starting over

Bucko · Senior Member

starting over

dawa · Guru

confuse OK this time I am asking a question.

If you were to be starting over from scratch would you get the same rig?

Would you do anything different?

Hind sight is such a wonderful thing

had i known I could get that Loan from the bank I would have gone for a coaster straight away.

Otherwise it has been good getting things as and when is needed.

Dawa

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Mate, knowing what I know now I'd do most of my life different!!! But we cant, so better to consider what you have and go from there. We are who we are because of our experiences.... as you said its been good getting things bit-by-bit.

biggles · Senior Member

If I had foreknowlege of what I know now, I would also probably be driving a different unit ..

Experience can only be learned but knowlege can be shared and the learning curve gives us the experience to gain the knowlege ..

(.. and thats the end of my profound speculation .. heh)

Jon

beiffe · Guru

Gee I don't know of the perfect rig.

You now have a good idea of your mode of travel so now you have to define what you need /afford to make that life style the best you can.

I would have got a bigger bus 9 mtrs or similar but my license is only a car and I plan to upgrade. I would definitely still go for the Lithiums but perhaps get more even though I have more than enough for what I need now .

I am happy with my bus as I can live as I wish and I have heaps of available power and I am comfortable with what I have, but it is not for everyone.

So first your license dictates the max weight you can drive. So do you need to upgrade your license as some coasters are over 4.5 tonnes so be aware as some don't tell you that till after the purchase.

What appliances do you want. Is the fridge big enough for your needs, is the stove adequate, do you know how much batteries you need for your new rig and how much solar or together charging you will have to replenish these batteries.

How much storage space do you need in the bus and will you still have the trailer to carry your craft gear so the bus will be just for the living stuff such as food and clothes.

All things are nice but with a ready made bus some of these things will be dictated so it may be a case of making do the same as now in some ways. You just have to decide if what you are looking at is better for YOU than what you have for the price you are prepared to pay.

Sorry but some of these you will need to decide and then it will narrow the range a bit or may even widen it depending on your choices.

Hope this helps a bit and I hope you find what you are after and you continue to enjoy your travels

Regards
Brian

spida · Guru

Look at it this way - you have done what you have done and learned heaps - what ever you do next will be the right thing if it is what you want to do. Trust your instincts:) Glass half full.......

Duh · Guru

biggles wrote:
If I had foreknowlege of what I know now, I would also probably be driving a different unit ..
Experience can only be learned but knowlege can be shared and the learning curve gives us the experience to gain the knowlege ..
(.. and thats the end of my profound speculation .. heh)
Jon

Interesting thread Dawa, I have had a few different types of rigs and enjoyed all of them, some more than others, learning along the way.

Still not a 100% sure of what is best, but a lot would depend on whether on the road full time, part time or occasional trips etc.

Jon, regards your post, what type of unit would you be looking at if you had the time over again, just curious? confuse

jetj · Guru

I like the thread too Dawa. We may not be able to redo the regrets but I love hearing what people love and hate about their vehicles/motorhomes choices. It has the potential to have others avoid unsuitable vehicles for their lifestyle.

beiffe · Guru

One of the problems with this lifestyle we live.

What is ideal for one is no good for the next.

A lot is to do with compromises and making do if you can.

But also if you can and you wish to start agian and you have the finance then do it as the money is no good after you are gone and the kids will only fight over it so do them a favor and spend as much as you can having the best life you can.

Regards
Brian

Popeye · Senior Member

short answer no.

neilnruth · Guru

We started out small - a 10ft van for a family of five which later became seven. That's all we could afford. I doubt we would do any differently. The second van was bigger - 14' - but still older as we could not afford anything bigger. It was a case of 'cutting the cloth according to our budget'. We've still seen a lot of this big country of ours. So no, wouldn't do it any differently.

pauline · Guru

Totally agree neilnruth, when we started out it cost us $14000, 7 each for van and tug and we travelled from Darwin to Gold Coast via WA and had a ball and seen a lot, still have the same tug a 1990 Landcruiser Ute, but have updated to a 1990 Roadstar and are currently living and working our way aroung this great country, in the big scheme of things has not cost us much but couldn't have done it otherwise.............and Loving it.

dawa · Guru

beiffe wrote:
Gee I don't know of the perfect rig.

You now have a good idea of your mode of travel so now you have to define what you need /afford to make that life style the best you can.

I would have got a bigger bus 9 mtrs or similar but my license is only a car and I plan to upgrade. I would definitely still go for the Lithiums but perhaps get more even though I have more than enough for what I need now .

I am happy with my bus as I can live as I wish and I have heaps of available power and I am comfortable with what I have, but it is not for everyone.

So first your license dictates the max weight you can drive. So do you need to upgrade your license as some coasters are over 4.5 tonnes so be aware as some don't tell you that till after the purchase.

What appliances do you want. Is the fridge big enough for your needs, is the stove adequate, do you know how much batteries you need for your new rig and how much solar or together charging you will have to replenish these batteries.

How much storage space do you need in the bus and will you still have the trailer to carry your craft gear so the bus will be just for the living stuff such as food and clothes.

All things are nice but with a ready made bus some of these things will be dictated so it may be a case of making do the same as now in some ways. You just have to decide if what you are looking at is better for YOU than what you have for the price you are prepared to pay.

Sorry but some of these you will need to decide and then it will narrow the range a bit or may even widen it depending on your choices.

Hope this helps a bit and I hope you find what you are after and you continue to enjoy your travels

Regards
Brian

As usual you have good words.

What i have is fine power; fridge etc.

I would like a stove inside and a table inside for those cold days

...dawA

dawa · Guru

Duh wrote:
biggles wrote:
If I had foreknowlege of what I know now, I would also probably be driving a different unit ..
Experience can only be learned but knowlege can be shared and the learning curve gives us the experience to gain the knowlege ..
(.. and thats the end of my profound speculation .. heh)
Jon
Interesting thread Dawa, I have had a few different types of rigs and enjoyed all of them, some more than others, learning along the way.
Still not a 100% sure of what is best, but a lot would depend on whether on the road full time, part time or occasional trips etc.
Jon, regards your post, what type of unit would you be looking at if you had the time over again, just curious?

Would make sure there was an inside table and a stove.

These pop yops are hard to live in full time.

I have a trailer and a tent etc etc

...dawA

dawa · Guru

jetj wrote:
I like the thread too Dawa. We may not be able to redo the regrets but I love hearing what people love and hate about their vehicles/motorhomes choices. It has the potential to have others avoid unsuitable vehicles for their lifestyle.

That is probably the main reason I started this thread.

If we can learn from others is good.

Now I didn't know some coasters are over the 4.5 t that my licence allows.

Will watch that one.

...dawA

biggles · Senior Member

Duh wrote:

Jon, regards your post, what type of unit would you be looking at if you had the time over again, just curious?

Gee Vic .. that would still only be speculating because I'm happy with what I'm using now because I've got it to where I want it ..

Jon

dawa · Guru

biggles wrote:
Duh wrote:
Jon, regards your post, what type of unit would you be looking at if you had the time over again, just curious?
Gee Vic .. that would still only be speculating because I'm happy with what I'm using now because I've got it to where I want it ..
Jon

So can you tell us what you like about your rig most

...dawA

neilnruth · Guru

Jon, we would say the same thing. We have made our little old van very comfortable and if we re-bought we'd have to start all over again - unless we come into an inheritance and can afford something bigger! But then, maybe not.

jetj · Guru

Dawa,

I agree about the Hiace, economy wise fantastic, but during rainy or cold weather you need a bit of comfort inside. It is great for living, cooking, relaxing outside the vehicle IMO.

dawa · Guru

jetj wrote:
Dawa,
I agree about the Hiace, economy wise fantastic, but during rainy or cold weather you need a bit of comfort inside. It is great for living, cooking, relaxing outside the vehicle IMO.

The things i like about the pop top are;

comfortable to drive; economy; this one is mechanically sound have just passed rego inspection no problems.

she sits on the road well at 85-90Ks; and if I was only doing the short trips that I originally intended it would be fine.

..............................................................................................

things I don't like;

no cooking facilities inside [sink that I never use]

no table for inclement weather eating and crafting.

...dawa

dawa · Guru

neilnruth wrote:
We started out small - a 10ft van for a family of five which later became seven. That's all we could afford. I doubt we would do any differently. The second van was bigger - 14' - but still older as we could not afford anything bigger. It was a case of 'cutting the cloth according to our budget'. We've still seen a lot of this big country of ours. So no, wouldn't do it any differently.

The advantage of not being solo is you have a partner to help fix that van the way it suits you and this is by far the very best way to go.

Make the space ; if it IS big enough; suit your needs

Dawa

Sheba · Guru

dawa wrote:
Now I didn't know some coasters are over the 4.5 t that my licence allows.
...dawA

Same here dawa, but it's something I'll keep in mind, if I ever upgrade.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

I think you can get a short wheel base or a long wheel base. Should be ok if you went for a short wheel base, is my thought and what I would get if I could afford one.

biggles · Senior Member

.. I suppose that my greatest concern would be that unless I pay a high price, I will not find anything very "up-to-date" that has strength and life of of the earlier units .. Were I to find myself in a situation where I was considering change, then I would most likely seek out a LWB "Coaster" that had a very sound body and frame. Then have the mechanical side from motor through the drive train to the wheels fully renewed or reconditioned.

The internal layout would be next which would be structured (by professionals) in exactly how I want it .. Sure, fuel economy may not equal what I get now but small concessions will be made .. and I will still be taking my trailer with me ..

Jon

(footnote) .. lotto never called last night so its all on the backburner !

.. my rig pic .. be aware, all that glitters is not gold, but I have no plans to change just now

-- Edited by biggles on Wednesday 20th of February 2013 10:00:52 AM

dawa · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I think you can get a short wheel base or a long wheel base. Should be ok if you went for a short wheel base, is my thought and what I would get if I could afford one.

Well I have spent $6000 in equipment in this 12 months I have been out here. Now if i can save that much in the next 12 months I am on my way to an up-grade.

Dawa

dawa · Guru

biggles wrote:

.. I suppose that my greatest concern would be that unless I pay a high price, I will not find anything very "up-to-date" that has strength and life of of the earlier units .. Were I to find myself in a situation where I was considering change, then I would most likely seek out a LWB "Coaster" that had a very sound body and frame. Then have the mechanical side from motor through the drive train to the wheels fully renewed or reconditioned.
The internal layout would be next which would be structured (by professionals) in exactly how I want it .. Sure, fuel economy may not equal what I get now but small concessions will be made .. and I will still be taking my trailer with me ..
Jon

(footnote) .. lotto never called last night so its all on the backburner !

My numbers didn't come up either........darn

Dawa

jetj · Guru

I like the short wheelbase Coasters. The long wheelbase is just a bit big for someone like me. Not many autos though.

biggles · Senior Member

.. Hi Vic !

will keep this short as I'm still having some probs with posting and editing ..

Yes mate .. I do like what I have .. but its probably cost me more to get it that way because I chose to look after the maintenance myself .. When urgent work was required under warranty and you're told they are booked solid for 2 months and you're on the other side of the continent .. well ..

It boils down to what you want and can afford .. and who you can trust ..

so, although I really love my outfit, my trust has now become very selective and I do buy the occasional lotto tickets ..

Cheers

Jon

-- Edited by biggles on Thursday 21st of February 2013 07:13:13 AM

Duh · Guru

biggles wrote:
Duh wrote:
Jon, regards your post, what type of unit would you be looking at if you had the time over again, just curious?
Gee Vic .. that would still only be speculating because I'm happy with what I'm using now because I've got it to where I want it ..
Jon

I suppose the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence Jon, as you know there is no "perfect" RV, just some more suited or better laid out for your lifestyle than others.

From what I saw of yours when you were in Perth you had a pretty good set up, I particularly liked your lounge/TV configuration, looked very comfortable and practical and I was most impressed with it. Your trailer also added another dimension to it as well.

Duh · Guru

That is the trouble Jon with warranty or make agents these days, they are just so busy it is hard to get work done when not living locally and able to wait.

I have struck some that if they know your circumstances will give you a bit of priority. A certain A Van agent in Perth that you visited was closing down, then changed their mind, then later I heard from someone in the trade they were closing again but are still trading. There is a For Sale sign out the front of the premises, not sure if that is for the business or whether the lease is up on the property, busy road there and never been able to read it properly on the move, not that interested that I want to pull off the road to read it.

-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 21st of February 2013 09:37:53 PM