We have a camper trailer... Just bought our 4x4..... Next thing will be a caravan.
I'm after your thoughts on what people think about a poptop or a full sized van.
I know the wind resistance and space for ease of storing BUT what would be the prefrence if you had the choice.
We went into a few van sale places on the weekend just to get a feel....Of course we found one I "loved" but of course not ready to buy just yet. It was a full sized one.
Do you all think it's just a matter of what you like when you see it or stick to a poptop? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Hi Ivanjules and Buffy, we have been down the tent, camper van, Pop top and now into the full size. By far mor convienient, secure and warm is the full size, so would recommend this option to anyone. As far as fuel goes all have been differnt size and shape so can't comment. We are just in the process of buying our 2nd full size van. Very exciting Happy deciding Deadlypricness
-- Edited by deadlyprincess on Monday 15th of October 2012 11:51:30 AM
-- Edited by deadlyprincess on Monday 15th of October 2012 11:51:50 AM
Heading along the lines of full sized. Want to do mostly free camping for indefinite period of time and am concerned about safety factor with a pop top. Dont want to be tucked up in bed in some remote spot as some fool slashes a knife thru the pop top canvas... perhaps I should stop watching those weird action movies!! haha.
We also spotted the 'perfect' caravan in the weekend and money not at hand just yet!! No doubt there will be another 'perfect' caravan when the time comes!!
I have heard from a couple of owners who have owned both a pop top and a full height that claim there is little difference in the fuel consumption. This information is second hand so others in a similar position may like to comment on how valid this is.
I have friends who own a pop top and the deciding factor for them was storage. A full height would not fit under their carport. They are both of fairly short stature and when they are only stopping somewhere for one night they don't bother to pop the top as they have to partially open their awning to do so.
My own view on the security issue is that no van is particularly difficult to break into anyway. I'd also be "iffy" about leaving a van unattended at many free camps. Most caravan parks I've stayed at seem ok in this regard but I have stayed at a couple that were doubtful to say the least.
Other factors may well be a bigger deciding factor in your final purchase, eg physical condition, comfort and facilities, ease of towing and backing onto a site, ground clearance etc, and of course your budget. Everything's a compromise.
One thought about finding the "perfect van".....Never fall in love with anything that doesn't eat and poo!
Heading along the lines of full sized. Want to do mostly free camping for indefinite period of time and am concerned about safety factor with a pop top. Dont want to be tucked up in bed in some remote spot as some fool slashes a knife thru the pop top canvas... perhaps I should stop watching those weird action movies!! haha.
We also spotted the 'perfect' caravan in the weekend and money not at hand just yet!! No doubt there will be another 'perfect' caravan when the time comes!!
Buffy
Main dislike I feel with a pop top would it be cooler in cool areas with just the canvas up top where the full sized would be better insulated and visaversa with heat. Just a thought. I have no idea as I've never owned either.
I never think of fools annying us...would have to be rare...we'll worry about that if it happens..LOL Fingers crossed it doesn't.
Don't you just hate it when you find one you fall in love with...omg...all I hope is that I find one simular when the time comes.
I have heard from a couple of owners who have owned both a pop top and a full height that claim there is little difference in the fuel consumption. This information is second hand so others in a similar position may like to comment on how valid this is.
I have friends who own a pop top and the deciding factor for them was storage. A full height would not fit under their carport. They are both of fairly short stature and when they are only stopping somewhere for one night they don't bother to pop the top as they have to partially open their awning to do so.
My own view on the security issue is that no van is particularly difficult to break into anyway. I'd also be "iffy" about leaving a van unattended at many free camps. Most caravan parks I've stayed at seem ok in this regard but I have stayed at a couple that were doubtful to say the least.
Other factors may well be a bigger deciding factor in your final purchase, eg physical condition, comfort and facilities, ease of towing and backing onto a site, ground clearance etc, and of course your budget. Everything's a compromise.
One thought about finding the "perfect van".....Never fall in love with anything that doesn't eat and poo!
Thank you so much for your info. :)
I don't care about fuel consumption. I see it as if you free park you save save there. It's a cheap hoilday if all you are paying for is fuel.
I suppose security isn't safe anywhere...if they want to do it they will find a way...like in your own home.
You mentioned ground clearance, thats another thought. We will have to consider what areas we wish to see if thats a factor of our decisions.
I asked this question some time ago, and got some very helpful replies. Type Pop-top or full caravan? into the Search above on this page.
We are still undecided about this issue... mostly because we dont want to spend the money to upgrade!
There has never been a suggestion of a human intruder thru the top section, although my friend had a possum get in thru the little vent at the top... it was an adventure getting him out!
The zip-windows in the top allow wonderful air-flow in the warmer weather, although that can be a problem in the cold. And a shower can be a bit tricky with a pop-top, they have a curtain-type screen on the top section.
Heading along the lines of full sized. Want to do mostly free camping for indefinite period of time and am concerned about safety factor with a pop top. Dont want to be tucked up in bed in some remote spot as some fool slashes a knife thru the pop top canvas... perhaps I should stop watching those weird action movies!! haha.
We also spotted the 'perfect' caravan in the weekend and money not at hand just yet!! No doubt there will be another 'perfect' caravan when the time comes!!
Buffy
You will be fine Buffy as long as you don't go near "Wolf Creek"
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Hi Ivan & Jules We have owned three different types of caravan initially a Jayco Swan then a pop top and now the van in our avatar a full size van, each has their own advantages and its true its very much a personal choice and you will know when you see the van that ticks most of the boxes on your wants list.
We think our current van is probably the best option so far as others have said the insulation in full vans is very good these days, most now come with Air conditioning and now have large windows you can open to get the benefit of any breeze, they are also much easier to warm in winter and have heaps more usable storage space.
When towing a pop top or a full van you will not get any significant benefit in fuel saving and on long trips fuel costs and economy can become an issue, I have never heard of anyone breaking into a pop top through the vinyl and dont believe this to be an issue, its much more important if free camping to where possible to stop with other vans and if your gut feeling isnt good about a location move on and always lock your door, even to the point of a shot bolt lock on the inside for when you are sleeping
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We have a gararging problem at our house a full caravan would not fit into our garage because of the roller door , But if we brought a pop top it would a friend try hard to talk us into buying a pop top but we like the room and insulation of a full caravan just felt right for us but there is a rig for everyone and you should buy what you feel right with , Was told by caravan sales person that a pop top is heavier than the same lenght full top van has the poptop has to have renforcement both to the poptop lid and side walls to support the roof ,
Thank you for all your help...I'm leaning towards a full size van but its so good hearing each story to get a feel of the pros and cons since we haven't owned any. So we don't really know.
ive travelled a lot of aussie land mostly from down bottom of oz to tip and out in gulf we always had a pop top the one where you have a bed each side and it winds up ,i loved it ,but then im pretty easy going although i will say before that one of our trips we did 10,000 klms in 3 and a half weeks and in a tent with a 4 year old daughter in tow.
i did not enjoy that trip as much , but when we got home i said well i dont go again until we get at least something to make it a bit easier, so we bought a jayco pop top and i loved it as for heat ,it was the greatest as you got a breeze in the beds coming through.
in saying that it did us ,but everybody has there preference some people dont want to have to pull up and set up beds i just used a fitted sheet on the bed and sleeping bags ,a top sheet when the weather was quite warm.
its realy up to the person i say, we used to drive up the beach at mapoon near weipa and there is no way we would of gotten a big c/van up that beach, and there is a sign with the price of saving your vehicle and i did baulk at that as well.
everybody is different so perhaps even if you hired a pop top and gave it a go on a trip first ,as there are plenty out there to hire im sure .good luck :)
glassies...I'm sure we will know when we find it. A good test will be this years adventure south using the camper van up and down every night. I know it will be fun and I can't wait!!!
thats for sure...we sat here yesterday mapping this out to get some idea on how long we need away from work..I extended the hoildays to 4 weeks ;)...Now I'm excited.LOL
Hi Ivan & Jules
