Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 11:17
Richard,
Thanks for the reply....don't have a van at the moment, have a campertrailer, but considering doing a 6-12 month trip in a few years with accumulated leave and LSL, so thought (with 2 kids) a van may be the better option. So I have started looking around at what's available, seeking advice, opinions (and forming some of course). I am certainly no expert on vans and more than willing to listen to the more experienced for their advice.
A couple of interesting pics found on the net recently:
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I know which I'd rather have........ No one ever plans to have an accident like this, but they can happen.
I guess my point is that a 'proper' off road van is going to be built MUCH stronger that a semi off road or road van and is built to withstand the corrugations particularly. Any van can take any rough road slowly, but do you really want to do these roads over thousands of km at 15kph?
I just get the feeling that the off road vans are purpose built and are more likely to withstand constant use over these types of roads that something using wood and glue for it's construction.
I did note the number of vans sitting with significant damage at one of the stations on the GRR. All that I noted were not purpose built off road vans, but single axled 'road' looking vans.
My plan (at this stage...constantly changing till I get a better understanding of everything required for long off road trips with a van) is to buy one of the "better" off road vans, do the trip, then sell upon return, as I can't justify having the high cost of a van like this sitting around at
home for the occasional trip. I sense that their value seems to hold pretty
well and that most of the initial expense would be recouped after the trip...possible a cheaper way to do the long trip with the family?
I would love to get out there right now, but with a 3 week old and a 2 1/2 year old, I plan to wait a few years until the kids will appreciate a substantial trip and the travelling easier than with kids in nappies. I don't mind for shorter trips, but the purpose is to give them the experience too....
Enjoy your travelling.
Cheers,
Mark
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