Jurgens XCape

[Mike Greeff]

Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 2010 Jurgens XCape - the seller is asking for R140 000 and that's with a bunch of extras thrown in (R29k he reckons). I know that the extras are difficult to value but any thoughts on the XCape? I also realise that condition is critical and will check what I can.

For 12 years we have towed the Afrispoor Mongoose and loved it - won't sell that one or risk getting lynched by my youngest daughter who has earmarked that as inheritance. My wife and I just reckon the added ease and comfort of the XCape is worth considering- thoughts from anyone?

[lrswb]

The Xcape is ideal for two people and easy to set-up. New ones now trade for R200k - I paid R128k new for mine in 2009. The Defender 90 and Xcape is a perfect combination, very stable when in tow on road and off road.

Attached a pic of my D90 & Xcape on a recent trip.

[JBX]

My brother had a Conquerer trailer, then a Xplorer and a few years back he bought an Xcape. He will not change again. Very stable tow.

Do a good inspection, what you see is what you get, but check for woodrot specifically around the roof area.

Price should be in the region of what the van cost new. Accessories valued at 50% of new price.

Good luck.

[Mike Greeff]

Reassuring input, thanks guys - I'll keep you posted.

[Mike Greeff]

What a nice unit - my wife and I were both really taken with it and have decided to go for it; just ironing out the paperwork.

The real kicker was the family selling it. You could see that the XCape had really been loved and looked after and they are all very emotional about letting her go. Always says something when people feel that way about a vehicle, any vehicle but particularly something as personal as a caravan.

The extras and mods have been very selectively and well done. We can't wait to get her here now and then planning a gravel road trip from Clarens to Cape Town and back for two or three weeks in August.

[lrswb]

This is good news! Good to hear it is well looked after and nice people to deal with. And that gravel trip sounds like an "escape with the Xcape". Good luck and enjoy!

[Mike Greeff]

So after all that we've decided to go new - arrives at month end. Cannot wait.
lrswb - will have to buy you a coffee when we get to Cape Town.

[ThomTom]

So the one you looked at still avaiable? What was price difference to new? I know the new one has a few new mods. I did see the one you:-)looked at on olx, liked it but still cannot make up my mind on what to buy?

[Mike Greeff]

I'm sure it will still be available ThomTom and it's in really good nick, loved and looked after; very nice people selling too. Fairly priced I reckon - possibly tending to high but some nice extras. I got a nice deal from Loftus and my wife and I decided we were buying for keeps so depreciation etc didn't really matter. Also just so lekker to buy new and be the first to sleep in it, load it, cook in it, tow it etc etc.

[lrswb]

Also just so lekker to buy new and be the first to sleep in it, load it, cook in it, tow it etc etc.

I fully agree with you - that is why I bought new.

[Mike Greeff]

Nice to meet you today ThomTom. My wife has asked to see if you got the precise measurements of the XCape bed - saw you were also armed with a tape measure.

[ThomTom]

Nice meeting you and your wife today. The lengt, the section inside te carvan was 2 meters, tent portion slighlty shorter, then width, 145 cm, just shoter than 1.5 m, we were worried and focussed on lenght.
!

[Bosluis 3de Generasie]

First of all, I had a Echo 3 Off road Trailer. Excellent but the sails became to heavy for me and my wife.

Now in possession of a Xcape Caravan. Very pleased with it and towing with my SWB Pajero, is a pleasure. Very good combination.

Made a few changes to the electrical system and wiring side and add an extra 105Ah battery. Had to redo the wiring to accommodate the solar panels. The Hercules charger stopped working after 8 months and of course the warranty was then out of the window. Ideal time to replace it with a CTEK MXS 25A charger. Cut the Hercules in half and kept the earth leakage and switches and add an extra kettle plug to feed the CTEK. Also installed extra plugs on the outside, next to the kitchen for the freezer and extra lighting as needed.

Hope you can see attached photos, taken with a Nokia 1520 phone.

Good day to all and sorry for my English.

[Mike Greeff]

Cheers Bosluis and thank you, interesting and useful mods. I really am not very handy so I've asked Loftus to do a number of similar modifications before I take delivery (in less than two weeks now!). I'll post some photographs once I've got it.

"Sorry for my English" - not at all - thank you for making the effort.

[Mike Greeff]

Taking delivery tomorrow at 07h45 - yeeeeehaah! Cannot wait.

Joel and everyone else at Loftus Caravan City have been nothing short of superb. Service out of this world with the approach of under promise and over deliver - long may it last but I know that it has; we bought our first van from them in about 1989 and nothing has changed.

The modifications that they have done for me: fitted an outside table, extra power point, extra Hella and cigarette lighter sockets, gas pipe reticulation, fitted a nose cone, extra lighting, etc. I'll put some pictures up once we have her home but she already looks superb.

And then a three week roadtrip later this month with my new XCape behind my Defender and just my lovely wife for company. What more could a man want? A motor bike ride? That happens the week before the road trip - very happy days indeed.

[Paul Botha]

Congrats Mike...hope you and the Missus have the best of times in the new van......one of these days it will be my turn!

[Mike Greeff]

Thanks Paul, we will.

Is 'your turn' a plan in progress and if so are you getting the Xcape?

[Paul Botha]

Hi Mike, yes plans are in progress. I have looked at all the options and the xcape seems like the best value for money especially if bought 2nd hand. I was in 2 minds what to choose between the xcape and sprite tourer but looking at the specs, pricing and our intended use, the xcape comes out tops.

enjoy!

[Mike Greeff]

Good news.

Us too, kids are old enough to see to themselves now so it's just the two of us. Ease of set up, easy towing, increased comfort, easily go to where we might want to get to, small enough for easy storage - a perfect match.

Keep us posted on yours too.

[Paul Botha]

Will do Mike...we are off to moremi and other bots parks within 2 weeks...would have been nice to have the Xcape..

Should i take yours for the 1st cross border outing.....