Trackvan Questions ?
Submitted: Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 16:36
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D200Dug
Margo and I are looking for a relyable all road van to tow behind a diesel cruiser. Having looked at many many many vans we are now about 87.325% set on the Trackvan
Just wondering if anyone has any experience or feedback on this make of van. we are probably looking at the 17'6" model with a few personal variation to make life comfortable for us.
This will be our first van so any comments ideas suggestion ( or warnings ) will be appreciated.
Reply By: D200Dug- Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 16:40
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 16:40
Oh, by "all road" we mean outback dirt roads not serious 4WD tracks or
trails or desert crossings.
If we need to get to remote locations to photograph then we can base the caravan at a nearby town and take the 4WD and some swags over any really rough stuff.
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Reply By: Member - Syd R (QLD) - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 16:57
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 16:57
Hi Doug, Try the Quantum from Australian Offroadcampers in Caloundra in Queensland. WWW.australianoffroadcampers.com.au
We are over the moon with our van.
all the best
Syd
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Follow Up By: D200Dug- Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 17:06
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 17:06
Ok Over the moon is a little off road for our plans :-)
but we will go and have a look at them soon, Probably tomorrow if it is not insanely HOT !!
Cheers and thanks :-)
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Follow Up By: D200Dug- Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 17:10
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 17:10
Just had a look at the website
off road campers and they are camper trailers We were after a full size caravan. We plan to be on the road for a few months at a time ( or longer ) so would like a bit more comfort than the camper trailers offer.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 19:19
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 19:19
Dug, the relentless corrugations of the outback roads will do far more damage to a rig than real off road stuff. Check the 'fine print' for disclaimers about travelling on rough or corrugated roads.
Also do a search of the archives for feedback on this type of van, as similar questions have been asked before.
First van? BUY SECOND HAND. Get out there and try it out - look at other people's rig and talk to them. If you find it is not your dream rig, you can sell and try something else with little or no loss. By new, and like a new car, there will be a big price drop for resale once it is classified as used.
Motherhen
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:19
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:19
Who are Lotus ? Can't find them on the web - first I'd heard that there was another van player in the 'rough roads capable' sector .... ?
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Follow Up By: D200Dug- Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:25
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:25
Lotus ? who mentioned lotus ?
Are they a van maker ?
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Follow Up By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:43
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:43
Well....... I searched for Trackvan and came up with refs to Lotus Trackvan but little else - no real site - have I missed something ?
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Follow Up By: D200Dug- Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:59
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 21:59
I did not find that one !! do you have a link ? I cannot find a site for trackvan I can find roadstar but there is nothing on their site. The local dealer is caravan world nambour. Just up the road from us.
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 22:47
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 22:47
Doug, you thinking the Topaz? That is the Tracktrailer caravan. They look pretty short though and poptop style but with the Tvan swing arm
suspension
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 23:10
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 23:10
Dug, Just make sure they are capable of doing what you want. A lot of off road models of caravan are the same as their standard caravan on a stronger
suspension - so may still suffer on corrugations. I am not making this comment in relation to the one you are looking at (I don't know) - just something to look out for when purchasing for our long outback corrugated roads that traverse this wonderful land.
You say you are prepared to go without the van to harder to get to
places - trouble is in Australia, that can mean backtracking 3 or thousand kms. We did it in Tassie, but apart from a couple of spots here where caravans aren't permitted, our van follows up everywhere.
Mh
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 23:10
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 23:10
Sorry - typo. Follows US everywhere
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Follow Up By: D200Dug- Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 23:28
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 at 23:28
Corrugations and bull dust are our main concern. We do not travel at speed but I have seen some vans damaged by the constant hammering. The trackvan looks like a decent rig with high ground clearance, independent
suspension and beefed up chassis, I just wonder how they go on long trips over dirt roads.
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Follow Up By: pojo - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 08:07
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 08:07
If you are looking four a really strong
suspension ,the best i have seen is on the ROYAL FLAIR DISCOVERY van ,cheaper than kedron or bushtracker and a good finished van.
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Reply By: D200Dug- Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 12:23
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 12:23
Thanks everyone for great information.
I have also found the Trackvan manufacturers in Victoria, Lotus Caravans.
cheers doug
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