i must be getting old, after spending money to buy the camper trailer and the oztent i'm thinking it mght be time to buy us a small pop top caravan, there will only ever be just the two of us so a huge van isn't really required but the thought of being able to just pull up anywhere and have a camp ready in just minutes is starting to apeal to me, i like the camper trailer and the oztent but setting it up each night is getting a bit painful, it's ok for an extended period but not one nighters, at least i don't think so anyway, or am i just getting soft
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SOMETIMES YA JUST GOTTA TAKE YOUR COLTHES OFF AND ROLL IN THE MUD
We have the van because my wife wanted a toilet and shower, didnt take kindly when I handed her a bucket of water for a shower and a shovel. We also have a variet of tents. I must say though when taveling solo I do love my swag cheers blaze
I lovebeing on the road but I think for an extended period you need a bit of comfort & effortless way of travelling. I couldn't use a tent now. Once I got down in it I would require a crane to get me up again - Oh my poor knees. Some people have a fortune left to them by their grandmothers. I think I only got her knees. They're about 110yrs old. Cheers
Yep, we got rid of the camper trailer and baught a van! One of the main reasons, apart from the set-up /pack-up hassle, was that the canvas was often damp from morning dew even if it hadnt rained, and would make the bed and everything in the camper trailer damp too. We tried tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, but couldnt keep the bed dry. It would have been great on this trip in the hot dry North... no dew here!
It is a waste of money to buy something that you know one day you will "grow out of"... better to get what you think will last for the long term.
It all depends on personal preference, whether you're camping in rougher country near rivers, creeks and lakes for a few days minimum, or whether you're "bunny hopping", stopping just one night in each place when set up needs to be quick and easy. It's great to set up camp for a few days/weeks, to just sit back and enjoy. To me there's a difference to travelling with caravan than camping with tent or whatever. If you're on the big lap for a long period, I'd recommend a caravan or motorhome for security, storage and comfort. If you're doing specific camping trips eg Cape Yorke, the Gibb River Road and Kimberley, etc then camping with trailer or tent would be more appropriate. The issue of wet canvas or tents or whatever is a very relevant issue to deal with on long jaunts. To me the van with roll out awning is the simplest. If I stay overnight I don't usually unhitch. If I'm staying 3 or more nights I unhitch to allow sightseeing. It's all relative to the individual's choice. Of course there's the bones and groans to take into account. I'm pretty sure it would take me to lunch time to unfurl myself out of a swag these days.
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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.
We did the exact same thing BB and now here we are with a full van with shower and toilet.
There are only the two of us as well and we thought the pop top would suite, it even had a shower and toilet - although an all in one set up, and because we are on the road a lot now we decided to opt for that extra bit of luxury.
Probably would have saves us quite a few $$$ if we had gone the full monty in the first place.
Oh well, live and learn.
This is IT though the tree out the back has shed all it's leaves
Yeah me too, hindsight....Its a great thing to have.
I started with a camper trailer 25 odd years ago. A Coleman Camper. Wind the roof up and pull the ends out. Was a beast. Always managed to find a new leak everytime it rained, not to mention the canvas around the beds getting wet whenever it rained.
Holidays away with the kids was fantastic though. Had an annex. Three kids, two in the annex, the third in one end bed. Always stayed in caravan parks on the beach. Was a keen beach surfer in those days, still am, but only a summer surfer now. No surfboard, only flop around in the water now.
Anyhow, come time to go home, we could guarantee it'd be raining. Pack up in the rain, get home, set it all up again, hope it drys out then put it all away.
Soon got sick of that.
Sold the camper and bought a pop top. A few years later, I lost my job. Had to sell the pop top to help pay the bills.
Ten years ago, another job, another pop top. A second hand 14 footer.
Kids all flown the coop. Wife wants a little more modern and a little more comfort. Pop top traded, now have a new 17 foot pop top.
Cant retire yet. Am relying on Julia to give me some pension but need to wait three and a half more years.
Will probably trade again. Get a full van with an ensuite. And also a decent tug to drag it around with.
I've just met a couple where I'm camped, who went the other way...from a caravan to a Toyota HiAce. The lady said they like to explore and they'd often find themselves in a dead end and have to try to turn the caravan around.
She also pointed out that there's only one rego to pay. It's brand new and she had it fitted herself the way she wanted. There've been compromises, but all in all, they're happy with their decision. In fact it's their second HiAce, the first one was stolen.
I decided on a small pop top to start with and if I still love the travel is a few more years, then a full van will be what I go with. I think that travelling full time you need a bit more space than I have at the moment as Esmeralda is tiny. Larger cupboards and wardrobe will be fabulous as the ones in Esmeralda are all quite small. Everything in the wardrobe hits the bottom well and truly. But she will do me for a while yet.
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Esmeralda
It aint over until the fat lady sings, and I dont feel like singing just yet!
My wardrobe has a sort of aluminium pipe cut in half. The coathangers hang in the groove. No dropping off. A bit difficult to take the hanger off though.
My wardrobe has a rod for hangers plus had two shelves so no point hanging any clothes. The top shelf was only about 6 inches below the hanger rod. I was able to pull one of the shelves out and will now be able to get so much more clothes etc in there. Plus have some plastic drawers from a 4 stacker thingie. Have thrown away the stacker and kept the drawers. They will neatly sit on top of each other in the bottom space and also make it so much easier carrying it all out to Myrtle when I pack to go away. Under that over the wheel arch is plenty of room for shoes, boots and gumboots. Have had time to think and work out since my first trip and now know how to utilise space better.
i must be getting old, after spending money to buy the camper trailer and the oztent i'm thinking it mght be time to buy us a small pop top caravan, there will only ever be just the two of us so a huge van isn't really required but the thought of being able to just pull up anywhere and have a camp ready in just minutes is starting to apeal to me, i like the camper trailer and the oztent but setting it up each night is getting a bit painful, it's ok for an extended period but not one nighters, at least i don't think so anyway, or am i just getting soft
