Just seeking advice for a single solo female traveler
I have for the past two years been travelling around in a ford transient, but now need to update for a bit more comfort.
I am looking at a 2009 Winnebargo huntsman 2 berth on a Toyota Hilux 2.7 litre petrol, manual.
It's an ex rental through Appollo Motorhomes. It really has everything inside that I need but maybe a bit wary because of being an ex rental.I think the kilometres are around 225,000.
The vehicle is in Sydney and I am in Adelaide, I will not exchange any money without first looking at it, but any advice about these would be great and also what questions I should ask re the vehicle.
Normally ex rental not a big problem and after 225,000 klms Winnebago should have all problems sorted - Ensure full mechanical done on Toyota and view evidence of major services including timing belts. 2009 should be before common rail motor a very good point as common rails are very, very expensive to fix once a load of dirty fuel gets up their throat.
Ensure body has no damage particularly at the peak and ensure you re-caulk seams regardless.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Thanks Possum3, Can you please talk in female language!!
What is a timing belt, also chaulk seam?
What is a common rail motor???
Please don't scratch your head. lol
Yes, I was wondering about the speed capacity also, as it is not a 4x4. I don't think I want to do more than 100kph, guess going up hills could be a bit slow?
I do intend to do all the other things that you mentioned John.
Thanks Possum3, Can you please talk in female language!!
What is a timing belt, Timing belt is very important - if it is a belt it will last for considerable time but may need changing at 225,000Km or soon, but if a timing CHAIN it will need to have been replaced at a specific time ... usually about 140,000Km also chaulk seam? I think he means that all seams/joins in the 'van part' of the rig should be checked and re-sealed if necessary to ensure no leaks - or leaks repaired.
What is a common rail motor??? this is a modern diesel motor - the one you are looking at is petrol so it is not common rail.
Please don't scratch your head. lol
Yes, I was wondering about the speed capacity also, as it is not a 4x4. being a 4x2 has some advantages - cheaper to maintain particularly I don't think I want to do more than 100kph, guess going up hills could be a bit slow? The only reason I mentioned the possibility of 'sluggishness' is that the Hilux petrol motors are (or were) not renowned for their grunt - and with the weight of the 'van' on the back may be a slow traveller and slow on hills, you won't know unless you actually drive it.
I do intend to do all the other things that you mentioned John.
Thanks for all the advice.
Helen
Gday...
While we wait for Possum ... some comments above in red that might help you.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Sorry guys just got back on to it. Yeah petrol Toyota no fuel problems but service history and timing belts should be investigated. Fuel consumption is high but still better than Y62 Patrol that many are driving .
Caulking seams refers to all the joins in the Winnebago (House bit) - Winnebago (Avida now) are adamant that the Sikaflex jointing compound should be redone at least once a year to prevent leaks - as advised by Paul (service manager) at Emu Plains.
Have fun with it Helen.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
The web site states - 17 litres to 100, so maybe not so good.
I get better than that with a V8 petrol & bigger unit + more weight.
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
Many years ago we operated a smallish RV Hire/Drive business in Tasmania and we specialised in the Freeway (subsequently Winnebago and now Avida) Huntsman and one other make/design.
The Huntsman was a very good unit for a couple of people for a week or two but it had (has?) a couple of shortcomings for long term use by a single female. These are the lack of wardrobe space for hanging clothes and the lack of a shower and toilet. The difficulty of moving from "the home" to the driving cab could also be a problem with the access a crawl through hatch where the rear window of the cab was removed and replaced by a flexible hatch. If the drivers and passengers seats were separate the hatch could be larger but still only a crawl through. I may be being chauvinistic but this could be a problem for a single female being hassled by some hoons and wanting to drive off.
The lack of shower and toilet would not be such a significant problem if the user was going from caravan park to caravan park but it would be an added expense and certainly an inconvenience as compared to freedom parking.
I also have concerns that the manual 2.7L Toyota Hilux may be under powered for a Huntsman body.
Helen said it is a petrol, possum - so definitely not a common rail. 
