Help please (and no laughing!)

Submitted: Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 11:58

ThreadID: 83380 Views:4446 Replies:8 FollowUps:18

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littleredcar

Hi everyone - having travelled most of Oz as a kid and a young adult, now as an older adult I want to do it again, but this time take my time. I am planning on doing the whole country, not so much off road as I can always hook up with others on the way who have off road gear. I do intend to work in the van - so I need enough space to run my computers and gear (I am a photographer/artist and I will have sat uplinks etc and I teach as I go, so need a little space to work upright).

Before I go buy a whole new outfit, I am exploring my current options.

I have a 2000 Daihatsu Sirion GTVi - 1.3l, 75kw with a (theoretical) towing capacity of Brake(950kg), Unbrake(350kg) ... however, these numbers seem to vary depending on which site you look at!

My question is - Can my Sirion tow a caravan? If so, what size and weight am I looking at? Which brands? And can I get them secondhand?

I am in no real hurry, still waiting for the last awkwardly flapping chick to leave the nest (if ever lol)... but if I can get away with not having to buy another tow vehicle to pull a van, I would be ecstatic...

Any genuine help would be most welcome.

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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:05

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:05

Best start looking for another vehicle, 950kg's isn't much heavier than a legally loaded 7x4 box trailer.
You would be better off with a more common and stronger vehicle like a 2wd Hilux or similar. If you found sometthing small enough and light enough for the Sirion to tow I doubt whether the Sirion would last long being used that way. Parts would be nigh on impossible to obtain away from major cities.
A small 16ft poptop van will probably weigh around 1500 kgs loaded which would be ok on a small ute.

AnswerID: 440443

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:15

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:15

Ah thank you! That makes sense! Yes, parts would be like the proverbial needle... and it would wear the car out... OK... better start again from scratch. Makes it easier tho - will just get a generic holden and a small van...
thanks heaps:)

FollowupID: 712328

Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:29

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:29

We owned a Viscount Nipper weighing 590kg tare which is ideal for cars like yours. Older van but worth checking out if a 10ft van suits you.

Otherwise another vehicle to open up van options.

Cheers, Trevor.

AnswerID: 440444

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:49

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:49

Def going to look at other cars Trevor - mine is a bit of a collectors item and I'd hate to wreck it, so it can go up on blocks in the shed while I'm gone...
Thanks darl!

FollowupID: 712339

Reply By: cycadcenter - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:52

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 12:52

If you are not going to be doing any off road I would suggest you look around for a decent AU or BA Falcon Station Wagon. They make a great tow car with a 2300 kg rating. just make sure it has the transmission cooler.

You should be able to pick up a good one for under $4-5000.

AnswerID: 440447

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:51

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:51

LOL I really don't like Fords because I can't work on them - I grew up stripping down and rebuilding Holdens and later Toyotas so would feel far more comfortable driving one of those... and yes, I have heard about transmission coolers so will make sure I have the essentials.
Thanks so much for your input - its really appreciated:)

FollowupID: 712340

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 18:02

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 18:02

Problem is unless you buy a 30 year old Holden the v6s are nothing like old Holdens, and with mordern Computers not a lot you can do. But the v6s are a good reliable beast especially the vrs. But my pick would be the Falcon wagon, leaf spring rear suspension and a nice straight six to work on
Cheers Pete

FollowupID: 712392

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:52

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:52

I know LOL - but the changes aren't that much of a problem if you keep up with the basic mechanics:) I'm going off to talk to a few peeps this weekend so will probs end up thoroughly confused - but hey! I'm in no hurry:) Thanks heaps, Pete!

FollowupID: 712810

Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:13

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:13

Hi littleredcar

I think like most of us, you are wanting the Tardis. Think of all the things you will need to live on the road long term; clothes, food, appliances and equipment. That alone will take space and be a weight. A miniature caravan will not have much space to work. Hire or buy cheaply something tiny and try it out for a couple of weeks at a time. The best way to find out what is good, bad or ugly about other people's rigs is to ask them when you meet them in the camp grounds. Would you consider a motorhome type of unit? You may get more room as much of the car part becomes living space. Try before you buy if you can - several different types of outfits.

Motherhen

Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
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AnswerID: 440454

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:48

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:48

LOL! Yes - funny, I just searched the Trading Post for a Tardis and couldn't find one!
Thats a brill idea to try before buying - I will certainly do that - it will make such a huge difference because I do plan on being on the road for a long time...
xoxox

FollowupID: 712338

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 17:14

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 17:14

I note others have also suggested the motorhome-campervan option as possibly better for you. Whereas a caravan and four wheel drive suits us, our needs are very different to yours. Moving your whole rig when a small motorhome is really no different to driving your car away from your caravan except you don't have to come back for the caravan if you change your mind about where you want to be. My family (four of us) toured UK and Europe for some months in a camper van when i was a teenager. Although not as sturdy as the campervans today and on tiny wheels, it took us up switchback clay surface mountain roads and anywhere we wanted to go.Home was where we stopped for the night. Moving off was as simple as swinging the beds around back into seats for us in the back.

Mh

Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
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FollowupID: 712373

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:54

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:54

The campervan is so NOT an option LOL - I need to leave my home base and cruise off to do other things and moving the whole set up is not really in my idea of fun times. I have done the campervan thing as a twenty something and that was ideal, but running my business from my mobile base is a crucial factor to me being on the road, so I need a portable office just as much as a portable home. And being 50 plus now, I want the luxury of being able to leave things as is, and nick off down the street or the beach in my tow vehicle...
You must have had some AMAZING adventures!
xox
Marg

FollowupID: 712812

Reply By: Member - Matt L (WA) - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:39

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:39

Hi mate just bite the bullet ,get a medium 4x4 and an off road 16/17 ft van , there are some on this site under trader . One van in particular is the 512 Coramal Corvair Pioneer, Great van .

AnswerID: 440458

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:53

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:53

Hahahahaha! Thanks Matt! I think I will just have to "bite the bullet" LOL! Am going to do what another member suggested and go try before I buy - I think that will quickly help me narrow down my choices and make me look at life on the road realistically:) Thanks heaps:)

FollowupID: 712341

Reply By: Member - Royce- Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:19

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:19

Consider a van.. e.g. Transit, Hiace etc. If you don't need offroad, then no unhooking, parking problems. Fit it out as you need.

AnswerID: 440462

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:25

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:25

Thanks Royce :)
One of the things about being a photographer and artist is that I need to be able to unhitch and leave my main base while I head off to do other things and as I may stay in one place for more than a day or two (maybe up to a month depending on what I'm doing) then it would make more sense for me to have a home plus a vehicle. I did look at the campervans, but decided I'd rather be able to unhitch...
Cheers!
Marg

FollowupID: 712348

Follow Up By: Member - Royce- Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:49

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:49

Okay... I'll put my vote in for a more suitable vehicle with spare parts easily available all over Oz. ... NT... 'nother Toyota'. Or just a Holden or Ford wagon...

FollowupID: 712353

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:31

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:31

Toyota or Holden definitely - I know how to repair most of them LOL! Thanks heaps Royce:)

FollowupID: 712363

Follow Up By: Begaboy - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:17

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:17

I also second the hiace van option - my parents had one - decked it out with storage space beds and such and traveled in it - there great on fuel ( especially on LPG ) - also had one as a work vehicle - and worked it hard , flogged the life out of it and it still just ran and ran .....

FollowupID: 712804

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:57

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 20:57

thanks hon - am going down the road of separate vehicles as my needs are really particular and I may find myself on the road for a hell of a lot longer than one year (like maybe the rest of my life LOL)
Cheers!
Marg

FollowupID: 712814

Reply By: Member - Porl - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:26

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:26

this is what you need, camper trailers made for motorcycles. In '87 I went all the way round Australia on a motorbike, didn't need anything I coudn't carry. You can fit a lot more in a sirion than was on my motorbike, and you probably get better fuel economy anyhow.

http://www.campertrailers.org/motorbike_campers.htm

AnswerID: 440471

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:34

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:34

Now that is REALLY cool! So many options - better go have a drink and a think:) Will have to check and see if there're any in Vic and go have a look. Thanks for that info! Really appreciated:)

FollowupID: 712365

Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:37

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:37

maybe look at something like a "Coaster" bus, if you dont plan on going to far "off road" you can still do the gravel roads and so on and you can park up and camp wher ever you feel like, well leagally alowed to any way.....
I know you plan on un-hooking and going places but you still have to go back to sleep ect and if set up right you dont need to do anything to stop and start again, just turn the key and off you go...
Hire one of those "Campers" that the overseas tourists drive around and see what you think ...
You can set a bedding ect at the rear and then build a lounge/dineing/kitchen area with inverters, batterys, chargers and so on and fix all your computers and stuff in place, have solar panels for extended remote stops and plug into power for parks and have the engine to charge while moving .....
Part of the fun is buying, planning and building something like that, you have the freedom to design it to suit YOU and your life style .....
Man it sounds so good i may just do it myself....

Cheers and good on you..
Joe

AnswerID: 440472

Follow Up By: littleredcar - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:45

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 16:45

Thanks Joe - so many good ideas! Still prefer the idea of not having to move the base at all, tho. Like if I run out of something and have to duck down the shop or whatever... (the pub, the beach, lol) I don't want to have to unhook and drive off. But I will go look at the camper thingies - I have lots of time before I am ready to go so can afford to LOOK and hopefully not make too many mistakes:) Looking forward to being a gypsy again... Cheers!
Marg

FollowupID: 712369