Milo I don't get the prices either. That's why I ended up with a small caravan instead. Something cheap I could afford, and still allows me to get out there. I've given up on the camper van idea, at the prices I've seen I'll never be able to get one. Maybe a coaster bus as a long term project if the right one at a very cheap price came along in a few years time.
Milo, if you want a pre-loved camper van, you might not get the pricing but the price is what it is .... buyer meet seller, demand meet supply, however all is not lost. As Gypsy said, there are alternatives to camper vans if you are determined to enjoy a more nomadic lifestyle. If towing is not be your cup of tea then another option is to prioritise what it is you like about camper vans and search for a more feasible way to obtain what you seek. Do you really need the expensive features of the camper vans you like? Could you start with satisfying the most basic of your needs and build up the comforts over time? For example, source a van for the two-thirds of your budget and then add your prioritised essentials while eliminating the frills. Do you need the extensive built-ins like a dining nook that becomes a bed or various options that come with most commercial camper vans? For instance, a portable stove, plastic basin and jerry can of water might suffice instead of built-in stainless steel sink and hob, a kettle instead of hot water on tap and so on. An internal ensuite might be convenient but do you really need one? Vertical cupboards to store clothes might help make a camper van seem like home but can you make do with a duffel bag or plastic chest for storage and an iron? Affordability might be an issue however it is only 20% of the problem, 80% is about how you deal with the challenge and still achieve an acceptable outcome.
I think what it is with campervans, is that with a campervan you are buying an engine and all the mechanical stuff that goes with it. Theres not much mechanical about a camper-trailer or caravan.
I think what it is with campervans, is that with a campervan you are buying an engine and all the mechanical stuff that goes with it. Theres not much mechanical about a camper-trailer or caravan.
Which is why I don't get the $30, 000 to $40,000 on some of them.....
Hi Milo, yeh. I don't get it either. I thought of a stationwagon and putting a fibreglass popup tent from bcf on the roofrack would be ok. couldn't live in it full time but for an extended holiday yeh. merry christmas Milo. rocket n strop
I dont know if this has any relevance, But sometimes it is the amount that were built in say 2000, or 1995...if there were only 10 imported or built, that is what is available, and that is what is always going to be available..but if more people buy new in 2010 then more 5 year old vans will be available in 2015.
Personally, I think the small trailers with the tent and cooking facilities are great, it keeps you off the ground so if it rains you are ok. You get off camping fast and you can up grade in a few years.
It is a good thing though. It might be an expensive purchase, but it will hold value and return it to you when you sell. That makes it a bit of an investment.
How else can you holiday and travel, and get a healthy refund when your trip is over?
In my book, the resale is a great reason to buy, except that the purchase has to be financed in some way.
I agree with you Milo.....The prices asked for are bloody stupid.......At our shopping centre on the notice board people are trying too get $20.000 for rubbish...I went and had a look at one close bye (Gisborne) I laughed at the young thing...It was her Dead Grand fathers..Can imagine how old it was an old Viscount...
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I always leave my camping area cleaner than I found it.
There is a old style campa van (trailer) just up the road from me for $3200 looks like new canvas, maybe like others have said, once you have the ease of just popping on a set up ready to go little trailer you can upgrade later??? We started like that and had as much fun as anyone in our little OOOld cabana.
Milo I reckon a good option is a small hybrid caravan camper set up with canvas pull out beds. That way you are well set up with 240v and 12v and off the ground. You can pick up old ones fairly cheaply and you may have to replace the canvas but you can factor that into the negotiation price.
There's a lot of people out there asking heaps for rubbish but you've just go to sort out what is quality and what isn't.
Because you already have a good car I would advise you to look at towing something rather than taking a risk on an old motor. There are good caravans and campertrailers out there and if you don't mind them having a bit of age you can pick one up at a good price. If you don't want to muck around with canvas then some of the small caravans weigh very little and are easy to tow. I picked up my old Viscount very cheaply and am choosing to spend a bit on her but don't have to - I could easily live in her as is very comfortably.
Something that was important to me when buying was to get one which had been owned and used extensively by the same owners so that I knew everything worked. It seemed a better option that buying grand dads old van which had been left sitting in a yard for 20 years untouched.
Anyway don't give up, there's something out there with your name on it.
I know what you mean - we have a 1976 Kombi and I keep seeing them selling for $15 - $20000 ridiculous. Much as I love my one its not worth that kind of money even if it is in good condition like mine.
Maybe they are trying to claim some money back for the amount they have spent on them. Even though I bought Myrtle for $5500 I would need to get $12000 to $13000 back to recoup all my costs. Thats not going to happen.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Sunday 18th of December 2011 06:29:00 PM
I had $2000 last January when I saw my campervan on Gumtree, it was advertised for $5000, I scraped up another $500 and a friend lent me $2000 and I got it for $4500.
It is a 1979 Hi Ace and it had everything that I wanted in it but nothing worked and it was in a mess but to my ears the engine was good and it ran well.
All the work was done over several months and by the time I set off in August I had paid back the $2000 and spent another $10000 in preparation for my trip. Not on the van exclusively but on all things that I wanted for the trip.
My experiences and activities toward that end were documented on my blog between January and July and will be still available if you wanted look back.
Don't get downhearted, find a positive in your current position, make a plan and make it work, if I can start off with nothing at my age you can do it too.
I am currently in Denmark camping at Ellen's place and have travelled over 10000 kms from Queensland in my old van and I expect to travel across the top next winter.
John
Edited to add the link to the thread following my first post on this forum back in December 2010
thanks guys, maybe for now if i just get enough money for the camper trailer i looked at recently, and just go from there i love my little car and dont want to sell it, guess will have to see how things go... much appreciated every one, i know dad has the big motor home(tardis) but thats his , and i feel for me thats just too big.. too much to worry about , those coasters look interesting , maybe one day...
Sometimes you see an older model campervan on Gumtree or elsewhere that has had a new motor fitted, and it that proves to be the case then at least you should have a few trouble free kms in it, but have it checked out. Bear in mind that a new or reconditioned motor does not include the gearbox/transmission etc unless these have been replaced/repaired too.
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Vic
Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....
Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".
Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy While we're here.
a friend of ours on the subaru site has one of them campers its a realy good set up its one of them fold out tents on a trailer the guy has it set up wonderfuly as he and his wife go on camp trips up to inskip etc, they have now had another baby so they need to upgrade to something bigger i know he wants six grand for it though.but im guessing hed prob take 5 maybe
if you are interested in viewing it or anybody else interested inbox me and i can somehow arrange to email you the pics. im pretty sure its called ezy camper
or i could paste the pics on here i suppose. good luck milo
thanks glassies, wont be doing anything untill early new year,,..
the coasters do have an appeal about them and seem popular when i drive around town i see a lot of them, and i see alot of the poptop campervans more than the hi tops..
out of interest, if in some day i have my own set up and want to travel on the road for some time, and i see a town, caravan park that i like , can you arange to stay there for a few months or semi permanently ,i know some of you do this but how do you organize it with the cps owners?
milo
-- Edited by milo on Monday 19th of December 2011 12:05:52 AM
I met a bloke last year doing just that Milo. He stayed in one spot for a couple of weeks, til he felt like a change of scenery, then moved on somewhere else.
This was a tiny country town in Qld named Goovigen. It was the local Pony Club, and it was free if un-powered, and $5 for power.
This bloke was on the DSP and said it was a very cheap way to live.
As for the rig, and as we've discussed through PM's, I'd rather have the good reliable vehicle, and get a light weight(for your little car) camper trailer.