On our 6th van now and it has finally sunk in that we spend most of the time outside the van so lugging a big unit around didn't seem right for us. But then everyone is different and so long as you are enjoying it. The little Jayco Starcraft suits us and the annex gives us extra room as required. Enjoy your travels and drive safe. Alan. Sorry the pic is upside down....maybe the moderator can fix it?
Like your style,Neil & Lynne.
As for the original post - Yes, agree fully.
I'm loving being able to sit under the annex roof watching this thing called rain.
Haven't had any rain in way too long.
Rarely use the annex sides.
Keep enjoying..
I am disabled after a workplace firey aircraft accident 6 years ago in which I should have died. For me to operate successfully with my Carer wife Eril we need enough van to be comfortable. We thought that may be 21' with medium 4x4 BUT the more we looked the more we realised that unless I am comfortable we probably not travel as much. Ended up with a 2011 Jayco 24' Sterling with a 2010 Pajero. Need to replace the club lounge with two comfy lounge chairs and I will be comfortable. We have ensuite etc with solar to a 100 ah battery which may not be enough. Hoping to get a generator this week. Loving info from GN forum. Horses for courses as they say, and my horse has to be comfortable so I don't whinge to Eril all the time!!!
We went to Laancoorie for 3 nights several weeks ago and last week 5 days in Portarlington.
Hey Paul do you have any special Need's.. ie stuff that requires 240v..??
Juergen
Yes Juergen I do. I had burns to 55% of mainly the top half my body and they scrapped skin for grafting from my legs. I do not have that many working sweat glands so aircon is a real necessity. My L4 & L5 were crushed and put back together with metal screws and rods. Unfortunately one of the 6 titanium screws broke and let the "Super Bugs" back in so they opened my back and took the metal out leaving the last 35mm of the broken screw. They did not want to gouge that bit our for fear of forcing super bugs into spinal column. I cannot walk any further than 100 meters, or stand for more than several minutes, and spend 80% of my waking hours in a comfortable lounge chair. Next job for van is to have club lounge taken out and 2 very comfortable lounge chairs fitted to suit my needs. Need to be comfortable OR I might crack the s***s and not go and THAT would be a shame for both of us!!
Looking at an Ebay supplier here in Ballarat for a generator. We bought both the Jayco 24' Sterling and Pajero from Ballarat as well. Easier if there are problems as I am not able to conduct all the mechanical and diy stuff that I used to.
I have developed a small business of transferring peoples home movie, video, pics etc to DVD. I can do that from my comfy chair and a few remotes. I will be able to do that while we are travelling, so maybe I could put a sign on the local store window. Might even sign write the van!!! Better ask Eril!!!
Great to see that you are positive Paul (and a true Aussie by the sound of it) and that you and your lovely wife/carer Eril are going to get out there and see this wonderful country of ours. Enjoy your travels.
Hi Paul great to read your positive comments. Though not having the other things to contend with that you have, i too am recovering from spinal surgery. Operated on Fri 21/3/14. To highlight the point of the original thread i dont think it matters what size your tug and/or shed are You choose what suits your needs, likes and dislikes and as long as your happy using them it doesn't matter what anybody else might think.
Paul because i knew this op was coming for a while now and while i was able i removed the dinette from my 17' 9" Compass van and put in two leather recliners. What a pleasure to use.
I wish you well mate. Enjoy the road ahead. Nils desperandum eh!
I also almost lost my life when a tractor went end for end and pinned me under it.
My spirit was leaving my body when friends came and jacked the tractor partly off my body.
It makes you revalue your lifestyle after facing near death experiences.
Things do make you evaluate and give you differnt perspectives on life don't they.
I've had a coupla "interesting" ones myself.
Caravan sizes.
Well I've gone from a 22ft Live in and travel for work and have 2 kids in. Back in '63.
to this morning when my last van went down the road. 6.5mtr Offroader with most of the trimmings.
Around 7 vans in that period.
Favourite, and most useful.
Compass 17ft 3 outside, Open plan. Ext shower and slide out tut under bed.
Offroader pop top (Full height would have beeen better).
Does everything. Goes anywhere (well 98% of anyway). Single axle. comfortable ECONOMICAL.
Big ones ok. Lotsa crap lotsa weight necessary BIG tug to be safe towing.
BIG BILLS All down the track.
In reality, Really. Unnecessary.
How much time do you spend INSIDE. Think about it.
The MFG's and the kitchen sink wives are to blame for that mindset.
3 or 4 month trips. 15 to 17 ft ideal.
longer and live in 19ft max. (mine was 19ft 4 in. Inside).
Bigger just gives you more space to carry MORE crap.
Any bigger is really. Well look at them trundling down the road. Flats on wheels.
I lived on my 40\42 ft yachts for yrs (decades.
What don't have a "Useful" place. Don't go.
Should be same with vans
My opinion anyway.
Have fun. and EX caravanner. more fisherman.
