I'm looking at buying a Mercedes Sprinter motorhome with shower and toilet so I can be completely self-sufficient and free camp. However, having looked around quite a bit, I feel now more confused than ever. If anyone can help with these questions, I'd be delighted.
1. Some tell me I need solar panels while others say I only need batteries. If I need solar panels, how much solar should I have?
2. How much water and grey water storage do I need?
3. A mechanic told me not to worry about a vehicle having more than 200,000 Ks on the clock as diesel motor is just starting to get going by then.
4. I don't want to have to tow another vehicle to get around in. Surely that's not necessary?
5. If I buy the MH privately, are there any companies out there who will do a thorough check of it for me?
6. As a solo traveller, would I be better to buy the MH from a dealer thereby getting the 12 month warranty?
7. Do these vehicles retain their resale value? If I decide to sell in a couple of years' time, will I lose a lot?
8. I would like to buy the MH and be out on the road in the next few months. Is that unrealistic? I realise that's probably like asking how long is a piece of string but soe idea on how long it took people to find their vehicle would be really appreciated.
9. Any other tips for the newbie would be more than welcome.
I work long hours and have had enough. I'm setting 1 September as D-Day at least as a target.
I'm looking at buying a Mercedes Sprinter motorhome with shower and toilet so I can be completely self-sufficient and free camp. However, having looked around quite a bit, I feel now more confused than ever. If anyone can help with these questions, I'd be delighted.
1. Some tell me I need solar panels while others say I only need batteries. If I need solar panels, how much solar should I have?
2. How much water and grey water storage do I need?
3. A mechanic told me not to worry about a vehicle having more than 200,000 Ks on the clock as diesel motor is just starting to get going by then.
4. I don't want to have to tow another vehicle to get around in. Surely that's not necessary?
5. If I buy the MH privately, are there any companies out there who will do a thorough check of it for me?
6. As a solo traveller, would I be better to buy the MH from a dealer thereby getting the 12 month warranty?
7. Do these vehicles retain their resale value? If I decide to sell in a couple of years' time, will I lose a lot?
8. I would like to buy the MH and be out on the road in the next few months. Is that unrealistic? I realise that's probably like asking how long is a piece of string but soe idea on how long it took people to find their vehicle would be really appreciated.
9. Any other tips for the newbie would be more than welcome.
I work long hours and have had enough. I'm setting 1 September as D-Day at least as a target.
Would love to hear from you.
1. Depends on your usage of power and the capacity of your batteries and how long you want to stay away of any external power source.
2. As much as you need for you planned journey, away from external water sources.
3. Nonsense. Can work but must not neccessarily.
4. Your choice.
5. RACQ like other clubs offer that. ....... not sure ......
6. Where is the difference if you travel with a partner ?
7. You will lose. That's for sure. No one can tell you how much.
8. You can go to a MH dealer, chose a MH from their yard, and you are on the road the same day.
9. Badly wise no, because you didn't tell us a bit more detailed what your plans are.
Regards, Berni
-- Edited by BTSV_Berni on Sunday 8th of June 2014 04:49:34 PM
1. If you have solar panels to recharge batteries, you are able to stay away longer from a source of 240v power, for recharging. The solar input you need will depend on your overall basic power use. If your fridge is 3 way, then it can run on gas when you are free camped BUT 12/240v compressor fridges are much more efficient - especially in the heat, and you do not have to worry about turning gas on and off when travelling, having pilot light going when refuelling, etc. If you are going to want to have an inverter to recharge laptop, camera batteries etc, that is another power drain. SO, your first decision will have to be whether you want this level of independence? If you decide you do, then you need advice from a REPUTABLE solar installer/supplier, about your panel and battery needs. As a rough guide, our caravan had a 110L, 12v fridge (Vitrifrigo); was smallish van, so didn't run too many lights; Recharged things as above with inverter; we had 2 house batteries and 280w worth of solar panels. Usually adequate, but in really cloudy, dark weather, batteries were getting low after 10 days.
2. We found (van again) 120L of fresh did us for quite a while - BUT we did not have onboard bathroom. If out in bush, washed with bucket of water. I think our bus has about 80L of fresh water and about 60L grey.
3. 200,000 is not excessive for diesel. But depnds on how and where driven, too. An ex rental vehicle may have done unkind driving over that distance. Would be most important to insist on sighting a genuine service record, before committing. No record of services and maintainence done = walk away!
4. if you want to stop0 places and sightsee, you might find it a pain to always have to get vehicle travel-ready to do so. We did one short shakedown trip with Coaster and realized we had to have a run around as well.
6. I would advise a reputable dealer. We bought Coaster from a Winnebagho dealer (was a trade in) and got a 2 year mechanical warranty, on an 18 year old vehicle!
Re the solar v batteries issue, I was talking to various dealers last week at the Caravan and Camping Show in Brisbane. The Fiat Ducato dealer told me that the batteries only take a couple of hours of running the motor (even on idle) to recharge so no need to have solar panels in addition and that the batteries would run the lights, fridge, tv, computer etc.
Berni, the difference with travelling with a partner is that I have been used to having a husband who can fix things whereas I know absolutely nothing about mechanics, electricals etc.
My plan is to head off from Brisbane over to Perth where my daughter lives and spend a few months hanging around the southern WA area so that I can visit regularly. Then I am just going to go wherever the heck I feel like. I am trying to simplify my life so I'll be selling my unit in Brisbane and seeing what the nomadic lifestyle offers.
Thanks again to you both for your feedback. I shall take it on board.
I love the solar panels because they are free and quiet to operate. 120w seems to keep my fridge, laptop, tablet, phone and fan going. No inverter, all car chargers. Not much point having "house" batteries without something to charge them
I don't have built in water storage. Generally carry 21litres drinking water in 3 litre bottles and refill at every opportunity (10 litre containers too heavy for me now). I no longer have much interest in going anywhere into the remote outback, so can usually find "non-potable" water tap or river or creek for washing water (bucket gets emptied on garden or trees same as my grey water at home). Toilet consists of a porta potti.
The actual vehicle is very much a personal choice, but I bought a full time 4WD HiAce which can double as my daily use car when I'm home (which is also at the end of a dirt road in the bush)
Personally I'd get my regular mechanic to check the vehicle over if possible.
I bought from a dealer but the warranty did not allow for my choice of repairer so wasn't worth a bumper.
Does any vehicle retain it's value? (unless you have a crystal ball to know what will become a desirable "classic")
Act in haste and repent at leisure! But a few months should be enough time to find what you want.
Just decide how basic or luxurious you want and DO IT!
good luck
PS. If I were going to do this full time I'd probably have a bit bigger vehicle and an electric pushbike as I hate towing. As I said to start with, different strokes for different folks
-- Edited by The dog lady on Sunday 8th of June 2014 07:03:01 PM
__________________
Cheers, Marianna.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dogs (Mark Twain)
Re the solar v batteries issue, I was talking to various dealers last week at the Caravan and Camping Show in Brisbane. The Fiat Ducato dealer told me that the batteries only take a couple of hours of running the motor (even on idle) to recharge so no need to have solar panels in addition and that the batteries would run the lights, fridge, tv, computer etc.
Berni, the difference with travelling with a partner is that I have been used to having a husband who can fix things whereas I know absolutely nothing about mechanics, electricals etc. My plan is to head off from Brisbane over to Perth where my daughter lives and spend a few months hanging around the southern WA area so that I can visit regularly. Then I am just going to go wherever the heck I feel like. I am trying to simplify my life so I'll be selling my unit in Brisbane and seeing what the nomadic lifestyle offers.
Thanks again to you both for your feedback. I shall take it on board.
Hi Lynnek
A few things become a bit clear now. First....you are a lady. Good to know, that you live in the Brisbane area. A hot tip for you. Before you go and buy a MH from one of the big companies think about getting it build to your specifications, needs and wishes.
Get in touch with this guy .... http://www.drbfloats.com/
He is located in Clontarf and will be the one who build up something for me later. You will be cheaper and get exactly what you want and need.
Take your time and go over to have a chat with him. Worth the time. Trust me.
And..... I'm not part of that company or related with them in any way.
Regards, Berni
-- Edited by BTSV_Berni on Sunday 8th of June 2014 07:25:14 PM
Thanks, Dog Lady. Good point about the warranty! I've been doing my research about vehicles for some time now so have a pretty good idea of what I want even though I've never driven one or stayed in one. I have a little Suzuki Grand Vitara and drove it from Brissie to the Kimberley/Broome and back last year and camped all the way. A motor home will be sheer luxury after that.
Many thanks for the "DO IT" ... I so need that at the moment with many friends being 'worried about' my decision.
Hi Berni, I was looking online today and saw a place at Clontarf that I thought I'd check out so shall add this bloke to my list. I did think about having a conversion done to my own design but spoke with one company who was fully booked until December. I shall get in touch with this fellow. Thanks again.
Buying privately has a few advantages including not having to pay the dealers profit...
The best warranty dealers can offer is by an Aust wide warranty insurance that from my experience is about as useless as hip pockets in underpants...
In most cases if you buy privately you are buying from the person that knows the machine and it doesn't take long to work out if they are selling it because they have finished with it or becoz they hate it.. Remember the ones the dealers have came from a private seller/owner...
As someone said 200000k is nothing on a modern diesel motor some of the trucks you will be sharing the roads you travel with have in excess of 2 million K's on them without ever having a spanner put to the motor..
Being a member of one of the motoring organizations (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, etc) is your best mechanical insurance.
In my opinion having a solar panel on the roof is a must, it charges your batteries regardless, stopped, traveling, or even in the shopping center car park..
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Sunday 8th of June 2014 08:04:35 PM
Hi Berni, I was looking online today and saw a place at Clontarf that I thought I'd check out so shall add this bloke to my list. I did think about having a conversion done to my own design but spoke with one company who was fully booked until December. I shall get in touch with this fellow. Thanks again.
Hi Lynn
I think I know where you are going in Clontarf . drb is around the corner
In case of a conversion I can recommend 2 other companys.
1. http://www.sscampervans.com/ ... a business ran buy germans that delivers top notch quality but don't really support the DIY idea. Because of that they don't fit for me. I want to do as much as I can on my own. The work they do is top notch and the pricing is all right.
2. http://www.silversunmotorhomes.com.au/ . They made the panels for my DIY Fridge (thread can be found in this forum) and fully support the DIY idea. So they will be the ones where I go for most of the internal bits and pieces.
Both had a waiting time for full conversions of three months when I was in touch with them. Make a call and ask.
Regards, Berni
Edit: In case of this warranty stuff I have to fully agree with oldbobsbus. Not worth the paper it's written on. Make this experience right now with having a blown up automatic transmission and looking forward to a repair bill of 4-5k .
Regards, Berni
-- Edited by BTSV_Berni on Sunday 8th of June 2014 08:32:20 PM
-- Edited by BTSV_Berni on Sunday 8th of June 2014 08:34:28 PM
Thanks, Dog Lady. Good point about the warranty! I've been doing my research about vehicles for some time now so have a pretty good idea of what I want even though I've never driven one or stayed in one. I have a little Suzuki Grand Vitara and drove it from Brissie to the Kimberley/Broome and back last year and camped all the way. A motor home will be sheer luxury after that.
Many thanks for the "DO IT" ... I so need that at the moment with many friends being 'worried about' my decision.
Hello Lynnek - I am a bit the same as you - thinking, thinking but I think you are a bit closer to do it that I am - good luck with your decisions. Lynnek why did you go for the Mercedes Sprinter rather than say a Fiat Ducato that a lot of the smaller motorhomes are built on? Just a question on the warranty side of things Berni and Oldbobsbus does this refer to new vehicle warranty with roadside assist and/or second hand from a dealer?
Solar is nice to have as back up. Depends what your fridge runs on ? If you drive two or three hours every second day ?
The alternator or extra alternator can be set up to charge house batteries.. No one has mentioned a generator ? A little QUIET Honda 2000 or similar can help if you run out of battery or gas when cooking. Nothing like a few fail safe options..
One thing my Mrs took some training ( lol) is NOT to use every electric appliance at the same time..
Electric jug ,toaster and maybe elect frying pan is too much through inverter..
Some things you do at home need adjusting. Most your battery use will possibly be TV and light at night? These don't draw much energy especially if LED ..Charging phones and lap tops can be done via 12v cigarette socket with appropriate plug.
Storage for other things like annex, chairs, tables etc is surprising how much space gets used up! A storage box on the back can be helpfull.
Yes I agree diesels do many klmrs oil changes and fuel filters. Are a must for happy motoring...
Yes depreciation is a worry ? But that's with all things automotive !!
The big hit is when buying new...
Hello Lynnek - I am a bit the same as you - thinking, thinking but I think you are a bit closer to do it that I am - good luck with your decisions. Lynnek why did you go for the Mercedes Sprinter rather than say a Fiat Ducato that a lot of the smaller motorhomes are built on? Just a question on the warranty side of things Berni and Oldbobsbus does this refer to new vehicle warranty with roadside assist and/or second hand from a dealer?
New warranty from an authorized dealer for the brand of vehicle is different to the type of warranty offered by secondhand dealers..
New warranty is covered by a network of dealers Aust wide. Whereas the warranty offered by a secondhand dealer is provided by an insurance type company that has some very tricky clauses in it so they never have to pay up..
The best way to go for the average person is as has been said and thats roadside assist with the motoring organizations like NRMA, RACV. RACQ etc just be sure you are covered for the things you need to be covered for..
Also Ken Tame or MHIA offer good insurance for your investment..
There are some really good secondhand units out there for sale by owners that have lost interest in traveling or just have to stop becoz if health reasons.. the CMCA members market if full of them.. some are overpriced but usually the owners are prepared to negotiate a price with you..
If you buy right and buy the right unit then you should get many many miles of trouble free motoring..
If you are parked up somewhere really lovely, like in a national park, you may not want to leave and go driving around for a couple of hours (using fuel etc) for the sake of charging your batteries. You woulod not be very popular in a lot of places if you ran the vehicle motor for a couple of hours for the same reason! That is also not great for the vehicle. One issue in a smaller motorhome such as you are contemplating, with a generator, is the carriage of fuel - petrol for it. Solar is silent.
Flat towing a little vehicle behind a motorhome is very different to towing a caravan or trailer. I did quite a bit of driving with the van on, when we had that rig. Towing the Terios behind the bus is not at all the same - don't even know it is there. I have to keep checking the rear view camera!
Thank you all again very much for your words of wisdom. Nelly, the reason I'm heading for a Mercedes Sprinter is because by and large I've heard a few negatives about Fiats, Fords etc but I've never heard a bad word about the Mercedes. Also the brand itself is somewhat reassuring and, as there are so many of them around, repairs and parts must be readily available.
I am, however, convinced that I need solar panels. Thanks again to you all and I look forward to catching up with you on the road.
I'm looking at buying a Mercedes Sprinter motorhome with shower and toilet so I can be completely self-sufficient and free camp. However, having looked around quite a bit, I feel now more confused than ever. If anyone can help with these questions, I'd be delighted.
1. Some tell me I need solar panels while others say I only need batteries. If I need solar panels, how much solar should I have?
2. How much water and grey water storage do I need?
3. A mechanic told me not to worry about a vehicle having more than 200,000 Ks on the clock as diesel motor is just starting to get going by then.
4. I don't want to have to tow another vehicle to get around in. Surely that's not necessary?
5. If I buy the MH privately, are there any companies out there who will do a thorough check of it for me?
6. As a solo traveller, would I be better to buy the MH from a dealer thereby getting the 12 month warranty?
7. Do these vehicles retain their resale value? If I decide to sell in a couple of years' time, will I lose a lot?
8. I would like to buy the MH and be out on the road in the next few months. Is that unrealistic? I realise that's probably like asking how long is a piece of string but soe idea on how long it took people to find their vehicle would be really appreciated.
9. Any other tips for the newbie would be more than welcome.
I work long hours and have had enough. I'm setting 1 September as D-Day at least as a target.
Would love to hear from you.
You won't have any worries with a MB Sprinter. Buy a 516 or similar from somebody that has done the trips and it has everything you need for free camping. I noticed a couple of Sunliner Euro Spa's on caravansales.com.au. These are a fabulous motorhome (26') fitted out like much larger units. If you look after it you will not lose much if anything should you buy right.
I like the Mercedes, but they seem more expensive than other vans and parts are expensive I believe. Rear wheel drive is good. Solar power is great, I love it, offends no one with noise, and no emissions.
)
. drb is around the corner 
