Buying Off Road Caravan

toffytrailertrash replied:

Hi Sue

For a trip to Cape York there are only two on your list that I would be looking at:- Kedron and Bushtracker..if you are wanting new I suggest you order very soon as they both have a pretty severe lead time. I have had a Kedron TE on order now for over 12 months and won't be ready until end of July/August. My main reason for ordering the Kedron is the fact that it was made for travel anywhere in this big country of ours and come back in one piece. Strength and reliability with quite a lot of touches of quality.

All the best
Merv/Di Thumbs UpThanks 0

Motherhen replied:

Hi Sue

We purchased an older (no frills) 18' Bushtracker pre-loved and well travelled in 2004. We have taken it on roads including the Gibb River Road and to Kalumburu, the Tanami Road, Mereenie Loop, to Chambers Pillar, the Great Central Road and the Gary Junction Road. The Savannah Way and on to the Cape may be our next trip. We purchased it because it was the toughest. Even the toughest caravans still require due care and maintenance, and we run lower tyre pressures on corrugated roads (tow vehicle and caravan). We would not take ours on true off road driving (eg through the Great Sandy Desert Kiwirrkurra to Balgo) mainly becaue of weight, but some gold fossickers do take smaller BTs off road. Due to the market demand for larger with all the frills caravans, Bushtracker will no longer make anything less than 18', hence the older 14' and 16' are highly sought after for a small specific need. Friend with a 14' Bushtracker from the same year as ours (1998) went to the Cape last winter. Many with larger Bushtrackers have also done this trip, as have other brands.

Any of the true tough road caravans are heavy, so tow vehicle to suit is an important consideration. Bushtracker now make a 18' "hybrid lite" model to suit those needing a lower towing weight. You will not buy a new Bushtracker through a dealer, and even most second hand vans sell quickly privately. They are a custom made to order caravan.

Motherhen

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Member - Syd R (QLD) replied:

Have you thought about a Quantum Off road. I have been to all the place you descibed. Thumbs UpThanks 0

rossy replied:

we have a Kimberley Karavan and it tows amazingly and runs straight behind in the Landcruiser tracks of our car. No probs through sand at Inskip and Fraser and can't wait to get to the Kimberleys and Cape York again Thumbs UpThanks 0

RobAck replied:

We own and Ultimate and whilst not a caravan they sent us an email last night announcing a new off road caravan which looks and sounds flash. So you may need to put that on your list as well. If it's as good as the camper trailers it will be an excellent product

Regards

RobA Thumbs UpThanks 0

Rascal replied:

Hi Sue,

As suggested Kedron or Bushtracker, not saying the other brands won't make it up and back just my experience towing the 19'6 Top Ender as long as you drive to the conditions and set your tyre pressures up either of these two vans will get you years of pleasure. It also depends what creature comforts you want when you pull up at at the end of the day. We are on our second Kedron and with any van the tow vehicle is also something that needs to be considered.
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Searay replied:

Hi Sue,
I also have a Bushtracker caravan and love it. We looked at bushtracker , Kedron and Spinifex and Bushtracker was what WE liked the best. We live in the Northern Territory and travel around a bit. any of the vans you have mentioned will do it but look how they are made and really pick your accessories.

We went for more (5 in total ) water tanks and 4 x solar panels and 4 x batterys. We can leave water tanks empty when not needed but due to where we travel water and having solar was more important than having luxury items. Never had a problem with the suspension on our van but we always adjust tyre pressures to suit.

Good luck

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Shelto S1 replied:

G'day Sue
We did the same research over the past two years or so. Spoke to as many owners of offroad vans as possible, read heaps of reviews, looked at many second-hand vans, went to Melbourne and Brisbane caravan shows (twice) and spoke to the manufacturers. Our final choice was to buy a custom built tandem axle 15'6" Trakmaster Kimberley. The layout we chose to build was with single beds, shower/toilet, pop top with all the usual good gear but you can design to suit your own needs. Absolutely a pleasure to deal with this manufacturer, nothing was a problem and would highly recommend as compared with some manufacturers we spoke with. Also believe after sales service is exceptional but to date have had need.
Weight, Tare 2000kg, ATM 2700kg (plenty of payload), length and height was a consideration as many of the roads/tracks we frequent are quite rough, soft and with overhanging branches etc. Towing with a 100 series Toyota TD has been far easier than I anticipated and we are extremely happy with our choice. Do not discount Trakmaster.
Enjoy whichever you choose.
Cheers Thumbs UpThanks 0

energy marty replied:

If you're coming up to QLD to check out caravans, I suggest you check out Spinifex as well - based in Deception Bay.

Awesome off-road caravans that will handle as much as a kedron or bushtracker Thumbs UpThanks 0

Grumblebum and the Dragon replied:

Hi Sue,

We have owned from new a 19' Bushtracker since 1 June 2005 and live/travel in it on a full time basis. It is a superbly made bit of gear and we spend 90% of our time out in the bush..... travelling those little dotted-line back 'roads' you find on good topo maps. We have travelled extensive throughout the Kimberley Region and down into central WA's Little Sandy Desert and across the Gunbarrel Highway from Carnegie Station to Warburton. This magic track last saw a grader in 1986 and is a fin test for an off-road caravan.

Since new we have replaced one 12volt pump and two fridge thermostats and a cupboad door hinge. Considering the mileage and country it has been towed over I think this is little short of amazing. There are more than a few Claytons's off-rRoad vans out there that have nothing more than a bit of thin propeller checher plate and an off-road sticker.

Choose wisely

John Thumbs UpThanks 0

bazz replied:

I see you have Roadstar on your list, my 2nd hand 06 RS LE 17 footer tandem is custom built on a heavy duty Chassis with truss under A frame, it was custom built for light off road use, while the build quality is good , it is nowhere as robust as the other brands you mention, ( no where as heavy as well). The first time I went off road there was dust inside,annoying,( and broke the WD hitch) but for general towing it is superb, Ive followed other vans towed by cruisers (I use Patrol Ute) and seen them fishtail when Trucks pass in opposite lanes, mine just sits there never moves, only time it does move is when a semmi passes me then I get the suckion effect. this is my 1st van ,and have towed from Melbourne , Adelaide, Yorkes SA, Steaky bay, kalgooli, Esperance, Margret river ,Kalbarri now in Karratha, no problems what soever with van. If you could get Roadstar to build a true off roader(mine could do with longer A frame as back of ute hits bottles in tight turn) then I think you will be well satisfied, probably a little cheaper than the others as well. Other vanners with the other brands love them but they all say you know youve got them on the tow ball ,ie heavy. personally i wouldn't like to tow a heavy van in true off road conditions, deep mud, steep banks ,deep water crossings etc.(some do tho...!!)unless in convoy.
The other makes of van you mention will outlast mine ,have seem some 10 year old Kedrons bushtrackers that have been every where & they have stood up to the punishment well, but they 50% more in price to purchase. Cheers Barry , Pilbra. Thumbs UpThanks 0