Just bought ourselves a Coaster motorhome. Won't pick it up for another week or two, but so pleased about it.
Since 1998, the offroad caravan has enabled us to have so many brilliant travel and work experiences. It was so hard to sell it, earlier this year, but the reality was that the driver's hip replacement, subsequent issues with the leg and DVT's, then triple bypass, meant managing the van, towing it, and trying to be comfortable in its minimalist surrounds, were just too much for him.
The Coaster will be more comfortable inside, and set up work at our camp spots is reduced. However, because we tend to prop in nice spots for weeks at a time, I think we will also have to sell our beloved Defender, and buy something we can A frame behind the Coaster. More research to do yet.
I can't wait to pick up the bus and do a short shake down trip in it.
gypsy rover said
03:39 PM Jul 12, 2012
Congratulations on your Coaster purchase and welcome to the wonderful world of motorhoming. Now all you will have to do is pull into your favourite camping spot, roll out the awning, set up the chairs and enjoy.
Cheers!
Chris
Landfall said
04:27 PM Jul 12, 2012
gypsy rover wrote:
Congratulations on your Coaster purchase and welcome to the wonderful world of motorhoming. Now all you will have to do is pull into your favourite camping spot, roll out the awning, set up the chairs and enjoy.
Cheers!
Chris
Yup, and when you want some groceries, you just pack away the chairs, roll up the awning and drive into tow or unhook the horse from the rear of the cart and go into town.
As the saying goes, horses for courses!
Enjoy.
KenM
bill12 said
04:32 PM Jul 12, 2012
This is the big debate-whether to have a motorhome and tow a boat or vehicle, or have a caravan and a tow vehicle, and a tinny on racks.I have the caravan version at the moment and am looking hard at the motorhome version.But both havr good points. Bill
Gerty Dancer said
06:36 PM Jul 12, 2012
Goodonya Wendy! Hope it gives you many years of happy travelling. As for the tow-vehicle, my brother had a motor-scooter on the back of the motor home. Another option?
jetj said
09:30 PM Jul 12, 2012
Congratulations on your purchase. If you're not up to manhandling caravans then the obvious solution. I think you plan accordingly in the hope of not having to pack away the chairs etc to go shopping, etc. Enjoy.
Keith19837 said
04:08 AM Jul 13, 2012
wendyv wrote:
Just bought ourselves a Coaster motorhome. Won't pick it up for another week or two, but so pleased about it.
Since 1998, the offroad caravan has enabled us to have so many brilliant travel and work experiences. It was so hard to sell it, earlier this year, but the reality was that the driver's hip replacement, subsequent issues with the leg and DVT's, then triple bypass, meant managing the van, towing it, and trying to be comfortable in its minimalist surrounds, were just too much for him.
The Coaster will be more comfortable inside, and set up work at our camp spots is reduced. However, because we tend to prop in nice spots for weeks at a time, I think we will also have to sell our beloved Defender, and buy something we can A frame behind the Coaster. More research to do yet.
I can't wait to pick up the bus and do a short shake down trip in it.
Good for you, hope you'll enjoy. I'm also looking for a small runabout. I notice that the Suzuki Jimny seems to be popular choice. Based on the old Suzuki 500 series 4WD. One thing I have found is that if you get an automatic anything, make sure it's front wheel drive. Autos should not be towed for long distances as it can ruin the transmission (owners manual). A front wheel drive will have the drive wheels off the ground and not hurt the driveline. For what it's worth.
Cruising Granny said
04:27 AM Jul 13, 2012
Congrats on your modification of travel mode. There are only a small number of vehicles these days suitable for A-fram towing. A little Suzuki Jimny is very suitable for sight-seeing, shopping etc which you can't do with the bus. Safe and happy travels.
Esmeralda said
01:06 AM Jul 15, 2012
Congratulations Wendy - great idea and you won't have to give up travelling like you thought originally!!!
Cheers, Helen
Beth54 said
01:15 AM Jul 15, 2012
Jonathan had the scooter in the enclosed trailer, and decided it was dangerous on the highway, so changed to a bigger motorcycle. First drive and he crashed it! He'd tell the story himself but he has no internet at the moment.
Sheba said
04:08 AM Jul 15, 2012
My sister tows a Getz on an "A" frame.
Cheers,
Sheba.
wendyv said
09:40 PM Jul 15, 2012
Thanks for the well wishes, folks. Helen - yes it is pleasing to think we will still do some travel. The third winter in a row, in Melbourne, seems to have motivated the driver, despite his ailments, to want to go north for at least some of the next one! We used to carry mountain bikes on the van, but now that driver has both hips replaced, two wheeled transport seems a bit risky. For a vehicle to A frame, I'm looking at Suzukis as a possibility. A vehicle would not just be for going shopping with. Would like to still have some 4WD capacity, for exploring on side trips from wherever the bus is parked. Would love a diesel Suzuki, but probably beyond the budget.
Just bought ourselves a Coaster motorhome. Won't pick it up for another week or two, but so pleased about it.
Since 1998, the offroad caravan has enabled us to have so many brilliant travel and work experiences. It was so hard to sell it, earlier this year, but the reality was that the driver's hip replacement, subsequent issues with the leg and DVT's, then triple bypass, meant managing the van, towing it, and trying to be comfortable in its minimalist surrounds, were just too much for him.
The Coaster will be more comfortable inside, and set up work at our camp spots is reduced. However, because we tend to prop in nice spots for weeks at a time, I think we will also have to sell our beloved Defender, and buy something we can A frame behind the Coaster. More research to do yet.
I can't wait to pick up the bus and do a short shake down trip in it.
Congratulations on your Coaster purchase and welcome to the wonderful world of motorhoming. Now all you will have to do is pull into your favourite camping spot, roll out the awning, set up the chairs and enjoy.
Cheers!
Chris
As for the tow-vehicle, my brother had a motor-scooter on the back of the motor home. Another option?
Good for you, hope you'll enjoy. I'm also looking for a small runabout. I notice that the Suzuki Jimny seems to be popular choice. Based on the old Suzuki 500 series 4WD. One thing I have found is that if you get an automatic anything, make sure it's front wheel drive. Autos should not be towed for long distances as it can ruin the transmission (owners manual). A front wheel drive will have the drive wheels off the ground and not hurt the driveline. For what it's worth.
Safe and happy travels.
Congratulations Wendy - great idea and you won't have to give up travelling like you thought originally!!!
Cheers, Helen
Jonathan had the scooter in the enclosed trailer, and decided it was dangerous on the highway, so changed to a bigger motorcycle. First drive and he crashed it!
He'd tell the story himself but he has no internet at the moment.
My sister tows a Getz on an "A" frame.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Helen - yes it is pleasing to think we will still do some travel. The third winter in a row, in Melbourne, seems to have motivated the driver, despite his ailments, to want to go north for at least some of the next one!
We used to carry mountain bikes on the van, but now that driver has both hips replaced, two wheeled transport seems a bit risky.
For a vehicle to A frame, I'm looking at Suzukis as a possibility. A vehicle would not just be for going shopping with. Would like to still have some 4WD capacity, for exploring on side trips from wherever the bus is parked. Would love a diesel Suzuki, but probably beyond the budget.