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Lemon Caravans and RV's

Started by Il Pordenone, July 20, 2017, 01:39:26 PM

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Il Pordenone

Hi, I am new to the forum after finishing a 1 week hire of a Firetail in North Queensland. Very impressed, and am considering purchasing new next year.
However, following the recent Choice Magazine article on Dodgy Vans, I researched the website and found that Track Trailer were included as Buyer Beware!
Are any members aware of what the issues are that caused this listing?
Regards
Il Pordenone

boobook

I seriously doubt that you will find any owner that is broadly unhappy with the product or service. A few niggles here and there, but I'm guessing the response will generally be overwhelmingly very very very positive.



Tony,
Landcruiser 200
MK 111 Canning Tvan
VKS 1523
VK3TON

MarkA

Second the above. Had a few nigglie little problems. But nothing major. Overall very happy and it beats the crap out of the old caravan for comfort and ability.
200 series LandCruiser
Canning Mk 3
And a Mountian of stuff I don't think we need but apparently it's vital camp equipment.

Gumb

#3
Being in a 4wd/caravan club, I don't think I know anyone who hasn't had an issue, however minor, with a new caravan. I know some who bought a hybrid for twice the price of a new Firetail and have had so  many issues they are seriously considering selling it and going back the the Tvan they had before. Our recent trip to Nth Qld and back had two vans pull out due to weld or construction failures but not the mighty Tvan and I don't see any bad reports on here or the Facebook page either.

If you Google anything, you'll find the whingers, no matter what product it is or how good it might be.  There'd be people critical because they expect the comfort of a caravan, which it doesn't offer for example. And some people just hate camping full stop. They try it once, don't like it and sell.

My advice is to ignore the negative comments, check out the Tvan and if it suits what you want, then go for it. We have both the Tvan and a caravan but for me, the Tvan rocks.   

As far as rating of buyer beware, that's absolute BS in my experience and probably written by someone who wouldn't know a tow bar from shock absorber. My Tvan has just had it's first service and they replaced a cover over the pressure lock on the fridge box which i had broken but never mentioned to them. When I picked up the Tvan it was replaced at no charge. It's minor but shows that the attention to detail is first rate.
2017 Firetail with extra fruit
2015 Pajero NX GLS

Phil G

#4
We own a new caravan as well as a Tvan,  so have had a good look at that Facebook site over the past few months.  Just did a search for "Tvan"  and have found a post  from 28th Nov 2016, where the owner of a new Murranji said it had 40 defects.  I read through it all and in my opinion, the ones mentioned and the photographs presented there was nothing major I could see.  They seemed to be mostly annoyed about rivets, some dust sealing and the kitchen was catching on a P-clamp. 
But the "buyer beware" or "list of Lemon manufacturers" appears to be a bit erroneous and compiled by one person.
Someone else complained about rust on the deck springs.  Someone else bought a wrecked Topaz and complained about how long it took to get suspension parts.

Everything I saw on that page does not classify them as Lemons.

But the list does serve a purpose - there are some horribly built caravans on that site,  with owners left in the lurch.

One of the main issues I think is people's expectations.  A van built by humans with a lot of customisation is like a house - there are always issues that will need to be fixed post delivery.  People expect the same degree of reliability they get from a Toyota - that is built by the thousands and largely by robots.
Our caravan (which is also on the buyer beware list) is great quality in our opinion, but there have been lots of little things I've fixed myself.  Its never needed to go back to the manufacturer or dealer.
Phil
2003 Tvan
2019 Landcruiser VDJ78 Troopcarrier

leachy_9

The issue I have with Lemon Caravan group is there is no disclosure of why a manufacturer has been added to the list and is done purely at the discretion of the administrator, who has a personal vendetta against one manufacturer in particular. While there have been some issues with Track products over the years, I'm not aware of anything that would warrant them being added to a lemon list and for the most part I think they provide reasonable, post sales, service and support. Unlike some of the other major manufactures Track does not run it's own, controlled, forum, where it could censer bad press. Rather all the Track related forums and groups are run independant of Track, so the public get the warts and all version.
2009 Tvan pushing a 100 series Turbo Diesel Landcruiser

Perente

Quote from: Il Pordenone on July 20, 2017, 01:39:26 PM
Hi, I am new to the forum after finishing a 1 week hire of a Firetail in North Queensland. Very impressed, and am considering purchasing new next year.
However, following the recent Choice Magazine article on Dodgy Vans, I researched the website and found that Track Trailer were included as Buyer Beware!
Are any members aware of what the issues are that caused this listing?
Regards
Il Pordenone
Track Trailer:

1/ Make industry leading off road campers: Mate, TVAN, Topaz.
2/ Have the best customer service I have ever experienced and at 67 I've experienced a lot of good customer service.

Which is probably why they have the excellent reputation that they do.

Cheers,
Jeff

LandCruiser 200 GX
Topaz Savannah II

Jeff & Spike
Toyota 200 LandCruiser
Topaz Savannah II

Wildmax

We no longer have a TVan because we got a bit soft an went for a hybrid unit with no canvas.
But, we've done around 150,000km over the past decade on various adventures, a lot of it seriously offroad..........and there is nothing better built for purpose than the TVan, which never let us down. We also found the service very efficient and responsive.
Had we been able to afford and garage two campers, we would have kept the TVan in addition to our current unit.
Good luck!!
Wildmax
MY2018 dual cab Hilux SR auto with all the ARB gear
Previously: TVan Canning MkIII
now: AOR Eclipse III + Black Wolf 210 tent

Il Pordenone

Thanks for all the helpful replies members. When I first posted my query, the topic was locked by the Administrator which raised alarm bells for me. However, it seems that all is basically OK in Track Trailer land.

Coming from a boating background, I expect equipment to fail. What matters is that the factory quickly provides a fix without arguments as to fault etc. This is critical due to the vast distances from the manufacturer, and the fact that dealers and service agents are few and far between. Do members feel that they are being looked after in this regard?

Regards

Il Pordenone


Patrol Dude

#9
Hey mate, bought our MK111 new Tvan in 2011. Have had zero major issues. If you search some of my threads you will see that I have used the Tvan to its full capabilities from day one. Regardless of the query that I have asked TT they have always exceeded my expectations with nothing being to much trouble or effort.
But, as with all things in life it is always about your expectations!!! Anything made by people will always have some minor imperfections. It's how we choose to react to them that makes the difference. TT will always try and assist but I suspect that some people can be very hard to please!!!
So if you want a real tough camper, that offers a host of different quick and easy camping options with excellent customer support then you can not really go past a Track Trailer camper [emoji106] Cheers


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Jeff & Trish
RockVegas
2020 79 Dual Cab
2011 TVan Murranji (with lots of stuff) :)
2021 T4 Rhapsody

Pete and Lez

We have had our MK2 for 10 years now from new and have been extremely happy. Awesome product, however I'm a little less impressed with customer service regarding a mudguard.

Waited 5 weeks for a response about price and availability of a mudguard and then to be informed availability would be another 8 weeks on top.

Have taken it everywhere off road though and it is very capable.

Regards
2015 76 Landcruiser GXL
2007 MK11 TVan Tanami

Jim and Lyn

G'day,
Just got into Carnarvon in WA in our 2005 tvan. Noticed a weeping shocker back a bit and was able to ring Lloyd at Bayswater. Two shocks at the P.O! Doesn't get much better than that!
BUT I shouldn't have said to Lyn as we were coming along that new shocks were on the menu when we got home!
Those two old Konis had done about ten million corrugations and they'll still be good spares. Just didn't want to do the rest of the trip with one that was a bit sus.
Gotta love tvan!
Cheers
Jim
Jim & Lyn
LC100, 1HDFTE and 2005 Tvan

Cruiser 105Tvan

Don't throw those shockers away Jim.
They can be rebuilt and good as new again.
When you get back, give me a yell and we'll work out where you can take them for that resurrection.
It's a place in Lilydale.  I have to find out his contact details.
He does the job for the importers 'Toperformance' in Nunawading.
Robert.
VK3PPC (Amateur).  VZU641 (Outpost LMR. Flying Doc. Radio sys.)
HDJ 105r with a 1HDFT, 2009 Canning MkII. Refurbed & pushing.

tudor

First of all we love our Tvan
Think it's great and do recommend it too others

That said there are a few things you need to know
Can be hard to get things fixed with track trailer
As really they do not have great representation in other states when you need parts or getting someone who really understands the camper
Again ! We love ❤️ it !
About to replace a glass window here in adelaide
It was recommended to get camper to Victoria to track trailer
One guy in WA had to do the same !
I do now have a guy in adelaide that will do the lot !
Even a specialist in knowing how to set up there suspension
I ask Paul at TT if I could get a buffer tank to finish off the hot water system in our camper !
Said they have a new design and can get that part anymore !
Don't get me wrong!
TT are very helpful .
But we are talking about getting things done after the sale
Which for many and myself is as important as the day you take it home !
But as far as taking the camper anywhere it one of the best out of all the campers I have had !
Not cheap !
But ! If you live in a state where your on your own and no real agent it can be not a lot of fun if you need them !
But then the Tvan forum is one of the greatest parts of the camper
You will source so much information and help to get you out of trouble !
If not here on the Facebook site !
You will be in good hands
The other phenomenal thing is it seems Tvan owners are great people stopping and chatting to other Tvan owners when ever they see them !
Enjoy ! Just look for  People that you might need for parts / service, you will be fine




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PJ

Just interested in who it is that knows about and can set up the suspension as we currently have an issue we need dealt with.