Calling All Pioneer Camper Trailer Owners....

Maybe I should have previewed the post before submitting!!!

What I should have said was:

Just a question as to whether Pioneer camper-trailer OWNERS are aware that 25% of there water storage is unusable due to the position of the water outlets? Robin of Pioneer campers told me that this was COMMON KNOWLEDGE, and was just wondering if this was true?

For what its worth, we have just bought an Argyle SE 4x4 with twin water tanks, and out of 120 litres storage, Pioneer say they can get 90 litres out (and this is acceptable TO PIONEER....).

Cheers

if it is not disclosed to the consumer could it be classified as False Advertising or Bait Advertising...

I was looking at buying a hard floor camper trailer earlier this year, and Pioneer was on my list. I was not aware of the water storage issue, so as far as I'm concerned it is not "common knowledge".
I hope you get a satisfactory outcome in the end.
Leanne

To all Pioneer Camper owners we challenge you to go out, fill your water tank/tanks and then empty and measure the water out verses the capacity of water stated. It would be interesting to see how many there are of you out there whom are relying on specifications supplied by Pioneer Campers which is wrong.

Cheers

I have a Pioneer Argyle, all I can say is get over it!

Pioneer only install OEM tanks, I have just looked at the Camec catelogue online & it shows the tank as fitted by Pioneer as a 63 litre tank, there is NO mention of how much is usable.
At the end of the day Pioneer only install the hose barbs to the available threaded outlets.
So maybe your complaint should be with the tank manufacturer and/or the suppliers.
Vehicle manufacturers also only give the tank size, not the usable amount.

It's the same with any tank. If your car's fuel tank is 80L's I will guarentee you will NOT get 80L's usuable out of it.

I hope you have also rung consumer affairs to dob in the car manufacturer's as well for advertising false capacities.

Thanks for the post Leevon, I'm a bit late chipping in but only just found it! We've an Argyle with 120ltr tanks and it had me wondering when we did run out of water on a trip but was able to fill up with no problems.
No way could I come up with how we'd used that much and put it down to possibly not filling up properly in the first place.
I'll carry an extra jerry now on long trips and have to wear the extra weight.
Basically it's a good camper, we've had issues but they've all been fixed and whoever said Robin had all the answers is right on the money there!
Possibly being a car salesman has something to do with that.
Cheers.
Alan.

I've had a pioneer for a few years now and had a list of issues as long as your arm. Initially even under warranty getting things fixed was a real problem, lucky that guy has now left. I found they would try to fix the problems but if it took more than a couple of calls then they lost interest.

They are a light camper and cheaper than the brand names. But no where near as good, you get what you pay for and I'm very sorry I brought one. Make sure you have a really good look over it for water leaks. They leak around the brackets off the rear bar ie the plates that bolt/rivet to the side of the camper. Have also found the inner wheel guard sealant gets fine cracks and allows water to run under the carpet from front to back. Also found when washing underneath that water can get in by running along the rear bar and weeps up the rhs brackets that run up into the camper for the canvas poles. If in doubt peel up the carpet and check it out.

If they still have the plastic kitchen taps they are damn useless and will break very quickly. I've fitted a good brass low profile tap, cheapest I found was from ozvan, very helpful guy. If you want a picture let me know. Might have only been ours but go over the whole camper and check nuts are tight and they have used washer, not one washer on ours. Had brake bleeder nut fall out, rear stabiliser legs fall off, etc, etc. Stacks of other dramas but the above were the worst.

I hope they've got better quality control now or in the end they will go out of business. Like I said I found Robin ok to deal with but needed repeat calls. The workshop foreman was the same you need to ring a number of times but he did honestly try and help me. Again just hope they did get the quality up.

After reading these comments I had a look through pioneers brochure and there is no mention of usable water from the tanks, just storage.

When I bought my camper I remember being offered a stainless steel water tank upgrade for around $700 – but decided to stay with the poly tanks instead.

I also recall looking at a number of tanks on the market as yes, water is important when you need it, and noted very few tanks offer an under mounted outlet - that all quoted water storage only as well.

I had a look at the foam on my water tank and wondered what it was so I called Robin and he told me it was a "hi density foam filter" which is exactly what it feels like.

I have read these comments with interest as I am an owner of a Pioneer Argyle SE, but unlike some comments and besides some very minor issues which were quickly resolved, we think the camper is great value. I certainly didnt want to part with over $10-$20K extra for other brands which carry the same features as the SE!

By the way, the water tanks are a poly type tank and they are indeed supplied by Camec, on their website it shows as 60 and 61 litre tanks, so x 2 it is 120ltr storage. There is no mention of how much of that is usable.

Im with Mogul on this one, you will never get the same amount out of a tank that you put in - and due to the way they are mounted, it makes sense.

When I bought my camper over a year ago now, I remember it was explained by the dealer I dealt with that due to the design constraints, the tanks outlets had to be side mounted outlets and not under tank outlets as under mounted outlets would not withstand the treatment that an off road camper is design for.

Cheers

Hi Pioneer owners. You are only just scratching the surface when a Reputable off road dealers refuses to deal in pioneer campers any longer due to continued problems with Robin you must think twice about purchasing their product. I tell you our story we bought an Onyx. I went to fill the water tank and yes it filled up but also flooded the van internally who fixed this we did by bipassing filler tube and running hose directly to front of trailer and fitting snap on fittings. The tank fittings can be replaces at a hydraulic hose doctor with a pick up that will pick up most of the water from tank. The breather system is too small you need to release the air as fast as the water enters otherwise you will never fill your tank completely and the breather we covered with open weave elastiplast to prevent wasps from buliding homes in it. The lack of being able to use all your water means that unless you drain the tank the water left in tank will not be the healthiest after some time so maybe it is time to talk health department on this. We made a trip through the Kimberlies only to find all our clothing stored under the bed in the storage box was full if red dust due to drill holes behind carpet that had not been filled. The battery cable wires were not insulated and this shorted out causing battery to overheat causung it to fail and I could go on for longer but remember the trailer componants are made out of shop and their workshop in Wangara is only a module assembly plant and yes there is never the same employees at the workshop when you visit. We took twelve months to solve most of the problems or upgrade the systems in the van. We finally sold it after twelve months due more to the lack of support more than the faults and it is time that manufacturers like Pioneer are made accountable for their product regards Alan WA.

Nothing like happy customers.

Hi All, We have just returned from our first trip in the camper and all the swearing fuss and bother getting the water tanks sorted out was well worth it. We can access ALL the water in the tanks! (all but a dribble or 2 anyway). Now getting ready for some serious camping!!!

Cheers

Has anyone with a Pioneer found their bed has bowed?? We have just returned from using ours for one week and already the bend is buckled. Any one else had this problem and if so remedy please?

Cheers