Hi Rosie, I am sure people with much more experience than us will answer, but my 2 bobs worth is this, we went for a van albeit a 20 year old van but it had everything we wanted room wise and if you intend living in it for awhile the extra space with an older van was important, we have since put in a new fridge and 2 solar panels so we can bush camp if we want to which I think is crucial if you are doing it on a budget, which we will be when we leave here in hopefully 10 to 12 months time, was going to be June just gone but decided another 12 months getting it set up right and more money (ha ha) in our very small super accounts was needed. Sometimes I think you just have to JUMP, you will either sink or swim, but if it is what you both want I am sure you will be fine. As for buses versus vans the only reason I have for wanting a van is that you have an independant vehicle especially if you both will be looking for work while travelling, and there will be a lot of great places out there that you won't be able to get to see if you are in a bus, just my ideas.
Cheers Pauline

 My opinion only ? Start Small and economical, to start with, after 6 months or so then consider an upgrade, after a bit of experience, to what you find would be what you require. It is possible to get good clean older caravans out there for 5 to 8000 $ which after 6 months your could get your money back by trade-up, and you can tow them with just about any 6 cyl car, [ probaly the car you already have ?? ]

Caravan and car would be the most economical and reliable combination, as if you get a bus whatever goes wrong will cost you ten times more than a car, and you would find the fuel useage very very high, as you are always useing the bus to go everywhere, and with a van you can un-hook, and use your car for all your sightseeing and shopping etc, A van is your home ?? you park it, then go do what you want to do, then go back home, My opinion only as we all have different idea's,  GOOD LUCK   dazren

Hi Rosie

We are going through all of the same pain. So far we have ruled out the bus for the same reasons as mentioned above. Too inconvenient, too expensive to maintain and drive. We have also ruled out a winnebago for the same reasons as above. You have to take your home with you everywhere you go and its inconvenient to park. Of course you can carry a bike but we are getting too old for that. You can also tow a small car behind but that seems to defeat the whole purpose. So we are down to a caravan and tow or 5^th wheeler. After spending months going through all the options it is looking like we will end up back where we started with a caravan, but which one is also a problem. There are plenty of good caravans with all the features we want and depending on its size plenty of vehicles to choose from.

Definately buy what you can afford, and don,t think about it- just go.Start small and get bigger, its an enjoyable progersesion. I have had the lot , and they have all been good fun.Just doing the mile are good fun.You will enjoy it. Bill

Hi I am also wanting to go on the road permanently fairly soon and am on a very limited budget and tossing up between a small van and a small bus.

I will be travelling solo so the security of a bus would be an asset and the smaller busses have better fuel economy.

A fifth wheeler would be the ultimate solution for me however is way beyond my budget and probably always will be. However it seems the best of both worlds - ample living space and easy unhooking and not having to tow an extra car or hitch a motor bike or similar.

Towing means extra rego, insurance, tyres and having to do a parking course..... and it can be a hassle manouvering in tight spots.

I am keeping an open mind and checking out small vans as well as small buses but think I will end up with a coaster owned by an experienced nomad because it will be more likely to have most of the stuff I need.

Whereas most of the small vans in my budget were only used as weekenders and so are not equiped for full time nomading.

If you have the skills to fit out and set up a van then that's a different matter.

Good luck and I agree with everyone else, get something you can afford, try it out and use your experience to inform the next step - this from a complete novice.

Ellen

Firstly, are you selling up and going on the road full time? Or are you leaving real estate and furniture behind while you travel?
If all your wordly goods have to be carried you'll need a larger van eg 20ft, and the appropriate vehicle to tow it.
If you're leaving your wordly goods behind and only need enough for the trip then a small van, eg 16-18ft, maybe, only maybe a smaller vehicle to tow it. I suggest something diesel with strength and power.
Check out a few websites, a caravan/camping show or 2, your local van park, and go for a wander, even chat to the locals to get some idea of how they do it. I've spoken to a lot of wanderers wondering what they should do.
I'm a full time nomad with no real estate or furniture.

well the bride and i are doing the tent and camper trailer thing at the moment as we can only get away for a few weeks a year and maybe the odd long weekend from time to time but for me if i was to go on an extended trip i'd go for a van,, not a big ome as it would just e the two of us but a van i thin is the way to go,,, stop anywhere just hop out of the car open the van door and you're home,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thats what i think anyway

-- Edited by beachball57 on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 11:19:46 AM

Oh dear. Good luck with that. I fear you'll have to down-size the goods and chattels and conduct a garage sale before you go.
There's weight and space to consider. If you haven't use it for a year it goes.

what about the toyota coaster bus idea? not too big or small, and very popular?

Hi , We bought a bus about 6 weeks ago so we have to vote for the bus.

What everyone else said makes sense plus we have no experience.

Our bus is also 1980 but an AEC (Leyland) and its probably allot harder to drive than your car with a caravan. It was used as a weekender so we stripped it all but the shower and are in the process of making it our home.It is allot of work and hard to live in it while renovating because of fumes and room.

If Troy has experience driving large vehicles it shouldn't be a problem .For me its a bit scary sometimes in terrific on major roads, but one advantage I had ,If I was stopped at traffic lights for a while I could use the toilet,(I have a very weak bladder).

All the best.