Choosing your rig

Lynnie · Senior Member

Choosing your rig

President of the Planet · Veteran Member

I havent purchased mine yet..

however i want one that drives & Parks like a car..

Must have solar power too, to run a lappy

Cupie · Guru

We went thru this stage some 13 years ago, at that time never having owned a 4WD or Van before.

After lots & lots of research including caravan mags, caravan shows, car yards, caravan yards, as well as talking endlessly to caravanners, we came up with a list of things that the van Must have - and could have.

It was clear early in the piece that if SWMBO was to caravan for any period of time then we would absolutely have to have an inside shower & toilet. Once she saw the layout with an en-suite across the back, the decision was virtually made. At that time there were very few of that layout available so the chioce was narrowed.

For my part I was most interested in the market share & resale value of the various manufacturers.

For us in 1999, the Jayco Westport 21'6" was the obvious answer. It ticked all the boxes and then some. It has turned out to be an excellent choice, having served us in comfort for >180,000km. Still can't find a good reason to sell or change it.

Then came the 4WD decision. It had in those days, to be a Patrol or Cruiser. I would have prefered a Cruiser but I could get an ST Patrol with 50,000km for $30,000 and an equivalent Cruiser, if I could find one for around 10 to 20 thousand dollars dearer. So I went for the 4.2 EFI 1996 Patrol & haven't regreted that choice either . It has 255,000km on it now .. mostly pulling the van. It groans a bit now & then if I don't keep the revs up under load, and dribbles a bit (just like its owner) but otherwise it is still a great tug, even if a bit thirsty by todays' standards. But then I can buy lots of fuel for the change over prices of around $60,000 +.

I think that the important thing is research of the options that leads to a clear considered view of what sort of caravanning you both want and can afford to do. That will lead to a list of Must, Should & Could have features/parameters to help you arrive at a considered choice.

All in all, it's horses for courses. Our choice turned out to be excellent for the sort of caravanning we wish to do, but I dare say if for example we were into bush camping & bush bashing then it would be quite unsuitable.

Vans & tugs have changed a lot since we started in 1999 so if doing it today we would probably come up with something quite different.

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 12th of May 2012 04:09:01 PM

kandagal · Guru

We spent the first 15 years 'on the road' towing a caravan. We were quite happy & comfortable in that rig but 3 years ago we changed to a motorhome mainly because we are getting a bit older & if for any reason, health problem or something, we need to stay in the one spot for a while we can just park up & living in this motor home is just like being in a unit as it is very roomy with all mod cons.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We chose a pop-top because its "easier to tow", and not having towed a full van, we still dont know how much harder they are to tow. But for more comfort and toot/shower we are considering an upgrade...still got lotsa research to do. Thinking of a Mercedes Sprinter motor-home.

So many choices, so many reasons for and against everything!!!

blaze · Guru

We have had a few different living quarters over te years, recently it was a pop top type thhing that te beds poped out the ends (was able to carry the boat on top and it was off road capable) Next was a 16 foot full van (no canvass) that was semi off road but allso had a inside toilet/sower that was ideal for our free camping in tassie. ave just purchased a 23.5 foot full ensuite because it suites our current lifestyle better. dont think te poptop canvas is good for extended use and I dont find the windage from a full van a problem. I also like older style vans and vehicles too I suppose, moving in the modern era kicking and screaming
cheers
blaze

tezza · Senior Member

We now tow a 16' lowline coromal poptop with a prado. We started with full vans up to 21' and just found there were two many places we wished to go that the size and height of the vans made very difficult. We downsized and are quite content 90% of the time. The other 10% it would be nice to hane a shower or toilet but we have decided that 90% will have to do. We still have empty cupboards so are not pressed for space and we can go many places that were inaccessible before.

milo · Guru

i wouldn't mind a 14-16 footer with shower/toilet, if i dont end up the campervan way..
i wouldn't go bigger than a 16 for me i think then you gotta figure what to tow it with ..

neilnruth · Guru

Milo I think you will be 'scratching' to find a 16' with a shower/toilet. I think the smallest is 17' or 18'. Someone might be able to correct me.

wendyv · Guru

We had, for years, done tent based camping, and liked the freedom of being able to drive wherever we chose. With early retirement and full time travel looming - but coinciding with hip replacement for The Driver - we had to very reluctantly accept the need to upgrade to a towable bed. Considered a camper trailer, but felt they were nearly as time consuming to put up and down as a tent, nearly as hard on the recuperating hip - and there was the issue of wet canvas!

Then we discovered that there was such a thing as a small, truly offroad caravan (this was back in 1997), so had ours built. Chose poptop for better overhead clearance (tree branches, low bridges). Went for a small van for manoeverability.

Although the van only measures 14' long inside, we were able to live full time in it for 3 years of travelling.