I understand when Jeff first started off it was a bit like Henry Ford, You could have any A'van as long as it was what was made, In his perfect world every A'van would be the same, no changes, same options, ,same floor plan.  Easy to manufacture, churn them off the production line, and any changes you wanted you did yourself or got some one else to do it.

 

As he slowly increased his turnover and changed his factory, he needed to allow people choice in floor plans and options to keep the orders coming in, and realised that people did not share his vision and they required more and more choice in options and floor plans as everyone had different requirements and ideas for their own particular piece of paradise on wheels.

 

Now Jeff still kept control of certain things, Things he would NOT change i.e. a 12 FT body , a 15 FT frame, no higher in the walls same size fridge, and, whatever options or floor plan you chose you still finished up with a beautifully balanced van light in weight and light on the tow bar, easy to tow and Jeff's big boast was even a SMALL 4 cylinder car could tow it, and you do not need level rides.

 

Well the A'liner standard specs are now a tare of 680-800 kgs PLUS OPTIONS and a GVM of 980-1100 kgs and the A'liner standard model can be upgraded to a 2000 model, which incorporates a large front boot, chassis upgrade and raised walls , I assume the 2000 model MUST have a bigger GVM than the standard A'liner perhaps 1200 kgs.

 

Even at the 1100 kgs GVM then 10% of this + or - 10% gives 110kgs +11 or - 11kgs gives the ideal towball weight range of 99 to 121 kgs.

 

At a tow weight of 1100kgs and a towball weight of 121kgs, this would put it out of the range of not only a lot, but perhaps all, 4cylinder small cars, but also out of the range of a lot of 6 cylinder cars, You would need a Holden or a Falcon. Perhaps a Magna might just scrape in, A Toyota Camry will not do it!

Jeff where are you going? Don't lose sight of your vision.

 

(name withheld at writer's request)

I believe that Jeff (Owner of A'vans) is indeed on the right track.  No doubt the product will be improved upon and modified as the years go by.

 

If we did not have the options available to us of the front boot, air-conditioning, raised walls and off road package, we would NOT have bought the product.  In actual fact, we would NOT have bought any type of caravan at all.

 

We benefit by easy towing that A'liners are famous for.  Easy to store at home.  Hard walls, without the dramas that go with regular caravans.  It was everything and more that we wanted.

 

Jeff caters to all prospective buyers.  The A'liner (BASIC) is still suitable for small vehicles.  However, it is great to think that owners of larger vehicles can purchase an A'liner too, and option it up.

 

As long as prospective buyers are made aware of what is suitable for their particular vehicle, I see no problem with having a choice of A'vans to choose from. 

 

If we had owned a smaller vehicle, we would have traded up to a larger vehicle, to enable us to purchase the A'liner we wanted.  However, one thing is certain Jeff would have LOST the sale, if the A'liner we bought was not available.

 

We were prepared to spend money on a Hayman Reese Weight Distribution System.  In actual fact, if I had my way, all types of vans, by law, should be made to have one.

 

We also intend to upgrade the suspension on our vehicle at a later date.  It is not necessary, but we know it will be of benefit.

 

Thanks Jeff for a BRILLIANT product.

 

Regards

 

Ian & Therese