About to change direction...........
Submitted: Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 15:52
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Keith S4
Hello all
Due to an impending loss of our livelihood and business, my wife, myself and our 10yr old child are contemplating a change in direction and taking a year off to explore our country, lick our wounds and start again.
I have two questions that I would be grateful for
feedback on...
1. I am 46 yrs old and pretty handy. Have
tools for most jobs, and but am not qualified as a tradesman. We will have to find work to support ourselves as we travel so my question is how does one go about finding work when on the road?
2. I think we will be able to rustle up about $40k to buy a vehicle and caravan to go with. Keeping in mind I will need to use it as a work vehicle from time to time or getting to and from a job, and something to carry my tools, what do you recommend we look at in the way of a 4x4 and caravan?
Cheers
Reply By: Rockape - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:55
Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:55
Keith,
I can't advise you what to purchase. The only thing I can do is say. Get the latest low K vehicle you can. Mitsi triton would be a good choice dollar wise. Get an old caravan that you have checked over for leaks , purchase that if you are sure it is sound. It will be just as good as the latest models - all the mod cons.
Make sure the vehicle can tow what you are going to buy and the van's bearings and brakes are ok. One thing to
check is how old the tyres are. This could really bring you undone if a tyre blows.
Wish you
well. Jobs can be obtained in many
places. You just have to put yourself out there, and say exactly what you can do.
All the best.
AnswerID:
513660
Follow Up By: 08crd - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:09
Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:09
As Rockape says, spend the money on the car, it has the most moving parts.
A caravan is a box on wheels, old ones that have been loved are good buying.
FollowupID:
792418
Follow Up By: Aussi Traveller - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 21:22
Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 21:22
Perhaps a good quality car and a reasonable camper trailer.
Good luck and Have fun.
Phil
FollowupID:
792517
Reply By: Roughasguts - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:34
Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:34
To be honest I wouldn't be spending a whole lot of money on a car. A NJ Pajero worth 3-5 K will get you around Ausralia tow a Van and be easily repaired for a few dollars and carry you tools. As for a van
well thats up to the Missus she will have to make it a
home.
But if you find work you may wan't to keep cashed up to rent a house for a few months get the kid in school have a break from Caravan parks Etc.. Cause face it Caravan parks and house rent is much the same if you ask me.
Being cashed up will give you less stress and the work will probably be easier to find,
having a flash car no fuel in it and being broke won't be any consolation.
Cheers
AnswerID:
513675
Follow Up By: Member - Legendts - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:47
Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:47
X 1 for above and like your thinking Roughasguts.
Good luck mate, sounds like you have the right attitude so I'll back it in you will be OK, find work, tell your family you love them and remember to enjoy each day.
FollowupID:
792422
Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 21:46
Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 21:46
G'day
You will get a job in
Darwin. Nice weather now but will start to heat up come September. It is expensive to live here but work is easy to come by. Will your wife work? The reason I ask is that with two incomes or at least 1.5 incomes you will be able to afford to live here. If you liked it and are both working I would suggest you look for a rental before the build up starts. It would be hard to live in a van here, especially with a child.
Depending on you practical abilities as
well as you organisational skills, you could possibly start your own business and make a very good income.
Service is VERY POOR here!! I could start a list here right now about the amount of business I'm waiting to hear back from, businesses that I'm wanting to spend thousands with!! Can't even get a quote!
So if your organised, prompt and do a good job, work will flow.
Cheers
Lyndon
AnswerID:
513682
Reply By: Witi Repartee - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 12:56
Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 12:56
Hi,
Firstly, regarding jobs. We registered with Skilled, Workpac etc before we took of on a two year ramble around Australia. These were good in the bigger centres for picking up a bit of work...especially if you are not too chosey and just regard any job as a holiday job with a pay cheque attached.
In the smaller centres nobody wants to wade thru a big CV...I did up a one page flyer with my main qualifications on it.....plus the fact I was willing to guarantee I was available for 4/8/12 weeks etc. I bowled into
places that appealed to me and asked to see the boss and got employed several times with in 48 hours.
Vehicle and Van We bought a 1989 GQ Patrol Diesel which was slow but bullet proof and towed a 1989 Viscount Seabreeze small tandem van with it. Did 45,000 km over two years...got off onto the gravel a fair bit, such as the
Oodnadatta, Tanami etc.....treated the rig with respect and drove to the conditions and varied our tyre pressures etc. No major expenses apart from an Alternator and we broke a van leaf spring which I rerplaced myself for under $100.
Enjoy!
AnswerID:
513717