Looking to buying campervan need advice from Solo Ladies

Jaylynn · Member

Looking to buying campervan need advice from Solo Ladies

hokianga · Senior Member

Enjoy your new adventures congratulations.

Panther · Senior Member

Hi Smithy / Christopher.

I was very moved by your post/comment. I agree, there does come a time where circumstances make us take a closer look at the big picture of our life.

I hope others here can help you out with ideas too.

Here are some of my thoughts.

Change is a challenge and courage developes as we take each and every new step. You have started already by planning to shift from fixed rental into your lovely van full time.

Working with your fortnight income and being very rough with numbers here is an idea of a vision for your new nomadic lifestyle.

$500- rent and $100- phone are savings instantly in your wallet. Say you take $400- of this and save it for bills like van & 4bie maintenance, tyres, insurance, Rego, unforseen emergencies, NRMA and getting your 80 Series fixed.

Shift to online banking and spread annual bils over the year with direct debits.

This leaves$200- for your new on the road living costs of gas bottles for cooking/fridge and a flexible fuel budget.

The rest of your income about $300- covers things that you already buy like food, medical, hobbies, telstra mobile phone/internet (mine is $50 a fortnight). Stick any of the left over $$ into your savings so that your financial security nest egg grows and your stress lowers.

If you get the app Wiki Camps Aust you will see many free and donation low cost camping options. Yes the staying time can mean you have to move on every week or less in some cases but you can minimize your fuel cost by only moving to the next closest camp till next pay.

As you get the hang of things and your budget and savings becomes clearer then you can travel further and spend more on ...well...what ever you choose.

I look forward to hearing about your success in reshaping your life.

Kind regards.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Good on you Janis,

Happy tripping (when this virus has been dusted)

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi Janice
To try and answer this question
So, now looking for recommendations for a reverse camera dash set up? Want to buy one before I venture out next. What is everyone using

Mine came with the vehicle, and as it has no name, (that I can see), I can not recommend any specific brand

Supercheap in Busselton, has one on special for $90, until 8 April

Below is a link, hope the info is useful to you

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/nanocam-nanocam-plus-reversing-camera-kit---wired-5-inch-ncp-drm50/425060.html

jegog · Senior Member

4x4 or not?
Remember the camper van that you have was not designed as a camper van. The modifications change the handling characteristics.
Though you don't need 4 wheel drive, in the rain and on gravel roads the extra stability provided by 4 wheel drive is remarkable.
My cousin who is a retired civil engineer, remarked last year that when looking at Australian road maps that Victorian sealed country roads are almost all asphalt whilst in Queensland they are mostly chip bitumen sealed. Jagged 1 to 2cm bluestone rocks sealed with bitumen.
The roads can also be only sealed for one lane so you will have to get off it for approaching traffic; especially for the road trains.
If you do travel the unsealed highways then 4 wheel drive adds security when you hit the corrugations.
Corrugations are worst where vehicles brake, like approaches to and through bends or creek crossings.
But if it rains 4 wheel drive can make a very big difference.
Another thing to be wary of is dust sealing. There is an Australian standard for dust and water sealing. Try and get a written guarantee from the dealer for sealing.
So in conclusion you don't need 4 wheel drive but if you don't have it there will come a time when you wish that you did.
But if you do have trouble you will be be embarrassed by the number of people offering you assistance.