Hi all like RVers and Caravanners, it has come to the time when my wife and I hit the road in our barely used motorhome and explore our own wonderful country.
We are planning to leave Perth sometime April-May 2024 and head east for a long lap, all being well.
Seeking a bit of advice especially in relation to acquiring a towed vehicle vs hiring as we go. How easy is it to hire small 4x4 generally?
Also any advice on free camping sites would be appreciated as well as sights and places not to miss.
We have a few months to get organised but by starting early means we will be about 5% ready when we do!
Looking forward to any advice you may like to share. Regards Waz n Marg
I have very limited experience hiring a 4wd, only did it once in Broome. At the time there were restrictions about where you could take most models, with Patrols & Landcruisers having the widest access to off road destinations. So you might find that hiring smaller 4wd's will have restrictions that don't suit?
I purchased a new Suzuki Sierra Drover in 1985 for on farm workhorse as my property is too rugged for all but 4WD - It will go anywhere the Nissan Patrol will go and fit in between trees that are too close for anything other than Suzuki or motorbike. I still own it, it's the best ute ever.
That being said; I wouldn't tow any car - the Iveco is economical enough for intown driving.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I had a Motorhome and did a trip up to Cairns without a toad and unfortunately we missed a lot of the sites and it was a pain getting to the shops etc.
We decided to upgrade to a slightly larger Motorhome, similar to what you have and FLAT TOWED, with A-Frame, a Suzuki Jimny 4x4, it was an auto with a dog clutch, best thing we ever did, we ended up retracing our previous trips and had a ball with Jimny, we went up the Bloomfield Track between Cairns and Cooktown, driving across creeks, and also on the beach at Anna Bay NSW and many other places, it was great.
We recently downsized to a caravan as we now stay long term, in caravan parks, anyway, when we sold our Motorhome and Jimny, we got more for them than what we paid, due to the long delivery times for new Motorhomes (12 months ago) and that it was a 'ready to go' setup.
If you can afford it, do it, you won't regret it.
Also your MH should be able to tow a Suzuki Vitara (2 door) which might be an option worth checking out.
Do your research and enjoy setting up and taking off.
Thanks for the reply Ali. Yeah, was thinking of towing a Jimny but it is a long tow to do a lap.
The RV won't take me to all the places I want to go so will have to look at some hire. Out of the way places pose the biggest problem.
Will suck it and see perhaps. Waz
Depends on how easily the motorhome will tow something. We towed a trailer containing 2 trail bikes around Australia behind our Nissan Civilian bus on our first lap. Anyone who knows the older 3.3 litre Civilians knows that 'sedate' is a reasonable term to apply to their speed capability. Adding the trailer increased that 'sedate-ness', but we still did 45,000kms with it like that, but we did take do fair number of dirt road routes like the Birdsville Track, across the gulf etc.
Changing to a 4wd (4.2 Patrol) & towing a hard top off road camper (Tvan) has allowed us to get to places we only ever dreamed about with the Civilian. The combo is now ready for sale.
We are transitioning to a 4wd off road motorhome which will enable us to travel similarly to the Patrol & Tvan in regard to where we can go.
Motorcycles - although having ridden most of my life, were simply impractical for outback exploring. Often too hot when wearing protective gear, especially when walking having ridden to places the bus couldn't go , also insufficient fuel range. Big distances off the bitumen. The Patrol has been far better & more comfortable.
But now we are looking forward to the comforts of indoor cooking, dining, & heating. Adapting to age & health related limitations.
My thinking is that as you already have your motorhome, enjoy a lap with it solo, & maybe hire a 4wd to get to a handful of your most desirable off road destinations, (We did that for a couple of places first time around) with a view to a second lap in a more off road capable vehicle.
If you think your lap is likely to be a 'one-off' you might need to consider the toss up between changing vehicle vs frustration on missing out on 90% of the country. In your position I'd go as you are with a view that 'If it gets into our blood we'll go again, & to that end arrive back home with a list of 2nd lap destinations to look forward to'. :)
