Can ya point me in the right direction in the best motorhome fight thanks... LOL
Big topic I can imagine, was thinking along the lines of a low roof for two and a bed ya dont have to make up every day.
vik...
Aus-Kiwi said
02:04 AM Dec 10, 2015
Size ? New or second hand ? Budget ? There are converted Toyota/ Mitsi light busses often imported from Japan..
Then there's the VW, M.B, Fiat etc from Europe.. Or the larger A class motorhome requiring MR licence...
So many options..
vik351 said
10:59 AM Dec 10, 2015
That is the problem, where do ya start...??? is there a Motorhomes for dummies book out...??? should be, would make a killing.
Some thing like that looks ok on paper, thought double bed at first, "oh soo luvie duvie" but when ya get real,SWMBO nicks off to read in bed,Me prolly still out there with a squid jig etc, up at sparrow fart with rod in arms,fishing rod that is...!!!
Our last trip was a 1/2 lap SA, WA, NT and back to Adelaide (1990) in a caravan and we got up with the birds but went to bed later.
Looked at motor homes back then a bit, but since they sure have come along with slide outs and all sorts of extras. Can there be too many extras...??? Liked Wirraway back then but lookin the other day,so many drawers and pull out this and that,prolly good for a two year trip around OZ but my thinkin now is to shoot off here and there for a month or two and back home to feed the fish...!!!
Can ya take too much stuff...??? bet ya can. 99% of dinner would be on charcoal outside.
Would want a decent dunnie and shower,or is that a myth when in a caravan park,you would use the parks stuff...???
Have dunnies gotten better stench wise since I last looked,people were installing little fans etc ,got no idea yet,must read up
So tell me straight folks,hows my thinkin for a Motor Home Virgin... looks like from a quick look not much change from $150 K from the sorta stuff I'm lookin at,new would be nice but the cost...!!! drive out the gate and how much down are you...???
Help folks,new to this...
vik...
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:07 AM Dec 10, 2015
Hiring a couple will help to decide what you want. Even then, I suggest that you don't spend all your available cash with the first purchase. It takes most people a couple of tries to get it "right".
Cheers,
Peter
vik351 said
12:14 PM Dec 10, 2015
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Hiring a couple will help to decide what you want. Even then, I suggest that you don't spend all your available cash with the first purchase. It takes most people a couple of tries to get it "right".
Cheers, Peter
Thanks Peter
Is much free camping done out there ( no 4x4 for us ) or have the councils got $$$ signs in their eyes so ya use a park...???
If ya have to stay in parks all the time makes ya wonder,caravan or motorhome ???
One rep said hire a MH down in Tassie for the first time to get used to the idea, less k's to do from town to town cos the long travel is what the better 1/2's hate...???
Dont blame em I spose,long trips on the mainland can get a bit tiresome ... short and sweet better for all concerned I would think.
vik...
Yuglamron said
12:23 PM Dec 10, 2015
I think you should sit down and ask yourselves what you want in a Motorhome. Make a list of the stuff you wouldn't do without. Flush Toilet, Cassette style. Toilet separate from Shower, single beds, East-West, North-south. Would you want an oven, Cooktop or like many go the cook outside with something like a Baby Q. Heating and cooling. Diesel or gas or electric for water heating and Solar power for Free camping.
Lots to look at and the biggie, How Much to shell out for what you want.
I was lucky the second van I looked at was just right for me and I did add a few thing over the last few years. The biggest being a Dometic Reverse Cycle aircon.
It would be nice to have slide-outs for more room but that's a big cost.
A seasoned traveller also told me whatever you buy if there is "Stuff" you have with you put a sticky red dot on each item and if you haven't used it in the first six months or year take it out.
Good luck and I hope you find what you are happy with.
vik351 said
01:37 PM Dec 10, 2015
good idea Yuglamron red dots...
Gee ,like buying a house all over again...
What I think so far but to be looked into...
Diesel turbo auto front wheel drive for no prop shaft and diff; or diff and RWD ...???
Separate beds,shower and toilet. flush or cassette dont know.
Gas hot water, stove and oven for a rainy day.
Reverse cycle air,solar panels ,awning for charcoal cooking bbq
Outside storage door for rods bbq etc,prolly under bed,beds. do ya need a genny ???
how am I goin so far...???
vik...
Yuglamron said
02:28 PM Dec 10, 2015
Sometimes we compromise about things like life in general. You may well find a MH that ticks nearly all your boxes but maybe one or two are missing. May have to go without some of your items. As you say like buying a house. The closer you get to what you want and you can compromise on the rest.
Personally I prefer the rear wheel drive with prop shaft. I find the front wheel drive stuff overly complicated myself. As for a genny I have six solar panels on the roof but having a Genny for emergencies is handy. It comes in handy for extra's such as running a small welder etc.
vik351 said
04:24 PM Dec 10, 2015
Yuglamron wrote:
Sometimes we compromise about things like life in general. You may well find a MH that ticks nearly all your boxes but maybe one or two are missing. May have to go without some of your items. As you say like buying a house. The closer you get to what you want and you can compromise on the rest.
Personally I prefer the rear wheel drive with prop shaft. I find the front wheel drive stuff overly complicated myself. As for a genny I have six solar panels on the roof but having a Genny for emergencies is handy. It comes in handy for extra's such as running a small welder etc.
Yup... Me him ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmzsWxPLIOo
I should get my buttocks into a rental and get a feel of what it's like out there now.
Back in 1990 on our trip in a caravan we found everyone very helpful to no end,hope folk are still friendly out there...
Ya get the odd ones which keep it interesting...!!!
cant beat havin a chinwag with like minded folk about this sort of experience
Gear boxes have come a long way now,what are your thoughts on a slusher or a manual or the flash new both manual and auto, I presume you get engine brake with the auto manual job...???
Do they come with Jake Brakes...LOL :-0
vik...
Aus-Kiwi said
10:55 PM Dec 10, 2015
We have both manual 9m and auto 8.5.. The manual was bought to see if we liked the lifestyle.. It also has exhaust brakes ..
The latter model and must say more expensive 4 wheel disc brakes.. Its auto and you pull the gears back for engine braking as converters are far tighter
on diesel engines..
We didn't know what free camping really was just thought [without thinking ] you stayed in camping grounds..
Well ?? After a few weeks staying in camping grounds I could see our money dissolving quicker than an anti acid tablet..
Mrs wasn't keen on the idea.. Now its just taken what we do..
If we stay at beach car parks but move around so it doesn't look we are camping..
Good luck enjoy the lifestyle..
vik351 said
11:42 PM Dec 10, 2015
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
We have both manual 9m and auto 8.5.. The manual was bought to see if we liked the lifestyle.. It also has exhaust brakes .. The latter model and must say more expensive 4 wheel disc brakes.. Its auto and you pull the gears back for engine braking as converters are far tighter on diesel engines.. We didn't know what free camping really was just thought [without thinking ] you stayed in camping grounds.. Well ?? After a few weeks staying in camping grounds I could see our money dissolving quicker than an anti acid tablet.. Mrs wasn't keen on the idea.. Now its just taken what we do.. If we stay at beach car parks but move around so it doesn't look we are camping.. Good luck enjoy the lifestyle..
Any good tips on free camping, Cant think my Mrs would be real keen at first... Dont know about beach car parks myself... hoon element...???
But I havent been out there yet and dont know the ropes.
So an auto manual sounds like the go,have a Forester with that kinda box and it works very well,even has a sports mode which holds the gears a bit longer,dont get much use though...
I take it you are in Australia Aus-Kiwi bro...??? Lived in Auckland back in the 1960's as a little tacker... must get back one day...!!!
vik...
Aus-Kiwi said
12:14 AM Dec 11, 2015
I grew up in Morrinsville .. Chiefs country..
The auto is American chassis Workhorse which has GM running gear..
Has the GM 4 speed much he same TH400 with four speed..
I find camping right in town, park etc or right out of town..
The hoon element tends to be just out of town..
Truckies stops etc.. But stop at the ones off the road..
There are Apps for I phones,Camps book 7 or 8 plus wiki..
Camping grounds.. Even at the back of shopping centre car parks..
http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/
HTH Hope this Helps..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 11th of December 2015 12:17:05 AM
Looks like stick to a swag...!!! "Some are happy some are not,just depends on what you got" (sung to the tune of...???)
Or are alot of old grumps out there...??? Your spendin big $$$ so you would want it right,,, have heard alot about the Winne.... MH and woes but looks like they all have a story to tell
Is there a Best Of list like motorhome of the year type thing...???
Looks like brand new aint the way to go,some thing with a few K's on it and the bugs sorted might be better... One of those "Ya cant win" scenarios.
So would a small maker be better on build and finish (Wirraway size of co for eg) or is there a rating for quality like the more stars the better type thing...???
What about a "bitches" forum about crap motorhomes . that would be a good read...
vik... bloody hell,so much to learn...!!!
Jaahn said
09:10 AM Dec 12, 2015
Hi,
We have done quite a bit of short traveling in mostly poptops over the years. Our first MH was a Winne on a 3T Isuzu truck. The size inside was good and plenty of space for us two and perhaps the kids use sometimes. Had it for a couple of years. The ride and the getting in and out wore us down. Having a truck base has its limitations and getting off the good highways is hell. Sold it. It was older and medium value. I still miss the space and the simple good layout. Auto and good power.
We bought a Mercedes bus and have done a simple conversion. Good price and excellent to drive and not bad on normal outback roads. Not much spare space inside but just enough. Live outside more, and use other facilities. Auto too and better economy than the Winnie and easier to drive as not so big. Hmmmm ? Will fit it out better but still not my ideal yet.
Still looking Jaahn
Aus-Kiwi said
09:32 AM Dec 12, 2015
Yep it's all a compromise. I have done the 4WD thing when younger . I'm more into comfort these days . Must say an awning gives you space, room when pulled up also . Cooking etc outside .. Even if you have cooker in RV or van .. What we tried to do is buy what we need as it gets pricy exchanging your rides . Modern trucks are sooo much better these days . We hired a commercial transit in US . The ride height was so high was pita literally .. Getting in and out .. A simple air suspension kit would have assisted in lowering for access .. As most busses do now when they stop so step is lower ., things can be changed to suit your needs ..
vik351 said
12:30 PM Dec 12, 2015
Thanks all for the replys folks, looks like I'll just keep singing this song in my search... www.youtube.com/watch
Life would be too easy if it was "I'll one of those thanks,perfect ...!!!"
Startin to look like a prop shaft and diff shake your fillings or false choppers out... bugger that... Iveco get the most comments that I have seen,but they all have been pre loved jobs... Wonder if the new ones are a bit softer in the bum... I still like the idea of rear wheel drive and duellies on the back. 4 tyres have to be better than two,and if ya get a flat in one ya can limp to a bobbie jane and let them get dirty.
The old trick of give em a tap with a hunk a metal,closed shifter or similar before a trip to check for a flat takes bugger all...
What would be a good dog,as in yap guard, a Chihuahua or similar
Only ever really had Bull terrors...!!!
vik...
madaboutled said
01:00 PM Dec 26, 2015
The pets question always opens a can of worms, 50+% here will argue leave them at home. I'm on the otherside of the fence that say take them with you. We have a small dog and have been travelling with her for the last 5 years averaging 8 months on the road each year. We just returned 2 months ago from doing the big lap taking 12 months.
Smaller dogs are more acceptable than larger dogs, cats IMHO are a pain. Most caravan parks don't accept dogs/pets but those are mostly found in capital cities or larger towns. Smaller towns are more accepting. National Parks are generally a no-go Australia Wide, but we've found in some places if you ask the local rangers some in more out of the way places may make exceptions subject to certain conditions, most won't, but you don't get if you don't ask!.
Lots of forward planning is required to see the places you want to see but it's doable. The places we can't see because we have a dog with us, we just treat as another excuse to go back there when we no longer have her. Our idea is to keep traveling as long as we can with and later without our much loved dog.
Felicia said
07:03 PM Dec 26, 2015
Your question on yap dogs is very difficult, groomed dogs and ran kennels all up for 15 years. I've seen chihuahuas and fox terriers that are yap dogs but would not bite, also seen many that yap and bite nearly anyone outside of the immediate family. If you decide to take a dog maybe a rescue dog could be a good idea to look at, particularly from Animal Welfare League who temperament test their dogs. I am a member but in no way involved with the running of the league.
Lynda
Aus-Kiwi said
11:48 PM Dec 28, 2015
We are looking for quiet home type dog also.. One which is quiet, doesn't get excited so no one knows its there .. So to speak..
Nothing like the nose or ears of a dog at night.. Anytime really..
Really need atleast 6 months bonding before trip..Obedience, house training etc..
vik351 said
12:18 AM Jan 16, 2016
Hmmm ,makes ya wonder...In the mag having a pet didnt sound to good...
Looks like it depends where your trip is gunna be to,out in the sticks for sure but forget towns.
Thats the trouble,would like the nose and ears of a dog at night...
vik...thanks...
Geeco said
11:43 AM Jan 17, 2016
Have a look at www.autotrail.com.au
There is a motorhome there for most every need
Cheers,
Gary C.
vik351 said
11:06 PM Jan 29, 2016
Geeco wrote:
Have a look at www.autotrail.com.au There is a motorhome there for most every need Cheers, Gary C.
Good lookin ride thats for sure .What one did you get.?
vik...
Geeco said
11:08 AM Jan 31, 2016
We chose the Tracker FB. It is just over a year old and has now travelled 24,000 kms with no issues. We are very happy with our purchase. I read on various forums that you never get it right the first time. If you do your homework before you buy you can make a positive choice. As has been previously stated you do need to list down all your needs and then find a match. It is not rocket science.
Cheers,
Gary C
vik351 said
12:07 AM Feb 2, 2016
Geeco wrote:
We chose the Tracker FB. It is just over a year old and has now travelled 24,000 kms with no issues. We are very happy with our purchase. I read on various forums that you never get it right the first time. If you do your homework before you buy you can make a positive choice. As has been previously stated you do need to list down all your needs and then find a match. It is not rocket science.
Cheers,
Gary C
Well they did put a man on the moon in a Sunliner or similar... http://www.auto-trail.co.uk/model/tracker/fb/engine-options#menu Looked up the Tracker... and French bed,never heard of one,How do ya find that ? looks big enough in the pictures.
So Geeco,after 12 months would love to know what you took along with you that you thought you'll need and never touched... also how much cooking gets done in the Tracker... and is there anything you would change (not minor things like mirror height etc) big time.
Thanks vik...
Geeco said
09:40 PM Feb 2, 2016
We cook almost every night in the Tracker while on the road. The meat is usually cooked outside on a baby Webber while the rest is done inside. I do not like the smell of meat in the house. I did place a few too many tools in the tool box I carry but offhand the only other item that has not been used is the fishing rod I purchased for the codriver. She seems to be able to find a fish coop in every place she feels like a seafood meal. The FB stands for French bed or fixed bed depending what side of the English Channel you are from. If you are tall an FB may not be the correct bed to choose as they are often no longer than around 6 ft. The FB is one of the standard layouts that many European manufacturers build. At the rear the bed is one side and the toilet / shower is on the other side. Usually one side of the bed nearest the bathroom door has the corner cut off to allow ease of entry to the bathroom. We are less than 6 feet high so the bed works fine for us. I can say that the layout suits our needs and there is nothing of significance I would change. We did add a few extras to the MH prior to delivery and one extra latter. The Auto-trail is no fitted as standard with a connection to hook up to the caravan park water supply. In Uk that system is the exception rather than the rule, they use the water from the onboard tank. A bike rack and a ladder were also fitted. After our first trip we realised the Omnistor awning needed beefing up so we had an Aussie traveller anti flap kit and a curved centre rafter fitted. The awning now is very strong and has coped with some quiet strong winds. Hope this helps,
cheers, Gary C.
-- Edited by Geeco on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 09:47:21 PM
-- Edited by Geeco on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 09:48:37 PM
vik351 said
11:26 PM Feb 2, 2016
Sounds like you did alright then,good choosing...!!!
So is the ladder for putting stuff on the roof then ? Has yours got the sunfoof.
I cant climb a ladder here at home, bikes are prolly a good idea if ya wanna leave the bus in the C park and pop out for a look see,never gave that much thought.
That is one view caravaners have I found,have to take the motorhome every where ya go... Is the pleasure of a MH worth the hassel ya think...???
When we did our 1/2 lap of OZ in a C van just a cup of tea was a pain to do,but when thats all ya knew you put up with it...
Really starting to get urge to get one but the timing just aint right just yet.
Thanks for the info Gary,every bit helps...
vik...
The Phantom said
11:39 PM Feb 2, 2016
I read once that owning an exercise bike is better than owning a bicycle.
You can pedal the exercise bike and dream of where you are going and what you are seeing.
The really good part is that you do not need to pedal back home when you are tired.
The Phantom
Geeco said
10:13 AM Feb 3, 2016
Hi, the ladder is for access when cleaning the roof with my Karcher. There is a wind up sun roof over the lounge area along with one each in the bathroom & bedroom All with fly screens & blinds. The bikes are for exercise rather than shopping. We tend not to stay more than 3 or 4 days max in any one location and we pre plan our meals to cover the period we are stopped so no issue there. not having a vehicle to drive around in has never been an issue as we tend to look at POI's to and from our overnight stop. On the odd occassion we do use the MH during a stay it is no big deal to unhook the services and go. I have made up a "reserved" sign on a metal post I hammer into the ground to confirm our spot if needed in those parks where you do not have a reserved site. Works fine for us but as in life we are all different.
Phantom I find a weekly Ozlotto ticket allows me the same dreams without the exercise bike.
Cheers, Gary C.
-- Edited by Geeco on Wednesday 3rd of February 2016 10:16:31 AM
-- Edited by Geeco on Wednesday 3rd of February 2016 10:18:12 AM
vik351 said
11:22 AM Feb 3, 2016
Hearin ya Phantom
Got one at home and hardly ever start the journey...!!!
Hi folks...
Can ya point me in the right direction in the best motorhome fight thanks... LOL
Big topic I can imagine, was thinking along the lines of a low roof for two and a bed ya dont have to make up every day.
vik...
Then there's the VW, M.B, Fiat etc from Europe.. Or the larger A class motorhome requiring MR licence...
So many options..
Was thinking along the lines of hire first,suck it and see... two of us, www.sunliner.com.au/our-range/motorhomes/holiday-rv 535
Some thing like that looks ok on paper, thought double bed at first, "oh soo luvie duvie" but when ya get real,SWMBO nicks off to read in bed,Me prolly still out there with a squid jig etc, up at sparrow fart with rod in arms,fishing rod that is...!!!
Our last trip was a 1/2 lap SA, WA, NT and back to Adelaide (1990) in a caravan and we got up with the birds but went to bed later.
Looked at motor homes back then a bit, but since they sure have come along with slide outs and all sorts of extras. Can there be too many extras...??? Liked Wirraway back then but lookin the other day,so many drawers and pull out this and that,prolly good for a two year trip around OZ but my thinkin now is to shoot off here and there for a month or two and back home to feed the fish...!!!
Can ya take too much stuff...??? bet ya can. 99% of dinner would be on charcoal outside.
Would want a decent dunnie and shower,or is that a myth when in a caravan park,you would use the parks stuff...???
Have dunnies gotten better stench wise since I last looked,people were installing little fans etc ,got no idea yet,must read up
So tell me straight folks,hows my thinkin for a Motor Home Virgin... looks like from a quick look not much change from $150 K from the sorta stuff I'm lookin at,new would be nice but the cost...!!! drive out the gate and how much down are you...???
Help folks,new to this...
vik...
Cheers,
Peter
Thanks Peter
Is much free camping done out there ( no 4x4 for us ) or have the councils got $$$ signs in their eyes so ya use a park...???
If ya have to stay in parks all the time makes ya wonder,caravan or motorhome ???
One rep said hire a MH down in Tassie for the first time to get used to the idea, less k's to do from town to town cos the long travel is what the better 1/2's hate...???
Dont blame em I spose,long trips on the mainland can get a bit tiresome ... short and sweet better for all concerned I would think.
vik...
I think you should sit down and ask yourselves what you want in a Motorhome. Make a list of the stuff you wouldn't do without. Flush Toilet, Cassette style. Toilet separate from Shower, single beds, East-West, North-south. Would you want an oven, Cooktop or like many go the cook outside with something like a Baby Q. Heating and cooling. Diesel or gas or electric for water heating and Solar power for Free camping.
Lots to look at and the biggie, How Much to shell out for what you want.
I was lucky the second van I looked at was just right for me and I did add a few thing over the last few years. The biggest being a Dometic Reverse Cycle aircon.
It would be nice to have slide-outs for more room but that's a big cost.
A seasoned traveller also told me whatever you buy if there is "Stuff" you have with you put a sticky red dot on each item and if you haven't used it in the first six months or year take it out.
Good luck and I hope you find what you are happy with.
Gee ,like buying a house all over again...
What I think so far but to be looked into...
Diesel turbo auto front wheel drive for no prop shaft and diff; or diff and RWD ...???
Separate beds,shower and toilet. flush or cassette dont know.
Gas hot water, stove and oven for a rainy day.
Reverse cycle air,solar panels ,awning for charcoal cooking bbq
Outside storage door for rods bbq etc,prolly under bed,beds. do ya need a genny ???
how am I goin so far...???
vik...
Sometimes we compromise about things like life in general. You may well find a MH that ticks nearly all your boxes but maybe one or two are missing. May have to go without some of your items. As you say like buying a house. The closer you get to what you want and you can compromise on the rest.
Personally I prefer the rear wheel drive with prop shaft. I find the front wheel drive stuff overly complicated myself. As for a genny I have six solar panels on the roof but having a Genny for emergencies is handy. It comes in handy for extra's such as running a small welder etc.
Yup... Me him ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmzsWxPLIOo
I should get my buttocks into a rental and get a feel of what it's like out there now.
Back in 1990 on our trip in a caravan we found everyone very helpful to no end,hope folk are still friendly out there...
Ya get the odd ones which keep it interesting...!!!
cant beat havin a chinwag with like minded folk about this sort of experience
Gear boxes have come a long way now,what are your thoughts on a slusher or a manual or the flash new both manual and auto, I presume you get engine brake with the auto manual job...???
Do they come with Jake Brakes...LOL :-0
vik...
The latter model and must say more expensive 4 wheel disc brakes.. Its auto and you pull the gears back for engine braking as converters are far tighter
on diesel engines..
We didn't know what free camping really was just thought [without thinking ] you stayed in camping grounds..
Well ?? After a few weeks staying in camping grounds I could see our money dissolving quicker than an anti acid tablet..
Mrs wasn't keen on the idea.. Now its just taken what we do..
If we stay at beach car parks but move around so it doesn't look we are camping..
Good luck enjoy the lifestyle..
Any good tips on free camping, Cant think my Mrs would be real keen at first... Dont know about beach car parks myself... hoon element...???
But I havent been out there yet and dont know the ropes.
So an auto manual sounds like the go,have a Forester with that kinda box and it works very well,even has a sports mode which holds the gears a bit longer,dont get much use though...
I take it you are in Australia Aus-Kiwi bro...??? Lived in Auckland back in the 1960's as a little tacker... must get back one day...!!!
vik...
The auto is American chassis Workhorse which has GM running gear..
Has the GM 4 speed much he same TH400 with four speed..
I find camping right in town, park etc or right out of town..
The hoon element tends to be just out of town..
Truckies stops etc.. But stop at the ones off the road..
There are Apps for I phones,Camps book 7 or 8 plus wiki..
Camping grounds.. Even at the back of shopping centre car parks..
http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/
HTH Hope this Helps..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 11th of December 2015 12:17:05 AM
Read some reviews... :-0
Sunliner coped it as do others www.productreview.com.au/p/sunliner-viva.html
Looks like stick to a swag...!!! "Some are happy some are not,just depends on what you got" (sung to the tune of...???)
Or are alot of old grumps out there...??? Your spendin big $$$ so you would want it right,,, have heard alot about the Winne.... MH and woes but looks like they all have a story to tell
Is there a Best Of list like motorhome of the year type thing...???
Looks like brand new aint the way to go,some thing with a few K's on it and the bugs sorted might be better... One of those "Ya cant win" scenarios.
So would a small maker be better on build and finish (Wirraway size of co for eg) or is there a rating for quality like the more stars the better type thing...???
What about a "bitches" forum about crap motorhomes . that would be a good read...
vik... bloody hell,so much to learn...!!!
Hi,
We have done quite a bit of short traveling in mostly poptops over the years. Our first MH was a Winne on a 3T Isuzu truck. The size inside was good and plenty of space for us two and perhaps the kids use sometimes. Had it for a couple of years. The ride and the getting in and out wore us down. Having a truck base has its limitations and getting off the good highways is hell. Sold it. It was older and medium value. I still miss the space and the simple good layout.
Auto and good power.
We bought a Mercedes bus and have done a simple conversion. Good price and excellent to drive and not bad on normal outback roads. Not much spare space inside but just enough. Live outside more, and use other facilities. Auto too and better economy than the Winnie and easier to drive as not so big. Hmmmm ? Will fit it out better but still not my ideal yet.
Still looking Jaahn
Life would be too easy if it was "I'll one of those thanks,perfect ...!!!"
Startin to look like a prop shaft and diff shake your fillings or false choppers out... bugger that... Iveco get the most comments that I have seen,but they all have been pre loved jobs... Wonder if the new ones are a bit softer in the bum... I still like the idea of rear wheel drive and duellies on the back. 4 tyres have to be better than two,and if ya get a flat in one ya can limp to a bobbie jane and let them get dirty.
The old trick of give em a tap with a hunk a metal,closed shifter or similar before a trip to check for a flat takes bugger all...
" I have done the 4WD thing when younger" YEP, same here,have enough trouble now pushin out a turd,let alone a a 1/2 bogged 4x4 outa the sand ...!!! img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/vik351/Picture080-1.jpg
smg.photobucket.com/user/vik351/media/Picture079-1.jpg.html">
leave that for the young ones...
vik...
Do caravan parks hate em...???
What would be a good dog,as in yap guard, a Chihuahua or similar
Only ever really had Bull terrors...!!!
vik...
The pets question always opens a can of worms, 50+% here will argue leave them at home. I'm on the otherside of the fence that say take them with you. We have a small dog and have been travelling with her for the last 5 years averaging 8 months on the road each year. We just returned 2 months ago from doing the big lap taking 12 months.
Smaller dogs are more acceptable than larger dogs, cats IMHO are a pain. Most caravan parks don't accept dogs/pets but those are mostly found in capital cities or larger towns. Smaller towns are more accepting. National Parks are generally a no-go Australia Wide, but we've found in some places if you ask the local rangers some in more out of the way places may make exceptions subject to certain conditions, most won't, but you don't get if you don't ask!.
Lots of forward planning is required to see the places you want to see but it's doable. The places we can't see because we have a dog with us, we just treat as another excuse to go back there when we no longer have her. Our idea is to keep traveling as long as we can with and later without our much loved dog.
Lynda
Nothing like the nose or ears of a dog at night.. Anytime really..
Really need atleast 6 months bonding before trip..Obedience, house training etc..
Looks like it depends where your trip is gunna be to,out in the sticks for sure but forget towns.
Thats the trouble,would like the nose and ears of a dog at night...
vik...thanks...
There is a motorhome there for most every need
Cheers,
Gary C.
Good lookin ride thats for sure .What one did you get.?
vik...
We chose the Tracker FB. It is just over a year old and has now travelled 24,000 kms with no issues. We are very happy with our purchase. I read on various forums that you never get it right the first time. If you do your homework before you buy you can make a positive choice. As has been previously stated you do need to list down all your needs and then find a match. It is not rocket science.
Cheers,
Gary C
Well they did put a man on the moon in a Sunliner or similar... http://www.auto-trail.co.uk/model/tracker/fb/engine-options#menu Looked up the Tracker... and French bed,never heard of one,How do ya find that ? looks big enough in the pictures.
So Geeco,after 12 months would love to know what you took along with you that you thought you'll need and never touched...
also how much cooking gets done in the Tracker... and is there anything you would change (not minor things like mirror height etc) big time.
Thanks vik...
We cook almost every night in the Tracker while on the road. The meat is usually cooked outside on a baby Webber while the rest is done inside. I do not like the smell of meat in the house. I did place a few too many tools in the tool box I carry but offhand the only other item that has not been used is the fishing rod I purchased for the codriver. She seems to be able to find a fish coop in every place she feels like a seafood meal. The FB stands for French bed or fixed bed depending what side of the English Channel you are from. If you are tall an FB may not be the correct bed to choose as they are often no longer than around 6 ft. The FB is one of the standard layouts that many European manufacturers build. At the rear the bed is one side and the toilet / shower is on the other side. Usually one side of the bed nearest the bathroom door has the corner cut off to allow ease of entry to the bathroom. We are less than 6 feet high so the bed works fine for us. I can say that the layout suits our needs and there is nothing of significance I would change. We did add a few extras to the MH prior to delivery and one extra latter. The Auto-trail is no fitted as standard with a connection to hook up to the caravan park water supply. In Uk that system is the exception rather than the rule, they use the water from the onboard tank. A bike rack and a ladder were also fitted. After our first trip we realised the Omnistor awning needed beefing up so we had an Aussie traveller anti flap kit and a curved centre rafter fitted. The awning now is very strong and has coped with some quiet strong winds. Hope this helps,
cheers, Gary C.
-- Edited by Geeco on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 09:47:21 PM
-- Edited by Geeco on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 09:48:37 PM
So is the ladder for putting stuff on the roof then ? Has yours got the sunfoof.
I cant climb a ladder here at home, bikes are prolly a good idea if ya wanna leave the bus in the C park and pop out for a look see,never gave that much thought.
That is one view caravaners have I found,have to take the motorhome every where ya go... Is the pleasure of a MH worth the hassel ya think...???
When we did our 1/2 lap of OZ in a C van just a cup of tea was a pain to do,but when thats all ya knew you put up with it...
Really starting to get urge to get one but the timing just aint right just yet.
Thanks for the info Gary,every bit helps...
vik...
I read once that owning an exercise bike is better than owning a bicycle.
You can pedal the exercise bike and dream of where you are going and what you are seeing.
The really good part is that you do not need to pedal back home when you are tired.
The Phantom
Hi, the ladder is for access when cleaning the roof with my Karcher. There is a wind up sun roof over the lounge area along with one each in the bathroom & bedroom All with fly screens & blinds. The bikes are for exercise rather than shopping. We tend not to stay more than 3 or 4 days max in any one location and we pre plan our meals to cover the period we are stopped so no issue there. not having a vehicle to drive around in has never been an issue as we tend to look at POI's to and from our overnight stop. On the odd occassion we do use the MH during a stay it is no big deal to unhook the services and go. I have made up a "reserved" sign on a metal post I hammer into the ground to confirm our spot if needed in those parks where you do not have a reserved site. Works fine for us but as in life we are all different.
Phantom I find a weekly Ozlotto ticket allows me the same dreams without the exercise bike.
Cheers, Gary C.
-- Edited by Geeco on Wednesday 3rd of February 2016 10:16:31 AM
-- Edited by Geeco on Wednesday 3rd of February 2016 10:18:12 AM
Got one at home and hardly ever start the journey...!!!
vik...