Kind of got the idea now for a high top camper van,don't want a pop top,

was going to do the full  motor home thing but just finding it too much to think about ,

and too big just for me,and expensive to run and maintain etc

reading about Yeoeleven's adventures in his camper vans, etc

for me i think simpler the better, looked at this one recently (pic) is close to what I want..

but will have to be an auto for me...

I also feel it would be easier to set up for running for free camping ,

ie power laptop,tv, fridge, lights, radio, those would love to be on one or 2 house batteries with solar panel on the

roof..

a good trip from after Alice to Darwin, down to Perth , across the nulabore  to adelaide and eventually back to sydney,,

would like to know roughly the distances for fuel stops,

don't know how high aces go with this regards,  or if they come in diesel ,

would that be better ?

also how are those little port a loo things you see at bcf stores for example?

just for the middle of the night , rather than dragging to the loo then...

its been a tough year for dad and I , he's going down hill fast, 

I have been helping him out as much as I can and doing all the driving now for him,

he is so frail and such, but he will be 90 in November... wish he could live for ever....

I hope I don't sound like i want him to go, I don't, just i have to kind of think a bit a head to keep my mind

in gear if you know what I mean.... I always say its better to dream than not to dream if you know what I mean

I might make it my gap year...one day,  who knows..

just thinking with my keyboard as usual. appreciate  all your thoughts,

I have a standard length HiAce, which means 2.6m from the back of the hump the engine lives under to the back door. thats enough for a double bed from the back door (hatch) to the sliding side door, then an "entry" at the slider with a cupboard built in opposite the door that houses the fridge and things I use frequently (coffee making & cooking stuff). Incorporated into the cupboard is a slide out table, sort of like a computer desk but with sliders rated to 45kg in case I lean on it when I fall asleep while reading this forum.

 Between the cupboard & drivers seat is enough room to store folding table & 2 chairs for use out in the annexe. Under the bed is all storage, & I can (& usually do) carry enough food to last me & 2 dogs a fortnight (in case I find a nice camp & want to stay a while) plus my clothes, a porta potti, and sundry hobby gear.

The house battery lives in a little nook under the bed & outlets and charger are set into the cupboard. The genny usually lives in the passenger seat footwell, unless I have a passener in which case it takes up a bit of the floor space in front of the cupboard.

I can't stand up in the car (altho I've been known to open the 1m sq sunroof and stick my head & shoulders up thru that), but I'm not too good at standing anyway so I sit on the end of the bed with the table slid out in front of me if I want to read/cook/whatever inside the van.

Its compact, but when I bought it I though I would be taking frequent short trips & need to use the van as an every-day car when home. With hindsight I shouldn't have bothered to build a house (just a shed with bathroom) & bought a small coaster instead, but hindsight is 20/20 vision, & I love the van, so.....

I bought a grey import because I wanted the 4WD & I'm glad I did. Plus I don't like table/bed conversions or narrow little single beds, so wanted to make my own setup.

When I've made the bed & tidied up I'll take a photo & post

-- Edited by The dog lady on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 10:08:57 AM

Try to never let it go below 1/3 tank, but it's a 70L tank so roughly 630km. When I got it it had low profile tyres and overstated the km travelled. I've put on light truck tyres to get as much clearance as possible and because I do a lot of dirt road miles, so now it seems to be understating the km travelled. I gave up worrying about whether I got 10 or 11 litres / 100 km when my very frugal 81yo mother pointed out that I was worrying about approximatly $1.50 over 100km. I have seen someone with a swing out rear bumper that incorporated a tool box and a jerrycan holder, but after a lot of red dust inhaled in the 60's, 70's & 80's I don't go serious outback travelling as I am physically incapable of changing a wheel so have to be able to call the RACQ.  I'm told the 2WD HiAces do 10 L / 100km, (Toyota says 9), but mine is AWD so I guess that takes a bit more. Worth it to me.

By the way, buying a grey import meant I got a "luxury" van with only 58000km on the clock for $15,000.

PS mine is a 3L turbo diesel & getting average of 11 litres/100km

The dog lady wrote:

---

 I'm told the 2WD HiAces do 10 L / 100km, (Toyota says 9.

---

 

Mine's a 2WD non-turbo Diesel Pop-top Milo, and I get 9 L/ 100km.   Am going to get an  RV Airlifter unit installed when I can save the money.  [A bit under $1,000.]

Cheers,

Sheba.

Haven't ever been stopped in a windy place with it up yet Milo, so I can't help you there.  Sorry.

Some-one else might know though.  I'd be interested to know too.  Just never thought about it before.

Cheers,

Sheba.