Off-road or not??

Sundance · Veteran Member

Off-road or not??

Philw · Senior Member

Whilst they are called off road vans, they really are just for gravel roads. A few mates of mine have bought off roaders. One said that as he was pulling it out of a ravine, he realised that he had 2 tonne behind and if he got stuck he would be in trouble. So he and my other mate and wives use it as a base for off road. They take camping gear in the tug. But have heard of folk heading through the desert tracks towing their van but it depends on your personal capabilities.

When we had our van, we underslung it for the ground clearance and took it on gravel. Though very slowly. And never on off road tracks. Good luck.
phil

Sundance · Veteran Member

Thanks very much for your input Phil, much appreciated. :)

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Di,

Horses for courses. We love to get off the main roads and go adventuring to the unknowen. It had to have five things in mind. I am not a off road 4X4 Rambo. I love to free camp.

1.The van had to have independent suspension. 2. It had to have the clearance.3 It had to be a pop top.4/5 shower and toilet.

Value for money? We went with the Jayco Journey Outback.

Free camping to me is been able to turn left or right off the road over the shoulder of the road, and away from the mob a km or more to have a quite nights sleep, run the genie till bed time.

Our camper of 13years KK,took us to where we wanted to be, with such great memories.

With age and long term travel in mind, we had to move up before we retire. My work truck 2012 is our tow truck a 200 series GX with barn doors. I look after it very well, for the long term.

We are now set up and ready to go soon now. Think long term if you are going to do a lot of big trips IMO.

Regards Jim & Lambie

Sundance · Veteran Member

Thanks Jim, much appreciated. I guess what I'm looking at is that if we sell the van now (that's only been out of the yard twice with less than 1000k on the clock) we are going to lose a fair whack of money. My thoughts are that there is enough of Oz to see without having to go off-road. I'd rather keep the van for a year or two, take off around Oz and then somewhere down the track upgrade to an off-road van. I'm sure our wish list for the perfect van will grow longer as we go! But hubby wants to get it right from the beginning. Our only other option is to take the financial loss now by selling the van and upgrading to an off-road. This little hiccup is starting to take the shine off our much anticipated trip.

Cheers,

Di

Hey Jim · Guru

Di,

Just take it easy on the gravel roads, 2wd cars use them all day every day. Unless there has been a lot of rain just go.

As an example We have done the Savannah Way around the Gulf of Carpentaria @ 80kmph. Other dickheads with campers in tow passed us at 110km. I would not hesitate to take an on road van over it @40kmph as long as you seal all vents to stop the dust.

With the van on gravel. you need longer to slow or stop. Just be sensible about it.

Even our new van, I have been saving the large Cornflake boxes to duck tape the vents up. NO Van or Car is dust proof.

Jim

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Sundance wrote:
But hubby wants to get it right from the beginning.

Not possible.

Without being unkind, you have no idea what you really want yet and what your travel habits and ambitions will be in a couple years from now.

Australia is big enough to stay mostly on the black top for several years full time.

If then you change to something more capable, Australia will suddenly be about 3 times as big as it was, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn about yourselves and what you enjoy and have another go with another rig.

Cheers,

Peter

Sundance · Veteran Member

My thoughts exactly Peter! We're intending to be on the road for a few years at least so I think there's plenty of time down the track to upgrade when we feel it's necessary.

Cheers,

Di

Hey Jim · Guru

Di,

Where does this man of yours wish to go. Give us an idea of both your likes and dreams. I turn our dreams into realities. My lambie say's she would love to visit Spain.

It will happen, Cause she is my equal and sole mate.

Jim

gumpybsc · Senior Member

Di

There are a million opinions out there from a million RV users about the pros and cons of the various types of caravans etc, and a prospective grey nomad can quickly and easily become confused, overwhelmed, and even disheartened. I'm no expert however I can recommend a couple of good Aussie books written from respected and independent experts Which would help you to understand the full capabilities and limitations of all the various types of caravans, motor homes, camper trailers etc. After reading these I'm sure you'll find that your caravan will be able to take you and Hubble to all the places that you're dreaming of visiting. You may just need that little bit of reassurance to remove any hesitation and doubt, but at the same time be aware of what the capabilities and limitations of your van might be. In reality there is not a great deal of difference between so-called on-road and off-road vans if all you wanted to do was travel around Australia on main roads and highways, avoiding long stretches of remote and unsealed roads.

Caravan Buyers Guide by Andrew Woodmansey (2014)

The Caravan and Motorhome Book by Collyn Rivers (2016)

Safe & happy travels, and maybe we'll see you out there soon smile smile

Cheers

PeterD · Guru

Unless you want to go to the Cape or along the Gibb River Road at high speed you do not need an off road van. You can take a well made soft road van along most of the gravel roads that get graded once or twice a year. We have taken our Spaceland pop-top out to Birdsville and places like that without problems.

Use the van you have for a few years and see how far you can go with it. You will find you can cover most of the inhabited parts of Oz. If you really wish to go further into the outback then get a smaller single axle van for the few left over roads.

Paul · Veteran Member

I ended up doing the Birdsville Track in an older (1987) dual axle Golf a few years ago with a 1985 60 Series. The Golf was and still is a true black top tourer but by keeping the speed down it was no problem, even ended up with the same 2 spare wheels when I got to the Gregory Hotel to do a bit of work. Don't stress it.

GarrynLyn · Senior Member

We bought an off road van, mainly for the high clearance and if we want to go on the dirt, it has independent suspension. We're halfway around the block, and have mostly been on tar, however like to pull off and bush camp where possible.

You could make do with what you have, and just know your limitations. If you really need to go on a rough track, leave the van secure somewhere, and use swags or a small tent.

Maybe the off road van can come along later....

Radar · Guru

Di hi, did you do much out back travel before you retired that may help with your answer.

In the years leading up to our retirement we managed to go to the top and the bottom of Australia, out into the central desert area and lots of forest, beach camping, to wards the end of our working life we were time poor and needing a method of getting away quick, we purchased a single axle van as a weekender, thinking we would work also a lot longer but time changed that idea, it has been the best fun, take it anywhere, very few luxurys, just love it.

We have been saying since we stopped work we should up date it to a more livable van with the ensuite but no it still there, done about 40000ks in 3 years since retiring doing mostly 2nd class roads, some dirt roads ks with that, just drive to the conditions by slowing down.

Hard call but I would think get some ks and experience with what you have and then you will have more of an understanding of where you want to be with your van. If your made one mistake try not to double up with another.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I have seen some nice vans that have done inland trails. The vans that where not originally designed off road . Have larger, higher profile tyres for clearance and I assume ride on corrugations on metal, clay roads . Often the original wheels from tug fitted to van and upgraded wheels on tug ? Nice to have same stud pattern to share spare .. There SO much to see on the black top . Do you REALY want to travel 100's of k's in rough terrain ?

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

Try unhitching your on road van & doing day trips on unmade roads to places of interest, works every time. We take 2 chairs, a small table, coffee/tea, lunch, fruit etc with us on day trips away from our caravan, they're great. Our van has 3 locks on it back at home base, 2 on the hitch plus a wheel lock. There seems to be a trend these days to travel along the most remote & roughest roads just so that you can brag to others that you've done it. Don't get ''sucked in''. There's so much to see & do in easily accessed areas. We take our on road caravan into dusty & muddy campsites as well as doing reasonable length unmade stretches of road at a careful pace, no problems at all. Our reason for traveling is to do nature photography we get into plenty of ''out of the way'' places without having an off road caravan. A lot of off road vans spend their time in commercial caravan parks being polished to death, we wash our van once or twice a year

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 19th of May 2016 04:56:43 PM

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

Hi SD,

Peter_n_Margaret"'s advice here is succinct and bang on the money. My feeling after reading your IP was also you were trying to second guess the conditions you MAY encounter and trying to revisit your decisions as to the equipment you have acquired.

I would suggest you head out with what you have and cautiously explore the limits of endurance your equipment can cope with. A road like, say, the Great Central you can tow a town van back and forth for ever if you dont mind the stone chips. It's the 25 kms of corrugations that will destroy the suspension.

Talk to the locals and other travellers. Dont buy the sales pitch that "The Overflow" is only fit for Clancy and rough and tumble others who have prostrated thier VISA cards to prove how Aussie they are.

Back in the Mezozoic I was working as a Geo in diamond drilling in some seriously rough ground in Tasmania. The drillers made a fetish of not using a $WD unless they absolutely had to. We had Landcruisers and often barely made it to drill sites. We used to reckon if the drillers couldnt make it to the site in a VW Beetle, we would need a helicopter.

It is a learning curve but dont sweat it. Take it slowly and cautiously and eat the elephant one spoonfull at a time.

KRS.

Sundance · Veteran Member

A great big thank you to Philw, Jim & Lambie, Peter n Margaret, gumpybsc, PeterD, Pauly, GarrynLyn, Radar, Aus-Kiwi, Desert Dweller and Muzzlehatch. You really are an amazing lot on this forum!!!!

You have put both mine and hubby's minds to rest. After reading and taking in all your comments and advice hubby has realised that he's probably been overthinking it. The whole idea of doing this trip is to get out of the rat race and enjoy this beautiful country, not spend it stressing about whether we've got the right van. We will go with what we have, see where the road takes us and if further down the track we decide to get an off-road we'll be doing it with a bit of experience and knowledge behind us. The important thing is just getting on the road! And we'll do this journey exactly like we've done everything else in life - by making mistakes and learning along the way.

You are a wise lot!!!!! biggrin

Di

Hey Jim · Guru

Sundance wrote:
A great big thank you to Philw, Jim & Lambie, Peter n Margaret, gumpybsc, PeterD, Pauly, GarrynLyn, Radar, Aus-Kiwi, Desert Dweller and Muzzlehatch. You really are an amazing lot on this forum!!!!
You have put both mine and hubby's minds to rest. After reading and taking in all your comments and advice hubby has realised that he's probably been overthinking it. The whole idea of doing this trip is to get out of the rat race and enjoy this beautiful country, not spend it stressing about whether we've got the right van. We will go with what we have, see where the road takes us and if further down the track we decide to get an off-road we'll be doing it with a bit of experience and knowledge behind us. The important thing is just getting on the road! And we'll do this journey exactly like we've done everything else in life - by making mistakes and learning along the way.
You are a wise lot!!!!!
Di

Hi Di & Sundance,

We are out of here in July. WE hope we cross paths some where some time. We will have our GN's Stickers on the rear + Hey Jim & Lambie CH18 /40. Wagons hooooo.

Jim & Lambie

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Don't think of it as a trip .. Just a way of life . Lol s l o w d o w n .. Is the big thing . I don't mean in driving ., No rush .. I keep telling myself that btw !! lol

Radar · Guru

Helping you is helping us make better decision by talking and thinking about our real choices.

What ever path you take enjoy.

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

Another bit of handy advice is not to get ''white line fever''. Take time to ''really see'' this great country, not just ''tick boxes'' as you fleetingly pass through. Slowing down makes for a more rewarding experience. I'd like a dollar for every time I've said to someone ''have you been to a particularly interesting place'' & they've said '' yes but we don't know the place because we were in a hurry & only passing through''. What's the hurry, you're retired?

chooknphil · Veteran Member

We have met many, many long term vanners out there who have taken on road caravans - VERY QUIETLY - on dirt roads. They have always done a FULL check on the van, including getting underneath & tweaking bolts/nuts etc, not just looking, so if you are happy to take your time - go with what you've got. Just remember to travel as light as you possibly can as that will help on dirt roads.

Before leaving, take the time to ensure your appliances are fixed properly to stop them vibrating out & even if you experience a few repairs - it will work out far cheaper than the cost of a new van & the loss of selling your current van.

Also in the caravan market - buyer beware with those titles of 'off road', dirt roader' etc.....the caravan industry is full of backyard builders who won't back their products with decent warrenties, so the moment you go onto a dirt road it voids your warrenty - even with some off - roaders. This also applies with insurance.

Beware of the marketing, if they think they can sell something at a higher price with a fancier label - they will - buyer beware & follow Desert Dweller's advice.....take your time.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

The choice is not just offroad vs onroad, but more about what constitutes an "offroad" van. Some companies do an underslung axle, put on a bit of chequerplate and call it offroad.
A quality built on road van is quite capable of travelling along a flat dirt or gravel road or a short section of corrugations.
The length of the van will come into play for true offroad work - a larger van cannot be turned in tight areas and do not have the required ramp angles.
We have a Vista Crossover "van" that is true offroad. I would not like to take anything longer or higher into a true offroad situation.
For those people living in their van or doing extended trips, your level of luxury is important. Instead of spending the extra $$$ on an offroad van, spend it on a quality on road and invest in some lightweight camping gear so that your van can become your base for some true offroad adventure. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Philw · Senior Member

Hey. I just have to say....awe shucks. Lol. Thanks for the wise compliment just not sure the love of my life would agree. About your travels. We often travel with no general destination. Sometimes an overall route with an outcome but just feel the path as we go. Sometimes we drive the 4 hours and other times we barely get down the road and see another great spot and pull in for the day, night, week. After a world of work, no planning or timetables is simply the most enjoyable aspect. On our last trip we decided to turn off at every beach sign. We found the most amazing gems.

There have been times when the weather determined if we would go north or south. So this amazing, wonderful country of ours is your oyster. Eat it slowly and enjoy the constant taste of each day and the landscape and people you meet on the way. Good luck.
phil

Desert Dweller · Senior Member

You'll meet many people with ''off road'' caravans on your travels. Ask them if they've ever taken their caravan off road. Most of them will say ''No, I've never taken it off the bitumen because I don't want to get it dirty''.

Bryan · Guru

There are vans branded off road that are not really suitable to take off road and there are a few genuine off road vans that can really mix it up in the rough stuff but then again would anyone want to subject their pride and joy to such torture.