The Plan.. to go solo..

jetj · Guru

The Plan.. to go solo..

SnowT · Guru

Ok.. hiya All..

OK I know I started A similar topic somewhere else, But I want the response from the solo nomad's..

It is my Plan, to make the ability to travel around as simple as Possible..

Currently I have a Camper Trailer[12" Tent] that I use for when I go away.. I have nothing against it as a mode of camping if you are with other people.. but as a single No..

It takes me about 1-2hr to do a full set-up and about the same to Strip down and pack up..

I miss the simplicity of just driving up, stopping for the night, and sleeping..

the van Above is what I used while touring America.. I loved it.. it makes the Wicked Vans look like trash..

I drove what ever distance I wanted to, if I did not make the next planed stop or I saw something I wanted to see, I could just stop, set up camp and Sleep..Very Simple..

It was Basic inside..

- A table to eat off..

- A Bed made from folding down the seat..

- Small Kitchenette, with a small fridge..

Plenty of storage.. it suited my needs while I was traveling..

so that's the background..

The PLAN..

I'm think'n/planning of getting myself an imported "Automatic Coaster" Why an Automatic.?

I want the Coaster to be usable for my mother for when she decides that she want's to go back to Tassie or some such place and not have to rely of paying for accommodation..

- I got mum to give me hand to setup the camper in the front yard in readiness to get it fully dried out and sold.. she agrees that it is hard for a single person..let along Impossible for her to even thing of doing.. So the Camper is getting cleaned up and Sold ASAP..

So an Automatic Coaster..

I'm looking for a Coaster in 1993+[have seen a few 1999-2001in my price range] range..

Less than 150,000k's on it[Less is Better, have seen some with only 50,000 on the clock..]

Boot lid type.. if it's available at the time..

So if a Coaster comes up that has -

year 1996+

<80k's on the clock

and has a door at the back[boot model is preferable]

is less than 1,000,000jpy then I going to grab it..

--Now landed with everything paid for[including Registration] it should come in under $25k.

- My fit out is going to cost me about 10k on part's and material's..

Some stuff I have here the bulk I will have to buy..

The Big Question

Do you think I'm Nut's, to spend $25K on a Coaster that is not even fitted out..?? ?? for going this way, in my Coaster Project..

The Coaster shall be Landed, compliance d[Engineered] no more to pay[I have a Spread sheet that has all the cost's involved and I mean everything], Ready for registration as a Car Licensed Vehicle..

I know I can get some good Coasters around.. But they are ALL Manuel's which mean's that Only I can can drive it comfortably..

The only Automatic coasters I have seen are over $30k and have on average 300k+ on the clock..

Juergen

bill12 · Guru

Love the paint job. Those wicked campers I just ignore as many are just obsene,and usually in pretty bad condition.Are the auto coasters 6 cylinder s or 4. I can,t imaginethe yanks having small motors in their coasters.I would love to do the east coast, US in a camper, one day. Did the west coast in a Kombi in the 80s for 3 months. You could fill the tank for $25, and still the yanks used to winge.Post pics if you can, Thanks, Bill

SnowT · Guru

The Coaster is From Japan as I think I said.. We can only import 1993 onwards and they are main 6cyl 4.2lt Cruiser motor's[1HZ if I remember].. or the newer one's have the 4lt turbo's..

Juergen

Psst the Van I had was a v8 and they said that 12-14m per gal was good.. I managed to average about 17mil/gallon while there..
J

shekon · Guru

Snow I don't know much about all the technical stuff and kms per litre and all that stuff, however after travelling in my MH for the past few weeks, the observations that I have made are the following. I pull up, takes me less than 15mins to be completely set up and ready for that first cuppa or drink. I timed some people who travelled with a camper trailer pull in next to me at Stawell, it took the two of them 45mins to set up and even then they were not complete, then headed off for a meal I guess. It was a cold wet evening, I was as snug as bug in a rug, and thought they would be not so, and then they repeated the process in the morning to head off. I timed them because my son and daughter in law want to invest in one for their family, and I personally could think of nothing worse. A caravan and now I know I am going to cause a ruckus here, it seems that is much the same, by the time all the bits and bobs are done to make sure it is stable and level and all that stuff, for one seems to be a lot of trouble. I know there are many travelling solo with a caravan and do it extremely well, just not for me.
The MH, is complete and yes there is the thing about driving away from a site if you need to go somewhere, however I figure I can walk, good for the health, or hire a small car or bike. The cost of a car and the upkeep would allow for a lot of hiring of a small one.
Just my thoughts, and for those travelling with a camper trailer or caravan I actually admire you for doing so, each mode has their pluses and minuses, and this is just my opinion.

Nelly · Guru

Yes Shekon I agree with you. I have a slide-on (which is really easy for me to put up and down - no problems there) but as I get on in years!!! I feel that a mh is the way I will head - apart from everything else it is the security and I DO want to see a lot more of this wonderful, beautiful country. As you say, everything has their pluses and minuses and what it comes down to is whatever you are happy with - go for it.

SnowT · Guru

Shekon I agree full..

Drive in, Park, fill the kettle and set it to boil..

or Turn down the cover's and go to sleep..

The less time spent setting up the better..

I will admit.. that if I was going to be in Yoeeleven's situation..[where you camped for a few week's etc.. the camp would get a Bit more elaborate..]

I've been in the situation where we setup camp as a family and spent Month's there..

I remember one such camp on big river where we had a camp setup for 5month's..[The good old days of dredging]
- the dredge was dropped in the water and the hunt was on for the fire wood.. The tilt trailer and winch made it possible to grab large tree's and drag them back to the camp site where they were copped and stacked till they were needed..
- Shower/Toilet Block [we supplied]
- Hot water system.. to supply water for showers and pot scrubbing]
- Gazebo to eat in..

When we set up camp we went wild..
- cleaned everything up afterwards and in most case left a nice pile of Split fire wood for who ever turned up next..

Juergen

jetj · Guru

I apologise for digressing, but I watched a caravanner take 3 hours to place his van in the correct spot and an hour or 2 setting up. I then watched another with a huge van set up in 10 minutes. But I know I would be in the first category and definitely a motorhome or campervan person.