Newbies to wanting to buy a RV in the near future..
Cooma said
09:57 AM Jun 20, 2020
Hi there happy people, Dave and I are wanting to buy a motorhome in the near future and am new to all of this, soo overwhelming ): We are wanting to know what size solar system & batteries we need when off the grid. Any recommendations on RV'S? Looking at 2nd hand auto trail any thoughts. We have been told different costs on living in these, they range from $300 to $700 a week for expenses which we found quite exy for the latter one. We just want to know on average without being too extravagant for living in one. It's going to be a big decision as we will be selling our house & would also like people's thoughts on this :) We are in our early early 60's and thought its about time to start living instead of working 9-5..
We would appreciate any thoughts on this. Have a Happy Day Lovely Campers :)
Regards Ann & Dave from the North Coast.
Possum3 said
10:13 AM Jun 20, 2020
Welcome Ann & Dave,
Dependant on your lifestyle, proximity to beaches, parks and tourist destinations camping fees can range from nil (free camping) to $600/week (luxury caravan park).
How much actual travelling are you going to do varies from sitting idle at a destination to touring around Australia lapping the Continent in six months.
Vehicle maintenance and running costs are another unknown.
May I suggest you download a lot of technical advice and checklists at www.caravancouncil.com.au/ (Free).
Sites like this and the editorials contained will give you some ideas of others lifestyles Click here for the Grey Nomads website
Peter_n_Margaret said
01:03 PM Jun 20, 2020
Couple of suggestions...
1. Don't sell the house yet.
2. Hire an RV that is a bit like what you think you want for a couple of weeks on a couple of occasions at different times of the year.
3. Buy a second hand RV that is close to what you think you need, but don't spend all your money.
It is almost certain that after purchase and a year or 2s travel, you will come to realise that you need something different. You may need to try a couple of different rigs before you understand your own needs.
4. Get out there and get some experience on the road and then ask your detailed questions again.
Cheers,
Peter
Tony Bev said
01:51 PM Jun 20, 2020
Hi Cooma (Ann & Dave), welcome to the forum
I am not an expert, but I do enjoy road travelling
I agree 100% with both Possum3, and Peter (Peter n Margaret) above
During the last few months, of the lockdowns, I was grateful for having a house, to go home to To add on, from what the others above, have already said, the method in my madness, was to go and look, with a notebook, what was out there, and then look again, and again, etc
It took me about six months to find a caravan, which ticked most, but not all of my boxes
Many years later, it took me six months to find a motorhome, which ticked most, but not all of my boxes
What I had seen on my travels, was that, those who had adapted to what they had, were usually happier, than those who now wanted something different
As not many people come to this part of the forum, it may pay to copy and paste your questions, in the techi part of the forum
Without trying to answer the technical parts of the question, I can only tell you what I have, which is adequate for my needs, to stay off grid, in free/donation/low cost camp sites
Toilet/shower/grey water tank
Fresh (Potable) water, of 140 litres in two built in tanks, plus 120 litres (6 X 20 litre collapsible containers)
300 watt roof solar, plus 160 watt lightweight portable solar At that time I had a 3 way fridge running on gas, while parked up, plus TV with portable satellite dish
Two X 120 Amp Hour (AH) Bosch AGM Batteries (Lithium batteries are now coming down in price, but early days, if the cheap ones will last the distance)
DC/DC 20 amp charger, which charges the house batteries from both engine, or solar
For whatever reason, the wife weaned herself off the TV, we now have a 12 volt fridge, which more or less uses about the same battery power, as the TV used
Hope that this info is useful to you
Dougwe said
02:28 PM Jun 20, 2020
Welcome to the gang Ann and Dave, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I won't add anymore to what has already been said and risk confusing you, only to say, enjoy and,
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
2_Paws_Up said
04:59 PM Jun 23, 2020
G'day :)
Cooma said
01:24 PM Mar 29, 2021
Thankyou lovely people for all the suggestions :)
Tony Bev said
06:42 PM Mar 30, 2021
Hi Cooma
You have sent me a message on the whiteboard, so I have replied with a PM (Private Message)
To see the message, log into the forum, then in the area you logged in, it will say there is a message waiting for you, just click on that
Hi there happy people, Dave and I are wanting to buy a motorhome in the near future and am new to all of this, soo overwhelming ): We are wanting to know what size solar system & batteries we need when off the grid. Any recommendations on RV'S? Looking at 2nd hand auto trail any thoughts. We have been told different costs on living in these, they range from $300 to $700 a week for expenses which we found quite exy for the latter one. We just want to know on average without being too extravagant for living in one. It's going to be a big decision as we will be selling our house & would also like people's thoughts on this :) We are in our early early 60's and thought its about time to start living instead of working 9-5..
We would appreciate any thoughts on this. Have a Happy Day Lovely Campers :)
Regards Ann & Dave from the North Coast.
Dependant on your lifestyle, proximity to beaches, parks and tourist destinations camping fees can range from nil (free camping) to $600/week (luxury caravan park).
How much actual travelling are you going to do varies from sitting idle at a destination to touring around Australia lapping the Continent in six months.
Vehicle maintenance and running costs are another unknown.
May I suggest you download a lot of technical advice and checklists at www.caravancouncil.com.au/ (Free).
Sites like this and the editorials contained will give you some ideas of others lifestyles Click here for the Grey Nomads website
1. Don't sell the house yet.
2. Hire an RV that is a bit like what you think you want for a couple of weeks on a couple of occasions at different times of the year.
3. Buy a second hand RV that is close to what you think you need, but don't spend all your money.
It is almost certain that after purchase and a year or 2s travel, you will come to realise that you need something different. You may need to try a couple of different rigs before you understand your own needs.
4. Get out there and get some experience on the road and then ask your detailed questions again.
Cheers,
Peter
Hi Cooma (Ann & Dave), welcome to the forum
I am not an expert, but I do enjoy road travelling
I agree 100% with both Possum3, and Peter (Peter n Margaret) above
During the last few months, of the lockdowns, I was grateful for having a house, to go home to
To add on, from what the others above, have already said, the method in my madness, was to go and look, with a notebook, what was out there, and then look again, and again, etc
It took me about six months to find a caravan, which ticked most, but not all of my boxes
Many years later, it took me six months to find a motorhome, which ticked most, but not all of my boxes
What I had seen on my travels, was that, those who had adapted to what they had, were usually happier, than those who now wanted something different
As not many people come to this part of the forum, it may pay to copy and paste your questions, in the techi part of the forum
Without trying to answer the technical parts of the question, I can only tell you what I have, which is adequate for my needs, to stay off grid, in free/donation/low cost camp sites
At that time I had a 3 way fridge running on gas, while parked up, plus TV with portable satellite dish
For whatever reason, the wife weaned herself off the TV, we now have a 12 volt fridge, which more or less uses about the same battery power, as the TV used
Hope that this info is useful to you
I won't add anymore to what has already been said and risk confusing you, only to say, enjoy and,
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
You have sent me a message on the whiteboard, so I have replied with a PM (Private Message)
To see the message, log into the forum, then in the area you logged in, it will say there is a message waiting for you, just click on that