MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: krisandkev on June 08, 2012, 11:12:20 AM
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Hi, has anyone on here done that? We are starting to think about it. We would have to go a full off roader, and are looking at Bushtrackers, Kedrons and Spinifex vans. Going soft I know. We are heading off to the Red Centre next week for 6 wks, in our ModCon Overlander. 2005 model, offroad, bought second hand 3yrs ago. It has served us well, have done 55000klm in it, have spent 40 wks in it, and the canvas is showing the red dirt, but still water proof. It will be cold, but we have bought an Ozpig, so that will help. We are thinking of doing a 2 yr trip around Oz in a couple of yrs time, and we could see the benefit of the added comfort of a van.
Thoughts, anyone??
Kris
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Those Spinifex's are nice.
We are in the same boat but wont be spending quite as much as you !
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Gee all the brands are good but check out "On the Move" Caravans! Made in Melbourne!
The engineer that used to be involved with Kimberley Campers is now involved with these guys and owns one himself.
Kedron are like an Engel and probably the best around but you really need to weigh everything up to get the most out of them for the price.
when the time comes for us these will defintely be in the market
http://www.onthemovecaravans.com.au/grenade.html (http://www.onthemovecaravans.com.au/grenade.html)
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Go for it mate!!!
Nothing wrong with wanting a bit of comfort. If it makes it all that bit enjoyable.
Do you need to go so hard core?
As mentioned, the price is definitely up there at the higher end. If its in your budget then go for it. Sounds you you don't want to slow down, just have more comfort.
Why not?
No reason why not to go for it.
Post up which one you decided to buy and let us all know where you've been and where your going!!
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We'll need regular location updates, in case we need to stop by for a shower ;D
All the ones I know have been listed. Kimberley are planning on a caravan, plus I think it was AORC had a proper van as well.
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Gee all the brands are good but check out "On the Move" Caravans! Made in Melbourne!
The engineer that used to be involved with Kimberley Campers is now involved with these guys and owns one himself.
Kedron are like an Engel and probably the best around but you really need to weigh everything up to get the most out of them for the price.
when the time comes for us these will defintely be in the market
http://www.onthemovecaravans.com.au/grenade.html (http://www.onthemovecaravans.com.au/grenade.html)
On the Move had a Grenade at the Perth Caravan & Camping Show; they are a VERY nice van! and one of the few that I can actually stand up in as I am 6'7". Tonnes of storage as well if you are carrying items like the OzPig.
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Mrs T & I are considering the same. We're VERY impressed with the Spinifex and I'm fairly confident that if we turn the light to green, it'll be for a Spinifex.
The biggest issue for me is that Mrs T wants to offload the Quantum if we go ahead, and I want to keep it. :cheers:
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Just having trouble with the statement "moving up to" - somehow it doesn't work ???
However if you are contemplating moving down to a bit of looxury, the camper obviously isn't "doing it" for you. Go for it as long as you know it will stop you sleeping in many of the more remote or exotic camping locations. Base station touring can be almost as much fun though.
Cheers
John
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My wife and I have done the same thing. We went with the bushtracker as they were the only ones that would do the layout we wanted to suit our needs.
Mick T
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My parents when through the process about 2 years ago. I went through the Kedron and Trackmaster factory and the quality of the Trackmaster was much better. They ended up going with a Trackmaster the service was out standing when we did the factory tour they spent the whole day with us going through exactly what they wanted and came up with a layout that they were happy with. They were given an itemised quote the next day. I have no attachment to this company was just blown away by their service and quality of work. My parents are very happy with what they ended up with.
Rob
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A mate of mine was in the same situation and in the end he bought a Jayco did the 2 year trip and traded it in on a new one and still cheaper than the kedron.If you drive to the conditions you can just about take anything anywhere.My 2cents worth.
Trevor
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Don't forget Sunland http://www.sunlandcaravans.com.au/ (http://www.sunlandcaravans.com.au/)
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Hi KrisandKev
We are doing it in reverse, we have a van and are moving up/down to a camper.
We have ordered an offroader because our van is an offroad onroad what ever that is, but I dont recon it can handle real offroad.
If we traded our van in on a trackmaster we would still be up for a few quid, so this is the cheapest way and we still have the van,aircon microwave and otherstuff that fits in with caravan parks that I hate but the wife is quite fond of .
So the next time I,m up the Kimberlies or the centre I will be able to head into the bush and know I can make it.
Have a good trip
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moving up, moving down, whichever......when we did the Gibb River Rd last yr, the only caravans we saw were Bushtrackers and Kedrons, but neither of those went to Mitchell Falls or Kulmbaru when we were there. No , we don't want to miss out on waking up in any of the places we love, the harder to get to the better. At the moment, the Bushtracker is in the lead. The factory tour is very impressive. All that said, very hard to find, let alone part with, those sort of dollars, so will be have to be very sure. The camper trailer will always stay with us, Fraser Island is 20mins away, the best camping spots. Kris
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Hi Madcow, thanks for that, I think we looked at the On The Move vans at the Nambour show. Impressive. I have just finished a late shift in the Emergency Dept, and at this moment any old rattler would do me :) Kris.
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I have owned five hard floor campers over the years, three years ago we were introduced to a cape York Explorer Extreme at Archer River Cape York we had left our Jayco Freedom Outback at Laura and did the cape trip in the troopy and tents etc. We came back sold the Jayco and purchased a Cape York Extreme Explorer and now have it for sale and today purchased a 2008 Jayco Destiny Outback. Just can't make up me mind.
Believe it or not I advertised I had the camper for sale listed in the Townsville Bulletin today got one looker and accepted his offer great day.
Sold the cape York Extreme Explorer and purchased a 2008 Jayco Destiny Outback.
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Have a look at this..
New from the Kimberley group
http://www.kimberleykruiser.com/ (http://www.kimberleykruiser.com/)
Very different from anything else on the market and a lot lighter than other full offroad Vans.
I love Kedron but they are VERY heavy.
Cheers
Parry
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Still find this title amusing.
Did 5 years in the soft top CT, now moved UP to a new KK. At some stage in the future when I am too old for the off road adventure I may have to move DOWN to a caravan.
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moving up, moving down, whichever......when we did the Gibb River Rd last yr, the only caravans we saw were Bushtrackers and Kedrons, but neither of those went to Mitchell Falls or Kulmbaru when we were there. No , we don't want to miss out on waking up in any of the places we love, the harder to get to the better. At the moment, the Bushtracker is in the lead. The factory tour is very impressive. All that said, very hard to find, let alone part with, those sort of dollars, so will be have to be very sure. The camper trailer will always stay with us, Fraser Island is 20mins away, the best camping spots. Kris
Back in 09 we were amazed to see a Bushtracker drive into camp at Mitchell Falls at 9.00pm. Old mate set up and was off to catch a flight over the falls the next morning and was gone by 11.00am with a damaged awning that got caught in a tree on a bend. Why bother! We spent 3 nights!
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Have a look at this..
New from the Kimberley group
http://www.kimberleykruiser.com/ (http://www.kimberleykruiser.com/)
My God, I'd hate to think how much that will sell for!!!
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My God, I'd hate to think how much that will sell for!!!
Little one 90+K
big one 123K
These were on the list until I had a look.
The Spinifex is still on on a very short list.
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These were on the list until I had a look.
What didn't you like about them?
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These are on my short list.....
http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au/specifications-a-prices/quantum-off-road.html (http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au/specifications-a-prices/quantum-off-road.html)
http://www.bushtrackerforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=15234&sid=8820faeeff1f5e2071119cc760761875 (http://www.bushtrackerforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=15234&sid=8820faeeff1f5e2071119cc760761875)
Both big $$$ but I reckon the Bushtracker looks more like a top $$$ van IMHO
My retirement might be many many years away, but a man has to plan!
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Hi all,
We have a Topaz and a Tvan but are seriously looking at a freespirit off road caravan for our time when we are on the road permanently as we will have to travel and work. Have a look and see what you think. http://www.freespiritcaravans.com.au (http://www.freespiritcaravans.com.au) Have a big think and buy what you think will suit you. We are all different and our needs and like are different.
Barb
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Looked at the kimberleykruiser at the Brissy show at the weekend. To me it looked like an oversized horse float. But everyone to their own tastes. We liked the Matrix but with a couple of options they add up as well.
Oh well, looks like we will be working a while longer. :cheers:
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Got a mate who got a bushtracker a couple of years ago, they look like a pretty good thing and he loves it. Drags its a$$ all around Australia :cheers:
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hey there, havent been round here to long but visit regular for all the ins n outs on bits n peices. not much i can contribute that hasnt been said before so i dont, on the other hand learning as well.
i can comment here though as i have just moved up/down to a van, nothing flash but something you can jump in and have a good sleep in a matter of seconds on a good mattress. after 20 yrs of tent camping with the kid a few yrs break through the teen yrs then camper trailer for the last few yrs i thought the idea of pulling up somewhere and jumping into bed with zero setup (except for pulling down the doona) was very appealing. no other details have changed as we still rough it bush camping, sort of, and the van has no more, even less, than a well equipped camper setup, just easier. 12'6" and 860 kgs, it weighs less than a well eqipped camper and has a double bed for me n the missus to flop into at the end of a days travel or a quick hour or 2 mid trip, and it can rain as much as it wants.
and it comes off if i want to hit a track or 2
happy trails
roo
(http://s10.postimage.org/ykdg8z4bt/DSCN1484.jpg)
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We have both, there are some trips the camper is good for & some the van is good for.
We have a Trakmaster Kimberly, they were the only ones interested in even talking to us let alone looking at layouts. Bushtracker couldn't wait to walk away from us at one of the Melbourne C'van shows so our $ went elsewhere.
What I mean by my initial statement is that whilst its nice & a lot more comfortable in the van, I wouldnt take it to places like Fraser Is (More fear from me than anything, Id hate to lose that sort of $$$ below the high tide line) & quick weekends away.
We have so far taken our van to Cape York, Flinders, Vic High country etc. I wouldnt hesitate to take it most places. The places that I cant/wont take it are rarely a few hours drive away (Excluding places I wouldnt take the camper anyway)
Worst that has happened to our Trakmaster for the Cape York run was a Jam lid opened in the fridge, Dads "offroad" van snapped 2 shocks out of the chassis.
Watch your price, its the extras that kill you with cost. Compare them to see the quality of the chassis & build & what is standard & not.
Trakmaster, Kedron, Phoneix & BT (If they will talk to you) are all good offroad vans, but your talking serious $ for a serious van. Dont expect the same quality from something 1/2 the price.
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The AORC Matrix (http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au/specifications-a-prices/matrix-off-road.html) is a great van at $89,000 basic (plus $2500 for the full enclosed awning which I think is a must have). Or the Quantum (http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au/specifications-a-prices/quantum-off-road.html) at $82,500 + $2800. Which you choose depends mainly on whether you prefer to have the kitchen indoors or outdoors.
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What didn't you like about them?
Hi John
As mentioned it looks a lot like a horse float or a sideshow food van.
The material they have used to line the van looked like old style carpet underlay
I wasnt keen on the seats they have used
2 tvs but both swing down roof mounted - not too many options
The finish around the washing machine - looked a little half done with the machine "floating off the floor"
The finish of some of the outside joins - bear in mind this is the first.
It was difficult to get to see a lot as they had it roped off and you could only walk up the steps and stand in the doorway.
I do like the technology they have used but at this price point there is a lot to look at.
Richard
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AOR, formerly AORC are also working on a dual axle jobbie, which I think is due for release later this year. We're really happy with our Quantum, so I'd expect the dual axle to be pretty good.
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We have both
same here, till i sell the camper, if it doesnt sell i'll keep it and use it for them times that its required. would want to be a very special occasion though, cant beat getting out of the car and camp already setup.
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hello all again, thanks everyone for your input, lots to think about. Well, we nearly bought a second hand Lotus Trooper in Toowoomba a few wks ago. Right now we are camped at Temple Bar outside Alice Springs (great campsite, 20 bucks a night), and it is a bit chilly. I am looking straight accross at a Lotus Trackvan thinking how cosy they must be inside there, cos no-one has showed their face as yet. But, we will able to travel easily to places like Palm Valley, while some others may not be able to take their rigs. Looking forward to seeing all the sights west, south and east of the Alice. Kris.
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I love the Lotus Trooper, what changed your mind?
Pete
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well Pete (RKWPVG) I think we are hooked on the thought of a Bushtracker, and even though I would have gone with it, Kev still wants an aluminium frame. The Lotus Trooper had nearly everything we wanted, only the 3 water tanks were all connected ie.. not a separate drinking water tank...but Kev could have fixed that. It is going to be minus one in the Alice tonight, and bloody windy. I will remind him that the wooden frame would have kept us just as toasty and warm!! Kris.
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whoops....pete is RKWPJV