off Road Caravan

Ralph,
the first obvious thing is a pop top is lower and this means that you can get through a few (and very few) places that you cannot get a full van through. If you are in the top end of Aus then the better air circulation that a pop top provided is also a benefit as is single beds.

Weights of the FV an PT are around the same. Both will leak dust if you have gas appliances ( due to air vents required by law).

Many true "off road" vans are no longer than 17 ft and single axle and this makes them easier to travel if you have tight turns to negotiate.

Beware there are many vans sold as "off road with independent suspension" and they are not true independentsuspension. I think a new quality van with you basic specs could cost around $70k plus.

When the going gets rough you have to drive according.

If you already have a tug then you are restricted to the capabilities of the tug. Look at the recognized off road vans.. Phoenix, Kedron, Bushtracker, Trakmaster and Sunland all make excellent "off road" and "dirt road" vans.

G'day Ralph

I can't say anything positive or negative about full size ~ full height Off Road Caravans as I have never owned one. But I can say that I have been able to take my pop top off road caravan further up the beaten track than a full height off road van.

The biggest draw back for the full height van was the closed in treed sections of the track.

Our particular caravan is not overly small either, but with it being a pop up roof type, it's profile is more suited to heading deeper into the bush wiith due care and consideration.

I have seen a "Full size" off road van owner finding it difficult to park up in a relativeley shady site in the Dales Gorge camping area ~ Karijini National Park.Image Could Not Be Found

I guess if there is a draw back with a pop up roof van, it has to be the few minutes it takes to "Pop" the roof up.Image Could Not Be Found

Thanks bjgard for the helpful feed back and to Scrubby (Vic).

Have you found that the pop top weakens the van at all

We have a Regal Desert series Off road van Pop Top and it has done the hard yards around Australia.
If the Pop Top is made properly there should be no problems at all.
Ours is now nearing ten years old and structurley still sound. It is a 16ft box with totally independent suspension with shock absorbers.

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I was talking to a fellow 2 years ago who was involved in the manufacture of vans...he told me that his company was making 8 full vans to one P/T. He also said in their 18 foot full van range the P/T was 79 KG heavier due to the roof situation in the P/T. I can't help with suspension questions.

G'day Ralph,

I have a very similar van to Scrubby and like him, mine has been to hell and back with no dramas. Usual undercarriage issues with busted water pipes and stone damage but nothing that will stop you from getting home. I have seen plenty of "off-road" vans in out of the way places and it seems to me that with a sensible driver most of these vans come home without issue. If I were looking for another off-roader I would not shell out the extra coin for the top dollar well known brands as there is a heap of "cheaper" (better value in my opinion) brands that towed sensibly will get you to and from the same destinations as the more expensive brands.

No comment on the full size vans as I have no experience with them. My pop top is good at sealing dust out and I put that down to the air pressure vent on top of the van that Scrubby was describing. I have no fan on the fridge vent and still have very little dust enter the van when on dirt roads.

Would I reccomend a Supreme Getaway van? you betcha, but there is other makes that will also represent good value too. Just look hard at the suspension as this does a lot of work in an offroader and will need to be of the highest quality to meet your needs. The underside of any van used off road will take an absolute hammering so make sure it is well protected and not just with tin plate sheeting, I can show you photos of what happens to this when offroad if you want. I replaced water tank guards on mine with 2mm s/steel and have had no problems since. The steel shell of the Supreme does a good job of taking the hits but adds a lot of weight so sand is a no no with my van which may not be to your liking??? or may actually suit better (as it does for me).

Cheers, Trevor.

Thanks Trevor, for the photos, I see what you mean about the underside taking a hammering.
Very helpful info as we like to travel of the black stuff.

Ralph