Just dreaming out loud again

milo · Guru

Just dreaming out loud again

The dog lady · Guru

I have a standard length HiAce, which means 2.6m from the back of the hump the engine lives under to the back door. thats enough for a double bed from the back door (hatch) to the sliding side door, then an "entry" at the slider with a cupboard built in opposite the door that houses the fridge and things I use frequently (coffee making & cooking stuff). Incorporated into the cupboard is a slide out table, sort of like a computer desk but with sliders rated to 45kg in case I lean on it when I fall asleep while reading this forum biggrin .

Between the cupboard & drivers seat is enough room to store folding table & 2 chairs for use out in the annexe. Under the bed is all storage, & I can (& usually do) carry enough food to last me & 2 dogs a fortnight (in case I find a nice camp & want to stay a while) plus my clothes, a porta potti, and sundry hobby gear.

The house battery lives in a little nook under the bed & outlets and charger are set into the cupboard. The genny usually lives in the passenger seat footwell, unless I have a passener in which case it takes up a bit of the floor space in front of the cupboard.

I can't stand up in the car (altho I've been known to open the 1m sq sunroof and stick my head & shoulders up thru that biggrin ), but I'm not too good at standing anyway so I sit on the end of the bed with the table slid out in front of me if I want to read/cook/whatever inside the van.

Its compact, but when I bought it I though I would be taking frequent short trips & need to use the van as an every-day car when home. With hindsight I shouldn't have bothered to build a house (just a shed with bathroom) & bought a small coaster instead, but hindsight is 20/20 vision, & I love the van, so.....

I bought a grey import because I wanted the 4WD & I'm glad I did. Plus I don't like table/bed conversions or narrow little single beds, so wanted to make my own setup.

When I've made the bed & tidied up I'll take a photo & post

-- Edited by The dog lady on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 10:08:57 AM

-- Edited by The dog lady on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 10:41:28 AM

The dog lady · Guru

Try to never let it go below 1/3 tank, but it's a 70L tank so roughly 630km. When I got it it had low profile tyres and overstated the km travelled. I've put on light truck tyres to get as much clearance as possible and because I do a lot of dirt road miles, so now it seems to be understating the km travelled. I gave up worrying about whether I got 10 or 11 litres / 100 km when my very frugal 81yo mother pointed out that I was worrying about approximatly $1.50 over 100km biggrin . I have seen someone with a swing out rear bumper that incorporated a tool box and a jerrycan holder, but after a lot of red dust inhaled in the 60's, 70's & 80's I don't go serious outback travelling as I am physically incapable of changing a wheel so have to be able to call the RACQ. I'm told the 2WD HiAces do 10 L / 100km, (Toyota says 9), but mine is AWD so I guess that takes a bit more. Worth it to me.

By the way, buying a grey import meant I got a "luxury" van with only 58000km on the clock for $15,000.

-- Edited by The dog lady on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 11:41:26 AM

The dog lady · Guru

PS mine is a 3L turbo diesel & getting average of 11 litres/100km

milo · Guru

thanks Marianna, how many k's all up can you do on a tank??

milo · Guru

Thanks Marianna for the reply, much appreciated,
have you posted pics in show us your ride?

Sheba · Guru

The dog lady wrote:
I'm told the 2WD HiAces do 10 L / 100km, (Toyota says 9.

Mine's a 2WD non-turbo Diesel Pop-top Milo, and I get 9 L/ 100km. Am going to get an RV Airlifter unit installed when I can save the money. [A bit under $1,000.]
Cheers,
Sheba.

milo · Guru

do the poptops get noisy when windy? sheba?

Sheba · Guru

Haven't ever been stopped in a windy place with it up yet Milo, so I can't help you there. Sorry.

Some-one else might know though. I'd be interested to know too. Just never thought about it before.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 29th of August 2013 08:36:08 PM

GypsyBob · Veteran Member

I have owned a Hiace commuter for less than two weeks. I think it's the longest and highest of the various models and although I've only spend two nights in it, I love it.

2.8L diesel, as of yesterday I've done 1281Km and used 118 litres so call it 10L/100Km. This morning I put 2*120Ah house batteries into it which will run my cpap, fridge, computer and camera chargers. I have AA powered LED lights and torches and it seems they will be more effective in the long run than using the existing internal van lights.

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

When it gets very windy we just pull the pop top down not really about the noise more of a precaution against possible damage in extreme storm conditions.
Cheers
David