Finding a caravan

Phil,
Before anyone can really give you any advice, it would help if we knew a bit about your tow vehicle as it has a fair bit of bearing on the advice given.
Tow speci's, max weights of both car and loaded van etc will assist in being given relevant advice.
You should stay legal and within tow vehicle speci's to avoid possible insurance issues should the worst happen.


Hope this helps,

Disco.

I have a 2004 Coromal 535 tandem shower/toilet poptop, bought it when it was two years old, and it has been faultless. A pleasure to tow. The longest we have spent in it is 3 months, just the two of us, and it was fine. just be aware that the Coromal plated weights seem to be often understated, so if you are close to the maximum weights with your tow vehicle, do some checks before buying.
Coromals seem to be great value for money. You may find a Jayco in your price range too, but I would go with the Coromal.
Cheers

KenD
bfris

Whilst Coromals suspension is independant it is NOT load sharing as in Jaycos and others that have rocker leaves.

Coromals have a light chassis relative to other makes.

I have a 754 and regret buying it.

Whilst the layout is good and the wife likes it the construction is not a patch on my previous Roadstar.

Phil,
Coromal vans are in the budget area and as such they won't rate with the big ticket items, having said thst they are a good honest van and I have had no problem with their service, to the point of being the second owner and out of warrenty. They sent a replacement front boot lid from WA to Qld for me to repair my cracked boot.

The suspension is great and one of the best I have ever towed, it tracks beautifully and with the tandem axle shares the load well.

I would buy another Coromal, just have a bit of a look anround as they seem to use contract labour gangs and the quality can very between vans.

Have a good one

Phil are you really here to aggrovate? (2agrov8)

Hi Phil

I posted a similar blog about 15 months ago.

As you would expect I got lots of comments about many models some good and some not so good.

I did get a lot of responses suggesting that I have a hard look at Evernew as they are well built, every thing in it we needed, shower/toilet etc. without the glitter.

The unit we purchased is 20ft, we love it

Bill

Hi Phil
When it comes to travelling for 15 months with a family....I think layout of the caravan become just as important as safety/engineering features.

Think about all the activities needed by you as adults and the kids - particularly one still in a cot. (Mums often have a better sense of this)

Separate areas you can call 'your own' that do not have to be packed up to commence another activity are essential to your sanity levels.

Choosing bunk beds are your first step to sensible planning. The kids can sleep, play, read etc on their beds and your daughter will need lots of sleep - you do not want to move her everytime you need to set the table for dinner. Is she going in a bunk or are you thinking port-a-cot (I dont know any caravan that would have floorspace room for a port-a-cot)

Also, I highly recommend that both sleeping zones (yours and kids) have a privacy curtain/concertina door - it helps with darkness/distractions when someone is sleeping and others are not, it helps with dressing when someone just opens the outside door of the caravan with no warning (hello world!!!) and helps maintaining the marriage too - if you get my drift.

Tables get used for a whole lot more than eating off too - computer work, travel planning, bill paying, reading, craft, colouring in, socialising, watching TV, cooking prep etc etc. Dont pick a van that needs the table for a bed.

Choosing lots of storage is also important - kids (and evenmoreso a baby) need so many more things than adults ever do (ie nappies, clothing, toys, books, bikes, prams, portacot or outside sleeping tent thingy, lifejackets, DVDs, bottles and sippy cups, etc etc etc). In-van storage is so much better than having to load the boot of your car everytime you hit the road. Leave the car boot for the pram, bike, shopping and beach stuff.

Also important is some wall space area to hang the kids art work. This may sound stupid...but its really important to their sense of achievement having their parents being proud of it. It is also one of the most important things requested by distance education centres, so the idea must have merit.

Choose a large fridge/freezer - at least 165-190litres. You need it to hold almost a weeks worth of food for 4 people and there is no way a bar fridge can do that.

Ensuites are great....imagine accompanying 2 kids to the amentities block 8 times a day (+ your own needs) x 465 days (thats over 3500 times in your trip). Make sure 2 people (ie adult & kid) can fit in it at all times. Can a tub fit in the shower base to bathe the kids?

I'd almost also recommend a washing machine. $3-4 a wash at the laundry doesnt sound like much, but for a family of 4 (including towels and bed linen) it will soon add $20 or more a week to your budget.

Air conditioning is also essential. Caravans get very hot very quickly in the sunshine (let alone 40C heat) and its essential for sanity and good sleep.

A DVD player is also more useful than a TV for that age. You can't always get good reception, so a backup plan of Wiggles and Hi5 is great - particulary when the weather is yuk.

Also consider, when your daughter is crawling, how you plan to "contain" her within a safe distance of you. I've seen some people use shade/mosquito tents and others use a fence around the van (like one for a small dog).

I know nothing of the Coromal 616 so cannot comment there. But can recommend you check out Ian Grant Tourer or Trackvan TourX for their family vans. They have heaps of storage, kids get own DVD players and have a range of models with ensuites. They use the same chassis and suspension as 50% of the caravans out there. We own a 24.5' Family Trackvan TourX and just did the big lap. It was the perfect van for our family of 4 (kids 6+7).

Have a great time exploring Oz.
R2D