OFF-ROAD CARAVANS - I need info on models available please

Have you looked at the Kimberly Karavan, it might be smaller than the others but it will go places where the others only dream about.
If your after more space then the one's you mention would be better

willie if you want to tow to genuine off road places where you have taken yor trak shak i.e cape etc then only two really IMHO - so after a lot of looking and checking facts they are - i.e kimberley karavan and a supreme getaway 13 to 14 ft made the same wheelbase width as the tow vehicle - but you may need to be aware of possible alleged warranty issues with the odd supreme
Bushtrackers are very strong but incredibly heavy so you need an f250 to tow with and try towing that lot up a soft sand beach - say fraser etc but then thay are really very comfortable - good mate has one
kedrons are sort of in the same league but i would allege kind of a cheaper job than the bushtracker but while they have dragged one of them up the telegraph track to the cape i would l not like to own that one when it gets sold in the future
so this is just my two bobs worth willie - i am not really into caravans ( hate caravan parks ) but age and soft living takes its toll so we will buy either a kimberley karavan or a supreme getaway off road van made the same tow width as the nissan in the near future when we finally decide to sell out kimberley kamper.
see you greg

They don't make 'em any tougher than these

!MPG:33!

Hi Willie, I can't help you with your caravan choice, but I fully understand your question. We plan on upgrading to a tough van in a couple of years from our Odyssey Off Road CT. In an ideal world, I'd have both, but it is not highly likely.

We won't want the van to go to Cape York (will have done that in the CT), or similar places, but want it to be able to handle any of the rough and corrugated roads we may encounter in our travels. I'd use the GRR as a benchmark. I'd want a van that can handle that without any hesitation or worry.

We want a full sized van, suitable for spending several months on the road and comfortable to spend several weeks in one place (barra fishing in the Gulf or NT for example). Self sufficient in water and power so you can do that in a 'bush' camp. 300 litres of water, 300AH of AGM batteries, 3 solar panels, 2KVA generator are basic needs for us.

From my basic research so far, the vans you have mentioned, are about it. Once you spec them up, they are all heavy. We figure if you stay down at no longer than 18 ft, you should be able to keep the weight to 3 tonne or so. We have come across plenty of people who tow vans of that weight with 4.2TD. The new V8 70 Series might be even better. Once you go above 18 ft, I reckon you get into F250 territory.

Coming down one level in the van, their are optioins like the 'off road' Roadstar. Cheaper and lighter. Claimed to be able to handle corrugated roads. I'm not sure whether it will do what we want for as long as we want though. But if weight get to be the big barrier, might be worth a look at least.

So, while I can't help, I am interested where this thread goes, particularly if a few of the longer term owners of these vans give some views.

I think we are heading to the same place. You just might be going there a year or two quicker.

Hi Willie, I am in the same situation as you. looking for a 14 footer,The supreme seems to be an excellent choice but at $40k is out of my price range. Second hand ones seem to be like hens teeth so this speaks volumes too. I have explored the Noel's "Island Star" in SA but built in melbourne and at $6000 cheaper but with independent susp and timber frame seems to be built well and strong, so I am leaning towards this option.
Cheers, Rod

Hi Willie - Just my take on the subject. We have spent 20+ years camping off-road.
We did own a Coromal - firstly offroad camper trailer then offroad poptop and loved them.
Poptop was 16ft 6" x 7ft, TARE about 1400 and GVM of 1700. Single axle independent. Handled corrugations perfectly, until we rolled it 4 weeks ago on Savannah way near Roper Bar NT. ( Tregg hitch did what it was designed for and only the van was lost.) First time in 20 + years towing on gravel/outback roads/tracks.

Have just signed for a 2nd hand Supreme Getaway. 16ft 6" x 7ft tandem axle independent suspension TARE 1900 kgs; GVM 2300 (but I will wait till its weighed).
As both are the same size and features ,the main diff seems to be the Supreme starts out as a checkerbase box trailer (with a van on top) which adds weight, and no doubt strength.

We would have bought another Coromal, but needed to put the accident behind us. If you are looking for off-road ability with lower weight - they are worth a serious look.
.......................Keith

Hi

As an about to be ex-Bushtracker, and an about to be Boroma Roamer, here are a few thoughts.

1. My present belief is that there is nothing stronger on the market than a Bushtracker. We have towed ours to the tip of Cape York, and across the country through the center - Lambert Center! To see pictures of our trip we invite you to share our travel website: www.luvntravln.com.

Having said that, my understanding of the fiberglassed-sided Boroma that we are purchasing - 25' Grandinata - is that the entire sheet of fiberglass is sikaflexed to the wood frame by a substantial bead of sikaflex on every piece of the frame. That may well be as strong as the Bushtracker frames. Remember, ocean racing yachts that take a incredible beating are simply fiberglass and sikaflex!

We are having the off-road package including air bags and intend to take the Boroma wherever we are not prevented by its length.

A Bushtracker owner compared the interiors of the two caravans the other day and said that the BT is like a commercial build out out and the Boroma is a luxury buildout. Our van is our full-time home land we want a luxury buildout.

2. Yes, they are heavy - my 21' TARE is 2960; however, it is my full-time home. And, yes we tow with an F250 - love the Effie!!

3. Yes, they sell very quickly! I indicated on the BOG site that my van was officially for sale and it sold in three days sight unseen for $90,000. Frankly, while I am happy with the quick sale - one less thing to deal with as we come down to delivery of our new van - I do believe that I might have sold it for $5-10,000 more.

4. At the end of the day you have to decide how you want to use the van. If it were not my home, I would probably have a 16 - 18' BT if I wanted to go to the worst places on the worst roads; short of that I would opt for the Boroma.

Cheers, Jay

Hi Willie,
Have a look at the Royal Flair caravans. They make a rough road van with independent suspension on coils, HD chassis and Hyland hitch. I own one and am happy with it. It seems most of the opinions here are people justifying their own decisions and not providing objective advice. Royal Flair has a website and the factory is in Melbourne.

Mike

Hi Willie:

maybe have a look at a supreme getway. floyd.bigblog.com.au/data/1/5387/image/Van23466520060625231749.jpg

Its the same as Bilbo has and he loves it, we havn't had it long or used it enoth to say much, but it suits are needs, only two of us plus the dog.

around $35000.00 os a lot cheaper than a KK..LOL

Richard

All these caravans will probably suit , but it depends how you drive etc .... for example this June I saw a Bushtracker on the Tanami (unfortunately it was on the back of a truck with a decided lean to the left) , when we pulled our Coromal XC Capri in to Wolfe creek crater.
No caravan likes corrugations (imho)...
Cheers

Hi Will,
Have a look at Blue Heeler off road vans. Sorry mate I'm "challenged" and can't do the link thingie.

I believe you might also find them under "Sunliner Caravans" as the actual manufacturer.

Ian

Willie there was a post recently from someone that went on the outback tour with the Trakmaster group with his trakmaster van, Plenty of corrugations there.

I havent been on many corrugations yet with my Trakmaster I certainly wouldnt be afraid to do so. Its built for it, but you do have to pay for it :(

The support from the guys at trakmaster is brilliant, I couldn't speak highly enough of the guys there.

Willie,

I recently did the trip with other Trakmaster owners to Marble Bar. Check out Thread 47365.

All the other vans you have mentioned above are all wortthy contenders and would do the same trip I have just undertaken.

The Trakmaster difference is the weight advantage. I'd love a Topender but weighing in at 3000 Kgs....just a little heavy for me to tow.

Regards
rnr!MPG:10!

G'day Willie,

I have also been doing the rounds on this and it is horses for courses so I won't offer advice. What I would like to know is where are you planning to store the detector? Clearly they don't need to be thrown in with a whole lot of other gear to bang around.

Kind regards

Is anyone ready to sell their Trakmaster , Bushtracker or Phoenix van yet ?

I cannot find any second hand ones for sale .

Willie .

Hi Willie

You will find the 14' BTs rather rare. 18' is the most common on the second hand market now, often due to people up sizing. The BT site looks familiar, as it was built by David too. BT people liked ExplorOz so contracted IT Beyond. Put up a thread there saying you are seeking one as small as 14', and see if anyone replies. It may bring someone out of the woodwork who could consider selling in the next year. Would you consider 16'? - there are a few more of these around, although not many. Of course only a small percentage of BT owners are on the site - most are not even on computers.

Someone mentioned Supreme, a brand which we have heard good and bad reports like most brands. I discounted them early, as one of the "OK for occasional of the bitumen" breed - from their on line info. But we have met two owners of the tiny single axled model with the rear door. Both have felt it suitable for off road. It was too small for us anyway, as it narrow to match the width of the average tow vehicle, and the bed being sideways would have had my husband curled up like a paper clip to fit. Being small it does not have a bathroom, although that was not a priority - but having the shower is a bonus we appreciate.