Do you die when you get a campervan ?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 15:02
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Robin Miller
No I haven't, (yet) but amongst the group we usually hang out with an Ultimate Nautilus has appeared.
Another brought a hard floor campervan and I feel that the walls are closing in on me !
These 6 figure sum campervans seem so over the top that I fear they would restrain the
places one would venture to and in a way effectivily reduce ones footprint of capability.
Owners seem to quietly shy away from overgrown tracks, can no longer park near best coffee shops, and tend towards staying in C\V parks.
So to those who have gone down this path, is this actually what happened ,or is it perhaps that as we age and are less capable these things extend our ability to at least be out there even if not in the more way out
places ?

Aircon, gas heated, aircraft stairs, fullsize oven - but can you still breath !
Reply By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 15:58
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 15:58
Robin, it is very good for your health to have to walk to a the coffee
shop.
Cheers, Kevin
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 18:26
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 18:26
I think I'd walk a long way for a decent coffee as
well Kevin.
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Reply By: eaglefree - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 16:32
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 16:32
I walk to every coffee
shop for my health. And to the
bakery for a Boston bun...
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:29
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:29
I hope that's a wholemeal bun with no icing Eagle.
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Reply By: Member - nick b - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 18:07
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 18:07
This also could be said about the modern date 4wd ....
to much money to be knocking it around .....
thats why i have old stuff .... lol
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:27
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:27
Yes Nick - in this particular case its "No way will I take it down that track , it might get scratched".
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Reply By: Gronk - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 18:28
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 18:28
Just because someone has an expensive van/trailer etc, I suppose it's up to them if they turn into "fair weather" campers !! lol
Some of the expensive trailers have that many gizmos on them it takes longer to set up than the old humble soft floor camper.
We bought a small offroad van (Lifestyle AT10 ) to make things easier, but still wanted to go
free camping to remote spots like we did with the old KK.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:32
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:32
I had a look at that van's specs Gronk - It looks similar in function but at half the price, nice.
Any real issues ?
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Reply By: skulldug - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 20:25
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 20:25
Perhaps your growing up.
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Follow Up By: disco driver - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 00:12
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 00:12
Or getting older (with no disrespect intended)
regards
Disco (aka Tony, who is ,by the way, 75years
young)
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:34
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:34
How dare you accuse me of growing up Skull - just ask my wife, she will set you straight.
I am however getting older, sometimes by 2 days every 24 hours !
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Reply By: MUZBRY- Life member(Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 20:57
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 20:57
Gday Robin
Stick with the "Batwing awning" and dont tell Anne about your mates new campers. Make your own coffee .
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:23
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:23
You might be right Muz - after the coffee I got at Knox city this morning , I think I might make my own and if Anne finds out about the camper I'll blame my forgetfulness on you !
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Follow Up By: MUZBRY- Life member(Vic) - Thursday, Jul 07, 2016 at 16:56
Thursday, Jul 07, 2016 at 16:56
Gday Robin
Thats ok by me......
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Reply By: RobAck - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 21:13
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2016 at 21:13
Seen plenty of
Kimberley Caravans, Topaz and a couple of Nauti's up here in the
Kimberley over the last 8 weeks or so and not met an owner who is worried about dust, dirt and corrugations. They are at the limit, by length, of what can fit into your average national park
campsite in the NT and WA by the look of them in
places we have visited. We have an Ultimate which goes anywhere and are considering one of the above 3 to replace it next year and we have every intention of continuing to travel to remote parts of Oz with it.
We have seen plenty of wobblies taking up 6-8 car parks so they can get close to the shops and so annoying the locals in the process so the simple option is to find a place to park and take a stroll it is amazing what you find subsequently. Or pull that bike of the back of the van and use it
Rob
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue M - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 01:12
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 01:12
Gee RobArc, "Wobblies" now for me that is a new description for some of us older not so energetic people that like the comfort of a caravan.
Been there, done the roughing it bit in a camper trailer.
Why do your type have to be so disrespectful to the people that tow caravans.
When I was traveling around with a camper in tow and seen a caravan in front of me, I never even got cross with them for traveling slow, I just kept saying to my self, I will be doing what your doing one day.
But things have changed in the past 8 years, now every one wants to criticise others who just want to do the same as you, travel around Oz, but with a different rig.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:50
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:50
Hi Blue M - when I read RobArc's use of the term "Wobblies" - I assumed he was using it in the same manner in which the truckies use it - listen to Ch40 and you'll always hear them talking to one another about what's coming up. Wobblies = vehicle towing a van. 4 wheeler = any vehicle not towing, although "small one" sometimes used to specifically indicate a conventional car vs 4WD.
You raise another observation however, and quite rightly - that of traveller snobbery. No one should judge another based on their preferred method of "camping".
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Follow Up By: RobAck - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 12:17
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 12:17
Michelle completed correct. The term is also used regularly in various caravan and camping magazines as
well. We get called the wobbly boat given the Ulti looks like that from a truck cabin and take no offence as it gives us a chance for a chat on Ch40.
In regard to traveller snobbery we really don't care who travels in what quite frankly as long as they are enjoying themselves and travelling safely. Over the last ten weeks and 10,000km we have seen a lot of interesting things but most of all we find that our fellow travellers all share the same sense of adventure and take the opportunity to share information and at times a drink or two at the end of a day and/or when you are camped up together. The
Kimberley has certainly drawn this out as we keep bumping into the same folk and it becomes something of a large but loose family of travellers all happy to share, regardless of what they are towing or how they are camping. This also applies to the many free camps we have used along the way whilst on various bitumen sections of our trip.
We have seen a surprising number of caravans of all makes and sizes travelling the Gibb and up as far as Drysdale Station which has been a great subject of discussion with those owners to understand how their rigs are performing when compared to ours. Fascinatingly the majority have been camper trailer owners and have moved to something larger with more comfort and features. Something we are also considering
So we have not seen any real travel snobbery quite frankly albeit when we arrive in a caravan park covered in mud/dust/etc. we get some strange looks from some
Rob
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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 06:41
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 06:41
Hi Robin,
I think that the lure of the outdoors still attracts but the needs of the person (probably the body too) tend to become more important, hence the camper attainment. One thing I've found is that once you go down that path, convenience is a premium, you dont want to be spending half your time setting up.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 18:54
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 18:54
I suppose that makes you transition faster from tent to camper to caravan , mostly I think its driven by what one can physically do - I for example have no wheel sets bigger than 33" , my brother can still handle 35"s but not me. (
Well in my defence he is a bit younger).
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Reply By: snow - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 07:06
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 07:06
Ahh, I must admit that when I saw camper van in the title I assumed a pop top kombi or Mazda bongo style van, not the obviously flash unit as such. Koboi's do tend to fetch some good coin these days after all. Anyways I digress sorry.
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:33
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 09:33
I just had a look at the Nautilus site........... "From $125,500".
Ye Gods, I would want a helicopter for that! lol
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:38
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:38
That's the basic price without the fruit - better make that a jet heli Allan.
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 12:24
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 12:24
So in summary of Robin's question then - the answer is YES you do die when you see the price tag!!!
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thursday, Jul 07, 2016 at 08:58
Thursday, Jul 07, 2016 at 08:58
I want a helicopter too
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Reply By: eaglefree - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 14:48
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 14:48
Countless times we've been approach by other vanners "where do you buy a van that size"?. 11ft with
toilet and shower homemade.
There us a market. Note van manufacturers.
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Reply By: Baz - The Landy - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 18:34
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2016 at 18:34
I see it as an evolution, not dying!
As a family of adventurer's we love the great outdoors and always will, so we will evolve and adapt to ensure we can do as much as we choose to.
Mind you, I think one can travel in relative comfort for a price
well under 6 figures, but whatever your choice and mode of travel - enjoy!
And on aging, embrace it full on, after all, how old would you be if you didn't know how old you are!
Cheers, Baz - The Landy
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