Post by: campingaroundoz on October 17, 2017, 10:55:49 AM
Thanks for your help.
Post by: Bird on October 17, 2017, 11:38:40 AM
For me, I think caravans have the advantage if you get stuck for a week in hideous weather, that you have space not to be on top of each other and inside and warm.
Personally I think most hybrids are vastly overpriced
YMMV.
Post by: campingaroundoz on October 17, 2017, 11:53:34 AM
Not sure how much hybrid you get for $35k, or genuine 'full offroad' van.
For me, I think caravans have the advantage if you get stuck for a week in hideous weather, that you have space not to be on top of each other and inside and warm.
Personally I think most hybrids are vastly overpriced
YMMV.
Be looking at 2nd and not really fussed about the age and looks inside either.
Was going to have a look at the Parkes 13 for a hybrid when we get closer to Perth.
Post by: tryagain on October 17, 2017, 11:59:00 AM
We have been travelling Aus for 13 months in a off road camper trailer 2a and 2k and on the road full time for the next 3 years at least. I have been thinking about changing our setup to a off road van or hybrid type. We still want to contine to be able to head off road like oodnadatta track, birdsville, savannah way, cape yorke etc. I have a budget of $35 max. I dont mind if i need to do stuff to the van to get it set up for free camping and building bunk beds for the kids, dont need a toliet or shower either and dont really want to tow a big van so thinking around 16foot max. Tow vehicle is a 2011 colorado with mods.So with all that in mind what brands should i be looking for in that price range. I was leaning more towards a hybrid type as still love to live and cook outside, more looking at the ease of setup and the ablilty to maybe stay north and work during a wet season if we want.
Thanks for your help.
I think in that price range you are predominately looking at used, Hybrids seem to be a reasonably new concept so there are not many older ones available used compared to older off-road vans, to me most hybrids seem to be more aimed at couples rather than families. Have a look at whats available in your price range and think what would best suit you, as everybody's need are different.
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/results/?Price_Min=20000&Price_Max=40000&Q=%28%28%28%28%28%28SaleStatus%3D%5BFor+Sale%5D%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26LengthFeet%3Drange%5B..16%5D%29%26SleepingCapacity%3Drange%5B4..%5D%29%26IndustryAll%3Dkeyword%5Boffroad%5D%29%26Service%21%3D%5BShowroom%5D%29%26%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer+Used%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer+New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate+Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer+Near+New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BFor+Auction%5D%29%29&sort=Premium&SearchAction=Pagination (https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/results/?Price_Min=20000&Price_Max=40000&Q=%28%28%28%28%28%28SaleStatus%3D%5BFor+Sale%5D%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26LengthFeet%3Drange%5B..16%5D%29%26SleepingCapacity%3Drange%5B4..%5D%29%26IndustryAll%3Dkeyword%5Boffroad%5D%29%26Service%21%3D%5BShowroom%5D%29%26%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer+Used%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer+New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate+Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer+Near+New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BFor+Auction%5D%29%29&sort=Premium&SearchAction=Pagination)
Post by: Bird on October 17, 2017, 11:59:37 AM
Quote from: campingaroundoz
Be looking at 2nd and not really fussed about the age and looks inside either.Fair enough..
I'm with you on that, just most people want shiny new :)
Post by: glenm64 on October 17, 2017, 12:15:25 PM
When we were looking at upgrading we came across our used custom made van.
IMO its far better than most on the market, extremely well made and because its a no name, alot cheaper than others in the "hybrid" category.
Ive seen a few on the market over the last few years. Caravan camping sales web site and Gumtree are the places to watch.
Older North Coast Campers 14ft vans can be had for mid 40k, a very well made and laid out van.
Cheers Glen
Post by: cetacean on October 17, 2017, 04:53:01 PM
We ended up with a Trakmaster Sturt X-county, still not a cheap option but certainly a lot more affordable than most of the good quality hybrids. It hasn't got a full outside kitchen as such, but does have a fantastic slide out stainless barbie that pretty much covers all our cooking bases when we can't use a fire. Just add a small folding table next to it and you can do all your food prep and dishes on this without any dramas. Certainly works for us, about the only thing we do inside is boil the kettle !
You can pick up an older Trakmaster around your price range I'd reckon, good luck in your search :cheers:
Post by: wakychapmans on October 17, 2017, 07:05:19 PM
16'. Tough as all get out. I'm sure the bed(s) layout could be worked out.
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-4961002/2000-bushtracker-16-ft/?cr=0&category=caravans&psq=%28SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%26%28%28%28%28Service%3D%5Bcaravancampingsales%5D%26Make%3D%5BBushtracker%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26Service%21%3D%5BShowroom%5D%29%26%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BFor%20Auction%5D%29%29%29&pso=0&pss=Price (https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-4961002/2000-bushtracker-16-ft/?cr=0&category=caravans&psq=%28SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%26%28%28%28%28Service%3D%5Bcaravancampingsales%5D%26Make%3D%5BBushtracker%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26Service%21%3D%5BShowroom%5D%29%26%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BFor%20Auction%5D%29%29%29&pso=0&pss=Price)
Post by: campingaroundoz on October 17, 2017, 07:06:26 PM
We've recently gone from an Adventure camper-trailer to a small off-road van and couldn't be happier. I must agree with Bird on this one in that some of the "hybrids" on the market seem to be incredibly expensive for what you get.Thanks for the info, i have been keeping an eye on the trackmaster range, do you have kids or is it just a 2 berth, if thats the case how hard would it be to build some bunks?
We ended up with a Trakmaster Sturt X-county, still not a cheap option but certainly a lot more affordable than most of the good quality hybrids. It hasn't got a full outside kitchen as such, but does have a fantastic slide out stainless barbie that pretty much covers all our cooking bases when we can't use a fire. Just add a small folding table next to it and you can do all your food prep and dishes on this without any dramas. Certainly works for us, about the only thing we do inside is boil the kettle !
You can pick up an older Trakmaster around your price range I'd reckon, good luck in your search :cheers:
Thanks again
Post by: cetacean on October 17, 2017, 07:26:20 PM
Thanks for the info, i have been keeping an eye on the trackmaster range, do you have kids or is it just a 2 berth, if thats the case how hard would it be to build some bunks?Our kids are all grown up now and it's just the two of us on the queen bed. Not sure how you'd go building bunks to be honest but it might be an option in one of their bigger vans ?
Thanks again
Post by: moseyroc on October 17, 2017, 07:41:40 PM
Post by: campingaroundoz on October 17, 2017, 08:17:45 PM
We have the same problem. Just returned from our annual Cape trip & we have well & truly outgrown our CUB camper. Nothing wrong with it, we just want less canvas & more useable space specific to our needs. Weight is an issue for me, I don't want to tow anything heavy, all new hybrids are waaay overpriced for what you get as well. I'm now looking at putting a slide-on camper (pop-top) onto a trailer. Just need to think about the layout for sleeping arrangements for our son, plus easy outdoor shower set-up. My cousin just put a slide-on onto his 79 series ute & I was impressed with the opportunities available for personal mods. But if a Kingston Exodus comes up again in next 6 months I'll gladly buy it, best hybrid ever made4
Thanks for the good info, we love our drifta dot and will find it hard to part ways with but its those times in crap weather when stuff like kids school work needs to be done some hard walls would be nice.
Post by: weeds on October 17, 2017, 08:29:15 PM
Cannot help much......
Four years on the road is living what most of us are dreaming. Good luck with it all.
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Post by: moseyroc on October 17, 2017, 09:23:50 PM
Post by: campingaroundoz on October 17, 2017, 09:44:26 PM
Yep wet weather on return journey & trying to do school journal sealed the deal for a camper upgrade for us, now just waiting on the ok to put the 4.5 v8 into the 80 :cup: True Nirvana4Can u fit one into a colorado lol
Post by: moseyroc on October 17, 2017, 10:09:15 PM
The 4.5 is going to be the only way we do the lap with ease, the things you learn while travelling ;D
Post by: Bird on October 18, 2017, 08:55:24 AM
He has some very kewl Shit coming up in his Hybrids
Post by: Bird on October 18, 2017, 08:56:23 AM
Can u fit one into a colorado lolhttps://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/custom-4x4s/1704/holden-colorado-gets-ls3-engine-transplant (https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/custom-4x4s/1704/holden-colorado-gets-ls3-engine-transplant)
Post by: campingaroundoz on October 18, 2017, 09:13:05 AM
https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/custom-4x4s/1704/holden-colorado-gets-ls3-engine-transplant (https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/custom-4x4s/1704/holden-colorado-gets-ls3-engine-transplant)4Nice bird, all we need to do now is win the lotto
Post by: Bird on October 18, 2017, 09:17:44 AM
Quote from: campingaroundoz
Nice bird, all we need to do now is win the lotto
boy.... don't I know that feeling :(
Post by: campingaroundoz on October 18, 2017, 09:32:04 AM
Please view this ad:
Jurgens Stargazer ,
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/busselton/caravans/jurgens-stargazer-/1162636889?utm_source=com.google.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttonsVIP&utm_content=app_android (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/busselton/caravans/jurgens-stargazer-/1162636889?utm_source=com.google.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttonsVIP&utm_content=app_android)
Post by: weeds on October 18, 2017, 09:38:39 AM
Anyone had one of these
Please view this ad:
Jurgens Stargazer ,
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/busselton/caravans/jurgens-stargazer-/1162636889?utm_source=com.google.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttonsVIP&utm_content=app_android (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/busselton/caravans/jurgens-stargazer-/1162636889?utm_source=com.google.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttonsVIP&utm_content=app_android)
Tombie on here has a Jurgens, not sure if it's a stargazer.
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Post by: tombie on November 14, 2018, 09:15:16 PM
Tombie on here has a Jurgens, not sure if it's a stargazer.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Xplorer
great bit of kit.We’ve added some solar, I did a Victron upgrade to the onboard charging system and we’ve added a few little things like a better water pump and other little tweaks.
Taken it on some really rough tracks without a problem.
A good second hand unit will be $23-30k new $50k
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Post by: outbackogre on November 15, 2018, 08:05:13 AM
Post by: GBC on November 15, 2018, 08:54:47 AM
The rubber suspended ones are all straight parallel imports or early models which didn't go at all well. It was a while ago now that I was looking at them but chassis' snapping, panels rotting etc was pretty common. The Australian delivered product had cruisemaster suspension and proper steel chassis and was a different beast, as are the current ones I believe. I was pretty keen on one because it was the biggest thing I could fit in my garage but it was too hard to get any straight answers about them and there are plenty of threads like the one below floating around about them.
https://www.exploroz.com/forum/105363/jurgens-caravans#_=_ (https://www.exploroz.com/forum/105363/jurgens-caravans#_=_)
Post by: outbackogre on November 15, 2018, 09:25:00 AM
Post by: trinityalyce on November 15, 2018, 03:48:11 PM
Probably because that was us probably 9+ months ago! 😂 There's even a thread I started on here that had some awesome suggestions from a lot of members... Probably could find it if you did a search.
Anyway. Long story short we went with an Ultimate. You CAN pick one up second hand in the price range the OP is talking, but that'll be an older one. Despite the company's recent struggles (don't buy new... at least just yet - fingers crossed they get themselves out of the pickle they're in!) they are a quality Aussie made product. Just ask any Ulti owner and they'll sing it's praises just like we do.
Everyone has different priorities but it worked out to be the best option for us for these reasons:
- We didn't need an indoor shower/toilet. Plus, there's a toilet locker and a hot/cold outdoor shower outlet on the camper so we just throw up an ensuite tent and we're set wherever!
- We needed indoor space to protect us from the sun/flies/rain/whatever depending on the time/season/location. It has a good-sized U-shaped couch and indoor kitchen. Yes, I cook inside. But we also carry a table and our old camp stove so I can still cook outside should I so choose (and have the fire pit that I also cook on).
- We wanted a "normal" sized bed. We're both short, but even so we didn't want one of those tiny little caravan beds you often see. The Ulti has a massive king-size bed, and with a cheap topper it is damn comfortable, too.
- Initially we didn't want a lot of canvas... but we decided it was moreso that we didn't want a difficult or time-consuming set-up, and canvas was OK as long as it kept out the weather (which it does). We can be completely set up with a cold drink in hand in under 15 minutes.
- Most important? IT HAD TO BE LIGHT AND TRULY OFF-ROAD. We weren't done with remote travel and rough or sandy tracks. We didn't want some heavy boat-anchor dragging behind us stopping us getting to certain spots. No issues there with the Ulti. And at a little over a tonne fully loaded the Jimny could nearly tow it. 🤣 Jokes aside, it is a safe and sensible option for a lot of lighter vehicles that don't have the huge towing capacity that is often required for spec'd out off-road vans that are notoriously heavy. Even with the Patrol we don't use as much fuel, don't need to worry about it overheating, etc. - all of which could have been an issue with a full-sized off-road van.
The moral of my not-so-little story? Figure out your priorities. Go and look at a LOT of options. Discuss your priorities some more... then look at everything again. The first time we looked at an Ultimate we both laughed and said "never". Heck, we called it an ugly upside-down boat! But we LOVE our camper and it suits us perfectly. We're so glad we didn't go down the path of getting a huge, heavy caravan or cross-over thing. What we have suits us perfectly. But there are different options out there because we are all different. Find what works for you.
Post by: tombie on November 15, 2018, 05:05:02 PM
Tombie, do you have the (Alko?) independent rubber strut suspension and over ride brakes on your Xplorer? I like these vans but am a bit put off by the suspension and brakes.
Yes, it does. Well maintained and it works a treat.
I will be upgrading to electric brakes once these wear out though, just because I can.
Check older units for water ingress (applies to many vans) and if you get a good one you’ll be fine.
The suspension hasn’t ever caused a problem on even the worst surfaces (at silly speeds occasionally too
)And absolutely no worries about the chassis, solid as a rock, one of the primary reasons I purchased this particular unit.
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Post by: outbackogre on November 15, 2018, 07:56:33 PM
Post by: 2010banditsa on January 17, 2019, 11:38:27 AM
Post by: KeithB on January 17, 2019, 12:29:55 PM
Keith
Post by: Bird on January 17, 2019, 04:30:09 PM
If my experience with Ezytrail is anything to go by, don't touch them. I spend more time screwing mine back together than I did enjoying it. And the Sydney Ezytrail head office told me it carries zero spare parts."zero" is actually the name of their 120 piece spare parts kit. You just misunderstood what they were getting at.
Keith
Post by: KeithB on January 17, 2019, 10:04:09 PM
A year ago, when I needed a replacement stone guard mesh for my 3 year old Eden LX, I was told that they only carried parts for the models that were currently on sale.
No stone guard mesh, no tent frame parts, nothing.
Keith