Would I still be welcome????

[Stan53]

I gotta Jayco Swift and there are some who would say that was jumping ship. They let me in.

 

[Nesspop]

When we started shopping, we started at Jayco. The bunk model we were looking at was around 50k 55k. We also looked at some other brands of caravans, but then remembered the modern look of the New Age Caravan we had seen at the caravan & camping show a few months earlier. So we went & had a look in the yard.. Wow there was no going back to the timber look, they also seem to be better finished off. There just seem to be more value for money in the new age, as to what was on the Jayco we were originally looking at.

 

[twscoot]

Of course there is an alternate view which has seen us stick with Jayco after selling our 16.49-2 (well done one the sale of your Expanda Nesspop too!).
For me it's about resale value which Jayco does very well in. Agree the quality of finish is not quite on par.
Three days until the 20.62-3 Starcraft arrives!!
( I also personally just can't get myself into a timber framed van ).
But hey! What's great about this site is a respectful range of views and at the end of the day we all love getting out there!
Cheers
Andrew

 

[greggels]

I bailed a couple of months ago, (sorry)We had the same issues but probably more so as I am an Paraplegic (not fully, walk with crutches) it was too much work for my partner to set up, so we sold the Expanda, traded and got what we paid for it and we bought a 2010 (same year as expanda) Supreme Aero 17'6 full size, full ensuite van, we love it just pull up, role out awning, suits our needs much better, love this forum though!


Cheers Greg

 

[Antman]

after our trip to Qld, we found it somewhat a tiresome task organising the van for each of our stops. plus the fact that we realised we are getting older and our bladders don't hold as well as they used to and the constant climbing over the top of each other to get out bed was becoming an issue.

SO we are looking at jumping ship and buying a full size van from another manufacturer, either a Nova, Coromal or Kokoda.

Would I still be welcome to use the site under other caravans, and would I still be welcome to the Corner meet?

I for one think it would be really interesting to see what issues other brands have so the more the merrier!

I must say, i walked into a Kokoda a couple had at a van park a couple months back. It was a pretty nice van. They were extremely happy with it. I did notice however that there was one light hanging out of the ceiling and another fault that the guy said he needed to fix, but overall the quality seemed pretty good

Would be interested to hear what you decide to get.
Ants

 

[MolongMick]

SO we are looking at jumping ship and buying a full size van from another manufacturer, either a Nova, Coromal or Kokoda.
Hi @MolongMick
Just spoke to a mate that bought a Coromal ELEMENT 2 months ago for $48K and let's just say he has not been happy with it. Long list of warranty issues, and was in the workshop for 3 weeks. I guess all new vans get their fair share of issues.
He said if he had his time again he would've looked at a Starcraft.
Cheers Deano

Yeah, I must say that the Coromal is at the bottom of my list, the Nova Family is at the top with simplicity, raised chassis and smooth walls. Kokoda looks the part, but too far for me to visit, no dealers in NSW.

 

[MolongMick]

When we started shopping, we started at Jayco. The bunk model we were looking at was around 50k 55k. We also looked at some other brands of caravans, but then remembered the modern look of the New Age Caravan we had seen at the caravan & camping show a few months earlier. So we went & had a look in the yard.. Wow there was no going back to the timber look, they also seem to be better finished off. There just seem to be more value for money in the new age, as to what was on the Jayco we were originally looking at.

I do like the Manta Ray, but the issue of raising the suspension has not been clarified to me by the dealers. is it possible to put simplicity suspension on these vans?
Still looking, there are other makes and models that pop up, but it still seems to be down to the three, with Nova at the top.

 

[crackacoldie]

Have to admit we did like the Nova Family when we bought the Expanda, just out of our budget at the time. They are a nice van though.

 

[Burnsy]

Whatever suits I guess, as mentioned we all have a common interest and love getting out there. It will be interesting though to hear about issues from other makes and maybe more importantly how the warranty issues are handled/convenience of locations and parts.

 

[MolongMick]

Whatever suits I guess, as mentioned we all have a common interest and love getting out there. It will be interesting though to hear about issues from other makes and maybe more importantly how the warranty issues are handled/convenience of locations and parts.

That is the big one......... Jayco are really close by, Nova are 4hrs away, Kokoka are interstate.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

My usual camping companions own many different vans and they all have their fair share of Warranty issues Coromals, Windors, Concepts and I did spend some time trying to help a guy with a brand new New Age south of Exmouth to sort a charging issue, in their defence when he phoned them they sent an auto sparky from Exmouth to sort the problem, pretty good warranty service I thought

 

[Antman]

when i was speaking to the guys about their Kokoda, they said that the building of them is contracted out. I don't know how the warranty side goes due to this fact... something to think about.

 

[MolongMick]

when i was speaking to the guys about their Kokoda, they said that the building of them is contracted out. I don't know how the warranty side goes due to this fact... something to think about.

Thanks for that Anthony,
Kokoda price was good, but really too far for me to get one, so that can be crossed off the list.

 

[Pace]

Thanks for that Anthony,
Kokoda price was good, but really too far for me to get one, so that can be crossed off the list.

A family friend of ours has a neighbor that allways seems to have a big silver Kokoda hooked up to their D40 parked out front their place whenever i visit them fortnightly, could go knock on his door you @MolongMick . Pace.

 

[MolongMick]

A family friend of ours has a neighbor that allways seems to have a big silver Kokoda hooked up to their D40 parked out front their place whenever i visit them fortnightly, could go knock on his door you @MolongMick . Pace.

Thanks for the offer mate, but Kokoda was one that was on the list because of the price, but really I would need to travel 8-900km to pick one up, not really too keen on that, plus if there are any service issues I probably would need to travel that distance again.
From all reports I've read, Nova seems to be a good option.
I will be going to the dealer in Penrith soon to have a chat and look at their van in person to see if it really suits. I should have firm price then too so I can really work out some of my options.

 

[Bushman]

Hi Mick

Talk to Phil if you go to Penrith

 

[relgate]

Hi Mick.
Wishing you good luck in the search for the best van and I'll be watching with interest. Let us know how you get on at Nova

 

[chartrock]

Been up in Brissie today at their annual caravan sale exhibition and had a look at the Kokodas. Very impressive vans bit out of my price range from $61500 up to $69500 tow away or $2500 less if picked up from factory (Caloundra).

Some quite impressive vans on display including a StarCraft pop top not in their current catalogue, a 16-67-5 for $38,710. Just as well I left my credit card at home. :barbershop_quartet_member:

 

[MolongMick]

Hi Mick

Talk to Phil if you go to Penrith

Thanks Bushman, that is who I've been chatting to on the phone and via emails.

 

[achjimmy]

Friends just got a 17' Goldstream off road van. Very nice , workmanship is excellent. When I can sell another kid will be looking seriously at them.