Newbie looking for useful tips

Cee · Senior Member

Newbie looking for useful tips

capt cream bun · Senior Member

Welcome Cee you have found the right place !

There is just as you say a wealth of information here and a strong membership of men and women solos who I am sure will jump in and help you along.

I admire your strength of commitment in fulfilling the dream and reminds me of the saying tomorrow is the first day of the rest your life

You know Cee I have noticed that many of the women here have as preferred transport a campervan or motor home. In a lot of ways they make great sense. One rego, the ability to get up and go at a snap if need be and without a lot of complication.

I read recently in the Brushtracker forum statistics on solo travellers, about their rate of success based on the size of their van. It would seem not many solos go more than a year in anything less than 18 foot. I guess its all about comfort ! Then again if you have serious off road in mind then the likes of some of the off road pop ups are, I imagine, ideal for you.

There are tag along websites and I am sure a very respected solo member here could help you with that. There are get togethers of fellow members, all sorts of possibilities.

Welcome Cee good onya!

CCB

Happywanderer · The Master

Good on you Cee, hope you realise your dream. You are game driving a 4wd and towing a caravan.
I am intending to buy and start travelling soon, but only going for a toyota van poptop. That is about my limit.
Keep in touch on here we could all meet up some where up the track.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Cee, maybe consider a Toyota Troopy 4x4 camper.
Extremely capable vehicle and everyone in the bush knows hou to service and fix them.
Have a look at the Britz and KEA hire ones, and maybe hire one to see if you like it.
KEA sell both new or their ex rental ones quite early in their lives and there are usually a few others on the market from around $25K upwards.
http://ausales.keacampers.com/vehicles/vehicleDetails.aspx?siteID=45c3f703-71c8-4d13-bb76-ba0cdac3588a&vehicleGroup=xa&stockItem=conqueror
That would be easier to handle than a caravan, and go more places.

Cheers,
Peter

Dougie · Veteran Member

Happy travelling Cee. I'm inclined to agree with Captn. Vans are not such a good idea offroad especially on steep or winding roads, or dirt in the wet or rough tracks, which is where you find the prettier spots with less people.
Depending on your budget, P & M's suggestion is good providing you can live in the space, but speaking from experience having had a larger motorhome, I find the smaller rig I have now is better offroad & outback, & as you spend most of the time outside, space need not be such an issue.
Travelling on your own is not really an issue now as travellers are thick on the ground in most popular places, including the outback, so most unlikely if you can't find company somewhere. I have met numerous females travelling solo, some young & some older, but most seem to enjoy the experience.

-- Edited by Dougie on Sunday 1st of August 2010 02:37:52 PM

Cee · Senior Member

Hiya All,

Gee you have all given me a lot to think about. I really appreciate your support and suggestions, it's great to have input from experienced travellers.

I have towed a caravan before with a 4wd for short periods of times, but that was when my hubby was there to put his two cents worth in (or should I say $1's worth lol).

I hadn't intend to take the caravan off road, but I like the idea of having the 4wd on hand for when I unhook the van (mostly in cp's) and wonder off to explore areas with the vehicle.

I also intend to take my young grandsons on short trips when I return, and I'm a bit concerned that having a campervan will be a bit restrictive space wise, but having said all that, I'm certainly going to give a big think to everyone's suggestions.

I've given myself 6 months to do a lot of research before I decide on what sort of set up would best suit my needs and then hopefully, I'll buy the one best suited to me (within my budget of course).

Thank you all again and I look forward to you comments and suggestions as the months go by.

Cheers :)

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi Cee - I am in almost the same boat as you - except I already have 4wd and small caravan - my husband and I were 4 months into an open ended trip when he died last November. I have been living near my daughter since then, have kept the van, still have my house in Melbourne, my son is in it, but I believe come mid next year (next grey nomad season) I will be ready to go back on the road, I understand what people say about, campervans, or bigger caravans, but a small campervan is too restrictive, and I just don't like the idea of the bigger "winnebago" type ones.

We travelled with a tent style camper trailer for ten years, so the caravan is a luxury - even though it is only 14ft - it has a full annex, which gives extra room, and I love to be outside, don't like sitting inside all the time, meeting people is my thing, and the best way is to be sitting outside, drink in hand, saying g'day to all who pass.

That's my thoughts anyway. Might see you on the road next year - I am in SE Qld at the moment.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Just edited my profile stuff - added a phot from Karumba and a new signature
- so just checking it out.

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Good on you Cee,

Welcome to the solo's club.......you will find a wealth of friendship and knowledge in here as I have in the very short time I have been here.

Cheers
Grumps

Cee · Senior Member

jules47 wrote:

Hi Cee - I am in almost the same boat as you - except I already have 4wd and small caravan - my husband and I were 4 months into an open ended trip when he died last November. I have been living near my daughter since then, have kept the van, still have my house in Melbourne, my son is in it, but I believe come mid next year (next grey nomad season) I will be ready to go back on the road, I understand what people say about, campervans, or bigger caravans, but a small campervan is too restrictive, and I just don't like the idea of the bigger "winnebago" type ones.

We travelled with a tent style camper trailer for ten years, so the caravan is a luxury - even though it is only 14ft - it has a full annex, which gives extra room, and I love to be outside, don't like sitting inside all the time, meeting people is my thing, and the best way is to be sitting outside, drink in hand, saying g'day to all who pass.

That's my thoughts anyway. Might see you on the road next year - I am in SE Qld at the moment.

Hi Jules,

Thanks for saying hi.

I know what you mean, there's nothing like having a drink in hand (usually a red for me, although I do like to have a beer when it's warmer weather smile

), and saying hi to people passing by..and having a chat.

I'm in Adelaide and its soooooooooo cold at the moment, can't wait for this time next year when I will be heading north for some sun.

It would be great to keep in touch and with a bit of luck get to catch up on the road.

Keep in touch but more importantly .............keep smiling

Cheers :)

Cee · Senior Member

Hiya Grumpyone,

Thanks for the welcome..............everyone has been so friendly and helpful.

Your nick made me smile as I went and saw the show "Grumpy Old Woman" in Sydney a couple of years ago.........and it was hilarious. I could relate to just about every part of the show ..........and I'm proud of it lol.

Keep Smiling

Cheers :)