By golly, I should have taken an Earth strap.....!
Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 02:42
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bluefly
After wondering around the recent
Melbourne caravan show I was shocked by the prices. This was even before the extras were taken into account.
A 7 series BMW is now starting to look cheap!
Towards the end of the day I came across a van called the ‘Little Joey’ which is 15ft manufactured by ‘New Age’ and had a completely separate ensuite at the rear. Separate dunny and shower.
The mate, his lady and I are no longer spring chickens and Mr Bladder got carried away during the last trip. So getting up in the middle of a cold night is no longer a joy.
So I emailed this bloke to give me a quote and received a quick response: $43,000! The price had just gone up.
Bloody hell I thought, this is a long way from sleeping in the back of the car or even the camper van I have.
However it appears to be
well built. If I ordered the so called off road model it would be even more expensive. Would I be dill buying at that sort of price, because it’s big money for me?
I like the simplicity of the van and its low Tare weight (1700kg).
Cheers
Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 07:46
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 07:46
Hi there, I cant vouch for that particular brand of Van, but the tare weight you quoted seems to me to be very heavy at 1700 Kg for a 15 footer?
We had a Jayco 16 footer & its tare was a little under 1200 Kg & our current 18 footer with combined
toilet shower tares at a little less than 1600 Kg.
Have you considered having a look at the second hand market? There are some good deals & good value units around & may be worth your consideration. Good luck in your search. Cheers
AnswerID:
432859
Follow Up By: bluefly - Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:36
Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:36
Barry
I think your right, 1700kg can't be true. I'll give the salemans another ring.
Cheers
FollowupID:
703795
Reply By: wato35 - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 07:46
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 07:46
Bluefly
It might be a good van, I have not heard for it before. But I would
shop around a bit. Thats a lot of $'s.
Wato
AnswerID:
432860
Follow Up By: Member - Johny boy (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 08:45
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 08:45
Hi all, I'm a firm believer that you try to buy a brand that repairers wont be able to say sorry mate never seen it before or even worst ...MAYT its gonna costya more because its not off the shelf stuff or its gonna take a few weeks to order that in its not common,I'm not saying that what you looked at is bad I'm just saying that you should think about these situations as they do happen ,TRUST ME! LOL!
FollowupID:
703614
Reply By: Jeffie - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 10:16
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 10:16
Bluefly,
Are you sure it is only 15' - with a full ensuite??
It sounds more like 18'+ to me..especially considering the weight of 1700kgs
I bought a van 3 years ago it cost me $45,000 - full ensuite etc - this same van at the Sandown show is now $56,000.
Also my van was advertised as an 18'6" van but when I measured it when I got it
home it is 21' plus the drawbar and rear bumper then I found that the weight was out by around 100kgs as
well.
So take their sizes and weights as a guide only.
Good luck.
Jeff.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 20:36
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 20:36
Their website says 15' with shower and
toilet.
Little Joey
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Follow Up By: Jeffie - Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 13:39
Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 13:39
Just had a looksee at their website and your right and by the look of it they have improved somewhat on the all in one shower
toilet arrangement that's in most vans of a smaller size. I would have to see it in the flesh so to speak as you might have trouble getting wet all over in the shower if its to cramped.
Not to keen on rear entry jobs mainly because of the awning setup - no cover over the doorway - but if your looking for a small van with shower and
toilet this one is certainly worth a look.
I saw a Jayco at Sandown show which was about $43,000 with separate shower and
toilet - older style type - not flat walls - and I would suggest it might be a better van.
Was about a 16 footer I think.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Jeff.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 14:35
Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 14:35
Hi Jeff
Depends on how you travel. We don't use our awning (full annex or just the roof as an awning) because we move on almost every day when touring. However with a small van like that an awning or annex may be an advantage to give added living space.
Mh
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Follow Up By: bluefly - Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:44
Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:44
Jeff
The shower iis quite large for that size of van. So is the opposite
toilet and basin area.
Cheers
FollowupID:
703798
Reply By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 12:18
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 12:18
Yes Bluefly you are correct it does have an ensuite and appears to be
well made however you are paying for their lack of manufacturing volume and at $43,000 no wonder. I would have thought there are plenty of vans out there that would do your job for less, however at 15 feet this van is
well thought out. I have no idea how these things hold their re-sale value, perhaps some of the other
forum members may know.?
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Follow Up By: bluefly - Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:56
Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:56
Terra
Some of those concerns also crossed my mind. After a bit more digging I found out they supply frames to some of the most respected caravan manufactures in Australia, particularly in SA.
As for re-sale value who knows? A
well designed van will always hold its value most of the time.
Cheers
FollowupID:
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Reply By: landseka - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 22:27
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 at 22:27
Different manufacturers measure differently.
Some measure interior length and some exterior.
The difference is the 18" to 24" boot.
Cheers Neil
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Jeffie - Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 13:47
Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 at 13:47
I have become aware of this since buying this van and have tried measuring it in about 6 different ways but still couldn't get 18'6" so I gave up trying - doesn't matter anyway.
Jeff.
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