Got the Cruiser now want the Caravan. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Japmel,

“just mainly looking for something that would handle the dirt and (corrugated) roads and the odd bush track, without falling apart”

If this is your criteria, you will certainly require a Caravan with off-road suspension, etc. Don't even consider anything less.

Can only suggest you visit as many Caravan yards as possible, to help you decide on the important features you require.
You may also get some good ideas from the Caravan magazines.

Armed with this information, you will then have a narrow selection of brands/models to consider and it is just a matter of keeping your eye open for that pre-owned & loved Van that someone may be upgrading from.

Expect to pay a premium for an off-road model though.

Hi Japmel,

Gotta agree with Sandman, if you want to go on gravel, you will need a van with decent suspension. Corrugated gravel roads do more damage to vans than "true" off-road driving. The off-road driving most people picture only requires decent ground clearance. Speeds are generally so slow that the suspension is not that critical. Its mainly the 60-80 km/hr corrugated gravel driving that will vibrate everything to pieces unless the suspension is up to the task. Also, remember when adjusting your vehicle tyre pressures for gravel to also adjust your vans tyres. While you may not feel the ride in your van, everything in the van certainly will.

Good luck with your choice, there certainly such a wide variety on the market that its very difficult to decide whats right for you.

Cheers

Captain

We went through the same dilemma. Asked questions here too. Saw some Queenslanders with a Bushtracker, and my husband never got past it as the ultimate. I was ok about buying and trying a regular "off-road" van, but he had visions of it falling apart in some remote location, so wouldn't go past looking for the real thing. We bought an 18" Bushtracker 2nd (3rd) hand - still looks near new, after all it's adventures, which is a great recommendation. It is quite big and heavy to tow, but will be a comfortable home. Didn't find that many true off roaders advertised 2nd hand, and if paying all that money, wanted to get the right set up to suit want we wanted. We like to get away from it all, not follow the highways. Mind you - not much $s left for travelling! It was way above your target price and mine! Sturdy looking off road vans that caught our eye on our travels were the BT, a Kedron, and a Trackmaster. We don't see many heavy duty off roaders in WA; i haven't seen a Phoenix - which also sound good. What ever you get, drive to the conditions - it may be slow on the worst roads, but better than your rig falling to bits. Someone on this site replied to me they have been all sorts of places with an off road Coramal. Good luck with what ever you choose; and safe and happy travelling.

Mr & Miss Al just did a similar trip in a pretty decked out van and desided to sell it for a camper trailer when they got back , try get there attention and they will give you the pro's and con's

I suspect that the vans you will find in this price range are the production type such as Jayco, York, Coromal to name only a few.

We have a jayco and have found no problems with careful towing on gravel/dirt roads. However, I minimise and often try to avoid heavily corrugated roads. As one post said you just shake the van and everything in it to pieces. These vans are designed for use on the black top.

Our idea is that we use the van as a base and then radiate out using our camping gear which works well for us - no kids and the prado is setup already.

Have you thought about a campervan? Several brands are out there and they do handle the rough roads well. You can get a modern good quality 2nd hand van in this price range.

I suggest that you look in on some of the caravan forums and ask questions there. You will get a huge resposnse from owners with experience on the different brands and types of van in these conditions.

Japmel

"17-18 foot, dirt road capable, 10-15k".
If you find one can you get me one too.
As you should have gathered from the above responses, conventional wont fit the bill. At he bare minimum a Brand name, Jayco, Coromal etc set up for dirt work, but as with all things you will pay for what you get and what you need is the suspension componet of the van. Suspension = $$$$$.
From my past experiences camper trailers are excellent but a definate pain in the butt if living and touring for any extended periods. A van more homely but you need to find the one to suit your requirements, room, capabilities, ball weight, cost etc etc.
Anyway, enjoy your quandry and eventually your trip.

Regards
Wal

I agree with what others have said, for that sort of money you are unlikely to get a caravan that will stand up to many corrigations.

I find when travelling for extended periods, that a shower toilet van with the ability to camp anywhere is the best way to go. But to go that way you then require a van that is capable of carrying a reasonable amount of water, batteries and solar panels, and there aren't many makes caravans that are capable of doing that, and staying within their weight limitations.

You will have to stay pretty well on the bitumen, and go tenting to the more remote 4WD areas as suggested above.

When we travelled the Gibb River Road in June-July this year, most of the road wasn't too bad, but the Kalumburu Rd was very poor and long stretches were down below 30K/H even with an off road van.

Hi japmel

as Eric mentioned, we decked out a van to take us up north, we took it along the Oodnadattta track, and it survived, let some dust in and required a few minor repairs, and is as good as new again now, if we were to do it again in a van, and were wanting to go offroad, then we'd be looking at a Bushtracker, but they seem to start at around 50K, and while our van served us well, it's now on the market and we have bought a camper trailer as we feel this will allow us to go to more remote places without the worry of whether it's going to make it or not....if you're set on a van, then look at the offroaders, there are several but you'd be lucky to buy anything for under 30k I"d suggest...

cheers

Lyn

japmel,

I'd agree with most comments made so far, especially the budget you have allowed!
I have a Coromal Seka 505 Pioneer XC which is touted as an off-road van. It won dirt road van of year (Caravan and Motorhome Magaziine) a year or so ago.
I prefer to call it a dirt road van.
It was purchased after we did a 4 week stint in a hired Kimberly Kamper to see what suited us. I'm very happy with the caravan as opposed to the camper van for my particular needs.
Apart fom the suspension, (the Coromal has "Knee" independent) you need to look at the chassis and draw bar. BUT, I think where a lot of the less expensive vans fail, is in the interior and frame. It doesn't seem reasonable to me to just put larger wheels on a standard van and maybe some (often useless) shock absorbers and call it an Off-road product.
As far as the Corromal I have, I've taken it over some very rough dirt roads and tracks and it hasn't missed a beat. Tows beutifully and rides the corrugations easily. Dust is still a problem so I tape up the door vents when travelling to mimise this problem.
I think the Bush Tracker is probably the ultimate but it's cost and weight were a concern for me and I probably wouldn't use all the offroad, water crossing capability that it has.
My van has a few extras - Air Con; Wind-up TV aerial, innerspring matress, larger fridge, high-liner option (150mm extra wall height with O/head cupboards), electric water pump. It cost about $36K about two years ago (took nearly 12 months to deliver after it was ordered) and with popularity of "off-road" vans I think I'd get that price for it now. That is if you can find one for sale.

Regards,

Hi All
Thanks everyone for your great and very informative replies, We have decided to get an off road van.
Now it's a question of finding one for the right money.

Regards
japmel