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Author Topic: moving on up to a caravan  (Read 12118 times)

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Offline krisandkev

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moving on up to a caravan
« on: June 08, 2012, 11:12:20 AM »
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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Offline richee

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2012, 11:26:41 AM »
Those Spinifex's are nice.

We are in the same boat but wont be spending quite as much as you !
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Offline MADCOW

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2012, 12:56:15 PM »
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
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Offline cruisindub

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2012, 01:35:14 PM »
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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Offline BigJules

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2012, 01:45:45 PM »
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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Offline rkwpjv

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2012, 01:55:57 PM »
Quote from: MADCOW on June 08, 2012, 12:56:15 PM
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


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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Offline TOPNDR

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2012, 02:01:29 PM »
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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Offline Draggin

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2012, 03:02:59 PM »
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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Offline Mick T

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2012, 03:09:55 PM »
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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Offline Robert Alley

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2012, 04:03:18 PM »
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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Offline escape

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2012, 04:57:39 PM »
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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Offline D4D

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2012, 06:05:03 PM »
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Offline nuthermug

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2012, 06:12:44 PM »
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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Offline krisandkev

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2012, 11:23:37 PM »
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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Offline krisandkev

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2012, 11:29:42 PM »
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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Offline kochy

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #15 on: June 09, 2012, 04:41:05 PM »
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. 
« Last Edit: June 09, 2012, 09:53:50 PM by kochy »
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Offline GU_Thomo

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #16 on: June 10, 2012, 10:18:31 AM »
Have a look at this..
New from the Kimberley group

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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Offline Hewy54

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2012, 08:36:01 PM »
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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Offline MADCOW

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2012, 08:08:33 AM »
Quote from: krisandkev on June 08, 2012, 11:23:37 PM
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!
« Last Edit: June 12, 2012, 01:21:02 PM by MADCOW »
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Offline rkwpjv

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2012, 01:18:12 PM »
Quote from: GU_Thomo on June 10, 2012, 10:18:31 AM
Have a look at this..
New from the Kimberley group

http://www.kimberleykruiser.com/



My God, I'd hate to think how much that will sell for!!!
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Offline richee

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #20 on: June 12, 2012, 02:31:28 PM »
Quote from: rkwpjv on June 12, 2012, 01:18:12 PM
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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Offline JCOJ

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #21 on: June 12, 2012, 04:39:56 PM »
Quote from: richee on June 12, 2012, 02:31:28 PM

These were on the list until I had a look.


What didn't you like about them?
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Offline Homer_Jay

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #22 on: June 12, 2012, 06:45:27 PM »
These are on my short list.....
http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au/specifications-a-prices/quantum-off-road.html

http://www.bushtrackerforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=15234&sid=8820faeeff1f5e2071119cc760761875

Both big $$$ but I reckon the Bushtracker looks more like a top $$$ van IMHO

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Offline rossbarb

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #23 on: June 12, 2012, 08:03:51 PM »
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 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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Offline Chris-Vi

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Re: moving on up to a caravan
« Reply #24 on: June 12, 2012, 08:25:00 PM »
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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