Snowy River Caravans

Settle4more · Member

Snowy River Caravans

yobarr · Guru

Settle4more wrote:
Hola this is Ray from NZ. I'm at present touring NZ via AWD and Caravan. Next step is to do the same in Australia, the plan to 'do a lap'...... There is only me at this stage and looking for any feedback, good, bad, ugly on these Caravans.... Thanks in advance.. Ray

Made in China,I believe,with rubber torsion-bar suspension.Cheap and nasty,me thinks,but perhaps Montie,a forum member who also is an RV dealer can offer advice to you? Good luck.Cheers

Settle4more · Member

Thanks yobarr............... do you have a contact for Monte? Cheers Ray

yobarr · Guru

Settle4more wrote:
Thanks yobarr............... do you have a contact for Monte? Cheers Ray

Hi Ray. Montie is a regular contributor to this site,and I am sure that he will be here within a few days.You could try sending a PM,but probably pointless? Cheers

TheHeaths · Guru

Ray,

one member here, Mike, has been living in a Snowy River for 18 or so months. I think he is pleased with the unit, and I am certain he will be along and fill you in.

Give him some time, as I know he camps remote most of the time, often without access. His advice will be the best you will get, as Mike is very straight forward with his information.

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to GN's Ray,
Mike Harding is the member's name - He has a rather large unit that he praises quite often. I note that you are using a 2014 SsangYong Rexton currently which would suit the lighter weight of the Bailey - but a large Snowy River van would most likely need a more substantial tug.

Whilst waiting for Mike to come on line may I suggest that you download technical information and checklist (Free)Caravan Council of Australia

-- Edited by Possum3 on Tuesday 11th of May 2021 08:57:38 AM

Settle4more · Member

Thnaks for your response... Cheers and appreciated... :)

Settle4more · Member

Thanks Possum will check out your suggestion Cheers :)

Mike Harding · Guru

Morning Ray

As mentioned I have owned and lived full time in my Snowy River SR-19 for 2.5 years (time flies :) ). I am very happy with the van and would buy another if it caught fire or the like.

I written three extensive reviews here:

SR-19 reviews

The six "walls" of the caravan are made from a composite material, a major reason I chose this van, which is light, sturdy and provides good insulation in both summer and winter. The basic body is assembled in China and the box then shipped to regent caravans in Melbourne who perform the internal fitout - Regent are a long established caravan maker. Regent are very flexible with the fitout and you can have, pretty much, any layout you like - be aware if you wish to customise there will be a six month+ lead time - Snowy River has a full order book. If you are happy with a standard van you should be able to purchase from dealer's stock.

My van has travelled perhaps 20,000km (not really sure) with a considerable amount of serious dirt roads and forest tracks. It tows well and is stable. Its loaded weight is about 2.8T with 200L of water.

The van interior is light, uplifting and a "nice" place in which to live - this is important I think.

I have not had any issues with the van worth mentioning, both materials and build quality are good.

I have no hesitation in recommending Snowy River caravans.

montie · Guru

Sorry guys just read this post.

For obvious reasons due to my involvement in the industry I refrain from commenting on specific brands. The OP is fortunate that a fellow member has provided first hand feedback on the brand in question.

The best review you can possibly get is from a current owner first hand.

Settle4more · Member

Thanks Monte

Settle4more · Member

Hola Mike....... thanks for your info...really appreciated. BTW.... what are you towing it with?

Cheers - Ray :)

yobarr · Guru

Settle4more wrote:
Hola Mike....... thanks for your info...really appreciated. BTW.... what are you towing it with?
Cheers - Ray :)

Think it's a Trailblazer,bought last year to replace an aging Jackaroo? Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

Hi Ray

As Yobarr mentions I tow the SR-19 with a Holden Trailblazer this is, essentially, an updated station wagon version of the Holden Colorado. It is rated to tow 3T and has a 2.6?L four cylinder diesel which produces 520Nm of torque, it is automatic with a low range box. It returns about 14L/100km when towing and 8L/100km when not. It tows the van well and I have no significant criticism of the vehicle other than it is an "uninspiring" vehicle - I actually preferred driving the old Jackaroo :)

Settle4more · Member

Thank you sir...

bgt · Guru

Mike I read all your posts on the 'other' forum. Thanks good info. Question. Is the chassis/frame built here or overseas? What do you think of the build quality of the chassis/frame?

Mike Harding · Guru

Morning bgt

I think the chassis is also built in China - this suggests so:

Snowy River

The chassis is well built as far as this electronics engineer can tell :) I have bounced it around many forest tracks with deep ruts and lots of bumpy dirt roads without apparent damage. All the windows and door still open smoothly and without binding which suggests no chassis distortion, tyre wear is even across the four wheels so alignment seems good. The Facebook group for Snowy River, last time I looked, had not reported any chassis issues.

bgt · Guru

Mike would you take it up the Birdsville track?

Mike Harding · Guru

bgt wrote:
Mike would you take it up the Birdsville track?

Good question.

I have driven the Birdsville Track in a 4WD so know its status.

Yes I would and I would be more concerned about items inside the van which had been poorly packed by me than I would with the van structure. Nevertheless such a track is a test of any caravan and they need to be driven accordingly.

bgt · Guru

Thanks Mike. We have always had motorhomes but are considering swapping to a caravan. Lots of reasons. But mainly because we spend too much time sitting around the motorhome rather than seeing the sights. So the idea is to tow. Stop and set up. Then tour the area. I'm nervous about leaving with a caravan and coming home with a trailer full of parts. I have 3 thumbs when it comes to repairing things. Salesmen will tell you what you want to hear. So will a lot of owners.

Possum3 · Guru

bgt wrote:
Salesmen will tell you what you want to hear. So will a lot of owners.

Mike calls them as he sees them. Manufacturers and dealers generally lie, some honour warranties, many don't. Do your homework Download technical information and checklists at Caravan Council of Australia checkout buyer beware list at Lemon Caravans and RV's website the lemon brands and dealers are listed for a reason.

montie · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
bgt wrote:
Salesmen will tell you what you want to hear. So will a lot of owners.

Mike calls them as he sees them. Manufacturers and dealers generally lie, some honour warranties, many don't. Do your homework Download technical information and checklists at Caravan Council of Australia checkout buyer beware list at Lemon Caravans and RV's website the lemon brands and dealers are listed for a reason.

Yep, a bunch of crackpots on a one sided forum on FB....just the advice you need when making a buying decision! smile smile

Possum3 · Guru

montie wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
Do your homework Download technical information and checklists at Caravan Council of Australia checkout buyer beware list at Lemon Caravans and RV's website the lemon brands and dealers are listed for a reason.
Yep, a bunch of crackpots on a one sided forum on FB....just the advice you need when making a buying decision!

Yep. The advice from people who have had no satisfaction from shonky dealers and rogue manufacturers - Check also the Tribunal cases against those named on Lemon site. Then you can truly discern where the truth lies.

Wanda · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
montie wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
Do your homework Download technical information and checklists at Caravan Council of Australia checkout buyer beware list at Lemon Caravans and RV's website the lemon brands and dealers are listed for a reason.
Yep, a bunch of crackpots on a one sided forum on FB....just the advice you need when making a buying decision!
Yep. The advice from people who have had no satisfaction from shonky dealers and rogue manufacturers - Check also the Tribunal cases against those named on Lemon site. Then you can truly discern where the truth lies.

Good advise Possum, as far as crackpots, WOW, must be a lot of "crackpots" out there with problems with their vans and dealer warranty issues??

They can't be ALL wrong Monty.......can they!!

Ian

Possum3 · Guru

The group has over Sixty Thousand (60,000) members - IT IS A VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP.
The group is open to everyone who has or had a lemon caravan or have had trouble getting satisfactory repairs for their caravan from the dealer or manufacturer.

That's a lot of so called crackpots - Montie.

montie · Guru

The Australian Consumer Act provides an inexpensive avenue for consumers to obtain compensation or refunds for faulty products.

Brand bashing on a FB forum will not achieve any result for you other than leaving yourself open to be sued for defamation.

For any RV owners on this forum who have problems with their purchase and are not getting satisfaction from the dealer/manufacturer I will be pleased to assist them in making a claim through their relevant state tribunal where both sides of the story will be heard and a decision made on that basis.

Vigilante brand bashing usually only portrays one side of the story with the second side not being aired because generally there is no evidence to support.

yobarr · Guru

Wanda wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
montie wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
Do your homework Download technical information and checklists at Caravan Council of Australia checkout buyer beware list at Lemon Caravans and RV's website the lemon brands and dealers are listed for a reason.
Yep, a bunch of crackpots on a one sided forum on FB....just the advice you need when making a buying decision!
Yep. The advice from people who have had no satisfaction from shonky dealers and rogue manufacturers - Check also the Tribunal cases against those named on Lemon site. Then you can truly discern where the truth lies.
Good advise Possum, as far as crackpots, WOW, must be a lot of "crackpots" out there with problems with their vans and dealer warranty issues??
They can't be ALL wrong Monty.......can they!!
Ian

Monties ADVICE (not 'advise' ) is good,as those "bleating and moaning" sites generally are populated by crackpots who have too much time on their hands,and love to moan to anyone who will listen about problems which would not exist if they had done due diligence.Pathetic.It is much the same as members who know nothing about weights,go out on their own,buy a van that is too big for their car,and then cry "But nobody told me".Grow up, put on your "Big Boy" pants,and take responsibility for your own actions.Was it not the Lemon site that recently was sued,and lost,after publishing untruths about a certain brand of caravan? Blaming someone,anyone,seems to be becoming a pass time for so many people who seemingly will not take responsibility for their OWN actions.Grow up.Cheers

Dougwe · Chief one feather

"sites generally are populated by crackpots who have too much time on their hands"

YEP.

There is usually 1 or 2 Xspurts as well.

My mouse gets a good workout in some places and I don't mean a mouse from the mouse plague. I hate those mieces to pieces.

bgt · Guru

These days its a case of finding someone else to blame other than yourself.

I agree with Yobarr. Put you big boy pants on and be responsible for your own actions.

But then what about genuine complaints??

montie · Guru

bgt wrote:

But then what about genuine complaints??

That's why we have the Australian Consumer Act.

Lodging a claim against a dealer/manufacturer will get a fair hearing in front of a Tribunal and if your claim is genuine and you produce evidence to support that then you will be compensated and an order will be made against the respondent. It is not a difficult or expensive process.