Buying a Caravan? Things we wish we knew before buying our LOTUS van

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  • čas přidán 28. 07. 2024
  • Welcome back to Sandy Expeditions!
    We've owned our 2023 Lotus Off Grid 20.9, Trooper Spec Caravan for almost six months now. With the caravanning and camping shows around the corner, we thought we'd take this opportunity to share our thoughts and experience on what we may have done differently if we could do it again.
    We hope this video helps you on your caravan purchasing journey.
    If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! / @sandyexpeditions and check out our Van Walk Through • Lotus Off Grid Caravan...
    FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIALS
    . INSTAGRAM: / sandyexpeditions
    Happy caravanning,
    Nick & Vic

Komentáře • 28

  • @michaeldenham4577
    @michaeldenham4577 Před 3 měsíci +2

    Yes good one guys your right the air bags are a must

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci

      100%. Once you have them, they’re a non-negotiable!

  • @stevowyeth
    @stevowyeth Před 11 dny +1

    Gal chassis for our new 19’6 van added 80Kg.

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 10 dny

      Oh wow, I didn’t realise it was that much of an increase. Good to know, thanks for the feedback 🙏

  • @kennylove9323
    @kennylove9323 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Great clip with some good advice. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci

      Thanks for watching, hope this video has helped in some way 😊

  • @antonb8422
    @antonb8422 Před 3 měsíci +2

    Iv had 2 Lotuses. Got a new one coming in September. I should start a blog on what the dos n don’t s are 😂
    We live in ours and have 2 kids. Been on the road full time for 4 years now. Have learnt a lot 👍

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci

      Thanks for watching. I’m sure you’d have a wealth of knowledge and we’d love to hear about your experience! 😊Hoping we’ll be able to hit the road full-time within the next 12 months, if not sooner🤞

  • @GNCAdventures
    @GNCAdventures Před 2 měsíci +1

    Hi Guys, thanks for the advice, we don't own a Lotus but used You Tube for advice, and it was valuable in buying our van.
    Our Van is 16Ft and a few things I didn't want to compromise on, was the door at the rear as I didn't want my door opening at my bed.
    The compromise was I lost my cafe lounge to the L shape which doesn't really bother me. I also didn't want a Shower / Toilet combined.

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před měsícem

      Thanks for tuning in! Setting up a van is definitely a personalised experience! We recently visited the Sydney Supershow and must admit, loving the new designs coming out with the double doors (front and rear). Separates the spaces really well, especially if you have kids or are planning to in the future. Happy caravanning!

  • @JimsRobot
    @JimsRobot Před 5 dny

    3 days water from 95+95+50 litre? I listened to that part a few times to make sure I was hearing that right. That's a bit higher than the 10-15 litres a day that I use including a shower.

  • @ARCHIES_79_LC
    @ARCHIES_79_LC Před 3 měsíci +1

    Great video guys! Hopefully this helps someone in making a decision. Thanks for sharing 🤙🏻

  • @TheTripleDubya
    @TheTripleDubya Před 3 měsíci +1

    Hoping some van company decides to do a downforce fan just above the door to create an air curtain to keep the bugs out.

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci +1

      This is at the top of our wish-list too! 🧞‍♂️🤞

  • @twentyfivedegreessouth2199
    @twentyfivedegreessouth2199 Před 3 měsíci +3

    I see a lot of caravans put the toilet cassette access hatch on the same side as the awning near where people cook and eat when outside. This is a complete deal breaker for me

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci

      That’s a great point! Lotus have a few different floor plans but for us, we haven’t experienced any issues. Our slide-out outdoor kitchen is on the same side but a fair distance away and the cassette hatch is lockable and well sealed so we haven’t noticed any stench.

    • @twentyfivedegreessouth2199
      @twentyfivedegreessouth2199 Před 3 měsíci +1

      I can see as a couple not as much as an issue but with kids think it would be an issue at some point. I am looking to buy and I like having an annex more than an awning and it would be like emptying into a room

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci

      Another great point, can see how that’s not ideal. We’ve actually thought about getting an annex but we’re yet to consider the impact of emptying the cassette. Currently we are emptying every few days to keep it fresh and as we do more touring and weekend trips rarely stay in the same spot for more than 2 nights so it hadn’t crossed our minds.

  • @twentyfivedegreessouth2199
    @twentyfivedegreessouth2199 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I wonder if having the shower adjacent to the kitchen whether you’d lose less water keeping both hot water taps close?

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci

      Interesting thought! Our guess is you’d probably lose a little bit more the further the water has to travel through the pipes.

  • @buffomarinus17
    @buffomarinus17 Před 2 měsíci +2

    Good god, turn down the volume of the music!

    • @TA-wg9oi
      @TA-wg9oi Před měsícem

      Be Jesus, you got your hearing aid set too high.......

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před měsícem

      Thanks for the feedback. Audio is something we're working on... stay tuned!!

  • @user-hd7qk3xw4w
    @user-hd7qk3xw4w Před 15 dny +1

    Same old story, unfortunately you can’t road test a caravan so you must do your research and talk to as many current owners as possible.

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 10 dny

      The only way is to get out there and do your own testing and research, as you can never be too sure.

  • @5Lup0r
    @5Lup0r Před 3 měsíci +1

    ~2500kg trailer, extra water and batteries and you guys worry about 12 kg for a galvanised chassis 😂

    • @sandyexpeditions
      @sandyexpeditions  Před 3 měsíci +2

      Thanks for your feedback. Tare weight is just under 3 tonne from factory unloaded. Setting up a van is a personalised experience and different set-ups suit different trips. It requires compromise, especially with 3 dogs weighing over 100kg combined 😅 If we did add an additional water tank, we’d compromise in a different area to reduce the weight. Cheers