Off Road Caravan Exterior Walk-Around | 2021 Zone 20.6 Base Review | Our Off Grid Home On Wheels

[@PeteWilsonAHCPhotography]

Really like how well you planned out your 'must haves', 'nice to have' and don't need. You clearly put much thought into this and it shows. Well done Liz & Simon.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@v8s01]

You guys are so kind and relaxed I’m enjoying watching keep it up 👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@kristenelmore3105]

The best customer review of an offroad caravan seen to-date. Top work guys. Looking forward to a full electrics set-up review.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks so much Kristen. Glad it helped

[@kieranhallinan995]

Cheers for the video! We have our Zone being delivered. To Victoria end of September, these videos are tieing us over until then. Chanting at the bit to get back out there has been a long lock down

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

You'll love it Kieran, thanks for watching!

[@clu51]

ZN330 - Nice walk around and great knowledge of the manufactured product.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks. Simon's done a lot of research 😆

[@kizza_bizza]

Great video!!! It’s great to see a honest review from a family using the van on a daily basis. We have a family base on order and your two videos are the closest we have come to seeing one in real life.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@CRUISEMASTERCOUNTRY]

We see you 👀, glad you're enjoying our gear! Great video and safe travels!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers guys. Loving where we can take our rig with confidence and arriving with it in one piece. 🙌

[@billweegink27]

MATE!!!! LOVE IT ,LOVE IT LOVE IT. You guys got all what I want. Even the same Weber Q which I wanted to know would fit. But extra art supplies are for ME. I do have a few Questions. How much $$$ is the airbag upgrade? How much was the solar & battery upgrade. Lastly, whats your ATM with full tanks & all your gear now. Thanks for the walk around Cheers guys loving your Vlogs.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers Bill, much appreciated. I'd recommend talking to @ZoneRV about up-to-date costs for options as it's been 12months since we ordered ours and they may have changed. Our ATM is about 3200kgs loaded, we're doing a vid all about weights and limits soon!

[@darzb480]

Ok Simon. Show us dumping the composting toilet... Can't wait for that one!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

😬😆 No-one wants to see that

[@darzb480]

@@TheLifestylePioneers Simon did you do the Microwave cupboard handle latch mod yourself. Or Zonerv. I have seen other base models have this fitted... Keep up the great work, we watch your vids over and over and find answers to our zone questions within your images. Our 18.6 build date is July 2023 by choice. We haven't seen a one yet.. Maybe next year. Cheers guys. Love ya work

[@grahambelby9117]

Great video, have just picked up so much useful information. We have ordered our Base Limited Edition ZB171 which due in November 21 can’t wait. They are a really well priced van for what you get, and the lighter weight is what sold us. Keep up great videos. Graham & Ann

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad it was helpful! And thanks for the feedback Graham 🙌

[@jase8793]

Great informative video particularly as we're currently thinking about the purchase of the Base...really appreciate it & look fwd to viewing your travels via the channel...cheers Jase

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad it was helpful, Jase! Let Zone know we sent you 👍

[@alanstevens6172]

Hi just watched your external/internal vid’s absolutely brilliant love your van cheers happy travels 👌

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Awesome, thank you!

[@gregwhittingham1909]

Great video people, much appreciated the effort you made. Safe Travels :)

[@mrjimwrongwaywend]

Great informative video

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Greg, much appreciated.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@Joshi069]

Great commentary on why you did or didn’t get certain options. Thanks for the valuable info!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad it was helpful! 👍

[@iantooke3549]

Awesome vid. Nice tare weight safe travels I'm looking at 18.6 base

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers. Let us know how you go. Tell Zone we sent you 👍

[@iantooke3549]

@@TheLifestylePioneers hey mate what sort tare weight could I get away with on 18.6 base. Want bare minimum as going pull it with new Dmax don't need pull out kitchen. Use Webber q are you happy your van. Any minor probs cheers Ian

[@cjd3207]

Another great video. Two questions ball park figure for the cost, we're thinking of an upgrade and a walk about on the truck, set up sometime? Love your presentations guys.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! We've been meaning to do a walkaround of the Ranger so some time now, thanks for the reminder! Best to contact Zone (and mention us when you do 😉) about current pricing and lead times but it would be somewhere around $120k including all our options.

[@billramsey800]

Very cool van well excellent.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! 👍

[@Always_Sunday_yt]

Our dream van, would you share the final price with the extras you chose? Thanks

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Matt. Ours came in at just under $120k

[@woolengrappler]

I wish we had these in the USA!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

One day maybe!

[@markh6676]

How do you go keeping under the Ranger's 6T GCM. Do you have van/vehicle weights for the rig fully loaded with tanks full etc.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

We're under! You have to be careful but it's doable. Video out soon all about weights and limits!

[@1989cranston]

@@TheLifestylePioneers I tow a 2.6T tare, 3.5T ATM 22" bunk van, when loaded, is around 3T with our ranger that weighs 3.2T unhitched. We have a GVM/GCM upgrade done on it with state compliance ( after initial registration so only allowed if registered in NSW, but is still acknowledged if visiting other states ). allowed weights are 3.5T GVM and 6.6T GCM. The ranger hasnt missed a beat with all the 4wding accessories i have attached to it.

[@michaelphillips7596]

great review of base caravan ,question when living off grid with 2 people with 300 liters of water how often do you have a shower ,how long will it last ,do you have 1 minute showers ,could you explain your water use or have you done a review.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Michael. We haven't done a video about water, although it is in the pipeline. We work on 3-4 days/100L is generally pretty comfortable. Showers are a luxury and very quick affair!

[@raymann4027]

Great vid again. Are you still in Victoria? IMO Zone are the best vans made in Australia Cheers guys

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers, yeah we love the Zone. We were in Vic earlier this year, in the NT now! Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more up-to-date locations 🙌

[@johnpurches6453]

Great vid guys and looking forward to more. Just a question on the location of the Weber in the front tool box - does it slide out far enough. In the vid doesn't look like it clears the side of the van?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yes it does. Once it's unstrapped it can move out to the edge of the drawer. It just needs to be in this position when travelling so the toolbox door can close 👍

[@Sarvimate]

Love living vicariously through your family and videos while we wait for our zone too. One question can you disconnect the ESC on the Zone? (I.e. when going on Sand?)

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for the support. We've never tried to disconnect it, not sure if you can. Might be a questions for @ZoneRV guys.

[@wilsonbrittenrealestate6862]

Thanks So Much, I enjoyed both the internal and external vids. We are very close to ordering our Zone Base and dive a Ranger as well, so you both have been a great help in the decision process. Quick Question how does the Truma 4E HWS and heater perform? We were told it runs out of hot water quickly? Regards Matt

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad it was helpful! The HWS doesn't have a huge capacity but we're off grid most of the time so we can't really afford the water usage anyway. It's been fine for our needs.

[@MrOddjoboo7]

Great vid just a question what brand van jack/jockey wheel is fitted to your van as I love the idea of yours thanks 💪

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Corey. Not sure what brand it is. There's no markings on it that I can see. It's the standard one that Zone supplies.

[@wayneshoebridge2777]

Why did you change all wheels to 17 inch rather than just changing the Ranger to 16 inch and leaving the van with its standard 16 inch? I have a Zone on order and also have a Ranger and was thinking of just changing the Ranger to 16 inch. Just wondering if there was a reason with your decision?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

I think the 17" size is a good balance between handling, good sidewall for offroad and aesthetics. It was also the size Zone offered when selecting the alloy wheel upgrade at the time.

[@brett5313]

Thank you, very informative video. I have been going over options myself for a 20'6' we are getting next year and considering costs and weights and I have come to the same conclusions you have on every external option except the rear access ladder that I have included. How do you get up on the roof? Happy travels

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad it was helpful! I rarely get up there but I just climb up from the spare tyre on the back

[@Hugo-bx3qc]

nice van guys, where does the vent for the natures head toilet come out?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Hugo. The vent goes through the wall into a cavity behind the fridge and then exits through the roof.

[@tonydicicco7684]

Hi Guys, great series. Did you change rims and tyres to your base afyter handover?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Tony. Zone did the rims and tyres as an upgrade before handover. 👍

[@chrisdietzel6485]

Great vid! Thanks. How did you do the wheel/hub changeout as, I heard that it cant be done at build time. Did you have to get it done at first service?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers, Chris. We had the wheels and tyres done at build, but it may no longer be possible to do so with Zone. The hubs are the standard ones.

[@gregclark4383]

Thanks for the external tour, what size is the socket that fits the support legs? Also I think the rubber seal on the door has probably just crept apart. If you took it off a re-positioned the seal it would fit again and the beauty of rubber it joins very well with superglue. In the past we've made plenty of o-rings from splicing and glueing. Also if you run a Stone Stomper is there any need to keep the Zone stone guard?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Greg. 19mm socket. We've mucked around with the seal but it just doesn't have enough stretch. We've trialled running no stone guard but it does offer a little extra protection so we're happy to leave it there. 👍

[@JustcruznRob-AlanaBuick]

Thnx guys, great van. What the brand name of your jockey wheel jack? Thanks rob

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

We're not sure Rob, it's the standard one that @ZoneRV supplies with the base. Perhaps they could help you out? 👍

[@francissexton1085]

Hi Guys, love your video. Can you tell me if the bed protrudes in the pathway when walking into to the van?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Francis! It does a little, but works fine. You can get a bolstered mattress to slide it back during the day I'm pretty sure.

[@donnakelly6581]

Hi guys, just wondering if it's not too personal is how much did it cost for all the upgrades. Thanks guys and love your show

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Not at all. Our Zone was a little under $120 with all the options included as you see in our videos. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@derekbrown3313]

Great vid.please a question the cruise master set up.Did you opt for the ATX air with level 4 air control kit and which type of shock absorbers in the system.Thinking of buying the Base but with the Off road XT air bag with stage 4 air control.whats your thoughts? thanks

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers Derek. Ours is the XT suspension with manual air controls. Auto level would be fun but not sure I'd pay extra for it.

[@jarrydgazelle1370]

Bugger now I want to sell our new van that’s not even built yet and go and see zone. I’m predicting at least a 2.8 tare for us

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

#sorrynotsorry 😆👍

[@gregb1823]

Same questions as Mark H - regarding van/weight limits especially GCM. Does the Ranger struggle to tow the weight ?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers Greg. Ranger handles it really well. We're releasing a video soon all about weight and limits. Subscribe so you don't miss it 😉

[@1NSTYL]

😲are all the hatches/locks outside keyed the same?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

They sure are mate, it would do my head in having separate keys 🤣. 1 for the main door, 1 for the front toolbox (same key for all 4 latches) and the 3rd key does all the hatches and the fold down table.

[@tanyascott4100]

What brand of induction cooker do you recommend or have used?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

We use a Phillips one. Haven't used any others. It's doing the job.

[@tanyascott4100]

@@TheLifestylePioneers Thank you, I’m thoroughly enjoying your videos😊

[@letsgotravelaustralia]

Hi what jockey wheel are you using? ta

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Not sure what brand it is. It's the standard one Zone use on the Base series, you might have to check with them.

[@joking7081]

Noticed the tank water fill points which is different to the traditional fill points. Good idea if filling from a water hose but how do you get on filling from a jerry can?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Hi Jo, it will gravity fill from a Jerry can easily, we've done this a number of times.

[@jorjimaco5331]

2.5k with full water tanks??

[@Joshi069]

Nah, tare weight = unladen weight. Empty. No payload.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It would be around 2750kg with full tanks

[@jorjimaco5331]

Yeah I know what tare is. Just thought you said full weight of 2.5t over the scales. All good 👍. I like zone vans . My 20f comes in at 2.3 tare, 2.9t axle group. Plenty. Have fun, first lap is a guess 2nd lap gets better 3rd is still cruzin.

[@mikeelatham]

F

[@kyliehanson2421]

Not a good idea to tow a van heavier than the tow vehicle.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for the feedback Kylie. There's not much weight difference between them to be fair and it tows beautifully. There wouldn't be many full-size vans on the road that weigh less than their tow tug.