this is my first topic for the forum. Thank you for letting me join and hello to everyone out there
My hubby and I are planning to leave in March for a trip around Australia for about a year. We found a second hand 25ft caravan with single beds (we are lightish sleepers and tall people) but we feel the caravan may be too long which is a pity as it was the first one that felt right (we've looked at about 60 so far). Does anyone have any further thoughts about the caravans being too long? we have been told that it will be hard to drive into free camping areas and may not fit into caravan parks - is that true?. As we are doing this for the first time we want to get it as right as possible.
We also wanted a caravan for that extra cupboard space and less noise (wind/noise etc from a pop top) but just how much money on petrol would we save by going to a pop top from a caravan. We have been told thousands of dollars but that didn't sound right so I thought it can't hurt to ask you all out there!
Welcome to the gang Lyn amd "Hubby", enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have just in the last two weeks purchased a new 19'6" Chief, full caravan as I didn't want the poop top or any fixed canvas around me, the awning is ok but it is vinyl anyway. Not too sure about the size of your van byt have met people doing the "Block" wth similar size vans. As long as your Tug can tow the weight I can't see a major problem but maybe others will know better. Pop your question into the "General" section of the forum and prepare for a bombardment of answers.
Now, when you finally get over to the Wild West take care as there are heaps of dreaded wombat holes everywhere you go and a ferrel wombat . He's not here any more so I can pick on him
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi.We are on van number 7.A 26ft Spaceland Deluxe.No probs free camps.Only once we could not fit into a caravan park such as Shady Willows Batemans Bay.Take car entering fuel stations that have high concrete islands separating trucks etc.Watch semis in towns and follow their example.Otherwise its a dream having some space.
We have travelled extensively with a 21 foot van and have experienced a number of van parks where any longer and we would not be able to fit on site and a couple where we had considerable difficulty getting on site as streets very narrow in some caravan parks but overall not many problems you can always hunt around for a park with larger sites when travelling always worth giving the park of your choice a phone call and check the site size.
A very warm welcome to this great Forum.
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I'd ask why 25',,, to get away from hubby or the dog or both,,,,ahhhhh just joking.
If you like it and it suits your needs you may be sorry if you don't go for it.
Like some said before you need to match the tug to the van carefully, ie don't expect many "soft roaders" as they refer to some 4WD's with relatively short wheel bases to be satisfactory (some will dispute this no doubt) tugs for this van.
You will need to watch the sway etc but it's generally manageable by driving to the conditions etc etc. If you buy it, get each other to drive it and watch the "swing" at the rear of the van as you turn - if you understand how it behaves you be better able to drive it.
If in doubt as to whether to enter a service station or carpark etc. Stop or drive past and walk back and have a look. It's that easy really.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Welcome to the gang Lyn amd "Hubby", enjoy here and out in the playground.
