Updating the Camper Trailer

Submitted: Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:22
ThreadID: 83486 Views:8077 Replies:8 FollowUps:12
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After two Aussie swag Campers we are about to update for a little more comfort but still want the off road capability. We are considering either the Ultimate or the new Vista RV Crossover. We have heard plenty of good reports about the Ultimate but very little about the Vista and would appreciate comments from anybody who has one
Thank You in anticipation.

TTD
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:30

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:30
I don't own one but you should also consider a Travelander. it looks like the goods to me. The bit I like is that it can be a trailer or Ute set up. Air bags are a suspension option too. After having Airbag suspension on my current Camper I would never go without them again.

Any feedback on these would be interesting too.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:33

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:33
A friend of mine has a Travelander, it tows very poorly & is very heavy.
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Reply By: Member - Bruce T (SA) - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:31

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:31
Hi TTD,

Friends of our have a Vista and they love it. They have had at least 4 off road campers and a caravan and have at last found just what they want. We travelled with them last year across the Garry Junction, Gibb River Road etc and it never missed a beat. They are rapt and we also think it is great.

Read the testimonials.

http://www.vistarv.com.au/testimonials/


Di and Bruce
AnswerID: 440959

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:10

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:10
While looking around at crossover vans, you may want to see if the AORC Quantum suits.

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Cheers

Captain
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Follow Up By: TTD - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 14:29

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 14:29
Captian,
Thanks for the reply,will have a look but I have a length problem to get into my workshop of about 5.7mtrs overall.
Again Thanks for the reply
TTD
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 18:52

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 18:52
Would need to be better than my mate's Odyssey by AOR whose water tank literally fell off because they had used aluminium pop rivets through a steel shroud into a steel chassis. Of course the electrolytic action corroded the aluminium then add a few corrugations and.............!

One would expect that a company in this industry would know about aluminium and steel together?

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Shaker - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:50

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:50
We have just been through exactly the same scenario, had several camper trailers, the last of which being a Pioneer Argyle, & we ended buying a new Vista RV Crossover.
The quality of build is exceptional & the company bend over backwards to help.
It is a bit early for me to give you a qualified opinion on it's "campability", as we only took delivery of it in December & have subsequently done only one trip.
I will say that the most important bits, ie. the chassis & suspension appear to be second to none.
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Follow Up By: TTD - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 14:24

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 14:24
Thanks Shaker.
We intend to visit the factory in the next couple of weeks to look at the building process.

Thanks again,
TTD
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 15:25

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 15:25
You will be very impressed with their professionalism.
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Reply By: RobAck - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 17:51

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 17:51
It is very much a personal view but it sounds like there are just two of you so that gives some more options.

I suggest you have a look at the new Murranji version of the TVan. It seems to solve several of the issues, like lack of headroom etc that the old version has.

We operate two Ultimates; an XTrak and Gold and would not have them unless very impressed. The Vista is also an excellent unit. Biggest points of difference are having the kitchen in or outside. We like the inside option as most of our tours are done in winter so that certainly makes a difference to be able to hop out of bed and put the kettle in without getting wet

Enjoy the search

Regards

RobA
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Follow Up By: Racoon46 - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 18:39

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 18:39
I would thoroughly recommend the "Complete Campsite" Camper trailer. They are built at Gosford by a very helpful and professional organisation. I have just returned from the Flinders- endured some very wet weather and kept bone dry. No trouble with creek crossings and rough conditions.
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Follow Up By: TTD - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 21:59

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 21:59
RobAck,
Have had a close look at the TVan Topaz which is about 450kgs heaver than the Vista and we found the only drawback with the Aussie swag fully loaded was the weight with the Prado.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Regards
TTD
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 01:12

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 01:12
I think you will find he was talking about the T van not the Topaz..

I have a KK and am very impressed with the concept of the Vista ( except price and extra weight....although heaps better than Topaz and Quantum )

I also like the Ultimate, but I prefer outside cooking and if I had the choice, would go to a canvas free camper, but they are all excellent campers !!
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Reply By: Sigmund - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 11:12

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 11:12
Last year the mag Campertrailer Australia did some testing of units in various categories and awarded assorted gongs.

Worth tracking down a copy.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 15:44

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 15:44
A lot of manufactureres weren't represented.
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 15:58

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 15:58
True, but there aren't many in the Vista RV class.

Which got the gong IIRC.
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Reply By: horseshoe - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 11:32

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 11:32
Hi TTD,
There are so many choices, we have been researching a camper trailer to suit our needs for almost a year. Have finally narrowed it down to either
Ultimate, vista , travelander or tvan. We plan to visit the next caravan camping show to really have a closer look at all of them.
Deciding factors beyond comfort , you might like to consider are
- ease of pre packing, space in yard for opening to prepack,
- ease of post pack and cleaning, yard space for drying airing etc.....
- storage space at home
- aftersales support
- can the misses open, close manoeuvre the camper without your help
- health status- ie do you have a good or weak back. Travelander is the only camper that uses a remote self opening system, a great concept for those with weak backs, or those wanting to avoid lots of bending over, lifting etc..
-ease of awning , and, does it offer good shade or limited shade like under the AOR easy awning.
- security features - sadly theft is very common even out in the bush
- will you be mostly in tropics, or southern areas?, as some set campers are cooler than others e.g tvan is a great van, but in the tropics it is hot inside van due to limited windows, and unless you want to fuss with the large awning, it's small shade does not suit well for north qld hot summer days when needing to cook, relax outside.
- inside outside cooking options are great, that is the best thing about the ultimate, you can make a cuppa on a cold night and not have to stand out in the cold or rain, If you pack a camp oven , then you can still cook outside on a warm clear evening. Same goes for the vista too

Good luck with your research , and I would be interested to learn what you decided and why,
Cheers,
Horseshoe
AnswerID: 441089

Follow Up By: TTD - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 12:07

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 12:07
Horeshoe,
Thanks for the input,the wife likes the Ultimate for the inside kitchen and ease of moving it about in the shed,with the Aussie we always had it loaded but the three things that bugged me getting on a bit were the weight(on the tow bar),the length when folded out and flipping it up on my own but still a very solid unit.
The vista and the TVan are both made here in Melbourne as are the Trakmaster which the wife likes but it wont fit down the lane or in the workshop.
When we make a decision I will let you know
Once again
Thanks
TTD
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 15:48

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 15:48
The problem with the Ultimate is that the bed can't be left 'made up', also takes as long to set up than as most other CTs, probably longer than a hard floor over the back style.
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Reply By: horseshoe - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 12:31

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 12:31
Hi TTD,
The vista and ultimate are good rigs, the ultimate is roomy and with all the mesh windows to helps keep that 'outdoor camping feel'. It's light to tow and move and mattress are easy to remove, clean replace etc. Inside is easy maintenance too.
The vista is very appealing- solid walls, ( ie no wet canvas) and easy access. easy clean and has a great shower set up, that would easily accommodate the loo too if you want that. It comes with solar panels ,and inside would accommodate the laptop, tv dvd gadgets if you desire to carry them, as there is heaps of good sized storage compartments.
Both are shorter in length than many other rigs meaning townparking spaces , or camping ground space very minimal.
Both are higher off the ground too= helps keep them cooler inside as breeze flows underneath.
Both are very realible and tough will take you anywhere. Vista will probably provide longer comforts are you age, meaning potentially greater value for money in the long term.

I noted the AOR quantum mentioned in thread, it has lots of fiddly things to do when setting up, and then there's the toilet right opposite the kitchen.. not my style at all.. smelly and unnecessary loss of space. ( But I guess for some an indoor toilet is a nice option). It's also a big rig and heavy and $$$. Trackmaster is nice but again, big , heavy

Cheers,
horseshoe
AnswerID: 441098

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