Montana Caravans

Submitted: Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 07:18
ThreadID: 86785 Views:10606 Replies:1 FollowUps:4
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Hi All,

Can anyone give us any valuable information about Montana Caravans we are considering buying a new one. They seem to be made quite well. We are going on a working holiday for 2 to 3 years with a 7 and 5 year old.

Thanks CJ.
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Reply By: Grand CRD - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:04

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:04
Hi Chris J1,

We have a Montana Cooper 21ft "off road" caravan that we got from Adventure Caravans at Loganholme in Brisbane.
We have had it for one year and to date are very happy with it. After looking at quite a few we decided on the Montana because of it's finish, included features and attention to detail and value for money. Montana is a small Co in Melbourne that only manufacture within their own limits hence quality is maintained. When ours was being made i flew down to have a look at the factory and to meet them. Lily at Montana has been extremely helpful as have paul and Colin at Adventure.
We have just travelled from Brisbane to Darwin via the western Qld Channel Countryv which is only aboit 100kms from Birdsville and crosses the Cooper Ck and Diamantina River. The road which included about 300kms of dirt which was rough in places as it had only opened the day before we went through. The creek crossings were fairly rough due to flood damage.
The van handled well, with the only trouble being the drain tap on one of the water tanks being knocked off by a stone. I have since rectified this by addings some more underneath protection.
We will leave Darwin next week and head west to Broome via the Gibb River Road which is now open all the way through.

I have no affiliation with Montana or Adventure Caravans, just a happy customer.

Good Hunting

Dave
AnswerID: 456618

Follow Up By: Chris J1 - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 20:47

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 20:47
Hi Dave,

If you don't mind me racking your brain can you tell me more about the system you have underneath your van? Do you have a raiser and leaf spring etc.

Since travelling the diamantina are you happy with the set up? We are looking at 24 to 25 foot and towing with 100 series landcruiser. Do you think size matters? What are you towing your van with? Do you know your total loaded weight?

We have spoken to Colin and are having the same opinion as yourself. I too have also spoken to Lily and we are meeting with Paul at the Qld show on the weekend.

Any more information you could offer us would be great anything you would think is a must have on the van.

We are travelling with 2 kids 7 and 5 years.

Thank you for your reply
CJ
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FollowupID: 729706

Follow Up By: Danger Mouse - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:27

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:27
Chris, we bought a 23ft Clarence from Adventure Caravans in March last year. We chose their "Adventure Caravans" self branded van over the Montana simply because of price. They come out of the same factory, use all the same equipment and for all intents and purposes are identical but several grand cheaper. It may be worth consideration.

Having said all that, we found Colin & Paul great to deal with and their follow up service has been excellent. I'd recommend them.

(Likewise - no affiliation, just a happy camper!)
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FollowupID: 729718

Follow Up By: Danger Mouse - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:28

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:28
BTW we did 15 weeks around eastern Australia with 3 kids (13,11 & 8) this time last year in our Clarence.
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Follow Up By: Grand CRD - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 17:46

Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 17:46
Hi Chris,
The Montana Cooper that we have is designed by Paul from Adventure and is raised on a 6' chassis with 15'wheels and has Simplicity independent suspension.
It has 3 water tanks, one dedicated to drinking water which is also filtered. Since purchasing it I have modified the coupling by replacing the 50mm ball hitch with a 3.5 tonne McHitch off road coupling (fully articulated). This was to raise the coupling to better match the rear of my vehicle which requires a height in excess of the legal 460mm above ground. I am extremely happy with the new hitch and the van tows extremely well on both bitumen and dirt. I will attach a couple of pictures of the new coupling.
The van is setup for 2 people only but other than my mods is as speced by Adventure. I also dispensed with the oven in lieu of a extra pot draw as we rarely use an oven when travelling.
I also travel with a 2kVA Honda generator and have stuck with the standard 2 100Ahr batteries and have not added solar.
My tow vehicle is a 2007 WH Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 ltr turbo diesel which has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes with 317kg on the drawbar. The vehicle is also raised 2" and has had the ECU re-programmed for more power, although that is not necessary as it has 160kw power output and 510Nm of tourque as standard.
The ATM of the van is 2865 Kg and I would be travelling at that especially with 3 full water tanks.
Travelling up to Darwin from Brisbane I averaged 16.9 ltrs/100kms, which is exceptionally good given the weight of the van and car which is also over 2 tonnes.
hope this helps with your selection

Cheers
PS Can't attach photos of hitch
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FollowupID: 729794

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