Caravan suggestions

If you want quality off road capable check this site.

Site Link

Hi Wanderer,

We have just spent four months living/working around Queensland and could certainly recommend that you look at www.galaxycaravans.com.au We are more than happy with the performance.

Hopscotch

Bushtracker
or as an alternative
Bushtracker
another choice
Bushtracker
or you could give serious consideration to
Bushtracker

We made the right choice.

!MPG:22!

Can't beat getting away from it all with a Bushtracker

Good vans are not cheap and cheap vans are not good.

Wise old vanners saying.

Pooley

Wanderer,

Mate, never owned a caravan though I have heard good reports about Kedron Caravans.

www.kedroncaravans.com/home%20frameset.htm

I have seen a few Bushtrackers over the years and they really look the goods.....I guess it is has previously said, you get what you pay for?

Hi wanderer,
I wouldn't go for anything but a kedron. The guys that build them realy do use them. They have videos of their travels with their vans and worth watching. When your out in extreme heat you want to make sure your fridge works, etc. Someone else has given you their website, give them a call and I'm sure you'll get descent advice for what your doing. Wish u cld take me on year travels, good luck

Hi Wanderer,

I don't think some of the other posters have picked up on the fact that you need very little "real off-road capabilities".

While the bushtracker and Kedron are two very good vans, they are over-engineered if you are not using their tough off-road capabilities. They weigh ~25%-50% more than a typical on-road van due to their great chassis and cabinet work etc....

But if all you need is a bit of dirt road capability, then looking at even on-road vans from the more reputable builders will be fine. No need to lug extra weight around plus gives you far more options as far as makes and configurations go.

Cheers

Captain

We have a Kedron XC and are more than happy with it , however any good offroad van will be heavy.
If your 80 series is pre 1996 update I believe it only has a 2.5 tonne tow limit. A good sized tandem offroader with compressor fridge , solar panels batt with shower toilet would weigh at least 3 tonne loaded.
You also mention Diesel Landcruiser - I'm assuming it's the 1 Hzzzzzz therefore towing 3 tonne would be a real chore since they are not renown for their over abundance of power. Depends whether you mind being a mobile roadblock on hills to.
Just some more to think about as plenty of people buy a smick offroad van and end up having to update tow vehicles to suit.

Cheers

Darryl
Brisbane

Hi Wanderer,

I'll go against the flow of recommending top-of-the-line 'off-road' vans. They're fine if you've got the $80K+ asking price for a new one but we haven't. We've been on the road for almost 5 years, give or take a few house-sitting stints along the way. We can't afford and don't want the weight of a full-on off-roader, but we wanted decent rough road ability and a decent payload. Here's a bit from a post of mine a month or so back:

" 300kg payload for single axles and 400kg for tandems seems to the de facto 'industry standard'. And yes, that has to include gas, water and any accessories added post-factory, like roll-out awnings, TV antennae, etc. before you even load a pair of clean socks!

You can get a higher payload but it costs money. Most custom-builders will build you a van with a higher payload and if you're really keen, you can have a van modified and re-certified.

We did this with our current van - it was a standard 18' tandem pop-top which we got near-new at the right price. We then paid Caboolture Caravan Repairs to strengthen the chassis for better rough-road ability. The original (remarkably accurate) Tare was 1550kg and the ATM 1950kg. CCR added 90kg of steel and extra spring leaves and I added 60kg of batteries from our previous van and it was re-Tared at 1700kg.

But, more importantly, because of the chassis strengthening, they were happy to certify it for an ATM of 2300kg (the original axle group rating is 2900kg, so plenty of margin there) - giving us 600kg of payload. This is all stamped on an official Qld Transport modification plate. No connection to CCR - just very satisfied customers. "

We have towed our van over quite a few gravel roads and believe it's well up to the task, but have no desire to drag it into the "bush". Our system for out of the way places is to leave the 'van at a caravan park in the major towns, then "tent it" for a few days (or weeks in the case of Simpson, Cape York, etc.) to see the more remote spots. We don't need all the mod cons in the bush and it adds to the adventure to go camping now and again. Our two-bobs worth...