Going crazy trying to become nomads - caravan advice

Yuglamron · Guru

Going crazy trying to become nomads - caravan advice

suentone · Member

Hi Everyone. We (Tony and me - Sue) are about to hit the road out of town (in this case, the Gold Coast) for parts north, then maybe west, but sometime or another south...you get the drift. Thing is, we still haven't got the van. Heaps of looking - maybe too much. But we do want off road capabilities because we will be bush camping in remote gold prospecting areas. Leaving next week to look at a second hand Royal Flair Discovery Explorer, has all the little extras that we will need. But, the one thing we don't know is their reputation. At the Caravan and Camping Show in Brisbane the other day, a dealer (from the opposition, obviously) said "first thing to do is go thru the whole van with polyfilla". Not reassuring, was he just being mean because we couldn't afford the bright new things for sale? (maybe after the gold digging aww ) Cheers, Sue

Happywanderer · The Master

Welcome Suentone, Can't help you with the type of van you will need. Others might but a lot say its all a personal preference for your situation.
I will say No use going Crazy, thats not what its all about, supposed to be relaxed about all this grey nomading. I do know its not worth it, the term chillax is my motto.
You will get out there and wonder what all the fuss was about.
Happy Travelling.

suentone · Member

Hey Happywander, smiling already!!!

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Welcome suentone - you will find that everyone loves the van they have - it is always the best!!!! If it is a second hand one, look for at least 90% of the things you might want - i.e. island bed as against singles - and the list just goes on from there, but don't stress - not worth it - no matter what you get, you will find something else you want in a van.
Good luck - and especially with the gold fossicking!!

ozjohn · Guru

There are only a small number of true 'Off Road' caravan manufacturers and they demand a premium price, but there are quite a few who build very good 'Dirt Road' vans that will take you to most places you're likely to venture.
Royal Flair is a well respected manufacturer with very few problems being reported on various forums.
Cheers, Ozjohn.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome from me too suentone, enjoy here and out there. You will get heaps of help with your question so have fun when you make your final decision.

OH! I won't give any warnings I will leave that up to dazren and wombat, mmmmmmm. biggrin

Jack Mac · Senior Member

Hi and welcome,

As far as vans individual vans go I'm no help. I have a camper trailer that suits me fine, but having had a number of boats I've always found that not long after you've gott the boat "you want" you start looking at what could be better.

I don't know your circumstances regarding previous experience with vans but could I suggest, that before going the whole hog you purchase something that fits somewhere within your guidelines and see how it goes and what you may want extra.

Better to lose a little bit while you find your feet than lose a whole lot if you find the van you thought would be ideal somehow isn't.

Having said that, good luck in your search and I'm sure you will get something that suits.

Jack

suentone · Member

Hi all, overwhelmed with good advice, and thinking a lot more clearly now, thank you very much!! I will sleep tonight, instead of lying there while Tony snores, oblivious to my busy head!!! I think, if the RF is looking as ready-made for us as it sounds on the net, then we are on our way....very very soon, sigh..(relief, that is smile )

Now....if someone has some way to get us thru the detector decision-making process. KIDDING aww Cheers everyone, see you on the road, Sue, Tony (decision-makers extraordinaire!)

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi and welcome Suetone. Nice of you to join us.
Van choice is very personal, but you both must agree, otherwise your trip could be a bit tense.
The polyfilla reference was probably about the dust. If you're planning to go on unsealed roads and bush tracks, dust will be the enemy. If dust can get in, so can water.
Depending on the structure of the van, aluminium or fibreglass, the gaps will be different. There will be less in the fibreglass.
If you're stressing about it, you won't enjoy it. It's not that hard.
Work out your needs and your budget. Then go for it.
The possible dust entry points will then depend on the van.
Good luck with the fossicking, and safe and happy travels.

billeeeeeee · Guru

Going crazy trying to become nomads - caravan advice,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Howdyeeeeee Yep, Number one thing about becoming a Nomad, is crazy!!!!!! U doing well,,,,,, stay excited, Remember! Sanity is not all that its cracked up to be......Billeeeeeee

jetj · Guru

Welcome Tony and Sue,
The RF look like very nice vans.

suentone · Member

good evening all. Thanks for the great, friendly welcome to this forum. Will update with our final purchase - including pics, so you may recognise us on the road. Billeeeeeee, you are making us nervous......only because it gets difficult to count the number of 'e's in your name, so as not to offend you:)!!!
Trying to keep the excitement up, but I (Sue) am suffering a bit of overload at the moment. While Tony quietly goes about working it all out. All things being equal, we are about to buy a Royal Flair. I think we have just done a bit too much thinking and looking, and forgetting that nothing is irreversible. If it is a wrong decision, change it. Good night all, Sue, Tone

Happywanderer · The Master

Don't worry about Billeeeeee, he's harmless.

pricey43 · Guru

Welcome Suentone,

Also keep us posted about your investigations into detectors too. We are interested in delving into some prospecting as well.

Happy Travels, may see you out there. smile smile smile smile

billeeeeeee · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Don't worry about Billeeeeee, he's harmless.

Howdyeeeeeee Happy, remember when we were at Greens lake, and I was nibbling your ear lobe, U dident say I was Harmless,,,,then!!!!!!!! stay excited Nomads, Nutters ,ect ,ect ,,,,,,Billeeeeeee....