I have attached a pic of my one & only caravan & 4WD.
Got the 1995 Patrol 4.2 EFI when I retired in 1998. It had 50,000 on the clock & was in immaculate condition. It has now done 270,000 largely trouble free Km, mostly pulling the van. Rarely goes out these days, except for a few East Coast trips each year or maybe an occasional trip to Bunnings to pick up timber & things. Oops, almost forgot the red claw camping trips in the summer months .. without the van.
I had the van built in 1999. It's a 21'6" Jayco with an East West double bed & most importantly a separate shower & toilet in the rear en-suite. The layout is for us, the best. We have looked at many others over the years but still prefer ours. Suits us. The annex area is just great for the grand kids & in cold, wet or windy weather.
If we were doing it again I would like recliner chairs & SWMBO would prefer a cafe style eating area.
The Jayco has done more than 180,000 trouble free km (stopped counting). Only problems were driver inflicted dings.
Our plan way back then was to buy a van with good resale, a popular model with all the bells & whistles. We intended to spend one or the most two years & go round the block & then sell the rig, using the proceeds to help fund overseas trips. Well, around 14 years later we have done the o'seas trips but can't bring ourselves to sell the beast or the van. Life just wouldn't be the same without them.
Deciding to do the caravanning thing when we retired was an inspired decision. We have seen a large amount of this fantastic country & made many great friends along the way. Hopefully more of the both to come.
First pic .. Both shiny new & ready to go ....... Second pic ... Aged but experienced
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 20th of May 2013 08:29:03 PM
Both look in pretty good nick, as I trust you are. Lots of memories of wonderful adventures so I can understand why you're reticent to sell. You know what they say about if it ain't broke...