Elite Caravans

"We are seriously considering building"
OR
We are seriously considering buying ??

There is a slight difference. LOL

Scrubby.

I have owned an Elite Van, it was an Atlantic 23,6 Off Road Van the weighed 3450 kg fully laden, it was built by the previous owners of the Elite caravan manufacturing business in 2009. I replaced that Van with a smaller length Van - still off road style and still weighing more than I would prefer. I have not had dealings with the current owners of Elite. I am aware that they have manufactured a significant number of Vans and expect they aspire to build vans to reasonable standards.

I note the weight of the Off Road Hume bunk Van has a Tare weight of 3400kg, this will mean you will need a big strong Vehicle to pull it. The weights will likely increase if you have kids and need to carry all their gear.

There are numerous Van builders out there and given the large investment involved to get what you want, careful consideration is as you realise imperative.

If this is to be your first big van, then you will want to contemplate weights and legal requirements for towing and safety. What is the towing vehicle you propose to use?
Bob

T-of-5 - I doubt whether you'll receive much feedback because you're talking a premium, nearly 25 foot, top of the range 'van, that has a retail price of well over $100,000. The numbers of these 'vans produced is low.

However, the people in the link below have purchased one, and provide positive feedback.

Elite Hume - owners website and opinion

There is also a "journalism" style test and review of the 'van below.

Elite Hume Series 2 off-roader - Caravan & Camping Sales road test and review

Elite, as a manufacturer, has only been in business since 2008 and the business changed hands in 2010, it appears.
The general opinion appears to be, that Elite can have niggly manufacturing problems, but they provide good backup and competent customer service.

There are two things that come to mind, IMO. One is, you're looking at van which is heavy - very heavy - by it's very design and construction.

It's likely that you could have weight problems if you aren't disciplined on what you load in it and what you carry.

IMO, this 'van runs very close to needing another axle. In previous decades I've owned two 27" Viscount Supremes and a 30' Modern.
The Viscounts were tri-axle, but the late-1950's-build Modern only used a single axle with Landrover wheels and hubs!
Needless to say, the Modern never got any long-distance travel, whereas the Viscounts were happy at any distance and speed.

The other factor is you are speaking of Bushtracker in the same vein as the Elite. I don't think there's any real comparison. It's like comparing a Holden Statesman with a Rolls Royce.
The Elite uses a Meranti frame. Fine for most purposes, but always susceptible to damage and dry rot.
The Bushtracker uses wall frames that are fully welded, four-sided, box aluminium wall frames made to aircraft grade levels, and rot-proof.

There's just no real comparison, it's apples to oranges. If you want the ultimate in off-road 'vans, you buy a Bushtracker, and pay accordingly.

I always like to get factory tours when I'm considering a major purchase that involves complex construction and input from purchasers and constructors.

If the company is happy to let you tour their factory and inspect their operations, then that should reveal how well-organised the constructor is, what the company morale is like, and what the attention to detail is like in the construction and design.

Cheers, Ron.

The word OFF ROAD is used widely and conjures up the thought of toughness.
We were the owners of a lotus TROOPER , a very strong chassis, but the rest was the same as a on road van. They are sheer luxury if you stay on the black top, but go OFF ROAD as the manufacturer says is another story. Just did not handle dirt roads, too many vents to seal.
Now own a Australia off road MATRIX very happy.

We have just bought our 3rd Elite very well made, love them. we have had our current one 6 months, had a few warranty issues like any van does but we are very happy.