Off Road Van Choices?
Submitted: Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 19:17
ThreadID:
136314
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Replies:
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Shaker
We currently have an Australian Off Road Quantum which we are looking at replacing.
The ideal parameters would be Outback off road capable, (not really hard core, we have a Tvan for that) and:
Pop-top around 16’ & 1800kg Tare
As dustproof as possible
Hot dip galv chassis, not Duragal
Single axle
Independent
suspension. (Won’t enter discussion about leaf springs)
2 berth
NS bed
Outside kitchen
No inside kitchen, sink or basin ok
No inside fridge
Shower &
toilet
2
seat dinette
2 water tanks
Will consider slide out, even EW bed with side slide out
If not already fitted, will be fitting charger, inverter, solar panels & possibly a/cond.
I realise that the perfect van is yet to be designed & that everything will be a compromise, but the above would be close to perfect. I am also not a brand snob & would consider Chinese.
Looking forward to suggestions.
Thanks
Reply By: batsy - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 20:25
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 20:25
Shaker you don't say weather you want new or used.
Why not keep the Quantum as it ticks most boxes & is a high quality unit ?
A NCC Titanium ticks most boxes again but has an internal galley as
well as an external unit.It has an inside fridge with provision for an outside one if required.Can have your choice of 2 x single beds or a queen size.It is just below 1800kg tare, has 3 x 100ltr water tanks,
toilet & shower inside & shower outside, Redarc inverter/charger & 400wt of solar. Good solid
well proven unit.
Best of luck
Cheers
Batsy
AnswerID:
617148
Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 20:47
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 20:47
Thanks, the Quantum is a 2010 model, so it’s probably time to update, not convinced that they are as good as they would like you to think, but then coming from a Vista RV Crossover, I may have been spoilt in regard to build quality.
Would I be right in assuming that NCC is North Coast Campers?
I will look at new if I can’t find something 2 or 3 years old, I suppose if I ordered new I could delete the inside kitchen & fridge. I can’t understand why they fit inefficient fridges that drop all the cold air on to the ground every time they are opened.
FollowupID:
888635
Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:04
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:04
Shaker,
I reckon this "dumping all the cold air" is a bit of a furphy. If the fridge is packed with plenty of tucker, drinks etc, there's very little air left to fall out. Not hard to add a cardboard/plastic air barrier up the front of the shelves, if you only need something from the door shelves.
Just my experience from a couple of Simpson trips last year, with 80L Engel.
Bob
FollowupID:
888637
Follow Up By: batsy - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:11
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:11
Yes Shaker, NCC is North Coast Campers. Deleting internal fridge,galley & sink would be no problem for Brian. He seems to be very easy going.
Cheers
Batsy
FollowupID:
888638
Follow Up By: mountainman - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:20
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:20
I dont see a actual budget.
What is your price point ?
FollowupID:
888639
Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:35
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:35
I guess maximum for new would be 90k, not my first choice because I would rather someone else took the initial depreciation hit.
The other thing with front load fridges is that they don’t hold anywhere near as much as a chest fridge.
FollowupID:
888640
Follow Up By: mountainman - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:46
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:46
Im not sure but a " brudder " air
suspension van is around 80k ?
Twin axle though.
And it would even lighter than the single axle vans your looking at.
I dare say they will hold their value very
well.
As it is a exceptionally unique and brilliant australian designed and built.
Kitchen / pantry s accessible from both inside and put of van.
And changing a tyre is simple as raising the air bags on one axle.
Quite a few videos on YouTube and i hope to buy this van later on down the track.
From its extremely low tare weight meaning no upgrading of vehicles is required and easy on the wallet as you can streamline the van behind the tow vehicle as the towing height is fully adjustable
Or even just for ground clearance.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 22:03
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 22:03
Bruder does look good, but at around $115k, more than we really want to spend.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:53
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 21:53
Sounds like you want an Exodus 16.
AnswerID:
617154
Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 22:07
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 22:07
No shower &
toilet, probably number 1 on my wife’s list, she is happy to forego it in the Tvan, but that’s it.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 22:44
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 22:44
You can get an internal combo shower and
toilet with the Exodus 16
I think it ticks all your boxes. One of my best traveling friends has one.
Exodus 16 with internal shower
FollowupID:
888649
Reply By: Member - abqaiq - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 10:16
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 10:16
Look at an Ellis Baecamp from Ellis Recreational Vehicles at Caloundra.
AnswerID:
617161
Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 12:09
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 12:09
I had a look, but they appear to only have camper trailers, I am keeping our TVan & need an off road caravan. Thanks
FollowupID:
888667
Reply By: garrycol - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 13:19
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 13:19
What about one of the EzyTrail Parkes Range -
Here is the 13 Ft but they also have 15 foot and 18 foot models.
Also see here
Parkes Range
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 19:52
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 19:52
I actually did look at them, not too bad at all, but very heavy.
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Sunday, Feb 25, 2018 at 20:12
Sunday, Feb 25, 2018 at 20:12
Chinese copied Lifestyle van. No comment either way.....just an observation !
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888743
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 18:27
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 18:27
Get yourself a 4WD motorhome. :)
It won't cost more than the van and tug and it will go to plenty of
places that the van will NEVER go.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
617170
Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 19:54
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 19:54
It’s something I would never consider, but thanks for the suggestion.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Feb 25, 2018 at 20:59
Sunday, Feb 25, 2018 at 20:59
Shaker, if you keep yor Tvan, there will be a lot in common with your hybrid van. You will need to flip a coin to decide which van you need to take.
We have kept our Tvan but opted to also own a full size offroad caravan - the Tvan still does the remote trips while the offroad caravan does the civilised trips. Happy we kept the Tvan because it still gets a lot of use. And happy we bought a full size van because its got a heap of things the Tvan can;t have - like full size ensuite, pull out BBQ, internal stove (for when the weather is crap) diesel heater and air conditioner etc.
Our van cost us $66k and our Tvan is worth $20k so we figure we have the best value $86k can buy!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Feb 25, 2018 at 21:30
Sunday, Feb 25, 2018 at 21:30
The Tvan is lot more nimble than any hybrid, but does lack a few things that my wife likes for longer trips that don’t require Tvan agility.
As I mentioned we also have an AORC Quantum, which has couple of shortcomings that we would like to rectify, I also believe that it is a good time financially to move it on.
FollowupID:
888751
Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Monday, Feb 26, 2018 at 08:32
Monday, Feb 26, 2018 at 08:32
Hi Shaker, Out of curiosity, what don’t you like about your Quantum? A mate of
mine is seriously looking at buying one of these.
Macca.
FollowupID:
888759
Reply By: Member - MARIC - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018 at 04:37
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018 at 04:37
Check out Spinifex Caravans in Qld, they make to your requirements, guarantee you wont be disappointed
AnswerID:
617214
Reply By: CSeaJay - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018 at 15:29
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018 at 15:29
Shaker,
Not sure what you dislike about the Quantum, but it is highly likely that in future after you "upgrade" to another brand, you will realise that there are not many tougher vans around than the AOR Q.
Obviously a larger van will have a bigger turning circle, less ramp-over and departure angles etc. so you would never be able to compare with the TVan (which we had - great are they not). But I have in my travels come across many big name brand off-road vans with niggles, probably more niggles than what you had with your Q
Maybe.
AnswerID:
617221
Reply By: Member - GDM - Sunday, Mar 11, 2018 at 15:28
Sunday, Mar 11, 2018 at 15:28
Shaker
I'm not sure if you've solved your dilemma yet, but my wife and I have been using a
Kimberley Eco Suite Off-Road van for two years. It goes anywhere I can get the tug.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iufO_SWLOio
Cheers
GDM
AnswerID:
617491