Touring versus off road

So, what you are sayong is that you cannot get set up easily in the evening, and pack up iun the morning.

We have a wind-up Goldstream Storm Vacationer, and find that, with our amount of practice so far, we can be set up inside 30 minutes from stopping, and packed up within around 45. It is likely to get faster at both ends of the day when we are doing it regularly.

Given that the whole intent is to be self-sufficient when we both have no work to "get back to", that suits us perfectly. Added to that is the fact that the body length is the interior length when setup. The beds do not take up ANY of the floor space of the van itself.

So, looking at the floorplan you can see that the kitchen and dining area are usable, no need to faff about with a drop-down table as a bed, everything is there ready to be used!

To get the same amount of usable floorspace as we have in a 6m "travel length" (which is ball to tail length) we would need to have somewhere in the region of 7.5 metres of "conventional" van.

We aren't happy about that comparison.

I didn't come on here to make you happy but to respond to the OP. I did point out the great amount of space. I have had one (remember?) and prefer a flip over and most people I have met who have had both say likewise. But everybody's needs are different and that is our experience and our preference. No need to agree/disagree or get upset or to explain. Just enjoy your camper. I have had one. We have neither these days and I am giving an objective opinion. Have a nice day.

grrrrr......no edit when you want one:

btw, we found we could setup/pack up in half the time with a flipper.

:)

Hey, Steve, don;t get yer knickers in a knot!
I wasn't sayng i was unhappy with your post, just the comparison between the length of van we'd need top get tha same floor space.
Yep, you mentioned that, but I wanted to put the view of a "happy camper".

I wasn't upset at all - apologies if I gave that impression, it was not intended.
As I said, with the amount of practice we've had so far (limited by that 4 letter word "work"!) we can get set up fairly quickly and closed down fast as well. I also think we will be able to reduce the times at each end of the day with more practice.

Agree - folks and strokes, we're happy as!

Thanks Steve,

It's always great to hear from people who have done both & can give an objective assessment of both.

We do lots of one night stops too & it's great to hear these things from someone who has done both - flip over vs wind up. We're in a flip over.


Most of our touring is on rough dirt roads & there's no way I'd use a wind up, let alone a caravan.

The wind up Jayco type is definitely easier and faster than Flip over type. Had both and seen others. Steve M1 has an opinion that would not be shared by those who have tried both.

I agree with Steve - I have a small Jayco offroad camper van and while relatively quick to setup to its basic configuration - maybe 20 minutes - about 30 to pack up, if I had my time again I would get a hard floor fold over (like a Cub) if primarily stopping for overnight stops.

The Jayco would be more comfortable particularly in bad weather as you can do everything inside. However a hardfloor is much quicker and easier to do a basic setup.

But you need to have what you are happy with.

Garry

Hi All,

Thanks for the entertaining banter :) most of the camping I will be doing is caravan parks and on sealed roads with the family so there is no issue for me about the time it takes to setup and pack up etc..i'm used to doing it in tents so this is not an issue.

I'm still looking for an answer to the original question about sealed vs unsealed if any one can help.

Thanks

Hi KA,

Great photos and yes nothing like that is planned..more very short 1-2km graded dirt roads leading into camping/caravan sites.

Shame to see a van in that state but not surprised considering the road conditions!

Cheers

Mrp

I am full time on the road (this is my 4th year) and have travelled a LOT of dirt roads.

In my opinion the Anne Beadell was by far the toughest.

Here are my thoughts on the Anne Beadell :-))))

Lucky you..i'd settle for even 3 months on the road without work getting in the way!

Nice to see a good sense of humour :)

I should also add that the sales bloke trotted out the usual "it'll go wherever your car will go mate" conveniently overlooking the small print. We even asked another of their sales staff and he was evasive...then we found the small print. As you said, it doesn't look like you are doing any driving that is too rugged but bear in mind if anything does break or fail and they detect dist, which gets everywhere, you might have a fight on your hands.

good luck anyway.