Vacationer caravans

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 08:09
ThreadID: 130271 Views:7986 Replies:3 FollowUps:12
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Looking for comments from anyone who owns or has owned a vacationer caravan. Am looking to buy but know very little about the brand. Any comments or help would be appreciated.
Sue H9
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Reply By: Grumblebum and the Dragon - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 08:43

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 08:43
Sorry Sue,

Never heard of them. If I were buying I would stay with the long established brands with a sound reputation for build quality and after sales service.

Regards
John
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Reply By: Ron N - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 11:07

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 11:07
The Vacationer is a model in the Roadstar brand. Roadstar appear to have quite satisfactory performance, and there is little to find when you look for complaints about them.
Roadstar get good reviews in a previous Exploroz thread.

Roadstar caravans opinions

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: TomH - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 11:52

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 11:52
Those Roadstars are gone as the maker went out of business after that in 2009/10 I think.

A new company formed by the Chassis maker they owed a lot of money to has the name so quality may be the same/better/worse.
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Follow Up By: TomH - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 12:08

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 12:08
Link with pics and reviewhttp://roadstar.com.au/caravans/vacationer
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Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 12:21

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 12:21
Thanks for the updated info, TomH. The current Roadstar 'van manufacturing process appears to have the right approach, with a superior polymer sealant/adhesive as an important part of the construction.
Probably 2/3rds of caravan problems can be directly sheeted home to poor sealing and poor sealing materials.

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: TomH - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 18:22

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 18:22
"with a superior polymer sealant/adhesive " Their words remember,

Its an advertisement after all LOL
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Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 18:50

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 18:50
That's true. The display with the plastic cup, the sealant/adhesive, and the box cutter, is a bit of "hyper-marketing", for sure.
Personally, I'd rather see a test where two components are pulled apart after the sealant/adhesive is set, for a realistic display of strength and sealing properties.
I would have also liked to see the video show the actual van construction taking place, and the methods and materials used.
Too many manufacturers are too quick to state that, "our construction processes are confidential, and factory safety is our priority, so we don't allow anyone inside our manufacturing facilities".
I much prefer manufacturers who are open as regards their construction methods.
Having said that, the general impression I got of Roadstar build quality in their display vans, is that it's better than many others on the market.
The forum user "Darcy7" below, has only good things to say about current Roadstar build quality - and they were happy to let him wander through the factory just to watch their construction methods.

Caravanners Forum - aluminium or wooden frame?

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Member Boroma 604 - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 19:58

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 19:58
Gooday,
We do not have a Roadstar, but a very good Mate does have an 18 ft from the old company & he is very astute and technically literate in all fields, had no problems with it, and continues to tell people they are even better now with the crowd who took over the remnants as part of their debt.
Cheers,
Boroma604.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 22:44

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 22:44
Sue is asking about Vacationer brand, not a Roadstar model.

Motherhen

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Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 23:35

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 23:35
Well, darn, that's pretty confusing. Thanks for the correction.
It appears the "Vacationer" brand of caravan is made by Opal specifically to 7th Street Caravans specifications? And Opal were formerly known as Regal? I see vans for sale that are advertised as "Opal Vacationer" vans. I guess these are the ones you're referring to?

Vacationer caravans made by Opal?

Opal Caravans

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 23:58

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 23:58
Like Roadstar, Opal also have a model called Vacationer. However Ron, I think you are onto something here. In addition to Supertramp forum link you found, looking at the shape of the Opal and the Vacationer caravans, there is a distinct likeness.

Also as Opal list 7th Street as one of their dealers, it adds more to the picture that Opal are the manufacturers of the range of Vacationer branded caravans 7th Street sell.

From Supertramp posted in 2011:

"These vans are made by Opal Caravans Melbourne to 7th Street Caravans specifications."

and a reply from the late OzJohn (Retired Engineer - Ex-Caravan Consultant)

"Hmmmm.
Opal don't have the same reputation of some other brands sold by 7th Street. Retreat & Regent for example."

John always said a lot between the lines about caravan brands.









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Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 22:40

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 22:40
Vacationer Brand is sold through a New South7th Street Caravans - Vacationer Wales Dealer.

The website give little indication of who actually makes them. They may be made for the dealer and branded exclusive to that dealership. 7th Street Caravans also sells two other brands; Paramount and Universal. Paramount has been around for a while, but Universal also seems to be another "new kid on the block" brand.

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 22:42

Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 22:42
Sorry, link didn't end up in quite the right place.

Vacationer Brand is sold through a New South Wales Dealer 7th Street Caravans - Vacationer.

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Follow Up By: Member Boroma 604 - Monday, Sep 14, 2015 at 09:51

Monday, Sep 14, 2015 at 09:51
Gooday,
Thank you for the correction, was purely replying on the basis that it was a Roadstar Model, as had been alluded to in an earlier post and assumed it had been identified as the correct builder.

Sadly, OzJohn is no longer a living species, believing he passed on earlier this year, but never had any reason to doubt his comments.
Cheers,
Boroma604.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Sep 14, 2015 at 10:26

Monday, Sep 14, 2015 at 10:26
Twelve months ago Boroma. I miss his sound and informed posts on the internet to counteract the waffle and myths that often get posted on technical topics.

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