Price of "Off Road" Caravans ?????

And pick up all the bits as they rattle loose. There is a reason they are expensive. So many people say they can do them cheaper but that is only because they never factor in their own wages and all the materials. No one is going to tell you they did it and it was a big mistake and had to leave it in the council tip at Broome. I am very sceptical about anyone who says they built one cheaply and they have never had any problems. Good luck.

The Chassis , and suspension is only one small part.

The interior rattles apart quick smart.

Depends how tough you want them. Read the brochures carefully - some will have the tag "off road" but in the fine print may say something like "for occasional use on un-sealed roads", so unless you are looking at the really heavy duty ones such as Bushtracker and Kedron, for off road read "off-bitumen". I was happy to try one of the former types, but my husband did not want it falling apart on us in the middle of the desert somewhere, so we chose the toughest of the lot; Bushtracker. Very expensive, but will last the distance. Now we just need the $$$s for the fuel to go around Oz.

My suggestion would be if you want something really off-road without the mega $$$s, get a good off road camper trailer - will go more places than my Bushtracker.

yes they are way over priced for a box trailer with a tent on them.

but I'm lost on this bit.
"Reckon I could get a van for around 9000 and spend about the same to build a chasis and suspension."

so $9k for a van + $9k for chassis and suspension ??
You can get offroad campers for $10k let alone $18k if thats what your talkin about.

After three years and some reasonably rough work I was offered just $3,000.00 less than what I paid for mine, as a trade-in on more conventional van.

Off-road (really most are only dirt road) vans are very popular (trendy) at the moment.

You'll pay $80K or so for a true off-raod beast like a Bushtracker and boy are they heavy.

Yes, Blacky, you have to wonder what all the fuss is about. But from what I have seen of the build quality of the Bushtracker or Kedron you would have more peice of mind that you would arrive intact after your dsert crossing.

My wife threw an idea up similar to your plan. The frame and suspension is important, but most of the mass prodcued vans were never designed to leave the black stuff and are held together with staples and glue.

There were a few projects in Caravan and Motorhome involving a makeover of an older van. Most have wooden frames, but then again so do some new off-roaders.

If your handy with the cabinatry, etc why not. I have re-fitted most of the cupboards in my Jayco van after a few jaunts off the black top, with each trip it gets more robust.

We beefed ours up with suspension upgrades, water tank bash plates, etc, etc and the only thing that gives out is the interior fittings!

If I win lotto I'm getting a Kedron...thats's after the mortgage of course.

Wizard
Prado TD
Freedom 16ft
Gold Coast

Ive renovated two Jayco poptops with lifted suspension and larger wheels - not so much for off road corrugations, but more for being easier to drag up the beach on Straddie etc. They are nothing more than 4 pine stud walls bolted to a ply wood floor. Any corrugations would rattle them to pieces.

An interesting topic blacky. I went through a similar process a few months ago. Wife and I first discussed what comfort and convenience characteristics we wanted. This pushed us toward a caravan or pop top. We immediately discounted the on roaders as not suitable and the off roaders (like Bushtracker due to weight and cost). Because of the distance and type of roads we will travel, I wanted to tow less than 2T and preferably not more than 1.5T.

We then looked at the pop ups like Jayco. They had the comfort and convenience, but their 'off roaders' are really 'dirt roaders' and I think have limitations even there. I tried to work out what I would need to do to make it tough enough, but ended up with a list so long, I would have been better to start from scratch. It included the entire chassis and suspension, wheels tyres, all internal cupboards etc and I was concerned about the shell (floor walls and roof). Doesn't leave much.

After a long process we decided on a good hard floor camper trailer. After a further long search and visit to two factories, we went for an Odyssey built by Australian Off Road Campers at Caloundra.

You might be interested that on my visits to the factory, I have seen a prototype they are developing for a genuine off road 'pop top' (but I think they may be having second thought about the pop top system for the purpose). In any case, it will be much more self contained (internal kitchen, cupboards, a shower etc) than a camper trailer. I suspect they are up to 6 months away from completion of the design and prototype, but it might be worth having a talk to Steve (the owner).

As others have said, I don't think a normal pop top on a new chassis and suspension would do the job. You would leave bits all along the CSR and end up with just the chassis.

For us it is a camper trailer until we have satisfied the rough off road travel bug (if ever). We would then consider the 'dirt roader' versions for lighter trips, but I wouldn't be surprised if this never happens.
Good luck with your search.

Blackly,
There's no such thing as an "off road" caravan.
I'm a bit confused (like Truckter). You state that your camper trailer has limitations, then go on to ask about "off road" caravans. I might be dum, but how is this going to improve your situation?
Regards
Kim

pretty simple why they are dear it is the same reason as a landcruiser is ridiculously overpriced when compared to a camry but after you try the vic high country or canning,simpson etc in the camry you relize where the extra money goes

Blacky

I agree an "Off Road" version of a van seems to be overpriced as you can only really see the chassis/wheel difference from the outside.

If you check on the manufacturers brochure they normally list the changes/additions that go into the off road version, and the list is quite long. There is a number of additional things that go into the strength of the furniture, additonal hinges etc.

I have an off road version, and am happy with it, previously had a camper trailer for 8 years, and like you have "Been and Done" a lot of the proper off road trips like the CSR etc.

Although I believe that the price more reflects "What the market will stand" rather than the additional work/fittings involved.

Regards,
Jim