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advice on purchasing used kedron


boopsta

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Hi Kedron members, we are hoping to soon join the owners group. We have our eye on a xc 2002 model but would like some advice. The tare weight has been given as 1600 and ATM at 2100 which seems pretty light for a kedron. It is a 17'6 model and has minimal modifications to it. Are there any members who have an older xc with such a low weight in their van and any advice of things to look for that are specific weak points in this model kedron? ( If there are any!) Lastly any guide as to a fair price to pay for this age van that is in very good condition?

Thanks for your advice

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Greetings Boopstas.

We have a 2005 model 16'6" shower van XC that unfortunately was delivered to us new with an ATV chassis fitted.

The Tare was plated as 2340kg's with 2900kg's stamped for the ATM ex factory.

We have had the ATM increased to 3500 by an engineer to give a bit more lee way for loading but run well within this figure.

Our van is extensively modified from original.

We have installed 3 shower tanks + 1 drinking water, hence the need for higher ATM.+ 5 solar panels, inverter 3 AGM's and a complete rewire job.

It will be on the market shortly. If you would like more details drop us a PM and we can flick you more info.

Regards.

Oh forgot we are in Brisbane :rolleyes:

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Greetings Boopstas.

We have a 2005 model 16'6" shower van XC that unfortunately was delivered to us new with an ATV chassis fitted.

The Tare was plated as 2340kg's with 2900kg's stamped for the ATM ex factory.

We have had the ATM increased to 3500 by an engineer to give a bit more lee way for loading but run well within this figure.

Our van is extensively modified from original.

We have installed 3 shower tanks + 1 drinking water, hence the need for higher ATM.+ 5 solar panels, inverter 3 AGM's and a complete rewire job.

It will be on the market shortly. If you would like more details drop us a PM and we can flick you more info.

Regards.

Oh forgot we are in Brisbane :rolleyes:

Thanks Rod and Mavis for your reply. Your van would be of interest as ideally we do want the various modifications that you have put on. Unfortunately due to the ill health of my husband we want to keep our existing vehicle which we have had for a few years and already set up for travelling prior to the health problem. As it is a small patrol it does not have the capacity to cope with the weight of your van which is why the apparently light weight kedron is of interest as it suits our current needs. Just out of interest how long have you found you can stay out bush with your current water and solar capacity?

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Greeting again friends.

Water is the biggest issue in free camping unless there is no sun grin.

Our 80 liter drinking water is only used for drinking and cooking and will last us for 3/4 weeks or more.You always top up the drinking water when you find good water,shower water does not matter too much so bore water can be used or river/creek is ok.

The longevity of the 3, 80 liter shower tanks depend on your requirements. We have found that you can shower without hair wash with 10 liters of water, with hair 15 liters of water.

We adjust the shower wet down and shut the water off. Soap/shampoo then rinse.

If you are away from a supply of water you adjust your ablution requirements accordingly, maybe a rinse off with a basin will suite your requirements, your own personal choice!

The solar absolutely depends on the amount of sun available. We have had situations where we were running short of batteries and have to use the generator to top them up. Thus our generator is to be sold with the rig as an essential inclusion.

Our power usage is a little higher than most as Mavis uses a CPAP machine which requires that we use the inverter all night, as a result we needed more power than most hence the 5 solar panels fitted to our van.

Having explained all that, Kedron are now producing the XC3 which is a light weight van designed for Prado's , Pajero's and 3 liter patrols. The inclusions are not up to the bigger machines but still acceptable for free camping depending on requirements.

Please do your home work as to your requirements before purchasing anything as it is easy to spend heaps and find that the result is not quite what you wanted. Ask heaps of questions and hopefully you will arrive at the right choice for you both.

Regards and good luck. :D

Rod & Mavis.

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Hello Boopstas, I have only joined the owner's group this past week and just noticed your posting regarding weight. It has been a constant concern to us and hope we can help someone from our errors of judgement along the way. We purchased our (17'6 External).semi off road 2001 Kedron pop top RV in Oct.2005 because it was the best pop top we had found (height wise inside)and aluminium frame.

It was our first caravan after having a camper trailer. The original owners had toured OZ and it was in VGC. We checked out the the Tare weights etc. as we had just purchased a jeep suitable for towing up to 3 ton (read reviews to support this theory). The tare weight on the van was 1350kg and ATM 1650 kg from the factory. Other items like full annexe and wall AC added later. When we took it for a trip from Ipswich to Rainbow beach, we had to keep stopping to allow the vehicle to cool. We had the van weighed and we realized it was up around the 1800 mark so different vehicle needed. We lost thousands on the lovely jeep, bought our diesel 4cyl Patrol max towing power is still only 2,500kg, had the van weighed, a new compliance plate mod. by Bris. Eng.which now reads 1950kgand tyres upgraded. We also had the wrong towing gear at first so check this out too as it wasn't designed for the heavier load.

We have been 7 months around OZ in 2006,Tasmania and Vic 5 months 07-08 and the nissan never missed a beat so we don't want to change vehicles. We are stuck with 2,500kg but also want to upgrade to a full Kedron with an ens. but would be over weight. We have solar and Air con on roof now too. Great that Kedron are still making some light vans.

Happy campers when we can get away again. Heather and Cliff

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