Updating older BT's

Hi Wendy,

As far as i am aware the older model BT's are not a lot of different to the latter models, changes in amperage of Battery charger & Solar regulator, the decor, lighting, size of ensuite, stove & perhaps model / size of fridge are some,.

Chassis, suspension, framing, etc are built along the same lines.

Not a lot to go wrong, Batteries could be near the end of their life, budget $1k. If all has been working properly in the past then the existing solars will be sufficient.

Check on the suspension for any excessive wear on the bump stops, cracks in the leaf springs or wear on the pivot block, the usual wheel bearings & brakes check & service.

Check and or replace HWS anode.

Judy [Motherhen] has an older model BT they bought 2nd hand, if she reads this i'm sure she will offer any info she knows.

Good luck with the search, there are 2 x 18' advertised in the quokka paper over here in the West,

1st $56k ph 0412376556

2nd $73k ph 0400656822

Hi Wendy

We bought ours a few years ago and it is a 1998 model. We have met members with a 1996 model. The earlier models don't have all the 'toys' that people have on their new ones these days, but are sturdy and comfortable. We have replaced batteries; the ones in it were not original; nor was battery charger. Solar panels and pro star are original. Air con, gas stove etc are all in excellent order. We have replaced the fridge, but that was our fault - a long very corrugated road with the tyres full and the internal freezer compartment full - and it severed the gas pipe. We have replaced with the same type of Vitrifrigo, which is a very good caravan fridge and served us well up to the fatal end.

On a couple of occasions we have received comments about our 'new' van - these when travelling home from holidays out in the rough stuff! A shower of rain and it looks like new.

Check for any damage (eg a re build after a roll over) - that chassis and a-frame are sound. After that, just go for one if it has the floor plan that suits you.

You can do minor internal modifications yourself. We have fitted television, DVD player and speakers, rear view camera and 12 volt cig plug type plugs for appliances, a pure sine wave inverter in addition to the original inverter, and modified the table as we didn't need the full size for just two of us, but appreciate the extra room. We have fitted an AT35 hitch, as the modified one ours had was impossible to hitch in a tight spot.

Good luck hunting. There are quite a few on the market these days (watch this forum, also on RVPoint). When we went hunting, they were rare to find pre-loved.

Motherhen

Hi Wendy

I bought Elvis , my 16 ft 2003 model this year from a couple in Qld . I was a babe in the woods regarding caravans , and thankfully got one without any problems .

Later , I found out from the factory , that some of the earlier 16 ft models had a suspension which did not carry the same weight as the current ones .

I found this out after I asked the factory if they would put an extra solar panel and battery in Elvis . They asked me to check the GVM to see if it would handle the extra weight . Perhaps you should contact the factory and get more info on this , as I imagine it would be a bit of a bummer to get the older less robust suspension .

I installed all new wheel bearings , brakes etc so I could start out with a clean sheet .

I searched for three months before I found an advert for a 16 ft BT . They are as scarce as flying fish feathers . I used to check the online ads early every morning and this paid off in the end . The owners could have sold it ten times , and for a lot more money than they got from me . I am sure there is plenty of 18 ft available though .

A good tip . My 16 ft with the yacht style bed , has close to as much room in it as an 18 ft with an island bed . Only drawbacks are that they are more difficult to make up and one sleeper has to climb over the other for a midnight widdle .

Cheers ,

Willie .

Hi Wendy

Like Willie, we have the yacht bed. We needed QS, and an island bed would take up too much room. As we had a Nissan Patrol Auto as the tow vehicle, i was looking for a 16' but there were none on the pre-loved market (this was 3½ years ago), so we got the 18'. Likewise we had to be quick to get it - the sellers had plenty of calls while we were racing across to Qld. Plenty of room in the 18' for us and clothes, supplies etc. When we went to Tasmania, we packed for all climates and the cupboards were less than half full.

My husband would like a 20' BT with island bed now we have the F250 - but that is not an option for us. I think he just wants more space to get away from me!

Motherhen

Hi Wendy,

Not sure where you are but I know of a BT (19 or 20ft??) that is possibly for sale in SW Victoria. There is a guy who builds those units that slip on the back of one tonne tray backs and he also trades a few vans. There has been a BT sitting in his yard for the best part of a year. If it's the one I suspect it is, it probably hasn't been off the bitumen because the owner hasn't been able to get away from his business to enjoy it.

If this is of interest, send me a message and I can try and find some more details for you.