Campervan or caravan?

Sommer · Veteran Member

Campervan or caravan?

Sheba · Guru

Hi Jytte. With a Campervan, you'll only have one lot of Rego, Insurance, and Tyres to worry about. You will never have to hitch up and un-hitch. You will not have to worry about taking up too much space when you pull up somewhere.

I have a Toyota Hi-ace, and wouldn't trade it for the world. [Except for a 4x4 model.] biggrin biggrin biggrin

Cheers,

Sheba.

Sommer · Veteran Member

Hi Sheba,

Thank you for all the information I can see it will be not cost as much as having a car and caravan. Is your camper running on petrol or dieses ? With a campervan I lose lots of storage how do you manage that and are you on the road full time ? I will be traveling with my little dog and I mostly free camp.

I know I am asking many questions but the sort of trading my little x trail and van is like lose a baby biggrin smile

Cheers Jytte

jetj · Guru

I have a Hiace I fitted out myself, they are a very good vehicle but I would prefer something a bit bigger, no poptop. I can't really find anything I think is ultra reliable though.

Lesley F · Senior Member

Here's my view, others are welcome to disagree. After 6 months I was sick to death of making my bed every night. The space felt too small, sometimes I felt like a "caged lion". I had no air con., unbearable, and every time I wanted to shop, or go sightseeing, I had to pack up my entire camp site. cheers Lesley

Sommer · Veteran Member

Hi jetj and Lesley F,

jeetj you must be very clever converting the van yourself. Are both of you on the road full time ?

I am only traveling in the cooler months so the van may be large enough. As my back is not the best and I am not 21(+ lots of summers biggrin ) anymore. I am looking at the possibility of change. I believe it will be easier to set up a campervan and also park it. I have an issue with leaving the van at the free camps when I wants to sightseeing or shopping. It is often difficult to get parking close to the shops or interesting places. So there is plus and minus with both set up. Thanks to both of you for your input, if you have other information that will be helpful please let my know. confuse smile

Lesley F · Senior Member

Hi, I was on the road for 2 years during 07 and 08. I'm from Melb. but I purchased the van in Perth. Next time I travel, I'd be looking at a larger space, perhaps a light weight small pop top caravan?

Cheers

Lesley F · Senior Member

What I meant was, sightseeing or shopping, you have to take your entire home with you, unless you have a bike or wish to transport/tow a car, which larger rigs do.

Sheba · Guru

Lesley F wrote:

After 6 months I was sick to death of making my bed every night. I had no air con.

Mine is a Pop-top Diesel Jytte, and I leave the bed made up permanently. It's at the back. I have Aircon. You can always have it put in.

With the Pop-top you have less wind resistance while driving, so better fuel economy. I only get away for weeks at a time so far, but can't wait to go permanently. I used to take my small dogs with me, and they loved it. [ I've lost them all now.]

Cheers,

Sheba.

jetj · Guru

No easy answer. My homemade conversion is very basic. A pop top or small van can be used as everyday vehicle so has advantages, but space is limited.

Nelly · Guru

Hello Sommer - I had a slide-on for the back of my ute - it was really easy to set up and fold away but I found I felt insecure so I have now purchased a small m/h where I can pull up and don't even have to get out if I don't need to. I can see where Lesley F is coming from that if you want to go sightseeing you need to pack your camp up. I think there are advantages and disadvantages for all RVs - just depends what you want to do I suppose. Anyway good luck with your decision and happy travels.

Sommer · Veteran Member

Thank you to all of you for the information. Nelly is the new m/h your only transport or do you have another car? What m/h have you purchased ? I need to be a bit careful because if I sell the car and van for a campervan or m/h that will be the only transport I will have.

I am starting to look at the various campervan and their layout. With a bit of luck I wont be to confused wink hmm confuse

Cheers Sommer

Sheba · Guru

My Hi-ace is my every-day vehicle Sommer. It will fit in any normal car parking space. The only thing you have to watch, is if you want to go to an undercover car park. Make sure you have enough clearance.

I have a Pop-top, with a Solar Panel on top. I need 2.1 metres Clearance. I have this info. taped to the Speedo, where it can be easily seen, so I don't forget.

Some-one with a Hi-top, would need even more clearance.

Will try and post a pic.to show my storage space. I made the bed a three Quarter, instead of a double, and put in some Plastic Drawer sets, 4 high.

Initially kept the drawers from sliding out with Bungee Cords., as in Pic 2. Finally made 2 inch wide elastic straps with wire hooks at each end, to clip on to drawer front, and back of tops. Can't copy Pic. to here, [I don't know why that one will not work] but could e-mail you a pic. if you want it. Pm me if so.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 9th of January 2015 10:27:45 PM

Sommer · Veteran Member

HI Sheba,

It would be great with more pictures

Cheers Sommer

-- Edited by Sommer on Friday 9th of January 2015 10:41:04 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi - just my take on the question - re storage - maybe it is time to minimise the "stuff" you are taking with you - , plus you could get one of thos Thiele things they put on the roof - the grey things that look a bit like a coffin - very handy, I would think.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

thats how we transport my mother inlaw when she is here

we've got only a 2 seater ute

and that way you can't hear her scream biggrin biggrin

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Um R, CC, you will be shot at dawn for that comment mate.

Now, back on topic. I thought about what to get around Late March 2014 when I decided to update my small Avan Camper. I finally decided to go with a lager full caravan and tug. That way I can set up for any length of time and just come and go in the tug, although it would be a car at hat point in time. IMO it was a good choice.

At the end of the day, it's all personal choice really because there is good and bad in both ways.

Whatever you decide enjoy and keep safe.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

She knows Doug no stress there :

I told her when she was here the last time that they are specialy for inlaws ( she dind't believe me )

and that we would get one special for her

now she is dead scared to come back to Australia biggrin biggrin

btw Marjoleine is going to visit her for 6 weeks and leaves on Monday the 12 th

so party time here

Cheers John

Cadpete · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Um R, CC, you will be shot at dawn for that comment mate.

Now, back on topic. I thought about what to get around Late March 2014 when I decided to update my small Avan Camper. I finally decided to go with a lager full caravan and tug. That way I can set up for any length of time and just come and go in the tug, although it would be a car at hat point in time. IMO it was a good choice.

At the end of the day, it's all personal choice really because there is good and bad in both ways.

Whatever you decide enjoy and keep safe.

I'll drink to that biggrin biggrin biggrin

jade46 · Member

Hi Sommer
I note that you are in Brisbane by your profile.Have you tried this company?They will pretty much do whatever you want

www.motorhomesoz.com.au/motorhomes-for-sale

Nelly · Guru

Hello Sommer - I purchased a second hand Mercedes Sprinter that was setup - being second hand it was different to what I wanted if I had purchased brand new but it will do the job. As I will be a part time GN I do have another vehicle here at home but I do hope to travel as much as I can. Good luck with your decision making.

10701996_10204170634602144_2917890875955080974_n[1].jpg Or campervan!!! LOL!!!

Sommer · Veteran Member

Hi Sheba,

I would also want to leave the bed made all the time. When I look for a camper I want to have 12v power from a solar panel on the roof. On my caravan there is 2x80v solar panel and 2x100ah batteries and the genie has only been used ones after some rainy days. I also have a satellite TV system for times when I am in the bush. When you say you have air-conditioning, is that in the front of the camper or is it an independent system in your living area? Tomorrow is the start of searching for the "ideal" campervan biggrin

I am sorry that your dogs have gone to dog heaven, are you thinking of getting another dog or dogs?

Cheers Sommer

Sommer · Veteran Member

Jules,

If I get rid of more stuff there will not be much left smile I don't want to carriage a coffin on the roof as I am not leaving this world yet to much to see and do biggrin .

Cheers Sommer

Sommer · Veteran Member

Hi jade46

I have been to that place but I don't like the campervan they have. Most of them is from japan ad they are to dark inside.

Cheers Sommer

Sommer · Veteran Member

Hi Nelly

I understand you did not get is as you would have if it was new, but think about the money you saved it by lots of fuel biggrin

You can always make some changes to the camper, at lest you can "walk trough" and feel safer.

Cheers Sommer

Nelly · Guru

Yes Sommer that is right. Are you thinking second hand or new?

Woolly · Senior Member

We have a camper and wouldn't go any other way. Easy to drive, easy to park and can go where ever we want. Takes us 2 minutes to setup or pack up so sight seeing is never a problem, can be on the road quicker then it takes most to lock their caravan. Bed is a permanent set up and still have all the room that we need, 12 volt fans circulate enough air flow so it is comfortable in the hot weather. There are 2 of us and find it great, would never think of owning a van, did that years ago and find the camper so much easier.

Woolly · Senior Member

I forgot to mention ours is a Fiat Ducato, no bigger then a Hiace and as easy to drive but they are slightly wider so can have the bed across the back so that it gives more room then a north/south bed in the van.

Sheba · Guru

Sommer wrote:
Hi Sheba,
are  you thinking of getting another dog or dogs?
Cheers Sommer

Won't be getting any more dogs Sommer.   Hurts too much when they leave. Don't think I could handle that again.
The Air-con. in mine is only in the front, but you can position the vents to blow towards the rear of the Van. People have told me that the cool air reaches back OK, but I haven't tested that myself yet.   Will have to do that one day.
You can see "Angel", the last one I lost, standing on the bed.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Sommer · Veteran Member

Hi, Oolly, Nelly and Sheba

I have been to Discoverer Campervns the Gold Cost to have a look a their stock of campervans. Have any of you deal with them ?

I am looking to purchase a secondhand unit in a good condition as I am not prepared to pay hat they wants for a new unit. Shèba your littel dog look so sweet so sad he/she pasedon to the doggy heaven. I had toget my littel dog pud down 2years ago she was 19 yar old. Stll have a 5 yea old foxy she is lovely.

Wolly it is good to hear you are happy traveling in your m/h after having a van I hope to be the same when I get my ideal camper

Cheers Sommer