Vista RV
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 at 19:35
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Member - Bruce T (SA)
I'm thinking seriously of moving up from a KK to a Vista Rv. Actually going to
Melbourne next week to see one at the factory. Any owners or others who have opinions on this outfit, please give me your thoughts. We are looking for a few more comforts but still want to travel the outback tracks.
Reply By: Gronk - Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 at 23:34
Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 at 23:34
I have a KK and was seriously thinking of getting one as
well..
I didn't....only because of a shortfall of money.....couldn't justify it ..
Great unit.....only a couple of small points that need thinking about..
Need to fold up 1/2 the bed to use the table ( maybe won't worry some people )
No cooktop inside ( even a single burner would be good for a morn cuppa )
But would probably be the lightest and most capable crossover van out there ??
AnswerID:
376890
Reply By: Member - RobnJane(VIC) - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 14:53
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 14:53
Hi Bruce,
Laptop battery just went flat so need to repost this comment! We looked closely at the Vista RV at the recent Caravan and Camping Show, as very happy owners of a Tvan we still like to look at what other suppliers are offering.
Really only one query, and that is why go to the trouble of mounting the solar panel on the rear wall of the van. It seems to me that a 'little' redesign/reinforcement could have the solar panel moved to the lift up section of the roof and generally be more efficient there, ie better exposure. Not a show stopper, but I'd ask the question.
I really liked the
suspension and underside of the unit, great ground clearance and nothing seemed any more vulnarable than under the Tvan. The insulation used in the Vista seemed very good, and I'd expect it to perform very
well in temperature extremes. The storage area on the draw bar is very clever and efficient, and doesn't demand any great length in the draw bar.
IMO moving 'up' to the Vista from a camper trailer would be an easy and positive experience, whereas moving 'down' from the comforts of a full size van might create unacceptable compromises. This of course assumes you are on;y accomodating two people.
Anyway good luck with your research and factory visit, and look forward to any
feedback following that.
Rgds,
Rob.
AnswerID:
377003
Reply By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 20:47
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 20:47
Hi Bruce,
I’ve been going through the same thought process with my KK. The big downside for me with the Vista, apart from price, is the need to fold up the bed to use the table.
I’ve just got an information package from Trakmaster caravans and for me this would be the way I would go. The 11ft Perentie starts at $37 233 and the 12’ 6” Sturt at $40 261. That’s a lot less than the Vista and although with its smaller size the Vista would probably go further, in the real world it might not make much difference.
Another “crossover” type of trailer to look at is the Australian Off Road Quantum and Eclipse. From memory, they’re about the same price as the Vista, but don’t require the bed to be folded up to sit inside.
Graeme
AnswerID:
377052
Reply By: Les B (FNQ) - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 18:54
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 18:54
We have just been through this process as a step up from our Aussie Swag hard floor trailer.
Our short list became the VistaRV or the AORC new model Eclipse.
The VisaRV is very
well made, streamline shaped for fuel efficiency a little on the small side as the 2 person dinette and queen size bed could not co-exist. As we live in FNQ we were concerned about ventilation since the door did not have a screen door and the side windows do not open although there is a small window in the front of the camper over the bed and the poptop has 3 windows
The AORC Eclipse is a smaller version of their Quantum camper and better shaped for offroad use. eg narrower, shorter and has more of a rear cutaway section. The queen bed and two person dinette can coexist and ventilation is good with windows in the poptop, screen door and side windows open beside the bed.
We eventually ordered the Eclipse complete with hot water system and solar panel.
We chose the Eclipse over the VistaRV for the extra level of comfort offered although we realise it will not have quite the offroadability, being a little larger and nearly 300kg heavier.
The decision was so close that if we were 10 years younger we would have chosen the VistaRV.
Les
AnswerID:
377119
Reply By: Africampers - Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 20:35
Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 20:35
Hi Bruce,
We've recently gone through the same selection process, looking for an off-road capable compact caravan offering the ability to
cook and eat inside or outside and sleep four inside if required.
During a visit to South Africa we came across the Conqueror Commander - which met all our requirements and have since imported one for our personal use. We've take it up through the Flinders up to
Innamincka an
Cameron Corner to
White Cliffs then via
Menindee up the Darling. We are delighted with our choice - to the extent that I do have since established affiliations with the company - just another option to consider.
The VistaRv certainly looks like a very capable compact option - as does the Travelander which requires a little more set-up time, but you get a lot of benefit from this additional effort.
Whichever product is selected - a beats sitting in a holiday apartment staring at the same view every day.
Anton
AnswerID:
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