GEIST EUROPEAN CARAVANS

Geist Caravans are built in Germany by Lord Munsterland Caravans (LMC) who are one of the world's larger caravan manufacturers, starting in 1966. LMC have a large modern factory in Sassenberg where they build a growing range of caravans and motorhomes. Geist brand caravans were originally designed for England where they have been a success. The Geist range were then re-designed for Australia and have already made a big impact on the growing caravan industry here.

Geist means "spirit" or "ghost" which is rather appropriate here as the term "Grey Nomad" was originally "Grey Ghost" because the grey 50 somethings faded out of their former lives and drifted through place after place - it was changed to nomad no doubt because of the percieved macabre connotations of ghost.

Before the Geist range were released in Australia the company bounced, dragged and bashed several of the English and European spec vans around Australia, spending a lot of time in the harsh top end to see what would happen, what might fall off etc. A lot of changes were then made to the construction to strengthen the vans for the rougher conditions encountered by the Australian caravaner:

• Chassis were thickened by about 1mm which results in a strength increase of around 2-3 times
• Internal structures were made more rigid also paying attention to areas like cupboards etc.

The results are a range of vans that are both stronger and lighter than almost every other van in the country with all the German ingenuity in engineering and style that makes the Geist range such a joy to travel in.

Geist Caravans feature the Winterhoff Stabiliser Hitch with Breakaway System. The Stabiliser Hitch is a real revolution in towing because it completely removes the need for load levellers, anti-sway bars etc. (saves you money and time too). The Hitch locks onto your towball and then a set of brake sensors "feel" the ball and adjust the van immediately to completely stop that dreaded "swaying".

The Breakaway System is still a little uncommon in Australia but it is very smart. If your caravan comes un-hitched from your tow vehicle (unlikely with this hitch) then the cable will apply the handbrake and snap allowing your car to remove itself from an errant van. The van will fall onto the jockey wheel and coast to a stop on the side of the road.

The XK vans are primarily aimed towards the touring couple but most of these vans will accomodate visitors. And visitors you will have when other people realise how great your forward lounge is for long hot summer afternoons. XK 630 has won both Best Caravan over $60,000 and Caravan Of The Year in 2006. The LV(XK) 660 was also runner-up for Best Caravan over $60,000.

The AK vans are aimed more towards families with extra beds and bunks allowing up to 6 berths in very functional layouts. The AK 560 won the Caravan & Motorhome Magazine's 2006 Best Caravan $40,000-$60,000

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AK450

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AK595

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AK595

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LV485

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LV660

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XK535

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XK535

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XK559

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XK630

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XK630

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XK660