Well Maz and I spent 3 hours going around a few caravan yards in Cannington, WA looking for our starter van. We went in with a mid set of buy old, cheap and simple- say 1990-2000, small pop-top, no loo or shower as won't need that for many years, mainly for use at Rogaines or CP's. Hopefully around 10-15grand. Having spent a while at the first two yards looking at the above spec. vans I suggested that we look at new vans just to see if there has been substantial improvements. Given that the cheapest secondhand van with ensuite was around the 26 grand mark, around 14 years old, when we looked at the new Jayco 16'Starcraft (37.5 grand) and Coramal Appeal (5.5m and 42 grand) and Atlas (5.5 48 grand) we both reckon you get a lot more van for your money these days. Given how the ensuite vans seem to keep their value, this, to us, seems a better option - if we can afford it. The other bother is we will also need to update the tug at the same time (current favorite of mine is the Mitsubishi Triton for the value)
I know that others can't make my mind up but would love others viewpoint on whether it seem worthwhile stretching the finance (only a little) to go this route. I think at the moment we would buy the car at the end of the year, when the new models are due and prices are usually a bit down, but is there an equivalent time for caravans to get the 'best' price.
I went through the same thing myself over the last 8 months, good fun hey?
While up in Townsville in April this year the fun really started, researching on the net, looking around at car yards then test driving all the twin cab utes flavours as that is what I wanted. Thought of single cab with tray and build a back to my specs, space cab with same back or twin cab with canopy. Decided on twin cab with canopy and hinged side windows. At the end of 3 test drives of all vehicles in that category the current model LT Holden Colorado won the race. Great tug and I love it.
Now, the second bit, get another Den to replace my muched loved Avan Sprtliner Camper as I need a bit more space due to being full time on the road now.
After heaps of the same process as the tug I narrowed it down to one left to go look at. A mate of mine took me to see a "Retreat" caravans. Shut the front gate! Nice indeedy but out of my price range BUT in the same yard the dealer is an agent for " Chief" caravans.
Shut the front gate again! Hold the presses, what a great van, as soon as I saw it, it had DOUGWE all over it. Ticked all my boxes plus more. I settled for a 19'6" Feather. Delivery very very soon. I found Matt from "Luxury RV's" in Croyden VIC a great guy to deal with knows exactly what I wanted and guided me through the final choices process, nothing has been a bother to him, tuned right in he is.
It is all personal choice Pete and Maz, just thought I'd tell what I have done over the last 6 Months and hope it is of some help in some way.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi. i won't go into it all Doug has said it all. have been doing the same over 5 month get a isuzu Dmax space cab on 1 nov. my 5th wheeler is being done now with all the things i want, be in it by 1st nov . just sold the house gotta be out by 29th oct. and it looks live iv'e sold my carpet cleaning gear. glad when i can relax.
When we started looking at vans when we had a 13' Jayco, it did what we wanted while we had it but it just wasn't suitable for our needs in the long run. We started looking at preloved vans and soon realised that for a preloved van what we liked there wasn't a lot of cost difference between the old and new. We went with new Newlands caravan from Caravan Central in Croydon, this also allowed us to have the colours and layout that we liked, we took delivery a few weeks ago and love using it. As for a tow tug there are a number of utes available now, it all gets down to what suit you and your budget, all the best with your decisions.
im not a fan of Mitsubishi ... well, that's an understatement really.. Dmax, Rodeo, BT50, Ford Ranger, Holden Collarado are all far superior.. even second hand you are far better off...
if you can get the 16.5 starcraft with full ensuits for 37.5K then that's a great bargain..
I was at Prestige Jayco in Geelong today and they were on "special" for over 42K
Thanks for the comments folks, and please keep them coming.
I think the hardest thing for us is that we are coming in 'cold turkey', with no previous caravanning experience and the range in WA is probably not as large as the eastern states. The big problem is knowing what is/isn't really required. There is a 4WD show here in Perth on the 7-9th November which we hope to be going to. The problem for us though is that Maz works on the weekend and I work all week so getting time together for something like this is not too easy. We are both in our 50's and working hard so not easy to keep travelling to check out vans other than Perth.
We have noted that the Coramal vans (and probably the Jayco) don't have grey water tanks, just draining straight out - does this preclude them for use at the free camps (the dealer suggested a bucket under the outlet but I wonder if that would satisfy the rangers/site managers.
We went through the joys of buying a rig last year. Did a lot of offroad camping before "upgrading".
I wouldnt worry about grey water tanks. Just do the right thing and ensure you have a long hose. I have a portable grey water thank bought on ebay has handle and wheels with 40 lt capacity cost $80, havent needed to use it yet. If I camp at a show ground or similar area such a sports field in the future then I will use it anyway.
If you are going to "free camp" a lot you will be better off looking at including solar panels and plenty of water capacity, shower and toilet if you can before grey water tanks.
If you havent caravaned or camped before you might find hiring for a few outings first will give you a better idea of your individual future needs.
Good luck
Cheers
Moonraker
