starting over

jetj · Guru

RE: starting over

Happywanderer · The Master

Janette Let me know if you find one. Thats exactly what I will be looking for too.

biggles · Senior Member

.. got one for you girls ..

..

sorry about the fuel consumption though !!

extreme potato · Veteran Member

If you can afford this, the price of fuel would probably not be too much of an issue.

biggles · Senior Member

.. too true !!

Scotty01 · Senior Member

Interesting thread this one! Over the years I have had quite a few variations of RV's , 18ft poptop. Toyota hi ace, Mazda etc. When I lost my wife and decided to sell up and go full time nomad I spent a lot of time looking at Coaster type conversions and was always disapointed that they just didnt fit what I was looking for. After one trip to look at yet another disapointing Coaster was talking with my son on the way back home when he pointed out what should have been obvious! I was selling a $500000 house and my business, why look at coaster conversions around $60-70000. I was looking for a new home not a weekend getaway. So I started looking up market. I guess not everyone was lucky enough to be in the position I was and I could afford to go up the market. Got lucky and found a Merc/Jayco Conquest almost new and very low KM's. Way over kill for 1 person and his dog but I bought it anyway. Spent way too much money adding the few things it didnt have and setting it up how I wanted. Dosnt matter what you get there is always something that isnt exactly what you like or you find things that you would like to be different.

I guess what I am saying is you are governed by the bank balance in reality and once you make the purchase you make the most of what you can afford and adapt it and yourself as you go along. Everyone is different and wants different things from their rig. If you are out there enjoying this magnificent country think yourself lucky no matter how your doing it!

Duh · Guru

For those ladies who know her owner, Bussingham Palace (Toyota Coaster) is up for sale (if not sold already) for $18,500 near Brisbane. Manual though, not auto if that is a concern. This is how the owners son describes it;

Bussingham Palace is a 1977 retro Toyota Coaster with character that has been lovingly converted into a well appointed and comfortable home on wheels. Regretfully offered for sale due to health issues.

The list of work that has been done to this vehicle is impressive!
...
Professionally reconditioned 6 Cylinder Holden 202 motor fitted. Less than 5000km since reconditioning! (Compliance plated)
Petrol + 2 large LPG tanks for economical, long range driving
Many other new parts installed, including starter motor, reconditioned master cylinder, heater core, reconditioned carby

A light and bright fitout, including:

2 single beds with under-bed storage
Huge 4m wide Fiamma awning â as new
Smoke detector
Roof vent
Screen security door
Professionally built kitchen cabinetry
80 litre water tank with 12v water pump
Heaps of internal lighting bright lights for when you need them, and softer lighting for those romantic moments.
Reading lights
Outdoor lighting.
LOADS of storage (cupboards, drawers, shelving, overhead cupboards)
Curtains throughout
Captain's chairs in cabin
CD player
WC tend to your needs in privacy
Dual battery system
12v and 240v power
Huge bull bar kangaroos will quiver in fear as you trundle along the road towards them
Large rear tool/storage box
Tow bar
5 speed manual and can be driven on a car licence
Dual rear wheels with good tires
Currently registered until June.
And for those who are wondering, yes the chandelier is included.

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

dawa · Guru

jetj wrote:
I know what I want. Something as reliable and easily serviced as the Hiace that uses the same amount of fuel, but bigger, with shower and toilet and a permanent bed and table and a seat. A little more storage. Let me know if anyone has one or knows of one.

add Short wheel base; automatic if possible and we have what we need.

I can manage with a toilet outside if needs be but may be a bit hard after the hip replacement.

Nothing like having a wish list and with two of us wanting much the same we are not being unrealistic LOL

Dawa

dawa · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Janette Let me know if you find one. Thats exactly what I will be looking for too.

OK so we have three of us looking. I won't have the cash till the end of the year tho.

are either of you ready to purchase. I keep looking every few days to get an idea of prices

At present i may be able to get what i would like for about $10 000

Dawa

GaryKelly · Guru

I would definitely do things differently. When I decided to sell my car because I didn't want to tow a van, I bought an unregistered, rusty Nissan coach that I intended to convert into a campervan. Repairs cost me a fortune even before conversion, which didn't happen anyway. I sold it and bought a used Hi Ace campervan. It looked great on eBay, with stunning photos, but in the flesh was a terrible disappointment. Too late, I'd already paid for it. Drove it all the way back from Tamworth with a heavy heart and sold it. So far, my financial losses had amounted to several thousand. Then I got the idea that I'd like a slide-on camper. I bought a used Ford Falcon ute which was a great car but the wrong kind of ute. It was a tub back. It so happened that the slide-on I bought at a bargain price (couldn't resist it) was only suitable for a flat bed ute. So I sold the Ford and bought a used Courier. Got lucky with that one... it was a clean swap. I've since had a few modifications done (suspension, bull bar, etc) and am almost ready to put the two together. But it's taken about 4 years and a lot of mistakes to get this far. I've wasted thousands I could have spent on making the right choices in the first place, exacerbated by being on an age pension and very limited budget. Impatience was the main reason... being too eager to rush in to things. I've always been the impetuous type. So there ya go... I would definitely do things differently. The only consolation is the old adage, all's well that ends well. I finally made it.

She certainly won't be the flashest rig on the road, but it's MINE! So I've named her PJ... my pride and joy. I've bloody earned it!

dawa · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
I would definitely do things differently. When I decided to sell my car because I didn't want to tow a van, I bought an unregistered, rusty Nissan coach that I intended to convert into a campervan. Repairs cost me a fortune even before conversion, which didn't happen anyway. I sold it and bought a used Hi Ace campervan. It looked great on eBay, with stunning photos, but in the flesh was a terrible disappointment. Too late, I'd already paid for it. Drove it all the way back from Tamworth with a heavy heart and sold it. So far, my financial losses had amounted to several thousand. Then I got the idea that I'd like a slide-on camper. I bought a used Ford Falcon ute which was a great car but the wrong kind of ute. It was a tub back. It so happened that the slide-on I bought at a bargain price (couldn't resist it) was only suitable for a flat bed ute. So I sold the Ford and bought a used Courier. Got lucky with that one... it was a clean swap. I've since had a few modifications done (suspension, bull bar, etc) and am almost ready to put the two together. But it's taken about 4 years and a lot of mistakes to get this far. I've wasted thousands I could have spent on making the right choices in the first place, exacerbated by being on an age pension and very limited budget. Impatience was the main reason... being too eager to rush in to things. I've always been the impetuous type. So there ya go... I would definitely do things differently. The only consolation is the old adage, all's well that ends well. I finally made it.

She certainly won't be the flashest rig on the road, but it's MINE! So I've named her PJ... my pride and joy. I've bloody earned it!

You sure have and i wish you happy travelling now with your rig.

We can all 'make do' with what we have but how much nicer to have what suits our needs better.

Dawa

dawa · Guru

jetj wrote:
I know what I want. Something as reliable and easily serviced as the Hiace that uses the same amount of fuel, but bigger, with shower and toilet and a permanent bed and table and a seat. A little more storage. Let me know if anyone has one or knows of one.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181081856280?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251232761600?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

not interested in the TV or microwave tho

Dawa

Happywanderer · The Master

dawa wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
Janette Let me know if you find one. Thats exactly what I will be looking for too.
OK so we have three of us looking. I won't have the cash till the end of the year tho.
are either of you ready to purchase. I keep looking every few days to get an idea of prices
At present i may be able to get what i would like for about $10 000
Dawa

I'm looking at the end of the year too Dawa. Pumping every single dollar away as fast as I can.

Duh, Really. I didn't know Bussingham Palace was for sale.

Happywanderer · The Master

I have trouble getting up into the Hi Ace, only because I find I have to hold on to the grip with one hand, put the other hand on the seat, pull myself up by my hand with the weight all going on to the hand I have on the seat.
Its really because of the shape of the opening. I can't twist my hips to sit if I put one foot on the attached step. I do have one of those folding steps, don't think it would help me much as I am trying to swing and twist at the same time up in the air, not on the step.
I think what I would really like is a SWB coaster. With most you can get to the drivers seat from inside.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Friday 22nd of February 2013 08:51:31 PM

dawa · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
dawa wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
Janette Let me know if you find one. Thats exactly what I will be looking for too.
OK so we have three of us looking. I won't have the cash till the end of the year tho.
are either of you ready to purchase. I keep looking every few days to get an idea of prices
At present i may be able to get what i would like for about $10 000
Dawa
I'm looking at the end of the year too Dawa. Pumping every single dollar away as fast as I can.

Duh, Really. I didn't know Bussingham Palace was for sale.

It will be May -June 2014 for me in time for my 70yh birthday

Dawa

Duh · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

..........................Duh, Really. I didn't know Bussingham Palace was for sale.

I spotted the info elsewhere Marj, the owner can't be too good healthwise....

Happywanderer · The Master

Duh wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
..........................Duh, Really. I didn't know Bussingham Palace was for sale.
I spotted the info elsewhere Marj, the owner can't be too good healthwise....

Have spoken to the owner. Yes it is for sale because of health reasons. She needs to get something smaller. Like me she has problems getting up into the drivers seat. Its a real swing when you have bad knees. She has done a beautiful job on the renovation.

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Happywanderer wrote:
Like me she has problems getting up into the drivers seat. Its a real swing when you have bad knees.

Shirley, due to back problems, has difficulty getting into our raised 4WD.

A folding step like http://compare.ebay.com.au/like/271087192107?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes makes it easy. Admittedly I pick up the step once she is seated, but it would only require a length of rope attached to the step for a lone person to haul the step into the vehicle, fold up, and stow away.

Duh · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Duh wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
..........................Duh, Really. I didn't know Bussingham Palace was for sale.
I spotted the info elsewhere Marj, the owner can't be too good healthwise....
Have spoken to the owner. Yes it is for sale because of health reasons. She needs to get something smaller. Like me she has problems getting up into the drivers seat. Its a real swing when you have bad knees. She has done a beautiful job on the renovation.

Be a nice van for someone, even the Hi Ace I had was difficult to get in and out. Like Ron and Shirley, we had a stool on a cord so the passenger or driver could pull the step up after they got in....

Sheba · Guru

Don't you have one of these Marj.?

My Pictures. 189.jpg

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes Sheba, thats the grip I hold on with one hand. Just noticed a whole lot of spelling mistakes in my last thread. Will go back and fix that.

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Shirley uses one hand on the grip like in Shebas post to help herself onto the step. Then holding the grip turns herself around on the step, then sits on the seat and swings her legs around.

Happywanderer · The Master

Is she in the drivers seat or passenger seat Ron. I think that would be easy in the passenger but when you have to also slide under the steering well on the drivers side there is no way to turn halfway.
I don't use the attached step but once I have hold of the grip and the other hand taking the weight of my body, I swing in a slide motion in under the steering wheel until I am positioned right. I find that is the only way I can get in comfortably. Oh, that is also with one foot on the floor to get me there.

Sheba · Guru

Don't know if this will be helpful Marj but have you tried getting in with the seat pushed back ? You could do that before you get down next time when you get home. Then you'd only have to move it forward when you get back in. Probably haven't explained that very well, but I hope you get what I mean. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about the steering wheel.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 24th of February 2013 06:48:45 PM

dawa · Guru

Sheba wrote:
Don't know if this will be helpful Marj but have you tried getting in with the seat pushed back ? You could do that before you get down next time when you get home. Then you'd only have to move it forward when you get back in. Probably hyaven't explained that very well, but I hope you get what I mean. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about the steering wheel.
Cheers,
Sheba.

This is what i do

Dawa

jules47 · The Happy Helper

As some of you know, I am pretty vertically challenged - when I had my 4WD, I used to push the seat back when I was getting out, if I didn't there was no way I could get back in and under the steering wheel - made life so much easier. I actually used to slide out of the drivers seat, my 4WD was pretty high.

Allara · Senior Member

Is it an option to have a spring loaded step-up fitted by a panel beater? That is assuming you don't need a step to get out.

On another vein, Thrifty at Darwin are selling off a lot of used hire vehicles, some 4x4 and busses.

Cheers

Allara

gypsy rover · Senior Member

As much as I love my Winnie and have spent a fortune on it adding all the mod cons the new ones have, I think if I was starting again I would go for a Coaster. Being a fairly old Winnie it is so high and so wide and I have to be constantly aware of it's dimensions. Then again, when the Winnie was purchased, I wasn't planning on driving it solo. Circumstances change, but like a lot of other people, I can't afford to update now, so I shall keep happily plodding along in it and try to avoid low bridges and overhanging tree branches. biggrin

Cheers!

Chris

Happywanderer · The Master

Jules, to get out I slide down too until my feet touch the ground.

Happywanderer · The Master

Gypsy Rover, my plan is maybe a short wheel base coaster. A friend is trying to talk me out of it, she said they rust quick as there is a join right across the top from side to side which leaks and causes rust.
I don't really know anything about that but will look into it when the time comes.