I'm a 40 year old bloke who's currently planning a 5-6 month trip doing half a lap of our beautiful country and I'm hoping some of you lovely folks might be able to offer some advice to a first time caravan buyer.
Basic plan: I just placed an order for a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. Now I need to buy a used caravan 2014-2017. Use it for 5-6 months then sell it because I'm getting married to my partner next year in Poland.
I considered buying new to get the warranty but there appears to be some good deals to be had on second hand caravans and I'll probably lose less on resale on a second hand caravan. I'm happy to lose $5-10K on the van on resale since hiring one will cost a lot more and I figure that even with park fees that's a pretty economical adventure!
Obviously being new to the game, there's probably quite a few pitfalls to be weary of. I've been looking at caravancampingsales.com.au at used 20-24' caravans and it looks like we should be able to get a decent van for around $50K.
Since I'm buying second hand, what kind of things should I look out for?
What kind of options should I look for?
Will I need an off-road caravan? I'm not looking at going off-road but I understand that there will be some unsealed roads in more remote areas and I'm wondering if an off-road van would be required to navigate these?
I'm based in Sydney's Northern Beaches and I was wondering if there's any caravan inspection services to ensure I'm not buying a dud van? How much does an inspection usually cost?
Insurance recommendations
Any other tips?
Thanks in advance for any help!
John
-- Edited by gyrex on Monday 27th of November 2017 10:59:17 AM
-- Edited by gyrex on Monday 27th of November 2017 10:59:30 AM
Make a list of all the things you would like. I had lightweight, ensuite, full height, in-house battery, 12v lighting. Self sufficient so you can free camp. I did need to buy solar panels as an extra that I only get out when needed. Our van has two single beds that can be made into a double but have stayed with leaving them as singles.
Get yourself wikicamps on your android or iPad. It's about $8 and a good investment. You buy per platform so as we have two iPhones & 2 iPads I paid just once for the apple version.
Maybe rent a van for a week, go up or down NSW coast and camp with some grey nomads and have a good chat. Nomads are generally not the shy and retiring type who are generally on for a good chat. You will get heaps of tips during "happy hour".
Interesting that I am in the middle of planning similar trip but to & from Ballarat leaving out Darwin but going around the south west of WA (Margaret River, Albany, Esperance)
My first cut at a budget for 120 days is:
14,000kms at 14L/100kms = 14,000 x 14/100 = 1960L (12,500kms with van, 1,500kms side trips)
2000L @ $2.00/L = $4,000.
Over 120 days budget for $250/wk.
4 nights @ $40 then 1 night @ $10 = $170 for 5 nights 120 nights @ $34 = $4080
Over 120 days budget for $250/wk
We have a Jurgens Sungazer (J1901) and a Ford Ranger XLT.
Don't buy anything too big. I know many who have bought big first with all the bells & whistles and then after one test trip decided it was too big to handle and never used it again.
Don't buy anything too big. I know many who have bought big first with all the bells & whistles and then after one test trip decided it was too big to handle and never used it again.
Thanks for your responses! Those costings you posted make for a very affordable adventure :) Even if I add the depreciation on the van, it's still fantastic!
I'll probably buy a 20-21' - do you think this is too big? Apparently the Grand Cherokee is a fantastic, solid rig for first timers...
Since you're doing a similar trip, do you think I'll need an off-road caravan for those unsealed, dirt roads in WA/NT?
BTW, what's the age range for a 'grey nomad'? I'm 40 and my partner is 33. Yes, I have a little grey hair :) Actually, the reason for prompting this trip was a trip we took from Sydney up to Noosa this year. We stayed in some caravan parks and the idea of doing a 5-6 month trip really took hold. Everyone at the caravan parks seemed nice and friendly!
The only off roading will be down a track off the main road with the van to camp for the night. However a high ground clearance van is good. Friends we are going with have a Jayco Outback. It never goes serious off-roading (not really designed for that) but the ground clearance when heading into some free camps or touristy spots along the highways is good.
Another thing is single or dual axle wheels. A search on this site or internet in general will give the pros and cons.
Will do day trips from a paid van park (eg Lake Argyle, The Bungle Bungles) without van. We tend to base ourselves in a place for 3-5 days and do day trips.
On a recent trip around Mildura & Riverland, most common 4WD ute was a Ranger, most common 4WD wagon was a Cherokee. Get a light coloured one though (white). They don't absorb heat, don't date and hold their resale.
Even if the weather is crap, the camp kitchen becomes the social hub.
My van is 19ft from tip to toe. It's small and light. The next size Jurgens is 22ft tip to toe and about a foot too long for where we park it at home.
Age? Well I'm 66 and don't have grey hair. Actually got none. Beard is white/grey though.
-- Edited by RustyD on Monday 27th of November 2017 02:55:53 PM
It seems you wont need an off road van. Leave your van at parks and day trip it. We built our 11ft van 2016, took ot on a lap around Oz, sorted out a few gremlins and now want to sell. It has toilet/shower cubicle. At this price $9900 buy it now, its a bargain. You wont know its behind you.
See https://m.ebay.com.au/itm/Caravan-11-ft-with-shower-and-toilet-cubicle-2016/222730087134?hash=item33dbbf6ade:g:2CUAAOSwVA5aFnQ9
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
In addition to RustyD's budget, I find that my side trips kilometers seem to about equal my towing kilometers. But that is just me, I generally have a good looksee around where ever I am. (Hmm, still seem to miss lots though)
Cheers, John.
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Mid size vans seem to be the most popular. Not too scary to tow, enough space not to be cramped. Mine is 19' in total incl. the A bar. Single axle (easier to reverse/manoeuver, although others may differ!), semi off roader (i.e. good clearance), ESC (worth the extra), solar, AC, full height roof, en suite, queen island bed, 2 tonnes loaded. Behind a Grand Cherokee you wouldn't know it's there.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Tuesday 28th of November 2017 08:27:20 AM
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
John,
Go and buy a Jayco. Not the best vans but their warranty is incredible. Well worth the purchase. Jayco will look after you more so than other brands.
Larry
John, Go and buy a Jayco. Not the best vans but their warranty is incredible. Well worth the purchase. Jayco will look after you more so than other brands. Larry
Not sure how you can say this so emphatically unless you have personal experience with all other brands. I've had great service from my manufacturer and IF I ever needed warranty work, I'm confident they would address it immediately.
Jayco may have a good after sale / warranty service, but they need to. I know of two recent new Jayco owners who have had their vans back to the shop more than once to fix poor build quality issues in the first year.
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
Jayco are probably good value for money there usually I believe 10k cheaper at least than the opposition,but they have mixed reports some some bad most good ,as far as warranty goes and this is just hearsay speaking to a Jayco owner last trip out he said the warranty was only one year.
