We are buying an Ultimate Camper
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:22
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Topend
We are buying a 1996 Ultimate Camper.
The only difference I can see between ours and a new Ultimate is an extra window near the bed, the boot is now side opening, the water has an electric pump and a better battery charger.
It is in very good condition and no problems could be found. Is there anything we should look out for?
Cheers,
Topend.
Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:51
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:51
G'day Topend,
Good decision in my opinion!!! We've owned ours for just over 10 years and never had any major issues except for normal wear and tear (brakes etc).
Yours must be one of the really early ones..... do you know what number it is?
Roachie
AnswerID:
353202
Follow Up By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 22:32
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 22:32
Hi Roachie,
I read somewhere, perhaps on the site you have a couple kids.
If so, how do you find travelling with them and the ultimate? I note the ultimate is small, do they sleep in tents?
I am looking for a camper soon and the ultimate is on the hit list with others.
Thanks
Marco
FollowupID:
621464
Follow Up By: Topend - Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009 at 07:27
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009 at 07:27
I would not say the Ultimate is small. It has a king sized bed and the dinette converts to a single bed. This suits us as we only have a 3yo daughter.
FollowupID:
621492
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009 at 17:00
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009 at 17:00
G'day Marco,
Yes, we have 3 boys (13, 11 & 8). They have swags which I store on top of the camper when we travel. If the weather is okay they just set the swags up on the ground where-ever they like. If it's chitty weather, we have an "under-bed" tent (an Ultimate optional extra), which the boys can set-up their swags in and keep out of the rain etc.
The worst time is when the weather is foul for lengthy periods, as there is not a huge amount of space inside to all sit/eat etc. However, even if you had a proper caravan I would imagine that foul weather would wear thin if you were cooped-up with 3 kids and nothing much to keep them amused!!!!! hahaha
We tend to spend as much time outside the camper as possible and we don't tend to go camping if we "know" the weather is going to be bad.
Hope this helps......
FollowupID:
621591
Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:53
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:53
Morning Topend
Congratulations. We also have a 96 one - No 10.
You can easily have the extra side window put in quite cheaply and the new awnings that have been developed fit as well.
The swing arms now have grease nipples but you can get this changed later at a service.
You might look at changing the mattress - we got ours from Clarke Rubber.
Enjoy. You'll get many years of enjoyment. Don't forget to contact Ultimate to register as new owners and get access to the web
forum.
Cheers
Peter
AnswerID:
353203
Reply By: Topend - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:09
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:09
Thanks for the replies. I will check the number.
Good suggestion about the mattress.
The wheel bearings have been serviced. I looked at the swing arms and they looked ok. Will check over the whole camper better when we pick it up next week.
Cheers.
AnswerID:
353211
Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:42
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:42
I have tried to grease the swing arms and no grease would go in. The tech advice was that the special plastic bushes are in good condition if grease will NOT enter and if you do get grease into the bushes it serves as a dust excluder only. We are purchasing two large self inflating camping mattresses to go under the foam for extra thickness and ease of packing away. I have tried a self inflating mattress and it works exceptionally well.
Enjoy you Ultimate !
Stan
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:22
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:22
Stan
I understand what you mention about the bushes. Our original ones were starting to squeak a bit so its good to be able to check and try to get some grease in there occasionally.
Peter
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Reply By: Member -Signman - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:02
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:02
Just hope it wasn't one of the batch that had the delaminating problems with faulty resin !!
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Follow Up By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:22
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:22
At 12 years old, I think we can assume this isn't a problem.
Peter
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Reply By: Member - Kevin J (Sunshine Coa - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:39
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:39
Try posting on www.campertrailers.org
There are many Ultimate owners in their ranks.
Kevin J
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Reply By: madcow - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 14:07
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 14:07
Dont do this with it :)
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Follow Up By: Member - Howard (ACT) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 14:53
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 14:53
If I couldnt do that crossing with a $40,0090 plus camper I would be very dissapointed.
water is not even over the bonnet of the tow vehicle
cheers
Howard
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Follow Up By: madcow - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 14:58
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 14:58
It was after sitting there for 45 mins. No recovery hear, no recovery hook on the front of the vehicle and did not stop to check the depth. I have it on video. It was restarted when recovered but the electrics were playing funny buggers.
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Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 15:08
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 15:08
Some of us must have very deep income streams.
Stan
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Reply By: Ups and Downs - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 16:25
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 16:25
One thing I believe they improved was the entry steps.
The old ones were open at the back which allowed your foot to slip through.
I'm sure the newer ones have a rear cover.
While visiting some fellow campers we inspected their 'pride and joy', admittedly after a few glasses of red, my wife's foot went through causing her to fall backwards. Only fell 700-800mm but was lucky that her leg wasn't broken.
Great looking unit despite that issue.
Paul
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 16:59
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 16:59
Yes the first type of steps they made were very agricultural and not safe. We had at least one of our sons (crawling age at the time), go for a burton through the opening on more than one occasion.
I think most people (ourselves included) have since upgraded to the current style of stair (as opposed to the "step" type).
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Follow Up By: Topend - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 17:02
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 17:02
Ours has the updated stairs.
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