Ok, so that last isn't an option, this place is driving us both nuts. We are leaving, but choosing a rig is tough. Partly because we have bugger-all money, and partly because we don't know what we want.
Plan is simple, pack up and spend the next however long travelling the country, stopping til we decide to move on.
We are torn, do we gt a caravan, or do we get a bus, a big one, to do up as we go (we know of a couple that are in our price range, and liveable)? Ultimately, we would want a bus, but do we want one now? Or do we get a trailer to carry our stuff in, and a tent for sleeping, and rough it for 6-12 months to decide?
Thoughts? Advantages/disadvantages of caravan vs bus?
Cheers
pauline said
03:24 PM Aug 15, 2011
Hi Rosie, I am sure people with much more experience than us will answer, but my 2 bobs worth is this, we went for a van albeit a 20 year old van but it had everything we wanted room wise and if you intend living in it for awhile the extra space with an older van was important, we have since put in a new fridge and 2 solar panels so we can bush camp if we want to which I think is crucial if you are doing it on a budget, which we will be when we leave here in hopefully 10 to 12 months time, was going to be June just gone but decided another 12 months getting it set up right and more money (ha ha) in our very small super accounts was needed. Sometimes I think you just have to JUMP, you will either sink or swim, but if it is what you both want I am sure you will be fine. As for buses versus vans the only reason I have for wanting a van is that you have an independant vehicle especially if you both will be looking for work while travelling, and there will be a lot of great places out there that you won't be able to get to see if you are in a bus, just my ideas. Cheers Pauline
DeBe said
03:40 PM Aug 15, 2011
After having lived in a bus which was 32ft & powered with a 6cyl perkins had shower & toilet & all up weighed 10Ton found it was very expensive to keep fuel up to it. Also needed a 2nd vehicle as it was a pain to find parking spots near shops. Also when it broke down was very in convienient to get repaired & live in at the same time. Now prefer a Van & tow vehicle mutch more convenient (only 2 of us now) Just my opinion. This was back in the early 1980s.
-- Edited by DeBe on Monday 15th of August 2011 03:41:06 PM
dazren said
04:00 PM Aug 15, 2011
My opinion only ? Start Small and economical, to start with, after 6 months or so then consider an upgrade, after a bit of experience, to what you find would be what you require. It is possible to get good clean older caravans out there for 5 to 8000 $ which after 6 months your could get your money back by trade-up, and you can tow them with just about any 6 cyl car, [ probaly the car you already have ?? ]
Caravan and car would be the most economical and reliable combination, as if you get a bus whatever goes wrong will cost you ten times more than a car, and you would find the fuel useage very very high, as you are always useing the bus to go everywhere, and with a van you can un-hook, and use your car for all your sightseeing and shopping etc, A van is your home ?? you park it, then go do what you want to do, then go back home, My opinion only as we all have different idea's, GOOD LUCK dazren
DandS said
04:40 PM Aug 15, 2011
I am going to second what Dazrens opinion is. Start small and economical, and go from there.
About 10 years back we bought a Jayco Eagle camper, and after a while was not quite what suited us and sold it.
We purchased a camper trailer (box trailer with tent top). This has served our needs well and will do so for the next couple of years.
We are not on the road all the time as we work part time. When it is time for us to be permanent GNs we will be purchasing a small caravan.
Drifters said
05:28 PM Aug 15, 2011
Hi Rosie
We are going through all of the same pain. So far we have ruled out the bus for the same reasons as mentioned above. Too inconvenient, too expensive to maintain and drive. We have also ruled out a winnebago for the same reasons as above. You have to take your home with you everywhere you go and its inconvenient to park. Of course you can carry a bike but we are getting too old for that. You can also tow a small car behind but that seems to defeat the whole purpose. So we are down to a caravan and tow or 5th wheeler. After spending months going through all the options it is looking like we will end up back where we started with a caravan, but which one is also a problem. There are plenty of good caravans with all the features we want and depending on its size plenty of vehicles to choose from.
justcruisin01 said
05:57 PM Aug 15, 2011
I would have to agree with every thing above. The bus/m home, you have to take with you at all times, Towing a second run around unit adds to the servicing costs, unhook the van & go in the tow vehicle. Just my thoughts.
bill12 said
08:38 PM Aug 15, 2011
Definately buy what you can afford, and don,t think about it- just go.Start small and get bigger, its an enjoyable progersesion. I have had the lot , and they have all been good fun.Just doing the mile are good fun.You will enjoy it. Bill
RosieW said
09:18 PM Aug 15, 2011
Thanks guys, Troy is a bit disappointed, he is kind of in love with bus. It's a stripped 1980 volvo, with the running gear all in great order, for under $10,000. We could do it up bit by bit, the way we want........... or so he says.
Elle on Wheels said
09:31 PM Aug 15, 2011
Hi I am also wanting to go on the road permanently fairly soon and am on a very limited budget and tossing up between a small van and a small bus.
I will be travelling solo so the security of a bus would be an asset and the smaller busses have better fuel economy.
A fifth wheeler would be the ultimate solution for me however is way beyond my budget and probably always will be. However it seems the best of both worlds - ample living space and easy unhooking and not having to tow an extra car or hitch a motor bike or similar.
Towing means extra rego, insurance, tyres and having to do a parking course..... and it can be a hassle manouvering in tight spots.
I am keeping an open mind and checking out small vans as well as small buses but think I will end up with a coaster owned by an experienced nomad because it will be more likely to have most of the stuff I need.
Whereas most of the small vans in my budget were only used as weekenders and so are not equiped for full time nomading.
If you have the skills to fit out and set up a van then that's a different matter.
Good luck and I agree with everyone else, get something you can afford, try it out and use your experience to inform the next step - this from a complete novice.
Ellen
dazren said
09:37 PM Aug 15, 2011
Rosita, although i reckon the caravan option is better [ that's only my opinion ] if you have time up your sleeve, may i suggest that Troy doe some homework on that model of bus [ they are usually cheap for a reason ?? ] if he does some research on the model, running costs, etc and ring around and price some spares like belts, hoses, and some bigger items like Gearbox or transmission, or even an engine, that will give you some idea, if parts are available, and what they are worth, not to mention that the truck and bus mechanics charge a lot more than car mechanics,
It is all up to you two, we can only give our opinions, [ and experiences ] why don;t you send a PM to debe, as he has been there, done that, BUT now he has a Caravan ???
All the best, whatever you decide Rgs dazren
Cruising Granny said
11:13 PM Aug 15, 2011
Firstly, are you selling up and going on the road full time? Or are you leaving real estate and furniture behind while you travel? If all your wordly goods have to be carried you'll need a larger van eg 20ft, and the appropriate vehicle to tow it. If you're leaving your wordly goods behind and only need enough for the trip then a small van, eg 16-18ft, maybe, only maybe a smaller vehicle to tow it. I suggest something diesel with strength and power. Check out a few websites, a caravan/camping show or 2, your local van park, and go for a wander, even chat to the locals to get some idea of how they do it. I've spoken to a lot of wanderers wondering what they should do. I'm a full time nomad with no real estate or furniture.
willem269 said
05:53 AM Aug 16, 2011
Hi, I think there is a little remark to make about the 'small and economical' option. Starting off too small can spoil a lot of the fun. I mean, if the weather is great and you are living outdoors all the time, a car and a swag could be enough. But if you hit a period of bad weather and you have to spend time inside, you are better off wit a little more space and comfort. Space to hang your wet clothes, room to do a jig saw puzzel, invite someone for a cuppa. Not a party, you know what I mean. I agree with the 'no bus' advice unless you are a (diesel) mechanic and know how to change wheel bearings, brakes and clutches. Because buses tend to have driven ten times around Oz in twenty years before they are sold for conversion into motorhomes. And it all comes down to budget. A handy size motorhome has advantages too. No setting up, being able to leave within a couple of minutes if you must. But our 6 years and 120.000 k's of 'free camp' motorhoming never got us in that situation. Common sense is enough. Stay out of towns especially during weekends, get so far of the road that people do not see you. Good luck with your hard decision.
beachball57 said
10:30 AM Aug 16, 2011
well the bride and i are doing the tent and camper trailer thing at the moment as we can only get away for a few weeks a year and maybe the odd long weekend from time to time but for me if i was to go on an extended trip i'd go for a van,, not a big ome as it would just e the two of us but a van i thin is the way to go,,, stop anywhere just hop out of the car open the van door and you're home,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thats what i think anyway
-- Edited by beachball57 on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 11:19:46 AM
RosieW said
11:06 AM Aug 16, 2011
It will be our permanent home, the only (only, she says) things we will leave behind are our kids.
Cruising Granny said
11:46 PM Aug 16, 2011
Oh dear. Good luck with that. I fear you'll have to down-size the goods and chattels and conduct a garage sale before you go. There's weight and space to consider. If you haven't use it for a year it goes.
RosieW said
09:05 AM Aug 17, 2011
Selling the houselot to our eldest. Crap consolidation is underway (has been since November). I have mine down to 1 Coles green bag (clothes) 3 pairs of shoes (Caterpillar boots, 2 pairs of sneakers), my Uni stuff and laptop (another Coles bag and the laptop bag), and 1 Coles green bag of sentimental stuff. Someone else has a lot more than that.
milo said
01:29 PM Aug 17, 2011
what about the toyota coaster bus idea? not too big or small, and very popular?
RosieW said
01:52 PM Aug 17, 2011
It's on the table, very seriously.
lost Gypsy said
06:46 PM Aug 17, 2011
Hi , We bought a bus about 6 weeks ago so we have to vote for the bus.
What everyone else said makes sense plus we have no experience.
Our bus is also 1980 but an AEC (Leyland) and its probably allot harder to drive than your car with a caravan. It was used as a weekender so we stripped it all but the shower and are in the process of making it our home.It is allot of work and hard to live in it while renovating because of fumes and room.
If Troy has experience driving large vehicles it shouldn't be a problem .For me its a bit scary sometimes in terrific on major roads, but one advantage I had ,If I was stopped at traffic lights for a while I could use the toilet,(I have a very weak bladder).
All the best.
willem269 said
11:57 PM Aug 18, 2011
If you think of a Toyota coaster, try to find a long wheel base. Or the 4wd Very rare to find
Ok, so that last isn't an option, this place is driving us both nuts. We are leaving, but choosing a rig is tough. Partly because we have bugger-all money, and partly because we don't know what we want.
Plan is simple, pack up and spend the next however long travelling the country, stopping til we decide to move on.
We are torn, do we gt a caravan, or do we get a bus, a big one, to do up as we go (we know of a couple that are in our price range, and liveable)? Ultimately, we would want a bus, but do we want one now? Or do we get a trailer to carry our stuff in, and a tent for sleeping, and rough it for 6-12 months to decide?
Thoughts? Advantages/disadvantages of caravan vs bus?
Cheers
Cheers Pauline
-- Edited by DeBe on Monday 15th of August 2011 03:41:06 PM
Caravan and car would be the most economical and reliable combination, as if you get a bus whatever goes wrong will cost you ten times more than a car, and you would find the fuel useage very very high, as you are always useing the bus to go everywhere, and with a van you can un-hook, and use your car for all your sightseeing and shopping etc, A van is your home ?? you park it, then go do what you want to do, then go back home, My opinion only as we all have different idea's, GOOD LUCK dazren
I am going to second what Dazrens opinion is. Start small and economical, and go from there.
About 10 years back we bought a Jayco Eagle camper, and after a while was not quite what suited us and sold it.
We purchased a camper trailer (box trailer with tent top). This has served our needs well and will do so for the next couple of years.
We are not on the road all the time as we work part time. When it is time for us to be permanent GNs we will be purchasing a small caravan.
Hi Rosie
We are going through all of the same pain. So far we have ruled out the bus for the same reasons as mentioned above. Too inconvenient, too expensive to maintain and drive. We have also ruled out a winnebago for the same reasons as above. You have to take your home with you everywhere you go and its inconvenient to park. Of course you can carry a bike but we are getting too old for that. You can also tow a small car behind but that seems to defeat the whole purpose. So we are down to a caravan and tow or 5th wheeler. After spending months going through all the options it is looking like we will end up back where we started with a caravan, but which one is also a problem. There are plenty of good caravans with all the features we want and depending on its size plenty of vehicles to choose from.
I would have to agree with every thing above. The bus/m home, you have to take with you at all times, Towing a second run around unit adds to the servicing costs, unhook the van & go in the tow vehicle. Just my thoughts.
Hi I am also wanting to go on the road permanently fairly soon and am on a very limited budget and tossing up between a small van and a small bus.
I will be travelling solo so the security of a bus would be an asset and the smaller busses have better fuel economy.
A fifth wheeler would be the ultimate solution for me however is way beyond my budget and probably always will be. However it seems the best of both worlds - ample living space and easy unhooking and not having to tow an extra car or hitch a motor bike or similar.
Towing means extra rego, insurance, tyres and having to do a parking course..... and it can be a hassle manouvering in tight spots.
I am keeping an open mind and checking out small vans as well as small buses but think I will end up with a coaster owned by an experienced nomad because it will be more likely to have most of the stuff I need.
Whereas most of the small vans in my budget were only used as weekenders and so are not equiped for full time nomading.
If you have the skills to fit out and set up a van then that's a different matter.
Good luck and I agree with everyone else, get something you can afford, try it out and use your experience to inform the next step - this from a complete novice.
Ellen
Rosita, although i reckon the caravan option is better [ that's only my opinion ] if you have time up your sleeve, may i suggest that Troy doe some homework on that model of bus [ they are usually cheap for a reason ?? ] if he does some research on the model, running costs, etc and ring around and price some spares like belts, hoses, and some bigger items like Gearbox or transmission, or even an engine, that will give you some idea, if parts are available, and what they are worth, not to mention that the truck and bus mechanics charge a lot more than car mechanics,
It is all up to you two, we can only give our opinions, [ and experiences ] why don;t you send a PM to debe, as he has been there, done that, BUT now he has a Caravan ???
All the best, whatever you decide Rgs dazren
If all your wordly goods have to be carried you'll need a larger van eg 20ft, and the appropriate vehicle to tow it.
If you're leaving your wordly goods behind and only need enough for the trip then a small van, eg 16-18ft, maybe, only maybe a smaller vehicle to tow it. I suggest something diesel with strength and power.
Check out a few websites, a caravan/camping show or 2, your local van park, and go for a wander, even chat to the locals to get some idea of how they do it. I've spoken to a lot of wanderers wondering what they should do.
I'm a full time nomad with no real estate or furniture.
Hi, I think there is a little remark to make about the 'small and economical' option. Starting off too small can spoil a lot of the fun. I mean, if the weather is great and you are living outdoors all the time, a car and a swag could be enough. But if you hit a period of bad weather and you have to spend time inside, you are better off wit a little more space and comfort. Space to hang your wet clothes, room to do a jig saw puzzel, invite someone for a cuppa. Not a party, you know what I mean. I agree with the 'no bus' advice unless you are a (diesel) mechanic and know how to change wheel bearings, brakes and clutches. Because buses tend to have driven ten times around Oz in twenty years before they are sold for conversion into motorhomes. And it all comes down to budget. A handy size motorhome has advantages too. No setting up, being able to leave within a couple of minutes if you must. But our 6 years and 120.000 k's of 'free camp' motorhoming never got us in that situation. Common sense is enough. Stay out of towns especially during weekends, get so far of the road that people do not see you. Good luck with your hard decision.
well the bride and i are doing the tent and camper trailer thing at the moment as we can only get away for a few weeks a year and maybe the odd long weekend from time to time but for me if i was to go on an extended trip i'd go for a van,, not a big ome as it would just e the two of us but a van i thin is the way to go,,, stop anywhere just hop out of the car open the van door and you're home,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thats what i think anyway
-- Edited by beachball57 on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 11:19:46 AM
There's weight and space to consider. If you haven't use it for a year it goes.
What everyone else said makes sense plus we have no experience.
Our bus is also 1980 but an AEC (Leyland) and its probably allot harder to drive than your car with a caravan. It was used as a weekender so we stripped it all but the shower and are in the process of making it our home.It is allot of work and hard to live in it while renovating because of fumes and room.
If Troy has experience driving large vehicles it shouldn't be a problem .For me its a bit scary sometimes in terrific on major roads, but one advantage I had ,If I was stopped at traffic lights for a while I could use the toilet,(I have a very weak bladder).
All the best.