Sue and I will be at the Brisbane RV Show on Monday, and we are looking at caravans, motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
We want something that is built to a very high standard, is easy to tow, not too big but still comfortable inside for extended trips. Able to carry a reasonable load - one fellow on a previous thread said his minimum was 600 kgs. It needs to be able to freecamp, so toilet, shower and grey water tank. Not offroad, but able to be driven on well maintained gravel roads. We are looking at both new and used, so a model up to 4 or 5 years old would be good.
Only you guys can decide what size RV you need and that will depend on 1) how physically big you both are (need more room or less if you are horizontally challenged 2) how long your longest trip is going to be 3) how well do the two of you get on now and can you both comprise happily and without arguments in a small 1 bedroom bedsit (your RV)
If you buy new, don't expect high quality from most of the bigger manufacturers - if you don't end up with too many mainly minor and very annoying warranty faults due to poor quality workmanship, you will be a lucky person. Some of the small, family owned and actually run by the family will build to order, size and layout and you will probably have a good van - but it could take 6-8 months from order to collection.
Most off the shelf vans will not allow you to carry 600 kg of extras. Take into account that the discretionary weight will include the water you carry and 1 litre of water = 1 kg (drinking and grey water.
I suggest you have a look around at the show, don't believe anything that the sales people tell you (their brothers and sisters are used car salesmen !!). Get the names of the ones you like and their catalogues and check out their web sites later. Also do a google search for Australian caravan manufacturers and buy a few Caravan and Camping magazines from your news agency to get more names of the smaller van makers.
Just remember, the bigger RV makers, are not usually the best and this includes Jayco who is the biggest.
See if you can find an experienced nomad who lives not too far away from you through this Forum and ask if they can give you more advice
Best advice - don't rush into buying new or second hand - learn what to look for and which makers to usually avoid (sometimes it might be certain models to avoid)
Good luck !!
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Rex, have a serious look at some of the second hand "coaster" conversions - there are some absolutely fantastic units out there, but expect to pay around the $60K mark.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
g'day Rex
We bought our van from the show 2 yrs ago and haven't been happier.We have been around Aus and free camped 50% of the time.I spent 12 months doing homework on vans and came to buy a Blue Sky caravan. They are well built and very good value for money. I negotiated at the show for one of their display vans and saved 8 thousand as well as them supplying and fitting the brake controller as well as the weight distribution hitch.The handover and service i got was excellent.The only thing i haven't got is a grey water tank but that has never hindered us.
Happy hunting
Les
keeping your wallet shut until you have done a few months research and treat the day as a "research day". maybe even hire to start off to give you an idea of what you want to buy. regards. rocket n strop
Well we went to Briisy for 2 shows just to look. We then went to 3 factories and chose a Sunland Longreach in 2007, still great van for us.
AT THE SHOW and to avoid wasting time I suggest 2 things:
1 Look around and eliminate what you don't like at first glance - ie if you want to go bush a bit you need adequate ground clearance so eliminated all the low "on road" versions.
2 START looking at each van you are interested in UNDERNEATH THE VAN. This the most important part of the van IMHO, ie what holds it together the chassis and suspension. Look for poor quality workmanship in welding, plumbing, electrics, poor galvanising, tank fittings etc etc. If you can't do this because of any reason still look but get someone to assist later ie when you shortlist say 3-5 vans you like.
If you do this things will fall into place IMHO, but it also pays to write things down, ie the positives and negatives, and work them through and compare each van. It's a very serious business and some form of systematic approach should see a good outcome for you.
REMEMBER most manufacturers have numerous internal layouts and are also prepared to change some things to suit you.
Hope this helps
Cheers Baz
-- Edited by Baz421 on Saturday 6th of June 2015 03:15:05 PM
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Thanks folks, that is great advice. Not planning on buying until next year, but if the right RV comes along at the right price ....
FYI, especially for those still looking, Sue and I looked at a Crusade D-Lite caravan today, owned by a friend here in Rocky.
Trevor has owned 5 caravans over the years, and for him this one ticks all of the boxes - high quality construction, appropriate size (21.5 feet exterior, 19.5 feet interior), toilet, shower and washing machine, etc, etc.
We were certainly impressed with what we saw.
The most important issue is to make sure it passes the SLEEP TEST.
We did up a spreadsheet and a S.W.O.T. analysis ( Strength - Weakness - Opportunities and Threats ) well worth the exercise when laying our huge capitol, when looking for our VAN. We ended up with a second hand Coromal Princeton 653 ( 22 ft) from our local dealer in Loganhome Qld.
We may have wanted a slide out, but !!!! we can live without that feature.
However beware of some of the doggy second hand vans ( I repeat some not all)
We have added a number of additions to suit our needs ( like diesel heater- ceiling fan - solar panels - pole carriers - extra shades etc etc.
Finally, I repeat. male sure it allows you to sleep well at night, at home and on the road.
Good searching
Jay&Dee
