Australian Update

ticki2 wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

In Australia you get a 10yr chassis warranty on some Off Road Caravans. People full time Off Road here, unlike the US.
AVIDA gives this general warranty
3yr General and 5yr Structural

Robert , with all due respect , your comments do no address the question . First off the warranty you quoted was for a MH . As far as I know all motor vehicles in the USA have a minimum of 3 year bumper to bumper warranty . I have never heard of a TT (caravan) chassis failing except for extreme rust . TC's don't have a chassis . Could they stand improvement , you bet . That is why I'm interested in how they hold up over years of use . I seem to have an example of the opposite of what you are saying . My TC is 3 years shy of half a century old and still in use . Will it go anywhere , nope , but it has seen a lot of back country .

No, Caravan chassis and suspensions do collapse here, they are put through abuse regularly, that would you find in extremely rare cases in NA. Take the BushTracker Caravan, that is a 10yr Chassis warranty on their Off Road Caravan.
AVIDA has you will find the same warranty on their Caravans as well
Most TC makers are small builders and it would be the same as you would get in the US.
Rust does not destroy chassis here, roads do.

For a limited time only Avida is offering a 3 year factory warranty plus 5 year structural guarantee on its motorhomes and caravans as of 1st of October 2014. Contact your nearest dealer for more information and for full terms and conditions.


Read more at https://www.avidarv.com.au/warranty-support/rv-warranty#boYVlc47lcK1XAmX.99

General Caravan suspension

Frame and Suspension under the AVIDA Topaz

RobertRyan wrote:

In Australia you get a 10yr chassis warranty on some Off Road Caravans. People full time Off Road here, unlike the US.
AVIDA gives this general warranty
3yr General and 5yr Structural

Robert , with all due respect , your comments do no address the question . First off the warranty you quoted was for a MH . As far as I know all motor vehicles in the USA have a minimum of 3 year bumper to bumper warranty . I have never heard of a TT (caravan) chassis failing except for extreme rust . TC's don't have a chassis . Could they stand improvement , you bet . That is why I'm interested in how they hold up over years of use . I seem to have an example of the opposite of what you are saying . My TC is 3 years shy of half a century old and still in use . Will it go anywhere , nope , but it has seen a lot of back country .

Photomike wrote:
In north America the manufactures target the "use it and toss it" mentality of the market place. We have let manufactures do this for way to long and it is getting worse not better. Forget any real warranties and support as well.

It would not take a lot for manufacturer to break this model but I am not sure that there are enough buyers wanting this for them to do so. I for one would love something that was made to last!

We know and we get dodgy importers trying to sell "cheap" US RV's

ticki2 wrote:

Downwindtracker2 wrote:
Not seen in the photos is the build quality. These are not disposable, they are a long term purchase. The prices also reflect that.

I have wondered about this also . We never seem to get any long term use reports of how they are holding up or owner satisfaction . Pictures have been posted of some going through rivers , lakes and all kinds of rough terrain , but the question is , did they make a second trip , and were the owners happy .

In Australia you get a 10yr chassis warranty on some Off Road Caravans. People full time Off Road here, unlike the US.
AVIDA gives this general warranty
3yr General and 5yr Structural
Bushtracker Off Road Caravans, 10yr structural warranty
BushTracker Off Road Caravans, 10yr structural warranty

Downwindtracker2 wrote:
Not seen in the photos is the build quality. These are not disposable, they are a long term purchase. The prices also reflect that.

I have wondered about this also . We never seem to get any long term use reports of how they are holding up or owner satisfaction . Pictures have been posted of some going through rivers , lakes and all kinds of rough terrain , but the question is , did they make a second trip , and were the owners happy .

In north America the manufactures target the "use it and toss it" mentality of the market place. We have let manufactures do this for way to long and it is getting worse not better. Forget any real warranties and support as well.

It would not take a lot for manufacturer to break this model but I am not sure that there are enough buyers wanting this for them to do so. I for one would love something that was made to last!

Downwindtracker2 wrote:
Not seen in the photos is the build quality. These are not disposable, they are a long term purchase. The prices also reflect that.

Huge problem with all types of US RV's.that come here is the average to deplorable build quality.
My advice to you, is to pressure the manufacturers in the US and Canada ( in the case of TC's) to really lift their game.
What I have shown is only scratching the surface of RV's built here

It is embarrassing to see Homebuilts that equal or better the " quality " of TC factories

Not seen in the photos is the build quality. These are not disposable, they are a long term purchase. The prices also reflect that.

RobertRyan wrote:
Here are some photos of some new builders and revamped older ones
Mil lard

Interesting pop-up design. Appears the pop-up is inset from the sidewalls. At least the front and rear. Be curious to see more on how that works.

More pics here - www.millardrv.com.au/slide-ons

Awesome! (as usual).

Thanks for posting.