Friday, Oct 06, 2006 at 17:47
John,
It would be just bad luck if there was not finished ones here to look at. There are usually 2 or 3 ready waiting for Delivery. Sometimes there is a rush of Deliveries of 3 or 4 in one week that will clean us out of finished vans and then there are only the ones in the Production Line, but that is relatively rare.
As to weights, we are about at the middle of the pack of so called off-road caravans. Some weigh more. As to cost, the recent people that have shown me prices of the so called opposition, shows that we are on the cheaper end right now... We have no real competitors if anyone takes the time to see the quality of how they are built, even in the detail of the finish. But on the loaded weight, since most of our Owners are really out there doing it, they sometimes pack too much on board. We cannot regulate how much people pack in. With most of our Optional Equipment, which weighs 300-400 kg, with all of that equipment on board an 18' will weigh about 2300, and a 20' will weigh 2500 kg. Some people go overboard and pack in another long ton in the extreme. If you watch your weight, of course you do not have to run that heavy...
As to another Factory Tour, you are welcome any time, just call so we can make sure we reserve the time for you..
As to the 6 wheeler.... I spent three years looking at it, and before Ford came back into the country, considered the top of the heap to be a 6.5 Lt Detroit diesel and 6x6 to be possibly the bee's knees... Glad I did not do it. Regardless of what NON-FORD Owners say, they are getting around 600,000 miles out of them in the U.S. that is around the 850,000 kms. Maybe with a transmission job or two, but that is how far the engines are going. Consider the options, but you will have more in the Troopy than in a Ford if you go down that path. And the 6 wheeler Troopys like you are talking, are horrible off road, as one axle is non driving but lifts weight off the drive axle so the rear drive breakes traction too easy. The True Bogie Drive 6x6, is rare, about $30,000 plus, and HORRIBLE on extreme maintenance to keep it going. A Detroit diesel conversion, increase exhaust, engine, increased radiator, hardened shafts is transmission and transfer case, and all the little bits you aren't counting on, will see no change out of $20,000 more.
My Ford, with full air bags front and rear, with diff locks front and rear, with roll bars, long range tanks, 15,000 winch, NightForce driving lights, Alpine Stereo and Video screen, Pirahnna third battery system to drive a fridge, and extended 6 year Warranty from Ford, cost $65,000. Be careful you don't over capitalize on the Troopy. It will do fine on its own on 18-20' and there is a new generation of vehicles coming..
I will stand by my advice as engineeringly and economically correct. Ford against your religion? Fine, Ford is Overkill for vans less than about 21' or so.. OK, stick with the Troopy until the new Toyota comes out and we will can see what is on offer, but I am not sure I would burn money trying to make the Toyota what it is not. Most I talk to that have done it would not do it again.
Regards, Ranger...
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