Is anyone else out here DOING this nomad thing?

The adjustments needed are many.  some small some large.

I am going to have to get a small trailer or get used to taking everything out and putting it under a tarp each time i stop.

my crafting stuff has to be with me.

i am at Gunning until Thursday.

Going to look at a colored sheep farm and get some silver gray fleece for spinning.

Dawa

Dawa : should be a bit more carefull in wording your topic

I had to read it twice too. I'm out there but not doing it. Whatever it is.
dawa, you only take what you need, I have my puzzles, crotchet and beading. Gave all my quilting to my sister, she's going to have a go at it. Makes my back ache too much sitting at a sewing machine.
I know of a few who have gone out and bought a trailer after trying to fit it all in the van. Not for me, I don 't like towing.

Well Dawa you are now on the road so you have to decide what becomes your setup.

I had the same problem but I recognised it BEFORE I left. I am a SHED man so needed a shed as you need a sewing room.

I have a 7 x 4 pantec trailer (in QLD they call it a pig trailer) I would suggest one built out over the wheels to give more space but depends what you can get etc.

Everything is in the shed including the wood lathe and the tools as well as the portable solar panels and tarps etc. This way it all remains packed till I need it but I have what I want when I need it. it is also something to do when I am bored, I clean the shed and repack etc.

I have a roof rack on the trailer where I keep the tinnie and the rods etc plus the other things that I don't need often and are light etc.

With a decent MH the traailer just follows not like a car and a van as then the van controls the car.

You might get a way with just a covered trailer but I suggest a solid cover not a tarp as they flap and tear etc and are a pain.

If you use ebay check this one to give and idea item number 120873592845 or 150776899945

There are other just look for trailer or enclosed trailer or check a trailer seller in an area where you are but be tough strike a bargain and only buy if it is what you want.

Be aware you may have to back it sometimes but with planning it will not be very often and then again after some practice you will not even think about it but just do it. Remember you should have lots of places away from every one to practice and learn to get it right. I now have to think when the trailer is not there but can back anywhere if the trailer is attached.

Regards
Brian

No! But then again "IT" could be anything.

Hi Dawa

Like Brian I think a small trailer with a secure lock up facility would be ideal for you. You could buy one with 1.2 walls and very easily line it with that cheap shelving from Bunnings which is normally on special for less than $20 per unit. That way you would have heaps of organised storage and a small trailer would not impact significantly on fuel consumption. If you have friends in country towns like Deniliquin they probably know of excellent handy people who could fit out something in a flash for you at a very reasonable price. Your quilting is a very important part of your life and well being so you need to make sure it is well provided for. A little thought and planning should come up with an ideal situation for you.

Hi Sue

I totally agree with you - why the heck would you want to pay that sort of money for a clapped out old campervan.... are they deisel as I couldn't imagine petrol ones lasting 600km and that would be the end of a deisel's life as well. You can much better than that. I paid $20000 for my 4wd deisel ute at 60000km. it's now at 160000 and obviously got a lot of years to go. It's a dual cab. I spent about $3000 in total fitting it out with a 2nd hand canopy, a 190w solar panel, gas bottle, 100 AH deep cycle battery, a 3 way fridge freezer,a super snazzy camp bed with adjustable pillows, a 3 x 3 pop up tent, a baby q, an inverter and other bits and pieces like shower tent, shower, porta potty etc. Most of the stuff came from ebay so I saved heaps. I think i spent about $1000 on labour including some extra welding to reinforce the tray etc as well as getting all the electrics sorted. So I reckon a good option for you might be to get a good late model space cab 4wd deisel ute and fit it out similarly. A longer tray would mean you could sleep inside the canopy if it was raining or you only wanted to say overnight. A new fibre glass canopy would cost about $4000 I think. Another option might be to buy a camper trailer or something like a little jayco finch or similar. They are very easy to tow and weigh next to nothing and are very easy to set up on arival. They obviously have their disadvantages as well but i really enjoyed the little Cub I had. If you towed a camper trailer with a ute and canopy(which i did) you would have the best of both worlds a quick set up with fridge etc plus lots of storage.

Security and safety are the important issues. If you carry tools and equipment you'd want to ensure they are safely stowed away.
I carry a small amount of craft stuff for the times when my concentration isn't up to writing. When I'm not well I can't concentrate much, so embroidery is simpler.
I carry a few reference books which I use from time to time.
There really is only so much room in anything whether it be a 22ft caravan or a 26ft bus. Part of the solution is the cupboard configuration in your rig. Cupboards not couches. Overhead cupboards for the lighter items, with the heavier items at floor level, close to over the axle or in front.
All you have to remember is, you can't pack a 3 or 4 bedroom house, or a 2 bedroom unit into an aluminium box with staples and pop rivets.
We need something to fill those quiet times when we're done with sightseeing. It just has to be scaled down in proportion to available space.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 05:49:59 PM

what about a camper trailer?

You would have your bed in there, all your gear stored underneath in the trailer part, and a room to set up for your craft.

And you could keep your car - if it is suitable for towing!

When did IT become smut?

Oh Dear. Methinks some doth protest too much.

Aussie Sence of Humour  Nothing like it

dawa wrote:

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I was asking if there were any members actually doing the travelling.

Didn't expect my post to be turned the way it has been.

If by sex you mean smut then NO it isn't.  Is something wonderful between two people and not to be made fun of.

Dawa

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 Oh yes it is!  If it's not fun, well, nuh, not going there.  Needless to say, it should be fun, travel and sex.

Pablotravels, Sometimes it takes time to sort out what set up suits your travels. We went though 5 set ups before we found the one that suited us. Albiet we found as the years went by the needs changed. Hope you find your right set up. Glenda

-- Edited by golivers travels on Tuesday 27th of March 2012 10:41:59 PM