Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) replied:

Hi Richard,
Up front I'll state I know nothing about winning bagels but I can offer a couple of thoughts.

On the subject of generators and solar power, for these to be of some use you need to be camped away from power for multiple days.

Best advice I can give is work out how many days you'll be spending away from mains power and what you'll be running in that period then we can estimate whether these things have value.

For example, if you'll be staying in a caravan park every night solar and generator are useless to you.

Another example, if you have a gas fridge and a couple of say 20 watt lights powered by a 200 Amp/hr battery bank along with a maximum of say 3 nights away from mains power then generators and solar are again an expense that is useless.

If you are running a 12 or 24 volt compresor type fridge off the 200 Amp/hr battery bank and plan to remote camp for a few weeks then generator and/or solar become essential.

These are the sort of things you need to think about,

Geoff

_gmd_pps replied:

you should become a member of the CMCA and ask on their website. With a motorhome you are way better off there. Lot more qualified people for what you want to know and you will have the cheaper insurance via the CMCA anyway. We have a slide-on which qualifies as a motorhome and I insure much cheaper via the CMCA. They also have a monthly mag with lots of for sale (vehicles that is) and since a lot of people lost half their pension lately a lot are for sale at good prices. Here you get mostly the 4WD nerds with little understanding of the more complex things in life .. rofl

have fun
gmd

Member - DAZA (QLD) replied:

Hi Richard

Most reputable Motor Home dealers will be able to guide you in the
right direction with out ripping you off, the Dollars you out lay for
the minor extras are insignificant to the purchase of the Motor Home,
the only thing I here when talking to Motor Home owners, is the
lack of options re: not having the flexibility to set up a permanent
camp site and then do site seeing without having to use the
Motor Home for transport.

Cheers
Daza

DIO replied:

If you are buying new, be prepared for a very drop in value over 1 - 2 years. The used market is full of such vehicles with many people desperately seeking 'al;most new price' and finally, in order to sell, having to accept prices well below their expectations. It's a buyers market for used at the moment. Have you considered a second hand vehicle, you can probably find one already kitted out to your requirements. Might save yourself a lot of money and heartbreak. There are many forums dedicated to and I suggest you go on line there and then ask your questions if you want 'realistic' answers. Good luck and enjoy your travelling.