Australian Dutchmen

[WarrenK]

Hi Everyone,
I am Warren, I am in the process of purchasing a Kodiak 221RBSL. Once the sale is finalized and I have all the government permits the trailer will be shipped to Australia. When I receive it I will then modify it to make it compliant with Australian rules so I can register it.
It needs a door installed in the left side, all the gas lines removed and replaced with copper lines, all the 110v wiring and fittings replaced with 240v wiring and fittings.
The coupling, chains, all the signal lighting need to replaced as well. The is so it meet the Australian Design Rules.
All the gas appliances needs to be certified for use in Australia. Some of the 110v appliances needs to replaced and whats left I need to a step down transformer.
So get ready for lots of questions when I start work on it(should receive it by Christmas).

Warren

[Sinecure]

Welcome to the forum.

Wow! It sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. Just out of curiosity, what made you decide to take on such a large project? Would it not be cheaper to buy a caravan in Austrailia that already has all of the systems and is already compliant with your local requirements?

Either way, I'm excited to see your progress and please post lots of pictures along the way.

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by Sinecure

Would it not be cheaper to buy a caravan in Austrailia that already has all of the systems and is already compliant with your local requirements?

I too will be interested to see how this progresses. And I too wonder why?

[WarrenK]

There is a couple of reasons, the uniqueness of a US caravan in Australia and and the overall cost. By the time you add the cost of the unit, the freight costs the Aussie government taxes, the modifications and compliancing the cost still is at least $15,000 cheaper than a comparable caravan in Australia. Strength and quality I would think would be similar.
I don't think the mods are that great. The door and steps should be pretty straightforward. The door will replace a window, so the hole is half there already. The gas lines will be done by a gas fitter, I am an electrician so the 240v and 12v electrics should be OK. I have a son who is a boiler maker, so the welding for the coupling(hitch) is taken care off.

Warren

[Nana & Poppy]

Originally Posted by WarrenK

There is a couple of reasons, the uniqueness of a US caravan in Australia and and the overall cost. By the time you add the cost of the unit, the freight costs the Aussie government taxes, the modifications and compliancing the cost still is at least $15,000 cheaper than a comparable caravan in Australia. Strength and quality I would think would be similar.
I don't think the mods are that great. The door and steps should be pretty straightforward. The door will replace a window, so the hole is half there already. The gas lines will be done by a gas fitter, I am an electrician so the 240v and 12v electrics should be OK. I have a son who is a boiler maker, so the welding for the coupling(hitch) is taken care off.

Warren

Please take pictures along the way and keep us informed of your progress............

So to purchase in Australia would cost your approximately $40,000 US dollars?????? WOW!

[knesdad]

Welcome aboard, and your project sounds very interesting. I too would like to see the transformation process!

Dave.