Off road caravans

[krisandkev]

We have started to research buying an off road caravan.    Maybe for down the track when we want to set off for a year or two.  Getting a bit soft and we want something we can just pull in anywhere and set up in a few minutes, rain, hail, shine etc. But still go anywhere. We have also found that more and more free camps are more suited to self contained vans. We still will keep our camper for true off road travel.
But boy are the true off roads expensive!  Even used ones, when you can find them.  Bushtracker’s and Kedron’s appear still to be the best.  We want the smallest, maybe up to 18 ', but still with a shower and toilet. Also I though single axle would be best, but most articles say duel axle is better.
I have searched previous topics, but would like your thoughts as it is a bit confusing out there?  But please, be gentle. We still love our camper!   
Kevin and Kris

[D4D]

You're probably not going to go as hardcore with the caravan as you have the camper for that stuff. I like these but they're at the top end of the market http://www.sunlandcaravans.com.au/. Towing something that big I would go for tandem, better ride and safer but that is offset by being heavier to tow. Most people get it right by the time they buy their third van

[areyonga]

I nearly bought the offroad goldstream van a few years ago, was very impressed with their finish.  I liked the 16 foot single axle poptop with the shower an toilet.

Trevor

[Manjimike]

Only single axle trailers/vans allowed into the Bungle bungles - is this going to be an ongoing trait for the future?
Something else to consider.
 

[JCAT]

I think Kedron have just released a smaller caravan, for the purpose of towing behind a Prado or other vehicles with a smaller tow weight. Not sure of the length.

It's an XC3 Crossover or something I think. It appears to be featured in the February edition of On the Road magazine.

http://www.kedroncaravans.com/xc3.html

Something to keep in mind with Kedron, is that there is an 18 month wait on having one built. Plenty of time to save.

Have fun shopping.

[Blinky Bill]

Australian Off Road Campers have a nifty looking Off Road Caravan known as the Matrix that's worth a look.

She's a single axle job with queen sized North South bed, good kitchen inside, cooking outside, awning, toilet & shower. Looks great. But as you say.........not cheap.

Seems my income is based on 20th century living and when I get told 21st century prices I am constantly shocked.

There's even some second hand vans for sale at a higher price than was paid for them 6 years ago. What ever happened to depreciation?

Cheers - Wayne

[rossbarb]

The Matrix looks good and would tick all our boxes, suggested to the better half that we sell the Topaz and buy one, he just rolled his eyes and said NO. BUGGAR
Barb

[rockman]

what about the conqueror range of vans ?

[JCOJ]

Don't discount Trakmaster - they have a good reputation and we saw heaps of these when on our Red Centre trip!

http://www.trakmaster.com.au/

[TOPNDR]

Mrs T & I are in a similar position.  Our thinking is if we win lotto & can therefore afford to just travel and enjoy, not having to work, then our AORC Quantum, similar in size to the Matrix, will be fine.

If we have to work semi regularly, then we'll want more room and are looking at a Spinifex. It's a big mutha but boy is it nice.   

[richee]

If we have to work semi regularly, then we'll want more room and are looking at a Spinifex. It's a big mutha but boy is it nice.   

Yep, Spinifex is my choice also.  http://www.spinifexcaravans.com.au/

Well built and you can have what you want! You will need a Landcruiser or similar to pull it though.

[krisandkev]

Thanks for the replies.  I am still a bit shocked on the price of caravans as soon as ‘off road’ is mentioned.  I just wonder are they worth the extra cash.  I know the suspension setup is very important, so keep away from the old leaf springs, but still not sure about single or tandem suspension.  Tandem is the most common for ’off road’ so why are they banned from the Bungle Bungles as an example. From articles I have read providing the reasons given for tandem they would be better on the track to the Bungle Bungles.  We took our camper trailer there last year and except for one creek crossing, the track was fine.  Remembering we still want a small caravan, so size would not be an issues on the track.  Also worried about the weight of ‘off road’ vans.  Even though we have a Landcrusier with the V8 diesel, still do not like the thought of towing something so heavy.
Again thanks for everyone’s point of view, we will continue to look and listen.  Kevin

This was the exit that could cause a problem on the Spring Creek Track, entry to the Bungle Bungles.  What suspension would handle this better, single or tandem?  And would the weight of the van cause problems?

[Captain]

Tandem axles are banned to the Bungle Bungle because apparently the track has tight turns and the tandam axles scrub their tyres around corners and rip up the track. Well this is what DEC have on the Bungle BUngle web site. All came about when Kimberly Kamper was approved to go into the Bungles and then KK started promoting it on their website - inferring that they were the only ones strong and capable enough. So DEC got a consultant in (at $$$) and the single axle policy was the outcome.

For tight tracks like that and the Holland Track, I would agree. But on corrugated or rough tracks that are not tight, then tandems would hold advantages. Most single axle campers are limited to a max of 2.2T so by defining a single axle access only, they are limiting size and weight by default.

Cheers

Captain

[TOPNDR]

You will need a Landcruiser or similar to pull it though.

I foresaw Mrs T's desire for a bigger rig and bought the Cruiser two years ago.   

I just wonder are they worth the extra cash.

It'll be worth the money if you buy one sold as an off-road van, that has some checker plate to look tough but not a tough chassis, and subsequently falls to bits on th GRR, or Mitchell Falls road.   

[theflyingbadger]

Yep, Spinifex is my choice also.  http://www.spinifexcaravans.com.au/

Well built and you can have what you want! You will need a Landcruiser or similar to pull it though.

holy crap! not that *is* luxury.

need to get rid of the kids before we can get one of those tho!

[ddr]

I just wonder are they worth the extra cash.

After traveling with our full offroad van & others that are marked as offroad but clearly not you get to see why the extra cost is there.
I firmly believe that they are worth their money if you plan on using it offroad, especially in corrugations which will kill things quicker than other terrain.  Dads Old van tore 2 shocks from the chassis & had issues with the cupboards after the one trip to the cape.

Tandem is the most common for ’off road’ 

Tandem is common/preferred due to its weight carrying capacity.  We have single in our 15'6 but I wish id have gone with a tandem.  There is less than a handful of places that tandems are banned, these kinds of things can be accessed in a tent.  But carrying capacity would be an extra 300kg if id have gone tandem with my van.  Id prefer the option to carry more over access into one area.

We have a Trakmaster, with shower, toilet, bunks etc.  It weighs 1990 full, 1560 empty.  My parents (After much convincing from me due to cost) now also have a Trakmaster, theirs is a tandem 15'6 & weighs about 1800 empty.

So far our van has covered Cape York, Flinders Ranges & all of the SA peninsulas & a few other places.  We typically "free" camp when/where we can.  Nothing beats a setup time of 30 seconds for an over night stop.

There has only been a couple of tight spots I didn't take the van, I could have with guidance, but it was easier to find another place or another way around.

I have plans to take it through the middle to the Kimberlies, still waiting for permission to do that one.

[red t ute]

We have a Trakmaster, with shower, toilet, bunks etc.  It weighs 1990 full, 1560 empty.  My parents (After much convincing from me due to cost) now also have a Trakmaster, theirs is a tandem 15'6 & weighs about 1800 empty.

Do you have the floor plan number of your van as I cant find it listed on ther site. Or was it custom made.
As I been lookin for a van with Bunks, toilet, shower that i can still tow behind the Prado.

[wartim]

Lifestyle Camper trailers and Complete Campsite Campers are just a couple that would suit what you are looking for?

Wartim

[ddr]

Do you have the floor plan number of your van as I cant find it listed on ther site. Or was it custom made.
As I been lookin for a van with Bunks, toilet, shower that i can still tow behind the Prado.

Technically ALL Trakmasters are customer made, but ours was designed for us.  Its somewhat of a compromise on internal seating but suits us for the size & weight.  The bunks can fold into a seat with Table in front when the need arises.  Typically we eat outside under the awning.

I would suggest talking to them to see what they can accommodate, they were awesome when we went in to discuss what could be done.

Our van could easily be towed with a Prado.