A'van Ovation Questions & Answers (page 3 of 6)

Im not sure of the precise detail, but you would need to check both GVM and GCM for your vehicle and licence. The weight of the suzuki (its GVM, including any load in it, may in fact exceed the GCM of the Avan (Gross Combined Mass) (see rego papers for both vehicles). In short it may be illegal to up the towbar rating.

Cheers Nick

Hi Lyndall
we have the ovation M5 where the bed goes up and underneath it's i a club lounge I'm not sure about the M3 but we didn't get instructions for our awning so good luck girl .Ask google..could help.

Hi Lyndall, we have an M5 and the dinette doesn't convert to a bed. I have just googled and found a 2008 Avan Ovation M3 for sale $89,900 and it has photos of the dinette and small lounge converted into a bed. Looks good. There is also a no. 03 8373 7480 Appears to be the Avan Super Centre at Campbelfield Vic. Hope this helps.
Nick and Marg

Hi Lyndall, We have a 2015 M7. Not sure about the M3 arrangement, however in ours, the dinette can be converted to a bed of sorts. Really only big enough for a small child I would think. OK for our dogs ;) We removed all the seat inserts (cushions) from the stand alone bench seat near the entry door. This will reveal a wooden base that will fold out to form part of the bed base. The dinette table is put on the lowest possible setting and completes the 'bed base'. Some of the existing cushions and a couple of 'spare' ones that came with the motorhome are then used to create the bed. I hope you can follow my directions. :)

Hi Barry, I would check the lid on top of your freshwater tank. make sure it is screwed down well and that the seal is OK. This will be located under a hatch in the floor. There is also a filler and breather pipe which you should be able to see when you unscrew the lid. these lead up to the filler connection on the outside. Check under the sink. I am not sure of the exact layout of the M8 as we have an M7

Hi Dissapointed, Many thanks for your reply and your suggestions, I will check out our van tomorrow, regards Barry

Well mate, I wouk ask around other Avan/Fiat customers. Mine was not so pleasant from start to finish. Sold it after 3.5 months and lost
thousands. Just needed peace of mind at my and my wifes ages. So maybe you should ask a lot of other owners, maybe our experience
was a one off.

Hi Peter, can’t help or answer your question, but we are about to buy am M10. How are you finding it?

The van is certainly beautiful but has many shortcomings. In general¬ I am very disappointed, especially in the after deposit paid service, because there is none. They do not return phone calls, they hardly ever return emails. The design of the RV is flawed. Not one power point in the kitchen, screws missing in some cupboard hinges, water in the tank gets hot if your in 35+ deg temp areas, sink leaks, one of the cupboard locks does not work, No exhaust fan in the en-suite. The fridge runs off the car battery, and cannot be switched onto gas for 15 minutes after you stop, for safety reasons, which is probably same for any auto fridge, also it is very tiny, the tow bar plug was not wired properly meaning we went 2,000K with no lights on the towed vehicle. Two of the black Perspex window had indentations. I think all the M10's have single beds and you have to load all the gear on one side only under the bed which you can access from the outside and inside. On the outside, drivers side, there is a cupboard for 2 gas bottles and a stupidly small cupboard . The rest of the space is a drawer that opens in the van. We have not driven one before so I don't know if all are the same, but at 100K you can't talk to the missus, which, is not always bad and we have one without the bubble which may be worse. Also, the slide out makes a hell of a racket. Our van leans to the left at the back due to the weight.
With the turbo'd 2.3 Litre motor, on the flat it goes fantastic, but dies on the hills same as semi's do. Where are you based and where were you thinking of buying from as if you live in Brisbane and buy it in Melb for example, you have to go back there to fix any faults. There are others issue as well, if you want you can email me at [email protected]. I WOULD NOT BUY ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR SOME DISTANCE. By the way I found the batteries and they are under one of the bench table seats and you have to take a panel off he floor, really bad location.

Hi Pam, I don't think I have sufficient knowledge to provide the best answer for you, however I do recommend that you consider attempting to join our Avan Owners facebook group. It is a wonderful group of like minded people & the admin often welcome people who are shopping for an Avan if you advise that this is the case. The group would provide the type of information you a looking for I believe. This is the link: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=avan%20motorhome%20owners%20group%20-%20aust

It’s on the bottom of the fresh water tank. Take to the cover off the tank and put your hand in...you will find the plug at the base. Just pull it out to drain the water.
Nick

Solar or no solar, you need a 12v/240v inverter connected to select power points to run any 240v appliance. You will need to check with Avan but generally the Fiat radio will only be connected to the set of front speakers.

Thank you seems odd in this day and age that there isn't an inverter connected already and connected to even some of the power points.
One thing I have found is where spare tyre is that isn't practical either can't imagine how if I'm on my own I'd ever change a flat tyre.
Some features are good but others not.
As first time owners learning alot as even when we had handover weren't told alot either my partner has had to work out himself and reckons he'd do a better handover and tell people how things work.

Mine did too with continental tyres v hard ride
Changed to lt radials and much better

Upgrade to King Springs or Al-Ko springs is a solution

Still not

Hi all just got new maps upgrade at fiat Australia and New Zealand

Thanks Arjeon. Which Fiat dealer did the job?

Good luck with Avan Pakenham - they never seem too interested in fixing anything!!

agree

I have put one on a Ovation M3. A place in Qld called Roamsafe makes them. You have to buy another door that they sell and their security door fits onto it. They won't fit it because it takes a bit of time but you can do it yourself and they will help you with any questions you might have. They were very helpful.
K1W1

Buy another fridge. But you have to get it out through the window. Door opening too small.

Not sure on that one sounds like incorrect installation
Will it work on 240v from mains?
Ours has had no issues

We have had anM5/7 and both had floor warp. Do not accept Avan can not help, in warranty or not. Call Jacob at Packenham who is across the issue. It is a structural problem and should last the life of the van. Our floors were fixed at no cost (one in warranty and one not)
PJMG

Ken I went to our lacal Caravan and Camping specialist and he had it changed in no time at all, plus you have the back up of waranty on the tap and fitting.
Boris 2016 Ovation.

Mine is a 2014 Ovation and have had the sink off once to repair leaking drain and tap. To replace the tap take out the 4 screws retaining the sink (be careful with the seal) and screw in the drain fitting, remove the hot and cold water hoses then remove and replace with new tap. Greg

under the floor under the table

Thank you very much for your help, Beryl

I have to fully open the window than they should unlock and close.I found sometimes they stick so I use a penetrating oil.I found Inox the best as it does not leave the stay greasy to collect dust.Hope this helps

Thank you "Upset" for your info. We haven't had them installed as yet. Waiting for a big service so can get all things fixed. Still seems strange doesn't it that you have to open window right up.

Thats the way they work, don't answer emails etc.... Good luck

We should all band together and contact a current affair. There after sales service is a disgrace.

First of all who was the dealer. We used Avan at Penrith and they have
advised us at all times when a problem occurs where the nearest
service person was. Aussie John

Sorry! What is an anchor point on a motorhome.
aussieJohn

Sorry can't help you