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Caravan review: Safari Delta 21

John Ford checked out the Safari Delta and discovered a luxurious van without the weight to match

Not everyone wants a loud and dirty offroader, even if they plan to travel far. Plenty of travelling couples instead embrace the comforts of a well-equipped caravan park, as can be witnessed in the many popular venues along the North Queensland coast in winter. 

The annual migration to anywhere warmer than Noosa sees thousands of colder climate couples pack the van and hit the road, and although much of the Bruce Highway is pretty rough, you don't need an offroad van to handle the trip.

Safari vans are produced in Melbourne but have enjoyed an exclusive partnership with Trounce Caravans in Ballarat for more than 15 years. Trounce Caravans is a family run business with two brothers at the helm, and according to marketing manager Kris Bird, the Delta 21 with club lounge has been the most popular model in the range over the last 12 months, thanks to couples wanting a van that can handle extended times away while enjoying plenty of room and comfort.

THE EXTERIOR

Smooth composite panelling along the sides has the contemporary appeal that is so well accepted because it looks great and has better thermal properties than raised profile aluminium. The disadvantage is that the composite material is around 80kg heavier than the thinner aluminium strips in a van of this size. Still, it's also more hail and damage resistant, and in the whirl of swings and roundabouts, it generally comes out on top. 

The composite continues over both ends, and a high panel of checkerplate all the way round is probably more for show than protection. Graphics of distressed wheel tracks set in dark panels of stylised carbon fibre along the sides and across the back break up the large areas of white but might be a little incongruous on a touring van.

I noticed in the yard that none of the Safari vans on display had either a front window or front boot, and this is a deliberate decision for two reasons. Firstly, these are notoriously difficult to seal against water ingress, and secondly, the front boot takes precious internal space. So instead, a tunnel boot runs under the bed and offers plenty of functional storage.

A 50mm AL-KO ball hitch connects to the tow vehicle, and two 9kg gas bottles sit high on the A-frame. Underneath is an FP ladder-style chassis from 150 x 50mm Australian steel with a Duragal treatment. The suspension is Simplicity load sharing tandem leaf springs rated to 3200kg, and while the system is mainly directed to main road travel, it will handle some rougher ground as long as you drive to the conditions — in other words, keep your speed down. 

Brakes are 10in drums at all axles, and wheels are smart looking 15in black spoked alloys shod with road tyres. 

Along the passenger side is a locking fold-down picnic table with the standard 12V TV and 240V outlets, while overhead are two bright LED lights. A single spare sits on a three-arm bar at the back, and a safety Dave rear view camera is standard.

THE INTERIOR

I really like the interior design of the Safari, where the timber features blend with satin finishes for a very welcoming feel. It was only 10 or so years back that the industry moved away from the traditional build of wood to a mix of bright joinery. The current trend seems to be going back to timber highlights, and it’s a real winner for me.

The rear door layout places the bed in the most popular place — up front and away from the entry. A full-width ensuite runs across the back, leaving the central space as a roomy relaxing and dining area. The review version of the Safari Delta 21 has a club lounge along the passenger side and the kitchen opposite. 

Walls and ceiling are finished in white, while dark grey cabinets and upholstery along with white cupboard faces add to the modern theme. The joinery is neatly finished, and built in lightweight ply and includes piano hinges, sturdy metal drawer runners and positive lock catches.

Because the van is longer than usual, it has enough length to include a roomy club or U-shaped lounge, which is big enough to comfortably seat five when extras call around for a drink, or for a couple to spread out when watching TV. 

An optional ‘Black Pack’ consists of black sink and tap wear in both the kitchen and bathroom as well as a black tinted door at the shower. It also provides for the face of the 190L three-way fridge, although Kris tells me it’s the only colour available at present from Dometic, so all vans have a black fridge. 

The bathroom has plenty of room to move and has a crisp feeling and good ventilation from overhead fans. A 3kg washer sits under the timber vanity.

Included in the kitchen is a gas/electric cooktop with grill. Bench space is limited, but the cover over the stove adds to the preparation area as usual. Storage, however, is excellent with a floor-to-ceiling pantry next to the fridge and lots of room in overhead cupboards. 

The north-south bed has easy access from each side and the standard features of side and overhead storage. Storage underneath is shared with the tunnel boot but leaves enough room for extra bedding and so on.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

While not a dedicated bush camper, there is enough water and power to stay off-grid when you want to. The fridge and hot water run on gas, and a 160W solar panel charges a single 120Ah battery for enough power to run lights and the TV for days. 

Charging is through a solar charger and the excellent (and Aussie-made) BMPro Genius 30-35 battery management system. All the electronics are beautifully installed in an overhead cupboard and include water tank gauges and a sound/DVD system. 

An added advantage of this onboard technology is that you can save a few dollars because you don't really need a powered site in a caravan park — as long as you don’t have to have the Ibis 4 air conditioner running, that is.

Weighing in with a tare of 2370kg and an ATM of 3200kg, the maximum payload is a generous 830kg — even with full gas and water tanks, you have around 600kg left to load the van. But reduce the amount of cargo, and you could keep the weight under 3t and make the van legal for several mid-size tow vehicles. 

For our review, we hitched to a Jeep Cherokee with a 3L V6 turbodiesel. Before heading to Lake Burrumbeet, we had a run down the motorway at the legal 110km/h with the Delta sitting smoothly behind. The van was just as impressive along country roads and the dirt tracks around the lake, where it towed silently and smoothly without any vices.

Every van is weighed when it arrives at the dealership, so you know its plated weight is correct once any accessories are fitted. The Safari range all comes with a three-year manufacturer warranty, and by all accounts, the Trounce team has a decent reputation for fixing any issues.

The standout feature of the Delta 21 is the roomy club lounge. It adds a level of comfort and homeliness for couples wanting to spend lengthy time travelling or camped up in the van.

Price is $65,490, including the $1000 optional Black Pack. That’s good value in today’s market for a van of this size and level of quality. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that, like every manufacturer at present, build times have blown out for months ahead. 

The Delta 21 will suit couples who like the idea of a van with room to move but without the weight of a big offroader. It will be most at home in caravan parks but will follow you into most coastal national parks without complaint as long as you drive to the conditions. 

DON'T BLOW A FUSE

I noticed on the BMPro battery management system that only the fuse for the television was marked. When I asked Kris why this was so, he said it was the only circuit that gave trouble. Owners like to disconnect the television when travelling, so it doesn't swing around and damage the van or the unit itself. He reckons that many owners in all brands will experience blown fuses with their NCE television, which is common in many vans. The base of the panel for the various plugs is metal, and if you plug the 12V lead into its socket but miss and hit the base plate, you will short out the TV and blow a fuse. You can solve this by being more careful, of course, but more practically, by never plugging the fuse in after travel when the power is connected. The fix is simple, and it's a wonder other dealers haven't noticed the issue.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

External length 8.3m (27ft 3in) 

External Body length 6.4m (21ft)

External width  2.5m (8ft 2in)

Internal height 2.3m (7ft 8in)

Travel height 2.9m (9ft 6in)

Tare 2370kg         

ATM 3200kg         

Ball weight 170kg

Frame Meranti timber

Cladding Aluminum composite

Chassis FP Chassis

Suspension Rocker/Roller    

Brakes 10in Electric

Wheels/tyres 15in Offroad (all terrain tread)    

Battery 120Ah AGM    

Solar 160W monocrystalline panel    

Air-conditioner Ibis 4    

Gas Twin 9kg    

Sway control Optional AL-KO, Dexter or lipert

Cooking 3 gas/1 elect cooktop     

Fridge 190L Dometic 3-way (compressor available at no cost)

Microwave Yes    

Toilet Thetford ceramic bowl     

Shower Yes    

Lighting LED lighting through-out     

Hot water Swift gas/electric    

PRICE FROM  $64,490

OPTIONS FITTED Black pack $1000 

PRICE AS TESTED  $65,490 drive away

MORE INFORMATION

Trounce Caravans

9439 Western Fwy, Warrenhelp VIC 3352

Ph: (03) 5334 8194

E: [email protected]

W: trouncecaravans.com.au

Most reviews you see in caravan magazines are written after a very quick test drive and perhaps a couple of nights camping. They're fine for getting an idea of what a caravan is like upfront, but they can't give you an idea of what a van will be like long-term. So in a break from the norm, we will give you our warts and all assessment of our four-year-old, well-travelled Roadstar Safari Tamer off-road caravan.

The Safari Tamer was the result of Roadstar’s owner, Ken Nizam's, desire to redesign his range of caravans and bring them into the 20th century. Roadstar had always enjoyed an excellent reputation for quality and durability, but to compete in the modern age, it needed a refresh. The Safari Tamer was the flagship model, and it was an immediate success, winning several accolades over the years.

After four years, 50,000km, 18 months full-time on the road and crossing some of the country roughest tracks, has the Roadstar Safari Tamer lived up to its name?

ABOVE  The Roadstar Caravans Owners Group are a fantastic bunch of people // BELOW Heading back from the Cape about to cross the Jardine River

ROADSTAR AROUND AUSTRALIA REVIEW

WORDS AND IMAGES MARTY LEDWICH

REVIEW Roadstar Safari Tamer: Owner review

Introducing the latest in a long line of great Goodyear Wrangler tyres. Good looking with its urban cross-over design, the Wrangler AT SilentTrac is remarkably quiet and comfortable for your everyday commute, but tough and dependable with high levels of grip for when you’re off-road. 

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME (AND GO) The Safari Tamer is a true off-road caravan. Built on an extremely rugged six-inch galvanised chassis that incorporates rear bump stops and heavy-duty recovery points. The underpinnings are solid and up to the task. The suspension is the proven Cruisemaster XT coil springs with dual shock absorbers all riding on Cooper Discoverer 16in All-Terrain tyres, and the tow hitch is the dependable DO35 also from Cruisemaster. Our Safari Tamer was the first to roll out of the factory with an aluminium frame.

Inside, the Safari Tamer is pure luxury. CNC finished ply cabinetry looks good, and it won’t (it hasn’t) fall apart on the rough roads. It's a very clever design that uses the available space to great advantage. With soft-close drawer runners, a stylish splashback in the kitchen, leather seating, large windows and storage galore, the interior is purposeful yet very pleasant. You can sit inside this van for hours on end in complete comfort.

ABOVE   Ours was the first to have an aluminium frame // BELOW The Vehicle Components suspension has thrived in the absolute worst conditions

“Our Safari Tamer was the first to roll out of the factory with an aluminium frame”

SO HOW DOES IT FUNCTION? On the road, the clever storage design, solid chassis and running gear all combine to deliver excellent towing characteristics. The big van just sits behind our Cruiser steady and true regardless of the conditions. It’s totally stable at highway speeds and, on rough tracks, it seems to beat the bumps and corrugations into submission.

All this good stuff would be pretty useless if it didn’t function as a living space and this is where the Safari Tamer excels. There are myriad little touches here and there that just go to make the van a pleasure to live in. For example, there are so many power points and lights throughout the van, we’re never left wanting for our electrical needs. The ensuite design is the best we’ve ever seen in any van, with loads of storage, a 3kg top-load washing machine and a generous shower. Again, it’s a brilliant use of the available space.

Outside, the storage options continue with a large toolbox on the drawbar that includes a dedicated section for a generator on a slide-out as well as two jerry cans. There’s a full-width tunnel boot that’s gal-lined while, at the rear of the van, there's a huge storage cupboard that extends the full height and almost half the width of the van. It’s fantastic for storing items such as chairs, tables, fishing rods, all those items you need easy access to every day.

ABOVE   The full queen size bed is super comfortable // BELOW The kitchen features heaps of storage as well as a full oven

BELOW We’ve not had a single water leak in the Safari Tamer. Storms don’t worry us a bit

IF WE COULD CHANGE ANYTHING – WE DID As good as the Safari Tamer is, we have made a few modifications to better suit our needs. We replaced the standard jockey wheel with a BOS 370 unit (Click here to read the review) that is operated by a battery drill. It can be left in place on the drawbar, doing away with the hassle of removing and refitting the supplied jockey wheel at every stop. We also fitted the BOS stabiliser legs, which can jack up the sides of the van with sufficient height to change a tyre. Doing this meant we could do away with the Trail-A-Mate jack which weighed almost 30kg on its own.

ABOVE  The toolbox on the A-frame holds all the filthy gear // BELOW The ensuite is one of the best layouts we’ve seen

ABOVE  Plenty of storage in the linen press // BELOW Algebuckina Bridge on the Oodnadatta Track

We live in our van, so our whole life is contained in it and, because of that, weight is a huge issue for us. The van came with 600kg of cargo capacity, but we needed more. We removed the two AGM batteries and fitted a single 200ah ProPower lithium battery. We also removed the scrub bars from the underside of the van. We couldn’t envisage a situation where we’d encounter sufficiently difficult terrain that these would be necessary. These changes alone scrounged us another 90kg.

DEFINING THE TERM OFF-ROAD As I mentioned earlier, the Safari Tamer is a dedicated off-road van, and we have certainly put that claim to the test. In the last 12 months, we’ve towed the van across the Plenty Highway, up the Peninsula Development Road to Cape York, across the Great Central Road and finally along the Oodnadatta Track. That’s a lot of rough dirt roads and the Safari Tamer has stood up to it all with barely a fuss. We broke one of the hinges on the shower door and damaged the doorstep beyond repair. But that’s it, everything else has held together. Not a single cupboard has come loose, the microwave oven has stayed in place, and all the appliances have worked as well as they did from day one.

One major complaint with many so-called off-road caravans is dust ingress. We’ve had no such issue, only finding a very small amount of dust had squeezed in through a gap in one of the plumbing entry points under the van following a particularly bad section of bulldust along the Plenty Highway, and it has not been an issue since.

ABOVE  Despite the harsh conditions we’ve not had a single puncture // BELOW The beginning of the Great Central Road in WA

ABOVE  With plenty of solar and battery capacity we can camp off-grid for a week or more // BELOW Getting dirty on the Peninsula Development Road Cape York

Underneath, the Safari Tamer’s vital components are relatively well protected. The water tanks are all shielded from stones by galvanised guards. The plumbing is tucked away reasonably well as are all the electrical cables. Just to be sure we still put extra protection over all cables, hoses and pipes.

The Safari Tamer was supplied with two spare tyres on the rear bumper. In hindsight, this was probably overkill. We haven’t experienced a single puncture in the whole time we’ve had the van. We've also had no issues with worn bearings or broken stub axles. We’re very careful with tyre pressures but, even so, this is a testament to the Cooper tyres and the Cruisemaster suspension on the van.

ANYTHING TO ADD, OR TAKE AWAY? If we were to change anything on the Safari Tamer it would be minimal but, with weight being such a huge issue, there’s room for improvement. The shower door in the ensuite is glass and, while it’s beautiful and easy to keep clean, it’s heavy and unnecessary. A perspex door would be much lighter and less strain on the hinges.

ABOVE  The three water tanks are well protected from stone damage // BELOW There’s heaps of bench space in the clever offset kitchen

ABOVE  We love the huge capacity and reliability of the Vitrifrigo compressor fridge // BELOW Bunda Cliffs on the Great Australian Bight

The Safari Tamer comes standard with three 90-litre water tanks. One is plumbed separately to the other two as a dedicated drinking water supply. It's a good idea but in practice, we've never needed that much potable water.

One feature that we have really appreciated is the Vitrifrigo 12V compressor fridge/freezer. At 240-litres capacity, its got ample room for a few weeks food supply and it has never let us down even in the hottest and most humid weather. It is worth noting these fridges do require periodic defrosting if being used for extended periods, particularly in humid conditions.

VERDICT We've been extremely impressed with our Roadstar Safari Tamer. It has performed well beyond our expectations and has proven to be a comfortable luxury apartment that can traverse all terrains with ease. Yes, it’s a heavy van - most good off-road vans are - but that weight does translate into the strength needed to survive the very worst conditions this country can throw at it.

If you’re in the market for a luxury, off-road caravan, the Roadstar Safari Tamer should be on your shopping list. Available in sizes from 18ft to 22ft (see specs) and built with either Durabond or composite construction (marketed as the Sirius), it's a thoroughly modern van for a life off the road.

PROS • Construction Strength • Interior build and comfort • Standard gear

CONS • It’s heavy • Glass shower door is overkill • As usual, too many keys!

SPECS (from Roadstar) Interior Length: 5640mm Interior Width: 2250mm Interior Height:  1940mm Exterior Overall Length: 8240mm Exterior Overall Width:  2500mm Exterior Overall Height: 3000mm Average Ball Weight: 220kg Average Tare Weight:  2700kg Average ATM: 3300kg Price: As bought $110,000 as configured

More info: roadstar.com.au

ABOVE Seisia Camp Ground in Cape York was worth every corrugation to get there

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Made in Stroud: a brief history of the Safari caravan

Much-loved hair salon set to close as owner retires after 42 years

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From the 1940s to the early 80s Stroud was home to one of the country’s premier caravan manufacturers, Safari. The company was founded in 1946 by Jim Pearman and operated from a workshop in Cainscross where the Co-op store now stands.

In the early days the company produced just one model, the Minor, a nine-foot two-berth caravan. The company moved from Cainscross to Bowbridge in around 1957 or 58, to a 23,000 square-foot site at the former Eagle Brewery (behind the British Oak pub on London Road), as former employee Mike Lane recalls: “I started there in December 1958 and the company hadn’t been there very long.

“I worked as a polisher – it was the best place I ever worked – we had fun, they were a good bunch of lads and we earned good money, too.”

Safari caravans earned a reputation as a quality product, and the hand-made construction was carried out to a high standard. The interiors were made by skilled craftsmen: “Fittings were built on solid oak frames and doors were either oak veneer on plywood or solid oak,” said Mike.

Brian Miller, who runs the Classic Safari Caravans group on Facebook, which has 990 members, said: “They are great caravans, always in the top three of British caravan manufacturers.

“At their height they employed 40 staff and were producing seven caravans a week. It’s the only classic caravan with real style – the distinctive mollycroft roof design – the raised section – started in early railway carriages and carried on to showmen’s caravans. Safari was the last manufacturer to use that style.”

“They were the best in the world,” said Mike, “The 17/S model, a 17-foot four-berth caravan, is the ‘Rolls-Royce’. It was the most expensive (it cost £8,129 in 1982) and had an end bedroom. It had thick carpet, good upholstery – all top-notch stuff.

“Safari was all coach built, so it was twice the price of a Bailey caravan.”

However, the industry was changing and by the 1960s and 70s many smaller makers were being bought out. “Sprite started buying lots of independent manufacturers,” said Brian.

“A company called Cosalt bought Safari in 1968 for an estimated £180,000 and production continued in Stroud until 1982 when operations were moved to Grimsby. By 1985 all the traditional manufacturers had been taken over by big operations.”

It’s estimated 6,000 Safari caravans were produced between 1948 and 1982. The classic Safari design was replaced in 1981 by the XL range, a Safari in name only. The last caravan to carry the Safari name was launched in 1985, built on the lines of an Abbey Executive caravan.

The Eagle Mill Close housing development was built on the site of the factory in the 1990s, and there are now very few clues it ever stood there.

There is still a solid fan base for Safari caravans: “I’d suggest around 500 still exist,” said Brian, who compiles a register of the serial numbers of existing Safaris. “There are a couple in Australia, exported by English owners, and also caravans in New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Sweden, Belgium and Holland.”

Until the pandemic struck there were regular classic caravan shows around the country, and also mainland Europe, with Safari caravans featuring prominently.

Brian’s Facebook group provides advice and support for owners, as well as a wealth of historical information about Safari, and the number still used and loved by their owners is testament to the quality of the caravans, the youngest of which is fast approaching middle age.

See how a 1970s Safari is being lovingly restored: stroudtimes.com/video-restoring-an-iconic-stroud-design

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Do Your Research – Which Caravans to Avoid

Thinking of buying a caravan ?

Shopping around for one can be an exciting venture. However, a caravan purchase can be a major expense, so make sure you hold your horses and keep a level head. After all, caravans are essentially handmade, though not in the magnificent bespoke way.

What this means is that since the caravan industry is self-certifying , anyone with the cash to buy parts and accessories from their suppliers can start a “company” and assemble a couple of units for sale. This is why it’s so important to do your own quality checks.

Luckily, professional caravan dealerships with a long history of providing an honest, reliable and friendly service such as Lewis RV can guide you through the buying process with certainty. Whether purchasing a new caravan or used caravan , Lewis RV conducts full safety and structure checks before placing the caravan on the market.

To help you choose which caravan to buy and avoid buyer’s remorse, here’s a list of issues you need to be on the lookout for before buying.

Deciding which caravans to avoid

Conducting research is essential in learning as much as you can about a caravan model or the make you’re interested in. Check for common caravan issues , problems, criticisms or reviews regarding the brand and model you’re after.

Make sure you read all the comments carefully so you can discern which customers are being unnecessarily fussy or exaggerated. Take note of comments from people who appear to have genuine concerns, too.

Ask around.

Talk to family and friends who own caravans. If you happen to have a van and also hang around caravan parks , talk to caravan owners and listen to what they have to say about the particular brand they chose.

Purchasing from reputable brands such as Crusader Caravans will ensure your caravan is ready for the harsh Australian climate. Built with an understanding of our country roads and rough terrain, Crusader place pride in providing the ideal caravan for any lifestyle.

Ask questions at local caravan shows

Caravan & Camping shows are a great place to check out the different vans you’re interested in, all in one place. It doesn’t matter if it’s a show or you’re at a dealer’s yard, just make sure you examine important details such as the chassis construction, as well as the body fit and finish.

If you spot anything amiss such as cabinet doors that don’t shut tight and open smoothly, cheap chipboard benchtops, thin steel in the chassis or anything else that’s a deal-breaker, think twice about the caravan you’re considering. Make sure you check more than one unit of the same model and brand. This way, you’ll find out if the problems are isolated or come with every single caravan. Look for features such as Australian milled steel, piano hinges to doors and real timber ply in benchtops.

Caravan shows are also a great place to ask caravan dealers and manufacturers questions . This allows you to get all the important worries out and feel assured with your purchase. It’s also the perfect place to meet other caravan enthusiasts and ask them for recommendations on which caravans to avoid.

One more thing, caravan dealers and manufacturers such as Crusader Caravans sometimes offer special deals during caravan shows. This is a great time to pick up a special on a brand new caravan which can often include discounts or bonus caravan accessories . Seek out a sales team with sound product knowledge of their models.

Avoid caravans that can’t handle heavy loads

No matter how nice everything looks and how great the price is, you shouldn’t be buying a caravan that your tow vehicle can’t efficiently and legally tow.

The van’s aggregate trailer mass (ATM) must not exceed the maximum towing capacity of the tow vehicle. So, even if you have no intention of loading up a caravan to maximum capacity, it helps to know that you can when you have to without breaking the law.

These days, the tow ball mass (TBM) when unloaded (tare weight) is usually included in caravan compliance or identification plates . But since it’s hard to estimate how much the weight will increase when the van is loaded, you need to make sure the total weight is not in any way close to the tow vehicle’s maximum permitted TBM.

You also need to take note of the caravan payload.

For example, you should calculate how two full 90-litre water tanks and two gas bottles impact your payload. Reputable manufacturers such as Crusader will allow for the anticipated gas, water, fridge, BBQ, tools, etc. that a customer will add to the van, so Crusader Caravans have a generous payload allowance included in the ATM.

Remember that whatever add-ons you make after the van is built need to be subtracted from the payload, as well. This includes extra gas bottles, extra batteries, spare tyres, etc.

Avoid caravans with unclear warranty terms

After conducting your research and settling all other matters, it’s finally time to select your top finalists. But how do you choose from among these?

Ask to see the full warranty document to know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. Take note of the terms of use. If you plan to purchase an off-road caravan, find out what constitutes off-road use.

A few questions to ask include:

• What happens when certain components or parts are damaged when you drive on rough roads?
• Are appliances and accessories covered by the caravan manufacturer?
• Under what circumstances would you not get a replacement or refund for certain parts, appliances or accessories?

Once you’ve made a choice, it’s critical to read the contract carefully and thoroughly. Ask questions and clarify anything that’s unclear or ambiguous. If there’s anything you disagree with or find unreasonable, discuss it with the dealer .

Avoid lemon caravans with a reputable dealership

Shopping around for the caravan of your dreams can be exciting, but make sure to keep a cool head and dig deep to know which caravans to avoid. Don’t rush into anything and take your time to study different models and makes. Understand the fine print and conduct due diligence.

Of course, there’s an easier way to go about caravan shopping.

Crusader Caravans are always a good choice. Made from high-quality materials and built by professionals, you can count on easily addressing all the aforementioned issues with Crusader Caravans.

Choose a dealership you feel comfortable with, offering great aftersales services for your caravan.

What are you waiting for? Get in touch with us and soon, you’ll be on your way to an adventure of a lifetime .

Yes, you can buy lemon caravans from some dealers and it's important to be aware that not all dealers are reputable. There have been cases of people being sold lemons disguised as perfectly good caravans on the outside. So, if you're thinking of buying a caravan from a dealer, be sure to do your research first and make sure they're reputable. Otherwise, you might end up with a lemon! Caravan dealers must be licensed to buy and sell caravans and they must abide by the regulations of their license.

There is no single answer to this question as different people have different opinions on what makes a caravan reliable. Some people might say that the most reliable caravans are those that are made by well-established brands with a reputation for quality, while others might argue that smaller, more independent manufacturers offer more innovative and reliable products. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what they value in a caravan and select the option that best suits their needs. Ask if the caravan brand is RVMAP accredited, whether they are owned and built in Australia and if they have been designed for Australian travel conditions.

In Australia, you are protected by Australian Consumer Law. This essentially means the caravan you purchase needs to be safe and fit for purpose. Second hand caravans may have some faults due to previous use, so check that they are nothing which will impact your use of the caravan before you buy becasue used caravans do not usually have any warranty from the dealership included, If you discover that your caravan has a major fault preventing it from being used the dealer you purchased the van from would be your first port of call. If they refuse to assist, your only option left may be contact Consumer Protection over the matter. Unfortunately, this difficult process highlights how important it is to do thorough research to avoid buying a lemon caravan.

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Hit the open road.

New to caravanning or an experienced traveller, you’ll find everything you need at Lewis RV. Contact us today for sales, spares and accessories, maintenance, installations, servicing and more.

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Safari Caravans

Address: 1924 Hume Highway,Campbellfield Victoria 3061

At Safari Caravans, we are dedicated to providing quality built caravans at great prices. Our caravans are built to a high standard and specification. All Safari caravans are RVMAA approved and only the best appliances and materials go into the construction of our caravans. Once you step inside one of our caravans you will be impressed. With over 20 years experience we have been building Safari caravans since 2008, and with hard work and dedication to the RV industry have built up a reputation for excellent service to our large client base. We have delighted customers from all over Australia, look for one of our wheel covers on one of our many caravans out there and ask the owner about their caravan.

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Being sick never feels nice. Imagine asking for help in this state while being in a foreign country…You would need to strain your memory while struggling to remember any Russian words or phrases. Speaking a foreign language alone is stressful enough, add to this a state of being sick and you’ll find yourself completely frustrated. But what if you could speak Russian without stress, automatically and effortlessly? I’m not suggesting you to buy some super awesome course that will make you learn Russian in 7 days. In fact, I’m not suggesting you to buy anything at all :) I simply want to show you a few effective learning techniques that will help you overcome your language barrier. So, just let me know if you’re interested in joining the effective language learners community ;)

  What do you tell a taxi driver, how do you use one of Russia’s minivan taxis and how far does a “one-ride” ticket in the metro take you? Find these great tips in our article  Navigating In Russian Cities .  We’ll make sure you never get lost in Russia!

If you do want to try out your luck with approaching “busy people of the capital”, you might want to consider being at least a bit prepared for it, i.e. in case you don’t want to be shoved away on the spot, you might need a few handy phrases to start off a conversation and grab local’s attention by saying something in Russian. But you should also be ready for a rather fast and at some point harsh answer. The good news is that there’s a way to be prepared for such situations. And I can show you how.

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Moscow, like other international urban areas , is decentralizing, despite considerable barriers. The expansion will lead to even more decentralization, which is likely to lead to less time "stuck in traffic" and more comfortable lifestyles. Let's hope that Russia's urban development policies, along with its plans to restore population growth, will lead to higher household incomes and much improved economic performance.

Wendell Cox is a Visiting Professor, Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers, Paris and the author of “ War on the Dream: How Anti-Sprawl Policy Threatens the Quality of Life ”

Note 1: The 23 ward (ku) area of Tokyo is the geography of the former city of Tokyo, which was abolished in the 1940s. There is considerable confusion about the geography of Tokyo. For example, the 23 ward area is a part of the prefecture of Tokyo, which is also called the Tokyo Metropolis, which has led some analysts to think of it as the Tokyo metropolitan area (labor market area). In fact, the Tokyo metropolitan area, variously defined, includes, at a minimum the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama with some municipalities in Gunma, Ibaraki and Tochigi. The metropolitan area contains nearly three times the population of the "Tokyo Metropolis."

Note 2: The expansion area (556 square miles or 1,440 square kilometers) has a current population of 250,000.

Note 3: Includes all residents in suburban districts with at least part of their population in the urban area.

Note 4: Urban area data not yet available.

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Road in city area.

The roads and ways of the city areas are very clumsy and many accidents are happening due to the short road. But you need to maintain the driving properly otherwise you may face accident. So now the government decided to expand the road which may put the positive effect on automobile sector. I think it is a helpful service for the society people. If you have a BMW car and you have faced any problem then better to repair it at BMW Repair Spring, TX for the best service.

Transit & transportation

Transit and transportation services are quite impressive in most of the urban cities; therefore people were getting better benefits from suitable transportation service. Urban cities like Moscow, Washington, New York and Tokyo; we have found high margin of transportation system that helps to build a better communication network in these cities. I hope through the help of modern transportation system we are able to bring revolutionary change in automobile industries; in this above article we have also found the same concepts to develop transportation system. Mercedes repair in Torrance

Moscow is bursting Noblesse

Moscow is bursting Noblesse at the seams. The core city covers more than 420 square miles (1,090 kilometers), and has a population of approximately 11.5 million people. With 27,300 residents per square mile (10,500 per square kilometer), Moscow is one percent more dense than the bleach anime watch city of New York, though Moscow covers 30 percent more land. The 23 ward area of Tokyo (see Note) is at least a third more dense, though Moscow's land area is at least half again as large as Tokyo. All three core areas rely

Belgravia Villas is a new

Belgravia Villas is a new and upcoming cluster housing located in the Ang Mo Kio area, nested right in the Ang Mo Kio landed area. It is within a short drive to Little India, Orchard and city area. With expected completion in mid 2016, it comprises of 118 units in total with 100 units of terrace and 18 units of Semi-D. belgravia villas

Russians seeing the light while Western elites are bickering?

What an extremely interesting analysis - well done, Wendell.

It is also extremely interesting that the Russian leadership is reasonably pragmatic about urban form, in contrast to the "planners" of the post-rational West.

An acquaintance recently sent me an article from "The New Yorker", re Moscow's traffic problems.

The article "abstract" is HERE (but access to the full article requires subscription)

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/02/100802fa_fact_gessen

One classic quote worth taking from it, is: "People will endure all manner of humiliation to keep driving".

I do find it odd that the "New Yorker" article author says nothing at all about the rail transit system Moscow had, on which everyone was obliged to travel, under Communism. It can't surely have vaporised into thin air?

Moscow is a classic illustration of just how outmoded rails are, and how important "automobility" is, when the auto supplants rails so rapidly than even when everybody did travel on rails up to a certain date, and the road network dates to that era, when nobody was allowed to own a car; an article written just 2 decades later does not even mention the rail transit system, other than to criticise the mayor for "failing to invest in a transit system".......!!!!!!!!

This is also a give-away of "The New Yorker's" inability to shake off the modern PC ideology on rails vs cars.

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