A newbie

Victor Dunn · Member

A newbie

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Go for it.
Don't spend all of your money first up though, because it is unlikely that you will pick exactly the right vehicle (for you) at the first attempt.
For the same reasons, if you find something that appeals, go for it, don't procrastinate too much because you can start leaning as you go, and the sooner the better.
Cheers,
Peter

Possum3 · Guru

I agree with Peter also ensure a thorough inspection prior to spending your hard earned.

Consider a J pod as well - small and lightweight, get the comfy mattress and cooking facility - no packing up/setting up in inclement weather.

Victor Dunn · Member

Thanks Peter. Good advice.

Victor Dunn · Member

A J- pod. I will check that out. Had read about the A, caravans which had a low tow profile. Many thanks.

Jeff-2025 · Veteran Member

You can also hire out campervans to see if it is what you really want.

Google campervan hire - tons of results

Victor Dunn · Member

Thanks Jeff. I will do exactly that.

PeterInSa · Guru

Having looked at a similar size campervans to the VW kombie, B4 I was involved in purchasing a Long Wheelbase Hi Roof Sprinter for use by self /wife and adult family members, providing your bank account and partner approve, If I was in your situation, I would seriously look at a Sprinter, Transit or Fiat Based campervan, with more room/conveniences ie Shower./toilet, Gas hot water, TV, Stove/oven, Diesel Heater and Roof Top air conditioner. The additional storage provides room for say Fishing rods, outside chair/table, Golf clubs and and.

The rear of our Sprinter can fit 5 people around the table for afternoon coffee in the wet. The table is lowered with an extension for 2 to sleep at night, but using the seating as a mattress needs a Clarke rubber foam overlay to provide comfort.

We have taken the Sprinter on an SA Beach as a base for the Grandkids Day out, along Tracks in the Victorian Goldfields and long trips to Qld and WA etc and many bush camps. In our travels have come across many fems in campervans mentioned above. We park out of the way in shopping centres and in some cases back in over a garden so the front of the vehicle does not stick out more than other parked cars.

Definitely more flexibility than our 21ft Traveller caravan and to me a different way to travel, eg in Tassie, we go from Town to Town not having to go back to the caravan at night, just continue our travel, stopping for a morning coffee when it suits us.

Definitly do your research and don't rush into it.

Interesting read Here, some of their points may help.

Why 70% of Retirees Regret Their Camper Van Within 1 Year

www.youtube.com/watch

IanSch · Member

I owned a Sprinter van but sold it about 5 years ago when my wife became ill and we could no longer travel. After she passed away earlier this year I purchased a Crafter van which is sold through the VW dealerships here in Australia. I am quite happy with it. It is about the same size as the Sprinter and also an all wheel drive. My Sprinter was 4WD. Having said that I only needed the 4WD two times and was very happy to have that option. As far as camper vans go we travelled all over this great country firstly with a caravan and then in a 1984 Kombie camper and later in a 1989 Kombie Synchro. With both vehicles we towed a tradies trailer which contained the portaloo and some extra gear like fishing. It is great to have it all in one vehicle without the trailer and as Peter says it is not a great issue to park to do the shopping etc. Sometimes I park using two carparks end on end in a carpark next to the supermarket.

Silly Old Part · Newbie

Cheap way is to try before you buy.

Heaps of those Britz and Apollo vans in the depot next to me near the Airport (Mascot).

But if you already know what you want, pick up a cheap van in good shape and DIY. That's what I did. I use my decommissioned iload for a weekend getaway. Firstly, it's unbeatable on fuel. 940 klms on city cycle, and pretty well double that on highway use. But it's a manual, so it kills the Toyota I borrowed at 500 klms range city cycle and was flashing up warning lights all over that it was out of fuel.

For a weekend (the iload) is ideal. A blind van with dark tint enables you to stealth camp if you have to as it assures complete privacy. I've got carpet over ply over underlay in mine so no road noise concerns. Quiter than my Camry for road noise. A lightweight foam mattress in the back costs ya almost 'nothin and weighs as much. Top that off with a couple of gasmates (1 baking tray type and one single burner for hot water), a $400 Kings fridge that won't kill a commercial battery, portable toilet, can opener and a lighter and you're set. An old esky makes a handy tuckerbox. The beauty of this setup is that it's cost effective to setup, cheap on fuel, and you don't need to modify things like getting battery boxes and the like as a compressor fridge draws 3 amps on run cycle and the batteries in these vans can handle that overnite but if you're a little bit scared of a flat battery, then get one anyway. A 20 litre water bottle from Bunnings and a 3x3 gazebo, which all my mates have, completes the setup. Bargain!

The upside of this setup is security. You lock that door at nite and you get a good nights rest knowing that the ne'er do wells aren't likely to steal your esky looking for alcohol as it's all in the van. Yep, happened to me a couple of times at Husky, same park too. And the manual iload has phenomenal fuel range on highway cycle. So your running costs are about as good as you can get. Setup times are quick too. You back it up to the river's edge, open the door and your there. Add 5 mins if you put up the 3x3. Throw out the fire pit. Crack a beer. Done!

How much does all that cost ya? My van is a '20 and it's for sale in the high 'teens and I've seen similar from the dealers with higher mileage for about $19k, but you can usually cut a deal and get one in good shape for $15-17. Lot cheaper than a kombi. Mate of mine had one and it was horrendously expensive when it came to repairs. But that was his call.

My mates have the more expensive ninja camping options. They bring their 4x4's and start throwing swags out on the ground but otherwise similar setup with either a 3x3 or a Kings type pull out awning from the roof racks. Works for them but I don't like grubbing around in the dirt. I just climb into my fully carpeted van and watch whilst their fighting with their swags, either setting them up or pulling them down but that's the price you pay for bringing something with the capacity of a station wagon, and a mid size one at that.

Almost forgot to mention. Towbar! A must for a van. Put a lightweight box trailer on the back to carry your stuff. Trail bikes, kayaks, stuff you don't care too much about if it gets dust on it. Trailers are light to tow, slipstream the tow vehicle so not much drag and you can fill the void in the trailer with other luxuries like tables, chairs etc.

-- Edited by Silly Old Part on Saturday 5th of September 2026 12:51:53 PM