Motorhome Comparison

Duh · Guru

Motorhome Comparison

liddle · Senior Member

Hi there again

The main reason I did not get a Commuter already setup as a camper was the price. Mine is really a basic camper but it suits me. I also like all the bus windows which can be opened.

I had a terrible time getting the bed fitted . A builder would not do it, a mechanic would not do it so I was lucky and a friend did it at no cost. If I had paid for even the basic things I have had done I would have spent about another $1000 at least.

When I bought the Commuter it already had the seats out and was registered as apanel van with windows.

One has to be very careful buying campervans from a different state and also making alterations such as removing seats as the RTA ( I am talking about NSW ) want an Engineers' report for each and this can be costly

-- Edited by liddle on Saturday 27th of July 2013 12:21:19 AM

Beth54 · Guru

Yes, I'm thinking of changing again.

I'm just looking at this stage, but I've been looking around for alternatives to my current rig so I'm not towing. Keeping in mind that I'll never be a fulltime nomad, so the vehicle would be driven in my local city areas quite a bit.

The only appeal of a slide-on is the ease of driving around town with just the vehicle, and the camper parked up when not in use, as is my current van. The unappealing part is that I'd still have to manage the physical part of loading and unloading. confuse I've been in utes a few times over the years, but not for any length of time, so not sure how comfy or un-comfy the ride would be over distance. ???

I'm also keen on these type of motorhomes/campervans. I feel the Toyota Hiace would be too small for me, but I don't want a Coaster either. The between size of the Toyota Commuter is appealing. As are these.

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?R=15104546&__sid=1400C68043C5&__Qpb=1&Cr=57&__Ns=p_StockHasPrice_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_StockPrice_Decimal%7c0%7c%7cp_StockRankSort_Int32%7c1&SearchAction=N&__N=1552%201549%20%20%204294964649%204294965513%204294965455%201600%201602%201601&seot=1&__No=45&__Nne=15&trecs=807&silo=1701

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?R=14389486&__sid=1400C68043C5&__Qpb=1&Cr=60&__Ns=p_StockHasPrice_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_StockPrice_Decimal%7c0%7c%7cp_StockRankSort_Int32%7c1&SearchAction=N&__N=1552%201549%20%20%204294964649%204294965513%204294965455%201600%201602%201601&seot=1&__No=60&__Nne=15&trecs=807&silo=1701

I like the all-in-one idea, plus the bathroom of course. But...how would I go driving this as my permanent vehicle? Would it be too exxy/ungainly for around town?

Also, mechanically wise, which of these types are more economical. It's no good me having a vehicle that I can't afford to repair because the parts are over the top.

Opinions please?

Cupie · Guru

I have no personal experience with motorhomes but recently had a look at Crusin Granny's new Sprinter. It's beauty and seems to be the ideal fit for her circumstances, but I'm not sure that it would suit yours.

Don't know if Chris' was in the price range of those two in your links.

You might like to PM her to start a dialogue & benefit from her recent experience in searching for a MH.

That Tavlor mob have an outlet over the northside near the Airport I think.

Beth54 · Guru

Thanks Cupie. I was steering away from the Sprinter because it's a Merc. ie: expensive parts. My parents owned a lovely old sporty model BMW for a short time many years ago, and Dad got a terrible shock when he had to repair something.

I know these more expensive vehicles are well made, but things still go wrong at some stage, and one has to have the income to keep up, which I don't.

I'll still PM Chris to get her opinions too. She would have done her homework for sure.

Thanks again. smile

liddle · Senior Member

Hi Beth

I have a 2002 Automatic, Diesel Toyota Hiace Commuter. I bought the unit as a bus without seats and fitted it out very cheaply to suit my needs. It has ;

1. A permanent single bed frame built high enough up so that a lot of rubbish fits under ( also {Porta Pottie )

2. A very comfortable car seat made into a chair ( fitted with legs )

3. All my stuff in plastic boxes

4. A metho stove ( the kind they have on boats ) so no gas bottles at all. The cooking section has not been finished yet as I am going to get some kind of sink/cupboard behind the front seats.

5. I do not cook fancy meals so I only need simple

6. I have solar and an inverter so I can charge the phone and computer and small fridge

7. I am yet to fit insect screens

This is my only transport and it fits in a normal car space and is not too high for most car parks or Maccas etc.

If I know I am not going away for a while I take the solar panels and some stuff out to save carrying all the weight all the time.

This vehicle was hard to find as the combination of Commuter-Automatic and Diesel are rare. I paid $13,000 for the unit 5 months ago.

This is about my 6^th campervan and I found out what was important to me:

· A bed permanently ready

· A comfortable chair

· Room to stand up

· No leaking poptop having to be put up and down

· 100% waterproof and windproof ( no worries in bad weather )

Wombat 280 · Guru

I'm thinking of the Bus conversion and so far have done some prelim costings on the fit-out and it's much cheaper and you get to design things where you want them You can pick up a late model bus without seats at a reasonable price and there are heaps of sites for the bits to fit out

Beth54 · Guru

liddle wrote:

This is my only transport and it fits in a normal car space and is not too high for most car parks or Maccas etc.
If I know I am not going away for a while I take the solar panels and some stuff out to save carrying all the weight all the time.
This vehicle was hard to find as the combination of Commuter-Automatic and Diesel are rare. I paid $13,000 for the unit 5 months ago.
This is about my 6^th campervan and I found out what was important to me:
·        A bed permanently ready
·        A comfortable chair
·        Room to stand up
·        No leaking poptop having to be put up and down
·        100% waterproof and windproof ( no worries in bad weather )

That's very interesting liddle. After 5 other campervans, you obviously know exactly what you need.

I was taken by the Commuter after seeing Travel Bugs...Pam. Hers has been fitted out semi professionally, but I'm not sure about a bathroom. I'm not so concerned about the bathroom.. I already have a porta loo, but a shower would be nice.

An auto would be great too, as I now have Osteoarthritis in my knees.

The fact that this is your fulltime vehicle and is easily managed is good news to me. I already have the solar panel too, so like you've done, I could take it out when not travelling.

Beth54 · Guru

The most important thing to me would be a late model vehicle. Less chance of mechanical problems. I've had bombs which break down all my life, so when had the funds, I bought my 2009 Hyundai i30. Such a load off my mind.

Buying the empty vehicle and getting it fitted out was also a thought.

I also assume that diesel would be the most economical, or maybe a petrol with a gas conversion? Although I know gas can be hard to get in some outback areas.

Happywanderer · The Master

If I had the money I would be getting the commuter Beth. I have been in a couple and found them just that much bigger with a midi high roof than the hi ace that Myrtle is.
Perfect for travel and yet able to be an about town vehicle as well.

Sheba · Guru

I've had 2 friends now Beth, who have had trouble with Ford Transits, and they still haven't been able to get them fixed.

I went for the Hi-ace, because Toyota Parts are available everywhere in this country, and being Diesel, I won't have a fuel problem anywhere in Australia either. It's easy to drive, and fits in any car space at supermarkets. [Above ground of course.]

The Pop-top means less wind-drag, so better fuel consumption. I am going to get the RV Airlifters fitted in the not too distant future, and then the roof will go up and down much more easily.

There is an external Shower fitted to it at the rear. Personally, if I was going to get something a bit larger, I would go for a [secondhand] Paradise Oasis. [The original model].

Cheers,

Sheba.

Duh · Guru

Sheba wrote:
I've had 2 friends now Beth, who have had trouble with Ford Transits, and they still haven't been able to get them fixed.
................................................................................................................................................................................
What year are theirs Transits Sheba, and auto or manual?
I believe the early auto's were a disaster and I think that is why they stopped making them, also some of the early manuals had a lot of trouble with the gear box. I don't think later models had problems although all manual. Mine, touch wood is going great (turbo diesel manual) and is a much better and comfortable ride than my former Hi Ace.
Some of the earlier models of Transit were made in Turkey and other countries, mine is fully made (including the engine) in the UK as are later models.

Beth54 · Guru

Yes Vic, I'm 160cm, so I found out recently in hospital. I used to be 164, so I've obviously done the shrinking with age thing. I can walk through my Nipper without putting the top up, other than the main light shade which sits a little lower.

Some time ago a fellow at a local conversion company told me they hate doing Transits. They always come back with problems. I also wonder about their quality because there's a lot advertised. Maybe that means people aren't aren't happy with. Whereas people hang on to good vehicles. You don't see as many commuters advertised.

I'll have a look at those links and the Oasis tomorrow. I'm on the smartphone in bed now, so the screen's not big enough for a good look.

Hmm, more to think about. Trying not to get my hopes up because it may not happen yet.

Beth54 · Guru

Hmm more good points liddle. I feel I'm better to buy one already fitted, as my son doesn't really have much time these days, and bil is busy with his own projects too. And as you and Vic have said, it's costly to pay someone to do it.

I'm really not sure how much money eI'll have at this stage, but I was pleasantly surprised at the prices of those links I added below.

But as Vic pointed out, there's a few details missing from the advertisement.

I guess another point to consider is is there a lot of weight in a builtin bathroom?

Duh · Guru

Yes I like the commuters too Beth, they sound a much better van especially if you can get auto and diesel even better if available, but even petrol as long as it's auto. If they have been used for passengers then the rear roof and sides would be lined, also ducted aircon in the rear for travelling (passenger comfort) I suppose that could be connected up to a 240V under bed A/C (eg; Truma a/c) for when in van parks.

Just for ideas, have a look at these ones in WA (van only);

http://www.purelycommercials.com.au/search%20our%20stock.html

When you open link, click on search our stock, then Toyota, then High Ace, then Commuter or High Roof etc and other tabs to show prices and other details etc.

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 27th of July 2013 11:56:53 PM

Sheba · Guru

Duh wrote:
What year are theirs Transits Sheba, and auto or manual?

Not sure what years Vic. but I think they are both Auto's. The problem they have, is something to do with the fuel lines I think. All of a sudden they will slow down from 90 to around 40, then pick up slowly, and not go over around 80. Weird.

One friend has spent almost $5.000 trying to get his fixed so far.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Duh · Guru

Thanks Sheba, yes the auto's were know for their problems in the early Transits, but Ford doesn't make them anymore because of that and make only manuals, although I don't know why they couldn't resolve the problem, other have.

As I said, some of the earlier model manuals also had problems with their gear boxes, but that problem was resolved on later models.

I wish mine was auto (if they could make a good one) as with 6 forward gears to change on the manual it is a bit of a PITA driving around suburbia, great on the open road though, just floats along...Unless on the freeway or open road I don't use 6th gear (a bit like overdrive).

Beth54 · Guru

I like the look of the Transit, but I really want to go back to an auto. My knee's giving me too much curry. I know it won't be as economical, but I'll just have to wear that.

I've looked at those links you've given me. CMCA are a bit exxy aren't they. I'm also amazed at the prices of some of those very old coasters.

I have a theory that if there's not many ads for a particular vehicle, that people want to hang onto them. eg: I haven't seen many ads for Commuters, but plenty for Coasters. There's also plenty of Transits out there.

I do like the look of those first two that I posted, or a commuter would still be a favourite.