Oh my goodness, this was supposed to be the easy part I am getting sooooo vanned out. Rick managed to change his mind twice in the one day Sunday when we were searching some out at a commercial enterprise in Lily dale. I thought I was indecisive, ha
We are now looking at Jayco pop tops. Was looking at expandable top pops but feel we can't get away from the nicely laid out bed ready idea. Would love your thoughts on these models both expandable and pop tops please, ie. leakage, weather resistant, comfort whatever . Thanks nomad friends and trek on safely and happily
Terro said
02:50 PM Jul 12, 2011
Jeanette, it is very difficult for anyone to inform you of what sort of van you should get. The important thing is what do you want from a van. Once you have sorted that out then you can look at the various makes, types and models. It's not easy, there are so many out there and of course when you walk in to a dealership they all want your dollar. Our preference is a pop top the reason is getting it under the carport. As I said before work out what you want in a van, what are the places you want to go, ie, bitumen only or off road. Are there more than two of you. You may need bunks or you might like the "camping" feeling of having an expander type of van.
Good luck.
Terro
Onedodger said
03:32 PM Jul 12, 2011
We have a Jayco shower toilet Poptop and think it is the knees bees.
Yes we too like the Idea of bed ready.
We have often just pulled up in a bush camp for an overnighter and simply lifted the roof only even leaving the stabilizers up. and no probs. This is the way to go in inclement weather. However when the weather is good like a lot of others we live mostly outside under the awning when not exploring.
Leaks......We have none.
We have also found the poptop cooler than our old solid van in the warmer climes.
In the cooler climes the van does take a little more heating but as usual everything in caravaning is a compromise.
It is a personal choice in what you want and the old hip-pocket nerve has a finger in the pie as well. So happy hunting and have fun.
Cheers Dodg.
-- Edited by Onedodger on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 03:33:35 PM
-- Edited by Onedodger on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 03:37:44 PM
gordon_adl said
04:22 PM Jul 12, 2011
That's a very nice set up there :)
jimsiron said
09:01 PM Jul 12, 2011
We also have a new Jayco poptop outback shower unit, just purchased and waiting to go away in 3 weeks. We progressed from a soft floor trailer to a wind up camper trailer t the van in 4 years of travel. Look long and hard as they are all a big investment but enjoyable when you have one. We feel we are at the stage of a van and are happy to have selected what we consider to be suitable for our intended use for some time to come, and yes they will fit under a carport with some extra effort in raising the roof!. regards jimsiron
Are you looking to travel full time, part of the year or only a few weeks at a time? Then it's a matter of working out if you want shower and toilet? Where you want the door? What you are towing with? How much room you need? Single or dual axle? Then the big one - how much are you willing to spend? Keep us posted.
Gerty Dancer said
09:22 PM Jul 13, 2011
Jeanette, the question of weight is crucial. Find out what weight you towing vehicle is allowed to tow. You must choose a van which when loaded will be under that weight... many choose to tow a heavier van than they should but they are risking damage to their vehicle and legal action if Constable Plod gets involved for any reason.
As sometimes happens people fall in love with an overweight van, then it becomes a choice between other vehicles with greater towing capacity. Expensive!
Yes we have a Jayco pop-top, and we are happy with it.
sandsmere said
06:52 PM Jul 14, 2011
Choosing a van ?????
Just look , look , look . look . and look again . When you see it , you'll know .
jeannette said
10:04 PM Jul 14, 2011
Thanks so much you wonderful and informative folk, how good it is to mix with like-minded friends. All positive feedback as well. We have checked on the towing requirements, Rick is especially strict with these as Insurance is a must and there should be no grey areas there. Nice set-up there Dodg. Looks like we're pretty into the pop-top, with shower and toilet. The size can be to 20 but to keep the weight down we might go to 18. We are planning to play and work around Oz. Sometimes staying a couple of months in the one magical spot. We'll do lots of short trips around on the motorbike when we stay in the one spot, cheap petrol haha. We plan to go all fairly decent roads. Hope to get away from the Freeways and Highways as much as possible. Once again thanks and we'll keep you posted. Jeannette and Rick
Oh my goodness, this was supposed to be the easy part
I am getting sooooo vanned out. Rick managed to change his mind twice in the one day Sunday when we were searching some out at a commercial enterprise in Lily dale. I thought I was indecisive, ha 
We are now looking at Jayco pop tops. Was looking at expandable top pops but feel we can't get away from the nicely laid out bed ready idea. Would love your thoughts on these models both expandable and pop tops please, ie. leakage, weather resistant, comfort whatever . Thanks nomad friends and trek on safely and happily
Jeanette, it is very difficult for anyone to inform you of what sort of van you should get. The important thing is what do you want from a van. Once you have sorted that out then you can look at the various makes, types and models. It's not easy, there are so many out there and of course when you walk in to a dealership they all want your dollar. Our preference is a pop top the reason is getting it under the carport. As I said before work out what you want in a van, what are the places you want to go, ie, bitumen only or off road. Are there more than two of you. You may need bunks or you might like the "camping" feeling of having an expander type of van.
Good luck.
Terro
Yes we too like the Idea of bed ready.
We have often just pulled up in a bush camp for an overnighter and simply lifted the roof only even leaving the stabilizers up. and no probs. This is the way to go in inclement weather. However when the weather is good like a lot of others we live mostly outside under the awning when not exploring.
Leaks......We have none.
We have also found the poptop cooler than our old solid van in the warmer climes.
In the cooler climes the van does take a little more heating but as usual everything in caravaning is a compromise.
It is a personal choice in what you want and the old hip-pocket nerve has a finger in the pie as well. So happy hunting and have fun.
Cheers Dodg.
-- Edited by Onedodger on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 03:33:35 PM
-- Edited by Onedodger on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 03:37:44 PM
We also have a new Jayco poptop outback shower unit, just purchased and waiting to go away in 3 weeks. We progressed from a soft floor trailer to a wind up camper trailer t the van in 4 years of travel. Look long and hard as they are all a big investment but enjoyable when you have one. We feel we are at the stage of a van and are happy to have selected what we consider to be suitable for our intended use for some time to come, and yes they will fit under a carport with some extra effort in raising the roof!.
regards
jimsiron
Then it's a matter of working out if you want shower and toilet? Where you want the door?
What you are towing with?
How much room you need? Single or dual axle?
Then the big one - how much are you willing to spend?
Keep us posted.
As sometimes happens people fall in love with an overweight van, then it becomes a choice between other vehicles with greater towing capacity. Expensive!
Yes we have a Jayco pop-top, and we are happy with it.
Choosing a van ?????
Just look , look , look . look . and look again . When you see it , you'll know .
Once again thanks and we'll keep you posted.
Jeannette and Rick