your ideas about the best rig for a solo lady for round Oz trip

inthegloaming · Member

your ideas about the best rig for a solo lady for round Oz trip

spida · Guru

I thought about a trailer but think myself that a small off road caravan would be safer for you....... The thought of having to set up a camper trailer in the rain put me off also - but then I have hardly ever been where it is raining! My van feels safe and cosy and I like to be dry. My computer is safe, the fridge is great, and I do have the luxury of a toilet/shower. I guess it depends on how outdoorsy you really want to be. Then it sounds as though the pop-top Cruiser would be perfect for what you want to do. Maybe just a small trailer to carry extra stuff?

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi Maggie,

I have a friend who has an imported Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 pofessionally converted to a camper.He tells me it's basically all Pajero running gear so quite versatile and capable.

Seems to suit him and he also tells me there are parts available quite easily.

Just a thought.Hope you get sorted with something that suits you.

Cheers

Trevor

wendyv · Guru

My solo adventurous female friend set herself up for post retirement travel with a Toyota Troopie. She has done some great travel with it - places like the Canning, Kimberley, Cape York, Arnhem Land. She carried a tent that she set up when staying in one place for several days - to cook in, have more comfortable sitting space etc. But she did have issues when just stopping for a n ight or two - trying to cook at the back of the vehicle, for example. She did have a type of awning that fitted over the door. but it didn't work all that well. And only place to sit in bad weather was the drivers seat.

Eventually she decided to invest in more comfort and had the Troopy professionally converted to a camper. It has a poptop roof. She has a comfortable lounge seat that is also her bed. She can cook, wash up etc inside. It is very similar to the set up in hire Troopys.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

wendyv wrote:
My solo adventurous female friend set herself up for post retirement travel with a Toyota Troopie. She has done some great travel with it - places like the Canning, Kimberley, Cape York, Arnhem Land. She carried a tent that she set up when staying in one place for several days - to cook in, have more comfortable sitting space etc. But she did have issues when just stopping for a n ight or two - trying to cook at the back of the vehicle, for example. She did have a type of awning that fitted over the door. but it didn't work all that well. And only place to sit in bad weather was the drivers seat.

Eventually she decided to invest in more comfort and had the Troopy professionally converted to a camper. It has a poptop roof. She has a comfortable lounge seat that is also her bed. She can cook, wash up etc inside. It is very similar to the set up in hire Troopys.

We met a lady travelling on her own in an ex-hire converted Troopy, she was quite happy with it, said she felt she could tackle anything in it.

A word of caution though... these vehicles are hired out to adventurous people for a number of years before being sold, make sure you get a mechanic to have a very careful look, especially at the suspension!

Beth54 · Guru

In my humble opinion, I'd be looking at something like these. http://activecampers.com.au/gallery/

If I could change vehicles now, I'd be getting a pop top slide-on.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. smile

-- Edited by Beth54 on Friday 1st of February 2013 07:05:48 PM

wendyv · Guru

Gerty Dancer wrote:
We met a lady travelling on her own in an ex-hire converted Troopy, she was quite happy with it, said she felt she could tackle anything in it.
A word of caution though... these vehicles are hired out to adventurous people for a number of years before being sold, make sure you get a mechanic to have a very careful look, especially at the suspension!

I too would be a bit wary of ex-hire ones. Some companies permit them to be driven off the bitumen, so a unit may have had a tough life.

My friend's unit was ex-Telstra, fairly low kms. The conversion cost about $14,000.

Cruising Granny · Guru

The upside of ex-rental is they only do about 50,000 KMS when they change over, so if anything needs a bit of attention it's a good time, BEFORE you start.
The Delica has a good reputation and is reportedly very comfortable. Troopies work well with the pop top.
I have an Indigo awning on the side of my Landcruiser for extra shelter. Very handy at Prominent Hill in the blazing sun.
The awning is easy one-person operation available online only. There are others but they are very expensive, and the ones I have seen don't seem to be as sturdy as the Indigo awning. Just Google "Indigo".
Good luck with your plans and your travels.

inthegloaming · Member

thanks to everyone who has responded to my question. I do appreciate the welcome and the advice. Will follow up on the leads and off to the Camping and Caravan Show in Melbourne in March. cheers Maggie

wendyv · Guru

Maggie,
notice you are around Melbourne. If it ends up being relevant, the business that did the conversion of my friend's Troopy to a poptop camper is a Melbourne one. I think they also helped her find her vehicle in the first place.

If you want further details, let me know and I will send them via a PM.

Pet-els · Veteran Member

Maggie ,
It depends how much you wish to spend, the Traka 4x4 camper looks the ants pants. But exxy.

way2gokev · Senior Member

Hi Maggie and welcome.

I made a vow a few years back that if ever I got the chance and had enough money I would travel in comfort, no more camping (except for short 4wd trips in the Patrol, that has a double bed and all creature comforts) so I bought the near new 22ft van with onsuite, queen bed etc etc, battery and solar power backed up with a genny, with all this I can travel when and where I want. Drop the van off at a safe place and go 4wding knowing that I can return to all the comforts of home.

If I was you and felt comfortable towing I would get a van with all the comforts, Then like me you can enjoy the best of both worlds and hang the expense and kids inheritance, enjoy in comfort.

cheers

Kev

milo · Guru

what about that vista rv, that is on here?

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t52325448/jen-and-sols-vistarv/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa_iLuQFQIw

-- Edited by milo on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 03:54:54 PM