OK hit another hurdle here in my quest to find a small rig for free camping- on a very tight budget!!! Which is best - Mecedes/ Fiat Ducato/ Ford- if any? Heeeelllpp, please.
Glenelg said
02:19 PM Jun 18, 2014
i duno whitch is the best, maybe the merc i think they are dearer. im going for the Fiat Ducato for my MH
Yuglamron said
02:58 PM Jun 18, 2014
You are going to hear stories about all the makes. Some good some bad, spares too dear, service not available everywhere. A well maintained vehicle is the number one thing when looking for a second hand tug.
There are various forums set up about virtually all of the makes you can buy and are worth checking out first. A friend has a Mercedes van that has done over 500,000K's and was not well maintained but it is still running and has only just been replaced with a new Ford Transit.
I have also heard that the Fiat Ducato had problems with bottoming out on the front suspension. It was curable with a King suspension upgrade at a price.
Now that the Fiat dealership has been changed for the better I have been told that the vehicle has been modified and is now a better product and has addressed that problem.
Sometimes you are constrained by what is available in your price range.
Hope you sort out what you need and find something to suit.
Happywanderer said
05:22 PM Jun 18, 2014
Toyota !!
didi said
05:35 PM Jun 18, 2014
Thanks everyone. Did like the look of the fiat ducato, but can see there is no real outstanding winner here. Agree I just have to get the one in the best shape- so dealer better than private?
jetj said
11:28 PM Jun 18, 2014
I've been going in circles for ages on the same question. Pros and cons for all. Personally I would rather buy a reliable low mileage van and do my own fitout than get an affordable MH with 200,000 or more ks on the clock. Good luck with your search.
Big Gorilla said
08:12 AM Jun 19, 2014
I have an Iveco. Fiat and Iveco are made in the same factory. Some models of each have the same engine.
-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Thursday 19th of June 2014 08:12:56 AM
didi said
09:10 AM Jun 19, 2014
I agree Janette. I would rather get my own fit out too. But finding a good conversion company in Victoria is driving me mad! Also the quote I have had was dearer than a van!
Vic41 said
11:07 AM Jun 19, 2014
didi wrote:
I agree Janette. I would rather get my own fit out too. But finding a good conversion company in Victoria is driving me mad! Also the quote I have had was dearer than a van!
You would have to ask yourself what is cheapest getting one already fitted out but with a number of kms on the clock or getting a low km van (which I did once) and having it fitted out which is expensive ($25,000 for the fitout in my case).
Would it be cheaper to having a used one already fitted out and fitting a new motor or gear box if you have too further down the track compared with the fit out cost?
Here are a few conversion companies for various states, not sure which ones are the Victorian ones without opening them though, see;
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 19th of June 2014 11:15:40 AM
Baz421 said
08:50 PM Jun 19, 2014
Didi
We are vanners, but one thing I recently saw with a late model motorhome was it got bogged on flat level ground that admittedly was wet,,, BUT the front wheel drive couldn't move it. We towed it out easily with a Landcruiser in 2WD and it nearly stopped again due to low traction from front wheel drive.
In my experience with trucks similarly loaded and rear wheel drive there wouldn't have been a problem.
Something unusual to say and I had never seen this before with a MH. See plenty off road and in slippery conditions though.
Others will disagree with this , but we all (about 18 of us) saw it in late may in SA.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Thursday 19th of June 2014 08:51:24 PM
jetj said
08:59 PM Jun 19, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
didi wrote:
I agree Janette. I would rather get my own fit out too. But finding a good conversion company in Victoria is driving me mad! Also the quote I have had was dearer than a van!
You would have to ask yourself what is cheapest getting one already fitted out but with a number of kms on the clock or getting a low km van (which I did once) and having it fitted out which is expensive ($25,000 for the fitout in my case).
Would it be cheaper to having a used one already fitted out and fitting a new motor or gear box if you have too further down the track compared with the fit out cost?
Here are a few conversion companies for various states, not sure which ones are the Victorian ones without opening them though, see;
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 19th of June 2014 11:15:40 AM
I totally agree if you want a professional fitout, I converted my Hiace and I've been happy with it except for standing up in it. It is still low mileage with 70,000klms on a diesel motor but don't want to pay $6000 for a pop top. It cost me about $300 to convert it except for batteries, chargers etc which I will likely use in a replacement vehicle when I make the decision. It isn't flash but will take me most places and I'm comfortable in it. Most of the fun is in trying to improve it.
Vic41 said
09:35 PM Jun 19, 2014
My current camping van cost me about $200 to fit out, and about another $1,000 for Redarc charger and 30L Evakool fridge/freezer.
A fellow GN kindly donated a 95amp auxiliary battery to me so I was spared that cost.
What I have currently suits my current needs....
didi said
09:12 AM Jun 20, 2014
Wow. Thanks for that Vic. Good to have more info. But unfortunately NONE from Victoria. But not to worry-I will dig deeper. The Tassie one looked good though. As I plan to be on the road for a few years maybe, I would want a van with a high roof and most of those are already motorhomes, or I get one as part of conversion (more money). And not sure of what a good, low mileage, good nick, fiat ducato/ merc/ toyota van would cost in the first place- if I could find one. So sourcing that would be a task in itself. But I am going to send out feelers now to some of those companies you showed me and ask what my conversion would cost. Cheers Didi
didi said
09:18 AM Jun 20, 2014
jetj wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
didi wrote:
I agree Janette. I would rather get my own fit out too. But finding a good conversion company in Victoria is driving me mad! Also the quote I have had was dearer than a van!
You would have to ask yourself what is cheapest getting one already fitted out but with a number of kms on the clock or getting a low km van (which I did once) and having it fitted out which is expensive ($25,000 for the fitout in my case).
Would it be cheaper to having a used one already fitted out and fitting a new motor or gear box if you have too further down the track compared with the fit out cost?
Here are a few conversion companies for various states, not sure which ones are the Victorian ones without opening them though, see;
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 19th of June 2014 11:15:40 AM
I totally agree if you want a professional fitout, I converted my Hiace and I've been happy with it except for standing up in it. It is still low mileage with 70,000klms on a diesel motor but don't want to pay $6000 for a pop top. It cost me about $300 to convert it except for batteries, chargers etc which I will likely use in a replacement vehicle when I make the decision. It isn't flash but will take me most places and I'm comfortable in it. Most of the fun is in trying to improve it.
Hey-finally found out how to answer someone - by answering thread- Ive been using the 'reply' button! oopps.
Vic41 said
11:34 AM Jun 20, 2014
Here are a couple of Victorian Motorhome conversion companies;
This was a conversion company in Brookdale, NSW I was considering at one stage when I had my Hi Ace converted, they have a good reputation, see their new and used conversions for sale also;
I am in WA, and my Hi Ace was registered in WA, so was going to throw a cheap mattress in the back and drive over, have the conversion done there and drive it back and not have to change the rego. They said they would expedite my conversion as I would be staying at the Lane Cove caravan park (either in my own dome tent or cabin) until it was completed, they would give me transport there and back as needed. This would have kept my WA registration.
In the end I decided to choose a local conversion company near Perth, (Dove Campervans) and have it done there. I was happy with the result, except like the others it is not a cheap exercise.
This was a conversion company in Brookdale, NSW I was considering at one stage when I had my Hi Ace converted, they have a good reputation, see their new and used conversions for sale also;
I am in WA, and my Hi Ace was registered in WA, so was going to throw a cheap mattress in the back and drive over, have the conversion done there and drive it back and not have to change the rego. They said they would expedite my conversion as I would be staying at the Lane Cove caravan park (either in my own dome tent or cabin) until it was completed, they would give me transport there and back as needed. This would have kept my WA registration.
In the end I decided to choose a local conversion company near Perth, (Dove Campervans) and have it done there. I was happy with the result, except like the others it is not a cheap exercise.
yes i was thinking of doing the same with a conversion company i saw in Tassie. But how much is it to change the rego here?
-- Edited by Vic41 on Friday 20th of June 2014 11:52:08 AM
Vic41 said
08:04 AM Jun 21, 2014
Might pay to give your State motor registry department a ring didi and see what they say, or there might be details online.
A conversion still needs an updated registering if a conversion is done in your own state or elsewhere, with certificates for gas/power and new tare etc, this is usually done by the company doing the conversion if a full conversion, but you would need to check.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Saturday 21st of June 2014 08:09:40 AM
didi said
08:36 AM Jun 21, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Might pay to give your State motor registry department a ring didi and see what they say, or there might be details online.
A conversion still needs an updated registering if a conversion is done in your own state or elsewhere, with certificates for gas/power and new tare etc, this is usually done by the company doing the conversion if a full conversion, but you would need to check.
Thanks Vic.
You said you once got a low km van? Can you tell me what a low km in vans would be? Ive been looking at anything from 170,000 to 350,000 in my price range! Actually there were a couple that said 70,000 but one had just got a new motor so I think he was timing from that and the other said it was 1995 model, barely used. Cheers Di
-- Edited by Vic41 on Saturday 21st of June 2014 08:09:40 AM
Vic41 said
03:00 AM Jun 22, 2014
I had a 2007 Hi Ace Didi (petrol auto) that had 21,000 on the clock, ex govt health dept van.
Also a 2008 ( diesel manual) Ford Transit from a dealer that had 75,000 on the clock (was sold on consignment).
Currently have a 2012 Auto Petrol Hyundai Imax with $10,000 on the clock, ex fleet vehicle.
I found the manual Transit too difficult to drive in the suburbs as a run around, especially with the 6 forward gears very close together, great on the open road though.
Have driven manual trucks in the past including crash boxes (no synchromesh) but now would not go past an auto.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 03:09:07 AM
Glenelg said
04:55 AM Jun 22, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
I had a 2007 Hi Ace Didi (petrol auto) that had 21,000 on the clock, ex govt health dept van.
Also a 2008 ( diesel manual) Ford Transit from a dealer that had 75,000 on the clock (was sold on consignment).
Currently have a 2012 Auto Petrol Hyundai Imax with $10,000 on the clock, ex fleet vehicle.
I found the manual Transit too difficult to drive in the suburbs as a run around, especially with the 6 forward gears very close together, great on the open road though.
Have driven manual trucks in the past including crash boxes (no synchromesh) but now would not go past an auto.
you been drinkin again Vic , ( $10,000 on the clock ) must be a good clock, i have a watch with a lot of K.s on it
-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 03:09:07 AM
didi said
09:32 AM Jun 22, 2014
Glenelg wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
I had a 2007 Hi Ace Didi (petrol auto) that had 21,000 on the clock, ex govt health dept van.
Also a 2008 ( diesel manual) Ford Transit from a dealer that had 75,000 on the clock (was sold on consignment).
Currently have a 2012 Auto Petrol Hyundai Imax with $10,000 on the clock, ex fleet vehicle.
I found the manual Transit too difficult to drive in the suburbs as a run around, especially with the 6 forward gears very close together, great on the open road though.
Have driven manual trucks in the past including crash boxes (no synchromesh) but now would not go past an auto.
you been drinkin again Vic , ( $10,000 on the clock ) must be a good clock, i have a watch with a lot of K.s on it
-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 03:09:07 AM
Hi Vic- Wow havent found anything that low a mileage (in my price range- up to 10000). Also now looking at costs for simple conversion- electrics, cooker, fridge etc and cant find anyone who wants to do simple conversion! Getting bogged down again! Would do DIY but not sure how difficult regs would be. didi
Vic41 said
12:17 PM Jun 22, 2014
Ha Ha, I wish I did have a $ for every km I did Dave, case of the mind wandering and the fingers following,
Can't help you with the conversion Didi but some on here have done them with those items. Good luck with that.
SnowT said
01:22 AM Jun 23, 2014
Di..
Iveco was My First choice before I decided on the Coaster Bus..
It all comes down to your Budget..
juergen
Aus-Kiwi said
09:50 PM Jun 30, 2014
Not all diesels are stuffed with mileage !! As said it depends on condition and how often it's been serviced !!
SnowT said
11:24 PM Jun 30, 2014
Di.. Some simple thing's..
Electric, could be an issue.. if you go for a full 240v system.. Needs to be complied.. - could get away with a simple low voltage rig.. 12 or 24v..
Have a power board to plug in for when you want/need 240v stuff.. Better to spend a Little more than what you think you need upfront so you don't need to spend Later..
Gas.. For Cooking do you need it...? - could you just use a Portable Cooker like..
The Walls and roof of what ever vehicle could be lined for a reasonable Price..
- make sure that you pack the walls and roof with insulation..
In the end I think to Qualify for a RV you need..
- A Bad..
- A sink/cooking area..
- somewhere to sit..
Juergen
Bas + Eve said
04:44 PM Jul 2, 2014
Fiat Ducato is front wheel drive, can prove challenging on wet slippery slopes. Biased opinion: Merc (have 3) Iveco and Fiat. I/we have never had a problem with the Benz and have owned just about everything on wheels.
-- Edited by Bas + Eve on Wednesday 2nd of July 2014 04:44:55 PM
didi said
08:16 PM Jul 2, 2014
Bas + Eve wrote:
Fiat Ducato is front wheel drive, can prove challenging on wet slippery slopes. Biased opinion: Merc (have 3) Iveco and Fiat. I/we have never had a problem with the Benz and have owned just about everything on wheels.
-- Edited by Bas + Eve on Wednesday 2nd of July 2014 04:44:55 PM
thanks Bas and Eve. Have looked at Merc and toyota now. REally like the idea of converting a commuter minibus, as cant find a long wheelbase high ace hightop for a decent price!
OK hit another hurdle here in my quest to find a small rig for free camping- on a very tight budget!!!
Which is best - Mecedes/ Fiat Ducato/ Ford- if any? Heeeelllpp, please.
You are going to hear stories about all the makes. Some good some bad, spares too dear, service not available everywhere. A well maintained vehicle is the number one thing when looking for a second hand tug.
There are various forums set up about virtually all of the makes you can buy and are worth checking out first. A friend has a Mercedes van that has done over 500,000K's and was not well maintained but it is still running and has only just been replaced with a new Ford Transit.
I have also heard that the Fiat Ducato had problems with bottoming out on the front suspension. It was curable with a King suspension upgrade at a price.
Now that the Fiat dealership has been changed for the better I have been told that the vehicle has been modified and is now a better product and has addressed that problem.
Sometimes you are constrained by what is available in your price range.
Hope you sort out what you need and find something to suit.
I've been going in circles for ages on the same question. Pros and cons for all. Personally I would rather buy a reliable low mileage van and do my own fitout than get an affordable MH with 200,000 or more ks on the clock. Good luck with your search.
I have an Iveco. Fiat and Iveco are made in the same factory. Some models of each have the same engine.
-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Thursday 19th of June 2014 08:12:56 AM
I agree Janette. I would rather get my own fit out too. But finding a good conversion company in Victoria is driving me mad! Also the quote I have had was dearer than a van!
You would have to ask yourself what is cheapest getting one already fitted out but with a number of kms on the clock or getting a low km van (which I did once) and having it fitted out which is expensive ($25,000 for the fitout in my case).
Would it be cheaper to having a used one already fitted out and fitting a new motor or gear box if you have too further down the track compared with the fit out cost?
Here are a few conversion companies for various states, not sure which ones are the Victorian ones without opening them though, see;
http://www.rvpages.com.au/listing/results.php?category_id=577&subcategory_id=0
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 19th of June 2014 11:15:40 AM
Didi
We are vanners, but one thing I recently saw with a late model motorhome was it got bogged on flat level ground that admittedly was wet,,, BUT the front wheel drive couldn't move it. We towed it out easily with a Landcruiser in 2WD and it nearly stopped again due to low traction from front wheel drive.
In my experience with trucks similarly loaded and rear wheel drive there wouldn't have been a problem.
Something unusual to say and I had never seen this before with a MH. See plenty off road and in slippery conditions though.
Others will disagree with this , but we all (about 18 of us) saw it in late may in SA.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Thursday 19th of June 2014 08:51:24 PM
I totally agree if you want a professional fitout, I converted my Hiace and I've been happy with it except for standing up in it. It is still low mileage with 70,000klms on a diesel motor but don't want to pay $6000 for a pop top. It cost me about $300 to convert it except for batteries, chargers etc which I will likely use in a replacement vehicle when I make the decision. It isn't flash but will take me most places and I'm comfortable in it. Most of the fun is in trying to improve it.
My current camping van cost me about $200 to fit out, and about another $1,000 for Redarc charger and 30L Evakool fridge/freezer.
A fellow GN kindly donated a 95amp auxiliary battery to me so I was spared that cost.
What I have currently suits my current needs....
Wow. Thanks for that Vic. Good to have more info. But unfortunately NONE from Victoria. But not to worry-I will dig deeper. The Tassie one looked good though. As I plan to be on the road for a few years maybe, I would want a van with a high roof and most of those are already motorhomes, or I get one as part of conversion (more money). And not sure of what a good, low mileage, good nick, fiat ducato/ merc/ toyota van would cost in the first place- if I could find one. So sourcing that would be a task in itself. But I am going to send out feelers now to some of those companies you showed me and ask what my conversion would cost. Cheers Didi
Hey-finally found out how to answer someone - by answering thread- Ive been using the 'reply' button! oopps.
Here are a couple of Victorian Motorhome conversion companies;
http://www.victorianmotorhomes.com.au/html/conversions_______________.html
http://www.aurorarvs.com.au/
This was a conversion company in Brookdale, NSW I was considering at one stage when I had my Hi Ace converted, they have a good reputation, see their new and used conversions for sale also;
http://www.frontlinecamper.com.au/
I am in WA, and my Hi Ace was registered in WA, so was going to throw a cheap mattress in the back and drive over, have the conversion done there and drive it back and not have to change the rego. They said they would expedite my conversion as I would be staying at the Lane Cove caravan park (either in my own dome tent or cabin) until it was completed, they would give me transport there and back as needed. This would have kept my WA registration.
In the end I decided to choose a local conversion company near Perth, (Dove Campervans) and have it done there. I was happy with the result, except like the others it is not a cheap exercise.
http://www.dovecamperconversions.com.au/
-- Edited by Vic41 on Friday 20th of June 2014 11:52:08 AM
Might pay to give your State motor registry department a ring didi and see what they say, or there might be details online.
A conversion still needs an updated registering if a conversion is done in your own state or elsewhere, with certificates for gas/power and new tare etc, this is usually done by the company doing the conversion if a full conversion, but you would need to check.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Saturday 21st of June 2014 08:09:40 AM
I had a 2007 Hi Ace Didi (petrol auto) that had 21,000 on the clock, ex govt health dept van.
Also a 2008 ( diesel manual) Ford Transit from a dealer that had 75,000 on the clock (was sold on consignment).
Currently have a 2012 Auto Petrol Hyundai Imax with $10,000 on the clock, ex fleet vehicle.
I found the manual Transit too difficult to drive in the suburbs as a run around, especially with the 6 forward gears very close together, great on the open road though.
Have driven manual trucks in the past including crash boxes (no synchromesh) but now would not go past an auto.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 03:09:07 AM
Ha Ha, I wish I did have a $ for every km I did Dave, case of the mind wandering and the fingers following,
Can't help you with the conversion Didi but some on here have done them with those items. Good luck with that.
Iveco was My First choice before I decided on the Coaster Bus..
It all comes down to your Budget..
juergen
Di..
Some simple thing's..
Electric, could be an issue.. if you go for a full 240v system.. Needs to be complied..
- could get away with a simple low voltage rig.. 12 or 24v..
Have a power board to plug in for when you want/need 240v stuff..
Better to spend a Little more than what you think you need upfront so you don't need to spend Later..
Gas.. For Cooking do you need it...?
- could you just use a Portable Cooker like..
The Walls and roof of what ever vehicle could be lined for a reasonable Price..
- make sure that you pack the walls and roof with insulation..
In the end I think to Qualify for a RV you need..
- A Bad..
- A sink/cooking area..
- somewhere to sit..
Juergen
Fiat Ducato is front wheel drive, can prove challenging on wet slippery slopes. Biased opinion: Merc (have 3) Iveco and Fiat.
I/we have never had a problem with the Benz and have owned just about everything on wheels.
-- Edited by Bas + Eve on Wednesday 2nd of July 2014 04:44:55 PM
thanks Bas and Eve. Have looked at Merc and toyota now. REally like the idea of converting a commuter minibus, as cant find a long wheelbase high ace hightop for a decent price!
Did see a Merc 140D which was lovely but too low!