Jurgens Oryx review

[George Rudman]

We're contemplating getting an Oryx so would like to get some member input / experiences on them.  They seem to fit our requirements to a glove with a quality look and feel, practical and best of all is SWAMBO loves it. (that seals the deal)

Anything specific to look out for?   I've hard of some wood rot (although on Explorers) - specific places to look for?

thx

George

[Mike #1]

Hi George

Re wooodrot, make certain that your exterior seams are always well sealed so water cannot sneak in.

A Sikaflex application every year should do it, otherwise contact me for names.contact details of caravan repairers who could do it for you.

MikE

o21 5542o31

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[Bruce Turner]

Hi George,

Mike Cliff has one which he has had since new. IIRC its a 2001 or 2002 model but dont quote me on those dates. He and his wife swear its the best thing since sliced bread. Due to my size i find it a bit cramped and cant fit on the bed (its not designed for tall people) but i think the concept is brilliant. I seem to recall that they had a problem with the bed collapsing when they first got it but this was on the early models and has since been fixed or redesigned.

Unfortunately Mike is in Bots at the moment but Im sure he will reply to this when he is back.

As to the wood rot, the earlier models of the Xplorers seemed to be prone to this but as its been already said regular maintenance prevents this. Ive had a 2003 Xplorer and now have a 2006 model. There was a number of upgrades and some strengthening done to the later models that my earlier model didnt have and neither of them have had wood rot although when i bought the 2006 the head board cushions still had their plastic on (like when they are new). If you buy from an approved Jurgens supplier they do guaranty against wood rot. 

Rgds

BruceT

[George Rudman]

Thanks guys.  Everywhere I only get good feedback on them so they must be a good option (and their availability also indicates that people don't sell them often).  Not really in a hurry to get one so can look out for a good deal, although SWAMBO eyes glow when she see's a new one... <wallet shivering>

[Bruce Turner]

George, call Francois on 0828768100 or 011 792 1456. He works for Loftus and after 3 transactions with him I would go back again. His service is excellent. You can use my name (Bruce Turner) and tell him i will moer him if he doesn't give you good service.... :) 

Rgds

BruceT 

[George Rudman]

Good service AND a 20% discount at least ;-)

[George Rudman]

So looking at 2nd hand late model ones going for around R120k-R130k, the carrot is now hanging in front of me to rather get a brand new one for R155k.  Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[bjtu...@gmail.com]

Jeesh that's a lot more than I expected. I thought about R80k to R100k.
Have a look at the Xcape also. Much more cupboard space and only slightly bigger.

Rgds
BruceT

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

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From: George Rudman <ger...@gmail.com>

Sender: overlan...@googlegroups.com

Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 20:29:31 +0200

To: <overlan...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: overlan...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: [Overland] Jurgens Oryx review

[George Rudman]

They do apparently keep their value quite well according to a couple of suppliers I've contacted - early 2000 models go for around R80k - R90k ("old" shape), mid 2000 models here around R100k and 2010 to 2012 models ranging from R110k - R140k.    Apparently Oryx's are quite in demand and by far the biggest Safari range seller.  Apparently if you order a new one there's even a waiting list.  On second hand there's a 2005 standing in Somerset west for R120k and a 2010 at Tygerberg caravans for R135k.   The few on Gumtree are roughly in the same ranges.   

At least it's good to see these guys are in demand and if kept in good nick will still have quite a good resale value in 3-4 years time.

[Optirite]

Hi George,

SWAMBO and I have an Oryx that we bought new in 2002. We love it and put it this way ... should we lose it for some or other reason we will replace it with another one.

We replaced the nose cone and front tent with a largish trammel wherein we pack awning sides, ground sheets, gas bottles, chairs and two tables, etc. About two years ago we replaced the mattress(after some nine years of on and off use ... no pun intended lol) and in the eleven years of ownership we have replaced the battery once.

 

We have taken our Oryx on cut lines in Botswana, through the sand up to Mabuasehube (will be taking it up there again in August) with nothing but smiles. It also did the Levuvhu trail in August last year and was the only van that did not break on the trail. Because it is quite short it tows well, even though it has the air dynamics of a pregnant brick. If you are towing with a bakkie it will tow much easier if the bakkie has a canopy as it will help streamline.

 

Things to do/look out for:

Check that you fit on the bed ... it is not the longest.

Get them to fit a water measure system so that you get an idea of what your consumption is and how much is left in the 60 litre tank.

Get a bearing kit (about R100) from the dealer just in case, but I have never had a problem with them.

Check that the poles on the tent are not rusted (if you are buying 2^nd hand).

Check around the cupboards for wood rot/ mice or rat damage. The shell has no wood in it but check for water ingestion in the panelling.

Check that the geyser works on 220 volt and gas. With alot of parking the gas part of the geyser often gets dirty and sometimes struggles to ignite. Make sure that the geyser is clean of spider webs etc before igniting.

 

If you are in Joburg West you are more than welcome to come round and kick my Oryx’s tyres.

 

Cheers

Mike Cliff

 

 

 

From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of George Rudman
Sent: 20 June 2013 08:09 AM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Overland] Jurgens Oryx review

 

We're contemplating getting an Oryx so would like to get some member input / experiences on them.  They seem to fit our requirements to a glove with a quality look and feel, practical and best of all is SWAMBO loves it. (that seals the deal)

--

[Optirite]

+100000

Oh and another thing is that I can sell mine now and make a profit on it!!! (Not that I would).

 

Cheers

MC

 

From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Turner
Sent: 20 June 2013 09:56 AM
To: overland-forum
Subject: Re: [Overland] Jurgens Oryx review

 

George, call Francois on 0828768100 or 011 792 1456. He works for Loftus and after 3 transactions with him I would go back again. His service is excellent. You can use my name (Bruce Turner) and tell him i will moer him if he doesn't give you good service.... :) 

 

Rgds

BruceT 

[George Rudman]

Thanks Mike, glad to hear some more good news.   At present we're looking at getting a new one (actually just returned from a drooling session at the Campworld shop).  I fit in quiet comfortably on the bed (fair enough can't stretch, but then again it's not meant to be a luxury hotel bed) and the new ones have got a water level display built in.    The new ones apparently have got a very nice quiet geyser in and the LED lights are also quite nifty all round.   Ito packing space it's got more than enough (luckily we're light travelers)

We're now just in to minds ito when to get it.  Now before the baby comes or rather wait until after baby comes to see how he dictates our camping life ;-)

[Paul Damhuis]

Get it before the baby comes.

Afterwards you are going to be too busy to make any decisions.

:)

Paul

[Optirite]

Get it... the bed is wide enough for a baby for some years yet.

 

ITO packing space we asked the dealer to remove the hanging space in the one cupboard and rather insert some more shelves which now allows SWAMBO to pack more shoes.;-)

 

Let them get you a demo unit and go camping for a weekend. If you are in the Gauteng area then let us know  And I/ we (here) will come and help show the tricks and tips.

 

Cheers

Mike Cliff

[Fanie du Plessis]

George, we always were of the opinion that the kids had to fit our lifestyle,  and face it you have to compromise a little bit, but go for it.

[George Rudman]

Exactly why I'd like to get the Oryx before he comes so that he can start getting used to camping trips from the beginning.  The bed seems big enough yes and we've heard of several people with up to 4-5 year old kids that let them sleep in the little passage on a mattress without issues.  Later on (or if a 2nd one comes)  we'll either use the rooftent, a ground tent or take it from there.  For now I'd like to tow something as small as possible and easy movable.

[Anton Heiberg]

We have more or less the same attitude..they are the new ones around and still have to adapt to everything.

 

I agree get it before baby arrives....and don't wait till the baby is 3yr old before you go camping... the sooner the better

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From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Fanie du Plessis
Sent: 24/06/2013 18:51
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: [Overland] Jurgens Oryx review

George, we always were of the opinion that the kids had to fit our lifestyle,  and face it you have to compromise a little bit, but go for it.

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[George Rudman]

Me and SWAMBO were actually chatting about that adapting thing last night - getting baby to visit as much as possible places from the beginning so that he gets used to different environments.   Just makes your own life easier when you want a night out and drop him off at the grandparents.   Seen so many people who can't do anything on their own because their baby just wants to be at home in his familiar surroundings and throws a world class tantrum when they go out the front door.

My answer then was that I'll pitch the Oryx in the back yard and we'll sleep a couple of nights in it so that baby gets used to it.   Needless to say I just got a stare... hehe

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[Christo Pietersen]

We bought our Xplorer just before first baby arrived and went camping, very close by, when he was 4 weeks old. That was the first night he slept through the night!!! We got up every now and again to check if he was still breathing! J

 

Of course not all kids are the same, our second one only started sleeping properly through the night when he was 3 years old.

 

 

CHRISTO PIETERSEN                                                                                                  DIRECTOR

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[Juan van der Breggen]

We got our Oryx a few months before our son was born. Took him and the Oryx to Moremi and Chobe when he was just over 6 months old and never looked back. When our daughter arrived my son and I moved out to the roof-top tent. After 6 years we sold it to a friend for more or less what we paid for it, so they are great at holding the value. Reason: SWAMBO wanted me back in the same bed as her, and of course brother and sister refused to share the tent, ok ok, and they are still to young to be sleeping out there on their own. So we moved on to a Xplorer, but I still miss my Oryx. Tows like a dream and it is small enough that you can park it almost anywhere.

Regards
Juan

[George Rudman]

Juan - that sounds exactly like our future for the next 4-5 years :-)

[George Rudman]

Thanks for all the replies thus far.  It surely correlates with my own research in that they are reliable, good quality and keep their value very well if looked after.   It would have been nice to get an "internal" floor sleeper in that size, but we don't like the other "fibre glass and canvas" types on the market - personal preference I suppose.  From what I've read here, and heard from other owners, is that camping with one small child is fine with the Oryx so I think it's all systems go from our side to then initiate the plan for the next +-4 years.

On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 9:18 PM, Juan van der Breggen <jvdbr...@gmail.com> wrote:

[George Rudman]

....four sleeper, not floor sleeper ;-)

[George Rudman]

I've noticed the newer ones include some or other Apollo 20 charger / battery management system built in below the bed.  Google doesn't give any information or specs about the unit.   Does anyone perhaps have to insights into this unit?  Does it charge the battery from 12v (the pulling vehicle) and from 220V if plugged in etc?

[George Rudman]

Guess who's taking delivery of an Oryx on Thursday afternoon - then off to Buffelsfontein game reserve the next day to check it out over the weekend.  This week must pass veeeeeeery quickly!

[bjtu...@gmail.com]

Congrats George.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

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From: George Rudman <ger...@gmail.com>

Sender: overlan...@googlegroups.com

Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 19:17:00 +0200

To: <overlan...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: overlan...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: [Overland] Re: Jurgens Oryx review

[Peter Levey]

Nice one - sure you'll have many happy holidays.

Cheers

Peter Levey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leveypa/

[Sats]

Nice

[Mike Cliff]

May it give you many miles of smiles.

Mike Cliff

Sent from my Toaster using the Microwave and Cheese.

[Juan van der Breggen]

Congratulations George, hope you have many happy holidays with it. We are currently enjoying our caravan in Letaba.

Regards
Juan

[Clem Daniel]

Lekka! May it  make lots of memories!

[Willie Solomon]

Hi George,

Satisfied with the Oryx?

[George Rudman]

Just had the one camping weekend with it to date, but very impressed thus far and still satisfied that we made the correct decision.  I've already added a 220V plug on the outside and still need to sort out another LED light there as well (on the right hand side).   Kinda stupid that standard it's only got a rear light and one inside the kitchen compartment.

[George Rudman]

Some feedback on this oldish thread.   After the using the Oryx for a couple of trips we realized it is possible, but quite tight, with a baby.  With the plans to put an order in for a second baby within the next year or so, we realized the Oryx ain't going to cut it.   Out came the calculator... sold the Oryx for pretty much what I paid for it and got a new Xplorer for a fantastic price (R50k below retail).   Getting the new addition Wednesday next week :-)

[Merwe Erasmus]

"Getting the new addition Wednesday next week :-) "

The baby or the Xplorer?

:)

Merwe Erasmus

[George Rudman]

The Xplorer ... and hopefully testing the application form for the baby ;-)