Hi everyone, my hubby and I are just about to purchase our first van. We are in our mid 40's so we aren't doing our around oz trip just yet but we are planning on doing the usual holidays, long weekends etc. We are looking at a van that can accommodate our little grandchildren when need be so no annex sleeping while they are still little (2 & 4). Can anyone recommend a van that has a ensuite, large fridge, full oven (I love to cook) and a table etc that can turn into a bed when needed? Theres a lot of vans out there but I'm finding it hard to find one that has all of these. We are looking at second hand and to spend around $35k. Cheers, Lisa
-- Edited by Lisa Ozzy on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 07:49:11 AM
There are heaps of van makers and each seemingly has heaps of floor plans / storage arrangements
In this case I feel that you will need to do the long haul and look at the various offerings
When we were looking around for our first caravan we went through hundreds of them, as well as upping the amount we were prepared to pay for one considerably. We got very disheartened looking at other peoples cast offs, particularly as they had been modified by the previous ''home handyman'' owner. Some of them had more holes drilled in them than Swiss Cheese, as well as unidentifiable wiring hanging out of them , not to mention the rust. These vans were around $30,000. We ended up buying new, a lot safer.
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Cheers Keith
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts, of beauty rich & rare. We'll be out there enjoying it somewhere, camped by ourselves much of the time.
First question.
What are you going to tow it with.
THAT is the deciding factor.
A huge van first time round is also not a good idea.
"including the kitchen sink" that you are looking for. a minimum of 19ft INside probably
Specially with kids.
But don't make the excuse/mistake of having a van for 4 when most of time there's 2....
Small Kids. A decent lounge will cover their bed needs till around 7 or 8
By then. they probably won't want to know. maybe before then.
Kids don't always want what the grandad wants.
Look at KNOWN. RELIABLE good brands. Earlier models
and with a bit of care you'll get a good one. They are out there.
We just bought a 1998 Coromal 18ft Tandem full size semi offroader. Stood in garage for last 6 yrs
Insurance average book value.. $19.800
We paid $12k.
Had to go down to Melb from Central QLD though. Good check out of van on return run.
For 2 persons. after 50 odd yrs doing it.
The ideal size.
Lounge takes a friend when she comes along.
You don't NEED half the size of, or gear 98% of you drag along.
You're just house sized brain trained.
Remember. if you primarily Travelling...
You only dragging along a bed. kitchen 2 chairs and maybe a shower. Everything else is incidental.
Think for a minute. how many hrs do you actually. Spend in bed. or Inside the van.
You're "Travelling"..
We been from a 28fter to a rear door 12ft 6 single axle.
BOTH did the job. but both lacking in something.
17 to 19 ft 6in. max the sweet spot.
If you have a ute. DON'T try to tow it's MAX rated weights.
And remember. they ALL just a wooden or aluminium framed box trailer.
with varying levels of value inside.
Nothing more..
2000 to Maybe.....2004 will give you a good range of value in good makes.
in your size req'd and $35k range.
Sorry this so long but there's a lot of hic-cups to sidestep if just starting out.
PS.
If you haven't towed b4. and you buying a big unit. get a lesson in towing....
You'll be a lot safer to both yourselves and others.
My first van was a new Jayco Westport, 21'6" that has all the things that you want. I still pull it with the same Patrol, after some 17 years & 200,000 km.
It was excellent for touring around the block, thru the centre & all the obligatory on road stuff, with just the two of us and ideal for taking up to two Grand Children either touring or holidaying in the country or at the beach.
The L shaped dinette can also be turned into an adult sized bed with a privacy partition to the main bedroom. My 6' tall Sister used it for a couple of weeks on a trip from Brisbane to Mt.Isa one year.
These days we use it mainly for shortish trips or to the beach where the annex is a must irrespective of the age of the occupants.
It may not be as pretty as the brand new ones but I would imagine that you would pick up a good one for around the mid $20's. It cost mid $30's new; over $70,000 these days. From what I've heard & seen they seem to be far better made than than some of the nice new ones.
As DD said look our for the poorly modified ones. They may have been poorly maintained as well. Water ingress aught to be looked out for as well.
Ours will keep on being on duty for at least 5 more years. I'm just in the process of replacing all the breaking gear even though the original bearings & brake shoes are still in very good condition. But that's another story.
Good luck in your hunt. There are lots out there to choose from.
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 01:39:03 PM
ANY caravan you end up buying (even new)
I'd check all vertical and horizontal external seams and windows.
First thing I do second hand is scrape the corner seams and reseal with sikaflex.
Loosen window frame screws scrape out the stuff that' you can get and eseal them with sikaflex too
Get on roof and after gerni. Apply a coating or two, or three.
Of heat/waterproof paint to complete roof.
That You know, makes van dry for at least 3 yrs. Plus cooler interior too
I looked at a couple of CELL caravans I could be interested in, plenty of space and looked ok quality... The one with the bunk room at one end and the master bedroom the other might suit your needs.
Thanks so much for your post. Its given us a lot to think about. We are considering the lounge for our grandkids. We have a Toyota kluger and a V8 commodore wagon. I'm due to upgrade the kluger soon so I might go for something with a little more towing capacity. We have a 7 metre bayliner boat that the kluger tows easily. Were both experienced with towing (yes the boat is mine, not hubbys lol) I do like my creature comforts unfortunately and I could upgrade my budget if needed. I have looked at new vans but hoping to pick up something that's used but in excellent condition.
Tins out in shed. too bloody cold to go out there now. around 18deg Brrr. says he sitting in twith the aircond on 25 till next spring.
Remind me tomorrow if I forget. I'll have a look There are several mfg's. this one NOT cheap but very efficient in trials.and several blokes I know up here live in garage/sheds on blocks. Reckon it's as cool as a brick house
My caravan definitely a LOT cooler.
Jus remember to put masking tape along edges. With 3 coats it's fairly thick. Visibly so. and flexible to a point. I bought a 6 ltr pack for Roadstar. but it so efficient it didn't need it. so this been sitting in shed Took it out. mixed it. rollered it on and so far fine.
I brought it down front and back to windows to cover top seam to front panels. extra waterproofing.
This van had top, front and side hail damage.(pre my purchase) Aluminium framed. it was completely reclad on top. top half of front and back plus one full side. With aluminium skirt on front lower instead of that red quilting they use. Virtually a new van with improvements.
There are 1000 times more vans down South than up here. Don't be scared to travel. As long as it registered in State it bought. Insure it. and you have 30 days.AFTER you arrive in your state. By law to reregister it in your State.
If they don't cancel the Rego. you can run it till it runs out. If you get stopped. you just bought it and taking home. But I didn't say that..... My prev van we bought in NSW took it up to the Territory for 3 months. then home and registered it then for Qld.
2000 model $57k new. bought 4 yrs old for $41 1\2 k. Had Been round Aust 2 times. We took it round a further 5 1\2 times plus a lot of fishing trips Then it stood for 6 yrs near as we going Overseas each yr.
Still as good as new, just nicely weathered. and running better than new. That was a Roadstar. Compass the same factory. (the early models VERY good). they went downhill a bit when changing hands.
Rear door rear end galley. L Lounge inside door on left. lounge opposite. with Linen cupboard/water heater in front of. Toilet'shower in one forward of L Lounge. then Double bed at front. with sink in one corner.
Rear set susp towed like a dream at ANY speeds on ANY roads. Loved dirt.
Table removed from living area. Just one big room use mobile table to suit. L Lounge and opposite lounge ideal for kids. L unit fits 5 ft 3 female.
2.25 t empty 2.7/2.8 ton when ready to roll. with empty tanks (3 x 90 ltr) Combined weights. Patrol 3.75 tinny on top and van went 5.8ish t over local weighbridge.
Just as an example. There are a lot out there. IN good cond. sort one out.
If you want to tow full weight. I'd update Kluger to a big Toyota or Patrol.
The utes ok Plenty of power. BUT.
when loaded to give stability with load on back
their towing capacity's are well reduced.
Check axle weights as well as individual and combined.
AND get dealer to get ticket of actual weight from weighbridge other than his own
b4 you pay anything.
PAINT.
Australian Paints. Springwood QLD.
"Thermashield"
07-3806-7001
If you want cheaper paint that will flexibly seal but no thermal qualities
POOL PAINT, or Vynyl tar
-- Edited by macka17 on Wednesday 22nd of June 2016 12:21:59 AM
-- Edited by macka17 on Wednesday 22nd of June 2016 12:37:27 AM
We're in the same boat. Or were. We ended up getting a Royal Flair Family. It's a 23' footer with ensuite down the right back and opposite it are 3 bunks which the grandkids absolutely LOVE, then the kitchen with a fridge/freezer Dometic unit and the usual stuff. Bedroom at the front.
It weighs around 2.1t empty, to a max of 2.6t, I think.
That cost us around $45k, but it's a 2013 model.
Lisa Ozzy wrote:
Hi everyone, my hubby and I are just about to purchase our first van. We are in our mid 40's so we aren't doing our around oz trip just yet but we are planning on doing the usual holidays, long weekends etc. We are looking at a van that can accommodate our little grandchildren when need be so no annex sleeping while they are still little (2 & 4). Can anyone recommend a van that has a ensuite, large fridge, full oven (I love to cook) and a table etc that can turn into a bed when needed? Theres a lot of vans out there but I'm finding it hard to find one that has all of these. We are looking at second hand and to spend around $35k. Cheers, Lisa
-- Edited by Lisa Ozzy on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 07:49:11 AM
Ive been looking at a caravan called a Geist XK630. It seems to have everything we need and we can tow it with our Kluger which has a 2000kg towing limit. Anyone have any comments on this van? German made to Australian standards apparently.
