MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: griz066 on January 26, 2012, 08:58:12 AM
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Looking for pros and cons for either of these vans. Only Darling and I now since the kids have flown the coup so looking to sell the CT and streamline the setup by buying either of the above. Off road not essential, Outlander will to either. What are your thoughts.
:cheers:
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Penguin is easy to erect given the lack of ends. The finch is a bit skinnier tho isn't it? Depends where youre gonna take it really
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Finch is shorter, don't think it's skinnier.
HOWEVER, be very careful. The penguin has a strangely high towball weight. Make sure your car can handle it, as well as anything else you might think you want to put on the draw bar. I think it's in the range of 160 +.
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The Finch gives you more floor space inside, plus the added space of the second bed end for jackets, bags, and all the paraphernalia we seem to take with us when travelling.
It’s a better concept with kids of course, but like you, the kids have gone now and we only need to cater for the two of us..
The Penguin has the bed taking up floor space inside and no ‘extensions’ to add to the roominess inside.
However..
The Penguin is so much easier to set up - just wind it up - no bed ends to extend, fit props, set up the canvas over each end, etc..
We have travelled - moving every day - with a Finch, and the set up and pack up every day becomes wearing (or maybe I'm just getting lazy as I get older?)
If your travelling involves stopping in one place for a few days or more, I'd suggest the Finch, or a wind up of the same concept as the Finch.
If you normally pack up and move every day, the Penguin (concept) is a better choice.
Better still..
Compare a Goldstream Crown to the Jayco Penguin.
The Crown is the same concept as a Penguin, but slightly larger (about half a metre longer)
It has a queen size bed, compared to a short double in the Penguin (1500 wide vs 1300 wide, plus extra length)
The table is larger and the seats are more comfortable..
There’s a useful shelf and pantry storage area behind the seat, adjacent to the doorway.
The Penguin has a drop down robe, but you lose seat space. I’d rather do without the robe.
Build quality is often a matter of personal opinion, but I feel the Goldstream wins in that respect.
The downside is the Crown is more expensive than the Penguin, but I’d spend the extra for the better facilities.
Jim
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gday grizz we love our penguin so easy to set up great to tow,plenty of room as our kids r older they sleep outside .have fun choosing
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gday grizz we love our penguin so easy to set up great to tow,plenty of room as our kids r older they sleep outside .have fun choosing
How do you find the bed as its only 1310 mm which is smaller than a double? That is my concern.
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Penguin or the Goldstream equivilant is ideal for two people, can easly be used for those roadside stops as well, no slide outs
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We have a Penguin and love it. The bed is a bit narrow but not a problem for us. We had a 2008 6 cyl Outlander but it was no good to pull the Penguin as the ball weight was far too heavy - upgraded vehicle and now very happy!
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We have a Penguin and love it. The bed is a bit narrow but not a problem for us. We had a 2008 6 cyl Outlander but it was no good to pull the Penguin as the ball weight was far too heavy - upgraded vehicle and now very happy!
We have a 2011 4x4 outlander and according to the book we can have a max of 150 kg tow ball weight and the Penguin is 135 so we are within the limit but right up there.
When you say it was too heavy to you mean the ball weight of older models was less or do you mean they are just too physically heavy for the car? Did you have a load leveler system in place?
as in
http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11684 (http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11684)
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We have a 2011 4x4 outlander and according to the book we can have a max of 150 kg tow ball weight and the Penguin is 135 so we are within the limit but right up there.
When you say it was too heavy to you mean the ball weight of older models was less or do you mean they are just too physically heavy for the car? Did you have a load leveler system in place?
as in
http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11684 (http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11684)
My on road 2011 penguin came in with an empty ball weight of 167 kg. that was including battery, awning and 2 x 4 kg gas bottles (empty) and raised by axle over spring conversion. We were shocked! Then we upgraded the car. Now (with the gas bottles full and the camper all loaded up i suspect the ball weight would be closer to 200kg and yes - i use a set of load levellers.
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My on road 2011 penguin came in with an empty ball weight of 167 kg. that was including battery, awning and 2 x 4 kg gas bottles (empty) and raised by axle over spring conversion. We were shocked! Then we upgraded the car. Now (with the gas bottles full and the camper all loaded up i suspect the ball weight would be closer to 200kg and yes - i use a set of load levellers.
Thanks for the heads up that changes things dramatically. :cheers:
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being 5foot 7 the bed has plenty of room best to try one out at a dealers and decide for yourself good luck