moving on up to a caravan

[Black Diamond]

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

[rooscoota]

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

[ddr]

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.

[Pipeliner]

The AORC Matrix 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 at $82,500 + $2800.  Which you choose depends mainly on whether you prefer to have the kitchen indoors or outdoors.

[richee]

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

[TOPNDR]

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.

[rooscoota]

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.

[krisandkev]

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.

[rkwpjv]

I love the Lotus Trooper, what changed your mind?

Pete

[krisandkev]

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.

[krisandkev]

whoops....pete is RKWPJV