Bringing Caravan from UK

Gongon · Member

Bringing Caravan from UK

dave06 · Guru

G'day Tom, welcome to the forum, not sure on that one and I really dont know where you would get the info, maybe start with the department of transport to see if your van meets australian standards

but you are right vans here are costly and probably would be cheaper to bring yours in, can you fill up a couple of cavitys with that funny stuff to help off set the cost!!

as far as storage goes well John told me he has a large shed down the back that he's not using and you are welcome to use the kitchen, lounge, dining, bedroom and washouse, just tell him Dave sent you!!

Gongon · Member

Thanks Dave

I'm sure John will appreciate the visit

Piccie on left was taken last Xmas in Scotland, it was minus 11 degrees C but what scenery!

Trying to get our fill of UK before we leave.

(Assuming we get away this year)

Tom

dave06 · Guru

mate I have a problem with my onboard computer, I cant see any piccies but I have a very good imagination

I would think scotland to be an amazing place and is on my list of places to visit which include rocky mountains (going there in june) england to see big ben, scotland to say howdy to nessy, swiss alps, oh the list goes on but a lot of places i would like to see!

make sure John has his fridge full of beer and dont let him tell you he doesnt drink, some say he's a wowser but I would never say that!!

Gongon · Member

So much to see if you do come - Scotland, Lake District, Derbyshire, Cornwall, Wales.

We've seen it all, its so green ('cos it never stops raining)

Looking forward to touring Oz - been to Perth area three times over last 4 yrs.

Pretty flat and featureless, mostly browns and stuff but the beaches are brilliant and our daughters live there.

Would use the van to see the rest of Oz - plan on doing the Big Lap at least once.

Hard to get my head around how big Oz is!

dave06 · Guru

yep never underestimate the distances, it's a bloody big country,

just ask anything on here, there are a lot of lovely folks who seemingly reside in here that will be only too willing to tell you about their neck of the woods

if you get near south australia I could bend your ears for hours on what to see!

if you go into google maps then poke in australia then you can do a lot of dreaming from their

we would love to see the dales and lochs, your nessie is about the same size as a medium size salty isnt he?

we may do it "one day" but till then I have a lot of dreaming to do

Gongon · Member

Nessie's a lot bigger than a salty (allegedly)

Been on the Loch in a tour boat, Skipper giving a commentary sounded like Sean Connery (my wife was in love!)

Who knows may get to SA next year (now I'm dreaming)

G'day mate, I'm going to bed (past midnight here!)

Tom

dave06 · Guru

ah now one quick correctionhere we only say "G'day" when we greet people as in "G"day mate" when we break off its oorroo or see ya later or goodnight!

education lesson over, goodnight!

Vic41 · Senior Member

Tom,

Have a look at this discussion which is a query from another of our Pommy cousins thinking about doing the same thing, in particular take notice of Auspom as he sold caravans in the UK as a dealer at one time, click on this link;

http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4759&p=56877&hilit=Importing+Van#p56877

PS: Pom is an affectionate term for the English, unless used in anger, same as some Poms call us Skippy's among other things. I have heard a couple of versions of why the term Pom is used, in WA it seemed to be because when the English kids migrated out to Oz with their very white skin and ran around, their cheeks went all red, so the word Pom was short for the Pomegranite fruit, which had a similar tinge to it. Most in the East of Oz seem to go with the the story that it came from the convicts sent from the UK, eg; Prioners of Mother England =Pom. Anyway, what I am saying that don't get upset if someone calls you a Pom in ordinary conversation, you are our Pommy cousins after all, LOL !

-- Edited by Vic41 on Friday 22nd of January 2010 11:59:31 AM

Disco Duck · Guru

Gongon wrote:

Hard to get my head around how big Oz is!

Damn right it's hard to get your head around Australia. This is a big country mate.....why would you try to get your head around it?? Just how big is your head??

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Hi Tom and welcome.
I expect that it will be good value to bring your van.
you will need to pay import duty and GST and get it checked for local approvals, but I don't expect there would be too much expense there, not like bringing them in from the USA.
Gas fittings and power points will need changing and a roadworthy inspection will be required.

The other thing to consider is the roads. UK roads are typically better than Australian roads and your van may be built a bit 'light' for conditions here. Mostly that depends on where you want to travel though and there are many many kms of reasonable roads to keep you busy for quite a while.

Cheers,
Peter

PeterD · Guru

There are two big concerns about bringing vans into Oz. Gas and electrics.

Gas - you may have to replace or have conversions done to all gas appliances. The Dometic fridge may be OK but check with Dometic before you ship it. We have different specifications for gas appliances here. If the plumbing is done in plastic that will be a concern also.

Electrics - Although we use similar mains voltages here, you will have to at least replace the power points with local pin layouts. If your switches are not double pole types these will also have to be replaced. A major difference here is we have 15 A supplies to out vans. If your van is not cabled with multi stranded cable (usually 7 strands) with a cross section of 1.5 squ mm, the van will have to be re cabled. You will also need to replace the inlet and circuit breaker with 15 A units.

All the above assumes the entry door is on the LHS. If it is a European model with a RHS door the van will have to be rebuilt to swap the door over.

Although these links are aimed at people importing units from the USA they are worth a read. You may also be interested in other links from that web page, particularly the fridge ones. Most of the small (and some large) fridges struggle in our higher temperatures. The particularly poor performers are the ones built in Germany.

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/imported_rv_electrics.htm

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/imp_rv_mains_cabling_risk.html

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/importing-5wlrs.htm

justcruisin01 · Guru

QUOTE>>>> If it is a European model with a RHS door the van will have to be rebuilt to swap the door over.

If this is so then why are the american 5th wheelers not changed over ?

-- Edited by justcruisin01 on Friday 22nd of January 2010 07:27:15 PM

brickies · Guru

UK drive on the same side of the road has us

justcruisin01 · Guru

brickies wrote:

UK drive on the same side of the road has us

True ,but check quote.

brickies · Guru

yes mate you never would know mad dogs and #"?"$*! men

Mick themungrel · Senior Member

justcruisin01 wrote:

QUOTE>>>> If it is a European model with a RHS door the van will have to be rebuilt to swap the door over.

If this is so then why are the american 5th wheelers not changed over ?

-- Edited by justcruisin01 on Friday 22nd of January 2010 07:27:15 PM

The American 5th wheeler mostly have a cosmetic door fitted on the left hand side . This is the stupid part that as long as the door is there all is ok . It doesnt have to be usable . I have read somewere (and I have just been searching for it )that a directive has been issued that all imported vans and 5er s must have a operating left hand side door .

PeterD · Guru

Mick themungrel wrote:
The American 5th wheeler mostly have a cosmetic door fitted on the left hand side . This is the stupid part that as long as the door is there all is ok . It doesnt have to be usable . I have read somewere (and I have just been searching for it )that a directive has been issued that all imported vans and 5er s must have a operating left hand side door .

As Mick said things are changing. This is a case of standards evolving. The early ones said there has to be access through the LHS or rear of the unit. there were so many smart types who just obeyed the letter of the law and not the original concept that they are toughening up.

I was talking to a sales rep with a European motorhome at the Sydney show. When I queried about the door on the wrong side he said the front passengers door was on the LHS and thus qualified. Thankfully this will no longer apply.

jimricho · Guru

Hi and Welcome to the forum Tom,

In addition to the website mentioned in Vic41's post this is the West Australian motor registry's website http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/ I used this one as you allude to Perth as possibly being your "base". If they do not have the information you need on the their website you could possibly contact them. I haven't checked the link in Vic's post so this may have all you need to know.

Vehicle registration is done on a state by state basis and while much has been done in recent times to make road laws and vehicle requirements between states and territories more uniform this unfortunately is still a work in progress. Note also the gas and electrical installation compliance issues as mentioned by PeterD above. The van in the picture appears to have the access door in the LH side, if so this won't be an issue.

Jim

-- Edited by jimricho on Saturday 23rd of January 2010 06:31:01 AM

Gongon · Member

thanks Dave ooroo!

Gongon · Member

Thanks everyone for your help and the links. Seems I have a lot of research to do, hopefully gas & electrics can be easily sorted. Door IS on the left side. I've driven in Oz a few times over the last few years and looked at Oz style caravans. Most seem very strongly built but without the all important washroom my wife needs.
Compared to these, our van is very lightly built but I would stick to well surfaced roads in the main.
Having said that the dirt track access road to the storage site here is like a lunar landscape and it hasn't broken yet.
Early days yet but I'm well on with the research. I've contacted the Cararvan Club in the UK and the van manufacturers and await there replies.
Thank you guys and goodnight (mot sure about "ooroo" is that really a way of saying goodbye?

Gongon · Member

PeterD when you say plumbing would be a problem if in plastic, do you mean the gas piping or water piping.?

Tom

ibbo · Guru

Tom,Ooroo,is a lot better than "Taaraderlar"..............Pure Scouse.Cheers.Ibbo.

Gongon · Member

How did you know I was a scouser?

ibbo · Guru

Word of honour I didnt.Pure chance.What part .Me Childwall.

PeterD · Guru

Gongon wrote:
PeterD when you say plumbing would be a problem if in plastic, do you mean the gas piping or water piping.? Tom

I have a feeling the gas plumbing must be in copper, Someone else on the forum may know for sure. In Oz the upmarket vans have their water plumbed plastic pipe, the cheaper models have food grade or polythene hose.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Gas plumbing must be copper.
This document will be useful.

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Gas%20Professionals/Files/Guides%20and%20datasheets/Guide%20to%20Gas%20Installations%20in%20Caravans%20&%20Mobile%20Homes.pdf

And maybe this too...
http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Gas%20Professionals/Files/Guides%20and%20datasheets/SelfCheckListCaravanOwnersCaravanParkOccupants.pdf

Cheers,
Peter

dave06 · Guru

while you are mucking about with changing the power inlet and the gas hookup mate just ask about the jets on the stove, not sure if your pressures are the same as here!

ibbo · Guru

I have a good mate who can advise you on power leads..........................beware incoming brickbats.ouch only having a little light hearted banter,My Scouse mate knows all about fun.Oh,bugger I wonder if he is an Evertonian or one of the other mob.Cheers.Ibbo.

dave06 · Guru

HAH! HAH! HAH! you'll get bloody brick bats!! muck raking mongrel!