Wednesday, Nov 22, 2006 at 11:10
Hi,
I invested 18 months researching and visiting caravan factories in Vic NSW & Queensland when we set out on our adventure to procure the correct rig as we retired. That was 3-4 years ago. The visit to factories was very, very enlightening, although there were many manufacturers who would not allow us to visit their production line. These we wiped from the list of “possibles” immediately.
Our BT is a 20 footer (by other van standards probably closer to a 21 footer, and this is the first understatement that gave us an indication of the
Bushtracker culture, the culture is to err on the conservative side and over engineering.)
We have now done over 35,000 kms (not much for a BT) through bull dust, bouncy bitumen, highways, bush tracks and the like, and despite the odd report of some experiencing small amounts of dust in the van on occaisons, we have been almost dust free. I think that this is a combination of superior design, and a bit of practical forethought and driving to suit the conditions, including adjusting tyre pressures etc., etc.,
Bushtracker are not perfect, but in 18 months research, including six months when I was in Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane every week visiting at least one van manufacturer or canopy manufacturer (for the F250) almost every week for 6 months , the number of issues over quality, reliability, after sales service gleaned from folk that I interviewed who had vans, it became obvious that
Bushtracker were way out front. Then I visited the BT factory, saw the workmanship, and investigated the engineering, had various robust discussions with Steve (everybody with a BT knows Steve and has probably had robust discussions), over a number of issues, and sincerely, they were way, way out front.(Some see Steve as a guy who gets a bit worked up over certain issues, but my experience, (which includes some of Steve’s agitated discussions) is that it’s a symptom of care that the customer gets the correct advice and pride in a product that is deserves the pride.
On the other hand if you are not going to use the BT for off road work, or prefer a “prettier or fancier finish” rather than a BT that will hold its value significantly better than most others and will stand up to the Australian bush (with common sense driving) don’t waste your money on a
Bushtracker. The van is built to withstand sensible driving in rugged conditions.
I am 67 yrs old and Louise my wife 65, we think its been a great investment, and yes the towing vehicle is important. If in doubt follow the philosophy of BT…. Go to the larger or heavier or more powerful vehicle for safety sake, rather than the vehicle that you think will just handle the weight of the BT. With the heavier and probably more powerful vehicle you will find that cost of fuel consumption when measured on a per kilo per km to the litre will be far more economical than a vehicle that just makes the legal towing requirements, and most importantly when the towing vehicle is heavier than the van you are towing its much, much safer.
Hmm , got carried away a bit here, but we are very pleased we went the BT way, despite the extra dollars, and when we go to sell it, going on current second hand prices, it probably will not have cost any more than a unit of half the quality.
AussieBushGhost
AnswerID:
569810
