when ive been looking at the campervans that have been around here in nowra ,
most have been well over 15-20 or so years old, and nearly 300,000ks on them
it does kind of put you off unless you spot a real gem by some one who really looked after it
that kind of put me off campervans for a while.. but not saying you cant have good luck,
just good smarts too...
jimricho said
07:52 AM Feb 20, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Jim. My only thoughts were with it being a NSW registered it would have been checked a lot more than here in Vic where we don't do it. Won't have any bearing on the sale as it stands current. But then I'm no mechanic either, Touche!!
That would probably be so. The "Pink Slip" covers mostly safety items, brakes, lights and other stuff likely to affect the safety of the vehicle. I don't think it would cover things such as engine condition unless that was manifested as excessive exhaust emissions etc.
Qualified mechanics on this forum may be able to provide better information on this.
I forget to mention in my previous post that a "pink slip" is required in NSW prior to selling. I have no idea what the situation is in Victoria.
Ginger said
08:34 AM Feb 20, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Thanks for that Ken, will take that into account when I go back in.
Beth, 193,000 on the clock but most that age have over 300,000
Gerty, the s. in . l will be rapt. I haven't been able to catch up with them today to tell them what I'm planning.
petengail, I have plenty of time but the last time I hesitated I missed out on a good one.
Sheba, I do like the look of it even though it is a bit old. The brown stripe down the side needs replacing, so thats where the purple stripe can go. Got to have a bit of purple somewhere. Will need to get some new stickers.. Still have the spare GreyNomads one.
Why purple HH.
Hey dont worry about it been old, I am currently having mine done up. At least I then know what is new and working and what needs to be done on it.
Good luck HH follow your dream.
gillyb said
09:23 AM Feb 20, 2011
Hey HW that sounds fantastic much better to have a bit more room. Hopefully your mechanic will give it the thumbs up for you (don't let the salesman talk you out of an independent check). Hopefully will meet you somewhere on the way up to sunny Qld. :)
Happywanderer said
10:54 AM Feb 20, 2011
Thanks for all the positive thoughts, has been most welcome.
Well, I know now I am not going any further with the combo, so if its not the one at Morley ford I will be looking for another one.
Ginger, because I am a purple person. No real reason. But it makes me feel good.
Beth54 said
02:03 PM Feb 20, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Thanks for all the positive thoughts, has been most welcome.
Well, I know now I am not going any further with the combo, so if its not the one at Morley ford I will be looking for another one.
Ginger, because I am a purple person. No real reason. But it makes me feel good.
It's a very spiritual colour Marj. Very good to have it around you.
Hope to see you on your way through in April. I'm leaving my trip til early June now for various reasons.
ken thomas said
02:50 PM Feb 20, 2011
Hello Marj Seing that the van was traded in by a local, get an address or phone # from Steve so you can contact the previous owner. He has no ties to it now and should be truthful about its condition and any faults Ken
milo said
03:24 PM Feb 20, 2011
i saw a really nice unit today, pop top, 160,000 k's , auto, desesil , would have suited me but
it wa a 86 model... if i was good with cars id thought about it abit more..
ill keep looking myself.. I just wish i was mechanilcy minded...
good luck hw...
Vic said
04:00 PM Feb 20, 2011
This article may interest some of you regarding campers, see;
http://tastetheair.com/blog/how-to-find-a-camper-bargain/#more-101
Happywanderer said
07:00 PM Feb 20, 2011
Well, here's the plan.
I will go into Morley Ford in the morning and take it for a drive. My daughter doesn't think I will be able to cope with the size. I really don't know how hard it can be.
Ok, its a long while since I've driven anything bigger than my little car but these things are there for us to try aren't they. Or we might as well dig a hole now.
Will get them to take it off the yard so as to put a hold on it. S. in. L will finish work early and we are going to take it to our own mechanic for a check over. See what comes of that, then the bargaining will start.
If you want to see it google Morley Ford Echuca, they have a few photos of it, gives a good idea.
Cee said
07:05 PM Feb 20, 2011
Hi HW,
Good luck with the mechanical check. I googled the campervan and I think I found the right one on the Morely website and it certainly looks very clean and tidy, I luv the storage space on the back for carrying fuel/water tanks. Hopefully, the mechanics will be as good as the interior/exterior.
Keep Smiling
Happywanderer said
07:08 PM Feb 20, 2011
Yes, that the one Cee. Has everything I need in it. Looks very neat and tidy.
HeadnHome said
07:23 PM Feb 20, 2011
HW just had a look on their website, looks pretty good for the price, I had concerns about driving hiace myself
but really very comfy and easy to drive I don't think you will have any worries there.
Sheba said
09:08 PM Feb 20, 2011
Geeze Marj,
I'm so excited for you.
If that is as good as it looks, you'd have a real bargain there, at that price. I've seen them twice the price, but not nearly as well cared for as that one seems to have been.
Even if you had to put a new motor in it, IMHO, you'd still have a bargain.
You'll soon get used to driving it. I love being higher than in a sedan. Just remember the extra length when turning corners, and parking between [if you do] other vehicles. Also when overtaking cars, make sure you can see them in your rear-vision mirror before you go back in.
So many people forget to do that in ordinary cars these days, it's a wonder more people aren't killed on the roads.
Go for it mate, Cheers, Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:17:17 PM
Vic said
09:13 PM Feb 20, 2011
Beware of cutting corners HW, I did this once with one of two campervans I had and hit a tree, I thought I had swung wide enough to miss it but misjudged, put a nice dent in the sliding door. Just be aware that the van needs a little more room going around corners than your car. I am sure you will be fine !!
Hope it passes the test ok !!
Vic
milo said
09:14 PM Feb 20, 2011
whats the site addy?
Sheba said
09:22 PM Feb 20, 2011
milo wrote:
whats the site addy?
Milo, just Google Morley Ford Echuca, click on the first thread, then click on the Used Vehicle button, then fill out the required info. I only went as far as Typing in Totota, then Clicked on Hi-ace, then search.
Cheers, Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:26:02 PM
Happywanderer said
09:24 PM Feb 20, 2011
milo, the address is www.morleyautogroup.com.au I don't know how to do the link and wombats gone on holiday.
Then go into used cars and in the box click on Toyota, 2nd box HiAce then straight to search.
Ken Thomas, do you really think they would give me the details of the previous owner, its worth a try I suppose.
Vic, was trying to explain that to my daughter tonight especially with roundabouts, need to take them a bit slower I would have thought, she couldn't see it as she drives a station wagon or Nissan patrol.. So would have to be more aware of how close things are. The salesman did point out when out on Friday the mirrors are on long bars and to be a bit careful not to get too close to passing vehicles.
I mean with the roundabouts being aware of the vehicle in the other lane etc.
Sheba On road costs bring it up to 7888.00 they say but still a bargain in my eyes.
Firefly said
09:26 PM Feb 20, 2011
Isn't it registered mate?
Happywanderer said
09:31 PM Feb 20, 2011
Firefly, They have to give a full 12 months Vic Rego as it was registered in NSW. The NSW one has just run out.
Sheba said
09:34 PM Feb 20, 2011
Still a Bargain Marj. To find a link to anything, when you have the page you want, go up to the right-hand side of your toolbar, and left-click on Page.
You'll get a drop-down box. Scroll down to Send link by e-mail. Click on this, and when the E-mail box appears and the link shows, select the link, copy it, then delete the E-mail box, go to where you want to place it, click enter a couple of times to get enough space under your last word, then right click on the page, and click Paste.
Cheers, Sheba.
GrumpyOne said
09:35 PM Feb 20, 2011
Hey Guys n Gals,
Well HW beth hit the nail on the head, get the thing for the best price possible then get the mechanical side tip top and you'll be set.....just make sure you carry a few spares like hoses etc... simple things you can change your self in a worst case scenario and you will have a good reliable vehicle and confidence to take it where you want to go....
Good luck with it which ever way you decide, make the car sales guy work for the sale and gove you what YOU want...
Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster
Thanks for that Grumpster. Funny you shoud say that as S.in.L said to me only the other day to take a set of different size fuses with me. Never know when one might be needed.
Vic said
09:51 PM Feb 20, 2011
Looked good HW, love the lay down container brackets at the rear !
Re cutting corners, I found out the hard way, only going slow too, in a caravan park when I was tired, cut across a tree too sharply........
-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:54:04 PM
Happywanderer said
09:54 PM Feb 20, 2011
Yep, that works.
Sheba said
10:20 PM Feb 20, 2011
Vic wrote:
Looked good HW, love the lay down container brackets at the rear !
Re cutting corners, I found out the hard way, only going slow too, in a caravan park when I was tired, cut across a tree too sharply........
-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:54:04 PM I did the same thing parking next to a Pole at Bunnings. Very careful where I park now.
Don't worry, you will get used to it.
Cheers, Sheba.
Sheba said
11:09 PM Feb 20, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Thanks for that Grumpster. Funny you shoud say that as S.in.L said to me only the other day to take a set of different size fuses with me. Never know when one might be needed.
Spare Fuel Filter is a good idea too Marj.
Cheers, Sheba.
Cruising Granny said
11:42 PM Feb 20, 2011
Go for it HW! If it's what you're looking for, you feel confident, and it checks out, go for it.
You can look around forever and not find one which suits your needs.
I hunted for 18 months before I found this van which was exactly the layout and size I wanted, and we're living happily ever after.
Well HeadinHome, I do know the Gilles, and my Landcruising crawls up in 3rd gear and crawls down in 3rd. It's the best gear to keep control of revs and speed for all those bends. It's a steep climb, but a beautiful drive. Definitely not a road for caravans. Even the Kuranda range is steep and windy enough for a van, but better than the Gillies.
Safe and happy travels.
Qualified mechanics on this forum may be able to provide better information on this.
I forget to mention in my previous post that a "pink slip" is required in NSW prior to selling. I have no idea what the situation is in Victoria.
Why purple HH.
Hey dont worry about it been old, I am currently having mine done up. At least I then know what is new and working and what needs to be done on it.
Good luck HH follow your dream.
Hope to see you on your way through in April. I'm leaving my trip til early June now for various reasons.
Seing that the van was traded in by a local, get an address or phone # from Steve so you can contact the previous owner. He has no ties to it now and should be truthful about its condition and any faults
Ken
Good luck with the mechanical check. I googled the campervan and I think I found the right one on the Morely website and it certainly looks very clean and tidy, I luv the storage space on the back for carrying fuel/water tanks. Hopefully, the mechanics will be as good as the interior/exterior.
Keep Smiling
I'm so excited for you.
If that is as good as it looks, you'd have a real bargain there, at that price. I've seen them twice the price, but not nearly as well cared for as that one seems to have been.
Even if you had to put a new motor in it, IMHO, you'd still have a bargain.
You'll soon get used to driving it. I love being higher than in a sedan. Just remember the extra length when turning corners, and parking between [if you do] other vehicles. Also when overtaking cars, make sure you can see them in your rear-vision mirror before you go back in.
So many people forget to do that in ordinary cars these days, it's a wonder more people aren't killed on the roads.
Go for it mate,
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:17:17 PM
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:26:02 PM
You'll get a drop-down box. Scroll down to Send link by e-mail. Click on this, and when the E-mail box appears and the link shows, select the link, copy it, then delete the E-mail box, go to where you want to place it, click enter a couple of times to get enough space under your last word, then right click on the page, and click Paste.
Cheers,
Sheba.
http://www.morleyautogroup.com.au/
Cheers,
Sheba.
Looked good HW, love the lay down container brackets at the rear !

Re cutting corners, I found out the hard way, only going slow too, in a caravan park when I was tired, cut across a tree too sharply........
-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 20th of February 2011 09:54:04 PM
Cheers,
Sheba.