We set off on our first trip with the van on the Sunday straight after school holidays started. Departure was planned for 9am, however, after a few last minute work things came up, we finally got away at 11am.
After tugging for 580km on the first day, we pulled into the West Wyalong Caravan Park. All drive through sites, nice and clean and very friendly staff.
As we were approaching town, my wife asked the kids and I to each guess how long it will take to get the van set-up and ready once we are parked. Times varied from 18 mins (my guess) through to 40 mins (my wife).
Well, with everybody helping, especially the kids, we had everything set-up in 20 minutes - a real surprise actually! At all the other stops, there were too many things to distract the kids like jumping pillows, pools and friends, so other set-ups were usually about 30 minutes.
Over the course of the trip we stayed in West Wyalong, Dubbo, Warwick (QLD), just out of Byron Bay and then on the return trip, Gunnedah, Harden and finally home.
The van travelled about 3,500 kms without fault. No problems with brakes getting hot, wheel nuts or anything else mechanical. Only casualties on the trip were a nice bottle of red wine and one of the large drawers where a few of the very short screws holding the track fell out. The latter was fixed with some silicon into the screw hole and allowed to set overnight.
We have noticed when we cleaned the van out when we got home is at the right rear of the pop-top skirt that it has been rubbing against the gas strut and a very small hole has appeared. Will need to take this up under warranty.
All-in-all, buying the caravan has been one of the best things we have done. We all had a great time, and are looking forward to our next trip away.
The new 200 Series Cruiser did not miss a beat. While I have not done overall trip fuel consumption, daily it varied daily between 19 & 22 litres/100km - this was subject to headwinds and some of the hills on the New England Hwy on return from Byron Bay. We also travelled at the speed limit of 100 or 110 most of the time.
Thanks to everyone on the forum who has shared their experiences and tips in preparing for trips.
Getting the wheels balanced before we set off...
"Disco" Van as my wife calls it...
Breakfast as it should be, with some ring-ins!
After tugging for 580km on the first day, we pulled into the West Wyalong Caravan Park. All drive through sites, nice and clean and very friendly staff.
As we were approaching town, my wife asked the kids and I to each guess how long it will take to get the van set-up and ready once we are parked. Times varied from 18 mins (my guess) through to 40 mins (my wife).
Well, with everybody helping, especially the kids, we had everything set-up in 20 minutes - a real surprise actually! At all the other stops, there were too many things to distract the kids like jumping pillows, pools and friends, so other set-ups were usually about 30 minutes.
Over the course of the trip we stayed in West Wyalong, Dubbo, Warwick (QLD), just out of Byron Bay and then on the return trip, Gunnedah, Harden and finally home.
The van travelled about 3,500 kms without fault. No problems with brakes getting hot, wheel nuts or anything else mechanical. Only casualties on the trip were a nice bottle of red wine and one of the large drawers where a few of the very short screws holding the track fell out. The latter was fixed with some silicon into the screw hole and allowed to set overnight.
We have noticed when we cleaned the van out when we got home is at the right rear of the pop-top skirt that it has been rubbing against the gas strut and a very small hole has appeared. Will need to take this up under warranty.
All-in-all, buying the caravan has been one of the best things we have done. We all had a great time, and are looking forward to our next trip away.
The new 200 Series Cruiser did not miss a beat. While I have not done overall trip fuel consumption, daily it varied daily between 19 & 22 litres/100km - this was subject to headwinds and some of the hills on the New England Hwy on return from Byron Bay. We also travelled at the speed limit of 100 or 110 most of the time.
Thanks to everyone on the forum who has shared their experiences and tips in preparing for trips.
Getting the wheels balanced before we set off...
"Disco" Van as my wife calls it...
Breakfast as it should be, with some ring-ins!
