have a fully functional door on the passenger side you may buy it and then find it impossible to register and insure and also impossible to sell on. Lots of downsides to this one I think.

-- Edited by Meredith on Saturday 23rd of November 2019 11:11:50 AM

montie · Guru

ED74 wrote:
Hi looking to buy this Hobby euro caravan aprox 9 metres long has shower and toilet 2006 model he owner is selling it as she owes fair amount in storage fees.
asking $14,000

My advice...walk away!!

There are plenty of fully complied used vans on the market at the moment.

Mike Harding · Guru

Google takes me here:
www.euro-caravans.com.au/hobby/

But they don't look like the van in your pics?

If it is really 9m (30') long then unless you have experience of driving heavy vehicles I'd say you're setting yourself up to have an accident. Additionally I suspect a 9m van will be pretty damn heavy - my van is 7.6m (25') from tip to toe and weights 2.8T when fully loaded so I'd take a guess this one will come in around 3.5T loaded, you almost need a light truck to tow that.

Also take very careful note of the above advice regarding vehicle legal compliance. I think Montie's advice is spot on.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
...snip...
Additionally I suspect a 9m van will be pretty damn heavy - my van is 7.6m (25') from tip to toe and weights 2.8T when fully loaded so I'd take a guess this one will come in around 3.5T loaded, you almost need a light truck to tow that.
...snip...

Not necessarily. I have Dutch friends with a German van about this size (maybe a tad longer) and it is under 2.5T fully loaded on the road.

In any case EVERY buyer of ANY RV should have it weighed (certified) BEFORE handing over their hard earned.

Cheers,

Peter

ED74 · Newbie

It is registered already in Victoria it was originally registered in QLD it has full compliance and weighs 1700kg they are a light van yes i drive trucks so towing be no issue for me.
I have attached compliance plate.

its 8metres long with draw bar sorry i was incorrect

ED74 · Newbie

it weighs 1700kg is 8 metres long with draw bar

Yuglamron · Veteran Member

Lots of questions to ask here.

Have you seen the Van in person, Have you measured the Overhang. Does it meet Australian rules.The photos do not look like a van with 13 years of wear and tear.

Even if it has been stored for a long time.

Research the legalities of the door on the driver's side. Does it have a Vin plate and or compliance plate. Of course all the other things suggested by replies. Electrical compliance.Do the appliances have Australian compliance. Also looks like it has some system of heating. Is it compliant as well. As suggested a trip over a weighbridge is a really good idea. Total length of tug and rig. Is it within the regs. As suggested even if it was legally imported by the owner unless it has been modified to meet Australian standards it cannot be sold on.

The compliance plate from Qld says Hobby. as the manufacturer. That in itself needs research. I built three trailers over four years one car trailer,( Dolly Style) One 6x4 cage trailer and one 8x5 trailer. Basically as Manufacturer you can use any name you want. I used different search engines and the only Hobby van is a tiny European model.

The old adage Buyer beware is important with imported stuff.

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Saturday 23rd of November 2019 08:40:30 PM

yobarr · Guru

ED74 wrote:
it weighs 1700kg is 8 metres long with draw bar

In its present form that van is next to useless,with the ATM being only 117kg more than the tare? In view of the axle group being rated at 2000kg,you may be able to increase the ATM? It may be that my eyes are not good,but the rear axis appears to be greater than the front load area?? And those bicycle wheels look a bit suspect too.....as Montie suggests,walk away! If something seems to good to be true,it usually is. Cheers

ED74 · Newbie

Thanks for your feedback greatly appreciated everyone great help thats for sure

Eaglemax · Guru

ED74 wrote:
Thanks for your feedback greatly appreciated everyone great help thats for sure

Cant add much to the great replies here but her eis my 2c worth

Usually in Vcitoria at least where I've registered two caravans I've made, they do measure the rear overhang compared to front overhang (body only) and the rear must be less. However, my van looks like the rear overhang is more than the front in actual fact it is 200mm less! see pic. So the pointy bit on the front sometimes gives you this elusion.

My searches of the Hobby Euro in images shows that van model with the door on the wrong side. I'm guessing it doesnt have a door on the near side making it far less desirable even if legal.

The load weight available isnt enough at 117kg. My van pictured has 120kg available until I up the towing capacity of my tug. eg 730kg tare, 998kg ATM, 850kg towing capacity current. 120kg is enough for us at the moment but does not allow water carrying....and we travel very light. It is a pain towing without water as you still need to replenish the tanks on arrival and in reality the water source could be a few kms away from camp so you are really towing over weight that small distance which isnt ideal.

I'd let this one go.

Tony

Possum3 · Guru

Note to tyre pressure on VIN = 30Kpa that's only 4.35 PSI - The VIN is obviously incorrect, possibly meant to read 30 PSI Dicky VIN could cause grief when reregistering.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Have you seen it on a weight bridge in its current state. There maybe a fair bit more added to it's weight, like the awning to start with.

Do the brakes, brake & indicator lights & plumbing etc actually work.

Possum3 · Guru

Contact Caravan Council of Australia and also download free technical information from their website to assist you with your deliberations; www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Stretch60 · Senior Member

To answer the original question, IF the legalities all come up trumps, AND you have inspected it for wear and tear and happy with it, then yes it is a good price for a van that size.
I regularly see Van's like this that appear to have generous rear overhangs and they seem to work ok

TheHeaths · Guru

Im with eaglemax. The van isnt fit for purpose with a load allowance of only 117kgs.

I would walk away, as to buy it is inviting yourself to be overloaded from the start!

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 27th of November 2019 08:27:17 PM

Iva Biggen · Senior Member

montie wrote:
ED74 wrote:
Hi looking to buy this Hobby euro caravan aprox 9 metres long has shower and toilet 2006 model he owner is selling it as she owes fair amount in storage fees.
asking $14,000
My advice...walk away!!
There are plenty of fully complied used vans on the market at the moment.

Montie gives simple sound advice, why take any risk when it is generally is a buyers market.

I would be very concerned on the VIN which may be the first indication of other problems.

montie · Guru

Ed74,
I have been following the replies with interest and you are receiving some misinformed advice. $14000 is a lot of money and I would hate to see you lose that much money.
The van is an import with a "suicide" door (door on wrong side) and as such is worth nothing.. $0... $0...
I repeat as advised earlier.....walk away!
$14000 in the current market will get you a fully complied van and there will be a good selection.

Caravan & camping sales, Trade RV's, Trading Post and Gumtree just some sites for you to research.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi ED74,
I thought they hung Ned Kelly some time ago! To consider towing a 9m van as your first, brings you into the category of being "As game as Ned Kelly!"

I thoroughly endorse montie's thoughts! It is too long, too illegal to even consider buying it. And taking it over some of our roads would ensure some of it will be scraped off (judging by its apparent poor clearance).

Sit down with a weekend paper, pc & internet & enjoy a cuppa as you work out what you need, where you want to travel to, how much you are willing to pay & what you are going to tow it with.