The Bigfella replied:

Newbiesb

I bought a Pioneer (Off Road) Silhouette just on two years ago and have not regretted it for one minute. I have not really had it "Off Road" but over quite a few rough dirt roads with no problems. As everyone should, you just drive to the conditions.
As extras on our Silouette we got the following fitted before we picked it up from the dealer in Richmond (NSW):-
A solar panel fitted to the roof with battery for lights.
I use an inverter for running a stereo. (Never take a TV with us).
An extra 60 litre water tank fitted underneath.
Ours is raised up by the flick of a switch with the lifting done by a 12 volt system. A further reason for the solar set up.
I tow with a Terracan and would hardly know it was behind me.
It was more expensive than the Goldstream but I feel the Coromal finish is far above the others.
We use a Coleman Portable Hot Water service for washing up and showers and have a Port-A-Potti if we are away from toilets.
The only other thing I have had done was at the 10,000Km service I got an exxtra bracket welded on the the spare wheel carrier as I have heard of people losing the spare wheel on really rough roads.

Cheers

The Bigfella

WA 1968 replied:

NewbiesB

We bought a Coromal PS 451 new in Feb.

Could not be happier. We looked at teh Goldstream but found that over here in the West the Coromal's were better priced.

Only thing we purchased was a battery to run the lights at night time when not on power.

Only prob we have had is water seems to run out quickly from teh standard tank. THis will be subject to another thread.

I also made up some plastic strips to put at the end and side of the beds for when it was raining as I am 6'4 and my feet touched the end of the canvas and sleeping back got wet..along with my head and pillow.

When we travel we put our kids and our clothes in plastic tubs we picked up at Bunnings. This is good for an over night stop and we just placed them outside..so no dramas if it got wet or rained.

When we stayed in Exmouth during the school holidays, we had over 4 inches of rain in less than 3 hours and the camp site flooded. other people who had clothes in bag etc got soaked..out plastic boxes and hence clothes, were all dry.

Hope this helps the decision.

Regards

Ash

WA 1968 replied:

NewbiesB,

My eldest (10) is 5'8 now already. He sleeps in the double bend end to himself. Would be too much grief putting them together. The reason we went for the layout of the Ps451 was the dining table drops as another bed and hence the 8 year old sleeps on that. THe long term plan will be we will stil take out teepee tent and they will sleep in that with the entrance under the awning.
We have both an annexe and annexe. We put up the awning only if we are there for one - two nights. Any longer we put the annexe up as we tend to take all this stuff for Justin...you know him Justin Case. awning takes 10 minutes. Annexe takes another 20 minutes. When we were up in Exmouth in July we had 4 inches of rain in 3 hours. We kept using one of my golf clubs (another Justin item) to push to roof of the annexe/awning to get rid of the excess water off the roof. problem with that was the water then back flowed into the annexe..thank god for out plastic boxes we use now for clothes instead of bags.

Not really sure what you mean regarding teh plastic straps. You are most welcome to contact me on mobile 0427 915506 or another reply to discuss. We actually had trouble keeping the bag awning down due to the wind getting under them when travelling....rubber bands and/or wool assisted us in this matter.

Glad to be of help. Any other questions fire away.

Ash

paul.as replied:

We have the bed flys which helps keep things cool in summer and keeps things dry in rain.

In terms of sleeping for tall people (i am 6'2") we have rotated our sleeping position by 90degrees, and made up some foam that goes on the ledge and a longer piece that goes on the bench top. Which means we loose a bit of bench space but it gives me heaps of space.

We also wanted to fix up the mattress and found that two thermarests (which we had) put underneath the matress does the trick.

Our water tank is 50l. (just get a gerry can and measure it) When out bush we have three 20litre water tanks, does our family of 5 for about 7 days.