Help a newbie out, what exactly are these options?

Dobbie

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Jun 18, 2014
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Hey FiveinAVan.

How are you going with the negotiations / decisions?

Hope it's panning out well....or that you haven't given up in frustration.
 
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Dobbie

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Jun 18, 2014
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Not encouraging.

I guess that's a fairly normal lag time for early in the year....but difficult to curb enthusiasm and balance with common sense.

I think ours was ordered in May and delivered end of Sepember and we were so frustrated with not having it ....or any van at all as we sold the previous one....that I swore loudly every time I passed a pile of camping gear heaped around the place.

Now I can hardly remember it without amusement.

As I said earlier, I reckon it's better to get the hardware right for your needs before you get it as it saves time and frustration later.

You can always spend the waiting period reading up on places to go .....I love holidays where you've got loads of time to anticipate so maybe take a pill for that, grit your teeth and go for it!!
 
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FiveInAVan

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2015
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Not encouraging.

I guess that's a fairly normal lag time for early in the year....but difficult to curb enthusiasm and balance with common sense.

I think ours was ordered in May and delivered end of Sepember and we were so frustrated with not having it ....or any van at all as we sold the previous one....that I swore loudly every time I passed a pile of camping gear heaped around the place.

Now I can hardly remember it without amusement.

As I said earlier, I reckon it's better to get the hardware right for your needs before you get it as it saves time and frustration later.

You can always spend the waiting period reading up on places to go .....I love holidays where you've got loads of time to anticipate so maybe take a pill for that, grit your teeth and go for it!!


I don't mind a wait but even with the new model and time of the year it seems a little excessive. I had been led to believe it was more like 3 months. Plus I am losing faith in my saleguy who sent me a second quote that I had added a few extras to (plus one extra one I hadn't asked for) and he gave me $20 less discount in total. I can't work out if it's a sales strategy or if the guy is just not confident with a computer. I like Jayco vans but not sure I love them that much! Anyway, he has one more chance to redeem himself before I go elsewhere.......joys!!
 
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chartrock

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Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
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@FiveInAVan, if you have a list of every extra you want with the van and the particular model, then just email all this to dealers from from Bunderburg to Melbourne and ask for quotes. You will be surprised at the variations and you can always have a holiday to pick it up. You may even find a dealer with one in the yard with most of your options already fitted.

The only reason we bought our Journey from Brisbane was, we purchased from the caravan show. Our previous van we bought from Newcastle as they provided the best quote.
 

davemc

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Oct 29, 2013
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www.expandasdownunder.com

FiveInAVan

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2015
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Brisbane, QLD
Great advice @chartrock and @davemc I will do just that! We aren't fussy and we know which options we want. Most are standard options or ones that can probably be added afterwards. And I like the idea of a road trip :clap2: Will let you know how I get on. I am half tempted to forget the whole caravaning thing and book a 5 star resort holiday instead :crazy:
 
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Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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If I was buying new it would have to be in the yard, was tempted by a couple of end of year stock Kokoda's at Wangaratta Caravans, very tempted but the wallet wasn't. Watsons at Coffs has a yard full/
 

BigSkiddy

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May 7, 2013
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My 2 cents worth on extras.

Don't get the Fusion stuff or even the antenna. It's old tech that will probably be obselete in a few years time and will probably be a source of problems. I seem to notice people always complaining about problems with the wynguard antenna. I use a pair if rabbit ears and have no issues.

The Drifter panel is the only 'tech' thing I would get. It does the job well and is very handy to see how much power you are using and how much you've got left.

I have not put any permanent tech on my van as I intend to keep it forever. No permanent TV mounts or speakers. There's so much portable stuff out now that does a better job.
 

Dobbie

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2014
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Totally agree....it's all supposed to be about a simpler life.

Our fusion stereo with inside / outside speakers has only been used once ...to see if it works ok.

Radio....we carry a good Sony transistor which is easy to move, control and can't possibly intrude on anyone else. We've been subjected to others music too often in the past.

Music ....MP3 / iPod dock for same reason as above and we use earphones most of the time

Tv antenna...snowdrop thingy which works fine for our limited needs, certainly far better than the homemade makeshift one we had on previous vans. I laugh now when I think of it but there were very few available at a reasonable price when we decided to make it up from useless stuff we had in the shed.

Geez....we sound boring...but we do read a lot!

Fusion package, as I said, was an inclusion we didn't ask for but kept to give us better resale value. We seriously thought about asking them to remove it.

It's all about what you want from the camping experience...for us, it's peace, tranquility, a different place to explore, relative comfort and relative safety.

Ah, as someone said, the serenity!
 

stucati

Member
Jan 12, 2015
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Depending on your bargaining skills i would get the fibreglass walls, i've got them on our 22.68 and i know i'm biased but walking around parks compared to the clad versions mine looks like its worth far more. will be good when time to sell. Sound and thermal insulation is really good too.

i would suggest increase your payload also for future requirements.
 

FiveInAVan

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2015
311
413
63
Brisbane, QLD
My 2 cents worth on extras.

Don't get the Fusion stuff or even the antenna. It's old tech that will probably be obselete in a few years time and will probably be a source of problems. I seem to notice people always complaining about problems with the wynguard antenna. I use a pair if rabbit ears and have no issues.

The Drifter panel is the only 'tech' thing I would get. It does the job well and is very handy to see how much power you are using and how much you've got left.

I have not put any permanent tech on my van as I intend to keep it forever. No permanent TV mounts or speakers. There's so much portable stuff out now that does a better job.

What you say makes total sense! I like your way of thinking. Will definitely take this view on board. Thanks for your input.
 

FiveInAVan

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2015
311
413
63
Brisbane, QLD
Depending on your bargaining skills i would get the fibreglass walls, i've got them on our 22.68 and i know i'm biased but walking around parks compared to the clad versions mine looks like its worth far more. will be good when time to sell. Sound and thermal insulation is really good too.

i would suggest increase your payload also for future requirements.

I hadn't really thought about the payload. I am pretty sure we will be getting close to our limit with the ATM so that scraps fiberglass off our list. Although I would really like to include it. Hubbie isn't convinced on the added price.