advise on motorhomes

vik351 · Senior Member

advise on motorhomes

Geeco · Senior Member

Hi Vik, time to do it , no more procrastinating. Yes it is cold in Bathurst in winter but so is Adelaide. A run up Conrod will warm you up. Once you have driven the lap you will get a much better feel for how scary the run across the top is. The only problem you will have on your return will be which MH you will place on the drive after a week of MH freedom. One word of caution. Most rental MH are by necessity "utilitarian" in nature and are not always a true reflection of the "owner /driver" units. Sorry I can not assist with a good hire location in Adelaide but I am sure someone will be along soon with a recommendation. Let us know how you get on.

vik351 · Senior Member

Great... Thats all I needed to hear... start savin for a deposit ya reckon...!!!

Load up the pressure cooker,a swag fulla lamb shanks etc... make sure the rental has a dbl bed, should survive some how...

So you can actually do a lap eh...??? They reckon the tv does it no justice... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkLtBkUVuo

vik... LOL seppo chook...!!!

Geeco · Senior Member

Vik, normally the road has a speed limit of 60kph. Once you have driven it you will understand why the drivers love it so much. I have been to several of the "classic" Euro circuits and IMHO it is up there with them.There is a race car museum just near the last corner onto pit straight that is definitely worth a visit. Ok so let the moths fly free from you wallet and just do it as some one said.

vik351 · Senior Member

Sounds as I should tow this up there for a spin... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/vik351/635%20CSI/roo004.jpg

Prolly scrape on the dipper... biggrin

vik...

jade46 · Senior Member

We hired one initially Hated it Took it back 2 days early. It was a heap of crap. Then we went out and bought one. Now on our 3rd so I don't like hiring There are so many clauses on the contract that if you read it it will make your hair curl. Hiring is ok for overseas tourists but as a local it didn't work for us

-- Edited by jade46 on Sunday 15th of May 2016 07:52:16 AM

Geeco · Senior Member

Hi Vik, now you are talKing - that 635CSI is one nice machine. My bro in law had a silver one with black interior with a really sweet exhaust note. Could not think of a better car to take for a drive to the mountain. I have had 3 BMW's and have driven M3 & M5 none have had the same affect on me that the 635 had, it is a classic. On the subject of Bathurst if you drive on to Orange there are several really excellent wineries worth visiting. I also agree with Dean's comments on hiring a MH they can give you the totally wrong impression.

vik351 · Senior Member

So fit a tow bar and get a van ya reckon... biggrin Got the dog leg box too http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/vik351/635%20CSI/635007.jpg

Bloody hell ,now what do I do...???

vik... evileye

vik351 · Senior Member

WOW ... musta been a heapa then... can you elaborate ...???

And on to your third...??? sure your just not a cussey funt...???

I'm a bit like that, like it to be right at the end of the day

And the start of the day for that matter...

vik... But ya gotta start somewhere... smile

vik351 · Senior Member

Lookin lookin and looks like the Maui might be the one to get for a trial run up the mountain...

www.maui.com.au/motorhome-hire/Pages/platinum-campervans-ultima.aspx

Will get the ban the bomb sprinter if possible as it should give us an idea of a van verses full width motor home.

Lost some weight to have me hernie op which I survived, so keep the guts off and see how we go in a van jobbie...!!!

Bloody hell though, ya start readin the good and the bad in the net about these hire mobs and it makes ya wonder...!!! Like they say "good news never made a paper sell"

Gunna go and have a look first to see if I like what I see but with an open mind... It's a hire hack so I dont expect the queen and her corgis sittin in there...

Anyone know a better joint in Adelaide with good hire stuff let me know...!!!

just hope the friggin heater works goin by the doom and gloom negs about them...

vik... Bathurst in July... :-0

Geeco · Senior Member

Hi Vik, just read your post re "ban the bomb" Maui PVC. Love the description! They do make C class MH with MB upfront. The extra room is good. Glad to see you are finally going in July I am sure you will enjoy the area. We are in Naples at present and the roads down the west coast from Rome are chock as with MH's of all descriptions. Particularly likes a Laika C class I saw just north of here. Here they park wherever they can just like the cars But usually out of town as some of the streets are just wide enough for a motor scooter. We expect a report on return from your journey in July

vik351 · Senior Member

Yea mate, ban the bomb as in a pretend one of these... http://www.caravanworld.com.au/spec/detail/rvs/motorhomes/paradise-motorhomes/oasis-platinum-4x4/44738

They do have Merc sprinters on a good day,so see how I go.

Sounds like you better not get lost in the sun over there...!!! OZ is gettin washed away ... and no sun here...

So are the folks all nomads or naked young sweeds in motorhomes over there...??? sounds full on...

I thought goin away to the Mount was a big deal...!!! ,stuffin ya chops on pizza every day sounds like a better idea...!!!

Onya mate

vik...

vik351 · Senior Member

Just read this and feel sick...!!!

www.thegreynomads.com.au/caravan-parks-threatened-by-falling-occupancy-rates/

The MH I wanted is over 200k... !!! makes one wonder is it all worth it...???

Cant free camp all the time, I like sardines but in a can to eat, not be one... Hate gettin ripped off with a passion...!!!

Woe is me... to stay on a poxy piece of dirt crammed in next to each other for the price of a hotel(well close abit) if SWMBO got wind of that... that would be that...!!!

Wouldnt blame her...!!!

vik... off to ponder...

Geeco · Senior Member

Hi Vik, do not be put off by reports of crowding etc, we travelled up to Cooktown last winter and stayed in a variety of CP's.some were crowded, some were more expensive than normal and some were spacious and fairly priced. It is no different to booking a holiday apartment in the school holidays, you pay over the top for sometimes very average accom. There are free camps particularly away from the coast. Personally I am happy to pay for the right site in a great location and offset the high prices with free camps elsewhere. As relatively new motorhomers the one standout for us, is the freedom that being on the road and the ability to stop & go as you please. Some of the most awesome locations on the east coast also happen to be caravan parks. When you have purchased a mobile home I will happily send you a pm with a list of our favourites. As a footnote we owned a coastal holiday house for almost 20 years and we thought it would be hard to better our experiences there. The freedom option mentioned above has made the choice right for us.last year we spent in total 8 months away from base and loved the experience. Vik I hope above helps you to make the right choice for you.

vik351 · Senior Member

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
We are over in WA at present . Go buy one . Stop looking and go for it your not getting any younger ., we are getting 1250!klrs from 250 litre tank . Saying we top up about 180 / 200 litres each fill . We didn't fill in Nullerbore at 1.56 a litre . Most through SA 1.08 to 1.15 ., our RV is 8m long with fold up double bed . Seperate toilet and shower . Pumping out the black tank is EASY .,Iften fill wuth fresh water before touching anything to do with black including hose ., I just wash everything down and flush with grey water when black water runs out . Use hand steriliser after finishing . Store black hose in different section to fresh water . Being we have under chassis storage ., our vehicle is higher so our security is much better . We have front, rear and side cameras also .. LED lights down each side . One light comes on like home security if some one gets near door . We didn't take a dog . We love them too much ., but too much trouble ..

So what are you in now...??? A horizon...??? turn your back for 5 minutes and bang...!!! aww

I'm more confused than a pollie asked to take a pay rise or an indexed pension...??? Auto, manual, new ,secondhand, van, ute-vancombo full width MH...???

Thinkin along the lines now of a X rental Ford Polly project type of idea (i motorhome August edition) for a hack and a fiddle ,hopefully there might be a leaky tap or sink to fix... biggrin .

Give that a red hot go and see if SWMBO approves of the general idea,then "Well dearest it's time to get a new one where ya dont have to make the bed up every day, only thinkin of you dear...!!!"

The ridiculous charges to hire a 1/2 decent one pushed me this way, hire for a week and ya 1/2 own an X rental one anyway $$$$$...!!! :-0

All in the eastern states as per usual...!!!

vik... at least they will all be run in...!!! cry

Permalink Reply Quote
Older well serviced cars and vans can be better set up and sorted also .. Run into many with new gear and having issues . Mind you it takes some time to sort out how your rig operates . Like light switches etc on our Explorer motorhome ..we've had it for 4 years but it's not till we have done the last 6 - 7 months doing the SA, WA, NT loop . Nothing like actually doing it .. Camping I mean .

-- Edited by vik351 on Friday 9th of September 2016 12:25:19 PM

vik351 · Senior Member

Geeco wrote:
Hi Vik, do not be put off by reports of crowding etc, we travelled up to Cooktown last winter and stayed in a variety of CP's.some were crowded, some were more expensive than normal and some were spacious and fairly priced. It is no different to booking a holiday apartment in the school holidays, you pay over the top for sometimes very average accom. There are free camps particularly away from the coast. Personally I am happy to pay for the right site in a great location and offset the high prices with free camps elsewhere. As relatively new motorhomers the one standout for us, is the freedom that being on the road and the ability to stop & go as you please. Some of the most awesome locations on the east coast also happen to be caravan parks. When you have purchased a mobile home I will happily send you a pm with a list of our favourites. As a footnote we owned a coastal holiday house for almost 20 years and we thought it would be hard to better our experiences there. The freedom option mentioned above has made the choice right for us.last year we spent in total 8 months away from base and loved the experience. Vik I hope above helps you to make the right choice for you.

Your right again... got to get on the road and see...!!! http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-view-details.html?adId=1108055248

Got a van like this in mind as a try baby... So I will take ya up on that list if it ever happens

vik...

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Vic351 I'm in an Explorer . Home now . Setting up for Bathurst ..

vik351 · Senior Member

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Vic351 I'm in an Explorer . Home now . Setting up for Bathurst ..

4X4 job...???

vik... spring job...???

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Last year .

vik351 · Senior Member

OK .. still the busie one... I thought ya jumped ship to one of these

www.explorermotorhomes.com.au/explorer-specifications/

What do ya do at Bathurst...??? Just chugg on the hill ...???

vik... Still havent got there...!!!

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

One big party !! Oh yes there's a race on too .. Almost forget . Some funny characters up there . We go up Thursday , leave Monday morning . 12 hour no drinky !! GM turbo diesel gets up there easy .. 4" exhaust makes nice muffled echo .. Stop at Lake Lyell, Lithgow on way ., top place .. Grand kids love water / fires .. Hmm ?

vik351 · Senior Member

Lookin lookin and came across this X rental, double a ford transit, but got more to offer

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/glendenning/campervans-motorhomes/talvor-murana-motorhome-elec-bed-model-auto/1123794186

Any thoughts folks... Vee dubb with a diff ... thats a first...!!! and 5 pots...???

vik...

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yep . Keep in mind the latter Mazda and Ford Ranger is a 5 cylinder diesel as well .,

Geeco · Senior Member

vik351 wrote:
Hi folks...
Can ya point me in the right direction in the best motorhome fight thanks... LOL
Big topic I can imagine, was thinking along the lines of a low roof for two and a bed ya dont have to make up every day.

vik...

Hi Vik, Above were your first thoughts on your needs back in Dec 2015. You are now looking at a Murano 6 berth with a Luton front but hang on you also talked about Richard Robbo's Project polly! I am confused at what you really want! Maybe the best thing to do is identify a price point and a layout that suits both you and the family (SWAMBO) then commence looking for a vehicle that fits. The feedback you have received has no doubt helped you to decide what you do not want so good luck with your progress , maybe before Xmas I will be able to send you my list of top destinations. Cheers,

vik351 · Senior Member

Oh mate... cry

The thoughts now are get a second handie,with more room, with a bit of a dunnie,sho... etc. and it wont be for the lap,but short trips with SWMBO's family members (they are interstate to us) now and then and when ever we can get away for a bit.

Not quite free to go full time yet... work does bugger things up... bleh So this will be an intro so to speak to the MH world...

My two sons would wanna use it too (at a fee... biggrin biggrin ) so a win win me thinks...

At the mo my lap choice would be the Oasis 4x4 by Paradise ,no LPG... but solar on a Sprinter...

But who knows,the models that seem to be coming out now are all fulla new things and ideas

vik...

Geeco · Senior Member

Hi Vik,
Sounds like an interesting choice. Certainly not a common sight on the road so it may take time to find one that suits. Good luck with the search.

vik351 · Senior Member

Geeco wrote:
Hi Vik,
Sounds like an interesting choice. Certainly not a common sight on the road so it may take time to find one that suits. Good luck with the search.

This mob do a close copy of the same...

http://www.avanadelaide.com.au/current-stock/avan-ovation-m5-c-class-motorhome-2016

The bed buisso is a space saver, keeps the thing a bit shorter which is a plus to me...

vik... you addin to that list...??? biggrin biggrin biggrin

vik351 · Senior Member

Motorhome
Make:
Sunliner
Model:
Euro Villa
Year:
2005
KMs:
100200
Length (ft):
24
Sleeping Capacity (people):
3
Seating Capacity (seats):
4
Transmission:
Manual
Drive Train:
Rear Wheel Drive
Fuel Type:
Diesel
Registered:
Yes
Registration Number:
E58YK
Air Conditioning:
Yes
GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass):
4495
Sunliner Euro Villa on Iveco Daly 15C50 with 100200km has 6 speed manual

GMV = 4495...??? Tare Weight cant find it but looks around 2250...???

vik... cant be right ...can it

-- Edited by vik351 on Thursday 22nd of September 2016 11:07:34 PM

Geeco · Senior Member

Hi Vik, payload on most motorhomes is slim. Have a look at the link below while this article is about caravans the concept holds for motorhomes.
On the Autotrail uk website there is a calculator to determine what you need to consider for each model. Take a walk through it as it may help. I suspect that the local MH's might have less payload than the euros due to the use of heavier components in the Fit-out

click.e.bauertrader.com.au/

vik351 · Senior Member

"So when shopping for a new van, be sure to ask the dealer if any items have been fitted after the van rolled out of the factory doors. A kilo here and a kilo there might seem acceptable, but when youve only got 300 of them to start with, that extra weight might come back to bite you"

Good little read that, and the weight cop whallopers are pulling nomads in these days I hear for a quick fine if your over...

In my search for the holy grail I often wondered why some had only one LPG tank and others two,the GMV must be that tight ...

All dealers should sell their vehicles with a weigh bridge ticket in a perfect world... aww aww Yea right...!!!

Looks like we have to wait till the end of June now for a bus...!!! spanner in the works with SWMBO job, good excuse to get the shoulder done too...

Well learning stuff on here and there so all good...

vik...