This listing is for the A'Van Aspire Hardtop 400/500-600 Series. For the original A'Van 500 & 600 Hardtop Series, please click here.
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400 Series, 500 Series, 600 SeriesConsumerMan
- 35 reviews
- 7 likes
So Far So Good
Bought the Aspire 555 hardtop new from Avan Penrith. The buying process was without hassles or pressure from the salesperson. The caravan was delivered on the date promised and a full in-depth walk through and hand over process was performed. Had two issues with supplier products and completely happy how the issues were resolved by Avan Penrith. One of the issues could not be fixed at the dealership, and knowing we were heading to QLD in just two days time, the manager towed my van to the supplier in his own time at some crazy hour when he shou...Read more
ld of been tucked up in bed. That is customer service above and beyond. Thank you Avan Penrith. I recommend Avan Penrith for sales and service. Turning now to the caravan. 3000+ kilometres travelled with 17 nights so far. The bed is hard and too short (my wife and I are not tall people). The shower is too small (my wife and I are not large people). The television needs a restraining system while travelling. The microwave oven is only 700 watt so needs to extend cooking times accordingly. The Alko corner stabiliser legs are hard to operate for a late 60 year old such as me. The handles are too far under the caravan. I understand that is where the chassis is but for me I have to get down in the dirt to operate them. A younger person may not have a problem. The shower did not drain well and on investigating under the caravan I found the drain hose ran up hill for a short distance. Once I fixed that all is good. Id like to know what other owners do about drying towels as I can not find a suitable place inside for a towel rail. Screws that hold cupboard latches are two small and I have had to replace a few so far to keep doors closed. The range hood seems to be too heavy for the cupboard it is slung under and the shelf of the cupboard started to droop. A little re-engineering by me has fixed that problem. The fresh water indicator worked for a few days only and now shows 100% full even when the tank is empty. The USB outlets must be low apperage and takes absolutely hours upon hours to charge an iPad. I will take the Apple charger next time and use a power point. There was a fresh water leak under the sink but another easy fix by me. The air conditioner struggled in the QLD heat of 45 degrees. The fan from a blow heater did help move some air around. I see all these as teething problems or maintenance matters and has not detracted from our enjoyment of the caravan so far. Turning now to towing. I tow with a Holden Trailblazer and the Aspire 555 tows very very easily. It sits steady behind the car without any sway, and it has been in some cross winds over flat country plains. Pulls easily up the steepest hills and the electric brakes work perfectly in all terrains including some very steep declines. All in all we are happy with our Avan Aspire 555 Hardtop. I can recommend it as a good valued entry level caravan. So far so good.Purchased in October 2021 at Avan NSW.
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John LIllawarra, NSW
great Van after a few teething problems,
Love our hard top 555, had a few teething problems
1. leak in the water system under sink which was a washer seated incorrectly
2. shower rail broke loose
3.one under seat door cam off its hinges because the screws were too small for the hole
4. outside shower knobs were revered (hot was cold and visa versa)
5. they didn't fit the fold out table on side of van as was agreed to, which they eventually admitted to and so I got one form them and fitted it myself.
6. wow the instructions for the various systems around the van are pretty grim on detail and clarity
but other than that the van has been great
though double bed is a bit short my feet reach the end and I am 5'9"
...Read more
Purchased in September 2021 at Avan NSW, Nowra.
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Marg N Bob B.Metropolitan Adelaide, SA
Fantastic van,fantastic team at Adelaide Avan.
Huge shout out to the fantastic team at Avan Windsor Gardens, the friendly Tammy and super salesman Craig, but in particular the fabulous Jan, who we were fortunate enough to meet at the recent caravan show in Adelaide.She was warm, friendly and very knowledgeable . We were after a modified version of the 555, and Avan Adelaide accommodated us perfectly. We’ve only recently taken possession of our modified rig, and could not be happier. Towing is a breeze,the quality and workmanship is very good . We’re about to put it through it’s paces through the next few months, and will update this review afterwards.
Purchased in September 2021.
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PeteSydney Surrounds, NSW
Bathroom Not thought out
Exhaust fan should be placed ubove shower in case its left open when it rains also a light should be placed ubove mirror so you can see whilst shaving or doing hair
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Glyn
- 2 reviews
Fantastic van for its size
We purchased our Avan 555 Feb 2018 and it hasn’t missed a beat. The en-suite is spacious, the island bed is fantastic and so much storage room. I particularly love the wardrobes on both sides of the bed. We have completed a red centre trip and now on a six month trip up to top end and eventually across to Perth and down to Adelaide before heading back home to Qld. We do plenty of free camping so the 18o litre water tanks are great. We have solar and a diesel heater and a 180 litre fridge freezer. Good quality throughout this is our third Avan and the quality versus cost is excellent. The dining seats are comfortable and roomy as we have a cafe lounge set up and the table also folds back.
Purchased in February 2021 at Kratzmann Caravans.
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FrankleSouthwest, VIC
Hi, we have a 555 and have only used it a few times but have found it to be really nice
I am know expert in towing a van but find this a good van to tow and set up. I would not hesitate to recommend this van .Buy one now.
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StewartSydney, NSW
- Aspire Hardtop 499 Bunk
- Verified purchase
2018 499 bunk Amazing van for size
Amazing value for money, easy to tow light weight.
It offers so much for the $$
the van looks very nice with large windows, new 2018 decals look nice.
Avan Nowra & Penrith, Anthony a really genuine sales guy.
Mark & Di @ Penrith very helpful.
We love our Avan Aspire 499 bunk.
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nobleBuderim
Nead more practical engineering for electrical!
Haven't been in bad weather. Had an electrical fuse blow, and to replace it was extremely difficult because fuse holder WAS located under the front part of the bed! Have since relocated fuse holder out from under bed to out side face of forward bed frame. Fill tube on Thetford head not friendly to operate. Thetford head water pump 10 amp fuse in cassette compartment hard to get at to replace. Bed difficult to make up, but very comfortable.
Flooring plywood had wood void in traffic area between bed and hand basin causing 12" diameter 1/4" de...Read more
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Blue Macrichmond
- 2 reviews
- 1 like
Great van Great Service
My van has just done almost 10000klm around SA and NT. Back in NSW and cannot fault the van.
Going back to Avan for service and could not wish for better service from the dealer or for a better van, great to tow and very comfy.
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bindiAdelaide
- 2 reviews
An excellent caravan in every respect
The caravan was purchased after a trip to the Caravan & Camping Sale in July 2017 so we had opportunity to compare a wide range of manufacturers. The delivered product met all our expectations. Small touches like the cut out on the side of each wardrobe to access the extra USB points we asked for were an excellent modification.
Er asked for, and would recommend, a completely removable table for our L-shaped lounge. We love the en-suite.
There is plenty of storage available and the tunnel boot is very accessible.
My wife is the driver, I'm blind, and she has no trouble towing the van.
We had a Purpleline remote mover added after purchase which makes moving the van a breeze.
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WayneSouth-Eastern Region, NSW
- 3 reviews
Warranty is a dirty word
8 1/2 months later. Warranty is a dirty word . Cheaper to take it to Alko and pay for it yourself. Glad to see end of Avan Bomaderry. Last trip for warranty work on the suspension was 2 1/2 months and when I go to get it back personal items and camping equipment to the value of $450 missing from van. They deny it, even though they had the keys and it was kept in their locked yard. No forced entry, police report filed, but kiss the goods goodbye. They will not even answer emails in regards to missing items.
The long and the short of it is the ...Read more
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Blue Macrichmond
- 2 reviews
- 1 like
- Aspire Hardtop 499 Double
- Verified purchase
ASPIRE499 with Bunks and double bed
The finish and quality was as good as any others.
The van is reliable and only problem was loose wire on water guage which Avan fixed without any hassles.This van is the most comfortable I have owned and I did own an earlier Avan plus a couple of Jaycos which were good but not as good as this one.
Towing is hassle free and follows me a dream.
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BillSydney
Great van, terrible service
Great to tow & so far meets all our expectations.
Poor service from Avan where they did not fit the Thule awning which was a selling point then lied about it.
Make sure you have every minute detail when dealing with the sales people as there were other customers who had similar complaints.
Apart from that very happy with The van.
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Donald BirksGippsland, VIC
- 19 reviews
- 16 likes
After 3 years finding it a great van.
Nice van, easy to tow. Has rear double bed could do with a little bigger but very comfy if have the inner spring and not the foam. Kitchen consisting of gas cook top, microwave oven, deep bowl sink, 12v range hood with light and 3 way fridge. Rear combination shower/toilet with separate vanity not a problem very compact. It has reverse cycle air-con. Would recommend.
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TrishaAdelaide
Loving the ensuite
We have only had the van for about 4 weeks, but travelled from Adelaide to Townsville including a fair amount of central QLD. The only problem we have experienced is the water gauge doesn't always want to work. We are only keeping the tanks half full to keep the weight down and we don't need 180 litres as we don't free camp all the time. We are very happy with the quality and appearance of the van. We put a adapter on the table to swing it at different angles to give us more room sitting at it. Tows beautiful.
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RobMandurah
Love our van
We have found our van to be great to tow. Only issue we have is the table is hard to get in behind and the seat are very uncomfortable, but hey you are not supposed to be sitting behind them for hours so no big deal. We did find that our dealer supplied us with the grey water hose and didn't mention that we needed a connector. However we were asked to read all the supplied material and it does say to buy a connector of the correct size. We have not had our first month service so I guess we will find out what the service is like then. But so far it has been good.
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george6750Caboolture
- 6 reviews
- 2 likes
Great van
Recently purchased second hand and full of bulldust but good bones and a good price that allows minor repairs without over capitalising.
Excellent spacious van with low weight, tows well and love the windows that can be secured open unlike many other lightweights that have click clack windows that can readily be opened fom outside that is no good for free camping.
Would like the tunnel boot fully closed off from interior.
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PhantomHighland Park
Bad Workmanship
Ordered new Aspire 402 in June 2016 delivered LATE November 2016. Full of faults as listed below.
1/ parking brake not adjusted at all
2/ drivers side rear clearance light faulty on pickup, needed replacement
3/ ac remote cable hanging 150 mm below chassis
4/ large drawer under cook top rocks laterally 20-30 mm as it is opened
5/ grooves cut into fascia under said drawer to allow for drawer slides
6/ 30 % of screws used in internal fit out were either loose or had stripped screw holes
7/ bed lifting handle had screws protruding through ...Read more
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Great little van
To find a little van with double bunks a double bed and shower and toilet was a big challenge with out going to a 20 ft or bigger van. This little van has it all, we just love it. Great to tow good clearance every thing we need for our weekends away. Like another person said they are not a $70 k van so don't expect a penthouse on wheels, but we love it and have had no problems.Hard to find a van with all this brand new for under $40 k with a 5 yr front to back warranty.
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Bad workmanship
Brought it second hand from a dealer who said it was fully serviced!!!! Not enough or poor quality wheel bearing grease had to replace all bearing due to overheating, Grey water floods shower recess. Low internal water pressure unless you use the pump as well. water leaking from under sink, clip hadn't been tightened. Support leg on awning won't hold up have to use a wooden dowel. .Flyscreen and shade cords broken on front window. Lucky i'm a retired fitter and have fixed it myself, didn't have much pleasure from the dealers. So just be warned the if you buy one second hand this is what you can expect...
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Questions & Answers
Trevor J.asked
hi i have an avan aspire 555 full van, just like to know if we can leave the electric hot water on when hooked up to mains water when in a caravan park, thanks in advance, "didn't get told anything when we bought the van in the hand over, just told you will work it out"
3 answers
Yes. When at a caravan park we leave our hot water switched onto electricity all the time. In fact in never gets switched off, so when we arrive at the next caravan park the next day we have hot water within 20 minutes of plugging in.
Hi Trevor, yep we have an Avan aspire 555, hot water gets switched on the moment the tank is full and never gets switched off till we leave, so all good, I am amazed how little information is provided unless you ask and how useless most of the written material provided is for daily running of equipment. cheers John
Thanks John, lot’s of paper work came with it but tells you nothing, once again thank you.
deirdre p.asked
is there a water indicator?
Is it for the hot water tank or the normal water tank /
No answers
jacquiasked
has anyone removed the shower exhaust filter for cleaning? How did you do it?
No answers
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