Would love to hear from fellow hiace rv owners ... who have done the big lap ?
So far happy wanderer seems to be only one ? but I'm sure there must be a few more .
Happy Daze said
06:00 PM Mar 26, 2016
Hi, I don't post very often but your post rang a bell with me. Sadly, I have recently been widowed and I am seriously considering getting a small motorhome that I can feel comfortable with for travelling alone. I had considered the Hiace Campervans, but quite a few friends have said that as I'Il mainly be travelling alone, I should consider getting something with an onboard ensuite. I had originally thought of a buying a Hiace Campervan and just using a Porta Potti with an external shower, but I'm yet to be convinced which way to go. One of my concerns is that I would like something easy to drive and park, especially for sightseeing when camped up for a while. Any feedback appreciated (hope I haven't hijacked the thread by deviating from the original question). Anyway, safe travels whatever your mode of transport.
Cheers,
Annie
goldenyears said
06:28 PM Mar 26, 2016
Hi if you want something reliable easy to park and certainly big enough for 2 people then you cant beat the hiace .. unfortunately being smaller there's no room for those requirements porta porta works fine for those times when you cant wait .. but at the end of the day its all about camping and using a sponge and bucket also works fine . my wife and I find it easy to adapt and of course once in a while stay at a caravan park for shower etc .
GOOD LUCK ANNIE
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 06:29:38 PM
Happywanderer said
06:46 PM Mar 26, 2016
My toyota is the Super long wheel base slwb. It has everything except a shower. If the fitout is done well you can fit in a tetford toilet. Mine has one plus built in fresh water and grey water tanks.
I travel on my own and feel quite secure.
Dougwe said
06:50 PM Mar 26, 2016
Phew! Just as well I read that a second time Marj. I thought you said your toilet was in the fresh water tank.
Happywanderer said
07:12 PM Mar 26, 2016
That Uncle Al is playing up bad tonight Doug.
lightoffshore said
06:15 PM Mar 28, 2016
Hi, I'm looking at buying one. Do you have any windows opening in the rear and have you looked at putting in a new roof?
Happywanderer said
09:53 PM Mar 28, 2016
lightoffshore wrote:
Hi, I'm looking at buying one. Do you have any windows opening in the rear and have you looked at putting in a new roof?
I have back window, they dont open.
I have no reason to replace the roof.
goldenyears said
07:23 AM Mar 29, 2016
Hi very reliable van ... has tailgate at the rear and I had a pop top roof fitted which is a necessity I think.
Happywanderer said
08:43 PM Mar 29, 2016
My van is high enough inside for me to stand up in with a couple of inches to spare.
I went to put a new photo of my van into my avatar to show you.
Because I'm only using my phone at moment I lost the photo I had there and couldn't upload the van photo. Sorry.
Won't be back at my van for a few weeks. It will have stay empty.
in transit said
09:25 PM Mar 29, 2016
We had a HiAce with fibreglass high roof. There was heaps of overhead storage and a fairly unusual internal layout with dinette (converting to double bed) up front and kitchen at rear. There was a battery operated cold shower which fitted into the underside of the open rear door, but no toilet. That wasn't such an issue for us at that time of our life.
We loved that vehicle but it had 2 problems. It was petrol powered and hated going past a servo or going up a hill, and there was no power steering which was inconvenient in towns. We now have a turbo diesel Transit which has solved all those problems.
We hope you find something you like and enjoy your travels.
msg said
11:44 AM Mar 30, 2016
I agree. My transit though compact has everything that a larger motorhome has.
Its a bit short on storage space. No room for generator (don't need one) or spare gas or fuel.
Fully solar self sufficient and only use gas for stove. Need power to run aircon and microwave. Fridge is electric and runs off solar.
Shower & Toilet
Fuel is not generally a problem (800km range)
Hot water is generated as it is driven, or I can start the engine while stationery and leave it run for about 15mins.
It has 100ltr fresh water tank and 80ltr grey water. It is also certified leave no trace.
It fits into a normal car space although I do have to be careful with height (it has a high roof)
It is very reliable and I have taken it to places that I probably shouldn't have (better than normal ground clearance)
Enjoy your travels
Bricat70 said
08:35 PM Apr 15, 2016
We just bought a 1990 hi ace couple weeks ago. Been busy fitting bed, new tail gate strut, 2nd battery, fitting curtains etc. heading of for a couple of months in two weeks.
-- Edited by Bricat70 on Friday 15th of April 2016 08:36:35 PM
Would love to hear from fellow hiace rv owners ... who have done the big lap ?
So far happy wanderer seems to be only one ? but I'm sure there must be a few more .
Hi, I don't post very often but your post rang a bell with me. Sadly, I have recently been widowed and I am seriously considering getting a small motorhome that I can feel comfortable with for travelling alone. I had considered the Hiace Campervans, but quite a few friends have said that as I'Il mainly be travelling alone, I should consider getting something with an onboard ensuite. I had originally thought of a buying a Hiace Campervan and just using a Porta Potti with an external shower, but I'm yet to be convinced which way to go. One of my concerns is that I would like something easy to drive and park, especially for sightseeing when camped up for a while. Any feedback appreciated (hope I haven't hijacked the thread by deviating from the original question). Anyway, safe travels whatever your mode of transport.
Cheers,
Annie
Hi if you want something reliable easy to park and certainly big enough for 2 people then you cant beat the hiace .. unfortunately being smaller there's no room for those requirements porta porta works fine for those times when you cant wait .. but at the end of the day its all about camping and using a sponge and bucket also works fine . my wife and I find it easy to adapt and of course once in a while stay at a caravan park for shower etc .
GOOD LUCK ANNIE
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 06:29:38 PM
I travel on my own and feel quite secure.
I have back window, they dont open.
I have no reason to replace the roof.
Hi very reliable van ... has tailgate at the rear and I had a pop top roof fitted which is a necessity I think.
I went to put a new photo of my van into my avatar to show you.
Because I'm only using my phone at moment I lost the photo I had there and couldn't upload the van photo. Sorry.
Won't be back at my van for a few weeks. It will have stay empty.
We loved that vehicle but it had 2 problems. It was petrol powered and hated going past a servo or going up a hill, and there was no power steering which was inconvenient in towns. We now have a turbo diesel Transit which has solved all those problems.
We hope you find something you like and enjoy your travels.
Its a bit short on storage space. No room for generator (don't need one) or spare gas or fuel.
Fully solar self sufficient and only use gas for stove. Need power to run aircon and microwave. Fridge is electric and runs off solar.
Shower & Toilet
Fuel is not generally a problem (800km range)
Hot water is generated as it is driven, or I can start the engine while stationery and leave it run for about 15mins.
It has 100ltr fresh water tank and 80ltr grey water. It is also certified leave no trace.
It fits into a normal car space although I do have to be careful with height (it has a high roof)
It is very reliable and I have taken it to places that I probably shouldn't have (better than normal ground clearance)
Enjoy your travels
We just bought a 1990 hi ace couple weeks ago. Been busy fitting bed, new tail gate strut, 2nd battery, fitting curtains etc. heading of for a couple of months in two weeks.
-- Edited by Bricat70 on Friday 15th of April 2016 08:36:35 PM