Coaster Vs Caravan

missmary · Member

Coaster Vs Caravan

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The NON towing option winns for me everytime.

Cheers,
Peter

Sheba · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

The NON towing option winns for me everytime.

Cheers,
Peter

Me too Peter, plus only One lot of Tyres, Rego, and Insurance.

Cheers,
Sheba.

jimricho · Guru

Whether motorhome or caravan depends very much on individual life style and requirements. For both Sheba and Peter n Margaret obviously the motorhome is the one that best suits their lifestyles.

My suggestion is that you list all the advantages and disadvantages of both options and see which one fits your personal requirements best.

didiaust · Veteran Member

With a motor home I would worry about packing up camp everytime you wish to go to shops etc ( I ride a pushie about but hills slow me up in fact I don't even attempt)

I don't mind towing and like to set up for a few days sometimes weeks -I like to cook outside

I also like having a 4X4 to access many nice beach spots

Di

Sheba · Guru

My sister has a Motorhome, and tows a Getz. Some people tow small Suzukie 4x4's.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 5th of January 2011 10:56:55 PM

Cruising Granny · Guru

There's the lack or mobility with only the motor home, to go sightseeing, shopping etc.
In most states the caravan rego is the price of a trailer, except NSW which charges a huge amount of money.
With the van and car option you only need to buy one lot of fuel, and if you drive carefully the fuel consumption isn't as scary as you'd imagine.
With the motor home, car and/or trailer it's rego, insurance, tyres, maintenance, and fuel for 2 vehicles.
In my observation there may be a problem with storage space in the motorhome. They are designed for comfort, even luxury, but not all of them are practical for living when it comes to storage space.
My caravan uses 4 light truck tyres @ $100 approx each, and the Landcruiser has 4x4 tyres which cost a whole lot more, depending on brand and style.
There's also your own driving skills to consider. Will you need to do a driving course for any or all of these options?
Which one will you feel confident enough to drive, handle, operate and reverse?

jonathan · Guru

.. isn't it lovely we are not all of the same opinion .. what suits one may not suit another .. so we make decisions that suit ourselves ..
I'm happy with my selections .. as you are with yours .. until you/I find that we really might prefer to have something else (maybe) down the road .. then .. it starts all over again .. hehe !

Jon (currently at the Wilmington Bush Camp & Caravan Park in SA)

Cruising Granny · Guru

Wow Jonathan, I just noted where you're camping. I bet it's looking pretty good up there.
I've set up on Adelaide for a while hoping to start working soon.
You're really doing it good. Safe and happy travels. Cheers

Jazzin Around · Veteran Member

The advantage of motorhoming is most obvious when free camping - walk through to the driver's seat if hassled, no having to remove stabilisers and front the offenders while getting to the car. Another advantage is that when sightseeing, should you decide to say the night everything is with you, likewise when shopping, go back to the motorhome for lunch and a zzzz and then go back to the shops refreshed for another go!!!

milo · Guru

if you want a motor home but to be able to leave it at the park to go site seaing etc you could try
the slide on camper idea, if its only one or 2 of you... pleanty of storage space, some come with shower
and toilets, and what ever else you want .

check these guys out, there are others out there but this gives you an idea of options you can pick and choose
what you want,

poptop slide on camper

hardwalled slide on camper

hard wallled slide on camper

http://freedomoffroad.com.au/

milo

-- Edited by milo on Friday 18th of February 2011 02:36:22 PM

Vic · Guru

Trouble is Milo,

Not all of us are able to get up onto an upper bed, even with a ladder or step.....any come with a bed on the lower level (slide on that is).?

One thing that has not been mentioned is it is easier to level a caravan than a motorhome, eg; If the only way you can park in an area is up or down a slope or hill, the caravan is easier to level up using the front jockey wheel.

I am not talking about side on to a slope or hill when both have the same problem of having to use ramps or wooden chocks/dig a rut on one side etc to level them up.

-- Edited by Vic on Friday 18th of February 2011 05:38:00 PM

Gerty Dancer · Guru

You are right about the climb up to those high beds Vic, but what I couldnt cope with was the tiny space you have when up there! Not just because of very little sitting-up space, but the whole feel of it was coffin-like! ashamed

Pity, because in theory they could be the most practical answer to the tow a caravan or drive a motorhome question.

Vic · Guru

Agree Gert,

I think I would feel a little claustrophobic (spelling ?) also,

Vic

milo · Guru

vic. Gerty , i can understand with the slide ons about the bed up top ideas,
but i see alot of motor homes like that too.. but with the slide on campers
you can convert the lounge area into a bed, like i do when i go with dad in the motor home

what about these things?

http://www.innovan.com.au/

or

http://www.trayon.com/

they are more for people who like the camping type of set up i guess...
-- Edited by milo on Saturday 19th of February 2011 01:35:55 PM

-- Edited by milo on Saturday 19th of February 2011 02:26:56 PM

missmary · Member

Hi Guys I thought the subject was dead and buried but thanks for the advice and keep all reasons comming Iam off early June

Thanks MM

missmary · Member

Hi again if anyones about give me a yell

Happywanderer · The Master

Hi missmary, no subject dies. it may stay dormant for a while till someone comes on with a new idea for the topic then away it goes again. No guarantee to be on here at the same time sorry.

Vic · Guru

Topics once posted belong to the forum (not the poster) something to
bear in mind. Webbie is the only one who has any power over them.

Milo, yes there are some nice units around and thanks for posting some
alternatives. Some aged GN's (not all) have trouble climbing steps etc so
they may not be an option for all. Not everyone wants to have to set up beds
all the time either. Hope you and Dad enjoy your trip
overseas.

-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 20th of February 2011 12:32:40 PM

milo · Guru

thanks hw we still have 3 months and 7 days 23 hours , but who's counting!!

Vic · Guru

milo wrote:

thanks hw we still have 3 months and 7 days 23 hours , but who's counting!!
We are.....but only to wish you both a safe and enjoyable journey !!!

Cruising Granny · Guru

Much of the decision is determined if the rig is the permanent, full time home, or the travel vehicles.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Cant you drive a vehicle the size of a coaster with an ordinary car drivers license??

jonathan · Guru

<<<<

. . I can drive this on a normal car licence .. though I do have a Hvy Vehicle lic ..

Jon

shadyandme · Senior Member

If its registered as a bus you need an lr licence to drive it if its a motorhome a car licence is ok You can only carry 12 passengers till you need light rigid licence most toyota coasters are registered to carry 22 you need engineers certificate and inspections all sorts of things to change them over so people just get lr licences to drive them Norma

milo · Guru

i was told anything above 25 ft you need a different licence , i could be wrong with that tho