My Rig

Having spent most of our lives travelling in 4WD's starting with a series II land rover climbing the hills an covering most of Victoria and southern NSW and then the Pajero still in tents and more recently the rodeo pulling the 16' Franklin with the basics but compared to the past this was luxury. The time came to be on the road more than just holidays, so the search started for a new rig. First the van decision and what type. We had a wish list which included all the creature comforts that the ladies add to the requirements while my list included semi off road suspension for dirt roads, lots of storage, 3 batteries and sola panels, outdoor kitchen, two water tanks, grey water storage, oh and did I mention lots of storage. I didn't want to stop for the night and have to move stuff so I could have a meal and go to bed. It looked like it would have to be custom built but the storage at the time was a stumbling point.
Then I discovered the Paramount utility that ticked most of the boxes. the items missing were only 2 batteries, no grey water tank, not the preferred dining table, but most of the list covered. including the suspension and ESC breaking stability system.
the problem was the price tag but all was not lost I checked out the van in the video (it is actually the van I now have) and as it was built for the 2014 caravan of the year it was now actually now second hand as it was taken on tow tests etc as can be seen in the photo of it behind a Nissan (surprising as the van unloaded is 3 Ton and the Nissan couldn't tow that legally)
The salesman offered a $10K discount but I walked away and told him it was over my budget. He let me go and I didn't return to the yard for three weeks. Surprisingly, it was still there and as I walked into the yard he saw me coming and quickly scribbled a note on a piece of paper and stuck it on the van discounting it by a further $10K he was told by the boss to sell it.
He had a sale but I wanted the grey water tank added and a dog door for the Chihuahuas.
You can see the van in the utube video when they were doing the review of it. It didn't win but was a finalist. It was the storage that won me and the fact that it ticked almost all of the wish list.
Due to its weight I ended up with the Land Cruiser. That is the new rig in my Avatar.




www.tradervs.com.au/caravan-reviews/1402...mount-utility-review

By the way I still have the Franklin as well. I left it with my daughter and son-in-law and it got vandalised, windows broken etc so I brought it home and fixed it up again. I intend using it when I want something light to tow and don't need all the comforts.

The old rig

Very nice Drifters. At least you know what you want and did well to get it. Haven't caravans come a long way. No longer a weekender, now a lifestyle.

Thanks Bucket List.
Did you check out the video?
Phil

Hi Phil,

What a great rig. I watched the video and am most impressed with the storage and absolutely love the slide out kitchen. When we did our 5 year stint our generator was stored in our ute then chained to the caravans axles once camped. You wont have that problem I see. Then we'd pull out the fold up tables and place the gas burner on top, gas bottle underneath and used an old fold up sink for dishes. I've decided next caravan has to have a pull out one instead of an untidy put together one
From a femaies perspective, the interior colour scheme is most likeable too. Well done, we look forward to reading of your Paramount adventures.

Cheers,
Sharon

I'll have to show Smed. Our caravans ensuite was filled with his fishing rods and tackle boxes. That is something this Paramount will be ideal for too.