We are looking at buying a Toyota Hi Ace 2016 model fitted out as a campervan by Frontline Campers. We have done some research and would appreciate advice on:
Is diesel better than petrol? Diesel has more grunt but may be noisier?
Is the Hi Ace the best bet? We realise it's a bit dated now but it appears to be very reliable. A limitation on our choice is the need to have a height under 2m to fit in our garage.
We are also looking at twin 100amp batteries with 160w portable solar panel. Any advice on how well these work for an extend stay away from power?
Thanks
Young Simmo said
12:08 AM Oct 28, 2015
Hello Boris and Natasha, welcome to The Grey Nomads, like you I am a newby but I am enjoying the ride after 4 or 5 weeks. It is a very helpful website and you can shoot all your questions about a million subjects and somebody will usually help you.
Cheers......Simmo
dishlicker said
07:02 AM Oct 28, 2015
Hi Boris & Natasha
Welcome aboard you will in joy the new lifestyle. In your post you said the van is 2016 new Then you mention it is a bit dated? As for deiseil it is the best fuel for economy and also being toyota spare parts are easy to source.
1. Does it have an awning on the side. You will need one so as to be able to sit and watch the world pass by.
2.Your solar set up sounds to be ok
3 Water is the next item i would look at does it have a water tank?, usually on the drivers side hve way along under the chasis 60/80 lit
Sounds like you are doing your research and are setting out to enjoy many yrs ahead. Hope it all works out this forum is full of great people that have traveled or are travelling now and there advice is spot on all the best a enjoy life cheers
in transit said
11:56 AM Oct 28, 2015
Our first campervan an old Hiace high roof professionally and cleverly fitted out. I have read good reports about Frontline , so I expect the fitout would be good. Ours had 55L of water and an outside shower under the rear lift door. The bed had to be made up every night but the advantage was that we retained good daytime access through both the side and rear doors.
Ours was petrol and automatic and that was a problem. It didn't like hills and didn't want to pass a servo (about 400Km/tank). The shopping list for our current van had diesel in bold letters (you only hear some noise when idling) because we wanted to go into more remote areas where fuel is available at fewer places, may be expensive (though not always), and diesel is readily available and often cheaper. It is also a bit safer if you need to carry spare fuel (we haven't found that necessary).
HiAces are very common and that is a real plus when you need spares, tyres, or even a knowledgeable mechanic.
Our advice would be not to go for too many gadgets, don't buy a lot of extras until you find you really need them, and then get out there and enjoy yourself. It probably won't be your last RV and we would be surprised if you regret the decision to travel this country
Boris and Natasha said
12:29 PM Oct 28, 2015
Thanks In Transit
That is very encouraging. I was a bit concerned that the Hi Ace model is now a bit dated but they do seem to just keep going. Your comments are appreciated.
Weevil said
01:03 PM Oct 28, 2015
You don't say what State you are in, but yes Frontline do have a good reputation.
I had a late model Hi Ace Campervan, but being in WA I had mine converted by Dove Campers In WA. I was very happy with their conversion but at one stage was thinking about driving over to NSW to have Frontline convert it there, they were going to meet me at Lane Cove CP where I was going to hire a cabin, collect the van and expedite the conversion for me, and return it to there.
Mine was petrol auto and I personally would still go petrol, cheaper fuel most of the time than diesel and cheaper to service. I had another campervan (Transit Van) after that Manual Diesel and had some trouble with that, I prefer petrol, just my personal choice.
Choose your fitout carefully, there are a number of floor plans you can choose from.
One thing I did find with the High Ace was it was a bit of a pain having to raise the front seats to get at the motor (checking oil etc) and also the cab front step is not in a good position to get in and out being over the wheel arch. An outside front opening engine bonnet would be my choice (eg; Ford Transit or Mercedes or similar) however other than old models I don't think Transit's do an auto though, manual only, you would need to check on that.
Conversion is a very expensive was to go (professional one) and if I bought a campervan/small motorhome now I would probably choose a late model 2nd hand one.
PS: I think the height of my Hi Ace was about 2m allowing for a little clearance, however I got stuck in an undercover car park once that said 2.2 clearance as they had a modification inside the car park that was lower than 2m.
-- Edited by Weevil on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 01:05:21 PM
-- Edited by Weevil on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 01:07:27 PM
jetj said
01:50 PM Oct 28, 2015
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I have a diesel Hiace I converted myself. I've been very pleased with it for fuel consumption, reliability. Space is limited but I have no poptop. I would definitely go diesel again, the servicing requires more oil than a petrol Hiace so the cost of the oil is more expensive. I don't find the servicing expensive.
Heightwise just under the 2 metres, not sure if the poptop folded would come under the 2 metres, something to double check in your research. Old technology I guess but drives reasonably well, turning circle good. Watch the GVM as it is only around 2800 I think, so watch the weight.
Hope this helps.
-- Edited by jetj on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 02:01:15 PM
PeterInSa said
06:41 PM Oct 28, 2015
Re (Watch the GVM as it is only around 2800 I think, so watch the weight.)
Suggest only 1 deep cycle battery a 120Amp one.
Ditto Bull Bar/Nudge bar, I know they are helpful if you hit an animal/accident but you may need to compromise on other things if fitted eg water/oil/sola/generator/partner. So maybe an after fitout install and some RV experience, then decide.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 06:46:00 PM
goldenyears said
02:05 PM Mar 26, 2016
Hi I bought a hiace van new in 2010 and had a poptop fitted for $7000 and did the rest myself 1 100amp battery fridge etc fiama awning sink pump .. butane stove for cooking works a treat . all up cost me about 10000k much cheaper than getting someone else to do it .. so if you are handy give it a go .
1 drycell battery runs fridge for 3 days when stopped .. but I also have a 150 watt solar panel that tops up battery when needed works a treat . you wont realy need 2 agm batteries as space in the hiace is limited . but functional.
The hiace is very reliable just keeps on going and going that's why the tradies buy them .
You would get more kms out of a diesel and with petrol much quieter .
These professional fit outs look good but tooooooo expensive for what they charge !!
And height wise fits in the garage ........ great choice. oh and I recommend kickass solar panels bit more expensive at $ 530 for 150 watt panel but great strong quality.
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 02:08:41 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 02:10:07 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 02:14:00 PM
wendyv said
03:16 PM Mar 26, 2016
If you are going to be travelling up north, diesel is the best way to go. Everywhere has diesel fuel. In some places (e.g. central Australia) ULP has been replaced by Opal fuel. Whilst you are unlikely to be in the worst areas, you do hear of petrol tanks being raided, whereas diesel is of no use to sniffers.
goldenyears said
04:29 PM Mar 26, 2016
opal fuel is unleaded fuel without the smell to discourage the sniffers I've read ........
Aus-Kiwi said
11:39 PM Mar 26, 2016
Heavy vehicle and long-sh journies ? Turbo diesel for sure !!
Hi
We are looking at buying a Toyota Hi Ace 2016 model fitted out as a campervan by Frontline Campers.
We have done some research and would appreciate advice on:
Is diesel better than petrol? Diesel has more grunt but may be noisier?
Is the Hi Ace the best bet?
We realise it's a bit dated now but it appears to be very reliable. A limitation on our choice is the need to have a height under 2m to fit in our garage.
We are also looking at twin 100amp batteries with 160w portable solar panel. Any advice on how well these work for an extend stay away from power?
Thanks
Hello Boris and Natasha, welcome to The Grey Nomads, like you I am a newby but I am enjoying the ride after 4 or 5 weeks. It is a very helpful website and you can shoot all your questions about a million subjects and somebody will usually help you.
Cheers......Simmo
Hi Boris & Natasha
Welcome aboard you will in joy the new lifestyle. In your post you said the van is 2016 new Then you mention it is a bit dated? As for deiseil it is the best fuel for economy and also being toyota spare parts are easy to source.
1. Does it have an awning on the side. You will need one so as to be able to sit and watch the world pass by.
2.Your solar set up sounds to be ok
3 Water is the next item i would look at does it have a water tank?, usually on the drivers side hve way along under the chasis 60/80 lit
Sounds like you are doing your research and are setting out to enjoy many yrs ahead. Hope it all works out this forum is full of great people that have traveled or are travelling now and there advice is spot on all the best a enjoy life cheers
Ours was petrol and automatic and that was a problem. It didn't like hills and didn't want to pass a servo (about 400Km/tank). The shopping list for our current van had diesel in bold letters (you only hear some noise when idling) because we wanted to go into more remote areas where fuel is available at fewer places, may be expensive (though not always), and diesel is readily available and often cheaper. It is also a bit safer if you need to carry spare fuel (we haven't found that necessary).
HiAces are very common and that is a real plus when you need spares, tyres, or even a knowledgeable mechanic.
Our advice would be not to go for too many gadgets, don't buy a lot of extras until you find you really need them, and then get out there and enjoy yourself. It probably won't be your last RV and we would be surprised if you regret the decision to travel this country
Thanks In Transit
That is very encouraging. I was a bit concerned that the Hi Ace model is now a bit dated but they do seem to just keep going. Your comments are appreciated.
You don't say what State you are in, but yes Frontline do have a good reputation.
I had a late model Hi Ace Campervan, but being in WA I had mine converted by Dove Campers In WA. I was very happy with their conversion but at one stage was thinking about driving over to NSW to have Frontline convert it there, they were going to meet me at Lane Cove CP where I was going to hire a cabin, collect the van and expedite the conversion for me, and return it to there.
Mine was petrol auto and I personally would still go petrol, cheaper fuel most of the time than diesel and cheaper to service. I had another campervan (Transit Van) after that Manual Diesel and had some trouble with that, I prefer petrol, just my personal choice.
Choose your fitout carefully, there are a number of floor plans you can choose from.
One thing I did find with the High Ace was it was a bit of a pain having to raise the front seats to get at the motor (checking oil etc) and also the cab front step is not in a good position to get in and out being over the wheel arch. An outside front opening engine bonnet would be my choice (eg; Ford Transit or Mercedes or similar) however other than old models I don't think Transit's do an auto though, manual only, you would need to check on that.
Conversion is a very expensive was to go (professional one) and if I bought a campervan/small motorhome now I would probably choose a late model 2nd hand one.
PS: I think the height of my Hi Ace was about 2m allowing for a little clearance, however I got stuck in an undercover car park once that said 2.2 clearance as they had a modification inside the car park that was lower than 2m.
-- Edited by Weevil on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 01:05:21 PM
-- Edited by Weevil on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 01:07:27 PM
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I have a diesel Hiace I converted myself. I've been very pleased with it for fuel consumption, reliability. Space is limited but I have no poptop. I would definitely go diesel again, the servicing requires more oil than a petrol Hiace so the cost of the oil is more expensive. I don't find the servicing expensive.
Heightwise just under the 2 metres, not sure if the poptop folded would come under the 2 metres, something to double check in your research. Old technology I guess but drives reasonably well, turning circle good. Watch the GVM as it is only around 2800 I think, so watch the weight.
Hope this helps.
-- Edited by jetj on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 02:01:15 PM
Re (Watch the GVM as it is only around 2800 I think, so watch the weight.)
Suggest only 1 deep cycle battery a 120Amp one.
Ditto Bull Bar/Nudge bar, I know they are helpful if you hit an animal/accident but you may need to compromise on other things if fitted eg water/oil/sola/generator/partner. So maybe an after fitout install and some RV experience, then decide.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 28th of October 2015 06:46:00 PM
Hi I bought a hiace van new in 2010 and had a poptop fitted for $7000 and did the rest myself 1 100amp battery fridge etc fiama awning sink pump .. butane stove for cooking works a treat . all up cost me about 10000k much cheaper than getting someone else to do it .. so if you are handy give it a go .
1 drycell battery runs fridge for 3 days when stopped .. but I also have a 150 watt solar panel that tops up battery when needed works a treat . you wont realy need 2 agm batteries as space in the hiace is limited . but functional.
The hiace is very reliable just keeps on going and going that's why the tradies buy them .
You would get more kms out of a diesel and with petrol much quieter .
These professional fit outs look good but tooooooo expensive for what they charge !!
And height wise fits in the garage ........ great choice. oh and I recommend kickass solar panels bit more expensive at $ 530 for 150 watt panel but great strong quality.
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 02:08:41 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 02:10:07 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 02:14:00 PM
opal fuel is unleaded fuel without the smell to discourage the sniffers I've read ........