Majestic Navigator Off-Road Caravan - Is this the next big thing?!

[@JanineAsh]

Have just watched this episode after seeing some of your other caravan reviews. We own a 2022 Active Storm 19.6 made by Majestic and we live in it full-time travelling Australia. We have found it very robust with no dust ingress after taking it on some very adventurous roads. The only downside has been the off-grid power system which let us down so much. We had no joy with after sales service and have since rectified this ourselves which was annoying but we never run out of power now. All in all a great caravan but poor after sales service through the agent we purchased from but I can't comment on Majestic after sales service.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@JanineAsh great feedback thank you - I felt the van is equal to a Titanium except off-grid power as you’ve found yourself. Thanks for commenting!

[@Charlie-ec3bc]

I still like the window over the bed my thinking of why you don’t see many is biggest possibility of dust engest

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@Charlie-ec3bc from what I can gather manufacturers aren't keen to sort out those issues - we should all demand to have one!

[@RayHannasky]

Hi, Watching the presentation of the van described a lot of similar features that are in our van eg, kitchen layout, dining area big shower, full off road chassis & suspension, washing machine, LED lights all round with a bright/dimmer control etc stero and TV pretty average. Bought the van new as is from the yard as opposed to the put your order in and waiting . Titan Black Hawk 595 19'6 added a 2000w inverter and lithium batteries and it will run the washing machine, microwave and toaster. cheers

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Sounds great!

[@cathmcgrath1861]

Best van we ever owned ….

[@placestosea]

we find preventing the jockey wheel from moving left and right ( a small amount) makes it a lot more difficult to hitch up with our do35 hitch. its far easier to move our van slightly left and right and the car can move back or forward (as required) so we position the jockey wheel facing across the van. simple. BTW, the dometic compressor fridge in our van automatically switches from supplies, 240v, van battery, car battery when driving.

[@waynegale825]

If the DO35 is too hard, get a Hitch Easy set up

[@matthewcarter232]

Great work guys on the van reviews, very comprehensive and lots of good points that don't always spring to mind. Perhaps you could mention whether the vans have a timber meranti frame, aluminium frame or full composite? For me more points if it is a full composite or aluminium frame construction. Also how it tows in general? Cheers

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Thanks Matthew - we are trying to become more consistent with that information! This van has a timber frame but there is an option for aluminum. It does have the honeycomb floor however, the best chassis I’ve seen and tows easily. Probably my best value for money van if you were spend 90-100K

[@ozmid40scouple]

That brand of water pump is used in lots of vans (must be cheap! lol) and they are NOISY........rip it n out and fit a Seaflow 42 series pump.......quiet as compared to the factory thing.....

[@caravansbythecampfire]

It was a Seaglove pimp, just that the lining of the wheel arch was just a couple flimsy bits sat on top each other - tin and light ply, vibrated with the passing wind! Shocker.

[@richardcharlton8259]

Forget the rest ZONE is the best 👌

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Looks that way from this lot.

[@AndyH-13]

Great video and review once again. Very nice van, but my understanding is these have a timber frame. We are still looking at the 19’6” Jayco All Terrain, mid 80k. They come with the cafe seating (tri fold table option $80) or L shape seating. So many vans to choose from.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Sounds good - yeah, the timber frame is interesting isn’t it. I can’t go past the cafe seating, love it! So many is an understatement - spins my head!! Haha. Thanks for the comments Andy!

[@maingey1]

Good rundown hower, the suspension is an XT not ATX, still very good but minor correction. The main thing that crosses this van of the list for us was that terrible floor creak! And the tare weight is terrible for what it offers. Also not the best choice to mount lithium batteries outside as they are not protected from extreme temps. Otherwise still a good run down, so keep up the good work.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Good to get corrections - I agree re batteries which I think I mentioned as needing a new location - I probably should have mentioned the floor creek - it’s in the owners list for warrantee fix, the water pump was my biggest irritation- again, an easy fix. Best chassis I’d seen by a long way. Was pretty impressive I have to say.

[@waynegale825]

Has anyone here caught up with lithium batteries in caravans? Now not allowed due to the instability. I would replace any lithium battery with AGM or Gel first up. Getting insured with lithium is going to become a way lot harder and a lot more expensive.

[@GavinYoung-f6n]

What about service after you buy one

[@unpluggedkiwi1063]

Have only just found you channel. Have watched two episodes so far (JB and Zone). Would be very interested in seeing you do an episode on the Bruder EXP8. I have only ever seen videos that were made by Bruder themselves, so would be good to see a review by someone independent.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

I think that review is sometime away - not easy to get those vans!!!

[@unpluggedkiwi1063]

@@caravansbythecampfire Bruder seem to like promoting their vans ie KZbin. But I have yet to find a proper independent review like you do. Now that your channel is getting established and they can see what you are doing, they may be amenable to loaning you one for a few days.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@unpluggedkiwi1063 yes, I’ve sent an email! See how that goes - great be them a day or 2 and I’ll call.

[@Carpo74]

Have u looked at a Kokoda yet?

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Hard to find to rent in NSW. Do look good though

[@gregheath6252]

Small front box where would one store your outdoor furniture love my large front box stores 4 chairs , table , generator and my BBQ

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@gregheath6252 nothing like a great tool box - yours sounds great

[@sue-ellenskinner954]

Was excited until we researched and found it was a timber frame - now off the list!

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Yes - an interesting fact. Mustn’t be too many left who do this nowadays. Despite that it genuinely impressive.

[@Svengali_Fishing]

Nothing wrong with a timer frame, plenty on the road have lasted decades

[@sue-ellenskinner954]

@@Svengali_Fishing I know, but times are changing, however termites haven't changed their diet

[@Svengali_Fishing]

@@sue-ellenskinner954 There is more than enough timber in a Ali frame frame van…if the termites attack either build it will be a write off regardless of the frame

[@markandkim66]

Houses are built with a timber frame, yet people think you can’t have a caravan with one, I don’t get it.

[@jimmycook872]

They are all nice vans but in the end you get what you pay for. Like you guys I was looking around and in the end I ended up with a Jayco 21-6 Outback slide out for under 100 grand and it's been to places you wouldn't even think of. It came with 400 Watt solar and 200 amp hour batteries lithium. 226 litre fridge three-way. An air conditioning that works from -2 to 52c ambient temperatures cools down to 16 and heat up to 30 degrees. Electric awning they're bloody great easy to set up. Don't need inverter I have a 2.2 kVA generator that I have not used yet. It is super quiet inside and we'll insulated. And it comes with aluminium frame independent suspension and a whole heap of tool boxes mounted underneath. And other features to numerous to mention. It has plenty of windows and hatches and ensuite to die for LOL We have been living off grid for 5 months and it's worked out better than what I originally thought. At first I wouldn't even considered it it's turned out to be excellent value. You guys wanna hurry up and make up your mind most of these caravans are already gone up another $20,000 for 2023 models. If you get a chance hire a Silverline, I can see why it's their flagship. Love your content. Looking forward to your next vid. Cheers 🇭🇲😀👍🍻🍻

[@caravansbythecampfire]

That sounds like a palace! Well done to you guys - I have to agree with you about the silverline, I’m on it!

[@nzmarkb8713]

The power points above the stove are in a strange place, you’re not going to use any of the appliances while they are in the cupboard 🤔 Not sold on having a microwave And timber frame is a stopper for me too

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Very strange place for them! I’m not too sure the timber frame is a factor really unless there’s some water getting in at some point, otherwise 40 years min service is well beyond my needs haha. I used the micro twice in 10 years I reckon - to heat a milk coffee. Much prefer a beauty gas oven.

[@ladysusanjane2682]

I must be the only person who doesn’t want the window above the bed head. How do you sit up in bed and read, leaning against the window??? Btw, taking off the stone guard is a good idea if, like us, you Jack knife or trying to get into a tight space and the guard hits the rear of the car. If it comes off, those few extra centimetres could make the difference between a dent and no dent (🤦🏼‍♀️)

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Couple of good observations there! Particularly the stone guard. Thank you. As for the window, I guess those readers have a wide range of choices.

[@stewierun9940]

Couple of things , feel like negative nacy 🤣 For a off road having the 2 tanks combined doesn’t make sense, a rock takes out a tap or pipe you lose the lot not just 1 tank and gas regulator has no protection but otherwise looks not too bad But who has a Do35 then puts weight distribution bars on so it can’t do its thing either off-road or in a accident 🤷🏼‍♂️ Well done 🍻

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Stewie - these are first class observations! Well done. All important and I certainly overlooked the water leak possibility and DO35 bar situations. In terms of the water tanks you'd think an isolation point between them would fix that - didn't see one but wasn't looking for one either - that would help solve that issue - I did like the fact that water weight was distributed more evenly over a larger water containment area when towing. The owner of the van uses the weight distribution bars on his vehicle, I prefer the airbags (on my car) to allow freedom in the hitch. I'll do a little research into that situation I think. Thanks for your comments, much appreciated.

[@andrewgriffiths2317]

Pretty sure they start at around $100k???

[@caravansbythecampfire]

This one was 85K 12 months ago - probs a run on the Covid squeeze tax - they’ll be back down in the near future.

[@ozmid40scouple]

@@caravansbythecampfire see if you can get your hands on an Essential Outlander (semi offroad) or Highlander (full off road) or their newer model C Class in semi or full off road.....

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@ozmid40scouple sounds good, will investigate - not much of the good stuff for rent.

[@MagnumJack]

great van review, great legs Tacy....sorry

[@Bandits_68]

Great van. Shit management system 👎

[@caravansbythecampfire]

They could do better!

[@JohnErnstP76]

Meranti frame no thankyou.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Some suggest they are better - more flexible etc. I’m with you, however unless they get wet they will probably outlast most humans!

[@JohnErnstP76]

@@caravansbythecampfire they will get wet there is not a van built with meranti from the 90s and early 2000s that hasn't got some water damage, one local repairer was fixing a rotted frame on a two year old van when I dropped in yesterday. In contrast I've seen 50 year old Franklins built with foam sandwich which are still as good as the day they were built.