Help with dirt road choice

[Suzie T]

Hi all,
My wife and I are currently the proud owners of a 24ft Jayco Sterling. It has a queen as well as triple bunks and bathroom. We love it but have realised that we cannot get off the black top and we want to now the kids are a bit older.
We are researching the dirt road market and are a bit overwhelmed at the choice. I guess Supreme Territory, Phoenix Nomad, Sunland Longreach, Traveller Caravans and the Aussiewide Bunderra are the ones that appeal to us the most.
If anyone out there has experience (good or bad) with any of these vans, we would be so appreciative of your advice. It is a lot more money to upgrade and we want to be sure we make a sound decision.
We still have four kids with us but as long as the bathroom and living area is good, the kids can sleep in the annexe and swags. We are looking at around a 22 ft van.
HELP PLEASE.....Thanks

[jock]

Hi Suzie
Cant help you with recommends re the vans you are looking at but just a bit of advice..A lot of so called Off Road vans are a bit of a sham. The chassis and suspension have been beefed up but if you look at the inside furnishings, you'll see that a lot of them are just stapled together exactly like the normal tar road vans such as the one you've got. We have a Windsor Rapid Off- Roader but I wouldn't be game to to do the heavy stuff in it..We recently did the Gibb River Road and left the van at Derby and tented it...we met numerous vanners who were in serious trouble who decided to take their off-road vans on the GRR.
Dont be fooled by big, high, units with big cut-aways and big mud digger type tyres (why fit mud-diggers to a caravan?)...check inside....Have you had a look at a Kedron?
Jock

[Suzie T]

Hi Jock
Thanks for your reply. We have looked at the Kedron and are still considering our options. We certainly would not do the GRR in a dirt roader. My hubby is a real stickler for doing things properly and would never try to go on roads as extreme as that in a dirt road van. We are only wanting the security of knowing that it is OK to go on the dirt tracks into National parks or have a weekend near a quiet river, without the worry of shaking everything to pieces. We appreciate your input as a lot of the so-called "off-roaders" have checkerplate that is practically plastic, that puts you off.
Suzie

[cbenpora]

Suzy,
Haven't had experience with the vans you mentioned but we have a Coromal Pioneer XL.
We have had ours off-road, not crossing creeks or such, but have been on lots of gravel roads into national parks.
We went through the factory when Coromals were being made in Osborne Park in Perth and there was quite a difference in the construction between the Standard Excel and the Pioneer.
We have been more than happy with our.
There are tougher vans that we have seen but the price is about twice that of the Coromals.

[Trikky]

Hi, We've vanned for some time, 30+ yrs, and owned everything from homemade, camper windup to onroad and offroad vans. Travels include circumnavigating oz to most outback offroad tracks and had an obsession with the red and often dusty tracks. Still do I guess, just love the beauty of the outback. Anyway back to your question..my wife and I used to go to all the Melbourne Caravan shows and ended up one year buying the demo Trakmaster Nullabor at significant discount and with heaps of extras.
Some years later towing a windup camper up the gregory development road it fell apart (suspension) from repeated pummelling on dirt roads. It was called offroad but rubbish as an earlier reply suggested abounds.
True offroad vans are HEAVY and Trakmaster are indestructable. When we got the camper repaired we ordered another Trakmaster van.
Do check them out. They have a great following and club membership.
Rick

[ozjohn]

Suzie T
The vans you mentioned will take you to most places you'll probably want to venture as will most other quality built vans.
Specialist 'Off Road" vans are a lot heavier and a lot more expensive and are generally not required by the majority of vanners, but by those who really want to get off the beaten track and tackle the really rough and difficult stuff.
Generally builders 'Out Back' packages will fill the bill.
ozjohn.

[popeye]

If can afford the Phoenix iis the way to go

[coxy45]

G'day Suzie,
From what I have read & learned form other 'vanners, Kedron and Bushtracker are the pick of the off roaders. I do know that the Gall boys from Kedron road test there off roaders through some very harsh conditions & I hear that they are good to deal with.

See you 'round my campfire

Regards
Geoff & Bev

Patrol + Millard

[peterm]

Suzie T
The vans you mentioned will take you to most places you'll probably want to venture as will most other quality built vans.
Specialist 'Off Road" vans are a lot heavier and a lot more expensive and are generally not required by the majority of vanners, but by those who really want to get off the beaten track and tackle the really rough and difficult stuff.
Generally builders 'Out Back' packages will fill the bill.
ozjohn.

I agree 100%, in regards to the statement about Most other quality built vans.


Suzie T,

Our 16' Single axle Concept has taken us through the Bloomfield Track, Battlecamp Road, PDR, and Telegraph Road upto Cape York without any problems. We will be taking it through the Gibb River Road area early next year.

We payed approx 42k for it in 2006, and even if we were to write it off on the dirt it only cost $200 for the insurance excess for the payout. So we would still be in front even if we had to purchase another van, rather than pay approx 90-105K + for these so called specialist OFF Road vans.

But horses for courses, it is your choice.

Good luck with your shopping

Cheers,

PeterM.