Considering a Tvan

[thommo19]

Hi Guys
We are considering changing our present camper and thinking about  a Tvan .
What are the general thoughts on these campers ? 
I'm looking for the negatives as well. They are costly but seem good quality.
Thanks
Jeff

[gronk]

Go and have a lie in one...as well as the missus.

If that doesn't put you off, I can't see any negatives with one.......well made and are a great camper !

[evolution]

They are an awesome bit of kit,
The only other negative I know of is that they can get quite heavy towball down loads if you add on the front box and other things in front of the wheels.
They are very well made though, and easy to use. But as said above, have a look at one in the flesh and have a liedown in it.
You will soon know if it is for you or not.


Cheers
Evo

[achjimmy]

Yep as Evo said look at the towball weight. I think the concept is fantastic but the obsession to extend the drawbar and fit the weight of the world on there has spoiled them IMO.

[Bird]

Yep as Evo said look at the towball weight. I think the concept is fantastic but the obsession to extend the drawbar and fit the weight of the world on there has spoiled them IMO.

where's the thread of the bloke that returned his and got his money back due to the weight?

[RobM]

I think there are pros and cons for any camper.
I ruled a Tvan out for years because I figured it would be too hot to sleep in, until one weekend we sat and watched a family spend what seemed an eternity crawling all over a soft floor packing it up. My wife said "we're not getting one of those, they are marriage breakers". Have only taken the Tvan up the cape during winter and I'm sure it would be hot in summer, but I think the humidity is a killer doesn't matter what you are in.
As for the ball weight, mine is only 65 Kg., but I only have 2 gas bottles on the draw bar.
Only had the Tvan for about 7 months, but haven't had any regrets yet.

Cheers
Rob

[thommo19]

Thanks guys for input.
What is the big deal about the ball weight if it has been taken into the design of the camper.
I do understand that excessive ball weight over what the design has specified could be a problem. 
According to the web site ball weight of the Canning with a full fridge and storage box plus spare is 174kg abt 18% of tare mass 970kg.
Excuse my ignorance .
Jeff

[Bird]

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=17564.0

[chester ver2.0]

Thanks guys for input.
What is the big deal about the ball weight if it has been taken into the design of the camper.
I do understand that excessive ball weight over what the design has specified could be a problem. 
According to the web site ball weight of the Canning with a full fridge and storage box plus spare is 174kg abt 18% of tare mass 970kg.
Excuse my ignorance .
Jeff

Maily in the fact that in those kinds of weights you are definitly going to need harder springs in the rear and are then looking at a Weight Distrubution Hitch or the like which then renders the go anywhere ability of the camper a moot point

By the time you throw a few odds and ends on your 174kg would be around 200kg then you only have 50kg to go and you are at the limit of most 4wd towball down force weight limit

Also keep in mind the GVM of the vehicle includes the towball down force so when you get up to the high end of this limit it usually means that what ever goes on the ball must come out of the back

Take the example of the 120 series prado
The Tare weight of the the vehicle is about 2100kg the GVM is 2900kg so you have around 800kg payload

so 800kg -
Your towball weight of say 200kg with a loaded T Van takes you down to 600kg payload
600kg minus
Bullbar 75kg
2 passangers 160kg
Roof rack or similar 25kg
Second spare on roof 35kg
fully loaded fridge in the back 65kg
Storage drawers 40kg un loaded
Items in storage drawers 50kg
Spares and tools 15kg
Other assorted items 50kg

So that basically leaves you 85kgs and then you are over your vehicles GVM and over loaded and to be honest i have been pretty light with the weights above

So any weight that can be trimmed of the towball downforce is a good thing as all of that towball weight is behind the axle contributing to handling issues and the like. This is counteracted in a caravan with a weight distubution hitch that pivots this weight back onto the front axle but with a camper trailer the weight distrubution hitch is rarely used so you can get full artriculation out of the towball coupling in offroad situtions

[BTMNDR]

I think almost all 4wd are limited as per the Prado example above.

We have a Quantum with a 200-220 kg ball weight.  The standard Cruiser comes with a 600 kg payload capability.  So the simple truth is that to be able to load up a 4wd with all the gear and tow and go camping, will in many many cases require a GVM upgrade (mine adds 280 kg to the payload capacity).

I'd bet many a 4wd is overloaded out bush.

As for the T-Van, we were looking at one but the factory had closed for hols when we were passing through Melb, and able to look.  In hind sight, I think we'd both find it a little claustrophobic. But one doesn't know this until one tries it.

edit: damned auto correct = typo!

[Alan Loy]

I agree that the towball weights are high for those with the towbar storage on them BUT

it appears that the weights are honest as they include the gas cylinders (full), poles etc (not all campers can claim that)  They quote both the ball weight and the "Ball Weight with fully loaded storage boot option fitted"

You can still get a TVAN, the Yulara, without the storage that has a claimed 75kg ball weight

Personal Rant 
There needs to be some form of standard test to let us know what to expect from a camper in operation.  I would like to be able to compare different campers with a more realistic set of data.  Full water tanks, gas, diesel cylinders all poles and canvas and say 300kg of stuff in the lockers.

[Gwoods]

With the Tow Ball limits you need to check the specifications of your vehicle. My patrol can take a tow ball weight of 200kg before I need to start subtracting from the GVM. At 250kg my GVM is reduced by 150kg. This is a bit off topic regarding Tvan but applicable to earlier comments.

[achjimmy]

With the Tow Ball limits you need to check the specifications of your vehicle. My patrol can take a tow ball weight of 200kg before I need to start subtracting from the GVM. At 250kg my GVM is reduced by 150kg. This is a bit off topic regarding Tvan but applicable to earlier comments.

I think you'll find the the ball weight <200kg still subtracts from your GVM but after that not only does it subtract from the GVM but also reduces it overall.

[Alan Loy]

This link is a collection of towball weights for the MkII Tvan done by Owie on the Tvan forum

http://www.tracktrailerforums.com/index.php?topic=408.0

Just thought I'd share my findings of the tow ball (hitch) weights I recently measured.  I set up a load cell attached to a shed roof structure to measure the weight at the hitch (at tow height), with a load cell accurate to 1Kg.

2010 Mk II TVan short drawbar.  Queen size inner spring mattress, Diesel heater with 8lt Diesel tank next to Gas cylinders.
Spare wheel is a steel rim 31 10.5 R15 BFG AT.  12v Battery is a N70 cranking battery.

I was curious to see the difference various jerry can weights/locations made.  I generally do not fill the front jerry cans.
I use the LHS one for a rubbish bin (an old jerry can with the top cut off and a canvas cover), the centre one is the spares box (an old jerry can with the top cut off and a canvas cover), the RHS jerry can I fill only if needed.

No Gas, No water  = 140Kg
No Gas, No water, 1x Front Jerry can = 154Kg
No Gas, No water, 2x Front Jerry can = 161Kg
No Gas, No water, 1x Rear, 1x Front jerrycan = 150Kg
No Gas, No water, 2x Rear jerry cans = 132Kg

4.5Kg + 2Kg Gas Cylinder, 70Lt water, no Jerry cans = 149Kg
4.5Kg + 2Kg Gas Cylinder, 70Lt water, 1x Rear jerry can = 144Kg
4.5Kg + 2Kg Gas Cylinder, 70Lt water, 2x Rear jerry can = 140Kg
4.5Kg + 2Kg Gas Cylinder, 70Lt water, 1x Front jerry can = 163Kg
4.5Kg + 2Kg Gas Cylinder, 70Lt water, 1x Front, 1x Rear jerry can = 158Kg

4.5Kg + 2Kg Gas Cylinder, NO water, 2x rear jerry can = 152Kg

[rossbarb]

Hi everyone,
We have a tvan and love it, we both love sleeping in it, I have loaned it to friends and they enjoyed sleeping in it. We had it camping over Christmas in the heat and had a baby sleep in it in the middle of the daybput the fans on and pulled the curtain across and it was fine.
One of the positives about it is I can put it up and down by myself which is a blessing and is quick
Hope this helps
Barb

[Redcherokee]

Have a go at hiring one.  I know it costs, but it can really help you make up your mind before what is undoubtedly a major purchase.  Money well spent if it helps you avoid a mistake.

We hired for about a week and half from Peter and Catherine at:
http://www.independenttrailers.com.au/tvan-hire

Their Tvans come complete with cooking equipment, table etc.  You could put clothes, linen and a fridge in the vehicle, drive down and pick it up and head straight out for a trip.  You will find unexpected things you like and dislike this way.

We did find it cold when stuck at Coober Pedy in rain on a 9 degree max day.  Didn't find it claustrophobic at all - quite cozy actually.

[thommo19]

Thanks for all the feedback .
The ball weight is a bit of a problem ,more thought required.
Thanks
Jeff

[Owie]

Thanks Alan for posting my figures.

I like our 2010 Mk11 TVan. (Short draw bar);
Rock solid fame and suspension.
Good kitchen.
Not wet canvas to fold on bed.
Can store stuff on the bed during transit.
Can 'quick stop', ie not set up the tent, just clip on a fly screen.
No hotter during summer than any other tent.
No condensation inside due to lined walls.
Hard floor, can level on almost any ground.
No wider than my car.
Matched wheels to the car.
Good exit angles & ramp over angles.
Fan and TV can stay set up.
Diesel heater (aftermarket, but easy to install) is fantastic.
No higher than my Hilux, so being higher than other campers is not an issue.
Zip on ensuite.

Down sides;
Limited storage compared to other trailers (I don't have a front box).
Ball weight high, but not excessive.
We have our head at the tent end which requires a turn around (when I get old and less flexible it may be an issue, but I'll be in a caravan or wheel chair by then).
Firewood storage rack is a bit light.
Cannot carry a canoe etc..

Overall for us, the positives out weigh any negatives, but like all cars/campers, it has to suit the individuals circumstances.

[Bird]

Have a go at hiring one.  I know it costs, but it can really help you make up your mind before what is undoubtedly a major purchase.  Money well spent if it helps you avoid a mistake.

We hired for about a week and half from Peter and Catherine at:
http://www.independenttrailers.com.au/tvan-hire

Their Tvans come complete with cooking equipment, table etc.  You could put clothes, linen and a fridge in the vehicle, drive down and pick it up and head straight out for a trip.  You will find unexpected things you like and dislike this way.

We did find it cold when stuck at Coober Pedy in rain on a 9 degree max day.  Didn't find it claustrophobic at all - quite cozy actually.

top advice

[Talawana5]

Hi,
Have had ours since Nov 2006 and I am still in love with it. Has taken us every where. Heat and humidity has never ben a real problem. Have a couple of fans in the roof it circulates the air and we have always been able to sleep (even in Darwin). Tows like there is nothing behind and the setting up is next to nothing.
We have drawers built in under the be for our clothes and incidentals, storage nets in roof for towels bathers warm jackets, scarfs gloves.
We have a Landcrusier with drawer system and Fridge and Freezer set up in it.
Agree go and have a real good look and you will know if it is or you.
Cheers

[Homer_Jay]

I think they used to have some sort of deal where if you hired one, what you pay would come off the price if you ended up buying one. New of course.

We looked at them and was very tempted, but had concerns over the heat in summer being such a confined space.

[RobM]

Tows like there is nothing behind

This can be a negative. Apparently some people don't appreciate you passing them and pulling back in front of them too close because you forgot you were towing the Tvan.

I have one removable fan and I carry a mozzie dome that I can throw up under the annex if it ever gets too hot inside. So far it has been fine with the fans on.

[BTMNDR]

With the Tow Ball limits you need to check the specifications of your vehicle. My patrol can take a tow ball weight of 200kg before I need to start subtracting from the GVM. At 250kg my GVM is reduced by 150kg. This is a bit off topic regarding Tvan but applicable to earlier comments.

G'day Gwoods,

If my understanding of the legislation is correct, I think the information you have provided is not entirely correct.

My Understanding is GVM is the maximum permissible mass of the vehicle including all fittings, fluids, contents, and whatever weight is on the tow ball.

When the manufacturer specifies that the GVM is reduced when a ball weight exceeds a certain value, they mean that (in your example of the Nissan) if the ball eight is less than 200 kg, then the published GVM applies (for the sake of this argument I'll assume a published GVM of 3400 kg).  So, in this case the all up weight of the vehicle with all four wheels on a weigh bridge and the trailer connected but not on the weigh bridge, should not exceed 3400 kg.

Change the trailer loading so that the ball weight is now 250 kg.  Now the maximum permissible GVM is 3400 - 150 = 3250 kg.  This means that the all up weight of the vehicle with all four wheels on a weigh bridge and the trailer connected but not on the weighbridge, should not exceed 3250 kg.

All these weights, terms, inclusions, exclusions just serve to confuse us really.  We need an Australian standard, not State standards.

[UIZ733]

We gave serious consideration to a TVan. Ended up with a Vista which is not considerably different. Vista has significantly better and more usable storage and has a fridge as standard. Would have no problem living with a TVan, however the Vista is excellent. There are a few 'used' Vistas on the market at the moment that are excellent value for money.
JMTBW

[WilSurf]

We were torn between a Tvan and a Kimberley. Ended up with the KK.
Why? At that time the KK was cheaper and had everything we wanted.
I still like the Tvan though.