The adjustments needed are many. some small some large.
I am going to have to get a small trailer or get used to taking everything out and putting it under a tarp each time i stop.
my crafting stuff has to be with me.
i am at Gunning until Thursday.
Going to look at a colored sheep farm and get some silver gray fleece for spinning.
Dawa
the trailer idea sounds great. could even get an enclosed one and when it rains all keeps dry. ideas are endless. rocket n strop. what are you travelling in?
-- Edited by the rocket on Monday 19th of March 2012 02:28:26 PM
dawa said
07:38 PM Mar 19, 2012
Is anyone else out here DOING this nomad thing?
The adjustments needed are many. some small some large.
I am going to have to get a small trailer or get used to taking everything out and putting it under a tarp each time i stop.
my crafting stuff has to be with me.
i am at Gunning until Thursday.
Going to look at a colored sheep farm and get some silver gray fleece for spinning.
Dawa
fireheart said
08:32 PM Mar 19, 2012
Oh goodness Dawa, come on girl, let us know how it is going and what solutions you come up with. I am about to put the house on the market and this morning I was thinking about all my quilting stuff, and wonder if I can fit it in to the Motor home when I get it. Also I know what a mess I get into when I pull it all out here at home, how the heck am I going to quilt in a MH. I am loving your posts adn look forward to hearing more about your journies and how it is all going.
Sharon.
PeterS said
09:34 PM Mar 19, 2012
Dawa : should be a bit more carefull in wording your topic
fireheart said
10:47 PM Mar 19, 2012
rofl. Peter I had to read the topic heading again. I see what you mean, hell good luck to them if they are.
Happywanderer said
11:13 PM Mar 19, 2012
I had to read it twice too. I'm out there but not doing it. Whatever it is. dawa, you only take what you need, I have my puzzles, crotchet and beading. Gave all my quilting to my sister, she's going to have a go at it. Makes my back ache too much sitting at a sewing machine. I know of a few who have gone out and bought a trailer after trying to fit it all in the van. Not for me, I don 't like towing.
dawa said
11:51 PM Mar 19, 2012
I still can't work out what was wrong with the topic.
if i didn't quilt i would not need a trailer.......but then if i didn't quilt and craft i would go insane.
beiffe said
11:55 PM Mar 19, 2012
Well Dawa you are now on the road so you have to decide what becomes your setup.
I had the same problem but I recognised it BEFORE I left. I am a SHED man so needed a shed as you need a sewing room.
I have a 7 x 4 pantec trailer (in QLD they call it a pig trailer) I would suggest one built out over the wheels to give more space but depends what you can get etc.
Everything is in the shed including the wood lathe and the tools as well as the portable solar panels and tarps etc. This way it all remains packed till I need it but I have what I want when I need it. it is also something to do when I am bored, I clean the shed and repack etc.
I have a roof rack on the trailer where I keep the tinnie and the rods etc plus the other things that I don't need often and are light etc.
With a decent MH the traailer just follows not like a car and a van as then the van controls the car.
You might get a way with just a covered trailer but I suggest a solid cover not a tarp as they flap and tear etc and are a pain.
If you use ebay check this one to give and idea item number 120873592845 or 150776899945
There are other just look for trailer or enclosed trailer or check a trailer seller in an area where you are but be tough strike a bargain and only buy if it is what you want.
Be aware you may have to back it sometimes but with planning it will not be very often and then again after some practice you will not even think about it but just do it. Remember you should have lots of places away from every one to practice and learn to get it right. I now have to think when the trailer is not there but can back anywhere if the trailer is attached.
Regards Brian
Happywanderer said
12:58 AM Mar 20, 2012
dawa, its the heading that gave us all a giggle. Is anyone else out here doing it?
Dougwe said
02:27 AM Mar 20, 2012
No! But then again "IT" could be anything.
Almurta said
04:14 AM Mar 20, 2012
Hi, There is a fleet of ex-rental campervans for sale across Australia. (ads on e-bay). I rang the Melbourne branch and learned the vans have done about 600,000 and they want over $12,000 for them. I thought there was something wrong with my hearing and questioned the kilometers. The guy assured me all engines are pressure tested before sale and that they come with a warranty. They might be ok but for me it was just far too many kilometers. I've looked at lots of campervans and found they were all too old, too expensive or had done too many kilometers. I've postponed my trip for a while as I'm going overseas. I'm still interested in the nomad lifestyle and sometimes wonder what it would be like to just head off in my car with a tent and camping gear. It would only be a temporary solution - a kind of extended holiday - but it sure would be cheaper. I wonder if anyone out there travels that way.
Elle on Wheels said
08:58 AM Mar 20, 2012
Hi Dawa
Like Brian I think a small trailer with a secure lock up facility would be ideal for you. You could buy one with 1.2 walls and very easily line it with that cheap shelving from Bunnings which is normally on special for less than $20 per unit. That way you would have heaps of organised storage and a small trailer would not impact significantly on fuel consumption. If you have friends in country towns like Deniliquin they probably know of excellent handy people who could fit out something in a flash for you at a very reasonable price. Your quilting is a very important part of your life and well being so you need to make sure it is well provided for. A little thought and planning should come up with an ideal situation for you.
Hi Sue
I totally agree with you - why the heck would you want to pay that sort of money for a clapped out old campervan.... are they deisel as I couldn't imagine petrol ones lasting 600km and that would be the end of a deisel's life as well. You can much better than that. I paid $20000 for my 4wd deisel ute at 60000km. it's now at 160000 and obviously got a lot of years to go. It's a dual cab. I spent about $3000 in total fitting it out with a 2nd hand canopy, a 190w solar panel, gas bottle, 100 AH deep cycle battery, a 3 way fridge freezer,a super snazzy camp bed with adjustable pillows, a 3 x 3 pop up tent, a baby q, an inverter and other bits and pieces like shower tent, shower, porta potty etc. Most of the stuff came from ebay so I saved heaps. I think i spent about $1000 on labour including some extra welding to reinforce the tray etc as well as getting all the electrics sorted. So I reckon a good option for you might be to get a good late model space cab 4wd deisel ute and fit it out similarly. A longer tray would mean you could sleep inside the canopy if it was raining or you only wanted to say overnight. A new fibre glass canopy would cost about $4000 I think. Another option might be to buy a camper trailer or something like a little jayco finch or similar. They are very easy to tow and weigh next to nothing and are very easy to set up on arival. They obviously have their disadvantages as well but i really enjoyed the little Cub I had. If you towed a camper trailer with a ute and canopy(which i did) you would have the best of both worlds a quick set up with fridge etc plus lots of storage.
dawa said
01:58 PM Mar 20, 2012
Thank you Brian;
I am stopping for a number of days at a time at present and empty the stuff out onto a tarp and wrap it.......pain>>>>>
When i get to Deni i shall see about having a towbar put onto the camper.
Will only be a small trailer...very small
Dawa
Cruising Granny said
01:00 AM Mar 21, 2012
Security and safety are the important issues. If you carry tools and equipment you'd want to ensure they are safely stowed away. I carry a small amount of craft stuff for the times when my concentration isn't up to writing. When I'm not well I can't concentrate much, so embroidery is simpler. I carry a few reference books which I use from time to time. There really is only so much room in anything whether it be a 22ft caravan or a 26ft bus. Part of the solution is the cupboard configuration in your rig. Cupboards not couches. Overhead cupboards for the lighter items, with the heavier items at floor level, close to over the axle or in front. All you have to remember is, you can't pack a 3 or 4 bedroom house, or a 2 bedroom unit into an aluminium box with staples and pop rivets. We need something to fill those quiet times when we're done with sightseeing. It just has to be scaled down in proportion to available space.
dogbox said
02:25 AM Mar 21, 2012
you could get a closed in trailer an set up a craft work shop that is set up ready to go any time u wanted they make things called toy haulers but they may be a bit over the top for what you need but with a bit of imagination you can get what ever you want depending on how important your craft work is to you
Beth54 said
05:47 PM Mar 21, 2012
-- Edited by Beth54 on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 05:49:59 PM
Beth54 said
06:57 PM Mar 21, 2012
No, I haven't done it for years!
scotia59 said
07:15 PM Mar 21, 2012
what about a camper trailer?
You would have your bed in there, all your gear stored underneath in the trailer part, and a room to set up for your craft.
And you could keep your car - if it is suitable for towing!
dawa said
07:52 PM Mar 21, 2012
as I am not into smut i had no idea what u were all going on about.
Had to ask a fellow traveller.
Seems to me there are a lot of people sitting at home thinking and making lists
Dawa
Happywanderer said
09:46 PM Mar 21, 2012
When did IT become smut?
dawa said
10:31 PM Mar 21, 2012
I was asking if there were any members actually doing the travelling.
Didn't expect my post to be turned the way it has been.
If by sex you mean smut then NO it isn't. Is something wonderful between two people and not to be made fun of.
Dawa
Jack Mac said
12:50 AM Mar 22, 2012
Oh Dear. Methinks some doth protest too much.
Beth54 said
01:02 AM Mar 22, 2012
Jack Mac wrote:
Oh Dear. Methinks some doth protest too much.
Too true Jack. As you can see, I wrote a reply, then deleted it. NSOH!
PeterS said
01:09 AM Mar 22, 2012
Aussie Sence of Humour Nothing like it
jimricho said
01:57 AM Mar 22, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
When did IT become smut?
I never knew Information Technology was smut????
Cruising Granny said
03:43 AM Mar 22, 2012
dawa wrote:
I was asking if there were any members actually doing the travelling.
Didn't expect my post to be turned the way it has been.
If by sex you mean smut then NO it isn't. Is something wonderful between two people and not to be made fun of.
Dawa
Oh yes it is! If it's not fun, well, nuh, not going there. Needless to say, it should be fun, travel and sex.
Beth54 said
06:28 AM Mar 22, 2012
Cruising Granny wrote:
dawa wrote:
I was asking if there were any members actually doing the travelling.
Didn't expect my post to be turned the way it has been.
If by sex you mean smut then NO it isn't. Is something wonderful between two people and not to be made fun of.
Dawa
Oh yes it is! If it's not fun, well, nuh, not going there. Needless to say, it should be fun, travel and sex.
golivers travels said
10:40 PM Mar 27, 2012
Pablotravels,
Sometimes it takes time to sort out what set up suits your travels. We went though 5 set ups before we found the one that suited us. Albiet we found as the years went by the needs changed. Hope you find your right set up.
Glenda
-- Edited by golivers travels on Tuesday 27th of March 2012 10:41:59 PM
pablostravels said
01:50 AM Mar 28, 2012
Hi
Ive just returned from a trial run to nth west nsw before i set off on an extended trip,Im not happy with my caravan and also van park prices,so just listed caravan for sale and orderd an off road camper trailer,my thinking is im driving a 4wd so i might as well use it,its great to finally have done some travelling
Elle on Wheels said
06:50 AM Mar 28, 2012
Welcome Pablos
nothing like a good bit of thourough research before deciding on exactly what you need. Good luck and we look forward to hearing more from you. cheers
-- Edited by the rocket on Monday 19th of March 2012 02:28:26 PM
Is anyone else out here DOING this nomad thing?
The adjustments needed are many. some small some large.
I am going to have to get a small trailer or get used to taking everything out and putting it under a tarp each time i stop.
my crafting stuff has to be with me.
i am at Gunning until Thursday.
Going to look at a colored sheep farm and get some silver gray fleece for spinning.
Dawa
I am loving your posts adn look forward to hearing more about your journies and how it is all going.
Sharon.
Dawa : should be a bit more carefull in wording your topic
rofl. Peter I had to read the topic heading again. I see what you mean, hell good luck to them if they are.
dawa, you only take what you need, I have my puzzles, crotchet and beading. Gave all my quilting to my sister, she's going to have a go at it. Makes my back ache too much sitting at a sewing machine.
I know of a few who have gone out and bought a trailer after trying to fit it all in the van. Not for me, I don 't like towing.
if i didn't quilt i would not need a trailer.......but then if i didn't quilt and craft i would go insane.
I had the same problem but I recognised it BEFORE I left. I am a SHED man so needed a shed as you need a sewing room.
I have a 7 x 4 pantec trailer (in QLD they call it a pig trailer) I would suggest one built out over the wheels to give more space but depends what you can get etc.
Everything is in the shed including the wood lathe and the tools as well as the portable solar panels and tarps etc. This way it all remains packed till I need it but I have what I want when I need it. it is also something to do when I am bored, I clean the shed and repack etc.
I have a roof rack on the trailer where I keep the tinnie and the rods etc plus the other things that I don't need often and are light etc.
With a decent MH the traailer just follows not like a car and a van as then the van controls the car.
You might get a way with just a covered trailer but I suggest a solid cover not a tarp as they flap and tear etc and are a pain.
If you use ebay check this one to give and idea item number 120873592845 or 150776899945
There are other just look for trailer or enclosed trailer or check a trailer seller in an area where you are but be tough strike a bargain and only buy if it is what you want.
Be aware you may have to back it sometimes but with planning it will not be very often and then again after some practice you will not even think about it but just do it. Remember you should have lots of places away from every one to practice and learn to get it right. I now have to think when the trailer is not there but can back anywhere if the trailer is attached.
Regards
Brian
There is a fleet of ex-rental campervans for sale across Australia. (ads on e-bay). I rang the Melbourne branch and learned the vans have done about 600,000 and they want over $12,000 for them. I thought there was something wrong with my hearing and questioned the kilometers. The guy assured me all engines are pressure tested before sale and that they come with a warranty. They might be ok but for me it was just far too many kilometers.
I've looked at lots of campervans and found they were all too old, too expensive or had done too many kilometers. I've postponed my trip for a while as I'm going overseas. I'm still interested in the nomad lifestyle and sometimes wonder what it would be like to just head off in my car with a tent and camping gear. It would only be a temporary solution - a kind of extended holiday - but it sure would be cheaper. I wonder if anyone out there travels that way.
Like Brian I think a small trailer with a secure lock up facility would be ideal for you. You could buy one with 1.2 walls and very easily line it with that cheap shelving from Bunnings which is normally on special for less than $20 per unit. That way you would have heaps of organised storage and a small trailer would not impact significantly on fuel consumption. If you have friends in country towns like Deniliquin they probably know of excellent handy people who could fit out something in a flash for you at a very reasonable price. Your quilting is a very important part of your life and well being so you need to make sure it is well provided for. A little thought and planning should come up with an ideal situation for you.
Hi Sue
I totally agree with you - why the heck would you want to pay that sort of money for a clapped out old campervan.... are they deisel as I couldn't imagine petrol ones lasting 600km and that would be the end of a deisel's life as well. You can much better than that. I paid $20000 for my 4wd deisel ute at 60000km. it's now at 160000 and obviously got a lot of years to go. It's a dual cab. I spent about $3000 in total fitting it out with a 2nd hand canopy, a 190w solar panel, gas bottle, 100 AH deep cycle battery, a 3 way fridge freezer,a super snazzy camp bed with adjustable pillows, a 3 x 3 pop up tent, a baby q, an inverter and other bits and pieces like shower tent, shower, porta potty etc. Most of the stuff came from ebay so I saved heaps. I think i spent about $1000 on labour including some extra welding to reinforce the tray etc as well as getting all the electrics sorted. So I reckon a good option for you might be to get a good late model space cab 4wd deisel ute and fit it out similarly. A longer tray would mean you could sleep inside the canopy if it was raining or you only wanted to say overnight. A new fibre glass canopy would cost about $4000 I think. Another option might be to buy a camper trailer or something like a little jayco finch or similar. They are very easy to tow and weigh next to nothing and are very easy to set up on arival. They obviously have their disadvantages as well but i really enjoyed the little Cub I had. If you towed a camper trailer with a ute and canopy(which i did) you would have the best of both worlds a quick set up with fridge etc plus lots of storage.
Thank you Brian;
I am stopping for a number of days at a time at present and empty the stuff out onto a tarp and wrap it.......pain>>>>>
When i get to Deni i shall see about having a towbar put onto the camper.
Will only be a small trailer...very small
Dawa
I carry a small amount of craft stuff for the times when my concentration isn't up to writing. When I'm not well I can't concentrate much, so embroidery is simpler.
I carry a few reference books which I use from time to time.
There really is only so much room in anything whether it be a 22ft caravan or a 26ft bus. Part of the solution is the cupboard configuration in your rig. Cupboards not couches. Overhead cupboards for the lighter items, with the heavier items at floor level, close to over the axle or in front.
All you have to remember is, you can't pack a 3 or 4 bedroom house, or a 2 bedroom unit into an aluminium box with staples and pop rivets.
We need something to fill those quiet times when we're done with sightseeing. It just has to be scaled down in proportion to available space.
they make things called toy haulers but they may be a bit over the top for what you need
but with a bit of imagination you can get what ever you want depending on how important your craft work is to you
-- Edited by Beth54 on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 05:49:59 PM
No, I haven't done it for years!
You would have your bed in there, all your gear stored underneath in the trailer part, and a room to set up for your craft.
And you could keep your car - if it is suitable for towing!
as I am not into smut i had no idea what u were all going on about.
Had to ask a fellow traveller.
Seems to me there are a lot of people sitting at home thinking and making lists
Dawa
I was asking if there were any members actually doing the travelling.
Didn't expect my post to be turned the way it has been.
If by sex you mean smut then NO it isn't. Is something wonderful between two people and not to be made fun of.
Dawa
Oh Dear. Methinks some doth protest too much.
Too true Jack. As you can see, I wrote a reply, then deleted it. NSOH!
Aussie Sence of Humour
Nothing like it 
I never knew Information Technology was smut????
Oh yes it is! If it's not fun, well, nuh, not going there. Needless to say, it should be fun, travel and sex.
-- Edited by golivers travels on Tuesday 27th of March 2012 10:41:59 PM
Hi
Ive just returned from a trial run to nth west nsw before i set off on an extended trip,Im not happy with my caravan and also van park prices,so just listed caravan for sale and orderd an off road camper trailer,my thinking is im driving a 4wd so i might as well use it,its great to finally have done some travelling
nothing like a good bit of thourough research before deciding on exactly what you need. Good luck and we look forward to hearing more from you.
cheers