Our Retreat

[BruceD]

On advice from my specialist we recently sold our Jayco Journey, he wasn't keen on me lifting/lowering the roof. We were looking at the 19' Starcraft, but after seeing one at Jayco Canberra we were not impressed with the quality of the finish. Although we believed that this was a one of, as we were happy with the finish of the Journey, we decided to look at other makes. We have decided to go with a Retreat Macquarie. This is a 18'6" (internal) touring model with a tare of approx 2100 kg.

Standard features include:

• 15'' wheels
• 2 x 95 litre water tanks
• 190 litre 2 door fridge
• ibis A/C
• Queen bed, 6'1" long
• mesh on A frame
• outside picnic table
• gas bayonet
• hydraulic jack
• vinyl protection to front, black perspex along side
• 2" raiser
• 2 four season roof hatches
• camec washing machine
• Attwood hot water service (no anode)
• piano hinges to all doors
• pipe protection under van
• 155 watt solar panel
• reverse camera
• outside shower
• Dexter ESC (newish to OZ market, American system that applies breaks independently)

Additional items I have requested

• grey water tank
• gas heater
• external lockers at rear (the standard oversize shower is removed and a normal size one instead is installed and the space is used for the lockers)

Got the phone call today to say that the van will leave the factory today and we can pickup from dealer next Wednesday. Unfortunately the dealer is in Croydon, far eastern suburb of Melbourne. Planing on taking 2-3 days coming back to Canberra via the coast. Unfortunately Victorian school holidays started today, but hoping it will not be too busy.

It will be interesting to see how the Territory copes with the weight. Had no problems with the Journey but this is a bit heavier, but within limits of the car. On a side note I had a 3" exhaust fitted to the car and am very happy with results.

Pictures will be posted on pickup.

 

[Tricky]

Hi Bruce,

The Territory will do it easily. I've done thousands of km's towing with a Territory.
Good luck with the new purchase.

 

[Smirke]

New van sounds wonderful. Can't wait to see the pictures.

 

[Bushman]

Nice work on the Retreat, they are a nice bit of gear, it was one we had on the short list however more interesting in selling us one of their layouts rather than building what we wanted, unfortunately their family van was 21' or 23' internal which wouldn't suit the Pajero
I gave them the layout we have and they quoted 10k more to build to same thing, prior to ordering ours I kept going between the two at a show, couldn't pick the different in quality/construction/inclusions only a different chassis manufacture.

Having said that, would I buy a Retreat if it suit my needs and budget? YES

Oh! Beware of the Four Season Hatch, that's where I had problems with my van.
I'll be interested to see your opinion on the new water heaters I noticed Retreat had them on the vans at the Penrith show, I originally asked for one in our van but they said no, didn't recommend has they couldn't getting to work properly with the pump for free camps etc. I'm sure they'll have it sorted now
From memory they are an instant unit not storage like the Suburban,. so as long as you have gas and water when can shower as long as you like.

 

[BruceD]

Hi @Tricky , I agree the Territory should tow it OK, it towed the Journey no problems and I averaged approx 15-16 l/100 at 95-100kph. This van however is about 350kg heavier empty. When fully loaded it will be about 2500. I hope to never get near this as we try and travel light. Trouble is I love the Territory, and so does my wife, so unsure what we would replace it with. We think we would still want a car rather than a twin cab. Can see the advantages of the twin cab with putting things in the tray etc.

Hi @Bushman . The layout of the Macquarie suited us and it was as large, and heavy, that we wanted to go. When we looked at the price for the 19' Starcraft and then added the extras like external picnic table, solar, gas bayonet, camera, etc etc the price for the Starcraft was very, very close to the price of the Retreat. What was your problem with the hatches, did they leak? I will keep you posted regards the heater. I wasn't aware that they are an instant heater. I did read that you can use them on gas and 240v at the same time for really hot water.

 

[Bushman]

Hi @Bushman What was your problem with the hatches, did they leak? I will keep you posted regards the heater. I wasn't aware that they are an instant heater. I did read that you can use them on gas and 240v at the same time for really hot water.

Yes the hatch leaked, but apparently its more to do with the sealant used rather than the hatch it self, the new 4 season hatches are plastic, the earlier ones aluminium, so they needed to be primed and the correct sealant used otherwise it simply doesn't stick/seal. We also found the StarCraft we looked at came in at a similar price, however layout didn't suit and the Outback had weight issues for the Pajero.
We dealt direct with Retreat at the time not a dealer

Not sure if the water heater you have is the instant model, the one I've seen and read about is just can't recall the brand

Ours also has the Dexter ESC.

 

[Bank of Dad]

I know what you mean. We looked at a Silverline. Way overpriced. Then looked at Starcraft with some extras and realised we should look beyond Jayco. The Jayco dealer was indifferent to us, despite having previously bought two new vans (Eagle C/T & 17.56-2 Expanda). We don't want the red carpet, but do expect to be taken seriously. Insulting trade in offered. Unable to view many vans in the yard as they were locked. Looking through windows you could see why, broken cupboards etc......

Cut a long story short; new JB Van Dirt Roader 21'6" rear door gets delivered this Friday.

 

[Bank of Dad]

Hi Bruce,

The Territory will do it easily. I've done thousands of km's towing with a Territory.
Good luck with the new purchase.

We towed a 17.56-2 at about 2200kg for about 15000km over 4 years with a RWD Diesel Terry......great!

 

[BruceD]

Well hand over was today, only one issue. As we had to come from Canberra we decided to stay overnight in Yea, about an hour north of Croydon. As our handover was for 1:00pm we thought a slow start this morning and then leisurely trip in. They rang about 4:00 yesterday and asked if we could come in at 10:00am. Luckily we were not far away. When we arrived and after the the actual handover went to hitch the car up and they recommended that the hitch be lowered. While trying to loosen the bolts it was noticed that one had stripped the thread and the other the nut would only come half way off. Had to cut it off. With very vague directions I had to head off and find Bayswater Bolts for replacements. Finally all OK.

The van is heavier than I expected, the tare is 2222, thought it was going to come in round 2100. On the way to Warragul the tail of the Territory wagged a few times, enough to give me a few moments. The compliance plate states that the tare tow ball weight is 122, which I think is low. The van wasn't loaded and the tanks are only 1/2 full. Both of the 95l tanks are forward of the axles. As we had to bring everything in the car I have now transferred it to van, and will try travelling with full tanks. The car pulled it OK, but in saying that there are not too many inclines between Croydon and Warragul. I don't know if this is common with full height vans. Also the car may be too light for the van. (new car?)


Extremely happy with the van and happy our choice of colours. Some of the external photo show the two external hatches opened or closed.

 

[Bushman]

Looks great Bruce, that Blue splash back and top cupboards really stand out . Once you get the loading /weight sorted you should be right. I made sure we ordered our with one tank forward and one rear, however the forward one is in my opinion to far forward, but there is extra mounts under there which would allow me to move it back toward the axle.

Its almost a matter of learning to tow all over again, ours scared the crap out me a few times in the first few days bringing it home, mostly due to foul weather strong winds and driving rain, also finding the WDH wasn't done right (can loose) as dealer didn't tighten the A-frame bracket bolts enough.

Now everything is set right and the contents sorted its pretty good though still getting used to it, every trip is different.

 

[Billrw136]

Congratulations @BruceD on your new van - enjoy! Maybe we will catch up one day - still have a brother in Canberra.

 

[cruza driver]

Nice @BruceD and to see you out travelling again

 

[BruceD]

Registered the van on Tuesday. Got to love the ACT government. Have to take it over the pits, $37 for the privilege. Next is the rego fees, $505.70. Next is the first registration surcharge, $52.50.

 

[Bank of Dad]

What a bloody rip off! BTW, why does it need to be inspected? It's brand new?

 

[bigcol]

OMG............
are they trying to cover the state budget deficit by slugging that much rego.........

 

[Dobbie]

It looks just like a holiday unit. Most impressed.

 

[Bank of Dad]

Well hand over was today, only one issue. As we had to come from Canberra we decided to stay overnight in Yea, about an hour north of Croydon. As our handover was for 1:00pm we thought a slow start this morning and then leisurely trip in. They rang about 4:00 yesterday and asked if we could come in at 10:00am. Luckily we were not far away. When we arrived and after the the actual handover went to hitch the car up and they recommended that the hitch be lowered. While trying to loosen the bolts it was noticed that one had stripped the thread and the other the nut would only come half way off. Had to cut it off. With very vague directions I had to head off and find Bayswater Bolts for replacements. Finally all OK.

The van is heavier than I expected, the tare is 2222, thought it was going to come in round 2100. On the way to Warragul the tail of the Territory wagged a few times, enough to give me a few moments. The compliance plate states that the tare tow ball weight is 122, which I think is low. The van wasn't loaded and the tanks are only 1/2 full. Both of the 95l tanks are forward of the axles. As we had to bring everything in the car I have now transferred it to van, and will try travelling with full tanks. The car pulled it OK, but in saying that there are not too many inclines between Croydon and Warragul. I don't know if this is common with full height vans. Also the car may be too light for the van. (new car?)View attachment 35718 View attachment 35718 View attachment 35720 View attachment 35721 View attachment 35722 View attachment 35723 View attachment 35724 View attachment 35725 View attachment 35726 View attachment 35727


Extremely happy with the van and happy our choice of colours. Some of the external photo show the two external hatches opened or closed.

Towing handling and big vans.......I've found the same with our JB. Affected by trucks and side drafts and downhill they do push more. Use the trailer brake to correct it. In windy conditions, slow down. Just drive it and it'll soon be fine!

 

[BruceD]

@bigcol , @Bank of Dad We don't have many industries in the ACT, so the only income is to rip off the ratepayers etc.

With taking the van over the pit, they go underneath, wriggle the wheels etc. I assume they check suspension bolts etc. Then they make you take the van wheels onto the rollers to check the brakes. All sorts of problems as they make you change the settings on your controller and then test the manual override. Do this for both axles.
My controller was adjusted by a dealer rep in Melbourne when I picked it up, we went for a drive with him driving and he adjusted the settings. Must admit it was just right. Even though I reset it back to the same settings after the rego it didn't seem as good. I have a Teckonsha P3.

You are right @Bank of Dad I have noticed that going down hills it does start to get a sway.

 

[Smirke]

Registered the van on Tuesday. Got to love the ACT government. Have to take it over the pits, $37 for the privilege. Next is the rego fees, $505.70. Next is the first registration surcharge, $52.50.

So glad I didn't have to do all that for our van. I just had to get it checked (the plate, lights and gas compliance paper) ready for when it gets relicensed.

 

[BruceD]

For the trip back to Canberra we stayed 2 nights in Warragul and one night in Bombala. As I mentioned coming out of Melbourne to Warragul we had a few moments when the van wiggled the rear of the car. I then made some changes for the rest of the trip. I filled the two water tanks completely, they were only 3/4 full, pumped the rear tyres on the car from 40 to 42 psi, and changed the height of the WDH from being on link 6 to link 5. This is the setting I towed the Journey with but the dealer rep talked me into link 6. The van towed much better for the remainder of the trip. I believe changing the WDH was the main factor.