Milo, if you want a pre-loved camper van, you might not get the pricing but the price is what it is .... buyer meet seller, demand meet supply, however all is not lost. As Gypsy said, there are alternatives to camper vans if you are determined to enjoy a more nomadic lifestyle. If towing is not be your cup of tea then another option is to prioritise what it is you like about camper vans and search for a more feasible way to obtain what you seek. Do you really need the expensive features of the camper vans you like? Could you start with satisfying the most basic of your needs and build up the comforts over time? For example, source a van for the two-thirds of your budget and then add your prioritised essentials while eliminating the frills. Do you need the extensive built-ins like a dining nook that becomes a bed or various options that come with most commercial camper vans? For instance, a portable stove, plastic basin and jerry can of water might suffice instead of built-in stainless steel sink and hob, a kettle instead of hot water on tap and so on. An internal ensuite might be convenient but do you really need one? Vertical cupboards to store clothes might help make a camper van seem like home but can you make do with a duffel bag or plastic chest for storage and an iron? Affordability might be an issue however it is only 20% of the problem, 80% is about how you deal with the challenge and still achieve an acceptable outcome.

Gerty Dancer wrote:

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I think what it is with campervans, is that with a campervan you are buying an engine and all the mechanical stuff that goes with it. Theres not much mechanical about a camper-trailer or caravan.

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 Which is why I don't get the $30, 000 to $40,000 on some of them.....

I dont know if this has any relevance, But sometimes it is the amount that were built in say 2000, or 1995...if there were only 10 imported or built, that is what is available, and that is what is always going to be available..but if more people buy new in 2010 then more 5 year old vans will be available in 2015.

Personally, I think the small trailers with the tent and cooking facilities are great, it keeps you off the ground so if it rains you are ok. You get off camping fast and you can up grade in a few years.


cheers Sharon

I agree with you Milo.....The prices asked for are bloody stupid.......At our shopping centre on the notice board people are trying too get $20.000 for rubbish...I went and had a look at one close bye (Gisborne) I laughed at the young thing...It was her Dead Grand fathers..Can imagine how old it was an old Viscount...

There is a old style campa van (trailer) just up the road from me for $3200 looks like new canvas, maybe like others have said, once you have the ease of just popping on a set up ready to go little trailer you can upgrade later??? We started like that and had as much fun as anyone in our little OOOld cabana.

What about this Milo
http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?R=11822727&__Qpb=1&Cr=0&__Ns=p_LastModifiedDate_DateTime%7c1%7c%7cp_StockRankSort_Int32%7c1&__N=1552%201549%201600%201602%201601%204294964649&silo=1701&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=1451&__sid=1338FBBB5A5F

1982 Toyota Coaster,  $11,500.   169,000k,s.   Seems to have most things. Could do with a tidy though.

-- Edited by ChiChi1 on Sunday 18th of December 2011 11:21:04 AM

I know what you mean - we have a 1976 Kombi and I keep seeing them selling for $15 - $20000 ridiculous. Much as I love my one its not worth that kind of money even if it is in good condition like mine.

Jean

Milo,

I had $2000 last January when I saw my campervan on Gumtree, it was advertised for $5000, I scraped up another $500 and a friend lent me $2000 and I got it for $4500.

It is a 1979 Hi Ace and it had everything that I wanted in it but nothing worked and it was in a mess but to my ears the engine was good and it ran well.

All the work was done over several months and by the time I set off in August I had paid back the $2000 and spent another $10000 in preparation for my trip. Not on the van exclusively but on all things that I wanted for the trip.

My experiences and activities toward that end were documented on my blog between January and July and will be still available if you wanted look back.

Don't get downhearted, find a positive in your current position, make a plan and make it work, if I can start off with nothing at my age you can do it too.

I am currently in Denmark camping at Ellen's place and have travelled over 10000 kms from Queensland in my old van and I expect to travel across the top next winter.

John

Edited to add the link to the thread following my first post on this forum back in December 2010

  http://51933.activeboard.com/t39891223/my-12-month-plan/

showing the help and assistance that I got from this forum after I made my plan

-- Edited by yeoeleven on Sunday 18th of December 2011 12:29:11 PM

Sometimes you see an older model campervan on Gumtree or elsewhere that has had a new motor fitted, and it that proves to be the case then at least you should have a few trouble free kms in it, but have it checked out.  Bear in mind that a new or reconditioned motor does not include the gearbox/transmission etc unless these have been replaced/repaired too. 

thanks glassies, wont be doing anything untill early new year,,..

 

the coasters do have an appeal about them and seem popular when i drive around town i see a lot of them, and i see alot of the poptop campervans more than the hi tops.. 

 

out of interest, if in some day i have my own set up and want to travel on the road for some time, and i see a town, caravan park that i like , can you arange to stay there for a few months or semi permanently ,i know some of you do this but how do you organize it with the cps owners? 

 

milo

-- Edited by milo on Monday 19th of December 2011 12:05:52 AM