First time van advice and van storage between Brisbane and Kingscliff
Time to change said
06:35 PM Jun 15, 2015
Hi - newbie here We are working on the first caravan purchase (any assistance will be appreciated) and need to consider storage. Where we live is not conducive to long term caravan storage and our requirements for the next couple of years will be limited to travelling between Brisbane and Kingscliff with the occasional foray north to Coolum. We're open to private storage, particularly close to Kingscliff as we are not keen on towing on a Friday night any further than we have to. Any ideas?
With respect to the first caravan, I would really like a Rapido pop top (UK side door with toilet and integrated shower) but have not been able to find anyone in Australia who will even talk to me about bringing one in. We are not looking to spend a lot of money, read sub $12K and know they can be picked up in the UK for less than Aud5k. The Fleurettes are also good, but a little narrower. The other UK and European vans while light are not light enough for us and/or do not have the pop up to make it safer to tow (Towball weight less than 80kg, 750kg unbraked and 1300kg braked).
We're happy to go without the gas (and the associated weight of the gas bottles) as we will only be in parks for the next few years. We are also happy to go without the heater and stove, as long as we have a fridge and the option of installing reverse cycle.
Many thx in advance
NeilandRaine said
07:39 PM Jun 15, 2015
Let me suggest you re think your whole plan
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Monday 15th of June 2015 07:39:21 PM
Time to change said
08:02 PM Jun 15, 2015
Ok which part
Cruising Cruze said
08:39 PM Jun 15, 2015
The whole Pommy caravan thing he means I think, they are not build for our roads Just try to get your hands on a good condition Viscount or Jayco works out much cheaper for you
Cheers John
Time to change said
09:50 PM Jun 15, 2015
John thank you for clarification. Neither Viscount or Jayco models to have bathrooms in smaller vans. Also no double glazing on windows or hard top pop up section. If I have missed a model would appreciate a pointer. We won't be cooking more than a wok outside or a microwave hence why not concerned re the kitchen which appears to be in most Aussie vans. Retirement is a ways off, so this is the week-ender. Thx
Roostertales said
05:51 PM Jun 16, 2015
Hi there
Interesting questions and comments. Trying to get too much out of too little is always a problem in my view. Even forgetting the issues with compatability with Aussie conditions by the time you pay freight / customs you would not be saving much and then you have no support and so forth on parts / experiences. Like buying locally produced cars or Japanese - the ones that are reliable are well proven here.
For a small van consider forgetting the loo and shower - don't need them if staying in parks and plenty of good public conveniences in 24 hr fuel stops. For 15 k you can find a pretty good 14 - 16 ft pop top ( which we are currently researching) - modern and built here with plenty of support and fellow travellers who can recommend changes or already have made changes that experienced travellers often do.
Why reinvent the wheel and make it hard
Keep it simple and enjoy the lucky country :)
Hopefully will see you on the road in due course :)
Spydermann said
06:08 PM Jun 16, 2015
Just bought a new van. Listed all my pre-requisites and eventually came up with a Jurgens (which I bought) and a Swift (brand name, not a Jayco model). Everyone said Jurgens are expensive but it turned out to be no more expensive than the closest Jayco - and much, much lighter (one of my pre-requisites).
Jurgens is a South African Company that assembles vans just outside Melbourne. South Africans have similar requirements to Australians when it come to vans.
Swift is a UK company that makes a range that is engineered specifically for Australia. Specs are impressive. They also market their Euro vans here too. Euro vans are made to tour on smooth roads (our major highways) and stay in van parks. They are not all built for free-camping. Also, the RACV would not insure a fully imported van because of parts availability when repaired under insurance.
Jack Mac said
06:41 PM Jun 16, 2015
Agree with previous post. If staying in Parks why the need for shower/toilet? I think your $5000 could inflate quite substantially if importing. Shipping rates are based on cubic capacity as well as weight. I think the weight of a a 9 kg gas bottle or two is the least of your worries. Having said that I have a camper trailer and use a two burner meths stove from my last boat. It doesn't blow up and a bucket of water will douse any flames. It's a bit slower but once up to heat it is great and find I can regulate heat much better and I do love to cook. Seems to me you're looking for a quart in a pint pot as the saying goes.
Cheers
Jack
Time to change said
06:43 PM Jun 16, 2015
Hi thanks for the information.
If we were going to buy a slightly bigger van the Swift already has our vote. It is taller than the Bailey and has all of the internals that we like. We saw the Jurgens at the Caravan show week before last and were impressed. If we take to caravans we will buy a slightly bigger car (but not much), buy the bigger van with the European annex and enjoy.
I might have misled the forum - this van will never go away from the highway or van parks. When I said between Brisbane and Kingscliff I didn't mean literally. That is the only drive it will do apart from up the highway to the Coolum or Noosa caravan park.
This is a bedroom on wheels that is going to beach at the caravan park on the week-end. No camping, toast and tea, with the odd wok outside at best (my cooking has never been worthy of much more). A good bed, air con, beer fridge, sink and private facilities are the only necessities. Most nights will be at restaurants behind the park in Kingscliff or Pottsville. I know it isn't what everyone is looking for when they hit the road, which is why I was hoping to find information on one of the forums.
I really appreciate all of the feedback though and completely understand why no-one in their right mind would buy a European van and try any camping trails or offroad experiences. If there any Australian vans that are bedrooms on wheels with a bathroom, no kitchen, but a fridge that are lightweight and purely for the highway and parks, I would buy them in a shot. After 3 months of research the only one I have found that has even come close is an Infinity Gazelle that has a toilet and would need half the kitchen bench and the dinette removed for the right bed and a shower. Still no double glazed windows or hard pop top though and pretty average on interior.
Moving past the van though any suggestions on the storage?
Time to change said
07:40 PM Jun 16, 2015
Jack - I like your alternative albeit no soft rood. I am not looking to pay AUD5k in Australia. I know I am up for $5K plus additional in shipping etc. I have also been told if I remove all of the gas lines and do not look for Australian clearance on gas it is cheaper.to import. Funnily enough I saw an American camper trailer at a ridiculous tare with a full bathroom and two full bedrooms and air con. Had a bit of giggle at what the US version of a camper trailer is compared to ours.
Spydermann said
04:05 PM Jun 17, 2015
This van company www.ansuleisure.com.au imports vans and brings the electricity & gas up to Australian regulations. Their ads used mention all the upgrades that had been done but they don't these days. You maybe able to find a another dealer who does the same thing but lists what has been upgraded. From the upgrades required, you could probably work out how much it's going to cost. Also, you probably need to check out what's required for a RWC for an imported caravan.
Time to change said
07:20 PM Jun 17, 2015
Spydermann thank you. I will get in touch with them and go from there
Hi - newbie here
We are working on the first caravan purchase (any assistance will be appreciated) and need to consider storage. Where we live is not conducive to long term caravan storage and our requirements for the next couple of years will be limited to travelling between Brisbane and Kingscliff with the occasional foray north to Coolum. We're open to private storage, particularly close to Kingscliff as we are not keen on towing on a Friday night any further than we have to. Any ideas?
With respect to the first caravan, I would really like a Rapido pop top (UK side door with toilet and integrated shower) but have not been able to find anyone in Australia who will even talk to me about bringing one in. We are not looking to spend a lot of money, read sub $12K and know they can be picked up in the UK for less than Aud5k. The Fleurettes are also good, but a little narrower. The other UK and European vans while light are not light enough for us and/or do not have the pop up to make it safer to tow (Towball weight less than 80kg, 750kg unbraked and 1300kg braked).
We're happy to go without the gas (and the associated weight of the gas bottles) as we will only be in parks for the next few years. We are also happy to go without the heater and stove, as long as we have a fridge and the option of installing reverse cycle.
Many thx in advance
Let me suggest you re think your whole plan
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Monday 15th of June 2015 07:39:21 PM
Ok which part
The whole Pommy caravan thing he means I think, they are not build for our roads
Just try to get your hands on a good condition Viscount or Jayco works out much cheaper for you
Cheers John
John thank you for clarification. Neither Viscount or Jayco models to have bathrooms in smaller vans. Also no double glazing on windows or hard top pop up section. If I have missed a model would appreciate a pointer. We won't be cooking more than a wok outside or a microwave hence why not concerned re the kitchen which appears to be in most Aussie vans. Retirement is a ways off, so this is the week-ender. Thx
Interesting questions and comments. Trying to get too much out of too little is always a problem in my view. Even forgetting the issues with compatability with Aussie conditions by the time you pay freight / customs you would not be saving much and then you have no support and so forth on parts / experiences. Like buying locally produced cars or Japanese - the ones that are reliable are well proven here.
For a small van consider forgetting the loo and shower - don't need them if staying in parks and plenty of good public conveniences in 24 hr fuel stops. For 15 k you can find a pretty good 14 - 16 ft pop top ( which we are currently researching) - modern and built here with plenty of support and fellow travellers who can recommend changes or already have made changes that experienced travellers often do.
Why reinvent the wheel and make it hard
Keep it simple and enjoy the lucky country :)
Hopefully will see you on the road in due course :)
Jurgens is a South African Company that assembles vans just outside Melbourne. South Africans have similar requirements to Australians when it come to vans.
Swift is a UK company that makes a range that is engineered specifically for Australia. Specs are impressive. They also market their Euro vans here too. Euro vans are made to tour on smooth roads (our major highways) and stay in van parks. They are not all built for free-camping. Also, the RACV would not insure a fully imported van because of parts availability when repaired under insurance.
Agree with previous post. If staying in Parks why the need for shower/toilet? I think your $5000 could inflate quite substantially if importing. Shipping rates are based on cubic capacity as well as weight. I think the weight of a a 9 kg gas bottle or two is the least of your worries. Having said that I have a camper trailer and use a two burner meths stove from my last boat. It doesn't blow up and a bucket of water will douse any flames. It's a bit slower but once up to heat it is great and find I can regulate heat much better and I do love to cook. Seems to me you're looking for a quart in a pint pot as the saying goes.
Cheers
Jack
If we were going to buy a slightly bigger van the Swift already has our vote. It is taller than the Bailey and has all of the internals that we like. We saw the Jurgens at the Caravan show week before last and were impressed. If we take to caravans we will buy a slightly bigger car (but not much), buy the bigger van with the European annex and enjoy.
I might have misled the forum - this van will never go away from the highway or van parks. When I said between Brisbane and Kingscliff I didn't mean literally. That is the only drive it will do apart from up the highway to the Coolum or Noosa caravan park.
This is a bedroom on wheels that is going to beach at the caravan park on the week-end. No camping, toast and tea, with the odd wok outside at best (my cooking has never been worthy of much more). A good bed, air con, beer fridge, sink and private facilities are the only necessities. Most nights will be at restaurants behind the park in Kingscliff or Pottsville. I know it isn't what everyone is looking for when they hit the road, which is why I was hoping to find information on one of the forums.
I really appreciate all of the feedback though and completely understand why no-one in their right mind would buy a European van and try any camping trails or offroad experiences. If there any Australian vans that are bedrooms on wheels with a bathroom, no kitchen, but a fridge that are lightweight and purely for the highway and parks, I would buy them in a shot. After 3 months of research the only one I have found that has even come close is an Infinity Gazelle that has a toilet and would need half the kitchen bench and the dinette removed for the right bed and a shower. Still no double glazed windows or hard pop top though and pretty average on interior.
Moving past the van though any suggestions on the storage?