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The dog lady · Guru

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adreamer · Senior Member

Hello, This is my first time on here and am looking for lots of advice please.

I am a 68 year old female living in SA. Fit, healthy and happy.

I want to buy a small campervan and really like the Ford Transit, but not sure what things mean when I am looking, ie inverters, dual batteries etc. Would a Turbo diesel be suitable for me?

I want to do a lot of off road overnight stopping as I cannot really afford to stay in Van Parks and also I have a liitle French Bull Dog who will be coming with me. I would love to sell my home and travel in style but am too scared, also can only travel 3 months at a time due to conditions on my retirement village.

i hate big Cities and plan to travel around and into old towns.

Also how much approx would it cost me per week? I know that's wide question but I am quite frugal and can stretch a dollar if I have to.

I lived and worked in the outback on a cattle station for 20 years so know how to 'rough' it, also can change a tyre.

Anyway all advice appreciated thanks

Helen

Willow · Veteran Member

Hi there, sounds like your name may change from 'adreamer' to 'adoer'. You will soon get those questions answered on here.

neilnruth · Guru

Welcome to the forum from us adreamer. Check out the Solos section in this forum and you will find some answers. Also you can click on 'Search' on the top dark blue line on this page and type in Ford Transit or campervan or whatever you are wanting to know and you might find posts about it. In the meantime, someone will be able to help you with your other questions. It's a very helpful, friendly forum.

GaryKelly · Guru

Welcome, adreamer. Yep, lots of info on this forum, as well as people willing to help. It won't happen overnight. Just read the posts, do some searches, check in every day, get to know who's who, and take your time to feel comfortable with how the whole thing works. Before ya know it, you'll be the one who's answering newbie questions hehe.

Grams · Guru

Hello Helen,

Welcome to the forum, I am also another SA'er so Hi!

You will learn a lot on here. We did. We didn't know anything when we first started thinking of getting a caravan. Now we have our van all set up ready to go, but are stuck here for another 18 months, as we have to fix up our house before we sell it. But we are counting down the days.

wendyv · Guru

Helen,
I should think a diesel vehicle would be fine for you. Diesel fuel is the most readily available fuel in remote locations, we have found. I am no mechanic but think a turbo diesel is essentially a bit more powerful and fuel economic than a non-turbo diesel, so should be good to have.

It is very hard to say what you might spend each week because that depends on things like how many kms you travel, whether you are in places where fuel is more expensive etc.

herbie · Guru

Hello and welcome, was interested reading in your post regarding ,only being allowed to be away from your retirment village for three months, due to conditions. We had a descusion on here last week regarding the fore/against in this typr of living .So would be really interested to hear from someone who is experiancing this life style first hand,

Regards Herbie.

Weedy Pigeon · Senior Member

I'm contemplating doing exactly the same thing myself. Looked at a Toyota hi-top ex rental campervan yesterday but for 2 people just a bit squeezzy.
I think I'm going for either Ford Transit, VW Transporter or Iveco.
The dog lady makes some good points. Years ago I would have agreed 100% with the Toyota comment and can't comment on the 3L imported version but there's just too many Tojos around now that have given trouble.
I started on Toyota's in '66 as an apprentice mechanic and untill the mid 90's I would agree they were still the most reliable and had the best service network in the country.
Not hard to find horror stories about Toyotas now, very disappointing.

Be interesting to hear what you decide to do Helen.

adreamer · Senior Member

Thank you for all your comments re what sort of vehicle to buy etc. I will keep looking for advice re the type.

Herbie in regard to retirement homes - This one that I live in requires that the home is not vacated more than 3 months at a time and I believe that the Insurance requires the same amount of time. But I can have a family member/friend stay over for a few nights at a time which would cover it, as long as they are over 55.

We have a large area at the back of the village for caravans, motorhomes, boats etc which makes it attractive for the traveller.

I do like the Ford Transit and believe it will do me for what I want but will keep looking (but not too much longer) I am becoming inpatient
Anymore ideas welcome
Helen

Duh · Guru

Welcome to the forum Helen, my Transit is only converted to a basic campervan stage (see first post of mine for inside photo's on see my rig thread), however many are also converted to a motorhome stage. See this one for sale in SA;

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/welland/campervan/brand-new-campervan-motorhome-fitout-2008-ford-transit/1017719997

I think that is a private conversion, however many ex rentals have been converted with all the bells and whistles except of course may have greater kms on them, but conversions are not cheap so could be the better option depending on price and kms etc.

I have had a High Ace and the Transit does give you a lot more room inside, a few members of the forum have them.

Good luck with your search, keep an eye on Gumtree and other sites including for other states to get an idea of price comparisons.

CMCA have a few different types for sale, see;

http://www.cmca.net.au/pages/members_market/MembersMarketMay.php

And don't forget to check the main website on GN to see if any listed there too;

http://thegreynomads.com.au/classifieds/for-sale/

Duh · Guru

adreamer wrote:
Thanks for all the replies so far. I have this one on Gum Tree so you can all go and look. Ford Transit lwb in Rosewater SA it sounds like a a van in good nick and it is Turbo. Now the bad news is that the guy who owns it started converting it and then lost interest when his father died (so he says) anyway I asked him if was willing to finish it and he said NO, so am thinking how much to finish it off and said 'around $2,000' Now where I live in the retirement home there is a very good 'Men's Shed' and I could ask them is they are interested in setting it up for me.
Looking for you opinions on this one.
Thanks
Helen
p.s. has no rego. Oh and also what is the Insurance on these please

I notice this van you mention is a mid roof, to get the full stand up height you need a high room model.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rosewater/campervan/ford-transit-camper-lwb-mid-roof-needs-finishing/1017392842

Being unregistered and unfinished I would be a bit wary of it, but your choice....

My rego is around $600 p/a for a 2008 Transit.

Just to give you an idea on conversion costs my Hi Ace cost $24,000 to convert professionly, over and above the vehicle cost, I couldn't find a low km van so had one converted that only had 21,000 kms on it, I wouldn't do it again though.

I think that bloke that has the two on Gumtree in Adelaide I put on a previous post sounds like he might be in the conversion game, one had about 199,000 on the manual, the auto had 143,000 on the clock. Some conversion dealers buy used cargo vans in good condition and convert them for sale, that is what I think may have happened here, maybe give them a ring and ask.

Perhaps a call to Frontline Campers to ask how much a conversion would cost for a Ford Transit although I don't see that model mentioned although I think you'd be better off buying one full converted cost wise.

http://www.frontlinecamper.com.au/

-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 8th of May 2013 07:37:54 AM

aussietraveller · Guru

Hi Helen and a very warm welcome to the forum there are a large number of suitable vehicles out there to choose from the most important thing is to have a good look around and choose one that ticks the most boxes for you, and if you are going Diesel I would certainly look for turbo boosted one makes hills and passing much easier.

Duh · Guru

Hmmmmm.......I see this Ford Transit is on sale by the same "owner" as the other link I posted, but a bit cheaper and automatic (2005 model).

I wonder if this bloke buys transits and converts them, see;

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/welland/campervan/brand-new-campervan-motorhome-rv-fitout-automatic-ford-transit/1015468095

Certainly seems like nice conversions though, everthing you would need...

adreamer · Senior Member

Thanks for all the replies so far. I have this one on Gum Tree so you can all go and look. Ford Transit lwb in Rosewater SA it sounds like a a van in good nick and it is Turbo. Now the bad news is that the guy who owns it started converting it and then lost interest when his father died (so he says) anyway I asked him if was willing to finish it and he said NO, so am thinking how much to finish it off and said 'around $2,000' Now where I live in the retirement home there is a very good 'Men's Shed' and I could ask them is they are interested in setting it up for me.
Looking for you opinions on this one.
Thanks
Helen
p.s. has no rego. Oh and also what is the Insurance on these please

adreamer · Senior Member

Sorry, am I meant to start a new thread??? to ask questions again!

Thanks
Helen

herbie · Guru

Hello ,Just be carefull buying over the net ,last night was watching a segment on This Day To Night, regarding a solo lady getting ripped off for thousands of dollars from this scammer ,regarding selling a so called motorhome.That never ever existed.It all went to court after 18 months ,but he was made to repay the money back,but of only ever payed back one thousand dollars. The lady said she knows she will never get the money back. So please take care in what ever way you choose to go.Also do a check to make sure it is owned by the person who says they own it and that no finanaces are owed on it. It can be a mind field out there buying off the net. So be awear of the pitfalls if you do not do your home work before you hand your good money over.

Regards Herbie.

adreamer · Senior Member

Thanks Herbie, I am pretty savvy when it comes to buying things over the net and was caught out in the early days although it was only $80.00. I do know you have to check out ownership etc and would o nly pay via a bank cheque and will be taking my brother-in-law with me.
Your opinion, advice is greatly appreciated.
Cheers Helen.

hako · Guru

G'Day Helen, I'm sure you are aware of this, but the only real check if the vehicle is not stolen/written off/has money owing is to put the VIN into the PPSR registry. Written receipts and rego papers can prove nothing.
If the Transit is not registered you may not be able to test drive it, but if you do, make sure you are happy with the reversing capabilities of this model as it is very high geared in reverse (manuals). I help park caravans and Motorhomes at the Toowoomba Swap meet and we had to push 2 different Transits into position that just could not reverse over rutted ground.....
Good Luck with whatever you choose.
Denis

http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx

jetj · Guru

I guess I have to wonder what the vehicle was doing for the close to 200,000klms if it is only now becoming a MH? Is it registered as a MH? I wouldn't like to pay that sort of money for something high mileage and without a bathroom particularly if not a professional fit out. Just my opinion. I would rather look for a MH that some nomads have loved and looked after since birth.

Sheba · Guru

http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx

Duh · Guru

Some of the motorhome rentals have an arrangement with dealers in different states which they sell through too, see;

http://sales.keacampers.com/au/dealers/

http://sales.keacampers.com/au/catalogue/page?age[]=used

http://www.sydneyrvgroup.com.au/kia-motorhomes

Also;

See this free vehicle valuation guide, bear in mind it is for a basic cargo vehicle, not a motorhome conversion. I have done one on a 2003 Transit just as a guide, change it to any van you like;

http://www.eurodb.com.au/car-valuations/FORD/TRANSIT/2003/BJB03A/

You would then need to find out from a motorhome conversion company how much they charge for the type of conversion you want and add that to it. As a ball park figure, lets say add another $25, 000 for the conversion to be added. This will give you a rough idea of a particular motorhome/campervan price, bearing in mind some depreciation for the conversion if not new......

-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 8th of May 2013 03:44:53 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi - regarding being unregistered - find Yeoeleven's post on here re his recent registering of a Coaster(from March 2013) - it had never been registered as a camper - so had to have a compliance plate, which involves an engineer going over it - there are specialist places who do this.

He now has it made compliant as a motor home, roadworthy and registered - and he is now on the road again!!!!

Duh · Guru

If you do go down this route, make sure you have someone competent to look at both the mechanics and body, also that you can stand up inside it, unless you are reasonably short you will need the high roof Transit, not the medium roof, unless you are happy bending over inside.

John (Yeoeleven) is a very capable and tenacious person with some knowledge of repairs and modificatio etc, not to say you are not, but I feel the circumstances are different to yours, IMHO.

I would still be looking at a completed van, by the time you go through the hoops with the one you are looking at including finishing the conversion you may well end up paying about the same. Remember "Buyer Beware" whatever you end up getting..

herbie · Guru

get on line and see when the next auctions are being help for the sell offs for the rental motor home companies ,i hear only good reports from people who have brought motorhomes this way.As the maintance side of things is laken care of on a regular basis and the companies turn over fleet after only so many ks .