basic buying info
Submitted: Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 22:54
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gunnacit
hi there wise ones, we are total novice vanning types, decided on big trip, 12 mths, about 10 days ago, thought ok we'll have a look at vans, quickly narrowed it down and realised we'll be spending more than intended and ofcourse we've found a van, urgent sale, excellent price negotiated and buying it tomorrow! Now I know that we have to pay stamp duty but is there anything else that we need to consider, other than the condition of the van, which is an Island Star Concorde 18ft 2001, so pretty happy with that, unless anyone has bad news about them! If this is vague that would be right, we know little to nothing so might be in for a few suprises! Any comments would be welcomed. Note we are couple with infant, travelling aimlessly around oz. Also be very interested to know of work options along the way! Taking off April! Arrrrrggggghhhh
Reply By: Motherhen - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:16
Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:16
Check weights allowable for your tow vehicle, and ensure your van, fully laden for your family, will not be above the species (a margin for safety is advisable, tow ball weight recommended for your vehicle, and what it can carry gross - laden caravan and car, including yourselves. You will need to know how to
check it is loaded correctly - not too heavy at the front, or at the rear. A weight distribution hitch is advisable - but the van must be correctly balanced first.
Make sure you know how everything works when you take delivery, and ensure it does; electrics, gas, brakes, break-away switch if fitted. You will need a brake controller unit on your tow vehicle (lighter vans can have manual 'over ride' brakes, but your will most likely need brakes that are operated from the tow vehicle.
Does you vehicle have UHF? Almost essential for highway and outback travel.
How much experience have you had towing and backing trailers? Get lots of practice before you have to back into a tight spot in a caravan park between a couple of rather expensive caravans, with owners looking on.
Good luck with your new lifestyle
Motherhen
AnswerID:
406066
Reply By: Shaker - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:24
Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:24
What State are you in?
If you are in Victoria there is no stamp duty.
AnswerID:
406069
Follow Up By: youngharry52 - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 11:56
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 11:56
No stamp duty in qld either...........
FollowupID:
675821
Follow Up By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 13:50
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 13:50
No stamp duty in NSW as
well.
Graeme
FollowupID:
675837
Reply By: Duncanm - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:33
Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:33
I tried to post this earlier and will try again,
The following site may also assist, granted it is for camper trailers, but lots of good thoughts/prompters.
All the best with it,
Regards Duncan
Buying a camper
AnswerID:
406072
Reply By: Farmboywa - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:59
Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 23:59
G'day gunnacit, if you are buying the van through a reputable dealer please disregard the following concerns. Make sure the seller owns the van, otherwise the real owner may eventually catch up with you and you will forfeit the van and the money you paid for it. Remember the old saying,"If it seems too good to be true it usually is" Happy Days. Farmboywa. PS. Regarding work. head for
Karratha WA, Gorgon gas project semiskilled people earning $150.000.00 a year.
AnswerID:
406077
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 07:05
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 07:05
I know that you may have to pay stamp duty on the van but do you have to pay it on the 'extras' that are in the van ? Can you do a deal with the vendor and pay $X for the van and $Y for the bedding, tools, tv,
camp gear etc etc. You would then declare only the $X value for stamp duty purposes ?
KK
AnswerID:
406089
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 17:19
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 17:19
What state are you in KK? A few years ago, WA stopped stamp duty on trailers to come into line with the other states. We had bonused by buying in Qld when in WA stamp duty was still payable on trailers.
Mh
FollowupID:
675864
Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 18:05
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 18:05
Hi Mother Hen,
My vehicle (Troopy Camper) is registered in WA.
By the way, some time back you put me on to your
blogs - we leave for Tasmania in two weeks.
KK
FollowupID:
675879
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 18:14
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 18:14
Hi KK
WA - the land of high stamp duty. Cost us a fortune when we bought the F250. From another state would have been much kinder, but the right vehicle turned up in WA. At least they pulled it off trailers.
It will be lovely in Tasmania; have a wonderful time. I hope you have allowed plenty of time on the island.
Cheers
Mh
FollowupID:
675882
Reply By: GerryP - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 21:04
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 21:04
Hi gunnacit,
We traded a 16 foot Island Star Concorde off roader last year (for a Galaxy with a shower/
toilet) and had a brilliant run with it over many years. Towed it all over, including the Strez,
Birdsville track,
Oodnadatta track,
Mereenie Loop, to name just a few. Eventually had to replace the leaf springs which were a bit sagged, but with the life she had, even these lasted longer than we expected. I added many extras such as aircon, extra tank, extra spare underneath, awning plus more. I shouldn't admit this, but when fully loaded was some 50 kgs overweight.
The only thing to watch is how you load it as they do tend to be a bit heavy on the ball, but they tow beautifully.
I'm sure you'll be happy with yours. Safe travels.
Cheers
Gerry
AnswerID:
406209
Reply By: gunnacit - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 22:24
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 22:24
Thankyou all, I really appreciate the replys, we have the van now, very happy with it, NO STAMP DUTY in WA!!! Ofcourse we showed up unprepared, not able to tow van
home, the seller kindly brought it over for us, not an hour later we discover flat tyre, wheel brace didn't fit... a wonderful intro to life in a van, we got it sorted and into storage in the 11th hour! We now have two months to get sorted, if anyone would like to suggest an excellent read for us novice types that would be great! We are travelling with a wee one so we won't be doing anything too tricky or risky, sticking to the main roads etc.
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Reply By: Member - Brian H (QLD) - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 00:15
Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 00:15
Maybe worth a couple of short shake down trips of a few days to see if things work out as you think they will. Also will help in learning how to set up the van and awning etc and if you need something to make that task easier.
As you said new to vanning so how are you at reversing a trailer / van?. Maybe worth knowing the height of the van (I just assume its not a pop top)
Things like, where will you store everything so the weight is fine thus towing is not a an issue. You may find you cannot take as much as you figured and will need some adjusting.
Your current tool kit
check to see if there are any special sizes for the caravan you need to get (as you found out about the wheel brace).
There are more experienced persons on this site than me with vans who may offer much greater assistance.
Have a great trip.
Brian
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406259