Not only Australian Caravans but South African built here

[RobertRyan]

It is a real smorgasbord board., here. We also have Baily the British manufacturer building " Australianized" version of their European Caravans
Anyway this is a Jurgen's South African Caravan that has been " Australianized " as well



Bailey Caravans, best of British

[RobertRyan]

rbpru wrote:
If you do not like slides don't buy one. I would not own a TT without one.

Neither would the majority of other buyer based on percentage of sales.

The RV market has whatever level of quality you are willing to pay for.

Depends on where you are from . European Caravan makers tried slides, but customers were indifferent. Here they like slides, but some makers do not offer them or if they do they make up a small proportion of the Range

[RobertRyan]

RobertRyan wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
Australian " Winnebago" owned and manufactured by Apollo built in Australia

That is a well appointed camper. I looked at the Burke C. Very close in layout and weights to our Dart. Definitely an upgrade as far as interior and exterior.
I was curious as to the construction of the composite panels. Are they plywood and styrofoam sandwiched panels?
The advertised tongue (ball) weight was only 7% of the tare. Sounds like the European design for axle placementThe weight police over here would have apoplexy with that.
And a galvanized frame. And a washer/dryer.
But it’s on special for 58,000 Aus$. That is Airstream territory over here, which is too bad. If it was, say 30,000 $US, I would be very tempted. And I would even take it with the door on the wrong side.

They are more a run of the mill unit here. Apollo builds a lot of rental Motorhomes witb different branding

Just to add not much relevance to European practice,our conditions pretty different

[rbpru]

If you do not like slides don't buy one. I would not own a TT without one.

Neither would the majority of other buyer based on percentage of sales.

The RV market has whatever level of quality you are willing to pay for.

[Damdifino]

SidecarFlip wrote:
What amazes me is the build quality compared to the 'junk' domestic builder turn out. I'd love to 'import' one of those units to the states. Bet it wouldn't leak or the appliances fail in a couple years time.

Never been enamored with 'slides' anyway. Never had a unit with them. I look at slides as one, a source of leakage and two, just another mechanically operated low buck build thing to fail at some point, probably at the worst time.

And three, significant extra weight.

[RobertRyan]

GrandpaKip wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
Australian " Winnebago" owned and manufactured by Apollo built in Australia

That is a well appointed camper. I looked at the Burke C. Very close in layout and weights to our Dart. Definitely an upgrade as far as interior and exterior.
I was curious as to the construction of the composite panels. Are they plywood and styrofoam sandwiched panels?
The advertised tongue (ball) weight was only 7% of the tare. Sounds like the European design for axle placement. The weight police over here would have apoplexy with that.
And a galvanized frame. And a washer/dryer.
But it’s on special for 58,000 Aus$. That is Airstream territory over here, which is too bad. If it was, say 30,000 $US, I would be very tempted. And I would even take it with the door on the wrong side.

They are more a run of the mill unit here. Apollo builds a lot of rental Motorhomes witb different branding

[GrandpaKip]

RobertRyan wrote:
Australian " Winnebago" owned and manufactured by Apollo built in Australia

That is a well appointed camper. I looked at the Burke C. Very close in layout and weights to our Dart. Definitely an upgrade as far as interior and exterior.
I was curious as to the construction of the composite panels. Are they plywood and styrofoam sandwiched panels?
The advertised tongue (ball) weight was only 7% of the tare. Sounds like the European design for axle placement. The weight police over here would have apoplexy with that.
And a galvanized frame. And a washer/dryer.
But it’s on special for 58,000 Aus$. That is Airstream territory over here, which is too bad. If it was, say 30,000 $US, I would be very tempted. And I would even take it with the door on the wrong side.

[rbpru]

For a meager $45,000 they ought to sell 10s of them.

I always say, I you want quality, stop complaining and shell out the bucks.

Personally I think the so called "euro" look reminds me of the current "Retro" look, or my moms 1950 kitchen.

To each his own.

[RobertRyan]

Australian " Winnebago" owned and manufactured by Apollo built in Australia

[RobertRyan]

Sidecarflip,
Some of these shiny ones have minor faults as they are all hand built but are light years in .presentation and finish compared to the US trailers. The large corporation (Apollo)that brought in a dozen Winnebago Minnie Winnies to trial peoples reactions. Eventually ended up giving 6 to charities as Mobile Offices as they could not sell six. :R
Anyway the company is making it's own "Winnebagos"

[SidecarFlip]

GrandpaKip wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
What amazes me is the build quality compared to the 'junk' domestic builder turn out. I'd love to 'import' one of those units to the states. Bet it wouldn't leak or the appliances fail in a couple years time.

Never been enamored with 'slides' anyway. Never had a unit with them. I look at slides as one, a source of leakage and two, just another mechanically operated low buck build thing to fail at some point, probably at the worst time.

A Jurgens 21’ caravan starts at 62,000 $Aus., about 45,000 $US. Don’t think that would do well over here. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the look of those interiors.
Without maintenance, I bet they will eventually leak just like any other camper.
For the extra 30k, I could have the best appliances.
The biggest thing though, the door is still on the wrong side.

Bet if your ordered one the door could be on the 'right' side...lol

I think they would do well, once buyers realized that quality demands a price.

Have a good friend with a Prevost ans it's top shelf quality through and through and at 1.5 it should be. Thing has a real marble bathroom in it. No plastic faucets either.

Not sure you could have the 'best' appliance in a domestic RV for any price, they get built even special order with the least expensive appliances available, right down to the plastic water faucets.

Any RV will leak if not maintained and that is the key with a large percentage of RV owners here. They don't have a clue about maintaining seal integrity, or even simple tasks like properly winterizing (as is witnessed on the site numerous times).

Myself, I keep my RV inside my barn unless we are using it. It's always inside summer and winter. Last one we had got the same treatment and after 18 years it still looked new and I got a good chunk of change for it when I sold it 2 years ago,

In my view (from what I see on this thread, the 'Caravans' from Oz are a cut above what is produced here.

Just my view. Could be wrong, have been before.

[RobertRyan]

Jurgens Caravan Torture Test
Video about caravan field testing
Proving Ground Torture Test
Proving ground torture test

[goducks10]

I bet it would do very well. A 21' Airstream is way more than $45K. Last I read AS is working OT to keep up with demand. It would probably cost more here though since all the good stuff in/on it would need to be imported. And switching the door to the other side would be an issue with design.

[GrandpaKip]

SidecarFlip wrote:
What amazes me is the build quality compared to the 'junk' domestic builder turn out. I'd love to 'import' one of those units to the states. Bet it wouldn't leak or the appliances fail in a couple years time.

Never been enamored with 'slides' anyway. Never had a unit with them. I look at slides as one, a source of leakage and two, just another mechanically operated low buck build thing to fail at some point, probably at the worst time.

A Jurgens 21’ caravan starts at 62,000 $Aus., about 45,000 $US. Don’t think that would do well over here. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the look of those interiors.
Without maintenance, I bet they will eventually leak just like any other camper.
For the extra 30k, I could have the best appliances.
The biggest thing though, the door is still on the wrong side.

[lots2seeinmyrv]

Love it. No slides. Like that kitchen table and the layout.