Hi guys looking for some advice ,we recently sold our old van as Hubby has a bad back and found bending to lower the legs ,put on bar stabilisers etc was becoming too much for him or I .We are missing getting away and were thinking of a coaster bus ,unfortunately we have limited funds and most seem to be high in Klms .Question 1 is what would be considered reasonable Ks in a coaster or is a newer van the way to go . Thank you .
Ahhh why sell old unit ? Couldnt a better stable system
Be fitted ?? I would go the coaster . But youll find something not perfect whatever you purchase !!
My coaster is 1987 with 300000 plus km, paid $7500 for it, spent about $12000 ODD fitting out to suit, Full ensuitte, couple of single beds.
pull up and go to bed any time any where
I had vans all my life, never again
cheers
blaze
I think mine has aa 3.9 six cyc, standard engine from new
good on fuel, never had the need to check l per 100
When I brought mine it was very basic, it had a double bed and a couple of cupboard done out in a very hippy 60 theme
I had to put all new tyres, was all set and booked to do half aussie lap
Tassie up the middle across the top and down the coast, we all know what's stuffed that up
I have done NO mechanical repairs since buying and 2 10000km services
cheers
blaze
Going from a caravan with say a Toilet/shower to a Coaster requires a lot of deep thought.
What happens when the Coaster breaks down? Towing/Flat Traying, accommodation while being fixed,
Another Rego cost and insurance (maybe)
Parking in Supermarkets/Bunnings.
Learning to park in a CP.
The Long wheel base coaster requires a higher level Licence
Have a puncture, tyre change over is a chore especially with the double at the back.
Coasters ( LWB) over 4500Kg maybe need to drive into weigh stations in NSW during your trip.
Have found that Touring/Overnighting can be different with a Caravan and Coaster ( Us, a Tandem Caravan and a Long wheel base High Roof Sprinter campervan)
You will probably keep your existing 4x4 Tug or downsize to a small car if you buy a Coaster.
Best to have a Workshop manual and some mechanical knowledge to do minor repairs if needed.
Choose carefully as some coasters come with rust in the usual places.
Maybe consider a caravan that does not need stabilizers and don't bother about putting down the legs/jack stands.
Going from a caravan with say a Toilet/shower to a Coaster requires a lot of deep thought.
What happens when the Coaster breaks down? Towing/Flat Traying, accommodation while being fixed,
Another Rego cost and insurance (maybe) cheaper than my suparoo, pensioner dis count
Parking in Supermarkets/Bunnings. easy
Learning to park in a CP. no pivot point like parking a car
The Long wheel base coaster requires a higher level Licence NO, mine is LWB rated to 4490 and fully loaded with water at 4280kg
Have a puncture, tyre change over is a chore especially with the double at the back. single at front is worse, run your motor saving mob RACT for me Coasters ( LWB) over 4500Kg maybe need to drive into weigh stations in NSW during your trip.
Have found that Touring/Overnighting can be different with a Caravan and Coaster ( Us, a Tandem Caravan and a Long wheel base High Roof Sprinter campervan)
You will probably keep your existing 4x4 Tug or downsize to a small car if you buy a Coaster.
Best to have a Workshop manual and some mechanical knowledge to do minor repairs if needed.
Choose carefully as some coasters come with rust in the usual places.
Maybe consider a caravan that does not need stabilizers and don't bother about putting down the legs/jack stands.
Parking a Coaster is a piece of cake . When your used to driving 12 ton trucks . Any one who suggests its a problem
? Thats their issue !! Parking a Coaster is no more difficult than anything !! Most places have parking bays for longer vehicles or I just park in 3 bays, double up in series . No big issue . Plus most the places we like to go doesnt have large centres like cities etc . Whey we chose to travel in the first place . If it breaks down ? You can still stay on it !! These engines are pretty much bullet proof ! If things like radiator hoses, V belts etc are well maintained. Its fine . Only an issue if you dont maintain like any vehicle !! Motors etc are commercial type . Lazy, heavy duty and very reliable . Another feature here in Aust is parts are available as they are used on other Toyotas . Land Cruiser etc .
We sold our van after 15 years of extensive travel with it, due to The Driver's health issues. Missed travel and in 2012 bought a '94 LWB Coaster that had been professionally converted to motorhome. I was determined to get a diesel one with the HD motor because of its reputation for going forever. Ours had been a school bus before conversion. I also wanted a professional conversion for (a) better resale value (b) peace of mind regards quality of electrical, gas and plumbing fittings.
Found it much more comfortable to travel in than our 14 foot offroad van had been. After one shakedown trip realized we would need a runabout too, and bought a used Daihatsu Terios, flat towed with Ready Brute hitch. That was very easy to use and only needed one of us - usually me - to hitch and unhitch, only taking a short time. Anyone going to flat tow needs to do very careful research re legal towing weights and rules - be warned!
After five years needed new clutch and we also had new radiator put in. Couple of flat tyres on back were no drama - drove slowly to tyre place for them to do work. Benefit of having dual wheels!
Did some good trips - mostly shorter than with van, but we had "saved up" the nearer regions for when we were older and over the remote travel of the earlier years.
We both already had Mr and Hr licences, so that wasn't an issue, but our bus was under the 4.9 tonne anyway.
Mary,
My wife who is older than me & has a bad back (recently operated on) insists on winding down the support legs while I push the top up, etc. I get into trouble if I interfere in "her job"!
Personally I prefer the older angled, wind down legs to the current pull & wind legs! Much less strain on backs.
__________________
Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
My wife who is older than me & has a bad back (recently operated on) insists on winding down the support legs while I push the top up, etc. I get into trouble if I interfere in "her job"!
Personally I prefer the older angled, wind down legs to the current pull & wind legs! Much less strain on backs.
you should buy her a battery drill for her birthday i bet she would be over the moon
