Thinking of going the way of a campervan and would appreciate any do's and don'ts. Last time I had anything to do with vans was in 1971 when I used to sleep on a mattres in the back of a Kombi. Camping was basically free everywhere and nobody cared much what you did.
Things have changed so any suggestions ??
Weedy
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You don't know what you've got till it's gone so I gave it all away to see what I had.
I guess it depends on what you want in it, and how big. Maybe doing the rounds at places that have camper vans, then you can see what is available. We did this, and we started to see what we wanted in our van and what we didn't.
So ask yourself: Do you want to free camp? If so that you might look at having it self contained, available with solar or batteries or both. Is it for short trips, or long term travelling? Do you plan on cooking and want an oven or stove? Do you plan on cooking outside on a camp stove?
To the TA... look and look and look again!! Go to yards. Go to shows. Go look at 2nd hand. Go look at new.
You will soon get a feel for what will work for you. Then when it comes time to part with the cash you will know that you have done your research and found the right rig for you!!!
Check as many out as you can, including Gumtree, Campervan sales around the place (google Frontline Campers and Sydney RV's for an idea of prices, also anyone in Queenland as well). Also check Kea campers for used vans for sale.
Like Grams said, think about those things as well. I can get about 3-4 days of refrigeration off my auxillary battery free camping without moving anywhere, but if you want more you will need your van on gas or solar etc.
Also, do you want a pop up roof that will fit under a carport (measure carport height), or a high roof one that probably won't (my Transit does as where I store it has a particularly high roof).
You could buy a low milage van (eg; High Ace/Transit etc) and have it converted, but to have it done professionally (I did with a High Ace) is very expensive and I believe it is better to buy a van already converted if you can get one with reasonably low kms, however this is not always possible. Also do you want manual or auto? Auto's are not so common but are out there and can be obtained. See the Kea VW campers as well, quite expensive with half room lift. You will find that most of the ex hire ones are fully kitted out but usually high kms' also.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If you want a good read of one man's adventure with his old High Ace campervan around Oz, check out Yeoelven's blog at the bottom of his signature on his posts or his profile.....
Check as many out as you can, including Gumtree, Campervan sales around the place (google Frontline Campers and Sydney RV's for an idea of prices, also anyone in Queenland as well). Also check Kea campers for used vans for sale.
Like Grams said, think about those things as well. I can get about 3-4 days of refrigeration off my auxillary battery free camping without moving anywhere, but if you want more you will need your van on gas or solar etc.
Also, do you want a pop up roof that will fit under a carport (measure carport height), or a high roof one that probably won't (my Transit does as where I store it has a particularly high roof).
You could buy a low milage van (eg; High Ace/Transit etc) and have it converted, but to have it done professionally (I did with a High Ace) is very expensive and I believe it is better to buy a van already converted if you can get one with reasonably low kms, however this is not always possible. Also do you want manual or auto? Auto's are not so common but are out there and can be obtained. See the Kea VW campers as well, quite expensive with half room lift. You will find that most of the ex hire ones are fully kitted out but usually high kms' also.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If you want a good read of one man's adventure with his old High Ace campervan around Oz, check out Yeoelven's blog at the bottom of his signature on his posts or his profile.....
