Hi, as some of you know I built my 3.3 metre long van myself and registered it last January. In April we drove around Oz towing it with our Hyundai i30. All went well on the quick 14 week trip.
The van was built lightweight at 450 kg tare, has shower and toilet, kitchenette, awning, storage under beds, toilet hatch, solar etc.
As we toured the level of interest was surprising. Although cute in appearance and professional in quality finish I didn't expect that level of interest and I watched the reaction when I told them it had a toilet and shower.
So upon our return home we advertised it for sale with the concept of building another. In the last 8 weeks....one offer well below advertised price of $17900. Materials alone were $13,000.
There are not many full height caravans that can be towed by 4 cylinder cars. Why no interest?
I'm beginning to believe that people gaze, admire, appreciate effort..but buying, parting with the cash is an entirely different matter.
We planned to build 2 a year. Not now.
PS. If we don't sell we'll keep it. That isn't an issue. Its merely surprising small vans aren't in demand.
Tony
macka17 said
12:51 AM Oct 13, 2016
Problem is.
All the magazines and dealers have got these new travellers over the last decade or so,
conned. That bigger is better.
Problem being, A lot of the towing vehicles in this country are NOT.
Realistically, capable of towing them.
as a lot of people will find out. When the scalies start getting serious.
There'll be a lot of rigs sitting on side of the road with defects. and correspondingly.
NO insurance, or veh capable of moving whatever they have
from that point forward.
It's coming, they've started.
I find that a 5.3m size internally is the ideal for a couple.
6m and a bit if wanting full ablutions.
Anything more will get you into problems down the track. with weights etc,
unless very closely controlled and balanced.
Stick with your littlie mate.
That. with a nice roll out and side shade cloth is all needed for comfort.
I've had over 50 yrs at it. and find 5.25m perfect.
with inside tut and Ext shower.
Under 2 ton and any decent ute safe with it.
NO problems with rules and reg's or weighbridges in future.
Believe me. Smaller vans WILL come back in.
in the future.
the rocket said
08:04 AM Oct 13, 2016
Hi eaglemax, just wondering if u sold it brand new would u get what u want for it? Just like a car once it is driven out the lot it is then secondhand And devalues quickly.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:36 AM Oct 13, 2016
De value due to all the tax's on new car too .
Aus-Kiwi said
09:37 AM Oct 13, 2016
Also dealers have finance available ..
Ron-D said
09:58 AM Oct 13, 2016
It's hard to have an opinion without pictures, 13K and the time you have put into it seems to suggest your asking price is fair enough. Hopefully for your sake you will find a buyer.
montie said
07:02 AM Oct 14, 2016
Eaglemax wrote:
There are not many full height caravans that can be towed by 4 cylinder cars. Why no interest? I'm beginning to believe that people gaze, admire, appreciate effort..but buying, parting with the cash is an entirely different matter.
Welcome to our world Tony!
The main issue with your van is the fact that it's home made and not a brand name.
Persevere and somebody will fall in love with it, but don't be too rigid on your price. Listen to offers.
Montie
hako said
03:25 PM Oct 14, 2016
I'd agree with montie - being home made deters most buyers especially first time vanners who are more cautious. It also makes future resale a bit of an unknown factor as well. Not sure how you would go with insuring it as well.
Personally I'd have no worries after a full inspection but putting a price on it would be hard.
With the weather warming up and the Xmas holidays just around the corner I'd say you will find more lookers and hopefully a buyer.
Good Luck.
JackoFJR said
04:15 PM Oct 14, 2016
How about some photos , inside and out ,
Pete49 said
11:28 PM Oct 14, 2016
I disagree with homemade being the problem. I have a teardrop as many others do and most are homemade and sell easily. Its more a case of what a person is looking for and how well they cope with small spaces. We do a lot of trips long and short and love the savings by having a 12v only tear as it allows us to camp in unpowered site and still enjoy the convenience of a caravan for sleeping and the cooking smell is not a problem at all not to mention the fuel savings. Just keep using it and sooner or later it will attract the right person.
Pete
-- Edited by Pete49 on Friday 14th of October 2016 11:37:48 PM
Thanks everyone. CIL insurance insured it for $22,000. I did an on line valuation with photos.
I'll try to attach pics. If unsuccessful you can go to eBay. Its the only van fir $17900 with toilet and shower.
Homemade could be an issue if it looks homemade IMO. This one looks professional. Also it takes time sorting out small gremlins with a new van. I'd prefer one under 2 years old myself, fully sorted.
Cheers
All the magazines and dealers have got these new travellers over the last decade or so,
conned. That bigger is better.
Problem being, A lot of the towing vehicles in this country are NOT.
Realistically, capable of towing them.
as a lot of people will find out. When the scalies start getting serious.
There'll be a lot of rigs sitting on side of the road with defects. and correspondingly.
NO insurance, or veh capable of moving whatever they have
from that point forward.
It's coming, they've started.
I find that a 5.3m size internally is the ideal for a couple.
6m and a bit if wanting full ablutions.
Anything more will get you into problems down the track. with weights etc,
unless very closely controlled and balanced.
Stick with your littlie mate.
That. with a nice roll out and side shade cloth is all needed for comfort.
I've had over 50 yrs at it. and find 5.25m perfect.
with inside tut and Ext shower.
Under 2 ton and any decent ute safe with it.
NO problems with rules and reg's or weighbridges in future.
Believe me. Smaller vans WILL come back in.
in the future.
Hi eaglemax, just wondering if u sold it brand new would u get what u want for it? Just like a car once it is driven out the lot it is then secondhand And devalues quickly.
It's hard to have an opinion without pictures, 13K and the time you have put into it seems to suggest your asking price is fair enough. Hopefully for your sake you will find a buyer.
Welcome to our world Tony!
The main issue with your van is the fact that it's home made and not a brand name.
Persevere and somebody will fall in love with it, but don't be too rigid on your price. Listen to offers.
Montie
Personally I'd have no worries after a full inspection but putting a price on it would be hard.
With the weather warming up and the Xmas holidays just around the corner I'd say you will find more lookers and hopefully a buyer.
Good Luck.
I disagree with homemade being the problem. I have a teardrop as many others do and most are homemade and sell easily. Its more a case of what a person is looking for and how well they cope with small spaces. We do a lot of trips long and short and love the savings by having a 12v only tear as it allows us to camp in unpowered site and still enjoy the convenience of a caravan for sleeping and the cooking smell is not a problem at all
not to mention the fuel savings. Just keep using it and sooner or later it will attract the right person.
Pete
-- Edited by Pete49 on Friday 14th of October 2016 11:37:48 PM
living in the hills caused upload issues sorry
pic
more pics plus towcar