The Most popular family caravan you have & why

Submitted: Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 22:08
ThreadID: 83873 Views:6266 Replies:8 FollowUps:8
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Last week there was a forum post on the most popular off road caravan it was very interesting?. I would like to know what Family caravan you have & why, how many adults and children? what brand & what basic price range in yours, what modifications have you done to make it that little bit better? Just a short few lines would be great
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 22:52

Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 22:52
We have a Coromal 754S for the two of us

Because my wife liked it

$77,000

Put a washing machine in it and altered the table to stop it wobblling

Rewired batteries and fitted rearview camera.


AnswerID: 442951

Reply By: awill4x4 - Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 23:13

Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 23:13
We have a 2003 17'6" external single axle Galaxy Southern Cross poptop we are very happy with.
The single axle for us is easier to maneuver into position under a carport at the rear of our property where we have to do a sharp dogleg turn.
It was at the cheaper end of the market and pricing at the time was similar to Jayco.
It has 2 front bunks that convert to seating similar to that of Jayco but they have slightly more room than the Jayco.
The van would sleep 5 but all the seating area has to be converted and dropping the table has to be done to do so.
Our van is an on road version, off road would be nice but we were right on our limit when we bought it.
At the time we looked for 2nd hand units but family vans are as rare as hens teeth and prices wanted for them was too close to new price so we ended up buying a new van.
The kids are grown up now and I'm kicking around the idea of selling it and getting a smaller van as it will just be my wife and I travelling in the near future.
I can't see the point of a larger van for me and a van around the 14' size appeals but I'd probably get an off road version as I'd like to do some touring sooner rather than later.
Regards Andrew.
AnswerID: 442952

Reply By: wizzer73 - Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 23:18

Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 23:18
We bought a 2006 jayco expanda 16.49.1. 2 adults 2 kids. Second hand, $25000, had it about a year. Before that we used to borrow a family members jayco finch. The expanda is bl**dy fantastic. The finch was good to tow but just not big enogh. The expanda being bigger is obviously a bit harder to tow, but, heaps easier to pack, you can get in it at roadside stops, no need for extra bags because of all the cupboards, I could go on and on. Doesn't take us long to setup and as you can tell, we love it!

wizzer
AnswerID: 442953

Follow Up By: landed eagle - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 07:08

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 07:08
I'm with you wizzer, I have a 2009 16-49-3 Outback Hardlid.
After 4 years in the old Eagle we upgraded and the Expanda is great. We opted for a 150L fridge as well.
Two adults and two teens fit in it well and we have never felt crowded in.
We also removed the table and use a collapsible one if we need to. This makes for much more moving about space and easy access to the front bed.
We have slept 7 in ours for a night due to some filthy weather not allowing some friends to set up a tent. Normally we have two either end or my young bloke takes a swag outside.
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FollowupID: 715018

Follow Up By: wizzer73 - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 09:15

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 09:15
I wish you could retrofit the hardlids as that is one mod i would like to make. I also wish ours had the big fridge too but we make do with the standard and an engel. I took the single leg off the table (as it was a bit wobbly) and attached collapsable fold up legs to the table. So we can use it outdoors too if required.

wizzer
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FollowupID: 715026

Follow Up By: Member - Gadget - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 09:48

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 09:48
Hi landed eagle I like the idea of the collapsible table, as you said that it makes it easier to get in and out of the bed, also the middle leg base gets in the way, also the table is a little wobbly. I have one question what do you do with the table when traveling? Just fold up and lay it on the floor? Thanks
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FollowupID: 715029

Follow Up By: Member - Gadget - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 11:49

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 11:49
Hi Expanda owners not sure if you have seen this group on Yahoo for Australian Expanda owners? Has a lot of ideas and information from owners of Jayco Expand’s.Yahoo Expanda group
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FollowupID: 715039

Follow Up By: landed eagle - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 13:17

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 13:17
I either put it on the lounge or it goes in the back of the ute. (Triton Dual cab).
I ditched the original table after the first weekend we owned the van.We have a mat in that area to cover up the hole in the floor and I've siliconed a piece of ply underneath to seal it up.
We carry two fold away tables, one for the weber outside and the other for inside the van. Because we fitted the big fridge we have limited bench space and the table is handy if a bit of food prep is needed..........but I'll NEVER have a small van fridge again. :)
I am a member of the yahoo group but don't look very often.
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FollowupID: 715042

Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 23:24

Monday, Jan 24, 2011 at 23:24
Ours is a 2000 Jayco Westport Full Van, bought it 2003, tandem axle, we haven't changed much on it as we bought what we wanted in a van.
We have put a reversing camera on it.
It's decked out so that we only have to put food and clothes in when we pack, can be gone in an hour if need be.
Only Hubby and I.
'Love that van' LOL
Cheers
D


Simba, our much missed baby.

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AnswerID: 442954

Reply By: disco driver - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 00:10

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 00:10
Bought a 14'6 Viscount Grand Tourer (82 model) poptop for $6K a few years ago. It was originally intended for on road use but has done a fair bit of gravel since we bought it.

It was a 1 owner unit, only sold because they were too old to travel any more (she was 86 and he was a couple of years older and had his licence cancelled)

We, the boss and I, find that the set up with singles at the rear, RH kitchen and front cafe style dinette is ideal and have no plans to change it for a later model in the foreseeable future.. Apart from clothes and fresh food it sits ready to go anywhere on road if the mood takes us

It's not too heavy and the Disco TD5 still returns around 13-14L/100K at around 95-100kph.

Disco.
AnswerID: 442958

Reply By: palmy - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 12:40

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 12:40
Hi all,

We're looking at an off-road Coromal Transforma, basically Jayco Expanda, but apparently built a little better - sorry not trying to offend anyone there, just what we've heard.

Anyone have a Coromal Transforma? Comments?
AnswerID: 442984

Reply By: aussiedingo. (River Rina) - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 14:14

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 14:14
Hello Gadget, thanks for hijacking the survey I have been conducting over the last few weeks (83511, 83792) on camper trailers on/off road, offroad vans & next friday was for family on road caravans, all these reply's will be lost for the data I am compiling.
Would all members answering this enquiry please duplicate or cut 'n paste to my last weeks carevan forum 83792 & I can separate & compile the last question, thanks, regards, dingo
"the only thing constant in my life is change"




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AnswerID: 442995

Follow Up By: Member - Gadget - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 18:09

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 18:09
Hi Assie Dingo Hijacking your post? I was unaware that posts on certain topics were restricted by members? As I said I have been following your post on OFF ROAD CARAVANS. I found it interesting the replies, My post was on family caravans, when Myself and friends have been looking for a van that caters for families the market is restricted.

The information that you are gathering through your research what do you intend to use it for?

So no problems I will give you the permission to use the information that the members and visitors log into this post?

Regards Gadget
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FollowupID: 715072

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 19:34

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 19:34
What are you going to do with the data as in 6 months new vans and layouts will be out and it will be redundant anyway.

The ideal van is the one that suits what you want it to do.

We looked and looked and ended up with something totally different to what we thought we would like.

No body hijacked your threads as good as we are we cant see into the future.

Anyone can post what they like unless the moderators object to it.

So Gadget has saved another thread I would think..


Cheers

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FollowupID: 715080

Follow Up By: Member - Gadget - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 20:08

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 20:08
Hi Graham thanks for your comments, there are so many manufactures of caravans /campers out there with so many different options,styles and layouts to choose from that suits everyone’s needs. It makes we wonder how some of the smaller manufacturers survive? They must be able to keep the overheads down and sell fewer vans?

Thanks
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FollowupID: 715082

Reply By: Wilko - Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 17:36

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 at 17:36
Hi Gadget,

I like the Northstar Sofala. It has a queen bed and bunks Its about 36k but for a few options it comes in round 40k.

Cheers Wilko
AnswerID: 443009

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