Interstate One

jamblon · Member

Interstate One

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

My opinion is that I would not travel with a campervan if it was given to me.
A tent on wheels that takes an hour to put up or take down.
Do yourself a fovour and buy a small caravan or motorhome, preferably hard top, not pop top. You will be very glad you did.
Many think I am wrong, but that is OK.
Cheers,
Peter

86GTS · Guru

Nice looking unit, enjoy.

jamblon · Member

Thanks for your opinion Peter.

We did consider both options as well. The caravan is not feasible as it would mean purchasing another vehicle to tow one and in my opinion, the stress of towing a caravan is not one that I would enjoy long distance. We have towed a caravan some years back, and did not have the best of experience.

The motorhome option was also put aside because of the inherent size of them. We tried several and they all were too big for our liking, and while I appreciate the extra room they provide, we are leaning towards a campervan as they are lighter and easier to drive and easier to park, etc. And there is only ever going to be the two of us in it at any given time, so we do not need any extra beds, and space that you get in a bigger motorhome. Again, that's our opinion.

Mike & Chris

Bobdown · Guru

I think Peter might have confused your choice of RV with a camper trailer not a campervan, obviously it does not take an hour to set up and is not a tent on wheels.

I had a Fiat Ducato quite a few years ago and while they are quite comfortable and good to drive, be aware they are FWD and can slip on gravel.

Make sure you are set up for an extra few nights free camping, with plenty of solar, water and battery, you will be disappointed when you pull up at a nice secluded beach and want to stay a few more nights but can't.

Go for it Mike and Chris. smile

Cheers Bob

jade46 · Senior Member

I think Peter has misread your post and he is thinking campertrailer. Jump in and correct me Peter if Im wrong. Both posted at the same time Bobdown

-- Edited by jade46 on Monday 7th of February 2022 06:06:43 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Bobdown wrote:
I think Peter might have confused your choice of RV with a camper trailer not a campervan,

Quite correct. My apologies jamblon.

Just ensure that there is a toilet onboard (in a cupboard if necessary) and the possibility of a shower from time to time.

And put as much good quality solar on the roof as will fit so you can stay off grid for at least a few nights at a time.

Cheers,

Peter

jamblon · Member

Thank you all for your replies.

Peter, no harm done!

The van has a shower/toilet similar to many vans the same size. It comes with 360 watt solar, 200 watt lithium, and DC DC charger.

And Bob, yes I read about possible slipping issues given it is a FWD. Is that a major concern though? Or is it only for gravel driving?

Can you think of any other issues I should be aware of or wary about?

Thanks

Mike

SoloMC · Senior Member

i hired one similar in NZ for a mth. i found it way too small to live in full time. like any motorhome, you have to pack it up everytime you need to move or even go down to the shops, cafe etc, i would recommend that you hire one for a few weeks first to see if it suits you. I would go MUCH bigger

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I agree with Bob in regard to the FWD. I have seen them going nowhere on wet bitumen and damp grass.
I reckon the MB is the choice.

Our "thing" is to get away from the crowds. That won't be possible with most canpervans (or motorhomes, or caravans for that matter).
Our choice for a smaller vehicle would be a Toyota Troopy high top camper. Even the hire ones will go vitrtually anywhere, but some mods to the layout would make them more liveable.
You will no doubt look at the 4WD vans like the MB and others. Be aware that these are designed for snowy/icey roads in Europe. They are not that good for bush travel in Oz.
Cheers,
Peter

jamblon · Member

Thanks Peter and Solo.

I will take your advice on board while continuing our search.

oldbloke · Guru

SoloMC wrote:
i hired one similar in NZ for a mth. i found it way too small to live in full time. like any motorhome, you have to pack it up everytime you need to move or even go down to the shops, cafe etc, i would recommend that you hire one for a few weeks first to see if it suits you. I would go MUCH bigger

I agree. Too small for two people full time. A few weeks, yes, but not full time.

86GTS · Guru

In September 2019 we flew to Broome & hired a campervan to drive through to Darwin in 25 days.
We originally booked a Mercedes Sprinter but at the Broome depot we were upgraded to a small 2 berth motorhome.
It was fantastic, it had so much room inside due mainly to the double bed retracting up onto the ceiling over the dining area at the rear.
Push a button & down it came at night.
My wife drove all of the 2,500kms as we bush camped our way over the 25 day trip. I gave her the job because she'd worked at a disabled children's school for 20 years & drove a mini bus sometimes.
I loved not towing a caravan & just did a bit of trip planning & navigating along the way.
The size of it wasn't much bigger than what you are looking to purchase.
My wife loved driving it, she didn't want to give it back when we got to Darwin. The Mercedes-Benz diesel was smooth & economical. We looked at buying a secondhand one when we flew back home but they had way too many kms on them.

I would have gladly sold our caravan if we had got one.

Saddle Creek (1200x526) (950x416).jpg Broome - Darwin Keith Small 033 (1500x1125).jpg

-- Edited by 86GTS on Tuesday 8th of February 2022 05:39:12 AM

hokianga · Senior Member

Hi, just found this post and was wondering if Jamblon bought an Interstate? I have an Avida Leura that has just been in an accident, I am hoping it can be repaied but if not will be looking at this price range, buying a replacement Leura will not be possible.

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Hi Mike we live just up the road from the Beaches dealership in Belmont they are an RV dealership (mainly used) who moved to their present location from the northern beaches of Sydney. We looked at the vehicle that you mentioned when we were considering downsizing from our previous full size van. What turned us off was the cramped interior of those campervans especially in the shower toilet area and the fact that they had very few areas for storage. We opted to buy another full size van although its a little smaller as we intend spending months at a time on the road and we like having the room to move - at the end of the day its a personal choice.

BB

jamblon · Member

Hi Hokianga
Sorry for the late reply - we were overseas and have just returned. We have placed an order for the Interstate One and should receive it around March 2023. We have tried one, even the bed, and find that it suits our needs.

BB
I had similar concerns regarding space, but interestingly, its 'garage' is one of the biggest we have seen in vans the same brand and size, so we are not too concerned about space at this stage.

msg · Guru

I have a small motorhome much like the one you are talking about. I travel solo so the size is not a problem for me. I think long term it might be a bit tight for two. But.... I don't think the next size up actually gives you more room to move. You will get more storage, larger fridge extra seating though. Storage is a big issue in the small ones. I have no space to take things like a generator (If I wanted one) extra gas bottle, or BBQ etc.

However, don't take any notice of the oft trotted out mantra,

"you have to pack it up everytime you need to move or even go down to the shops, cafe etc."

Its no big operation as with a caravan to get on the move. I can be up and away in five minutes. Just turn off the gas at the bottle and secure belongings inside and go. You also have the advantage of being able to park pretty well where you might park a car. If you decide you want to stay elsewhere, fine, you already have all your stuff with you. Doesn't use anywhere near the fuel as towing either.

Like Peter & Margaret said an MB is a really good choice. I have a Ford Transit (they are not around much anymore) that has been on some pretty remote tracks. Clearance is mostly the issue and that goes for motorhomes of all sizes.

.

-- Edited by msg on Friday 25th of November 2022 05:32:17 AM

-- Edited by msg on Friday 25th of November 2022 05:36:32 AM

jamblon · Member

Thanks msg.
We are both bicycle riders and are getting a bike rack to carry our bikes with us. So heading to the shops, etc should not cause too much of an issue - we already use the bikes here to shop sometimes, so that will not change. On the plus side a bit of exercise will not hurt...

RoboLB · Senior Member

Nice looking motor home 86GTS.

We 'rented' a bit to try them out but went for a slightly smaller version that the one you rented, that we are delighted with.

The terminology I gained from all the suppliers was.........

Motorhome = coach built often larger boxier body, as per the one you rented.
Campervan = 'converted' commercial van or at least the same 'footprint' as a commercial van. Basically a bit narrower.

We initially looked at a Fiat Ducato 6.4 m long. FWD.
But end up with a Merc Sprinter 7 m long RWD.

Great to drive (better than my car) and for just 2 people, works well for us.
We can leave the bed made up in the back.

Small dinette at the front.
We have a proper shower/toilet.
Stove, fridge etc etc.

Set up and packup takes a few minutes.

And being a 'normal' commercial van width, we can park in a regular car spot width wise, (Coles etc) though either hang the back over a curb or use two spots in tandem.

-- Edited by RoboLB on Wednesday 7th of December 2022 01:21:29 PM

-- Edited by RoboLB on Wednesday 7th of December 2022 01:22:10 PM

-- Edited by RoboLB on Wednesday 7th of December 2022 01:30:45 PM