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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: oldblade on April 09, 2011, 09:48:54 PM

Title: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 09, 2011, 09:48:54 PM: well time has come to move the Jayco swan on
had a great trip down in vic for a couple of weeks
from ruthrglen down throught the high country through to the lakes to the prom back up to the yarra then back to the high country and home.

anyway we learnt a lot
we hated having to think about the canvas all the time when it rained
a toilet would be nice
we hate caravan parks especially the bathrooms
we like our own space
setting up is a pig of a job
but we love sitting down of an evening drinking wine on a comfy lounge watching a dvd after a long day touring

so we decided to buy a caravan that we didn't need to stay at caravan parks
and we found one 17" newage ticks all the boxes but it too heavy for my hilux but for 3K I can get that fixed so no biggy

then today I thought I would have a look at other vans and found a TOPAZ crap!!!!!! here we go again
it does most things but no toilet shower inside
though I can get back to camping anywhere I can get my car not like a caravan
it's dust proof
has a kitchen inside
Not so comfy lounge though
lighter to tow then a caravan
resale value will be way better then a caravan

has anyone got one of these that may be able to shed some light on what they are like to live with
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: GU Rich on April 09, 2011, 10:55:51 PM: Looking at the Topaz website you might be able to hire one to see how you like it.

Rich
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 10, 2011, 07:07:23 AM: Looks like you can hire the than not the topaz which is a bugger
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: D4D on April 10, 2011, 07:47:50 AM: If you have the coin and the time to wait, I'd look at an Evernew. These guys have been around for almost 50 years in the same location and build vans that last. They may not look as flashy as some of the new vans but they won't fall apart on you. http://www.evernewcaravans.com.au/e900.htm

My other choice would be a Royal Flair Tuff Roder http://royalflair.com.au/testimonials.php

We'll probably go either one of these if we decided to move to a van. When you look at vans there are a million options out there with a lot of pitfalls so be careful.
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: GU Rich on April 10, 2011, 07:51:50 AM: http://www.tracktrailer.com.au/?gclid=CLiYt4a1kKgCFUxtpAodYQyYDA

It mentions here that you can hire Tvan's and Topaz vans through there Tvan dealership and independent hire companies.

Cheers

Rich
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 10, 2011, 08:41:56 AM: We had a look at the royal flair yesterday and wasn't to impressed with the workmanship sorry.
Good value for money though
All these vans all use timber cupboards so old fashioned sorry not very contemporary
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: D4D on April 10, 2011, 08:51:41 AM: Interesting, they are normally well made.

I like timber, maybe I am old fashioned :)
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 10, 2011, 09:26:02 AM: sorry not saying your old fashioned just that they all look the same

when we were looking at colours it was "which shade of brown timber would you like"
That was why the Newage was so appealing.

anyway were back off to look at the TOPAZ I have heaps of questions so we will see how we go.

As for the built quality out of 10 I'd give them a 7 for the royalflair
corners made from plastic cupboard hinges were like the jayco small and flimsy sorry I am picky "why I bought a jayco I have no idea"
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 10, 2011, 03:07:38 PM: Ooops we just bought one
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: D4D on April 10, 2011, 03:11:04 PM: :cup:
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: speewa158 on April 10, 2011, 06:13:07 PM: :worthles: No Preasure . OK . ,,,,,,,,, Still Waiting ,,,,,,,,,, ;D
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 10, 2011, 06:15:51 PM: It would only be pics of the display one as soon as I get it pics will be posted lol
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: speewa158 on April 11, 2011, 03:42:40 AM: " There is a disturbance in the force " 8)
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: Bushman on April 11, 2011, 08:14:20 AM: Quote from: 4500lpg on April 10, 2011, 09:26:02 AM
"why I bought a jayco I have no idea"

Because it suited you at the time, you knew it was value for money at the time,(despite the few hic-ups you had). and reasonable quailty, at the time.

but I must confess, we seriously considered the other before going with the Panda, eg Winsdor Rapid, Paramount Duet, an a few others with similar set-ups
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: oldblade on April 11, 2011, 09:34:12 AM: Quote from: Bushman on April 11, 2011, 08:14:20 AM
Because it suited you at the time, you knew it was value for money at the time,(despite the few hic-ups you had). and reasonable quailty, at the time.

but I must confess, we seriously considered the other before going with the Panda, eg Winsdor Rapid, Paramount Duet, an a few others with similar set-ups
Very true I admit to anyone the jayco is great value for money great value that you just can't get from others
And the bottom line is so attractive that it's hard to go past.
And we have had some great trips so after ownership I can still say I have been happy I'll be even happier if I get a good price for it
My point is not that they are rubbish just that you get what you pay for and if you can overlook the quality as we did you can have great holidays in it
Title: Re: cat a-mucks the pidgeons
Post by: seqfisho on April 11, 2011, 04:43:12 PM: so what did you get :worthles: