I'm afraid you have opened a pandoras box with your query.
The age old question,the answer will depend on so many factors starting with price,size,ease of use,ability to park in shopping centres etc.
Do you want a single vehicle and what facilities do you want/need.Toilet Shower,washing machine.
Self contained,ability to freecamp, so many factors.Your mobility comes into it.
Can you reverse and connect up a caravan on your own comes into it.
Security,with the ability in a motorhome of not getting out to park up.
Will you be solo or with another.
I am sure you will have many replies and there will be lots of helpful ideas.
Personally I prefer the motorhome for lots of reasons re single vehicle,Self contained toilet and shower and the ease of use.
All I have to do is pull up and swing my chair around and there I am already set up.
One rego and insurance plays a part as well.
Hope your replies give you some things to peruse and let you make a decision so you end up with whatever suits your needs.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy the Journey.
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Sunday 11th of March 2012 07:59:21 PM
Cruising Granny said
09:36 PM Mar 11, 2012
There are several threads on this topic throughout this forum. If you enter your subject in the search you will have more information than you'll know what to do with. It's personal choice for as many reasons as there are contributors on this forum. Only you can decide what's going to suit your purposes. Good luck and welcome to the site. Glad you could join us.
PS. You will need to add some details to your profile and tell us a little about yourself so we know who we're talking to.
-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Sunday 11th of March 2012 09:38:18 PM
wearsjennie said
02:21 AM Mar 12, 2012
Hi Everyone,
I'm planning on heading on a trip around Australia later this year. I've started looking at both caravans and motor homes ain an attempt to decide on the right vehicle. I'll be traveling on my own so this is a big decision.
Hoping somebodies will be happy to share thoughts and experiences on these options.
Thanks Jennie
nomadic1 said
04:57 PM Mar 12, 2012
Yes, it is very much a personal choice and what you buy will depend on a whole lot of stuff - like what precisely you want and your budget. All I can do is offer my experience and hope it helps.
There were 3 main reasons that I bought a motorhome rather than a caravan:
1. Security - I don't have to go outside to drive off if a situation becomes something I'd be better off away from. Yes, OK I might do some damage to hose connections and stuff like that but it would be better than staying in a situation I'm not comfortable with. Fortunately, this one hasn't arisen so far.
2. Hitching and unhitching - yes, I could manage that now but I'm in this for the long haul so I need to consider whether I'll still be able to do it 10 years from now
3. Reversing - I'm really crappy at reversing even a car! 'Nuff said.
On the downside, unless you are happy to pack up your van and drive it to the shops or sightseeing places then you'll need another form of transport as well. I solved this by getting a motorscooter and having a rack put on the back. The rack forms a ramp so that I can wheel the scooter up and down by myself without any problems.
As part of your decision making process I'd really strongly suggest that you visit any caravan parks and/or campsites near you and chat with the owners of vehicles similar to what you're thinking of. Find out from them the good and bad points.
Good luck - and if you want to try out any ideas on me or want more information feel free to PM me.
fireheart said
05:02 PM Mar 12, 2012
Hi Jennie, Welcome to the forum. It is a wonderful source of information and entertainment at times. Like Yuglamron, I will be travelling on my own, so I have decided to go for a motorhome. Mostly because I have never towed anything in my life and the thought of doing that does not appeal at all. I have looked at many motorhomes and have decided upon which Winnebago I will be purchasing in the hopefully not too distant future. I figure when I get to a town that I may wish to stay at for awhile there will other forms of transport to get me around if I do not wish to drive the MH around. I thought about the possibility of taking a little car with me also, then that defeats the purpose of the MH, and with the cost of extra rego, insurance etc, well you can get some really cheap deals on rentals these days, so figure that may be a possibility also if needed. As the others have said it is a personal choice and each will have their own reasons for a MH or caravan. Check them all out and then go with your gut feeling on what is going to suit you best. Whatever the choice I am sure you will have fun deciding along with the butterflies, doubts, and back to excitment again. Keep us informed on which way you are thinking Jennie.
Sharon.
Landfall said
05:30 PM Mar 12, 2012
Opposite decision for us.
Being an ex-mechanic I looked at the associated problems with a motorhome requiring attention while on the road.
Once it goes into a garage/service centre for a night or more, you have lost your accomodation, etc.
You want to trade your vehicle in, you lose your home/accomodation.
The loss factor/depreciation is greater on a motorhome than a caravan/vehicle combination.
If you decide that touring is not for you, you can sell the caravan and keep the vehicle.
The age old arguement that with a motorhome you can just pull over and make a cuppa, does not hold true, you can do the same with a caravan.
The big plus for a motorhome is the convenience of not having to hook up.
Whatever your decision, hope you have a good time, welcome to the forum and you have started off well by asking the questions.
Cheers
Dusty
Gerty Dancer said
05:43 PM Mar 12, 2012
We decided on a caravan so we could unhook it and go off-road, or to the shops or anywhere else. Having said that, we are considering a motor-home in the future for all the reasons motorhomers have given above. Our plan is to hire one for a few weeks and try it out..... I suggest that to you too Jennie.
Landfall said
06:07 PM Mar 12, 2012
GD, we hired a motorhome, a really small one for a week and loved it, but a bit small for any longer than a week. I'm not talking about a camper van with a whizz bang door, but a two berth motorhome.
Then we had to move some furniture, so I hired a three tonne van, the same vehicle that most motorhomes are based on.
An interesting exercise, after six hundred kilometres, was very glad to get out of it.
We then tried a Winnebago for a week, that's when it got a bit tough to decide which way to go. Nice, but......
Dusty
Landfall said
08:04 PM Mar 12, 2012
PeterS,
If only I could have hired a Mercedes three tonne van, would have probably turned out different.
Very nice looking rig.
Dusty
-- Edited by Landfall on Monday 12th of March 2012 08:04:48 PM
PeterS said
12:29 AM Mar 13, 2012
wears jeanie, I have just been all through that and all the comments above are true, only you can decide what you want. I ended up with a Jayco Conquest, much bigger than what I really need for me and my dog but I intend it to be my home from here on so why the hell not! I also will tow a Suzuki 4WD behind itfor going off to where not conveniant to take a truck. I feel the best of both worlds. Good luck with you decision.
Peter & Rufus
PeterS said
03:15 AM Mar 13, 2012
Landfall I am also a mechanic and looked at from that perspective as well.The merc toped my list with ease. The fiats lost out mostly because they are front WD. havnt driven it too far yet but what I have was very very comfortable and I do have mechanics back.
Landfall said
04:29 AM Mar 13, 2012
PeterS,
Great minds think alike.
We tow with a MB ML270.
It's our third Benz, just love them.
Cheers
Dusty
wearsjennie said
06:39 PM Mar 14, 2012
Thanks Everyone for the ideas; they've been helpful and have raised some pro's and con's that I hadnt thought of. Because I will be travelling on my own, I'm really conscious of my personal security and find the idea of towing a caravan a bit daunting - however have been led to beleive that a car and caravan can be more cost effective from a running perspective than a motorhome.
-- Edited by wearsjennie on Wednesday 14th of March 2012 06:43:06 PM
Hi Jennie,
I'm afraid you have opened a pandoras box with your query.
The age old question,the answer will depend on so many factors starting with price,size,ease of use,ability to park in shopping centres etc.
Do you want a single vehicle and what facilities do you want/need.Toilet Shower,washing machine.
Self contained,ability to freecamp, so many factors.Your mobility comes into it.
Can you reverse and connect up a caravan on your own comes into it.
Security,with the ability in a motorhome of not getting out to park up.
Will you be solo or with another.
I am sure you will have many replies and there will be lots of helpful ideas.
Personally I prefer the motorhome for lots of reasons re single vehicle,Self contained toilet and shower and the ease of use.
All I have to do is pull up and swing my chair around and there I am already set up.
One rego and insurance plays a part as well.
Hope your replies give you some things to peruse and let you make a decision so you end up with whatever suits your needs.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy the Journey.
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Sunday 11th of March 2012 07:59:21 PM
There are several threads on this topic throughout this forum. If you enter your subject in the search you will have more information than you'll know what to do with.
It's personal choice for as many reasons as there are contributors on this forum.
Only you can decide what's going to suit your purposes. Good luck and welcome to the site. Glad you could join us.
PS. You will need to add some details to your profile and tell us a little about yourself so we know who we're talking to.
-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Sunday 11th of March 2012 09:38:18 PM
Hi Everyone,
I'm planning on heading on a trip around Australia later this year. I've started looking at both caravans and motor homes ain an attempt to decide on the right vehicle. I'll be traveling on my own so this is a big decision.
Hoping somebodies will be happy to share thoughts and experiences on these options.
Thanks Jennie
There were 3 main reasons that I bought a motorhome rather than a caravan:
1. Security - I don't have to go outside to drive off if a situation becomes something I'd be better off away from. Yes, OK I might do some damage to hose connections and stuff like that but it would be better than staying in a situation I'm not comfortable with. Fortunately, this one hasn't arisen so far.
2. Hitching and unhitching - yes, I could manage that now but I'm in this for the long haul so I need to consider whether I'll still be able to do it 10 years from now
3. Reversing - I'm really crappy at reversing even a car! 'Nuff said.
On the downside, unless you are happy to pack up your van and drive it to the shops or sightseeing places then you'll need another form of transport as well. I solved this by getting a motorscooter and having a rack put on the back. The rack forms a ramp so that I can wheel the scooter up and down by myself without any problems.
As part of your decision making process I'd really strongly suggest that you visit any caravan parks and/or campsites near you and chat with the owners of vehicles similar to what you're thinking of. Find out from them the good and bad points.
Good luck - and if you want to try out any ideas on me or want more information feel free to PM me.
Welcome to the forum. It is a wonderful source of information and entertainment at times. Like Yuglamron, I will be travelling on my own, so I have decided to go for a motorhome. Mostly because I have never towed anything in my life and the thought of doing that does not appeal at all. I have looked at many motorhomes and have decided upon which Winnebago I will be purchasing in the hopefully not too distant future. I figure when I get to a town that I may wish to stay at for awhile there will other forms of transport to get me around if I do not wish to drive the MH around. I thought about the possibility of taking a little car with me also, then that defeats the purpose of the MH, and with the cost of extra rego, insurance etc, well you can get some really cheap deals on rentals these days, so figure that may be a possibility also if needed.
As the others have said it is a personal choice and each will have their own reasons for a MH or caravan. Check them all out and then go with your gut feeling on what is going to suit you best. Whatever the choice I am sure you will have fun deciding along with the butterflies, doubts, and back to excitment again.
Keep us informed on which way you are thinking Jennie.
Sharon.
Opposite decision for us.
Being an ex-mechanic I looked at the associated problems with a motorhome requiring attention while on the road.
Once it goes into a garage/service centre for a night or more, you have lost your accomodation, etc.
You want to trade your vehicle in, you lose your home/accomodation.
The loss factor/depreciation is greater on a motorhome than a caravan/vehicle combination.
If you decide that touring is not for you, you can sell the caravan and keep the vehicle.
The age old arguement that with a motorhome you can just pull over and make a cuppa, does not hold true, you can do the same with a caravan.
The big plus for a motorhome is the convenience of not having to hook up.
Whatever your decision, hope you have a good time, welcome to the forum and you have started off well by asking the questions.
Cheers
Dusty
GD, we hired a motorhome, a really small one for a week and loved it, but a bit small for any longer than a week. I'm not talking about a camper van with a whizz bang door, but a two berth motorhome.
Then we had to move some furniture, so I hired a three tonne van, the same vehicle that most motorhomes are based on.
An interesting exercise, after six hundred kilometres, was very glad to get out of it.
We then tried a Winnebago for a week, that's when it got a bit tough to decide which way to go. Nice, but......
Dusty
PeterS,
If only I could have hired a Mercedes three tonne van, would have probably turned out different.
Very nice looking rig.
Dusty
-- Edited by Landfall on Monday 12th of March 2012 08:04:48 PM
Peter & Rufus
Landfall I am also a mechanic and looked at from that perspective as well.The merc toped my list with ease. The fiats lost out mostly because they are front WD. havnt driven it too far yet but what I have was very very comfortable and I do have mechanics back.
PeterS,
Great minds think alike.
We tow with a MB ML270.
It's our third Benz, just love them.
Cheers
Dusty
Thanks Everyone for the ideas; they've been helpful and have raised some pro's and con's that I hadnt thought of. Because I will be travelling on my own, I'm really conscious of my personal security and find the idea of towing a caravan a bit daunting - however have been led to beleive that a car and caravan can be more cost effective from a running perspective than a motorhome.
-- Edited by wearsjennie on Wednesday 14th of March 2012 06:43:06 PM