Yes still loving the van. 240 volt power inlet on side of van full of water as sides and bottom of module sealed but not the top. We worked nights and weekends. Viscount caravan 1980 25ft, tandem axle, towable, lights work, inside stripped out, ready to fit out, Has roof, aluminium outer skin, aluminium internal . If youd like to read up on the history of the Viscount brand, and John and Maureen Carr, who started it all; Roam have a comprehensive article you may find interesting. We stock new and used caravans and motorhomes from a range of brands including Bailey, Swift, Elddis and Sunlight. Like the old Viscounts, the range is also very simple there are basically four vans to choose from and if you dont like them, buy something else. Maxium Overall Length is 19 . 15 ft; Sleeps 2; 1980 Vintage Viscount caravan. Knowing the height of your caravan is not a dimension you want to ignore. living in our V2 since March last year. Viscount Caravans has launched a brand new van. Viscount Grand . Viscount was Australia's top-selling caravan brand by a country mile back in the 1970s . CLICK TO ENQUIRE. Proudly Australian made and Australian owned, Viscount Caravans aims to set the standard for fantastic value luxury caravans with a handpicked selection of quality appliances and fittings. With extensive help from Dave at Huntsman Products in Victoria, we now have a 2.5T rated roller rocker suspension system with 10 electric brakes. And surely in a CNC machined cabinetry shop, shelves for eight cabinets would cost less than a ceramic, counter top basin with a stainless steel, designer tap. 4 burner gas top, sink, microwave, TV that palys videos fridge, jack, linen and many other contents inside (don't go by pics will leave a bit of stuff in addition to the above). earlier in the year. It was an amazing place, amazing play ground. We had a Viscount for years best part of growing up spending time in the caravan. This was a very detailed job involving both strip out, repairs and re sheeting, removing all windows and trims for resealing and custom . We have a 2020 V3 mostly happy with the van, it is our home and trying to travel around, our main problem is the tunnel boot hinges have snapped off and the shower falls down, and we have resorted to using glue to keep cupboard nobs on and the fan in toilet stopped working. Hover over image to zoom . It has no windows but, perhaps due to the LED lighting and reflective surfaces, it doesnt seem gloomy. Nikki is a dab-hand at interior decor and knocks it out of the park with Van Warro! The Viscount V2 is fitted with all of the standard features that are now expected from the Viscount range, this dual axle ensuite van is sure to please. One of my favourite design ideas in the van is concealing all of the switches, dials and gauges behind a false wall on one end of the couch so that we dont have to see them all the time but they are easily accessible. 15 foot long and light so easy to tow. NEVER USED - NEW AND STILL IN WRAPPING ALWAYS KEPT UNDERCOVER FULLY OPTIONED - CAFE DINING ENTRY CABINET DELUX STARTER KIT PLUS ADDITIONAL BATTERY ADJUSTABLE TOW COUPLING ANTI FLAP KIT, 2 X ROOF RAFTERS, LONG AND SHORT WALL PRIVACY SCREEN FULLY ENCLOSED CUSTOM-MADE CANOPY FOR EXTRA ROOM AND COMFORT AVAILABLE NOW OTHERWISE 6 MONTH'S WAIT FROM RETAILERS GENUINE OFFERS ONLY Non Negotiable . Customers wishing to visit Ph.. 0409 659 222 before you depart, as staff not always available & van may be sold Up to 40 vans for sale. The shower did leak just from bottom of the door, due water escaping from small plastic seal on bottom of the shower door.The van now comes with a larger door seal, dealer fitted it when we took it for service, 2 min free fix, no leak! And look at her! Posted on Last updated: September 3, 2021. Suspension Roller-rocker leaf springs David, son in law Gordon Cansdale. Viscount, a brand thats so important to Australias caravanning heritage, is back. ). Standard Photos. By the latter half of the decade hed perfected mass production of strong aluminium frames. General Interest Posts. Its got a 2.5kg mini automatic washing machine and ceramic, counter top basin with a stainless steel, designer tap The shower area is quite generous and theres actually one of the vans two shelves by the cassette toilet (the others under the dinette table). Can Your Caravan Help After The Bushfires. Learn More. Although all dynasties must come to an end and Viscount, from its lofty heights of the early 1980s, never recovered after a few bad decisions. His handwriting was so poor he often asked me to complete documents for him.. Our kitchen is across the tow bar window area and i don't fancy curtains as a backsplash for my kitchen. Caravans can come in a variety of different sizes, ranging from 10ft right up to 24ft and occasionally even longer. ACE Jubilee Viceroy / 5 2009 | Touring Caravan. With so many of them around, chances are good that youre looking for some inspiration for your own Viscount caravan makeover. Well let Dominic tell you about his incredible rebuild: Wed never attempted anything close to the scale of a complete rebuild and it was only 3 days between deciding to purchase an old caravan, and starting work on the rebuild once we bought the van for $2050 from just a few kilometres away. Eg: The chassis manufacturers GTM 1300 kg. HANDY TIP Write down the height of your caravan and sticky tape it to your dash or onto the drivers visor, so that if you find yourself needing to know how tall your set-up is in a hurry on the road, its easily accessible. The only aberration in the line-up is the V2 family version, which is the longest of the lot, but sat on the 4inch chassis. This amazing little Viscount had been in the family for quite some time in its original condition. And it comes with a suite of standard features that would be the envy of everyone in a 1970s caravan park. Highly recommend. Sadie. After taking over arch-rival Millard in 1978, three out of every four vans sold were Viscount vans. The Viscounts of old (and Im talking up until the Ultralite (but not including the Aerolite) were simple, inexpensive caravans for the everyman. At one stage the former Viscount factory at Lansvale was converted into a flat pack furniture factory after John went to Sweden, saw IKEA and decided to do the same thing here, Dunn says. A front window hasnt been fitted but, courtesy of the hatch above the bed and two side windows, theres enough natural light in the bedroom. You could start with #caravanrenovation and then get more specific to search things like: #viscountcaravan #vintagecaravan #vintagecaravanrenovation. John was a talented carpenter and both went to work straight away. It was our pleasure in dealing with these people who arranged everything and made the whole experience of buying a caravan so pleasureable. Things that must be included when measuring the caravans width: For the full run down, take a look at my article on the Average Caravan Width Australia where the model lengths of 40 manufacturers are compared. We opted for an Enerdrive Lithium battery with matching Enerdrive DC/DC & AC chargers, as well as an Enerdrive 2000W inverter with AC transfer switch. Our favourite McHitch coupling is also installed at the front of the van. While the new design doesnt reflect that of the Viscounts of decades ago, the Viscount V3 is a well-priced touring caravan equipped for full-time caravanning or quick weekend getaways. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. The fridge itself is quite good, too. After a couple of short-lived jobs, Maureen says John found himself building caravans in a small backyard operation owned by a man by the name of Hardy. In the roof is a Gree (Ive never heard of them, either), 3500W reverse cycle air conditioner; a 24in telly sticks to the wall at the end of the kitchen and theres a stereo with internal and external speakers. Caravan Sales. So, here I am, in one of the first Viscounts to roll of its new production line, to find out two things is it anything like the Viscounts of old, and more importantly, is it any good? TOW BALL WEIGHT (TBW)The amount of weight the fully loaded caravan puts onto the tow bar of the tow vehicle. Specifications. It offers greater off-grid capabilities, upgraded appliances, a new, modern . INFORMATION ABOUT PRE-1964 AMBASSADOR CARAVANS Prior to the introduction of Ambassador as a Viscount brand in 1964, as set out in the post at the beginning of this thread, Ambassador caravans appear to have been built by an independent company. Width 2460mm The Viscount V3 Caravan is a spacious model full of carefully selected fitting and features. Forum Guidelines & Helpful Forum Hints. Forum Guidelines & Helpful Forum Hints . The dinette is comfortable for two, although as its over the wheel arch, theres not room for four at it. Trade Seller (56) We have ordered our V2 premium plus with an extended A frame 6 and tool box for our gen set and grey water tank. Among the highlights: the nearside club lounge, which despite its generous size does not make the layout feel cramped. Maureen says it was initially tough for the family as every spare dollar was ploughed back into the business. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Best floor plan for a family with a few kids. All that said, I fall back on my answer to question two. You can see more pictures on our post: DIY Caravan Renovations | More Aussie Gems. And look at her! There could definitely be some work done prioritising features (shelves before washing machines), but otherwise its backed by a company with a great reputation and sold at a great price. Not all that happy with the new Viscount! Logo. From: $360.00. Curious to see the statement on the non aluminum from because there is minimal resilience to work hardening of Alloy frame, and so when they crack they are done, since frames are always moving when travelling I dont see any benefit over well treat Mirante. After that the name was aquired by a third-party when the trademark lapsed, and it was sat on for years. Viscount Caravans launched many models over their reign as the largest caravan manufacturer in the country, but the most recognised were the Valiant (1962-75), Ambassador (1964-70), Royal (1971-78) and Supreme (1975-80) models. I would like to contact your father to chat about his memories of working at Viscount Caravans. Viscount has made its return with five different layouts and sizes initially available we hooked-up the tandem-axle V3 for a shakedown run in country Victoria. From $52,990 plus on roads, CONTACT She just happened to charm a farmer passing by the single caravan they had on display at the Royal Adelaide Show. He just convinced the market gardeners who were there it was time to move on, Maureen says. The only timber in the van originally was in the roof, but it had all rotten so I replaced it with 40 x 25 x 3mm aluminium tube. Its quite a long-affair, too. Available on all layouts, the Viscount Premium Upgrade is a culmination of feedback from dealers and customers alike, consisting of a number of features designed to improve the overall aesthetic. Join us as we dive intothe history of this caravanning icon. Top load washing machine . 977 Viscount Supreme 15ft, and while you can easily tell thats what she is from the outside once you step into her, youd think you were at some island resort and your private butler is about to bring in your arrival cocktails! 9,995. Morag Stirling SA, I would love to read the full story but when I click on the link to issue 11 of The Roam it comes up with an error page not found ? Still, the name was in use well into the 2000s until the then-owner was barred by ASIC from owning a company. When our first daughter Jacky was born she lived in the back of our car for about the first eight months as we were constantly on the road on sales trips.. Shes had a schmick exterior paint job, her insides have been completely gutted and redone, and now she looks smart and sexy. With its 157L of fresh water, 120W roof-mounted solar panel and 100Ah deep-cycle battery, which can also be charged off the tow vehicle via the supplied Anderson plug, there should be no reason to hurry back to town. Its a vinyl sheet stuck to 3mm acrylic which in turn is siliconed to the wall. Because the house battery is inside, under the bed, this boot is aside from the Camec Brake Safe unit completely unencumbered, so theres plenty of room for the chairs, ground mat and all the other items we pack. Your email address will not be published. Im trying to find photos of what people have done with the curved windows inside as far as window treatments, curtains? However, one problem was actually pointed out to me by the manufacturer: the water filter cartridge under the sink was blocked by the hot water service. The fact that they are still around, all these years later, is testament to the quality of build of these vintage caravans. A north-south queen-size bed is fitted in the nose of the van, surrounded by wardrobes and overhead lockers. Can you help Thanks. Website built with by Cameron Damon Media. Thanks very much for the opportunity to feature in the magazine! Width: 2,350mm. Thanks guys at Explorer Caravans in Prospect South Australia. Buy ACE Caravans and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! If you have a caravan restoration or DIY build you think Australia would like to see, please let us know by emailing us at sayhello@rvdaily.com.au or use our contact page. The only part of the build (except 240v and gas) that I didnt do myself was the welding. General 2008 onwards. Jethro is a 1973 Viscount Royal, and though he looked pretty tired when he first arrived, hes now one smart looking dude! Tare Weight 2118kg The Viscount Caravans brand dates back to the 1950s, when carpenter John Carr and his wife Maureen arrived in Adelaide as British Ten Pound Pom immigrants. Available in a double or single beds it can be the perfect van for a couple or even take a mate along for a fishing trip. In terms of the vans self-sufficiency, you could expect to live comfortable for a few days away from civilisation. Approved for Motorhome use (ADR Approved). Viscount Caravans If you havent seen this style of hitch before, it is absolutely phenomenal and a complete life & marriage saver. But I did get some ideas from you, thanks for sharing. PAYLOADThis is the loading weight or amount of stuff you can put into your car and caravan. Body length: 6.7m (22ft) Overall length: 8.56m (28ft) Width . The fridge is Thetfords new slimline N3141 (3 = three-way and 141 its capacity in litres) fridge. Your email address will not be published. Egon & Carol Somewhere in Qld at the moment. We have been living in a V2 for 6 months and towed it for over 5000 km. Most local caravan repair shops in our area charged $200-$250 per 6m length of cladding, making the cladding alone around $4000 as we used 15 lengths. However, we'll need some information first; this will help us identify the correct parts immediately. Overall length 8.29m (27ft 1in) External body length 6.4m (21ft) Internal body length 6.2m (20ft 6in) External body width 2.4m (7ft 9in . I like that. Above is an Australian 1969 Viscount belonging to Phil and Marge. The second caravan John built was displayed at the Royal Adelaide Show, which Maureen sold to a buyer; then, as word spread regarding Johns workmanship, Viscount Caravans was soon off to a flying start. Each niche has a 240V powerpoint but Id like them to have also have a 12V point. Grossweight from*. Its exceptional design and specifications makes it an ideal awning for all your holiday needs. MORE DETAILS. Both the Valiant and Ambassador were re-designed in 1965 with the dynamic new 'lightning flash' on the side. GROSS TRAILER MASS (GTM)Maximum allowable weight of fully loaded caravan when hitched up to the tow vehicle. Its not aluminium framed, though, which was a hallmark of the old Viscounts, and thats something that would improve this van. Modern styling and construction are the orders of the day. SPECS. This gives us the ability to have virtually endless hot showers when we are near a water source as we can also pump from an external water source straight to the water system. Still the best van that I have owned, cant fault it. Conveniently, theres a tri-fold table, reading lights over both seats and a power-point with USB charging outlets right at hand. Once completed, the restored Viscount Royal caravan would be their family home for at least the next couple of years as they continue to travel around Australia. I would also have had the original windows sandblasted and powder coated instead of spending almost 100 hours polishing them up they do look great but was definitely the worst part of the build. With such prolific manufacturing of the Viscount brand particularly in the 60s and 70s, we find that there are still a lot of Viscount caravans sitting in back yards all around Australia. All our lighting is by Narva, with warm white being our colour of choice. Copyright 2023 MY RIG Adventures All rights reserved, Full Guide to Caravan Sizes & Dimensions Australia, 3 Ways to Measure Caravan Tow Ball Weight, Average Caravan Width Australia [Comparing 40 Brands], How to Weigh a Caravan (Step-by-Step Instructions + Pics). Top prices paid. Any ideas? The V2 is purely an on-road van, though. Click here to Subscribe to ROAM caravan magazine, First Look Frontline HiAce 6th Generation. Fan in toilet area has on and off mode but now out of warranty stopped working. Egon and Carol somewhere in the Northern Territory, We have just ordered a Viscount V2 Premium. Give @VanWarro a follow over on Instagram. The slimmer fridge (about half the width of a traditional one), means more bench-space further down. Normanton. We only use sealed Proudly Australian made and Australian owned, Viscount Caravans aims to set the standard for fantastic value luxury caravans with a handpicked selection of quality appliances and fittings. (Can you tell Im in love?). Information about Viscount Caravan. Sitting on a six inch chassis, coupled with all terrian wheels and tyres, this van can handle national parks and dirt roads with ease. During that time, I had just 5 days where I didnt work on the van. Max Taylor has been caravanning since he was a kid and was the editor of some of Australia's most well-known RV publications for almost 10 years. Without AC transfer this wouldnt be possible and wed only be able to use the single power point on the inverter itself. DIY Caravan Buildlifestylereaders vansrestoration. Our hot water is heated by the Camec Instantaneous Hot Water system, which heats water directly from the caravans tanks without having a small holding tank built-in. MADVENTURE AGENCY, a part of the Adventure Marketing Group Pty Limited (ABN: 66 650 398 995), The KABE Royal Tower The story behind the double-deck caravan. Im sure my dad would be only to happy to talk if you like? Discover our luxury caravan model range now! For more information, see our disclosures here. Theres not a single shelf in any of the cabinets anywhere in the van. Probably time to sell now. Today, youll see many Viscounts on the road, after finding their way back into the hearts of the many Australians who have renovated their vintage vans to enjoy once again. Click here to Subscribe to ROAM caravan magazine, First Look Frontline HiAce 6th Generation. I would like to contact you to chat about your memories of Viscount Caravans. The answer to question one is a little harder, though is it anything like the old Viscounts? If youd like to read up on the history of the Viscount brand, and John and Maureen Carr, who started it all; Roam have a comprehensive article you may find interesting. You can see more of Sadie over at @weekendswithsadie and check out the accompanying blog for more: Weekends with Sadie. Thank you both. Caravan Towing Weights you absolutely must know: VEHICLE TARE WEIGHTWeight of empty vehicle with all fluids but only 10L of fuel. amazing how original it is. The front bed is surrounded by overhead lockers and side wardrobes; however, Viscount has not fitted side tables. Show: . As with anything, there are a couple of minor things Id do differently. The same thing happened when we later bought the factory site at Orange Grove Road. However Dunn was amazed to learn the man already regarded as one of Australias most successful up and coming businessmen could barely read or write. Here are a couple of resources Ive found useful. Battery 1 x 100ah Chassis Devan from Shaka Welding worked a 10 hour day in the rain and mud without a single complaint to get all the work completed in one day. I dont know if theyre planning on selling this van, like they did the first one, but Im sure itll give you loads of inspiration for doing a renovation of your own. 2009 | 5 berth | L:7290 x W:2231 x H:2700. Price Brand new cushions covers Queen size mattress (used once) New vinyl flooring New sink tap Painted interior and exterior New storage cupboards bench tops All ready to go away in.