Hi Everyone

This Grey Nomads site is very interesting - especially with so much helpful advise and the variety of subjects.

We have just retired and we are selling our home in Canberra with a view to travelling and house-sitting for several years.   Pulling a caravan seems rather laborious to us and we have no experience at towing so we are considering a Campervan.  From what we have heard, we are considering a Toyota HiAce, petrol, manual and a non-rental with as few miles as possible on the gauge.

There does not seem to be a very good range around the Canberra area so we are considering possibly buying a campervan from someone updating.  We are not sure what to expect but we are going to look at one on the weekend. It is a 1993 HiAce with 136,00 on the clock (with two owners). It seems to have been updated and has a solar panel on the roof and solar windows.  The asking price is $22,500.

Could anyone give us ideas as to what we should look for or where we could find something suitable for around the $20k mark?    

Hopefully we will soon be on the road and be experienced contributors to this forum.   

Anvid

Hi Anvid,

You could look on this site http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/used/toyota/frontline-camper/  , Gumtree and the like, also Auto Trader etc.

Also try Frontline Campers, sometimes they have some early models for sale, their main factory is in NSW, I have seen some of their conversions and they do some good ones, another option there to buy your own van and then have them convert it, but you would be looking at around $20,000 for a standard conversion alone. See their link; http://www.frontlinecamper.com.au/current_stock.php#pre  they have one there for $19,000 ready made, they often take trade ins so keep an eye on their site for more.

Good luck with the search, I would be looking at condition and kms rather than year, try to keep it under 200,000 kms if you can, less better.   At 300,000 unless it has been re-conditioned, you may need to do some work on it before too long, and don't forget that applies to the drive train as well.

I very nearly travelled all they way from WA to NSW to have them do a conversion I was so impressed with ones I had seen they had done, but in the end it would have cost me too much to travel there etc from WA so decided to have a conversion done by a local conversion manufacturer in Perth.

This "shell" is similar in shape to one I bought locally, not cheap but I am planning on keeping it for awhile, it is a 2007 LWB Hi Ace Auto, 21,500 kms on the clock.  Being converted next week (part time, so make take a few weeks.....long story but they are fitting me in with a few others they are converting)....

hi  Anvid you could try

http://sydneyrvcentre.com.au/used-rvs.html

some times they have some good ideas...

milo

Hi Anvid,

I have a '98 Auto Diesel, that I paid $24,000 for about 3 years ago.   That one sounds good for the price, [depending on condition].

I do think you should Hire one with the Layout you like best [there are a number of different ones], for a couple of weeks at least, to see if it is not too cramped for you.  They're great for one person, and Backpackers don't have them as a long-term thing.  If you're thinking of Long-term travelling, you might find you'd rather have a little more space.

Mine was owned by a couple who wanted more room.  I bought it through the CMCA website.

Even a Sprinter can be a bit cramped for 2 sometimes, depending on the Layout, and what you decide to take.

Mine is beside the High-top.

Cheers,

Sheba.

One of our members bought one from KEA, they have lots of good used ex hire vans in good condition, have a look at the Transits (see this link,

http://ausales.keacampers.com/vehicles/vehicleDetails.aspx?siteID=45c3f703-71c8-4d13-bb76-ba0cdac3588a&vehicleGroup=ea&stockItem=freedom  

And for smaller campervans this one;
http://ausales.keacampers.com/vehicles/vehicleDetails.aspx?siteID=45c3f703-71c8-4d13-bb76-ba0cdac3588a&vehicleGroup=ba&stockItem=traveller  

The smaller VW ones shown here don't have a very wide bed because of the furniture, so if you are not small people it may be "squeezy".  Don't discount ex hire as some hire companies have very strict conditions applied to their hire ones, and some of them are very well decked out.  Some ex hire companies of the High Ace high roof type pass them onto a cheaper hire subsidary company when they are getting a bit run down and I wouldn't touch these with a 40 fit pole as they are not so fussy about the condition of them.

I think if your going to have it instead of a home (except for those you house sit) you will need something bigger like a motorhome or bus conversion, you may find it very restricted in a campervan, particularly when it is raining/windy etc and you may not be able to sit outside and if you have an awning may have to wind it in to save being ripped off in the winds etc.

Thank you everyone for your advice. This afternoon we visited two couples  who were selling their Hi-Ace Campers in the ACT.  Both couples  had enjoyed their journeys in their Hi-Aces and were keen to share their experiences.

The first one was a demonstration Discovery fit-out and appeared to be in good condition.  It was a pop-top -  1993 with 136,000 kms , automatic and petrol.  The cost was $20,000 and the Rego due in July.  The reason they were selling was to get a later model to take off-road. 

The second one was a school bus fitted out by the current owner, a handyman and it was very impressive with all his gadgets.   It was not as nice inside but seemed to have more space and the bed was a permanent fixture at the rear of the van. It is a 1996 with 320,890 kms although since a new engine was fitted has only travelled 40,000kms. This vehicle is manual, 5 speed and also petrol.  They are selling due to poor health.

Any comments, experiences about  the rear bed or kitchen configurations or other aspects?