Caravan forums/sites ?

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Hi all

We're going to buy a caravan in the next 18 months or so, ( in the start of our transition to becoming grey nomads ) and just starting our research.
We've never had a caravan or even a camper trailer before so are real novices in this game. ( we have done lots of camping in tents and swags though )
I was wondering what Australian caravan forums /sites could be recommended to get some fair dinkum no bs advice.
( something like Pradopoint but in the caravan world )

[4wd26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd26]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

http://myswag.org/forum/camper trailers- but more for adventurous camper travels
http://forum.candm.com.au/-caravan and motorhome- pretty much old grumpy nomads :lol: but some good info
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/caravan park reviews
http://www.supertramp.com.au/

Just like any forum these all have many answers- questions asked before- just do a search first. :wink:

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

http://www.exploroz.com
http://caravanersforum.com

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

Thanks for those - some good info in there.
I was looking for experiences, good or bad with particular makes of vans, trying not to buy a lemon :?

[trackers Member Find all posts View Profile Close trackers]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

Wayne,
PM me if you need more help.
Cheers
Gunar

[4wd26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd26]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

Thanks for those - some good info in there.
I was looking for experiences, good or bad with particular makes of vans, trying not to buy a lemon :?

You will need to tell us a bit more about what you want and how much $$$

Do you want toilet shower?
keeping the Prado (weight restriction 2500kg max towing) ?


Plenty of owners on this site with experience 8)

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

I tend to spend a fair bit of time on the Caravan & Motorhome Forum (link already posted in an ealier post in this thread). There are a few grumpy old buggers there but overall there's also a wealth of info. I've got a Kedron 17' single axle pop top with toilet & shower on board with an ATM of around 1700 kg. Tows beautifully behind the D4D auto. We haven't had the van long: previously had a camper trailer (must update my profile). I guess I'm a 49 year old apprentice grey nomad looking forward to seeing more of the open road with the "home" in tow.

I'm surprised there aren't more caravan threads here on Pradopoint actually, they're certainly a very popular tow vehicle (see them everywhere in caravan parks) & this forum has some very level headed people who could give some good insights into Prado / caravan ownership issues.

Sunday

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

Thanks all. I have looked at some of those other sites and there's a lot to go through - will keep me busy.

Since some questions have been asked here are our thoughts so far ;

1. Yes we will use the Prado D4-D as a tug. We originally bought it with this in mind.
2. We don't need toilet and shower, TVs etc. but aircon is probably desirable for where we intend going. Prefer simple but well built and reliable.
3. We want to get away from flapping fabric and canvas altogether, so no wind up, pull out, or pop tops preferably. Pop tops I've looked at also seem to be limited in terms of cupboard space and visibility.
4. I would like something semi-offroad i.e. able to be taken on dirt roads with some corrugations. For anything more remote we will lock up the van and revert to tent camping. So independent suspension and a good solid chassis is desirable.
5. Also ability to be totally indpendent away from 240V for periods of time, so good water storage etc. ( I can add batteries, solar panels, 12V power myself as long as the base unit is built for it )
5. Second hand would be fine.

Is this too much to ask ?

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

Thanks all. I have looked at some of those other sites and there's a lot to go through - will keep me busy.

Since some questions have been asked here are our thoughts so far ;

1. Yes we will use the Prado D4-D as a tug. We originally bought it with this in mind.
2. We don't need toilet and shower, TVs etc. but aircon is probably desirable for where we intend going. Prefer simple but well built and reliable.
3. We want to get away from flapping fabric and canvas altogether, so no wind up, pull out, or pop tops preferably. Pop tops I've looked at also seem to be limited in terms of cupboard space and visibility.
4. I would like something semi-offroad i.e. able to be taken on dirt roads with some corrugations. For anything more remote we will lock up the van and revert to tent camping. So independent suspension and a good solid chassis is desirable.
5. Also ability to be totally indpendent away from 240V for periods of time, so good water storage etc. ( I can add batteries, solar panels, 12V power myself as long as the base unit is built for it )
5. Second hand would be fine.

Is this too much to ask ?

Nope, sounds perfectly sensible. Don't totally discount a pop top though. We did...until we looked at the Kedron we ended up buying (it's an older 2002 model). It's got HEAPS of cupboard space. We were pleasantly surprised at how cool it was compared to full height vans we'd also looked at. This was due to the zip-open panels in the pop top. Anyway, we went from "definately don't want a pop top" to "perfect van for us right now"! Also, being a Kedron it's extremely well built.

If you want to be truly independent, get as many high capacity solar panels & AGM batteries you can afford / fit in.

Just enjoy yourself working though all your options, see as many vans & talk to as many people as you can. All good fun!

Sunday

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Caravan forums/sites ?

Thanks for the pointers Sunday.
I've seen the Kedrons on the road and they look like a sturdy unit.
Very few and far between in the second hand market.
I quite like the Supreme semi-off road units too, they look the goods from the outside with plenty of chequerplate -but need to investigate further.
Jayco is by far the prominent caravan on the road down here - they are the Toyota of the caravan world ! ( without the build quality perhaps ).