2023 AVan Cruiseliner 1D Adventure Pack First Trip Review

[@hiltonr1845]

Thanks for posting , we are looking at this exact model and found your review very helpful. Looking forward to see your Solar /12 v upgrades in the future

[@rubitherubicon22]

Thanks. I have most of the gear for the upgrade here and hoping to make a start on getting the bulk of the install done over the next few weeks. Will have more videos coming on this soon.

[@robbiebob6267]

Thankyou for the very informative clip..... The cruiseliner adventure pack is a nice compromise & yours is a nice rig. I used to have a standard 2007 cruiseliner & it was great only that it was a bit low so we sold it & got a adventure plus & love it! All the best with your camping sir & have fun.

[@rubitherubicon22]

Our pleasure. We have since done some mods to it and we’ll be sharing an update video soon. Lots more in store for this one.

[@robbiebob6267]

@@rubitherubicon22 fantastic....👍😉

[@robbiebob6267]

​@@rubitherubicon22..... Just an update I'm in the process of upgrading to lithium battery so therefore I'm swapping out the factory projecta solar regulator & 240 charger with the same items that are lithium compatible..... The original lead acid battery 35kg vs 14kg with lithium .

[@rubitherubicon22]

@@robbiebob6267We have since installed a big Victron system and I have a 240Ah lithium battery on the floor here waiting to go in. Just make sure the battery box meets the new venting and sealing requirements so that you don't void your insurance in the process of doing the upgrade. The AVan battery box doesn't meet the regs.

[@toniclark1966]

Really helpful review - thanks

[@rubitherubicon22]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ben7020]

Thanks for the walk thru 👍

[@rubitherubicon22]

No problem. Hope it helped. Be sure to check our follow ups since we did this one too!

[@garanestephens8167]

Great video, very helpful.

[@rubitherubicon22]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnclaessens9146]

Totally agree about the lack of power outlets. We added 2 USB sockets above the Fire Extinguisher recess by piggy-backing from the installed one but used higher output ones from Fleabay , easy job. 240 volt stuff needs an electrician but we manage and use our external power when cooking (usually outdoors). Avan should also provide some sort of battery monitoring device, we installed a Victron SmartShunt which provides an accurate display of battery capacity, use and draw. Battery standards only apply to vans built after November 2023. Also recommend putting some lid stays purchased from Bunnings on the 3 lid doors at the inside front of the van, save some bruised fingers:)

[@rubitherubicon22]

Hey. Yeah I'll be adding a pair of 18W USBC/USB combo outlets on either side of the bed and another behind the fridge area, as well as a second power point behind the fridge area. The entire system that's going in is being done by a friend who is a sparky, and it's a full Victron system. CCGX, Multiplus, SmartSolar MPPT, Orion DC-DC and a SmartShunt just to name some bits of the system. This van was manufactured with a date of Dec 2023, so the new standards apply, maybe AVan didn't get the memo? If you could subscribe it would be awesome as you'll get updates of the build as it goes along. Struts are on the to-do list :D

[@johnclaessens9146]

Sounds great, we have also added a Redarc BCDC system and some other enhancements. We also have a Bluetti battery system. It has built in inverter, solar charging, 240v charging or 12v charging which helps for off grid camping. The Avan has a basic electrical system but in the end you would end up paying more with maybe something that wasn't what was wanted and poorly done. The wiring is a bit ordinary as well but my brother has a top end caravan costing heaps which still has issues. I prefer doing my own mods, at least I know it is done properly. Something I experienced was the screws holding the gas struts in place on the lift up double bed pulled out so I replaced them all with bolts.@@rubitherubicon22

[@rubitherubicon22]

A lot of the systems, redarc, Victron, etc are all fairly similar once fully installed. The Bluetti is an interesting device although I’m not sure it’s going to suit our particular needs. I’d prefer an installed system over one of those. Will keep an eye out for those screws deteriorating over time.

[@russellskillen4070]

Top review, I will try and put together a video on my highly modified Cruiser soon, I have 8 usb points.

[@rubitherubicon22]

I've got a couple of 18W USB/USBC flat mount combination outlets here waiting to go in - I just haven't had time. I'm probably going to see if I can find a higher output outlet to go over near the dinette though.

[@Sandie-bm1pv]

Thanks, great video!😀

[@rubitherubicon22]

No worries. Subscribe to the channel and I’ll have some more updates as we continue to fit it out.

[@sjTHEfirst]

Great video walk through.

[@rubitherubicon22]

Thanks! Subscribe for more in depth reviews of some of the gear coming!

[@southerngentleman5321]

flooded cell vents gas too yeah? The whole concept is great but as usual a bit of a dig under the skin and you see the "market" as it usually is.. great of you to show us, thank you (wonder if you ended up keeping it)

[@rubitherubicon22]

Flooded cells absolutely vent yes. I’m in the process of upgrading the electrical system in the van. The AVan offering works but in our opinion it’s quite sub-par and we’re replacing the whole shebang. 1600W pass though inverter, 700W of solar, 480Ah of lithium. In order to do it though there won’t be much of the original 12 or 240 system left. We have a teaser on our FB page. Subscribe for updates we should have something up in a week or two.

[@southerngentleman5321]

@@rubitherubicon22 makes you wonder about a more bare bones purchase.. surprised a dealer hasn't picked up on the idea of doing a better job of making a more off grid one

[@rubitherubicon22]

@southerngentleman5321 that basically what we did. I actually asked for it to be supplied without a battery but they couldn’t do that. The dealers I don’t think offer a lot of extras like this, and what I’m doing is pretty out there. I haven’t seen it done in a Cruiseliner before, ever. And once this is done I plan to rip out the tortion bar suspension and replace it with a double shock air bag setup. There won’t be much AVan left.

[@jockwar]

Great info I bought a Junko all-terrain full of problems all getting fixed under warranty but 6 months waiting list probably other junko’s needing warranty work I’m travelling Oz myself I liked the look of the avan criuseliner adventure plus but because of COVID I wanted an ensuite inside but when it’s hot up north I have mostly been on powered sites with amenities & mostly used the ensuite as storage so after I get all the warranty issues fixed I will probably get one 😎

[@rubitherubicon22]

I’ve never heard of of the Junko all-terrain I’ll have to look it up. We like the Cruiseliner, but yes no ensuite or toilet. Some people do fit a toilet on a slide in the cupboard next to the door but we decided we weren’t too keen on that.

[@vantripinoz369]

Hi, thanks for the video. I have a small campervan and we are thinking of upgrading our car and getting a cruiseliner 1D adventure plus. I have a few questions - What's it like to tow? Have you had any issues with the seals on the van - I have heard that they can leak and need replacing at times? What brand of hot water system does it have. Thanks for your help. safe travels

[@rubitherubicon22]

Hey thanks for watching the video. We tow with a Jeep Gladiator and it tows really well, but how well it tows will depend on your vehicle and setup. We added airbags in the rear to help with the rear end sag and it does make it a lot more comfortable, but they weren’t needed. The foam seals will need replacing eventually, as all foam degrades, but we’ve not noticed any leaking and we’ve had the van in some pretty heavy rain. I believe 5 years is about the average life of the seals. Our HWS is the gas/electric system, it works very well. I’d suggest if you haven’t, go check out our ULTIMATE AVan video as it shows the updates we’ve done so far.

[@explorethebush]

That hitch needs to be swapped for a D035 pronto. Nice van

[@rubitherubicon22]

We’re not doing any serious off-roading with it yet, but when we do our suspension upgrade we will be going to a better hitch.

[@RobynBabbs]

Hi, how do you think this would tow behind a subaru outback? Thanks for your video

[@rubitherubicon22]

I’m not familiar enough with the vehicle to know if it wouldn’t or wouldn’t be suitable sorry.

[@SeaWeed-p2d]

Just done a lap around Oz with a Subaru Outback 2020 2.5l. The new Suburu with turbo can pull 3tonne braked would be better on hills.

[@tugboat8475]

So how long does it take you to put the full Annexe up roughly? And was it like a jigsaw the first time you did it. Also, would you know if Avan actually sell a caravan cover for it as we do not have the room for a garage under council regulations. Cheers

[@rubitherubicon22]

It takes us about 20 minutes to setup the Annexe. It’s not a difficult process once you e done it a few times but yes, it can be a bit of a jigsaw. I’m not aware of any covers made for them, I know the smaller domes have a habit of warping if they’re under a cover. We store ours beside our house with the roof/sides setup, in order to keep pressure off the springs.

[@sandythomson7923]

I am about to buy an awning,and wondering which one you have purchased as I see the track is different to what I thought …..cheers Sandy

[@rubitherubicon22]

We got the Tebbs awning from Alpine Annexes. It doesn’t use the factory awning track - so we ordered ours without it and fitted the one that’s supplied for the awning.

[@sandythomson7923]

@@rubitherubicon22 Thanks for getting back to me ,I’ve seen video of them and so my next question is ,any problem fitting the track yourself ,I have checked out there fitting vid ..thanks again for getting back to me ……….thanks Sandy

[@rubitherubicon22]

@@sandythomson7923 my only advice is measure, test fit, mark, drill the holes and then remove and add the silicone/sealant and re-fit and give the sealant time to dry. It’s not hard if you’re handy with tools but it’s not something you want to rush. I did and as a result I got the lower front rail slightly wrong and so the side has a bit of a kink in it when it’s velcroed to the skirt as I mounted the lower rail too far forward.

[@sandythomson7923]

Many thanks ,wondering if I should video my attempt 😀

[@rubitherubicon22]

@@sandythomson7923 in hindsight I should have done mine, but I was on a time crunch and we really didn’t start this KZbin journey until recently so it hadn’t crossed my mind.

[@philbis2774]

Top review .. I would never buy a caravan from a dealership

[@rubitherubicon22]

We wanted a new van built to our specs, so yeah. I guess if you don’t mind buying second hand and dealing with someone else’s fit out that works but the ability to select trim and configuration was a must for us.

[@southerngentleman5321]

buy direct from manufacturer then? we starting to look around and see a lot of bad stoyys..

[@rubitherubicon22]

@@southerngentleman5321 not an option for AVan, everything goes through a dealer network.