Hi All,
Although I have posted the odd question on this site over the past month or so, had not formally introduced myself.
My wife and I migrated from Scotland to Adelaide about 3 1/2 years ago and for the past year have been trying tent camping with our last round trip in March being a 2 week tour from Adelaide via Snowy Mountains, to Sydney and back again via Canberra. Although we enjoyed our tenting experience, with 2 kids, 2 and 4, I wanted to upgrade to a CT.
Took my wife to the camping show to demonstrate the benefits of CT's, but after she saw the Jayco style CT, the thoughts of luxury convinced her that nothing less would do. This was confirmed when on our return from Canberra, we met with friends at Hay who showed us their Coromal CT.
We are not completely new to caravaning, having previously owned a 1993 17ft Lunar Ariane when back in Scotland - significantly cheaper, lighter and more luxury such as toilet, shower, etc, but certainly not built to the same off road standards as Australian vans.
Anyway, having visited the local dealer in Adelaide, we decided to buy a 2011 Jayco Swan and with no trade-in had the benefit of being able to shop around. The dealer in Mildura was recommended to us and they offered a significant discount compared to the local dealer so agreed the deal over the phone. Now waiting to hear when the CT will be ready to collect, with their initial time-scale being June or July.
It is our intention to fit a HWS ourselves and an outside shower; bed flys; some sort of awning; and then take it from there. The only factory upgrades that we have chosen so far are alko drop jacks and sprung mattress .
In the meantime whilst waiting, we have started getting to 2005 Pathfinder 2.5 Auto ready - its already got a towbar, so concentrating on the electrics, including Anderson plugs, etc.
Will be delighted to post photos once we get the CT and will no doubt have many questions once we start modifying it and spending some time exploring our new country.
Cheers, Paul
