Friday, Jan 23, 2015 at 20:56
Hi Kevmac,
Hmm, one would normally upgrade rather than "downgrade" to something smaller.
Well, maybe not.
We have just upgraded from a Campomatic Camper trailer to a Goldestream RV Vacationer Campervan. Boy is it big inside when set up. Because the beds slide out, all the area inside is Living space. We chose not to have an on-board
toilet and shower, preferring the additional living and storage space over the convenience of a "dunny on demand".
We already have a pop-up toilet/shower tent, a Porta Potti and a Coleman Hot Water on Demand system we can use for showering, etc. It is no big deal for us to exit the Camper and walk around to where the pop-up tent is located.
We find we don't need a shower every day either and when one is
bush camping, water is a premium for other uses than used for a daily shower.
The main reasons for choosing the "wind up camper" over a pop top or full height caravan, is the lower profile when towing and fitting it under our standard height carport at
home, meant no additional cost in lifting the roof, or setting up another area out front to store it.
It takes 30 minutes or so to set it up but that is no time at all when you are on holiday:-)
The awning is additional time of course, but that is the same for any van so can be discounted.
After dropping the stabilizer legs, it is a matter of winding up the roof to its required height, pulling out the beds at each end and securing them, erecting the tropical roof over each bed, (a couple of poles and ropes) dropping down the top part of the door and securing it to the bottom section and that is about it.
While I set the Camper up, herself has erected the collapsible
camp table and chairs (we like "living" outdoors when possible) and life is good.
I'm sure everybody has a different set of priorities when camping but we like our current choice and the extra flexibility it provides.
Best of all, our Camper has a breakfast bar where a large section of the left side can be rolled up, thus allowing the outside in.
We used our Camper for the first time during the Christmas break and now plan to travel the Great Ocean Road in a fortnight's time, over a couple of weeks, to give it a second, serious shakedown. This will be a combination of Caravan Park and Coastal
Bush camping and we can hardly wait to get on the road again.
Sorry if I've prattled on a bit!
AnswerID:
544787
Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Friday, Jan 23, 2015 at 22:29
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 at 22:29
sorry if you misunderstood me, but what I call a campervan and what you and others call a campervan are entirely different. What u describe, I call a camper trailer whiche we had at one stage, and eventually progressed to the pop top caravan we have at present. When using the term CAMPERVAN I am basically referring to the Toyota Hi Ace stile camper ( as in all in one). Reason for going backwards for want of better way of putting it, is wife is getting to stage of not being able to assist much in the setting up, so a self drive camper seems the way to go.
FollowupID:
832142
Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jan 24, 2015 at 11:28
Saturday, Jan 24, 2015 at 11:28
Some relations had a Hiace camper van for many years, Kevmac, and they were rapt in it. Went virtually anywhere that a 2wd could go, even came out to see us at our earthmoving
camp, on a station on Barkly Tablelands, for a few days.
However, from what I remember, the double bed needed to be made up each evening, so you may have to take this into account, in your circumstances. They too had scaled down from a van, but the ease of driving,
parking and setting up of the Hiace, was a winner for them. No doubt fuel economy would be a plus too, and one could spend more on other luxuries, like a good bottle of red........or two.
Their vehicle was a petrol, don't think the diesel version was available then in early '80's. And it had a pop-top, so good to stand up in.
Perhaps one of the somewhat larger campers, that have the bed over the cabin might make setting up even less of a chore?
Bob
FollowupID:
832172
Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Saturday, Jan 24, 2015 at 11:40
Saturday, Jan 24, 2015 at 11:40
Thanks Bob! The thought of having to put bed together each night bugs both of us, as does a bed where you have to climb over each other to get out(been there done that with vans). This means going to longer vehicles that would have permanent bed, which would then restrict where you can go
places. Maybe will have to wait for that Lotto win to get what the wife wants. Thank you for your input.
FollowupID:
832174