Hi guys n gals, well as the title says, I'm another newbie to the forum. Just started looking at out possibilities for a home for around 12 - 18 months of another "'round the block" tour. We previously had a Swan in 1990 and with our young boys, did the east coast, right up to the tip. Then across to the territory, then down the middle as our time was limited to around 4 months. We really enjoyed the Swan, especially with a couple of young boys, who were happy to share one of the end beds.
Problem now though, we are going as I mentioned for at least 12 - 18 months and we'd really like a tad more creature comforts than our previous van offered. Been looking at what's around and the choices are mind blowing (include the wallet in there as well), if you went for a hamburger with the lot!
I'm 6'4" and an important aspect for me are the sleeping arrangements. I must have a queen sized bed!!Cannot fit on a double, without bits hanging out everywhere. I also like the pop tops, which mean I dont have to walk around inside with my head bowed constantly.
Which brings me to this forum. Gonna start looking at the Expanda range and see how we like them. I like the idea of the "lounge area as well, we reckon it's be pretty nice to relax at night and catch up on the emails, read etc, if sitting outside wasn't an option for whatever reason.
We like the idea of being a tad self sufficient, enabling some free camping as well. So solar, more batteries, chargers, LED's, inverter, etc will be on the list.
As we are going for an extended period, I sort of thought about having a shower for convenience really. Be interested to hear others thought on this.
We haven't bought the vehicle either, so I'm also investigating the options there. At this stage, I really like the auto Amarok (released in July 12), but a friend just grabbed a Nissan Navara 2008 model and I'm pretty impressed with that as well. Got me thinking, that if I bought that era vehicle, I could spend a shedload more on a decent van. They also tow 3 T as well, so on paper it also looks the biz!!
Ahhh, too many options.........lol.
But at least we have the internet to assist and that's where I reckon a forum like this will be invaluable.
There's a lot of vans for sale second hand. I'm considering this as a preferred option, mainly due to the cost of buying new and depreciation etc. Have always preferred to buy something close to new as opposed to off the floor models, where you lose a heap of the resale as you drive out the door. Some good deals to be had fer sure in the second hand marketplace!!
Went recently to have a look at a second hand van dealer near our home and came away really very unimpressed at the standard of van he was offering. Looked at a couple of Heritage's and they smelt and were filthy in the showers and just not inspiring at all. The fun begins.
Is the extended drawbar a recommended option? As far as I can work out, it's main benefits are better reversing and the ability to keep the van on to your rig overnight, for stability and that quick getaway?? Any thing else staring me in the face there??
Anyway, that's enough waffle from me, better go and have a nice hot cross bun, the wife has just come home with!
Cheers for now.
Matt
Problem now though, we are going as I mentioned for at least 12 - 18 months and we'd really like a tad more creature comforts than our previous van offered. Been looking at what's around and the choices are mind blowing (include the wallet in there as well), if you went for a hamburger with the lot!
I'm 6'4" and an important aspect for me are the sleeping arrangements. I must have a queen sized bed!!Cannot fit on a double, without bits hanging out everywhere. I also like the pop tops, which mean I dont have to walk around inside with my head bowed constantly.
Which brings me to this forum. Gonna start looking at the Expanda range and see how we like them. I like the idea of the "lounge area as well, we reckon it's be pretty nice to relax at night and catch up on the emails, read etc, if sitting outside wasn't an option for whatever reason.
We like the idea of being a tad self sufficient, enabling some free camping as well. So solar, more batteries, chargers, LED's, inverter, etc will be on the list.
As we are going for an extended period, I sort of thought about having a shower for convenience really. Be interested to hear others thought on this.
We haven't bought the vehicle either, so I'm also investigating the options there. At this stage, I really like the auto Amarok (released in July 12), but a friend just grabbed a Nissan Navara 2008 model and I'm pretty impressed with that as well. Got me thinking, that if I bought that era vehicle, I could spend a shedload more on a decent van. They also tow 3 T as well, so on paper it also looks the biz!!
Ahhh, too many options.........lol.
But at least we have the internet to assist and that's where I reckon a forum like this will be invaluable.
There's a lot of vans for sale second hand. I'm considering this as a preferred option, mainly due to the cost of buying new and depreciation etc. Have always preferred to buy something close to new as opposed to off the floor models, where you lose a heap of the resale as you drive out the door. Some good deals to be had fer sure in the second hand marketplace!!
Went recently to have a look at a second hand van dealer near our home and came away really very unimpressed at the standard of van he was offering. Looked at a couple of Heritage's and they smelt and were filthy in the showers and just not inspiring at all. The fun begins.
Is the extended drawbar a recommended option? As far as I can work out, it's main benefits are better reversing and the ability to keep the van on to your rig overnight, for stability and that quick getaway?? Any thing else staring me in the face there??
Anyway, that's enough waffle from me, better go and have a nice hot cross bun, the wife has just come home with!
Cheers for now.
Matt
