Well I have finally been able to join you for real, rather than previously in spirit.
I'm now the proud owner of a 2001 Mercedes Sprinter/ Winnebago style mobile home, that I've spent the past month patching up. It's now got upgraded front suspension after a previously hard life of 250 thousand kms. I've re-sealed the roof with Coltogum, and applied Thermoshield heatproof paint, plus added an extra solar panel and some more power sockets, as well as adding the usual extra hooks etc. I've only done about 1200 kms so far, mostly around Northern Rivers NSW area, but I've been a full month living on the road, so I guess I can truly claim grey nomad status now.
Thanks for earlier forum assistance re hatches & height, as well as a lot of useful general forum info which helped me decide on the rig I finally bought. When I got back to Australia, I hired a campervan for 10 days and travelled out from Brisbane to Toowoomba & around following up as many Gumtree and other net sale ads in my price range as I could find.
For any other tall people out there (6'3+) with a limited budget, you may like to know that I found Toyota Coasters and Nissan Civilians possibly bearable but still prone to head banging, sometimes with shortish beds. Ford Transits and Fiat Ducatos & Ivecos of various year models felt a bit cramped for me in the over cab bed and in getting from the front cab to the rear. One Hino RB65? bus seemed much better for the height problem, and some old Mazda 3500s seemed pretty roomy, but fairly worn out. Mercedes and VW mobile homes seem to work for bigger people, and I particularly like my current layout with a bathroom and kitchen at the rear, lots of living space with a big table, though of course the back end could have been built by anyone.
Mine has the name Endeavour on it- but I don't think its Jayco or Kea or Winnebago- Any ideas on the manufacturer source for a 2001 Endeavour Sprinter van?
Anyhow, looking forward to meeting some fellow grey nomads on the road- I'm heading south to the Blue Mountains next week.
Happy travels to all!
RambleGambol
Dougwe said
03:42 PM Oct 4, 2014
How,
Welcome to the gang, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Woody n Sue said
06:34 PM Oct 4, 2014
Welcome from us two too lots of helpfull people here friendly to with good advice enjoy your travels
Hello Folks!
Well I have finally been able to join you for real, rather than previously in spirit.
I'm now the proud owner of a 2001 Mercedes Sprinter/ Winnebago style mobile home, that I've spent the past month patching up. It's now got upgraded front suspension after a previously hard life of 250 thousand kms. I've re-sealed the roof with Coltogum, and applied Thermoshield heatproof paint, plus added an extra solar panel and some more power sockets, as well as adding the usual extra hooks etc. I've only done about 1200 kms so far, mostly around Northern Rivers NSW area, but I've been a full month living on the road, so I guess I can truly claim grey nomad status now.
Thanks for earlier forum assistance re hatches & height, as well as a lot of useful general forum info which helped me decide on the rig I finally bought. When I got back to Australia, I hired a campervan for 10 days and travelled out from Brisbane to Toowoomba & around following up as many Gumtree and other net sale ads in my price range as I could find.
For any other tall people out there (6'3+) with a limited budget, you may like to know that I found Toyota Coasters and Nissan Civilians possibly bearable but still prone to head banging, sometimes with shortish beds. Ford Transits and Fiat Ducatos & Ivecos of various year models felt a bit cramped for me in the over cab bed and in getting from the front cab to the rear. One Hino RB65? bus seemed much better for the height problem, and some old Mazda 3500s seemed pretty roomy, but fairly worn out. Mercedes and VW mobile homes seem to work for bigger people, and I particularly like my current layout with a bathroom and kitchen at the rear, lots of living space with a big table, though of course the back end could have been built by anyone.
Mine has the name Endeavour on it- but I don't think its Jayco or Kea or Winnebago- Any ideas on the manufacturer source for a 2001 Endeavour Sprinter van?
Anyhow, looking forward to meeting some fellow grey nomads on the road- I'm heading south to the Blue Mountains next week.
Happy travels to all!
RambleGambol
Welcome to the gang, enjoy here and out in the playground.