I am a female solo traveler (61) from WA after my husband recently passed away and don't really feel confident driving our 2008 200 series land cruiser and 2006 Windsor Genesis so thinking about getting an automatic motor home that you can drive on a C class license. PS i don't want a camper van. I I will be travelling with other people but don't want to have to rely on other people to help me hitch/unhitch the van and and want to try and be as self sufficient as possible. Ideally i would like to have the bed set up permanently (not have to pull down and make every day). Does anyone on here have any suggestions as to make/model would be best and the most reliable? My budget is around $130,000. Look forward to hearing your suggestions. Happy and safe travels every one :)
Kea Nomad Campervan ex hire or you can purchase brand new. Mercedes Benz Auto, Shower/Toilet, great layout for a single person.
Google is your friend.
Also Kea Discovery ...small electric drop down bed motorhome, again ideal for a solo traveller.
kilkenny said
04:42 PM Mar 31, 2022
Does anyone know if i purchase a second hand motor home if i have to pay stamp duty and/or transfer fees? When we purchased our second hand caravan in 2018, $25,000, if we did have to pay transfer fees i dont think it was very much?
kilkenny said
05:10 PM Mar 31, 2022
Hi Granite53,
The Sunliner switch has certainly caught my eye. I will do some more research. Thanks for the suggestion.
hufnpuf said
05:24 PM Mar 31, 2022
kilkenny wrote:
Does anyone know if i purchase a second hand motor home if i have to pay stamp duty and/or transfer fees? When we purchased our second hand caravan in 2018, $25,000, if we did have to pay transfer fees i dont think it was very much?
$18.90 transfer fee (just paid it). Caravans are exempt from stamp duty, motorhomes aren't, so you would be up for a lot more money for absolutely nothing in return.
-- Edited by hufnpuf on Thursday 31st of March 2022 05:26:07 PM
Oka374 said
06:16 PM Mar 31, 2022
Take a look at the 4wd motorhomes based on a Toyota Hilux or similar ute, Explorer and Suncamper both make them.
A friend of ours faced the same dilemma as yourself after her husband passed away, they had a Hilux and Caravan and while she did tow it for a few years she did find it a chore. After those few years she sold both and bought a secondhand Suncamper 4wd hilux based unit and now has no worries travelling by herself or with others as she can just pull up and home is there setup. Hers has the rear cafe style seating with large windows all around which means you can sit inside and look out on those inclement or fly/mossie days.
msg said
07:20 PM Mar 31, 2022
As a solo person (female) IMHO you don't need a great deal of space. As long a you have all the conveniences you will be OK.
Being able to stand up to get dressed and to move without belting your elbows and shins is also important.
After 10yrs including going bush pretty much where ever I wanted (no no's include driving through water) I have decided you really only need a vehicle that has a high clearance. Rear wheel drive is also a must.
Being fully self contained is also a must. Solar power is a must. A good solar system will also make the use of a generator unnecessary. Unless you require Air Con and all manner of electrical appliances available at all times. I find a gas stove perfectly adequate though I do have a air con, microwave, electrical kettle, frypan etc on hand for when I can plug into 240v.
Advantages of a small vehicle. Fuel 10lts/100ks. Small parkup space required. Can park in most outdoor car parks. Easy to drive. (even ones that have a manual gearbox) I seem to think that larger MH's don't have all that much more space but they will not take you to places off road. eg when I go up to my sisters opal mine no roads out there, a normal MH will not handle the terrain. (I can just see a long one suspended across a steep gully, probably not, just my humour ) without the clearance they would not negotiate the bulldust as well.
Anyway, try to think of all the situations and how and where you will travel and choose accordingly. Your choice will certainly be horses for courses.
kilkenny said
07:42 PM Mar 31, 2022
Thanks for the tip :)
Aus-Kiwi said
09:57 PM Mar 31, 2022
Work out what you want to do ? Things like free camping , going off road, doing the lap etc, toilet and shower ? One thing I hear about M/ home is the security. Can drive away anytime . Not that we have had too many issues free camping .
msg said
11:49 PM Mar 31, 2022
Good one Aus-Kiwi. Forgot about the security issue. Mine has central locking. What is even better is if anyone trys to get in by trying any of the doors, an alarm goes off.
Have completed the lap and it could go most places I wanted. except Wolfe Creek crater and Chambers Pillers. Definitely a 4x4 trip. Trip up to Cook Town OK going up the back highway rather than the coast, OK but wouldn't go any further towards the tip. another 4x4 drive. Been to Birdsville OK but not the Birdsville track. Not the Gibb River Road either. So need a 4x4 in lots of instances now I think about it.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:32 AM Apr 1, 2022
Ive done the 4WD thing . I find it too hard on my vehicle. Ok when I was working !! I have taken trial bikes if I want to these days . But Im a bloke ex dairy farmer ! I dont like real off Roading that is me these days . Im
Not condemning anyone who does ! Mind when I went off road it was no tracks !! Made my own way !! Maintenance is expensive and cannot be avoided !
msg said
02:10 PM Apr 1, 2022
Aus Kiwi, Well I have been very lucky. No damage or repair bills. Not even a flat tyre. I hope I havn't put the moz on me by saying that.
I always spruke about Light Truck tyres rather than 4x4 and I guess thats why.
Am treating van very carefully and although its ageing gracefully it is 14yrs old. The House bit is still holding together nicely. Will still go out to the mine but will go very carefully.
kilkenny said
05:30 PM Apr 1, 2022
Hi Are We Lost :)
We tend to do more free/cheap camping than caravan parks and my current caravan is all set up for that purpose. Solar Panels, generator, grey water tank etc. It is more the ease i think of the motor home just doing the hoses and leads etc and if the ground is not that level easier to move to more level ground with a motor home. Also if i want to get away by myself it would be easier. We tend to spend a few weeks away at a time but also was planning on heading north for the winter but we always have a home base. Also my driveway is a bit tricky to reverse into as it is on a slope hence another reason a motor home would probably be easier. Decisions decisions......but no great hurry :)
kilkenny said
05:57 PM Apr 1, 2022
Yes would love to do the lap but in comfort with toilet and shower etc. Good point about making a quick getaway if needed. Last time we were away a couple of cars pulled up into our free camp about 8 o'clock one night. We were with family and were already in our vans and i thought wow bit strange to pull in so late and start setting up but was too scared to go outside and investigate. Anyway after hubby and i decided we weren't going to get robbed or murdered we went to sleep. When we woke up in the morning we discovered they were female french back packers and like to camp close to others to feel secure lol :)
kilkenny said
06:09 PM Apr 1, 2022
yep thought that was the case :(
kilkenny said
01:53 PM Apr 22, 2022
Thanks for all your imput/advice everyone. I have purchased a 2010 Sunliner Holiday home and should pick it up in about 3 weeks. Stay safe everyone :)
DeanoCasino said
02:17 PM Apr 22, 2022
-- Edited by DeanoCasino on Friday 22nd of April 2022 02:21:16 PM
-- Edited by DeanoCasino on Saturday 23rd of April 2022 01:18:04 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
08:07 PM Apr 25, 2022
Keep us all posted . See you out there ! Keep safe !!
Buzz Lightbulb said
09:31 AM Apr 26, 2022
kilkenny wrote:
Thanks for all your imput/advice everyone. I have purchased a 2010 Sunliner Holiday home and should pick it up in about 3 weeks. Stay safe everyone :)
Can you provide any hypertext links to for plans and images? If like to have a look at what it looks like.
Kea Nomad Campervan ex hire or you can purchase brand new. Mercedes Benz Auto, Shower/Toilet, great layout for a single person.
Google is your friend.
Also Kea Discovery ...small electric drop down bed motorhome, again ideal for a solo traveller.
Does anyone know if i purchase a second hand motor home if i have to pay stamp duty and/or transfer fees? When we purchased our second hand caravan in 2018, $25,000, if we did have to pay transfer fees i dont think it was very much?
Hi Granite53,
The Sunliner switch has certainly caught my eye. I will do some more research. Thanks for the suggestion.
$18.90 transfer fee (just paid it). Caravans are exempt from stamp duty, motorhomes aren't, so you would be up for a lot more money for absolutely nothing in return.
https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/vehicle-licence-duty-calculator.asp
-- Edited by hufnpuf on Thursday 31st of March 2022 05:26:07 PM
A friend of ours faced the same dilemma as yourself after her husband passed away, they had a Hilux and Caravan and while she did tow it for a few years she did find it a chore. After those few years she sold both and bought a secondhand Suncamper 4wd hilux based unit and now has no worries travelling by herself or with others as she can just pull up and home is there setup. Hers has the rear cafe style seating with large windows all around which means you can sit inside and look out on those inclement or fly/mossie days.
Being able to stand up to get dressed and to move without belting your elbows and shins is also important.
After 10yrs including going bush pretty much where ever I wanted (no no's include driving through water) I have decided you really only need a vehicle that has a high clearance. Rear wheel drive is also a must.
Being fully self contained is also a must. Solar power is a must. A good solar system will also make the use of a generator unnecessary. Unless you require Air Con and all manner of electrical appliances available at all times. I find a gas stove perfectly adequate though I do have a air con, microwave, electrical kettle, frypan etc on hand for when I can plug into 240v.
Advantages of a small vehicle. Fuel 10lts/100ks. Small parkup space required. Can park in most outdoor car parks. Easy to drive. (even ones that have a manual gearbox) I seem to think that larger MH's don't have all that much more space but they will not take you to places off road. eg when I go up to my sisters opal mine no roads out there, a normal MH will not handle the terrain. (I can just see a long one suspended across a steep gully, probably not, just my humour ) without the clearance they would not negotiate the bulldust as well.
Anyway, try to think of all the situations and how and where you will travel and choose accordingly. Your choice will certainly be horses for courses.
Thanks for the tip :)
Have completed the lap and it could go most places I wanted. except Wolfe Creek crater and Chambers Pillers. Definitely a 4x4 trip. Trip up to Cook Town OK going up the back highway rather than the coast, OK but wouldn't go any further towards the tip. another 4x4 drive. Been to Birdsville OK but not the Birdsville track. Not the Gibb River Road either. So need a 4x4 in lots of instances now I think about it.
Not condemning anyone who does ! Mind when I went off road it was no tracks !! Made my own way !! Maintenance is expensive and cannot be avoided !
I always spruke about Light Truck tyres rather than 4x4 and I guess thats why.
Am treating van very carefully and although its ageing gracefully it is 14yrs old. The House bit is still holding together nicely. Will still go out to the mine but will go very carefully.
Hi Are We Lost :)
We tend to do more free/cheap camping than caravan parks and my current caravan is all set up for that purpose. Solar Panels, generator, grey water tank etc. It is more the ease i think of the motor home just doing the hoses and leads etc and if the ground is not that level easier to move to more level ground with a motor home. Also if i want to get away by myself it would be easier. We tend to spend a few weeks away at a time but also was planning on heading north for the winter but we always have a home base. Also my driveway is a bit tricky to reverse into as it is on a slope hence another reason a motor home would probably be easier. Decisions decisions......but no great hurry :)
Yes would love to do the lap but in comfort with toilet and shower etc. Good point about making a quick getaway if needed. Last time we were away a couple of cars pulled up into our free camp about 8 o'clock one night. We were with family and were already in our vans and i thought wow bit strange to pull in so late and start setting up but was too scared to go outside and investigate. Anyway after hubby and i decided we weren't going to get robbed or murdered we went to sleep. When we woke up in the morning we discovered they were female french back packers and like to camp close to others to feel secure lol :)
yep thought that was the case :(
Thanks for all your imput/advice everyone. I have purchased a 2010 Sunliner Holiday home and should pick it up in about 3 weeks. Stay safe everyone :)
-- Edited by DeanoCasino on Friday 22nd of April 2022 02:21:16 PM
-- Edited by DeanoCasino on Saturday 23rd of April 2022 01:18:04 PM
Can you provide any hypertext links to for plans and images? If like to have a look at what it looks like.