Gillian, You will find some very useful tips and advice on the Caravan Council of Australia website www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Are you going to travel solo or with a partner, Gill? My Transporter has a flat floor all the way to the back and swivels under both seats. I have a mid height fibreglass top and value being able to stand with a straight back, although my head touches the ceiling. I have room enough for a king single when going alone and a standard double if my partner is with me. Double sliders and a hatchback give me lots of options for getting in and out. Tow bar and 2000Kg towing capacity give me the option to tow the boat. Roof (solid, no pop top) is big enough for a kayak and solar panel and a step ladder. Best bit about my campervan is that parking is easy to find and being able to get into bed without going outside on those dark and stormy outback nights.

Is that the kind of discussion that is helpful?

Iza

Quality of the canvas should be high on your priorities. We have an old campertrailer (which we bought second-hand) with very good quality canvas and it withstood heavy rain at Windjana Gorge for several days without ever getting a drop inside.
it's a fairly basic camper with a little kitchen on the tailgate, one large drawer, a battery, a gas bottle, and an awning. Overall it cost us about $6,000. It's been around the lap once (Gibb River Road and most of the side tracks, all the way into the Bungles for 3 days, Kakadu, etc.) and to a number of other camping events. We towed with a Subaru Forester and an old Series III Land Rover (even less HP than the Subaru).
You don't have to spend $20,000 to get a fairly competent camper trailer. But whatever you buy, make sure the canvas is heavy duty.
Cheers

C00P

Thanks Hako I'm looking at around $30k but found many of them have rather large milage especially the ex rental ones that there seems to be quite a lot of.  They do seem to give a 12month warranty with them though but do they fall to bits after that lol as I'm def not mechanical minded.   I guess I'm like most people and looking for that bargain that doesn't exist haha but I will keep looking

If considering VW or Toyota be aware that VW parts and service will be more expensive than Toyota - millions of Hi-Aces have been sold over the years and like Holdens they can be repaired by any mechanic with no need for fancy equipment. Possibly steer clear of any front wheel drive vehicle as they can slip badly on grassy/muddy surfaces. I prefer petrol over diesel due to low maintenance costs e.g. oil change needed twice as often on most diesel engines.
Search Gumtree, Trading Post and Ebay for "Campervan and motorhome to get a feel of what's on offer.

Good Luck.

gillyb wrote:

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I like the swivel seats idea

did you have any reason for opting for the hard top

Have you found your transporter reliable, I've been looking at the VW & Toyota Hi Ace so am interested in a comparison of the 2.

what are sliders?

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 I installed the swivels myself.   I wanted two for when the partner comes with me.   The standard seats are comfortable enough to sit in an watch TV and the swivel arrangement just about doubles the floor area in camping mode.   I bought the swivels online and passenger side only needs four bolts out, those bolts then attach the seat to the swivel,then four new bolts, supplied, to attach the swivel plate to the seat pedestal.   I have also installed a battery and inverter and DC to DC charger under that seat so taking the seat out was going to happen anyway.

My VW is an ex-ambo Four Motion.   Mate drove one in NSW for years so I had had a play in his company vehicle for a test.   Don't want pop top because I am installing a diesel heater and air con and want the containment.   Friend has a pop top and his advancing age has made it a bit of a struggle to put up and down.   I would go with the hard top again because it is a more simple arrangement and I have a fixed bed at floor level.   Some of the pop tops want you to sleep up in the extension and I did not want that.   If looking at a pop top, I suggest you try spending half and hour inside and also take a nap.   

Accessing stuff from inside, like when raining lots outside, can be difficult in some set ups.

The transporter has been very reliable.   Have the 7 speed auto box with the uprated fluid and love it.   Gear changes are smooth as.   I don't flog the vehicle anyway so happy with reliability.   Good economy and has been know to sit on 180 KPH for several hours, Singleton Ambo station to Royal North Shore.   Mine is a twin turbo diesel and has the same power, pretty much, as my DMax.   30,000k between oil changes.  I do have a tow bar fitted and it will tow the caravan without any issue.   We use the campervan as our second vehicle.

Not sure if this relates to all Hi Ace but most I have seen have a bar or barrier behind the seats.   You lose the space available with swivel seats and it is hard to get between position and the back.   Will be something for you to check out.   Hi Ace vehicles seem to be the vehicle of choice for older single travellers, usually female, so I would not discount them.   Just not for me and I did seek out the VW with purpose.

Sliders are the sliding cargo doors so celebrated by the Wizzbangers owners.   The sliders are the single item that causes much angst in some fellow campers.   Backpackers are famous for sliding and banging all night long.   There is a Wizzbangers Facebook site you might want to join for lots on info on campervan life.

You might also check out any potential buys for self containment status.  Free camps everywhere if self contained.   Not hard to uprate to self contained but a bonus if already done.

Happy hunting.   

Iza

-- Edited by Izabarack on Tuesday 13th of March 2018 05:21:03 PM

gillyb wrote:

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........... there seems to be pros & cons for both brands

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 You have that right!!!!   Sometimes it comes down to price and availability.   Plus, close enough is better than never getting around to acquiring a vehicle because you want perfect.

Have you gone out to nearby Free Camping sites, for a look at what others are using/driving.  Most people will be very willing to show you around their pride and joy.   Be careful though, my experience is that it is easy to get someone talking but sometimes more difficult to get away 

Iza