New caravan

bgt · Guru

New caravan

bgt · Guru

Sorry I was interrupted. It must have quality over quantity.

Possum3 · Guru

BGT,there is only three caravans that build quality over price; Kedron, Trackmaster and Evernew - All of which are going to cost well above your $70K - You would need to look at 10 - 12 year old second hand models.

bgt · Guru

Thanks Possum3. I've been looking at used Keddrons. All I can say is "crap". I also worry about weight on a Dmax. My brother recently purchased a caravan by Design! He recons it ok for "some" off road use. We're not in a hurry. But our camper has increased "used" by more than it cost us. So my brain is in over drive!

yobarr · Guru

bgt wrote:
OK we have been talking about going from motorhome to caravan. If you had $70000.00 to spend on a new caravan what would you buy? Some moderate off road use. No caravan parks all dry camping. Tow vehicle new Dmax.

Hi Bruce If safety is of ANY concern,it would be wise to choose a van that has an ATM no more than about 3100kg,maximum.Car has good wheelbase,and a rear axle that is rated at 1910kg,so you can legally get a good load on that,but forget trying to tow 3500kg.DMax is a good car. Happy to explain details etc if you wish.Cheers

bgt · Guru

Thanks yobarr. If we swap to a caravan it certainly won't be a monster one. The smaller the better. Within reason. Well under a DMax limit. Our problem is that we know the motorhome industry well and the models they make. Apart from Kedron we know half of bugger all about caravans. I've towed speedway cars for year and had the car, on the trailer pass me!!! Once bitten!!!!!

TheHeaths · Guru

We dont have one, but certainly Evernew have a very good name, and you could get a very good late model used one for your budget.

Nevd · Senior Member

Possum, you'd better add Sunland to your list. But for $70,000 it would be a second hand one.

Possum3 · Guru

6.5 m Evernew E900 was my choice but Trackmaster and Kedron are up there - there are no other vans made in Australia that can come near to their quality and workmanship - many people have their particular favorites but there are very few Australian Manufacturers that put out a consistent quality product with back up service - A second hand van does have the advantage that all faults would be evident if not fixed. The real decider is to inspect wiring and plumbing using quality componentry - even toilet suites should be top of the range.

littledick · Senior Member

bgt wrote:
Thanks Possum3. I've been looking at used Keddrons. All I can say is "crap". I also worry about weight on a Dmax. My brother recently purchased a caravan by Design! He recons it ok for "some" off road use. We're not in a hurry. But our camper has increased "used" by more than it cost us. So my brain is in over drive!

I had 6 caravans in 10 years, kept getting bigger with more additions.

Current van a 23ft Vacationer Escape. My previous van was a 22ft Concept Ascot. The best of the lot with not one problem in the 3 years we had it. Only traded

in as I was over the Café seating and wanted bench seating. I certainly would get another Concept, good quality build, but the vacationer will see me out, plus, the boss would kill me!! hmm

Gravy73 · Veteran Member

Have a look at the used Kingdom Caravan Market, Ok they are no longer in business however build quality is excellent and the floor plans are very practical. Only issue that I would criticise is that piano hinges were not fitted. Great Faceache page with many happy owners.

bgt · Guru

Thanks everyone. I pulled the $70000.00 out of the air as a starting point. But then looked at new prices. Gulp. As I said we have always had motorhomes with a toad. No caravan experience at all. We like to dry camp and have only been in 3 campgrounds in almost 18 months. I could crawl under a motorhome and know what I'm looking at. But a caravan? No idea. 20ft sounds as big as we want to go.

Bobdown · Guru

bgt wrote:
Thanks everyone. I pulled the $70000.00 out of the air as a starting point. But then looked at new prices. Gulp. As I said we have always had motorhomes with a toad. No caravan experience at all. We like to dry camp and have only been in 3 campgrounds in almost 18 months. I could crawl under a motorhome and know what I'm looking at. But a caravan? No idea. 20ft sounds as big as we want to go.

Hey bgt,

i like Retreat Caravans, seem to be well made but a bit over $70. have a look at Show us your Rig : the Bald and the Beautiful...........that's mine but 21 ft.

I had one for 4 years and was quite impressed and brought a new one in 2017, tare is 2510 kg and ATM is 3200 kg.

I also like Traveller Vans, but a few dollars also.

Good Luck.

Cheers Bob

montie · Guru

bgt wrote:
Thanks everyone. I pulled the $70000.00 out of the air as a starting point. But then looked at new prices. Gulp. As I said we have always had motorhomes with a toad. No caravan experience at all. We like to dry camp and have only been in 3 campgrounds in almost 18 months. I could crawl under a motorhome and know what I'm looking at. But a caravan? No idea. 20ft sounds as big as we want to go.

Millard have a range of semi off road vans in $60/70k range

bgt · Guru

Bobdown I looked at your rig. That looks about where we are aiming. Thanks.

Wanda · Guru

Have a look at secondhand Trakmasters, you can't go wrong, especially if you jag one with airbag suspension.
They make a very very good van
Evernew are another excellent van, you rarely, if ever, hear any negatives with either of these two brands
I think your budget is a bit short for new offraoder types.
Ian

RichardK · Senior Member

Also have a look at the AOR Quantum which would suit your tug, 9ATM 2.5t tare approx 1.8t, they are well built and will go anywhere your tug will go, designed for any conditions and backup service is second to none.
A group of 5 (4 Quantums and one Matrix, ours, traveled the Gunbarrel two years ago and apart from punctures, one damaged rim and a fractured hydraulic brake line (ours) there were no problems the whole trip, we went on at ****lebiddy for a further 6 months trip along the east coast.
I am sure that there will be a few Quantums in Caravan and Camping sales listings on the net.

Cheers
RichardK

Wanda · Guru

Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow.
cheers
Ian

Possum3 · Guru

The AOR's look good but we have met a few owners with severe chassis problems.

bgt · Guru

Thanks folks. The Brisbane RV show in a few weeks. We can up our budget ok. But being a tight a@$$ it rubs me the wrong way parting with money! We want to squeaze the size as much as we dare. Tug is our priority then a van to match it. Would love another RAM but the financial controller sez no. Bless her socks!!

dogbox · Guru

waiting time from ordering is the big issue. was looking to buy new tug 24 week wait for alloy canopy to be made, caravans are even longer

-- Edited by dogbox on Thursday 6th of May 2021 01:09:48 PM

bgt · Guru

We had some work done our camper last week. They told me their waiting list is now end of 2022 !! Horizon.

Hylife · Guru

Agree with Bobdown, check out Retreat.
https://www.retreatcaravans.com.au/

Mike Harding · Guru

Snowy River... again....

Snowy River

RichardK · Senior Member

Wanda wrote:
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow.
cheers
Ian

Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.

Cheers

RichardK

RichardK · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:
The AOR's look good but we have met a few owners with severe chassis problems.

Certainly there has never been mention of failed chassis on the AOR forum and they do not censor posts, in fact had there been a problem the MD who is an active participant on the forum would have notified owners and arranged upgrades, he is very protective of providing a quality product.

Seeing as you have met the owners do you have any details of the chassis problems incurred?

Cheers

RichardK

Possum3 · Guru

RichardK wrote:

Seeing as you have met the owners do you have any details of the chassis problems incurred?

Both had chassis cracked at welds, don't know owner details or if members of any forum - 2016 travelling towards Darwin from NSW.

Wanda · Guru

RichardK wrote:
Wanda wrote:
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow.
cheers
Ian
Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.
Cheers
Richardfly

To be honest I can't really recall exactly what the problem was, we did stick our heads under it but my memory fails me! Just know it was a suspension issue, I "thought" something major had given way. Will check with brother inlaw who was travelling with us later?

Possum3 · Guru

RichardK wrote:
Wanda wrote:
Past one of those Quantums parked along the Savannagh Way about 5yrs ago, suspension had failed big time. Could not speak to the owners as they had left it there I gather to organise a flat top tow.
cheers
Ian
Yes if I recall correctly was a failed camber bolt, possibly not serviced (greased at certain intervals) or faulty.
Cheers
RichardK

Richard are you also Richard Fly? Are you an AOR Dealer or working for AOR? How/Why do you know about an alleged owner causation of a fault?

Maybe I'm just suspicious?

Possum3 · Guru

Duplicated- Richard are you also Richard Fly? Are you an AOR Dealer or working for AOR? How/Why do you know about an alleged owner causation of a fault?

Maybe I'm just suspicious?

-- Edited by Possum3 on Saturday 8th of May 2021 10:39:00 AM