flametrees54
Posts:7
 | | 10 Jan 2010 8:37 p.m. |
 Alert | | We are now getting closer to making our decision on what pop top to buy. The final contenders at this stage is Galaxy and on the weekend we saw Majestic Knight. We were very impressed with the finish. Any suggestions on either model would be greatly appreciated. | | | |
|
ozjohn0
Posts:154
| | 18 Jan 2010 10:09 a.m. |
Alert | Flametrees.
Unfortunately I'm am unwilling to post any negative replies on an open forum such as this one.
One must consider any possible litigation and take into account advertisers on the forum and with Caravan World magazine etc. I constantly find myself biting my tongue, but unfortunately there is little I can do about it except hope that the person posting questions re: various brands does their home work and chooses the better product.
I can of coarse be contacted directly and thus avoid any possible defamatory remarks.
Any opinions I may give are purely personal and without bias, however they may not reflect the views of other forum members.
Cheers, ozjohn
www.ozparks.com.au | | | |
|
Rosco001
Posts:10
| | 19 Jan 2010 2:55 p.m. |
Alert | Flametrees,
I have no personal experience with either. However I've heard good about Galaxy and not so good about the other.
I'd suggest you have a yarn with ozjohn, who can be contacted through his website.
Ross | | | |
|
Treane
Posts:5
| | 22 Jan 2010 3:33 p.m. |
Alert | We have a tandem axle Galaxy series 3 pop top which we had built in 2003, with modifications to suit our needs - which they were more than happy to do. Ours has the bunks at the front that fold away to a lounge.
We are very happy with its build quality, although we have had on-going issues with the gas struts under the bed - they are just not strong enough to hold up the bed and the inner spring mattress (which we ordered with the van). I believe that this might be related to the bed frame not being strong enough (i.e. needed thicker timber to form the framework).
The other thing we got them to do was have the cushions along the lounge in two halves rather than one long one which made them easier to handle if you had to get them out to get to the hatches.
In the next couple of years we will be upgrading to a full size van, but even though the kids no longer sleep in the Galaxy we still love it and it tows well with our Prado. I would recommend the Galaxy! | | | |
|
KenF
Posts:4
| | 22 Jan 2010 8:33 p.m. |
Alert | We have a 2005 Galaxy (16'6" single axle), built to our order. Van has travelled 35,000KM and we have toured/lived init for total of 15 months.
Few problems with van design or build. Biggest issues: roof was heavier than expected (Galaxy re-worked the gas struts and solved the problem under warranty) and the foam cushions in dinette collapsed, well after warranty expired (total usage time about 9 months at that stage). We solved this by replacing the cushions with top-of-the-line foam (Dunlop Enduro, I think).
You have a hard decision - Galaxy is good, but Majestic is also good. I think you should also consider the after sales situation - how good is the agency in getting your requirements through the factory, and how good are they to work with in resolving the inevitable issues that will arise during warranty period? | | | |
|
flametrees54
Posts:7
| | 23 Jan 2010 5:45 p.m. |
Alert | | Well we have made the big decision. Today we went out and ordered Galaxy 16'6"Poptop Odyssey. Delivery July and ready to hit the road for our round Oz trip March next year. I never thought how hard the decision would be, but we are extremly happy and very excited. | | | |
|
Treane
Posts:5
| | 23 Jan 2010 7:47 p.m. |
Alert | | Congratulations. Hope you enjoy!! | | | |
|
Johnv
Posts:32
| | 13 Mar 2010 3:27 p.m. |
Alert | flametree, we too purchased a Galaxy Odyssey (NOV 2008) it's had it's moments, like all other vans. We too have had issues with our bed struts not being strong enough, after ordering the van with a pillow top mattress. These were replaced with heavier struts which then sheared off the dividing wall under the bed as "Treane" suggests, not strong enough material. Subsequently I went to Bunnings (Canberra) and purchased some 18mm Plywood and made a new dividing wall and generally reinforced the whole bed frame, end of issue, but why should I have had to do what the manufacturer should have done! I have also had the middle shelf of the rear kitchen collapse, admittedly it was well loaded, once again own repairs, another visit to Bunnings (Townsville) Galaxy to date has not replied to my demand for compensation! caveat emptor - let the buyer beware!
The other issue is my van has two batteries in the front boot and two water tanks, for some strange reason Galaxy chose to place the water tanks between the axles and the draw bar, go figure, it has made it a very heavy van on the tow vehicles' suspension. We choose to stay off-road when we can use Camps Australia. In the futurewhen we trade our van, I would look very hard at the Bushtracker / Kedron / Trackmaster range of caravans.
flametree, you'll enjoy your adventure around OZ as we did with our 16' pop-top Jayco in 2006, it made us hungry for more and caused us to trade up to a bigger van, more appointment and a lifestyle!
Good luck and happy trails, johnv | | | |
|
chiffa
Posts:1
| | 20 Apr 2010 2:31 p.m. |
Alert | | We looked at Majestic last weekend and then moved on to Fusion, both are in Geelong. In the end we opted for the Fusion Woodlands, a single axel with on suite and can be towed with a sedan. | | | |
|
glenn
Posts:4
| | 05 Jun 2010 11:18 a.m. |
Alert | | hh | | | |
|
PeteM
Posts:1
| | 06 Jul 2010 10:26 a.m. |
Alert | Interesting about the timber-work. You can't call them carpenters or cabinet makers who do the timber-work in caravans. We have a Windsor Genesis 21'.6" van 2007 model the struts under the single beds gave way (broke) and I fixed them by using rescue tape and new solid 1/2" thick timber (from Bunnings Townsville). When I spoke to the Windsor dealer who sold us this very expensive van he said yes we have been complaining for years to Windsor about that problrm. Funny they didn't mention that to us when we were buying it. As you say let the buyer beware.
PeteM | | | |
|
blisspot
Posts:1
| | 21 Dec 2010 12:46 p.m. |
Alert | | I will be in the market to buy a van soon, preferably a poptop. At present I have no idea what I will buy however before this I will build a carport/shed to house it. Would a maximum accessable height of 3.00 metres be sufficient?? Also when manuafacturers and reviewers quote height specifications, are these from the ground up | | | |
|
ozjohn0
Posts:154
| | 21 Dec 2010 1:49 p.m. |
Alert | Blisspot.
Send me an email and I maybe able to answer your questions and point you in the right direction for a quality van.
oz-parks@bigpond.com.
Cheers ozjohn. | | | |
|