Awaiting First Van - 16.49-3B Outback

Antman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2012
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Hi All

I have been reading this forum only for the past couple of days and it seems quite good to me. :) So i thought that I would post up a hello and also a bit about our van that we getting.

The wife and I have bitten the bullet and ordered our Van yesterday. Can't wait to get it. We purchased a 16.49-3b OB from Halls Mildura and it will be ready in September. We have previously done trips in our 2001 Prado where we have always had to organise accommodation along the way (the wife is not big at camping in a tent) so really looking forward to having our bed and shower :).

We ordered it with the following extras: Awning, the bed end flies, 100AH battery and the 2.2 heron air. I am also going to fit an Ozhitch. http://ozhitch.com/

Our decision on vans was between the 16 that we have purchased and the 14.44-5 OB. A must was to have a model with our own shower and toilet. We have an 11mth old so we had the decision about getting the two beds or a bed converter. We decided that having to convert the table down every night for our little one (Lucy) and then having no where but outside (not that that is a bad thing) to sit we opted for the 16".

With Lucy's bed, we are planning to get some heavy duty press studs and some light material to make a sort of enclosure for her bed end so that she can't fall out of the bed. It will also double as a playpen if we are cooking or just need somewhere to put her where she is safe for a short time whilst we might be doing something else.

Before i go, i must say that Halls Mildura have given me excellent service so far and I would recommend them to anyone looking about. :) It was not a light decision to purchase from Mildura as im in Brisbane so it’s a good drive down and back but at the end of the day the service level and price was the deciding factor.

Cheers
Anthony

PS: I will post up piccys when i get the van in September.
 

chartrock

Forum Patriarch
Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
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Welcome Anthony. :wave: As a 14' owner I would have liked to see another 14' on the forum but I can see the wisdom in your choice. Any problems or queries will be sorted out very quickly by the friendly knowledgable members here. Look forward to seeing your pix.
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
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Mar 15, 2011
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Welcome to the forum Anthony, you will love the van (went it comes).

I see you are getting an OzHitch, any reason you chose this over others? I had an OzHitch on my old Hawk, it was great and easy to use, just a little messy for my liking.
 

Antman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2012
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Brisbane
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I see you are getting an OzHitch, any reason you chose this over others? I had an OzHitch on my old Hawk, it was great and easy to use, just a little messy for my liking.
Hi Moto Moto, my father in law has one and has recommended to me as he loves it and it's ease of use. What do you find messy about it? What do you use now?
Cheers
Ants
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
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Mar 15, 2011
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Hi Moto Moto, my father in law has one and has recommended to me as he loves it and it's ease of use. What do you find messy about it? What do you use now?
Cheers
Ants

Sorry for the super slow reply bud.

I found it messy, just in the way I greased the hitch. The way it was setup seemd to make a little messy and becasue the hitch sticks out further thana standard ball hitch, i seems to always get grease on my legs. I have a Hyland hitch now and find it much easier nd cleaner to use. I have used a few hitches now and the Hyland is the best so far IMO.

The Ozhitch is still a great product and you won't be disappointed in how well it works.
 

stuartcarr2002

Active Member
May 13, 2011
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Sydney
Another 16. You have made the Superior choice re the size. The "other sizes" all want to be 16's but are in the closet :) We have the 16 49 1 O/B and love it. We where thinking of upgrading to a starcraft, but have decided to stay with this one. Easy to tow, good room inside (only 1 child helps) his end is like a small bedroom for him. It has his own DVD player mounted and has room for all his toys etc. The outback is a great choice as well, even if you don't go on the dirt, you just got to love the look of chequer plate :) Just come back from a weekend up the coast. Have had no major issues. Just a small issue of a leaking water inlet, but you will be very happy once the wait is over. Pleanty of pics once it comes :)
 

Antman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2012
870
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Brisbane
almcrae.blogspot.com.au
Sorry for the super slow reply bud.

I found it messy, just in the way I greased the hitch. The way it was setup seemd to make a little messy and becasue the hitch sticks out further thana standard ball hitch, i seems to always get grease on my legs. I have a Hyland hitch now and find it much easier nd cleaner to use. I have used a few hitches now and the Hyland is the best so far IMO.

The Ozhitch is still a great product and you won't be disappointed in how well it works.

Thanks Moto Moto! My father in law uses one on his discovery OB and loves it. He is an ex truck driver and knows a lot about towing and the like where as I know very little so am on a very steep learning curve :drama: but i will get there. I will have to have a look at the hyland and see what its like. Actually when I was searching around for bits of info on the ozhitch, i think i came across a post of yours form 2009 or so on another site. Name gives it away. :)

Ants
 

Antman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2012
870
311
63
Brisbane
almcrae.blogspot.com.au
Another 16. You have made the Superior choice re the size. The "other sizes" all want to be 16's but are in the closet :) We have the 16 49 1 O/B and love it. We where thinking of upgrading to a starcraft, but have decided to stay with this one. Easy to tow, good room inside (only 1 child helps) his end is like a small bedroom for him. It has his own DVD player mounted and has room for all his toys etc. The outback is a great choice as well, even if you don't go on the dirt, you just got to love the look of chequer plate :) Just come back from a weekend up the coast. Have had no major issues. Just a small issue of a leaking water inlet, but you will be very happy once the wait is over. Pleanty of pics once it comes :)

Thanks Stuartcarr, we have one child also but she is only 1 year old now (yesterday actually) so we are going to setup one end for her but getting either some shade cloth or strong insect screen and doing the edges with press studs - similar to how the privacy screens attach, so that she is safe at night time and can't fall out etc. Also will help us if for some reason we need to contain her so the material needs to be strong enough so she can't put a hole in it.

How / where did you mount your sons DVD player?

Our first trip is planned for Christmas this year. Plan is to start in Clare Vally then head north past Wilpena Pound, Lake Eyre, Uluru, Kings Canyon etc. Will be hot but that has been taken into consideration. And if its too hot or wet, we will just change path. :) The beauty of a caravan. Unlike other trips where we have had hotels / motels booked and had to be there on certain days etc.

I will put up plenty of pics once i get the van.
Cheers
Ants
 

BOZZY

Member
Jun 29, 2012
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coffs coast nsw
Hey Antmam,
We ordered a 14.44-5 and pick up end of Sept:cheer2: we went for the 14 because there just the two of us.
Would have went the 16 if the kids were still young.
Enjoy!!