If I were setting out from scratch again I would get a small Van and a ute rather than the camper.
The van would give me adequate living space while the ute would give me a place to put all the other 'things'.
This lifestyle is fantastic and my years of camping trips have prepared me for some of it.
Nothing will prepare you altogether tho......like all dreams the reality is somewhat different.......however if you can adapt and get on with it life is good.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Dawa
bill12 said
06:15 PM Apr 12, 2012
I feel the same. I have a ute and a slide on, and am putting the slide on on a custom trailer , turning it into a caravan of sorts, and am putting the tinnie and the postie bike on the ute. Will do tryout trip later in the year.Getting the camper off the ute is nerveracking , to say the least.Bill
dawa said
06:43 PM Apr 12, 2012
wow....yes getting that camper off the ute would be a nail biter. Dawa
Rip and Rosie said
09:23 PM Apr 12, 2012
When we got our first van, a salesman told us that most people who give up travelling in a van do so, not because they don't like the lifestyle, but because they got the wrong van.
It was quite true for us, as the van was totally wrong for us. Things we thought we would love, we hated, and things we thought nothing about turned out to be bit turn offs.
Swapped for a different set up, and happy as.
Cruising Granny said
01:57 AM Apr 13, 2012
We all have a different view of what we'll NEED when we set out. I see young couples looking at huge caravans, in their attempt to fit the 4 bedroom house and all it's contents into the van with all the mod cons. Even older couples heading for retirement have varying ideas of what they'll NEED. Bigger is not always better. Then they look at economy - choosing the cheapest running tug and the biggest possible van, and then wonder why it costs so much or the tug gets tired and broken. Everything has its limits. I lived in a 25ft van in the 70's with my former partner. Then it was a variety of houses etc until I went to the Kimberley to live and work for the short term. Reducing all my wordly goods along the way, handing the last of it over to the kids when they set up house. I moved into Broome and bought a van to go on-site when I saw the rents. When I was ready to hit the road I had to have a road-worthy van, large enough to live in, but compact enough for me to handle with the tug. "Economical" and "practical" are open to interpretation.
Loki said
11:29 PM Apr 13, 2012
I agree, somewhat. I have a HiAce poptop chosen for its ability to get most places a car will as I visit my children in cities. However, I think - as Dawa has stated - that a ute and small van has obvious advantages. It's all a matter of trade-offs and it needs careful thought when buying. Anyway, I have the means to see this great big broad country and that is my main priority!
Happy travels, Anton
beiffe said
06:50 PM Apr 14, 2012
I opted for a motor home and after the first one (MazdaT3500) I found the only thing that got to me was the in ability to hold a decent speed whilst driving. Not 110 but 90 KMh was what I wanted.
I looked at big buses as I am full time but decide on a 7Mtr Hino with the turbo power and a bit more room due to the motor in rear and the ability to utilise the area between the driving seats and also to utilise a swivel seat.
I bush camp and enjoy to SIT. I am not the tourist going here and there so use a motor power push bike when needed but usually purchase supplies and then try and get lost till I need to move because I need supplies or need a change. Nothing to walk a few ks to get supplies. The best way to look around and get some great photos to boot.
I tow a trailer as I am a shed person and I do some voluntary work on the road so carry tools etc as well as my hobby (wood turning) requires a lathe and some weight of tools so a trailer is needed.
The trailer carries all the junk as well as the tinnie and the outboards and fishing gear as well as the cookers, chairs etc.
One of the best things is to do YOUR thing and if you get a buzz doing something then don't let ANYONE tell you it is wrong or not needed etc. Its your life do your thing and then when you slide out you should not have any regrets.
The main thing is to try anything and learn as you travel and let others follow their dreams as you wish to follow yours without someone telling you that their way is the best or only way to do something.and everything.
We are all different so lets enjoy our individual life styles and get out there and relax and enjoy.
Regards Brian
dawa said
07:12 PM Apr 14, 2012
yes....I agree.
It is only by being out here that we find what suits each of us and what suits me and is just right for my situation will not suit others.
However I do like to hear how other people arrived at the rig they have......each story is interesting.......and maybe food for thought for those who are still 'thinking' about travelling. Or those of us who feel we would like something of a bit different configuration.
I am favoring bush camping and plan to stock up food and stay in one place as long as I can. Just a wanderer finding my new way of life relaxing and peaceful. not really interested in the BIG LAP thing but if it happens all well and good.
Today I am spinning some colored wool on the banks of the Murray..at Tocumwal
Dawa
beiffe said
04:57 PM Apr 15, 2012
Way to go Dawa.
Do what you want and enjoy every day.
I am lucky that I have a large fridge so I can carry extra food but I still like to only carry what I need for a week or so.
You will find that the more you bush camp the more you will relax and the better the places you will find.
The better sources of information is the people you meet (always go to a happy hour with your camps book) and also looking at Google earth if you want to visit an area where you have no site in mind. Pick a town etc and then just zoom around up high and then when you see something that might interest then zoom down and often you find the little local spots that are not published.
Regards Brian
dawa said
05:14 PM Apr 15, 2012
Google earth ......yet another J curve in learning .
Hello:
If I were setting out from scratch again I would get a small Van and a ute rather than the camper.
The van would give me adequate living space while the ute would give me a place to put all the other 'things'.
This lifestyle is fantastic and my years of camping trips have prepared me for some of it.
Nothing will prepare you altogether tho......like all dreams the reality is somewhat different.......however if you can adapt and get on with it life is good.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Dawa
Dawa
It was quite true for us, as the van was totally wrong for us. Things we thought we would love, we hated, and things we thought nothing about turned out to be bit turn offs.
Swapped for a different set up, and happy as.
I see young couples looking at huge caravans, in their attempt to fit the 4 bedroom house and all it's contents into the van with all the mod cons.
Even older couples heading for retirement have varying ideas of what they'll NEED. Bigger is not always better.
Then they look at economy - choosing the cheapest running tug and the biggest possible van, and then wonder why it costs so much or the tug gets tired and broken.
Everything has its limits.
I lived in a 25ft van in the 70's with my former partner. Then it was a variety of houses etc until I went to the Kimberley to live and work for the short term. Reducing all my wordly goods along the way, handing the last of it over to the kids when they set up house.
I moved into Broome and bought a van to go on-site when I saw the rents.
When I was ready to hit the road I had to have a road-worthy van, large enough to live in, but compact enough for me to handle with the tug.
"Economical" and "practical" are open to interpretation.
Happy travels,
Anton
I looked at big buses as I am full time but decide on a 7Mtr Hino with the turbo power and a bit more room due to the motor in rear and the ability to utilise the area between the driving seats and also to utilise a swivel seat.
I bush camp and enjoy to SIT. I am not the tourist going here and there so use a motor power push bike when needed but usually purchase supplies and then try and get lost till I need to move because I need supplies or need a change. Nothing to walk a few ks to get supplies. The best way to look around and get some great photos to boot.
I tow a trailer as I am a shed person and I do some voluntary work on the road so carry tools etc as well as my hobby (wood turning) requires a lathe and some weight of tools so a trailer is needed.
The trailer carries all the junk as well as the tinnie and the outboards and fishing gear as well as the cookers, chairs etc.
One of the best things is to do YOUR thing and if you get a buzz doing something then don't let ANYONE tell you it is wrong or not needed etc. Its your life do your thing and then when you slide out you should not have any regrets.
The main thing is to try anything and learn as you travel and let others follow their dreams as you wish to follow yours without someone telling you that their way is the best or only way to do something.and everything.
We are all different so lets enjoy our individual life styles and get out there and relax and enjoy.
Regards
Brian
yes....I agree.
It is only by being out here that we find what suits each of us and what suits me and is just right for my situation will not suit others.
However I do like to hear how other people arrived at the rig they have......each story is interesting.......and maybe food for thought for those who are still 'thinking' about travelling. Or those of us who feel we would like something of a bit different configuration.
I am favoring bush camping and plan to stock up food and stay in one place as long as I can. Just a wanderer finding my new way of life relaxing and peaceful. not really interested in the BIG LAP thing but if it happens all well and good.
Today I am spinning some colored wool on the banks of the Murray..at Tocumwal
Dawa
Do what you want and enjoy every day.
I am lucky that I have a large fridge so I can carry extra food but I still like to only carry what I need for a week or so.
You will find that the more you bush camp the more you will relax and the better the places you will find.
The better sources of information is the people you meet (always go to a happy hour with your camps book) and also looking at Google earth if you want to visit an area where you have no site in mind. Pick a town etc and then just zoom around up high and then when you see something that might interest then zoom down and often you find the little local spots that are not published.
Regards
Brian
Google earth ......yet another J curve in learning .
all this stuff i am learning is so wonderful.