We are looking to be in Melb end of March 2010 and intend doing 6mnth WA. where do we start looking for a set up. we have looked at caravans in Melb last week when we were there. not too many 2nd hand around. any ideas from Aussie folks would be great.
Hi Marlene and welcome to Grey Nomads. You need to investigate the size and layout of the van you want to travel with. That can be a nightmare in itself. However, if it's just a matter of the curtain colour, it's easily fixed with a sewing machine. The harder part is the size to be towed with the vehicle you choose. Then it's the floor plan of the van, shower & toilet or not, awning and annexe, off-road or soft road, how long will you be in the van after the 6mth stint? Whether you want island bed or east-west bed. In some ways secondhand is better than brand new. The teething problems have usually been resolved by the former owner, and some useful extras may have been added to your advantage. The "tug" is another issue. Whether you want the luxury of a car or the luxury, strength and durability of a 4WD is something else to think about. The bottom line is dollars to be spent. Then the dollars to manage and maintain your vehicles and keeping them both on the road. There are numerous web sites for shopping around, and don't forget about private purchase from ebay or the trade mags which are both online and hard copy from the newsagent. I bought my 20footer on ebay. It's all about your budget and requirements, and then go for it. It's not easy. It took 18 mths to find the van I'd decided to buy for the budget I'd set myself. I'm sure the other nomads will have all sorts of advice, so you'll have lots to think about. Good luck and safe and happy travels. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Hello Marlene and welcome to the forum, gee that was a little formal wasn't it! Now I don't know of any places that are sellingf rigs ready to go. Unless you fluke someone retiring from the life and selling out completely I don't think you are going to be lucky. There are of course plenty of caravan dealers to look at in Melbourne. You don't say where abouts you are in Melbourne, north, south, east or west. I live out east and can give you some infoirmation on dealerships in the area. The main one being The World of Caravans on Canterbury Road Bayswater. The dealers in there cover several makes,Galaxy, Ranger, Paramount and Golden Eagle and of course Jayco. All of them have pre owned vans. Just along Canterbury Road there is Regency Caravans who are agents for Regal and Coronet brands next the is Sunliner who have just entered the caravan market as well as motorhomes. I know Regency have pre owned vans I bought one there a few yaers ago. Then, just along Dorset Raod a few seconds walk from Waorld of Caravans is another dealership whose name evades me at the moment ,I haven't been in there but I think the sell Millard, Jurgens and Coromal, not too sure on that going by memory and just looking in as driving past. As for tow vehicles, there are plenty of vehicle dealerships, used car depots all over the place never a problem to find. Not sure if this is the information you require but I hope it helps a little.
Good luck,
Terro
-- Edited by Terro on Sunday 18th of October 2009 12:11:08 PM
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Rosemary and Terry08 Patrol, Galaxy Odyssey Pop top He who laughs last is late getting the joke!!
Gidday Marlene. Make sure that you also check Motor Home Dealerships for caravans that have been traded on a mobile home. Thats where we found our caravan (3 years old) way below our budget upper limit. Dealers do not make an "earn" until they dispose of the trade in.
Hi Marlene, Have you tried the www.tradingpost.com.au there are heaps there. Also just be careful who you are buying it from, go to a reputible dealer, you wouldn't want to buy a caravan that is stolen property. Good luck in your search, it is as exciting choosing a rig as it is taking off in it.
another south sea pom. good luck to you. at least you have sense and are going west first. the further west you go the better it gets, all countries included, re a rig to travel, i think the main thing to remember is the towing vehicle. your van will retain most of its value, but the towing rig can depreciate very rapidly, maybe 50% so if it was me that would be what i would be putting a bit of thought into. cheers p.s i have a half south sea pom grandaughter.
Hi Marlene, been lurking on here for several months collecting info. for the big trip. Thought I may be able to help out. Try www.rvpoint.com.au
Welcome Kevin and it's nice to see you. I'm glad you decided to "come out" and join us. Don't be shy. We may need to learn something you know. Anyway, enjoy your stay. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
I look a lot on ebay for vans, gives you a bit of an idea on what they are worth and usually come with pretty good pictures. We bought the one we have off ebay and very happy with the deal but even if you don't buy there, you get the feel of what is around.
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I must be a binge thinker. I do it a lot at times, then, not much at all.
thnx for that info, we live in NZ and will start in Melb Tarneit is where our son is. We had a look at May west caravans in Sunshine and down at Geelong so have an idea of wot we are looking for. It seems 2nd hand are few and you have to be quick. If you could give us contacts for some more caravan dealers that would be a bonus, were looking at 18-20ft island bed, shower/loo not compuls. but good if there. .
thanx for that, it seems a lot of folk are changing to motorhome so yes a good place to go. Can you pass on the contact of a few places in Melb for us to start at ? We will start our trip from Melb Tarniet where my son is.
yes thankfully ron knows a bit about towing vehicles and knows wot we need, we are looking forward to our expedition away from kiwi winter next year. we intend to bring the caravan home with us and just sell the vehicle. we spend summers up round the lakes and so use our old caravan here well during the summer, but she needs an upgrade so wil tidy it up and sell b4 we head over.
Marlene, you have asked a few times for info on dealers. Refer to my earlier post there is some info there. Not too bad to get to from Westernport area. Just come up the Eastlink and get off at Canterbury Road being sure to turn right.
Terro.
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Rosemary and Terry08 Patrol, Galaxy Odyssey Pop top He who laughs last is late getting the joke!!
nup! sorry no vans or campers or tents here, all sold out, so you will just have to stay home, you kiwis coming over here are going to unsettle the rotational gravitational spin to the earths equilibrium, that is what causes global warming
all been said before just check out the sunday papers, ebay, trading post and take a look at the cmca website if it is a motorhome that you are chasing
