The Big Lap on the Cheap

PeterInSa · Guru

The Big Lap on the Cheap

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Doesnât anyone use anexâs any more ? So no towing ? Imo get experienced !! Trooper type vehicle . With anex . Yes tidy up every time you travel . If it was easy to do cheap ? Everyone would be doing it !! The easy option . Lifeâs like that !!

Possum3 · Guru

You could even go for a station wagon (for space) and fit it with a roof top camper www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/products/rooftop-tents.html This along with a portable shower tent for a bathroom and you'd be living like kings of the road.

Jaahn · Guru

PeterInSa wrote:
Jasbro re Coasters, Just in case you missed it:

caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php

Hi smile

I would say like a lot of stuff on forums, that post is half right and half false. So you have to work out which is which. cry They are entitled to their opinion but that is all it is.

My opinion is that I would have an imported automatic Coaster right now and would be happy with it, if it checked out OK. But it would use more fuel than my Sprinter.

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 23rd of July 2018 01:13:56 PM

Jasbro · Member

Thanks Jaahn yep i know to take some of it with a grain of salt, ill keep my eyes on the prize so they say. We will get out there, will keep researching & saving etc and work out whats best for US as you say everyone is entitled to their opinion, itd be a damn boring place if we all thought the same- you have a fantastic day

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Jasbro, if you are planning to use a camper van, I suggest you sit down and have a think about how you might like to get around if you find a spot you like and do not wish to pull up stumps every time you need to go for supplies. There are plenty of options out there, from pushbikes, to using a pop up gazebo (our son and Daughter in law use two tied together when they camp - with four kids ranging from 17 down to 10). That way you CAN have the best of both worlds.

Also plan your storage and always try to keep a stock of dried/tinned foods stored as emergency supplies. I work on the two week principle with the emergency supplies, and always have a well stocked first aid kit as well.

Do not allow negative comments to sway you from your purpose. Once you decide on a suitable vehicle and course of action, check it out for the soundness of your plan and go for it. We did a lap in 2001 when my wife was extremely ill - I was her carer on a carers pension. But we got all the way around with only two blown tyres on our (then) van and a busted weld which was repaired in Carnarvon (WA) for $67.00.

Big key I found was - take your time, sift the chaff from the wheat with all the previous advice and when you do launch, do NOT rush. We have a great country with lots to see.
Regards
Dave

-- Edited by Dave1952 on Monday 23rd of July 2018 01:40:54 PM

Jasbro · Member

Thanks so much Dave muchly appreciate the advice & tips, ooh forgot about the first aid kit must write that one down ;) thats awesome you got around with minimal hiccups, sorry to hear your wife was ill but she got out and seen this wonderful land of ours.

We definitely do plan on taking our time we will be in no rush when the kids say how long will you go for - my answer is how long is a piece of string (my mechanic used to say that to me all the time and boy did it frustrate me ha ha ha). We plan on enjoying every bit of it the good and the not so good :)

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Jasbro, the length of a piece of string is double the distance measured from one end to the middle! As for the advice and tips - anytime. If I had listened to all the critics I would never have achieved any of the things I have achieved. I just selected the good advice from the bad, determined my course and went for it. I have achieved most of what I set out to do in life by following that philosophy.

Fortunately, we found the cause of my wifes illness and treatment has controlled it so we have been able to enjoy our chosen lifestyle. We have a few more minor health issues to deal with over the next few months before we relaunch to who knows where? We do want to do about 4 - 6 weeks in Tassie sometime over the coming two years, as well as another trip to the Amethyst fields at Kuridala outside Cloncurry, and a visit to Alice Springs and Harts Range, among others.

-- Edited by Dave1952 on Monday 23rd of July 2018 02:03:28 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Jasbro, if you are planning to use a camper van, I suggest you sit down and have a think about how you might like to get around if you find a spot you like and do not wish to pull up stumps every time you need to go for supplies. I suggest that this is a "non problem". The fact is a smaller camper/motorhome can be packed and mobile in a few minutes rather that the half hour or more that it take to get a caravan mobile.

In addition, a small camper or motorhome (up to 6m in total length) can be parked in any street or shopping centre at any time, so there are distinct advantages to having a single compact vehicle.

If I were jasbro, on a serious budget, I would start with a station waggon with a roof top tent.

Cheers,

Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Monday 23rd of July 2018 03:12:56 PM

the rocket · Guru

Hi jasbro, i like the idea of housesitting. Join a site like aussie housesitters and look for something near u now. sits range from days to years. No other advice. Enjoy life

Dick0 · Guru

Hi, my friend did the Lap some years ago in a Falcon station wagon towing a Jayco camper van. Both very cheap to get...even today. He took wife, 2 children and Mother Outlaw. Did the Big Lap that way.

Just a thought.

Cheers.

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Hi Peter, if you read all of my post you will see that it can be a problem if there is no means of reserving a spot you want to hang onto while you are getting supplies. I have been on the road for over 20 years and have seen this problem a number of times, when people never considered a means of reserving their favoured spot, to return from purchasing supplies only to find that someone else has decided to take that spot. The tent fly or gazebo suggestion solves that issue.

Izabarack · Guru

You will never get the changeover costs back (Stamp duty and rego) and may still end up with something that will cost to ensure it is reliable. You may risk being in a similar position, but with a different vehicle. A serious recondition or a second hand motor's cost may be seen as over capitalisation if the finished product has cost more than the van is worth on the open market. Any costs to get the current vehicle up to reliable stage need to be spread over the time you will take to do the lap. You will be more confident to go into free camps if you are confident in the vehicle. If you have already found a way to live in the current vehicle, that is already one thing out of the way.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Having said that you could buy another crapper ? You say itâs not only the motor but a little small . So of the vehicle was big enough a plus is having a GOOD engine . That way you KNOW it should do a couple of laps ! If well serviced ? A crate engine is $1500 . Plus fitting . I find if you take it easy ? Keep oil , coolant etc topped up drive conservative. After all your out there to look around ! Saying this I MUST practice what I said too ! We are HOME in Penrith under the mountains this year due to new grand son on the 14th . Thereâs NO way my Mrs would be interstate, up north . Youâll work hard it out one way or another . Thereâs so many options . Just do and adjust to conditions etc what suites you . We have motor home. The main thing is your out there enjoying LIFE !!

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hello again Jasbro,
Granted we have not wanted to do "the big lap" but we have been to most places, anyhow.

We started out with tents & 2nd hand 4WDs (my only new car ever was a 1980 Subaru Leone 4WD), graduated to a "tent-trailer" & went to many places that were "off the beaten track"; then went "upmarket" to a 2nd hand Jayco Outback Eagle that had no toilet but carried a solar shower ($10, they cost now) & a shower tent (the pop-up one was a disaster).
We lived in that for three months in 2014 while we travelled from Townsville to NE Victoria & across to SW WA & back via the Oodnadatta & Birdsville Tracks, etc. We stayed mostly in caravan parks & National Parks & covered 13,000kms.

We've had our current 4wd for six years (it was eight years old) - we bought it with 271,000kms on the clock & it now has 430,000kms & is still going well (thanks to the reliable old-tech engine).

We did a similar trip across "the Top" to Broome & back in 2015, covering 10,000kms with the same van (Jayco call them camper trailers).
Then we "lashed out" & bought a pop-top van (again second hand) that has most things that we need (except the water leak & gale force winds that are proving a headache at the moment).

To increase your liveable room in your van, a tent with a suitable opening to cater for the Ford's rear door could be added. Sure you have to carry these extras, but it will go towards doing a trip on the cheap in some sort of comfort.

I assume that you may be in southern Qld or where ever, just try some shorter trips to places where you won't get into trouble & where there may be other people around. Go for a weekend, a long weekend, a week, perhaps a month & hone your needs accordingly. If you take it easy & be alert for those who believe they own the roads, you shouldn't have too much trouble.

None of us are experts - we gain a lot of experience trying things out for ourselves or when we do get stuck with a sticky question, pose it on this or the Ford Australia (Econovan), etc forums, or ask reliable mechanics.

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Great advice Warren.

Eaglemax · Guru

The "need" for a 4WD is questionable. The Revolution has arrived whereby its a given, you want to tow a van and do a lap- you need a 4WD. Either that mentality or one where seasoned caravanners think everyone goes off the beaten track. Thats not true.

People on a budget cant afford the running costs of most 4x4. Our i30 saw some corrugated dirt roads on our lap but with planning eg an eye on the weather and local knowledge - no problem.

Ok. If I was in your situation I'd look around for a suitable diesel tray ute (petrol is ok)with suitable gearing that it cruises well. As others here have suggested, buy a rooftop tent and mount it to a frame on your ute. Use the area under the tent for storage. So better to have an enclosed lockable area. You can also buy a 270 degree awning.

Some people cannot tow a caravan. Thats ok. Not the end of the world.

Rooftop tents get you off the ground. Not so good for oldies though.

m.ebay.com.au/itm/TOYOTA-HILUX-TRAYBACK-4CYL-MANUAL-REGO-AND-RWC-GOOD-CONDITION/232857955887

m.ebay.com.au/itm/1997-Toyota-Hilux-LN86R-White-5-Speed-Manual-Pickup/283048221425

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Monday 23rd of July 2018 10:32:27 PM

gold dandelion · Senior Member

you can buy the older model pathfinder for about $6k and a second hand camper trailer for about $5k, hunt around and then go for it.

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Eaglemax, you have a very good point re costs of 4x4 and maintenance of them. And with the great fuel rip off at present, we are seeing diesel at $1.60 a litre in Brisbane while unleaded is generally around 20 cents cheaper if you shop around a little bit. The oil companies have us where they want us and the government will not pull them into line because the higher the fuel price, the more revenue the government rakes in.

Desert Dweller · Guru

A 2 minute tent with any reasonably reliable vehicle might be your thing.

www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/oztent-rv5

Pete49 · Senior Member

My makers were my father & mother not an imaginary super being. God is just Dog spelt backwards.

It may be your belief but best keep it that way.

-- Edited by Pete49 on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 11:52:49 PM

the rocket · Guru

Pete49 wrote:
My makers were my father & mother not an imaginary super being. God is just Dog spelt backwards.
It may be your belief but best keep it that way.

-- Edited by Pete49 on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 11:52:49 PM

What? Please explain confuse

matildatraveller · Guru

Like 'the rocket comments confuse ....Think you're chatting on the wrong channel Pete49, must admit I have done that myself once or twice.... biggrin Gwynnie

Dick0 · Guru

Pete49 wrote:
My makers were my father & mother not an imaginary super being. God is just Dog spelt backwards.
It may be your belief but best keep it that way.

-- Edited by Pete49 on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 11:52:49 PM

Don't know what thats about but you are more fortunate than most...you have two Gods.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Horse and cart ? Lol

Tony Bev · Guru

Jasbro wrote:
Hi Everyone,
forgive me if this has been asked before, and I hope I dont offend anyone. We are newbies, 47yo husband and wife team hoping and trying (and I cant stress the word TRYING enough) to start the big lap. My question is has anyone ever set off on their travels on the cheap? I mean, we are currently trying to save the $$$ to buy a coaster bus (done our bum by buying a 1996 Ford econovan from a so called friend - told it would make it round Australia have since found out it wont make it out of QLD) we are currently living in said van fulltime at work to try and save the money to buy the coaster bus Originally had plans to set off Christmas this year but thats not gonna happen we dont have the $ prob looking around $15k (dont have even half as yet). Anywho we wouldve looking at buying the bus, saving some $$$$ to at least have behind us but then we will be working our way around - we dont have a house to sell (always rented) dont have any savings etc we live basically pay to pay, we will live minimalistic - are we dreaming?? Im sick of making plans and they always fizz out im sure our friends and family are probably thinking here we go again it wont happen. It breaks our heart as we really want to travel & the more people we speak to our enthusiasm goes through the sky but everyone we speak to has huge vans & 4wds to match and $$$$ - surely there are people out there in our boat - puhleeze give us some hope

-- Edited by Jasbro on Sunday 22nd of July 2018 10:25:27 AM

My question is has anyone ever set off on their travels on the cheap?
I have met people doing the lap on the cheap, while still in the workforce, therefore it must be possible
I also know people from my home town, (some working, some retired), who returned before completing the lap, due to not having enough ready cash to spend
They were staying in caravan parks, which I seldom do, as my vehicle is reasonably self sufficient, for my needs

we are currently trying to save the $$$ to buy a coaster bus (done our bum by buying a 1996 Ford econovan from a so called friend - told it would make it round Australia have since found out it wont make it out of QLD)
On the assumption that you are not mechanical savvy, then in my opinion, it will be important to travel in a reliable vehicle
One of the biggest cost of travelling, is when the vehicle requires repairs in the smaller towns

prob looking around $15k

As you know what type of vehicle you want, (a Coaster bus), and what your budget will be, then just keep looking
It took us six months to find a caravan, then many years later it took us another six months, to find our present second hand vehicle

but everyone we speak to has huge vans & 4wds to match and $$$$ - surely there are people out there in our boat - puhleeze give us some hope

I purchased a pop top caravan for less than $5,000 and towed it with a Ford Falcon, which at the time I would have received $3,000 trade in for it
The engine had been reconditioned, 20,000 previously

Hope that you both find what you are looking for, and enjoy your travels