Not everyone can have a new van and tow car

glendadon · Veteran Member

Not everyone can have a new van and tow car

Vic41 · Guru

Looks great to me Don, some of those old vans were built much better and stronger than the modern ones.

The AU Falcon looks pretty spiffy too. I read somewhere that the AU's were a bit soft in the tail (sag when hooked up) is that the case and if so how do you get around that (air bags?).

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

does not matter what you have you are on the road and enjoying yourselves, we are all grey nomads, BUT I was told recently that a grey nomad is one that has sold up and is on the road full time, IMHO that is a load of crap we all do camping or caravaning and enjoy the nomad lifestyle weather it be all the time or just for short breaks.

Get out there and enjoy.

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Sunday 23rd of February 2014 09:16:18 AM

whitey2 · Veteran Member

Looks good to me, we bought our van over 10 years ago second hand, we love it and have modified it to suit our needs, maybe one day we will get another van but for the moment ours does the job. As long as your out there enjoying life who cares what others have or think, I don't. Whitey2

GaryKelly · Guru

Hell, my tug is 20 years old and the slide-on is about 40 hehe. Doesn't worry me at all, in fact I call my rig PJ for Pride and Joy. It has everything I need and a bit more to boot.

gooba53 · Guru

We've got all the bells and whistles but until July 2013 we had a tent that we carried in the trailer. I know very well the people in the tent next to me see the same sights, enjoy the same experiences. My friend recently sold her Jayco sterling and bought a 1976 viscount in mint condition. She couldn't be happier! Your set up looks great and I bet you've made some great memories. Keep enjoying!

Cheers Dianne

glendadon · Veteran Member

Thanks Folks it great to see the replies and as you have said it really will not matter what sort of van you have as long as you can get out and enjoy life and not sit at home wishing you had taken every opportunity as I did after a major Big C operation that was 4 years ago and will take every advantage I can to get out in the caravan and make the most of life even tho we are like a lot of the grey nomads and on the pension I budget to allow short breaks during the year. I must add that after 42 years in the tourist coach industry there is not to many places we have not been and my wife worked with me also over the years wether it has been doing outback safaris or in my final 10 years with Seniors Coach Tours working with great passengers around our own age who were out to see Australia and enjoy themselves and it has been a great experience for the both of us so now is the time to enjoy our caravan adventures.

P/S Level Rides seam to do the job with the rear end I think perhaps in the future I might put some pump up shockers on .

Regards To All
Don Cossens JP

-- Edited by glendadon on Sunday 23rd of February 2014 12:52:10 PM

-- Edited by glendadon on Sunday 23rd of February 2014 12:58:37 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Firmer springs are quite cheap and easy to fit in AU's

capricorn and pisces · Senior Member

I enjoyed reading about your van and tug Don. It can work the other way too. We had an old camper trailer van up until an accident to me restricted us as I couldn't cope with some aspects of it anymore and it became very difficult for Pisces to set it up by himself. We decided to spend the kids inheritance and make life easier for ourselves with a spiffy new van at the end of last year.....we loved our old van but I certainly can't deny loving the new one as much...we are still seeing the countryside and I suppose that's what counts most!

cheers Capricorn

glendadon · Veteran Member

Hi Capricorn I to am a Pisces and I must say I can understand why you have upgraded but I sometimes wonder if the new vans will still be around in 35 years time like the old Viscounts and Millard's and others are they made as strong today as they were then I am hoping that this old van will still be doing me proud in ten years time, as I said there must still be a lot of these old vans on the road still as I travel I do see the odd one and love seeing them its like having a vintage car that you love and care for.

And thanks Aus-Kiwi I will look at the overload springs rather than the air shockers.

Regards
Don

neilnruth · Guru

We see our beaut country with a 1980s Viscount pop top that had to have new springs 2 years ago. We've done it up inside a bit and pull it with our XTrail with ease. It's probably not as long as yours. We had a 10' York before that (with 5 kids!) - both second hand to us. We can't afford anything else at this stage and still enjoy the road. Glad you enjoy it too with your Viscount - and I think there are more and more out there on the road.

glendadon · Veteran Member

Hi NeilnRuth thanks for your honest reply and I am glad that you are enjoying your vintage van, can I be as rude to ask for a photo of it please as I would love to see it as I love these old vans .

Regards
Don

neilnruth · Guru

My new laptop doesn't have photos yet but hopefully I can do this from the old one.

It's a 14.5' Viscount in original colours on the outside only. Inside it is cream and dusty pink upholstery and laminate is cream. We've also taken out the full stove top/oven and put a new gas top and a microwave in. The original fridge had to be replaced a few years back. Hubby pinched some of the wardrobe space and made a tin and a half wide pantry. I love that. Puts the weight over the axle. The only thing I want him to do now is make the table more moveable. We're both having trouble getting in around it as we get older!!

-- Edited by neilnruth on Sunday 23rd of February 2014 09:46:47 PM

chopit · Senior Member

Love the Ford.
We have a 16ft '79 Viscount pop-top, very similar to yours.
Tow it with an '89 Hilux twin cab 4x4. Very modified with a commodore 3.8 ltr V6 & 4 speed auto.
Both 'van & tug cost less than 9 grand total and we are laughin'.
For our needs & budget we were very lucky to find a great set-up.
You sure see a lot of big $s set-up getting about and all power to them.
We're out there as often as we can and smiling all the way.
Enjoy.

glendadon · Veteran Member

My point is the same as you said Chopit you really don't have to spend the big dollars to enjoy your caravanning the only difference I can see is we don't have the facilities to be able to free camp but I can live with that.
And to Guru thank you for placing the photo on this page I love your van and I hope like me you get many more miles of pleasure from it.

whitey2 · Veteran Member

Glendadon, for free camping .... Does yr fridge run on gas? If so then all else you need is lights which can be gas or torches/led, a pop up ensuite for shower n toilet. That's about the basic all the rest is luxuries. ( we do have solar and a gennie but you can do with for a couple of nights)
Nothing wrong with staying in van parks or if wanting cheaper accommodation then try showgrounds.
Cheers whitey2

Friar Park · Senior Member

G'day Don

Keep enjoying what you've got mate. My tug is an ED '94 Wagon and my shed is a '97 17' 9" Compass. Without them i would not be able to afford to travel for 6 months every year like i do. They are both in great condition Proud to show anyone, due mostly to the efforts of SWMBO (been around her for close to 60 years now. My kids say she deserves a medal). Like i said keep enjoying life nils desperandum etc.

Friar Park

glendadon · Veteran Member

Hi thanks for your reply its good to hear you are very happy with your car and caravan, is there any chance of a photo please.

Regards

Don

Friar Park · Senior Member

Tug & Shed.JPG Hi Don You asked for a picture - here it is (I hope - never done this before) No idea how to reduce it Sorry

Friar Park · Senior Member

I should have mentioned the only photo i have on my coputer is with the van behind my wifes Mazda Tribute

glendadon · Veteran Member

Thank you for placing the photo up I enjoy seeing these vans.

Don

chopit · Senior Member

Sarr-weet !
Very tasty 'van.

glendadon · Veteran Member

You are right Chopit it is a nice looking caravan thanks again for the photo.

So I have placed another one of our van and car just as we were to leave for Mildura

Friar Park · Senior Member

Don I have rectified my error and put my ED on the puter as well this is it.

Friar

glendadon · Veteran Member

Thank You Friar Park its good to see that the old fords are still just as capable of towing our vans without the huge costs of buying new cars and vans to enjoy our passion for travel around this beautiful country we live in.

Regards

Don