Wow Nat I really hope lifestyle are giving you something in return for what you are doing, What a great video. It’s nice to see a review from a customer rather than a salesperson looking forward to number three. Very very well done cheers
That is a very comprehensive setup. The external kitchen in poor weather is a concern to "me", but you did answer this in part 1 query, awning & walls utilised. Having said that, I dislike cooking internally in our van as odours are absorbed into soft furnishings, so at every opportunity I cook externally, usually at the kitchen in the rear of our Patrol, but permanent external kitchen, hmm, still undecided. Lifestyle, I personally think for your circumstances you chose well, that is a good solid van/camper, it is full of simplicity, purpose, all that appears well designed, incorporated. One thing I'm totally certain of, their Webb site is about to be bombarded with enquiry as a result of your excellent walk through, congrats. So looking forward to the electrical walk thru, you have a grand way of uncomplicating the mystery of 12v supply for the masses utilising it on road today. Early 2000's, caravanning is so in the 80's was the concept. Now move forward 20 years, the 80's sales are so blown out, caravanning life has boomed.
Thanks Ian, for sure the outdoor kitchen is a decal breaker for some, but it's all down to personal preference and patience 😆 Much needed by all of us sometimes 😛 Glad this series was entertaining and enjoyable, always appreciate the feedback and comments 👍 Cheers
Hi Nathan, very detailed video, so much so I'm going to have to watch it again. We are going to pinch some of your good ideas & tips(thanks mate). Didn't realise the interior lights were dimable and had forgotten about the storage space under the seat where the compressor lives (how did I miss that?). It's always good to see how and where people store and organise their stuff. Cheers, Richard.
Awesome, glad I could refresh the memory there 😉 So many storage options and features, it's hard to grasp all of them from a single handover. Hopefully these episode will help others looking to get into this market too 🤞
Another cracker presentation Nathan. Reconn should either be offering you shares or a partnership. My inside van kitchen does me fine during winter travels 😊 Comprehensive and engaging once again.
i like the caravan and I've gone over the spec on it a lot. it's made well and it's large enough for a small family, one of your big reasons for you guys buying one in it's price is your planed time that you are going to be using it. but for me i can't justify buying one that expensive for a single retired person who might be interested in a couple of months a year. i will still be looking at a hybrid and i want whatever i get to have air suspension, I'll even get it fitted myself if must but it going to have it. it's a very interesting and informative video thanks 👍
For sure, that's a big consideration. For us living out of it full time for a year influenced the budget and it was significantly different to a budget that would be set for a weekend camper 👍 100% agree with your thoughts on air suspension though, quite literally gets used every single day
Love the video - awesome work putting that together. Also gives a lot of inspiration how to improve our camp setup! Hope you are enjoying your trip around Australia and see you out there some day!
Part two is the same high standard as part one. You make a great ambassador for this camper, but I know you are genuinely thrilled with its performance. Keep enjoying your trip around Australia while I wait patiently for the next instalment.
Another thorough episode Nathan. One question that my wife has about any hybrid van, is how does it fare in the colder climes when you are faced with lots of wind and rain. Do you lose alot of your internal heat through the vinyl walls? I know you have the aircon to heat or cool with, but how do you find it in retaining either the heat or cool air?
Hey mate, so yes not nearly as insulated as a full size van. The vinyl does little does retain the heat or cool. We have spent many nights in single digits temps and a few nights in 1 degree weather and although cold, warm bedding (even without the heater - as we don't have a diesel heater) its still manageable. A diesel heater would be my recommendation though, this would make it very comfortable off-grid 👍
Another good episode, thanks. What is the van like when it's windy? Do the vinyl walls flap and bang? They are right near your head, so I guess you'd really hear it if it is noisy. Also, if it's really cold outside does the cold come straight through the vinyl, or is it a bit insulated?
For sure, some questions I'll need to note for a future review/long term episode. Noise, not too bad, the awning is noisier, but no different than other campers. The vinyl itself doesn't really create any offensive noises. The temperate, yes, this is never going to be as well insulated as full size vans. It will always loose, or gain heat much faster than other fully insulated caravans. We have spend many nights in single digits and with warm bedding we have been alright 👍
Hey mate, this just a temp/humidity gauge from both the main display unit and a remote sensor in the storage compartment 👍 TO be honest, I don't really use them very often and probably wouldn't purchase again in my circumstance
Awesome review Nathan. Would love to hear your thoughts on how you think the ZoneRV Expedition stacks up against the R4? Hard to see the Zone having a better kitchen and lifestyle have been at this a while so would have worked all the kinks out.
Love the van, they are so well set up. Did you consider the underbed a/c heater unit? I thought in a hybrid it would be a better system then the roof top unit.
Hey mate, so I don't know if Lifestyle do the under seat aircon anymore. I know they do the heating unit, but I think the addition is the roof top only... but I would have to check on that again 🤔
To be honest mate, these come so well equipped from factory there is very little to do other than add your personal touches. We didn't do a whole lot and even after a year, we were very happy with the setup 👍 We've got a long term review coming out in a few weeks which might help those out who are looking at something similar 👍
Depends heavily on the conditions and how much portable solar I have plugged in. I have done tests in optimal conditions were I have run the aircon just using the roof mounted solar panels and still brought in a small charge therefore being able to run indefinitely (during solar hours). However, generally when it's really hot and you want to use it, the solar isn't running that efficient. Given that the aircon runs at about 60amp usage, any more solar is surplus, any less will start to drain from the batteries. Also keep in mind that generally you would want the batteries capacity to be full before using it and this can take most of the day to do, otherwise you end up in this never ending negative charge scenario, if that makes sense. The best part for us is just using it for 15/20 min at night while trying to put the kids to bed after their showers. Takes the heat and humidity out of the camper and much more comfortable to go to bed.
The Jayco will always hold that place in our setup as our first caravan and taught us what we wanted and what we needed. This is a perfect setup now and something we wouldn't change out anytime soon! 👍 PS. We paid RRP for the Reconn
To be honest, we never detected any heat coming from that top vent. The ventilation heat comes from the base forced by a small fan. Although yes, it still vents into the camper, I'd much rather this than reducing dust sealing properties to have it vent outside? I'm not sure what the alternative would be?
I usually skip the intro to most videos on TH-cam... I watched this one twice! Well done :)
He is getting more and more professional in making these. A delight to watch..
Awesome, thanks mate. Those little few seconds take more time than the rest f the video combined 😆 This comment makes it worth it, cheers 🍻
Wow Nat I really hope lifestyle are giving you something in return for what you are doing, What a great video. It’s nice to see a review from a customer rather than a salesperson looking forward to number three. Very very well done cheers
Thanks mate, appreciate that 🙏
You've done an excellent job with organising the interior space. 👍
Lifestyle should be paying you for these excellent vids. Thanks for sharing
Haha, thanks mate 👍 It's a great living space
This man is very proud of his kitchen! ; ). Jokes aside, I love the fact that it’s onboard rather than the usual pull out style. Nice one.
Haha 😆 I sure do! Best in the market in my opinion. Much better than a slide out option 👍
Great rundown on the van
Thanks 🙏
Another great video, thank you. Would love to see a video setting up Awning with walls and sail track etc 👍🏻
Thanks mate, I'll see if I can get to this in a future episode 👍
Amazing, so appreciative thank you 🙏
Thank you, glad it could be of help 👍
That is a very comprehensive setup. The external kitchen in poor weather is a concern to "me", but you did answer this in part 1 query, awning & walls utilised.
Having said that, I dislike cooking internally in our van as odours are absorbed into soft furnishings, so at every opportunity I cook externally, usually at the kitchen in the rear of our Patrol, but permanent external kitchen, hmm, still undecided.
Lifestyle, I personally think for your circumstances you chose well, that is a good solid van/camper, it is full of simplicity, purpose, all that appears well designed, incorporated.
One thing I'm totally certain of, their Webb site is about to be bombarded with enquiry as a result of your excellent walk through, congrats.
So looking forward to the electrical walk thru, you have a grand way of uncomplicating the mystery of 12v supply for the masses utilising it on road today.
Early 2000's, caravanning is so in the 80's was the concept.
Now move forward 20 years, the 80's sales are so blown out, caravanning life has boomed.
Thanks Ian, for sure the outdoor kitchen is a decal breaker for some, but it's all down to personal preference and patience 😆 Much needed by all of us sometimes 😛
Glad this series was entertaining and enjoyable, always appreciate the feedback and comments 👍
Cheers
Hi Nathan, very detailed video, so much so I'm going to have to watch it again. We are going to pinch some of your good ideas & tips(thanks mate). Didn't realise the interior lights were dimable and had forgotten about the storage space under the seat where the compressor lives (how did I miss that?). It's always good to see how and where people store and organise their stuff.
Cheers,
Richard.
Awesome, glad I could refresh the memory there 😉
So many storage options and features, it's hard to grasp all of them from a single handover. Hopefully these episode will help others looking to get into this market too 🤞
Another cracker presentation Nathan. Reconn should either be offering you shares or a partnership. My inside van kitchen does me fine during winter travels 😊 Comprehensive and engaging once again.
i like the caravan and I've gone over the spec on it a lot. it's made well and it's large enough for a small family, one of your big reasons for you guys buying one in it's price is your planed time that you are going to be using it. but for me i can't justify buying one that expensive for a single retired person who might be interested in a couple of months a year. i will still be looking at a hybrid and i want whatever i get to have air suspension, I'll even get it fitted myself if must but it going to have it. it's a very interesting and informative video thanks 👍
For sure, that's a big consideration. For us living out of it full time for a year influenced the budget and it was significantly different to a budget that would be set for a weekend camper 👍
100% agree with your thoughts on air suspension though, quite literally gets used every single day
Love the video - awesome work putting that together. Also gives a lot of inspiration how to improve our camp setup! Hope you are enjoying your trip around Australia and see you out there some day!
Thanks mate, appreciate it. Glad it was enjoyable 👍
We are literally having the time of our lives out here and enjoying every moment of it
Part two is the same high standard as part one. You make a great ambassador for this camper, but I know you are genuinely thrilled with its performance. Keep enjoying your trip around Australia while I wait patiently for the next instalment.
Thanks Greg! 🙏
Travelling Australia is even more enjoyable with a camper like this 💪
Easily the best quality videos on YT.
Cheers, that's much appreciated 🙏
Nice one mate... What a nice set up mate and what a space there is for all of your stuff 🤙🏼
Thanks Simon, sure is a perfect setup for our family 👍
Great video!!! They should sponsor you.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Another thorough episode Nathan. One question that my wife has about any hybrid van, is how does it fare in the colder climes when you are faced with lots of wind and rain. Do you lose alot of your internal heat through the vinyl walls? I know you have the aircon to heat or cool with, but how do you find it in retaining either the heat or cool air?
Hey mate, so yes not nearly as insulated as a full size van. The vinyl does little does retain the heat or cool.
We have spent many nights in single digits temps and a few nights in 1 degree weather and although cold, warm bedding (even without the heater - as we don't have a diesel heater) its still manageable.
A diesel heater would be my recommendation though, this would make it very comfortable off-grid 👍
I love this camper and wish I could afford it!
It's an awesome trailer that's taken us years and years of saving to achieve 👍
Another good episode, thanks.
What is the van like when it's windy? Do the vinyl walls flap and bang? They are right near your head, so I guess you'd really hear it if it is noisy. Also, if it's really cold outside does the cold come straight through the vinyl, or is it a bit insulated?
For sure, some questions I'll need to note for a future review/long term episode.
Noise, not too bad, the awning is noisier, but no different than other campers. The vinyl itself doesn't really create any offensive noises.
The temperate, yes, this is never going to be as well insulated as full size vans. It will always loose, or gain heat much faster than other fully insulated caravans.
We have spend many nights in single digits and with warm bedding we have been alright 👍
Hi great vid the Therm Pro temp gauge you have in the inside kitchen what does it do just curious well done.
Hey mate, this just a temp/humidity gauge from both the main display unit and a remote sensor in the storage compartment 👍 TO be honest, I don't really use them very often and probably wouldn't purchase again in my circumstance
Awesome review Nathan. Would love to hear your thoughts on how you think the ZoneRV Expedition stacks up against the R4? Hard to see the Zone having a better kitchen and lifestyle have been at this a while so would have worked all the kinks out.
Thanks mate 🙏
Maybe something I can talk about in review/long term use video on the Lifestyle 👍
Love the van, they are so well set up.
Did you consider the underbed a/c heater unit?
I thought in a hybrid it would be a better system then the roof top unit.
Hey mate, so I don't know if Lifestyle do the under seat aircon anymore. I know they do the heating unit, but I think the addition is the roof top only... but I would have to check on that again 🤔
Possibly the best external kitchen on any van currently on the market in Australia.
For sure, I agree with this 100%
Awesome mate. What would you improve on now that you have had some time with?
To be honest mate, these come so well equipped from factory there is very little to do other than add your personal touches.
We didn't do a whole lot and even after a year, we were very happy with the setup 👍
We've got a long term review coming out in a few weeks which might help those out who are looking at something similar 👍
@@XploringOz awesome thanks heaps!!
Hey mate, how long can the aircon run on the inverter?
Depends heavily on the conditions and how much portable solar I have plugged in. I have done tests in optimal conditions were I have run the aircon just using the roof mounted solar panels and still brought in a small charge therefore being able to run indefinitely (during solar hours).
However, generally when it's really hot and you want to use it, the solar isn't running that efficient. Given that the aircon runs at about 60amp usage, any more solar is surplus, any less will start to drain from the batteries.
Also keep in mind that generally you would want the batteries capacity to be full before using it and this can take most of the day to do, otherwise you end up in this never ending negative charge scenario, if that makes sense.
The best part for us is just using it for 15/20 min at night while trying to put the kids to bed after their showers. Takes the heat and humidity out of the camper and much more comfortable to go to bed.
I'd be missing the Jayco. Hopefully they took a lot off for the review.
The Jayco will always hold that place in our setup as our first caravan and taught us what we wanted and what we needed. This is a perfect setup now and something we wouldn't change out anytime soon! 👍
PS. We paid RRP for the Reconn
Not keen on the fridge heat exhaust emptying inside the van ...would be a heater you don't want in summer .
To be honest, we never detected any heat coming from that top vent. The ventilation heat comes from the base forced by a small fan. Although yes, it still vents into the camper, I'd much rather this than reducing dust sealing properties to have it vent outside? I'm not sure what the alternative would be?
How much dollars what that it’s mint
Ahh... yeah it wasn't cheap, but worth the investment for use travelling full time... north of $100k