2017 Carado Axion

organize4u · 08-18-2020, 12:30 AM

Can anyone give me some advice on this RV. Any information would be great. I believe it is made by Hymer that also makes Roadtrek? Would this be a good RV to buy. I found one on line that has about 24K miles, for $64K.

Thanks
Marie

mkguitar · 08-18-2020, 12:55 AM

Welcome to the Forums

hymer north america did a fantastic faceplant

bankruptcy and thousands of vehicles on the road with falsified safety certifications

( the business papers report that many incomplete/partial vehicles were bought at bankruptcy by LaMesa RV group and to be finished in the USA)

roadtrek and hymer era roadtrek have record of over promising technology systems ( power/battery etc) which didn;t work

be very cautious

the fiat/dodge vans are well thought of

I have no personal knowledge of that model

Mike

organize4u · 08-18-2020, 01:07 PM

Thank you Mike. I appreciate your input.
Marie

mumkin · 08-18-2020, 01:22 PM

There is much to love about the Axion. To me it was the perfect floor plan for a single female traveling alone. Decent sized galley... decent sized rear bath. Its small size made it great fun to drive since it isn't much bigger than the average SUV, mainly just taller.

Of course, being an orphan means you have no warranty or support from the company. Hymer family took the money for its European company, bankrupted the North American company, and ran back to Germany. The cabinetry is rather cheap and tacky, and no replacement bits available. (I seriously considered buying this rig and ripping out the passenger side for a rebuild) I assume that it has the Ecotrek lithium battery system as most of them did. There are issues with the wiring and set-up that very likely hasn't been fixed. Perhaps the original owner had found someone to do this or perhaps it is why it is on the market. If the inverter and batteries have been damaged, they are an expensive fix.

Everything is fixable for a price and you do still have the Promaster van warranty. Check to make sure that the two recalls have been done (fan and transmission cable). I think the price is too high, but right now it is a seller's market for van campers. An inspection by someone who knows and understands this Roadtrek system would be crucial in my opinion.

organize4u · 08-18-2020, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the heads up everyone. Very useful information. I agree it is pricey. In any case, I have not heard from the seller yet. I think I will search for a low mileage Dodge pro master 136 and copy the floor plan from the Axion with some minor changes.

mumkin · 08-19-2020, 12:35 AM

That's always the best way to get exactly what you want. If you don't have someone to do the conversion for you, you might talk to Colorado Camper or GTRV.

organize4u · 08-19-2020, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the info. I live in Austin, TX. There are a couple of van conversion places here.

Marie

mkguitar · 08-19-2020, 04:59 PM

the high cost of a campervan/B van is due to the fact that each piece has to be sized to fit through a door and then assembled to the interior- it's a tough job and can require timely adjustments and do-overs

You may find a mass produced unit makes better sense for economics

and a standardized build might be easier/cheaper to get repaired, unless you are able to do yourself

most RV shops/techs will have a pretty good idea how the water, gas, drains, tanks and electrics are laid out in my Pleasure Way before they open the doors as they are likely to have seen other Pleasure Ways and benefit from that experience.
They may also have documentation/schematics
( and same with other manufacturers)

Safety Certs and insurance too

a "custom build" misses out of those advantages-

and imagine a shop on the road somewhere having to remove cabinetry, just to see what is behind
or trying to explain to an insurer that your $70,000 build isn't the same as the $18,000 blue book value they have on their computer

2¢ Mike

mumkin · 08-19-2020, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by organize4u

Thanks for the info. I live in Austin, TX. There are a couple of van conversion places here.

Then you have Sportsmobile right in town. Good people (I have visited that factory) but very popular and they are out a year or more waiting list. That is why my two suggestions would be quicker I think. All depends on how much of a hurry you are in...

organize4u · 08-20-2020, 02:00 AM

Thank you Mike for your thoughts. I had not thought of any of that. Definitely something to consider. I wonder what others have experienced.

Which Pleasureway do you have? The dilemma is trying to find something used in my area (Austin, TX) at all that is a reasonable price, in decent condition and is the length and has some of the features I want. I really would like to stick with a smaller van, say 17.75 to 19.5.

Thanks,
Marie

organize4u · 08-20-2020, 02:13 AM

Yes; I have been to their facility. It's very nice but they also very pricey. They are 18 months out. It's crazy.

Thanks,
Marie

mkguitar · 08-20-2020, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by organize4u

Which Pleasureway do you have?

a 2006 Lexor TD on a chev.

we are really happy with it ( 6 years)

there WERE 5 pleasureways within 2 blocks of my house ( we were 2nd)
...last night walking the dog I spotted a 6th
mike

SteveJ · 08-20-2020, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkguitar

a 2006 Lexor TD on a chev.

we are really happy with it ( 6 years)

there WERE 5 pleasureways within 2 blocks of my house ( we were 2nd)
...last night walking the dog I spotted a 6th
mike

Sounds like fertile ground. Something in the water?

mkguitar · 08-20-2020, 08:13 AM

this may be too old for you- but if you happen to be headed that way you could have a look just so you have something to compare when looking at RV's

I have a soft spot for the rialtas which had 4 different floor plans
( I drive by Rialta Heaven in Yucaipa CA fairly often)

they won't run 80 MPH up a hill, but they get great mpg on the flats

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/rv...179575304.html

mike

organize4u · 08-21-2020, 02:17 AM

Mike
I checked the link but that post was deleted. I really would like something that's no bigger than 19'. I live in Austin, TX. Thanks everyone.
Marie

mkguitar · 08-21-2020, 05:37 AM

ah, he must have sold it

Not a great selection in Austin classifieds

I spent probably 4 months on our search for a used unit.

Mike

stevegoldfield · 08-23-2020, 07:26 PM

I have a 2018 Carado Banff. I enjoy it. However, Hymer did make some design errors, especially in the electrical system/batteries. I have had most of those fixed. Mine has about 8,000 miles on it. $64K sounds high to me for an 2017 Axion, especially with 24,000 miles on it. I'm not sure what the Axion cost new, but the Banff was about $70K. You should have someone knowledgeable check it out, especially the batteries. If it has lithium ion batteries, they are prob. Rev. H, like mine, which has more limitations than the newer Rev. L batteries. There is a Facebook group for Carado & Sunlight Owners Group with some Axion owners there. You can probably get more specific information there.

organize4u · 08-23-2020, 07:32 PM

Probably gone. Never heard back.
Thanks Steve

mumkin · 08-24-2020, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevegoldfield

$64K sounds high to me for an 2017 Axion, especially with 24,000 miles on it. I'm not sure what the Axion cost new, but the Banff was about $70K. You should have someone knowledgeable check it out, especially the batteries. ...

Just for your information. The Axion was built on a top level Promaster platform (long story and you likely don't care LOL) so it was priced in the mid 80's when new before the Hymer demise.

Donna Bratcher · 06-17-2021, 12:17 AM

Does anyone know where i can get a rubber macerator hose? For a Roadtrek 210 Popular. Its a 2006. I had a new one put on by an rv repair place but its plastic.

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