S0rry for this messy post But i am not used to posting links, Amember of the van club i am in has updated to a bigger van and they were selling the old one, I do not know the asking price ?? but i have seen the van it is well looked after and very well maintained,If this link works ?? have a look and if interested i will see if i can give you a contact number or Email, I think the van is out Mornington Pen way ?? regards Dazren
Changed my plans to make a glide-on for the back of my Rodeo. Son who was helping me has a new job and limited hours to help, plus the expense/trouble simply isn't worth it at my age. I want to start travelling next year So my intention now is to buy a caravan around the 14ft mark. Better on my poor old knees too. They're playing up quite often and climbing up into a glide-on is possibly not a long term option. I also like space. After the cramped conditions of the Kombi, to be able to stand up straight would be a blessed relief
By mid next year, I should have a working budget of $8-10,000 to purchase a second-hand van and I have been looking at the Viscount "Aero-lite." I like the style and can live with the internal design, however I have heard they're prone to suffer from cracked chassis.
The Millard also seems to be a good sturdy van. Not so stylish in my price range as I'll have to go an earlier model, but some of the internal designs of the earlier ones are well thought out.
I have a fairly good eye from an automotive prospective, but know little about what to look for when purchasing a caravan. I've searched the threads and found some good info. Looks like leaks are fairly common, cracked chassis members obviously and wear and tear. I suppose brakes and wheel bearings are something to look at straight after purchase. I can't very well ask the seller to "whip the brake drums off!"
As this van will be primarily for my use, with the occasional "passenger" I really don't mind going a bit smaller than 14ft. If anybody has a good, clean van and is thinking of updating or going bigger, then please let me know. I'd prefer a pop-top, but would consider a solid frame too.
Anyway advice greatly appreciated,
Cheers,
Aime.
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
Hi Aime, there are plenty of good second hand vans about and it looks like you know what you are after and what "faults" to look out for. Why here on the NSW South Coast just in our area "Ulladulla" there are a few on the side of the road for sale and as you know Mr C-ASH talks. Regarding Aero Lite vans our in-laws had one may years ago and they off loaded it because of the chassis. Being black steel it was prone to not only cracking but rust.
Thanks Dazren. The link won't work for me as I'm not a member of FB. When trying to sign up with them some times ago, they wanted to know too much personal stuff and I don't trust what they do with that information. I know half the world is using FB, but I'm firmly in the other half Thanks for the thought though.
One thing I must make clear is that I'm not in a position to purchase until after Easter for financial reasons. I'm just putting feelers out in case somebody has been thinking of updating for awhile, but is prepared to wait until well into the new year if a firm offer was made.
As much as it will pain me, I must sell the poor old Kombi first, however I need it for an event at Easter in Griffith for which I'm already booked. It will be going on the market following that event. It's in excellent condition, apart from some heavy bog in the front panel, but even with the bog, it should sell easily enough. People just can't get enough of them at present and I'm trying to stay ahead of the craze
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
I reckon you might be on a winner QK, with a small van instead of the glide-on, and your ute will be a great tug. Good luck in finding the right caravan
Aime, Have you considered a bigger campervan type vehicle, say a Sprinter campervan, along the lines of an ex Ambulance vehicle that somebody has converted to a campervan with shower/toilet on board and the vehicle is getting on in years, but these vehicles are still good for over 500,000Kms. The Sprinters to me are more similar to driving a Patrol or Landcriuiser than say a Coaster bus converted into a motorhome.
Why I raise this is that I have come across fellow Rv travellers, who no longer want to have the stress of backing a van into a CP spot of using the screw up jack to raise the van to connect to the towball, or shouting at their partner about directions when backing the tug onto the van.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Tuesday 8th of October 2013 05:22:51 PM
I reckon you might be on a winner QK, with a small van instead of the glide-on, and your ute will be a great tug. Good luck in finding the right caravan
I reckon so to Gety and I'm sure the right van will find me eventually. It's not the sort of thing I want to rush into
I actually got out a sheet of paper and wrote down all the "fors" and "againsts" for both the glide-on and buying a second hand van in good condition. The van won hands down for a multitude of reasons, the biggest two being that I don't have to organise my time around my son, who although is very nice about helping me, probably has far better things to do with his time and family and secondly, the ease of removal from the tug. I also insist on putting my vehicles etc under cover when not in use and getting the glide-on off the Rodeo and into the shed would be nightmare!!
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
In the small used vans don't discount Jayco or Coromal either, google small used Jayco or Coromal caravans and see what comes up, that should give you some links to various sites including Gumtree and others that may have them for sale.
Aime, Have you considered a bigger campervan type vehicle, say a Sprinter campervan, along the lines of an ex Ambulance vehicle that somebody has converted to a campervan with shower/toilet on board and the vehicle is getting on in years, but these vehicles are still good for over 500,000Kms. The Sprinters to me are more similar to driving a Patrol or Landcriuiser than say a Coaster bus converted into a motorhome.
Why I raise this is that I have come across fellow Rv travellers, who no longer want to have the stress of backing a van into a CP spot of using the screw up jack to raise the van to connect to the towball, or shouting at their partner about directions when backing the tug onto the van.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Tuesday 8th of October 2013 05:22:51 PM
Hello Peter.
Can't really go with a campervan as I need the light truck to get firewood and supplies. It's a great idea though and perhaps one day that's what I'll do, but while I'm fit enough to handle a caravan and while I have my property, I'll have to stick with the tug and caravan idea.
Incidentally, I'm on my own these days, so as far as hooking up the tow ball, I'll have to get inventive
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
In the small used vans don't discount Jayco or Coromal either, google small used Jayco or Coromal caravans and see what comes up, that should give you some links to various sites including Gumtree and others that may have them for sale.
I like the windows of the older Viscount full height vans (70's) compared to the louvre type of the older Millard type vans. And both these full height vans seem to me to have reasonable chassis, if kept under cover may be worth a look at.
Jayco and Coromal are much later vans and more modern/expensive and probably more available.
-- Edited by Webmaster on Thursday 10th of October 2013 10:56:26 AM
In the small used vans don't discount Jayco or Coromal either, google small used Jayco or Coromal caravans and see what comes up, that should give you some links to various sites including Gumtree and others that may have them for sale.
Did you see this suggestion ????
Thanks Duh. Only just saw it now. Sorry about the tardy reply.
I have spent a bit of time at Gumtree looking at the various vans for sale and am getting a feel for the basic sizes, lay-out, prices etc. Lots to learn yet I'm afraid.
-- Edited by QueenKombi on Thursday 10th of October 2013 10:22:19 AM
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
I like the windows of the older Viscount full height vans (70's) compared to the louvre type of the older Millard type vans. And both these full height vans seem to me to have reasonable chassis, if kept under cover may be worth a look at.
Jayco and Coromal are much later vans and more modern/expensive and probably more available.
Thanks Peter.
I do love the look and layout of the Viscount Ultralite and it seems like they usually had the better chassis. Not too sure about that Alko suspension, but it appears from me research that there are lots of vans with the same suspension.
I also got quite a shock last night when looking at a particular forum (that shall remain nameless) where a regular poster and repairer put up lots of pictures of van damaged by simple water leaks. Some of these vans were just a couple of years old and were literally falling to bits!! The repair costs were hideous It makes me wonder how many vans are actually getting around with this kind of hidden damage. By the time it's discovered, then the damage is already done.
It was a real eye opener and it's right across the spectrum of Australian makers. Forget insurance too. Not covered apparently as the manufacturer can easily say the van must have been used outside of recommendations and that's the ends of the story
There was also a multitude of vans that had other damage because of poor build quality including suspension torn from the chassis, staples through wiring, furniture just tacked to the ply walls and practically no van he stripped the cladding off (to repair water damage) had any insulation at all. It's enough to put a potential buyer right off caravans!! Not to mention the fused wiring that had not tripped the safety switches!! It was only the rotten and damp inner frame and wall cladding that had prevented them from becoming a fire ball.
-- Edited by QueenKombi on Thursday 10th of October 2013 10:53:52 AM
-- Edited by Webmaster on Thursday 10th of October 2013 10:54:44 AM
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
My mate has a little Nipper,and what a beaut little van it is,we use it to go away fishing in and tows and behaves behind the 4x4b..like it is not there, I have just brought an early Viscount (1960) that is holding up better than a lot of vans built 30 years after this little beauty was built. ..This van is going to my way of nomading part time after I finish living and working around Oz ...
Part of me is leaning towards buying an early model van and doing it up so I know what's under the skin, but at the same time I'd prefer a pop-top for ease of towing, less wind drag etc and pop-tops are not cheap!
I'd like to see some pictures of your purchase Herbie. Maybe start a new post so people can find it?
-- Edited by QueenKombi on Thursday 10th of October 2013 02:23:56 PM
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
My mate has a little Nipper,and what a beaut little van it is,we use it to go away fishing in and tows and behaves behind the 4x4b..like it is not there, I have just brought an early Viscount (1960) that is holding up better than a lot of vans built 30 years after this little beauty was built. ..This van is going to my way of nomading part time after I finish living and working around Oz ...
QK, just be aware there are Little Nippers with a rear door and some with a side door, not sure which is best but some prefer the side door so people aren't looking in when camped up down the entire length of the van, also better for a side roll out awning.
-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 10th of October 2013 05:14:28 PM
Viscount Little Nipper small caravan may be another option. Viscount made a pretty good product.
Thanks Wendyv. Had a brief look on Gumtree. Yes, they are a nice little van. I must say, I do like the look of the smaller Viscounts. They certainly had style in their day, although I suppose everyone thinks that of their personal preference
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
My mate has a little Nipper,and what a beaut little van it is,we use it to go away fishing in and tows and behaves behind the 4x4b..like it is not there, I have just brought an early Viscount (1960) that is holding up better than a lot of vans built 30 years after this little beauty was built. ..This van is going to my way of nomading part time after I finish living and working around Oz ...
Duh wrote: QK, just be aware there are Little Nippers with a rear door and some with a side door, not sure which is best but some prefer the side door so people aren't looking in when camped up down the entire length of the van, also better for a side roll out awning.
-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 10th of October 2013 05:14:28 PM
You've got a good point there Duh with regards to people walking past and looking down the entire length of the van. Something I'd have to carefully consider as am partial to having a lay down mid afternoon with a book when camped up and if the day is warm, then I'd have the door open with fly screen attached (or fly screen door closed.)
So many things to consider, but I'll work it all out
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
So my intention now is to buy a caravan around the 14ft mark. Better on my poor old knees too. They're playing up quite often and climbing up into a glide-on is possibly not a long term option. I also like space. After the cramped conditions of the Kombi, to be able to stand up straight would be a blessed relief
Thanks for the thought though.
It makes me wonder how many vans are actually getting around with this kind of hidden damage. By the time it's discovered, then the damage is already done.
