G,day All, about to join the get nomads scene .....can't wait! We are going to buy a 16' pop. What do you consider compulsory, convenient or nice to have extras? Solar( fixed or portable), outdoor shower, outdoor bbq, bike rack, annexe, air cond, toilet/shower, water filters, stereo, leather or fabric seats, outdoor gas connection, extra water tank etc. We are not into off road though I am sure we will venture onto dirt roads to national parks. Think about what you have added to your van over the years. We are brand new at all this , so we are trying to get it as right as possible (we know it won't be 100%). Looking forward to hearing from all of you experienced nomads. Cheers Steve
The Phantom said
08:04 PM May 22, 2014
Steve
It really comes down to what YOU want, not what someone else thinks you need.
Sit down and give it some thought. Make a list and consider what you can carry (payload) and what is useful to you. Then edit the list and add extra if required.
Consider when you are travelling (winter, summer, etc) as that will affect what you require.
Do a test run for a few days before attempting a bigger trip. It won't take you long to work out what you need.
The Phantom
KFT said
08:14 PM May 22, 2014
we are in our third caravan and what we considered a must have this time was a ducted gas heater (Truma E2400) it is great for those chilly mornings and the control is beside the bed so we can turn it on before getting up to a nice warm van.
we chose gas because the unit is maintenance free and we already had gas in the van. they are quiet when running (inside and out) unlike some diesel heaters and there is no problem with fuel freezing or waxing up when cold.
it runs on 12v so can be used when in the bush.
mrs KFT loves it as much as I do.
would not have a van without one now.
something I should have had done at build but forgot was a power outlet near the front of the van to plug in the car fridge. It is there now and it is another thing I would not be without. so much easier to connect the car now.
frank
Cloak said
06:31 AM May 23, 2014
We don't go away without a portable toilet. A spare wheel bearing and don't forget the jack.
If you can afford it sola power and led lighting. We never had a shower, van was too small, so we only camped at places that had facilities.
One option we were glad we included is a full gas oven and griller instead of a microwave.
We have a full annexe but never use it. Also bring along a yabbie trap for inland camps and fossick for shellfish at low tide in coastal places.
Shop at roadside farm gate stalls.
Probably the most important thing is don't skimp on mattress get the best you can afford.
Don't forget some books and magazines because you might be surprised how relaxed you can get.
deverall11 said
11:38 AM May 23, 2014
Steve, we too have an annex and rarely use it now. PVC pipe to carry your fishing gear. We use a small electric heater. Granted you need 240 v. We store our drain hose in one of the chassis rails. If can't do, mount a 50mm pvc pipe under the van. Leather or fabric is a personal choice. Depending on what you intend on doing, fabric may be an option as it can be cleaned more easily. Real leather is a lot more expensive. What is the most common these days is a product called leatherette. Looks like leather, initially feels like leather but ends up being more like vinyl.
Although this is not guaranteed, go to as many caravan & camping shows and have a look at different things, layouts etc. DO NOT allow yourselves to be sold anything there. Take a backseat position, observe and go home and discuss it all.
Good luck.
Larry
capricorn and pisces said
12:07 PM May 23, 2014
With regards to going to Caravan and Camping Shows....by accident we found an interesting way to judge a van. We were tired at one stage so we just sat in a display van at one of the shows and listened to peoples comments as they came into the van and had a look around. It was very interesting to note the various things that caught peoples attention, sometimes the comments were about obvious things (good and not so good) but at other times it would be about things we hadn't given any thought to at all!
Just a way of getting another point of view. As has been said before, it might be a good idea to sit down and discuss and list what you are looking for in a van then do a lot of research to find what comes closest to YOUR needs and wants. Whichever way you go, its a fantastic life!
cheers Capricorn
Russue said
01:15 PM May 23, 2014
We are in our third van and now are happy , we now have ensuite, solar power on roof, gas connection outside van, 12 volt points 2 inside and 1 outside ,Tv aerial points also in and out.
we now have a full van after having 2 pop top before, nothing wrong with Pops, but we just wanted to make it as easy as possible, have Inverter for any time we need 240 for medical machine if we are free camping and we try to do it free most of the time, also a Genny that we really only use for Air con in summer if it gets to hot free camping.
Run our PC ,mobiles,TV all on 12 v, have a fan as well 12v and 3 way fridge.
Enjoy your travels Steve
spinjohn said
02:15 AM May 27, 2014
Steve there are lots of nice to have extras, heater, 12v Sirroco fans, solar etc. but for me the best value is to get the van at least pre-wired for a rear view camera. You will appreciate it while towing. A lot simpler and certainly neater installed during manufacture.
Enjoy the van and freedom.
Rip and Rosie said
08:15 AM May 27, 2014
We are on our 2nd van and looking to upgrade.
We want single beds, mainly because they make the van look bigger, and have more usable space during the day- e.g. the beds become lounges by day and can be readily be used for seating.
We also want an ensuite this time.
This time we will have more 240 volt power points and more 12 volt power points, particularly associated with shelving where phones and ipads can be charged, and at least one near floor level for a heater if we need.
Looking forward to a tunnell boot, and solar and a big fridge.
I want usable cupboard space- definately not about to tolerate pipes and hoses in every cupboard !
The deal breakers though will be the dynamics and safety- weights, ball weights, ALKO hitch, rear camera and overall balance of the van.
Not fussed on leather seats, or designer colours, or washing machine or annex
G,day All, about to join the get nomads scene .....can't wait! We are going to buy a 16' pop. What do you consider compulsory, convenient or nice to have extras? Solar( fixed or portable), outdoor shower, outdoor bbq, bike rack, annexe, air cond, toilet/shower, water filters, stereo, leather or fabric seats, outdoor gas connection, extra water tank etc. We are not into off road though I am sure we will venture onto dirt roads to national parks. Think about what you have added to your van over the years. We are brand new at all this , so we are trying to get it as right as possible (we know it won't be 100%). Looking forward to hearing from all of you experienced nomads. Cheers Steve
Steve
It really comes down to what YOU want, not what someone else thinks you need.
Sit down and give it some thought. Make a list and consider what you can carry (payload) and what is useful to you. Then edit the list and add extra if required.
Consider when you are travelling (winter, summer, etc) as that will affect what you require.
Do a test run for a few days before attempting a bigger trip. It won't take you long to work out what you need.
The Phantom
we chose gas because the unit is maintenance free and we already had gas in the van. they are quiet when running (inside and out) unlike some diesel heaters and there is no problem with fuel freezing or waxing up when cold.
it runs on 12v so can be used when in the bush.
mrs KFT loves it as much as I do.
would not have a van without one now.
something I should have had done at build but forgot was a power outlet near the front of the van to plug in the car fridge. It is there now and it is another thing I would not be without. so much easier to connect the car now.
frank
If you can afford it sola power and led lighting. We never had a shower, van was too small, so we only camped at places that had facilities.
One option we were glad we included is a full gas oven and griller instead of a microwave.
We have a full annexe but never use it. Also bring along a yabbie trap for inland camps and fossick for shellfish at low tide in coastal places.
Shop at roadside farm gate stalls.
Probably the most important thing is don't skimp on mattress get the best you can afford.
Don't forget some books and magazines because you might be surprised how relaxed you can get.
Although this is not guaranteed, go to as many caravan & camping shows and have a look at different things, layouts etc. DO NOT allow yourselves to be sold anything there. Take a backseat position, observe and go home and discuss it all.
Good luck.
Larry
With regards to going to Caravan and Camping Shows....by accident we found an interesting way to judge a van. We were tired at one stage so we just sat in a display van at one of the shows and listened to peoples comments as they came into the van and had a look around. It was very interesting to note the various things that caught peoples attention, sometimes the comments were about obvious things (good and not so good) but at other times it would be about things we hadn't given any thought to at all!
Just a way of getting another point of view. As has been said before, it might be a good idea to sit down and discuss and list what you are looking for in a van then do a lot of research to find what comes closest to YOUR needs and wants. Whichever way you go, its a fantastic life!
cheers Capricorn
We are in our third van and now are happy , we now have ensuite, solar power on roof, gas connection outside van, 12 volt points 2 inside and 1 outside ,Tv aerial points also in and out.
we now have a full van after having 2 pop top before, nothing wrong with Pops, but we just wanted to make it as easy as possible, have Inverter for any time we need 240 for medical machine if we are free camping and we try to do it free most of the time, also a Genny that we really only use for Air con in summer if it gets to hot free camping.
Run our PC ,mobiles,TV all on 12 v, have a fan as well 12v and 3 way fridge.
Enjoy your travels Steve
Enjoy the van and freedom.
We want single beds, mainly because they make the van look bigger, and have more usable space during the day- e.g. the beds become lounges by day and can be readily be used for seating.
We also want an ensuite this time.
This time we will have more 240 volt power points and more 12 volt power points, particularly associated with shelving where phones and ipads can be charged, and at least one near floor level for a heater if we need.
Looking forward to a tunnell boot, and solar and a big fridge.
I want usable cupboard space- definately not about to tolerate pipes and hoses in every cupboard !
The deal breakers though will be the dynamics and safety- weights, ball weights, ALKO hitch, rear camera and overall balance of the van.
Not fussed on leather seats, or designer colours, or washing machine or annex
Sell house. Buy Bus.
Hit the road, don't come back.....
That's my completely unbiased opinion.