ONE reason.

Combined advertising.
By MFG's and PAID BY THEM. Magazines.

Over the yrs. they've conned the WIVES... That bigger is better. MORE HOME NEEDS met.

NOT what does it weight. How does it tow. What fuel does it use. what does it cost.

I WANT.

DE convince the females. and we'll ALL go back to a sensible sized touring rig range.

NOBODY. Realistically NEEDS bigger that 18ft 6in INSIDE.
Annexe out. INSTANtLY doubled.

But we'll never convince these idiots.
They all to well conned over decades.

Back in hole.

 

We've had 21ft 6in  (22 and 28ft too, other country's)....

Di's favourite of all.

a 17ft 4in OUTSIDE. Single axle, pop top, semi Offroad Compass.

Beautiful finish, layout, and quality. 1.7 ton, loaded.

$38k back in late '90's.

Did everything. IN comfort.

Went everywhere (including being winched out of) Comfortably.

Towed VERY economically. 7.5\7.6 KMPL with Patrol.3 ltr.

AT road speeds.

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 02:09:46 PM

Been Perusing the dictionary then Rocky.

Doesn't change the subject though.

Reasons for. and why.


It's all for the dollar. MFG and SALES.
Bigger is morer. Sheckels.

In their pockets.

Dealers and mag's con them.

Trouble being. Vans have outpaced  SAFE to tow with tugs,

for sale in the car size, in this country.

and people being unwilling to go up to safety sizes.

 

You'll find the "individual" like you mate. He\she's out there.

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 02:43:11 PM

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 02:47:26 PM

Hi John. I get the subjective bit. People can do as they like imo. Im asking why more people arent attracted to small vans for the benefits they give. I was not criticizing large van owners, and I think that was clear.

In fact I'm planning on a bigger one!

eaglemax you are trying to sell to a very small section of the market , I would look at where you are advertising , but it wont be easy .

Tony,

I think there is one reason, and one reason only that your van will be difficult to sell. It has nothing to do with the mainstream manufacturers, advertising, quality of build (which appears to be very good), inclusions or lack thereof or size (although yours is exceptionally small, and that may have some influence).

I think you are facing the issue that the van, no matter how well built is home made, and that will be putting people off. That I think is your major issue.

Combine that with the size of the wheels which may influence some, based on my experience with boat trailers with small wheels versus "normal" sized wheels, a price that is not an excessive price, but is still a reasonable amount of money, for a smaller than normal, quirky looking, van, and I think you will be waiting for a buyer who appreciates the more unusual things in life to buy it. I hope that happens sooner rather than later.

That said, Rocky I admire your persistence!

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Monday 2nd of October 2017 03:43:03 PM

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Monday 2nd of October 2017 03:45:16 PM

I must admit I am a person who appreciates the smaller vans. Now I must also admit I am being super critical but hopefully constructive. The things that would put me off buying the van are:
Not made by a recognized manufacturer so quality of workmanship is unknown. (not that some van manufacturers know anything about quality)
I dont like a shared shower and toilet.
The cabinet work looks very amateur - wooden panel doors is very 1950's.
Fridge is a portable type fridge. Would be better if it was an inbuilt one.
44 litres of water is not enough for free camping if one has showers every day.
Inside table looks very small. (even the one in my van is too small).
Wheel/tyres not a size that is easily obtainable in country towns.
How cozy is it when it rains and you are forced in doors.
No Heater or cooler?

I think manufacturers have realized that people want more and more in their vans and so they just dont fit on a small chassis. Look at how New Age overcomes the 15' van with the Gecko. It has a slide out canvas sided bed that extends the usage area of the van by about 3.5 feet. Yes yours is very cheap and I have followed your posts with interest. But you are catering to a very select group. Most "couples" that are looking for vans probably fall into 2 main categories. Young and just starting out before a family is started and the Grey Nomad set. The former are probably going to look at the future and want something that will accomodate children in the future. Hence they look at bigger vans or campertrailers that have annexes. The later group (like me) want all the comfort of home (and probably a bit more besides). So if you eliminate those two groups you have a very narrow market to sell to.

I think it is a very querky and unique van. But maybe thats also its main problem Sorry that I am being so negative, and I hope you find someone who appreciates the van for what it is.

David

It's all about prestige these days, the bigger the better. Your tiny van doesn't look impressive therefore there won't be much interest from buyers.

We have a basic 17ft van with no en-suite by choice. It doesn't impress anyone but we don't care. It works for us.

Thankyou everyone and it wasnt taken negatively at all, great ideas and comments. The interior is my diwnfall...attention to detail, not my strong suit. Water capacity. ..its all about keeping the weight down. Yes homemade tag us a barrier. It doesnt natter its a steel welded frame. Even has a rollbar that saved us in heavy winds in SA when we tied it to trees. Solid as. Yes I think my van is in a small market.

From the photo's it looks very professionally built so I wouldn't put homemade in the advertising.  Maybe remove the homemade tag in your advertising and replace it with something more creative like "Custom Built" when you get them looking then tell them it was handmade by a craftsman and emphasise its strengths against mass produced vans.

Eagle max If I had the spare cash it would be mine in a flash - what a great little get away van - just to get out there without the fuss of packing the child bride's gear.

For every item for sale there will be a buyer.
Your little van looks good and if it is well built there will be someone who will appreciate it for what it is.
Unfortunately today we live in an "instantaneous" world where people may not consider your van over one with a recognisable brand.
I had a mate years ago who decided to build box trailers...a hard industry to compete in at any time.
His sales were slow until he branded his trailers and he said sales picked up when he stopped advertising them as "home made" and had stickers made to reveal the brand "Warren Built"
Go figure but that is how some people are.
I will give you one guess at his name :)

Get it on Facebook... and eBay as well.

Teardrop caravans are popular on small older vehicles and trikes (car engines at rear end).Search " teardrop caravan " in Mr Google and look at the images.