Thanks Glenn. I do like the Jurgens.

I forgot to say I'm prepared to look at vans that are a few years old.

Cheers

I don't know if Compleat Campsite still are operating, but they have a van like that or did have a couple of years a go. And their are a few genuine aussie makers of same, it will just take a while to find them. Campertrailers Australia magazine, has a fair few of them in the mags every year, but also just google it, make sure you put au after your request. Otherwise, their are a lot of Chinese made ones, that are not too bad in their construction, cost about $50k or their abouts MDC is one off the top of my head.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 14th of August 2021 08:01:45 PM

Request the actual dimensions of the mattress do not rely upon a description eg. queen or king.

Mike and Warren have hinted at the two factors that cause disappointment - Faulty workmanship causing unsafe and dangerous conditions and the complete disregard for normal standards by the caravan industry. Ensure that you have any caravan thoroughly checked by a professional or someone with specific knowledge regarding caravans - get the free checklists, technical and buying guides at www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Very few caravans have beds that can accommodate a person over 5ft - 10in. Twin beds does afford the luxury of having one larger bed and one smaller - the main reasoning behind short beds is the space required for entry on left hand side.

Quality caravans are expensive and above your specified pricing - Consider a good second hand van manufactured by Trackmaster, Evernew, Kedron, Explorex. Warranty is a Legal Requirement by Australian Consumer Law (not a piece of paper boasted about by a caravan salesman.
Caravan Salespeople are usually spruikers working on commission so their versions of truth is so tempered. Do not under any circumstance pay large deposits directly to Caravan Manufacturers, ensure it is lodged with a bank or solicitor - If the manufacturer cannot afford to build a caravan without your money - How could they possibly be trusted to comply with any Warranty obligations.

Experts on caravan Forums often have a specific "Donkey to Flog" so listen to their advices but you must temper the advice so given. Ask owners of caravans at camping sites and caravan parks as to what they would buy again and what they wouldn't.

The Belmont Bear wrote:

---

We received notice this week that delivery of our new van has been pushed back another 4 weeks due covid affecting the supply of chassis, fridges and toilets. I'm guessing that whatever you order you will need to be prepared for a long wait and it will probably be a bit longer than what they tell you when you sign up. The other problem we are now going to have is selling our current van during a lockdown which by the way its looking could go on for months. Noel I am  5'11"  and we have ordered a 6'4" Queen pillowtop mattress which was an option the standard size was a 6'2" pillow top queen, I think that they just add some sort of a bolster that makes it 2" longer. 

BB

---

 Hi BB.

I an a bit old school, at home we like to rotate our bed once a month, so it wears the bed out evenly.

In the caravan I can only flip it as of the sharpe at one end.

With a pillow top will you be able to rotate or flip?

Ours are normal innerspring construction and we purchased thick Lambswool covers sheepskintannery.com.au/lambswool-mattress-topper/ expensive but comfortable.

Oops - Possum

The Belmont Bear wrote:

---

Radar wrote:

---

The Belmont Bear wrote:

---

We received notice this week that delivery of our new van has been pushed back another 4 weeks due covid affecting the supply of chassis, fridges and toilets. I'm guessing that whatever you order you will need to be prepared for a long wait and it will probably be a bit longer than what they tell you when you sign up. The other problem we are now going to have is selling our current van during a lockdown which by the way its looking could go on for months. Noel I am  5'11"  and we have ordered a 6'4" Queen pillowtop mattress which was an option the standard size was a 6'2" pillow top queen, I think that they just add some sort of a bolster that makes it 2" longer. 

BB

---

 Hi BB.

I an a bit old school, at home we like to rotate our bed once a month, so it wears the bed out evenly.

In the caravan I can only flip it as of the sharpe at one end.

With a pillow top will you be able to rotate or flip?

---

I never thought of that but you are right Radar no flipping or rotating  but maybe we will only use it for a fraction of the time that we would use the one at home. The one at home is also a pillow top and we can only rotate that one as well.

BB

---

 I am really battling to just turn the mattress one end to the other. Its days are numbered,.

The van we will be selling is 21'6" with single beds and we think its a great layout in terms of the extra floor space for changing and also the extra storage areas but at 5'11" I am lucky to have an inch to spare and I reckon I would be struggling if I happened to be 6'.  I'm sure there are other single bed vans that have longer beds but the Retreat has full height robes at the foot end and a front boot so it governed how long they could make them.

The new van we are waiting for is being built to order so we were able to change whatever we wanted, one thing we asked was to cut back the depth of the small dressers on either side of the queen bed to give us more room to get in and out and when making it..We also asked them to install triangular shaped cupboards against either wall at the foot end of the bed to make up for the lost storage. 

BB.

-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Monday 16th of August 2021 11:23:57 PM

Download Caravan and Camping Sales app. There is quite a few for sale.