We currently have a Seka 475. Had it for a few years now. Prior to that we had a Chesney fibreglass kamper. very much modified with solar panels and 600a/h batteries. The whole camper had been fitted to a full prestressed chassis with off road suspension and 12 inch brakes riding on 31x15 tires. We do travel out west Queensland (mainly) opal fossicking. But the time (and age) made us decide to go with a caravan. No more setting up canvas and awnings. (similar to a Jayco style.
So we started to make a list of what we required in a van. First being an aluminum frame. Pop top. Good quality build, plenty of storage, and something that we could convert to what we needed for out life style which was in the main living off the grid. And most important was relatively light but well built. Not being in any particular hurry and having an engineering background, we looked at many makes, types and layouts and we came to the conclusion that an early manufactured Coromal Seka was the ideal van for us.. We looked at vans on all markets, even to the point of flying down to Melbourne to inspect 3 vans. The conclusion that we came to is that a Seka should be a build up to around 1997 or maybe a bit later when the original family owned the company.
We eventually purchased a van here in Brisbane that had come from the Northern rivers area. And we have never looked back. We have done quite a few trips out west and even on gravel roads (driven accordingly) and not one problem. It currently does have the 45mm axle and the heavier springs. Additions wise, we have installed a complete 12 volt wiring system including inside and outside LED lighting. We haven't changed the 240volt wiring except to install a better RCD unit and a couple of extra GPO's. To drive things like an on board smart charger and a portable air con unit. The 12 volt system is driven by 4 200watt solar panels broken up into two separate arrays with feed through the separate regulators that in turn charge two 150A/h batteries. We also built an onboard air lift system that raises and lowers the roof with a flick of a switch. Also a diesel heater. In all the traveling, we have not had one thing brake on come adrift. The van is very dust proof and we used the roof top pressure hatch all the time except of extremely dusty roads.
One thing to look for is that even though the frames are welded aluminum, not all vans are insulated other then the roof. Also, soon after we got it, we pressured cleaned the whole underneath and sprayed 4 coats of boncrete.. That will stop any water absorption in the floor.
Towing wise, the van can be balanced out perfectly with a ball weight of 130Kg. We tow it with a early Toyota Hilux (diesel but not the Toyota diesel engine though) and sit on the highway speed quite comfortably. Out west we sit on between 100 and 120Kph and the van sits like a brick. Although I would like to see it have a longer draw bar length as it can get a bit twitchy on lose gravel roads on station roads. We are currently building a complete heavy duty chassis with longer draw bar and that will improve the tracking a hell of a lot better again. (also give us room to mount a small generator and hot water system to the A frame. Cant really give you fuel use figures as our engine uses 14lt/100 loaded or empty. Usually we have around 1/2 tonne in the back of the ute when traveling.
So, all in all, we think its great. It does every thing we need and there is NO water leaks.....
