need help in buying a rig

the runaway · Member

need help in buying a rig

Sheba · Guru

Depends on what you want to do, and finances. With a Coaster, will you tow a smaller vehicle to sightsee, do shopping, etc. in ? Or will you have a Tug and Caravan, so you can just unhook when you want to ?
Unless you only have the coaster[Motorhome], you'll have 2 lots of Rego, insurance and maintenance to think about.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 18th of March 2010 08:49:26 PM

the runaway · Member

Thanks Sheba.

Its a tough decision,Im thinking a caravan would be more comfy and more room to move around in.

Wonker · Veteran Member

Yep, I would go the caravan, the rego on them isn't very much compared to a 2nd motor vehicle and you haven't got the same maintenance/service costs.

If you're staying put for a week or two (or more) the caravan becomes your home to come home to and the tug your run about wherever you are staying.

Each to their own though! wink

the runaway · Member

Thanks Wonker.

The only problem is the cost to stay somewhere for a week or two,were your motor home you can just about park and stay somewhere without a cost for a little while.

cheers Steve

Wonker · Veteran Member

the runaway wrote:

Thanks Wonker.

The only problem is the cost to stay somewhere for a week or two,were your motor home you can just about park and stay somewhere without a cost for a little while.

cheers Steve

You can do the same with a caravan Steve, many do, especially those living full time in their vans. Click on this link and when it opens click on Ozcamps Independent Camping Sites up on the left of the main page, see;

http://www.caravanersforum.com/

Buying the book Camps 5 (you can also do that on the linked site) is also a good start.

Wonker

the runaway · Member

Your a life saver,what a great site.

ill be doing a lot of surfing on that site.

Thanks Wonker your a champ

Wonker · Veteran Member

Another where you might get some help with your rig is this one as well;

http://forum.candm.com.au/

However, don't discount this forum, all of them are unique in their own way and their are heaps of experienced and knowledgeable people here as well, the common thread on all is we are all nomads of one kind or another.

I love the cover stories on GN, I don't know where Cindy finds them but they are always informative and entertaining!

Happy Travels,
Wonker biggrin

Sheba · Guru

Don't forget house or farm sitting saves fuel money too. My sister does it for about 6 months of the year, which leaves the other 6 months for travelling, sightseeing, or whatever else takes her fancy.
Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 23rd of March 2010 11:06:43 PM

the runaway · Member

Thanks Wonka.

Ill never discount this forum,i think it is a great site,i am also hoping to meet other nomads once i am on the road. smile

the runaway · Member

Thanks Sheba.

That is a great idea,were do you find house or farm sitting positions,are they advertised or do you need to door knock.

Steve

Ma · Guru

Sheba wrote:

Depends on what you want to do, and finances. With a Coaster, will you tow a smaller vehicle to sightsee, do shopping, etc. in ? Or will you have a Tug and Caravan, so you can just unhook when you want to ?
Unless you only have the coaster[Motorhome], you'll have 2 lots of Rego, insurance and maintenance to think about.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 18th of March 2010 08:49:26 PM

It can get expensive with two lots of rego and insurance as you said Sheba.

Do you go with the motorhome or the tug and tow. We have tug and tow as I feel, for us anyway, the motorhome is a bit too restrictive. We don't ride bikes and in my opinion if you are going to tow a little sort of car then isn't that defeating the purpose.
Just my opinion and of course varies from other's. What suits one doesn't always suit the next bloke.

the runaway · Member

Im now swaying more with the tug and tow,now i have to get my s..t together and hopefully be on the road sooon.

The only concern is finding nice spots to be able to stay at minimum cost,and hoping to find work on the way.

-- Edited by the runaway on Wednesday 24th of March 2010 01:01:36 PM

Wonker · Veteran Member

Tug and tow even more reason to go that way if you are going to be working occasionally, use the caravan as a home base and have the tug to go/to from work and touring/shopping etc while insitu.

the runaway · Member

Hi Wonker
The rig will be by permanent base,it is the way i will be going i think.
I had my eye on one that i really wanted on ebay,it was sold today,im so disappointed could not get my finances in time.
ill keep searching

-- Edited by the runaway on Wednesday 24th of March 2010 05:52:43 PM

Wonker · Veteran Member

Use a bit of caution Runaway.......there was a scam on the Trading Post a little while ago with some people selling stuff that wasn't theirs etc, believed to be a van in a dealers yard.......see this link;

http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2712&hilit=Trading+Post+Scam

-- Edited by Wonker on Wednesday 24th of March 2010 06:09:50 PM

the runaway · Member

No this one was legit,i went and saw it and thought this is the one i want.

The owner is a local not far from were i live now.

Sheba · Guru

the runaway wrote:

Thanks Sheba.
That is a great idea,were do you find house or farm sitting positions,are they advertised or do you need to door knock.

Steve

From memory, I think there is one site advertised on the Nomads' Home Page, and if you Google House Sitting, you will find a lot more.
Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 24th of March 2010 09:34:43 PM

Wonker · Veteran Member

the runaway wrote:

No this one was legit,i went and saw it and thought this is the one i want.
The owner is a local not far from were i live now.
No worries TR, I haven't heard any horror stories about buying caravans on ebay, only the Trading Post, and I think they have tightened up since the episode on the link.

What sort of rig have you got Sheba? We have a caravan and tug, previously two campervans and a borrowed Toyota Coaster on on trip.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi Ma, nice to see you're back, and your front.

Ma · Guru

good to see both sides of you too. How did the tests go?

Sheba · Guru

Wonker wrote:

What sort of rig have you got Sheba? We have a caravan and tug, previously two campervans and a borrowed Toyota Coaster on on trip.

Mine is a '98 Toyota Pop-top Campervan Wonker. I love it.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Cruising Granny · Guru

The tests were full on, but the outcome was I'M CURED!
Yes, medical science has found a cure for hypertension in some patients, and I'm lucky enough to be one of them.
I endured 14 blood tests over 5 days, ranging from 11 vials to 1 per test for the duration of the week. I was pumped full of salt and the hormone to simulate the condition which caused the hypertension and potassium deficiency in the first place.
Apart from retaining a painful amount of fluid, I coped very well.
All well settle down to normal again in the next day or 2.
I am so excited to have lived long enough to have these conditions fixed and to be able to enjoy my life without 15 pills a day.
I am also fortunate I was referred to a dilligent GP in Cairns, a dedicated encocronologist at the hospital, and the 2 experts in this field in Brisbane.
Dr. Michael Stowasser and Dr. Smithers the surgeon, are the experts.
It's a good feeling for so many reasons.

Wonker · Veteran Member

Sheba wrote:
Mine is a '98 Toyota Pop-top Campervan Wonker. I love it.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Sounds great Sheba and most importantly you are happy with it. In my solo days I had a Mazda 2000 pop top campervan and I found it great, not being huge I could also use it for my run around vehicle at home so only needed the one vehicle......came in very handy. Also if you went somewhere and needed 40 winks, just pull up in a quiet carpark somewhere and have a snooze !

Granny.......glad to hear you are a new woman and no more pill popping !
Watch out Australia........Granny is about to hit the road big time !!

-- Edited by Wonker on Sunday 28th of March 2010 04:49:11 PM

Cruising Granny · Guru

You better believe it!!!
Just one more little procedure and I'll be off!
There are a few vehicle maintenance issues to deal with first.
I have to seal a couple of leaks in the van which I discovered last week. Clean out and fill the tanks. Check and regrease wheel bearings. Service Rosy the tug. Check and pump up tyres as required.
Just a few jobs, if this damned rain would stop for a couple of days so I could get into the work.

Sheba · Guru

Wonker wrote:

Also if you went somewhere and needed 40 winks, just pull up in a quiet carpark somewhere and have a snooze !
Did that very thing yesterday week Wonker. Eyes were getting very droopy on the way to a Farm-sitting stint a few hundred K's from home. Pulled in to a layby and slept for an hour. Made a big difference, and I got there safely.

Cheers,
Sheba

.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 28th of March 2010 08:21:36 PM

Wonker · Veteran Member

Sheba wrote:

Wonker wrote:

Also if you went somewhere and needed 40 winks, just pull up in a quiet carpark somewhere and have a snooze !
Did that very thing yesterday week Wonker. Eyes were getting very droopy on the way to a Farm-sitting stint a few hundred K's from home. Pulled in to a layby and slept for an hour. Made a big difference, and I got there safely.

Cheers,
Sheba
Works for me too Sheba......even just a short nana nap and a walk around the van a few times and a lungfull of fresh air, makes the world of difference.

Hope the rain stops for you soon Granny, I know you have been chaffing at the bit for a long time now and pleased things are going your way for a change !

Wonker

Cruising Granny · Guru

Thanks Wonker, me too.
The rain has almost stopped. Only a few drops today, and the washing is dry.
That's a major achievement.

Now Runaway - I bought my van on EBay in 2006. I then had to get from Broome to Nowra to hitch it up and drive it home to Broome. Around Oz in 25 days, with my girlfriend from Perth.
I've since covered the coast of WA, SA, Vic, NSW to Cooktown. I'm not finished yet.
So the choice is yours. Check out every van yard you can get to, give it some deep thought, have a plan, forget plan, have another plan and forget that one, and when you do finally have a plan you'll change your mind, often.
If you still need to work you'll need to work towards the work, with the next job being your next destination.
What work are you capable of? What work are you prepared to do? What are your skills and qualifications?

milo · Senior Member

Cruising Granny wrote:

So the choice is yours. Check out every van yard you can get to, give it some deep thought, have a plan, forget plan, have another plan and forget that one, and when you do finally have a plan you'll change your mind, often.

I've been doing this too CC, and it does your head in, my thinking for me is a slide on camper, that way you have your camper van but can still drive your ute and still have a way of getting round..

Dunmowin · Guru

Cruising Granny wrote:

Thanks Wonker, me too.
The rain has almost stopped. Only a few drops today, and the washing is dry.
That's a major achievement.

Now Runaway - I bought my van on EBay in 2006. I then had to get from Broome to Nowra to hitch it up and drive it home to Broome. Around Oz in 25 days, with my girlfriend from Perth.
I've since covered the coast of WA, SA, Vic, NSW to Cooktown. I'm not finished yet.
So the choice is yours. Check out every van yard you can get to, give it some deep thought, have a plan, forget plan, have another plan and forget that one, and when you do finally have a plan you'll change your mind, often.
If you still need to work you'll need to work towards the work, with the next job being your next destination.
What work are you capable of? What work are you prepared to do? What are your skills and qualifications?

We are currentlhy going through the same pain, 5th wheel or caravan - change the plan. top loader or front loader - change the plan, how many batteries, what sort of fridge - and the list goes on and on. Every time we come home from work, we have another dilemma! Planning on Caravan & Camping show in June in Brisbane. hope to see as much as we can in one day to help us make our decision.

In the mean time looking constantly for ideas on work out there, in the mean time, chipping away at the East Coast in our custom Line Camper trailer, towed by Jack!