Windsor Rapid expender

Submitted: Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 22:31

nomadoz

Advice and comments good or bad all welcome
Hi Blokes I’m looking at buying a Windsor Rapid expender, dirt roader, with shower, loo A/C current model 472?, dry weight about 1530kg, it would be about 1900-2000kg, loaded, single axel, I’m aware it is only Dirt Road and not off road, I’m a bit concerned about 2t on a single axle, ball weight 88kg, the figures above stands to be corrected, the lux 06, 3D4 manual, 30ks, should be up to it, thanks blokes

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AnswerID: 312770 Submitted: Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 at 20:24

Member - Robin M (VIC) replied:

Hello NomadOz,
Until recently I owned a 16' single-axled Windsor Rapid which I replaced with a hard-floor offroad camper trailer. Over the past 4 years I've seen quite a few of the offroad type Windsor Rapids and their owners have loved them.

If you plan to go on gravel roads such as the Oodnadatta Track, it should be fine. If you plan to tow the van over really rough roads with the Hilux, I'd be buying a smaller unit, probably the 14 footer. You can always opt for an annexe if you crave more living space !

I haven't looked at the figures for the van of your choice, but you should look closely at the gross vehicle mass ie: Hilux and attached van - to be sure that you can legally carry a load.

I also urge you to rethink the loo and shower bit, especially if you stay in caravan parks most of the time. The money you save by not having these things in the van can be put into a decent hitch or similar gear.

Cheers,
Robin

Experience; what you get when you ignore the fine print !

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FollowupID: 578847 Submitted: Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 at 11:21

nomadoz posted:

Hi Robin
Very much appreciate your suggestions, and thank you for your time, I would be doing some gravel roads but not too extreme as I’m a bit too old for it, but as much free camping as possible, is nothing better than been away from all the crowd, yes, a trig hitch is a good idea, and solar panel, but the loo & shower is the reason upgrading from a Royal flare, the Lux as a towing capacity of 2225kg, and a gross Vm of 4600kg so should be within limits, just the 2000kg on single axel, then again , a truck as a 6000kg on the steer.
Gee, Robin be a bit chiiiiiiili in vic. at the moment, see if I can arrange for some warmer weather, it may take me a few months to organise it
Joe

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AnswerID: 312846 Submitted: Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 at 12:24

Best Off Road replied:

If only they would build one with a Q/S bed I'd be very interested. That's the only downfall I can see.

Jim.

Best Off Road

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FollowupID: 579117 Submitted: Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 19:34

Member - Robin M (VIC) posted:

G'day Jim,
Sorry I'm a little late with this response. You can get the standard 7' wide van built an extra 6" wide to accommodate tall people. I'm 6' 5" tall and slept quite comfortably in a Rapid.
Cheers,
Robin

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AnswerID: 312850 Submitted: Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 at 13:02

Member - Ed. C. (QLD) replied:

G'day nomadoz,
I know there are plenty out there doing it, but I personally would not even contemplate towing anywhere near 2 ton on a single axle (not for any distance, anyway)....

If you must, make sure that it's a sturdy axle (at least 50mm square), and running parallel bearings.. the tyres also need to be of appropriate construction, and given that they will need to be run at near max, pressure to carry the weight, it follows that the suspension needs to be very compliant, with good shockies, otherwise it'll shake everything to bits!

The major concern that I see here, is the stated 88kg ball wieght... On a 2-ton single-axle, that is waay too light, and that van will be very unstable at highway speed (especially on some of the roads in black-soil areas where ya get that nice "see-saw" action going)... Tandems can be a bit more forgiving in this (ball weight) regard, but not a single!...

Sorry to appear negative, but it's not something I would consider buying..

FWIW, for the past 30 years or so,I've towed trailers every which way across this country, so I think I can claim to have more than a little experience towing;-)
My current campertrailer (Mk2) is on tandem axles, as was the previous (Mk1), and as far as I'm concerned, it's the only way to go...

You asked for comments good or bad, so that's my 2-bobs worth;-))

Regards, Ed C