New caravan fit-outs

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:20

ThreadID: 84912 Views:6452 Replies:3 FollowUps:4

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racinrob

Wife and I went to the caravan and camping show last weekend and one thing we noticed was that with interior fit-out builders of both campervans and caravans lean more towards glitz and glamour than practicality.
Almost all the vans we looked at had awkward shallow cupboards, a multitude of drawers that wouldn't hold much more than a box of matches and no real thought given to plumbing with gas lines and water pipes running diagonally across cupboard space.
At first look you think "Wow" but live in it for a while you'll realize it's not so flash. JMHO.

Rob.

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Reply By: BrownyGU - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 10:43

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 10:43

Rob,

I couldn't agree more, infact I reckon the whole industry needs a rocket, In the relatively short time me and my family have been on our trip around OZ (3 months) I don't reckon I've spoken to a single NEW van owner that is completely happy with there Camper/Caravan, to most of us it's a relief to find out that it's not just us who has had issues with there van, a water pump and two new mixer taps in our New Goldstream Storm! The term "Teething Problems" just seems to be an excepted part of the industry, One couple who had a brand new xxxxxxx Van, had great hot water at the sink but only luke warm in there shower, another couple who had been "sold" a heater for there van were disapointed in it's performance, when they enquired why, they were informed that it is only an air "warmer"......? There are numerouse complaints from owners of a wide rainge of manufacturers.

Cheers........Browny

AnswerID: 447840

Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 15:44

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 15:44

You mentioned hot water at the sink and warm water at the shower, that is because the hot water going to the shower has a Thermostatic Mixing Valve installed so mainly children won't get scalded, the plumbing bylaws have made it mandatory for all late model vans to have this.

Cheers

FollowupID: 720196

Follow Up By: BrownyGU - Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 13:24

Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 13:24

Thanks Daza,

So does that meen you can't have a hot shower in a new van? or can it be adjusted before you use it? We have an external shower on our Goldstream, and the temp is fine.

And also I reckon thats part of the industries problems also, there's not enough "education" for new van buyers, most of these "problems" may not become issues if there was better pre delivery education on the particular van being bought.

For instance I found we we're running out of water to quickly on our first trip, and when I went to fill both tanks only one would take water and the other was still full, when I rang the dealer they explained/directed me to a couple of inline taps hidden away under the sink, that need to be switched over, easy to do, but I should of had this explained to me on purchase.

Cheers........Browny

FollowupID: 720429