New Rig - Toyota Coaster/Jayco/Winnebago

peacewalker · Veteran Member

New Rig - Toyota Coaster/Jayco/Winnebago

Elle on Wheels · Guru

My vote is for the coaster everytime but I am biased

Antique Pete · Senior Member

Hi I am in the same situation as Peacewalker, narrowed it down a bit to a V.W. or Merc motorhome the buses seem a bit too narrow and cramped for me, I seem to like the bed above the cabin leaving all the space for living area and the shower areas seem to be a bit bigger in the motor homes. The best one is the electric bed but they are a bit pricey and you lose overhead cupboard space. I could be wrong but are the buses a bit heavy on fuel?
It will be interesting to hear what the more traveled nomads think
P.s. Elle noticed your posting time, you have trouble sleeping too?

peacewalker · Veteran Member

thanks for your opinions, such a big decision to make and I'm sure there are others in the same situation.
I prefer the coaster too.

bill12 · Guru

I have a winnabego slide on , and can tell you that the bed is very comfortable. The downstairs part is useable , and can only be much bigger in a larger van. One with a toilet and/or shower would be nice , but the prices beat me as I need the ute for work Diesel is definately the best,as I get about 9klms to the ltr from my courier with the slide on loaded, which is great.Its up to you, and your bank account. Bill

jonathan · Guru

Hi Pete ..

Very much a personal choice .. Whatever you choose to buy you will make it your own if you wish to get the most out of it. There are pro's & con's for each as they're capacity varies.

Bed over Cabin: .. great if you dont mind climbing up a ladder each night to get some shuteye .. use mine for storage.

Electric bed: .. Mine is at the rear and have only occasionally raised or lowered .. I much prefer having the bed 'ready-made' at all times so that I can easily crash out at night .. need to think about you real requirement there as more electrical items can also present more 'elec' problems down the road ..

My Fiat Ducato might not be as heavy on fuel as a bus might be, but, think about how much travelling you actually plan to do on a daily basis .. It's all very relative Pete ..

and about cupboard space .. well .. I'm still using just 1 frypan and 1 saucepan as part of my primary kitchen tools after a few years .. (I dont have others to consider) .. no need to start off too big as you can later adjust according to your needs and priorities.

Whatever you choose, you'll adjust as necessary .. and you're gonna enjoy it !

Jon

Antique Pete · Senior Member

Thank you for your input Jon,
I do plan to live full time on the road, with my dog, my wife and I have decided to call it a day after 32 years we should have done it 10 years ago but wanted to see the kids settled first.
Hoping to hit the road mid 2012 plan to free camp as much as possible so will need a well set up rig, solar, shower/toilet the works
How do you find the Fiat for spares and servicing, I heard the spare are hard to get and quite expensive.
I plan to spend a max of around $110,000 hoping for a late model with some warranty left
I have been an Antique and collectable dealer for the last 20 years so plan to buy and sell my way around the block so i do need some stowage space

jonathan · Guru

I suppose being an imported veicle you will find parts more expensive .. but had some work done recently, under warranty, and parts were accessed overnight from Sydney to Coffs and I was on the road again within 24 hrs ..

Once you've made a decision, you do best to stick with it .. sometimes there are difficulties and sometimes it all just flies ..

I'm happy

Jon

peacewalker · Veteran Member

Thats true Jon, would like something like your van, just don't think my budget will make it.
I was thinking the same, spare parts??? Oh well just keep researching and getting the facts together.
And keep picking everybodies brains as I go!!!

Robyn

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Antique Pete wrote:
P.s. Elle noticed your posting time, you have trouble sleeping too?

Pete I am in WA so 3 hours behind - makes me look like a night owl but really I am not

Antique Pete · Senior Member

confuse Bugger these time zones are confusing confuse

AmandaJayne · Guru

we looked around a lot and decided a coaster is for us... I love my coaster and cant wait to take off on our big trip :)

peacewalker · Veteran Member

thanks AJ, I like coasters too

sheeds · Veteran Member

As already mentioned in previous posts - do your research,get the facts,and have a chat with other RVers,both caravanners & Motorhomers. Have a browse through my mate's website he's trying to get up and going after some devastating experiences with a certain brand of Motorhome!! I don't know how to "do a link" to click on ,but the address is: www.motorhomebuyertips.com

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Bus bodies are not ideal for MHs in my view.
That said, the Coaster is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road and you will see them in every corner of this country. They are the bus of choice for remote Aboriginal communities.
They are justifiably popular.

Cheers,
Peter

dogbox · Guru

antique pete

with a buget of 110 k you have a lot of options open to you

new ute 50,000
new caravan 60,000
110,000

near new motor home 100,000

coaster bus 25-75,000

you are going to trade your way around country how are you going to carry your goods a trailer behind the bus or motorhome

just keep adding to the list of pros/cons till one option comes out in front

-- Edited by dogbox on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012 11:25:29 AM

Antique Pete · Senior Member

Hi dogbox planning to cut right down on stock mainly trade in small collectables and jewelery leaving all the big stuff to the ex missis.

Planning to take my guns too I have been shooting comps ( pistol N.R.A.) for over 20 years in Qld and will be able to shoot comps in other states . so will have to install a good sturdy safe.

Hydeeeho · Senior Member

Antique Pete wrote:
Thank you for your input Jon,
I do plan to live full time on the road, with my dog, my wife and I have decided to call it a day after 32 years we should have done it 10 years ago but wanted to see the kids settled first.
Hoping to hit the road mid 2012 plan to free camp as much as possible so will need a well set up rig, solar, shower/toilet the works
How do you find the Fiat for spares and servicing, I heard the spare are hard to get and quite expensive.
I plan to spend a max of around $110,000 hoping for a late model with some warranty left
I have been an Antique and collectable dealer for the last 20 years so plan to buy and sell my way around the block so i do need some stowage space

Hi For $110000,00 you can buy a brand new Avan Ovation with all the warranties you need plus they have the shower and toilet, so why buy used for that price