The cost of adding extras to ones rig.

JayDee · Guru

The cost of adding extras to ones rig.

Colin Penrose · Senior Member

Hi. I did the same. Over a twelve month period I spent $4,000 to make my van self sufficient. i repaid that $4,000 on the first three month trip by free camping. Well worth the money I spent and we are still saving. Plus it was fun doing most of the work myself. Cheers. Col

moamajohn · Guru

I think that whatever you buy in life ,if it is within your budget I see no reason to justify to anyone else.Last time I went to Aldi for some nice Avacado,s I came home with a new TV ! Cheers.

Whenarewethere · Guru

& how many kg did the items cost your payload?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have had to replace a few items on my aluminium teepee and also added a few things over the four and a bit years I have it.

I won't tally it all up as I reckon I have better things to do and if I did know how much it all cost I would probably stop travelling around. Same with fuel, I need it, I get it.

The time will probably come when I have to stop but until then I just enjoy my travels.

Whenarewethere · Guru

One could spend far more money renovating a kitchen & bathroom, or either!

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
I won't tally it all up as I reckon I have better things to do...

Then those extras are probably not covered by your insurance.

Cheers,

Peter

Eaglemax · Guru

As most people know on the reno threads I've finished building our 16ft caravan. But wait! we have to buy- battery, solar panel, solar panel mounts, awning, drawer fridge, stove, Joolca HWS...total about $2500+

JayDee · Guru

JayDee wrote:
For some reason the other day just for something to do I guess, I decided to sit and list the dollar value of all the extras we have added to our van since driving it our of the sales yard.
Total came in at $7000 plus and still adding.
Main expenses were
Honda Gennie
Diesel heater
Replace the L shape dinette with 2 recliner / swivel chairs.
2nd battery
Solar panels for roof and extra one portable
the list goes on and on.
A good mate of mine told me that now you own a van this is when it will cost you more $$$$ than you think
How right he was.
But still would not change anything as it now makes our travels enjoyable and a happier experience in our caravanning tours.
Jay&Dee

It does not concern us about the amount of money we spend. If we want it we buy it or renovate it.

The van is our home away from home. and we want it to be our home on the road.

We have thought about up grading to a new van, but with me Jay at 80 and the Dee at 76 Why????

We could not get a van equiped like ours.

Only difference is the more so called "" modern decor."" versus the wood panel decor of the 2000's.

The SKI will see our kids flying in modern jets and 5 star hotel versus us in our 5 star caravan.

But that's the way we like.

Jay&Dee

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

I keep a series of spreadsheets - a couple for the car (distances, fuel consumption, gas to diesel ratio - which is important for Diesel-gas systems; & servicing info inc spare parts, etc) & the same for the van - where we've been, kms travelled, costs + service info inc spare parts.

When I sold the last car & van, that info went t the new owners on USB sticks. The costs at the end are large but that's life!