The Grey Nomads Forum

any advice on small vans just for one person

dreamchaser said
10:07 AM Feb 14, 2010

Hi, I am looking into trading in my 79 viscount 15ft for something smaller. I drive an xtrail. Can anyone make any suggestions about brands and types of vans to suit just one person. When i was camping recently a lady drove in with this tiny little van it had a funny name like digger or nipper i don't remember, anyway it was set up for one person it had a pop top and an awning I am only a very short lady and so the small space wouldn't worry me. I just thought it was perfect for me so much less to worry about. She said she has been travelling around for years and found it really easy to tow and maintain. I am not planning on going off road but then again who know's what I might be game enough to do later. I have already researched into it a bit....the camper trailer one's look good but the thought of a no fuss van really grabs me...........maybe the camper trailers aren't that much fuss..anyway I thought what better place to get advice from all you great people with all your experience and know how.
Hope you can help

Thanks
Jude

Hylda&Jon said
10:50 AM Feb 14, 2010

One type that may interest you is the A'van, check out the web site...
http://www.avan.com.au/products_campers.html
Cheers
Jon

jandas fun said
12:27 PM Feb 14, 2010

Hi Jude welcome to the forum. The van you were thinking of was probably a Viscount Nipper. If you 'google' that name you will find them. Not being a solo i'll let the solo ladies and gents give you their thoughts and advice. Johnw

milo said
12:40 PM Feb 14, 2010

you could try http://www.trikesaustralia.com/teardrop/ , suitable for 2 people and for small cars,

also try http://innovan.com.au/index.php

http://tracktrailer.com.au/

try those for starters...

just make sure that you know how much you can tow , like i know my car can tow 700kg so check with the max that you can , and then sort out from there what you want.

hope that helps. biggrin

-- Edited by milo on Sunday 14th of February 2010 11:50:42 AM

dave06 said
02:08 PM Feb 14, 2010

Hi Jude I too tend to think it would be the nipper, did it have rear entry and two single beds? they are a great van and would suit a solo traveler very well indeed after towing the 15 foot viscount the nipper will be much less weight and effort! they can have a rear awning as well

Ron and Shirley said
02:49 PM Feb 14, 2010

Goldstream RV make a couple of pop-top models for the "smaller vehicles".

Both are side entry, on or off road models, and measure 12' and 14' internal.

Their 12 model is called the mini and is/was also sold in QLD as a Franklin micro. One layout of the 14' has an internal toilet/shower.

Just an alternative.

http://www.goldstreamrv.com.au/poptops.php

-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Sunday 14th of February 2010 01:52:50 PM

Onedodger said
02:53 PM Feb 14, 2010

Coromal also make a small rear entrance van suitable for a single person.
Also there are many other manufacturers that also do similar.
As suggested above the Nipper is a little beauty and would go great behind your
X trail as they are usually only 7ft wide and 10/12 ft long the x Trail would hardly feel it. Also the weight and the ball load are very light but they have all the features you would need.

william the third said
03:15 PM Feb 14, 2010

G'day dreamchaser, i have a coromal 401 which is13ft.mine has a queen size bed but you can get one with 2 singles.It has independent suspension unlike a lot of small vans which have rigid axels hop all over the road. i

milo said
04:11 PM Feb 14, 2010

they look great, whats the weight for them ie tow weight?

jimricho said
05:41 PM Feb 14, 2010

Hi Jude and welcome from me too,

I have have a Goldstream Crown that as a solo traveller I'm very happy with. It's a wind-up top type camper similar to a Jayco Penguin. Neither the Crown nor the Penguin have pull out end beds and this saves time when setting up. the space inside is adequate for one person or a couple.

The Goldstream can be checked out at http://www.goldstreamrv.com.au/products/camper_crown.php and the Jayco at http://jayco.com.au/ Also the A Liner at http://www.avan.com.au/

Jim

william the third said
06:26 PM Feb 14, 2010

G'day Milo, the coromal 401 has a tare weight of 879kg and atm of 1320kg.

Beams said
06:59 PM Feb 14, 2010

Hi Dreamchaser,

If you are sure you want only space for one, I can recommend one of the Frontline pop-top vans. Mine is a Toyota, but there are others, similar and better too, all depending on the price {The Mercedes is a dream }

I find mine fits me perfectly. One side of the benches is my bed. You can slide it out six inches or so to make it a bit wider. The other bench is where I put a series of boxes and bags with all my bitsas - all at hand. Underneath the benches is where I store things that are not needed often.

I have taken out the slide out cupboard with the gas stove and replaced it with a similar cupboard that holds a small microwave, and underneath a porta-pottie, tucked away neatly. The top of this cupboard is a working space. I now carry a one-ring gas stove that stores itself in a little metal box.

Most of the time I do not put up the table in the middle. A tray is fine for eating. I carry a good chair with me and it also has a little table that unfolds on the side.

All this still leaves me space on the floor to put a couple of boxes if I need to.

Driving is a dream - no worries about towing and it takes very little time to pull down the roof and wind the Awning back in place when I want to go touring, into town etc...

I feel I have all I need and it feels like driving a car, only with a better view.

Wish you heaps of luck and maybe one day we will cross paths.

Beams

milo said
07:40 PM Feb 15, 2010

you could also try , dont know there prices though.. http://www.exoduscampers.com.au/ and http://vistarv.com.au/

Denise said
10:04 PM Feb 15, 2010

Hi Jude, I have my eye on a similar thing down the road but they don't want to sell , I think its a nipper , Gazelle....that bit is definite. It has a bit of age on it I think but looks like a perfect size. It has a pop top and a rear central door. Good luck ,I'll be interested to see what decision you make. Cheers:) Denise

dreamchaser said
09:02 AM Feb 17, 2010

Hylda&Jon wrote:

One type that may interest you is the A'van, check out the web site...
http://www.avan.com.au/products_campers.html
Cheers
Jon

I did check out the A'Van thanks the aliner looks great I just don't know if I can afford it am I right that they 1st started making them in about 1995 I may have to go a bit more vintage than that....also how do you pull or push it up and down is it just that or do you wind it up and down.

Thanks Jude

dreamchaser said
09:06 AM Feb 17, 2010

jandas fun wrote:

Hi Jude

welcome to the forum.

The van you were thinking of was probably a Viscount Nipper. If you 'google' that name you will find them.
Not being a solo i'll let the solo ladies and gents give you their thoughts and advice.

Johnw

Thanks John for the welcome and advice...The viscount Nipper is looking good...

dreamchaser said
09:09 AM Feb 17, 2010

Ron and Shirley wrote:

Goldstream RV make a couple of pop-top models for the "smaller vehicles".
Both are side entry, on or off road models, and measure 12' and 14' internal.
Their 12 model is called the mini and is/was also sold in QLD as a Franklin micro. One layout of the 14' has an internal toilet/shower.
Just an alternative.

http://www.goldstreamrv.com.au/poptops.php

-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Sunday 14th of February 2010 01:52:50 PM

Thanks Ron an Shirley...checked out the Goldstream 12' looks good for me as well

Jude

dreamchaser said
10:34 AM Feb 17, 2010

Onedodger wrote:

Coromal also make a small rear entrance van suitable for a single person.
Also there are many other manufacturers that also do similar.
As suggested above the Nipper is a little beauty and would go great behind your
X trail as they are usually only 7ft wide and 10/12 ft long the x Trail would hardly feel it. Also the weight and the ball load are very light but they have all the features you would need.

Thanks for the input ....yes i agree the nipper looks good thanks Jude

dreamchaser said
10:38 AM Feb 17, 2010

william the third wrote:

G'day dreamchaser, i have a coromal 401 which is13ft.mine has a queen size bed but you can get one with 2 singles.It has independent suspension unlike a lot of small vans which have rigid axels hop all over the road. i

Thanks william and you too milo for your advice too...hehe william can you explain independant suspension as opposed to rigid axles
Thanks Jude

dreamchaser said
10:41 AM Feb 17, 2010

Beams wrote:

Hi Dreamchaser,

If you are sure you want only space for one, I can recommend one of the Frontline pop-top vans. Mine is a Toyota, but there are others, similar and better too, all depending on the price {The Mercedes is a dream }

I find mine fits me perfectly. One side of the benches is my bed. You can slide it out six inches or so to make it a bit wider. The other bench is where I put a series of boxes and bags with all my bitsas - all at hand. Underneath the benches is where I store things that are not needed often.

I have taken out the slide out cupboard with the gas stove and replaced it with a similar cupboard that holds a small microwave, and underneath a porta-pottie, tucked away neatly. The top of this cupboard is a working space. I now carry a one-ring gas stove that stores itself in a little metal box.

Most of the time I do not put up the table in the middle. A tray is fine for eating. I carry a good chair with me and it also has a little table that unfolds on the side.

All this still leaves me space on the floor to put a couple of boxes if I need to.

Driving is a dream - no worries about towing and it takes very little time to pull down the roof and wind the Awning back in place when I want to go touring, into town etc...

I feel I have all I need and it feels like driving a car, only with a better view.

Wish you heaps of luck and maybe one day we will cross paths.

Beams

Thanks beams your setup sounds terrific....but i just purchased an xtrail ..I need it to cross causeways that flood occassionally apart from towing...Appreciate your encouragement Jude

dreamchaser said
10:44 AM Feb 17, 2010

Denise wrote:

Hi Jude, I have my eye on a similar thing down the road but they don't want to sell , I think its a nipper , Gazelle....that bit is definite. It has a bit of age on it I think but looks like a perfect size. It has a pop top and a rear central door. Good luck ,I'll be interested to see what decision you make. Cheers:) Denise

Hi Denise

Yes the nipper does sound like a good choice as you can see from all the input from members...if you havnt already look up their suggestions some great little on'es out there for us solo's Jude

dreamchaser said
10:50 AM Feb 17, 2010

Well to all who helped me out with my topic about small vans just wanted to let you know I found out the name of the van I saw while camping.......It was a

Driftaway Little Robin Mini.......has anyone heard of them and what do you know of them good or bad.
Thanks Jude

dave06 said
03:20 PM Feb 24, 2010

nope you got me with that one Jude, just run an eye over the obvious things, water marks (leaks) sagging springs, cupboard doors lining up and closing properly, general condition and just a general inspection to see if it "looks right", nothing that is out of place

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