some questions on campervans

milo · Guru

some questions on campervans

jules47 · The Happy Helper

That's a nice looking unit Milo - something like that would be good to start with - though one of our members has a Ford MH - just a bit bigger than a hi ace, she also has a toilet and shower - small but adequate for one person - much llike the one in your pic - but a bit bigger. Good luck with whatever you decide - have fun, that's the best thing about travelling this big country.

brickies · Guru

Great to see you back mate , It look like you you have a great plan and looks good to me keep your dream alive .

newhorizons · Senior Member

When I was making enquiries, a friend who has had one of those, said make sure you get one with the bed at the back. That way you can leave it set up and its not in the doorway when you go in. It's second had advice but hope it helps.

I noticed that one also has an awning that pulls out. Looks pretty good to me!

I opted to tow a small poptop but if that doesn't work out well, something like yours would be the next choice. Motorhomes and slideons always look too high and a bit unstable to me.

Good luck with your choice.

Gaylehere · Guru

Many moons ago (back in the 1980's) we had a kombie camper pop top. One thing we liked with it was that we could walk from the cab part to the back which was especially good in bad weather and for safety. I don't think you can do that with a high ace. Depending how it is set up I guess. The pop top doesn't always need to be up when camping but do put it up on a nice sunny day if you've had it up during rainy weather just to air and let it dry out. I'd do the same with an awning. If the van doesn't have insect screens on the main windows, popping the top up and opening the meshed vents gives you air without letting in the mossies. The high ace size vans are easy to park, don't take up much space, less likely to hit overhead branches etc. Loved camping in our Kombie, but when 2 became 3 and then 4 it got a little snug. Now that 3 and 4 are grown up we got another van. Bigger this time but again walk through for weather and safety and a loo so we don't need to go walk about in the middle of the night. What ever you buy, enjoy it and see some countryside. Cheers.

milo · Guru

I think I'd prefer the one with the bed at the back,
thats a start any way

Izabarack · Guru

My experience - being able to walk between the seats into the back is a HUGE advantage. Pulling up in the night and not having to get out is a safety thing. Not getting out in the rain is a comfort thing. Easy access to the passenger side footwell is also sometimes a good thing/

Putting a swivel under the seat on the passenger side, at least, doubles the living area floor space. I have both on swivels. I usually stop and turn the passenger seat 45 degrees and leave it there while camped. TV in one back corner and fan in the other, both mounted high and out of the way. The swiveled seat becomes my lounge chair.

Semi flexible solar panels are light and can go on a Pop- Top roof. My 120 Watt panel weights 2 Kg.

My towbar handles 140 Kgs. Don't know what a Postie Bike weighs.

I have platform bed on the near side going all the way to the back door. Fridge is on a homebuilt slide (cost me under $20 to make) that puts it back under the bed frame. If outside, I simply go to the side door and pull the fridge forward for access.

I have a VW van but do see lots of HiAce types out there.

Iza

milo · Guru

thanks guys keep the suggestions coming, out of interest, the coasters seem to be longer ,
which doesnt worry me but the height for my drive thru carport does... some ideas I'm thinking about

Possum3 · Guru

Speak to Guy or Mel at Aussie Inlander Campers - they make them at Tamworth NSW. www.aussieinlander.com.au/
I think they also have some hire ones if you want to try different styles. (on road or off road, hard or soft floor, front, side or rear fold-over).

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Great idea from Possum3, there, Milo - try hiring - even if just for a weekend - say a Hi Ace one time - Sprinter next - and then Coaster. Important to have toilet and shower as well, in my opinion, especially for long term living and travelling.

milo · Guru

some good points there thanks