lookin' for a 4WD campervan - does one exist?
Submitted: Monday, Jun 20, 2011 at 23:11
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iluvthebush
Hi all, am new to this
forum. Am looking to buy a 4WD, fitted out campervan to go bush in. I have looked around a bit and can't seem to find any nearly new (up to 5 yo) mid-size campervans that are 4WD (say around the size of the old Toyota Hi-Ace). I would love to be able to go bush in it and
camp out without having to put up a tent, etc. etc.
The features I want are diesel, not too heavy on the fuel, built tough to handle the terrain, fitted out inside with all the usual kit, ie bed, stove, fridge, good ground clearance and not too much length on the body (to handle those little deep cutaways in the track). Is this too much to ask? Is there anything like this available on the australian market?
Would appreciate any ideas/
feedback. I'm a girl and I just can't seem to get my head around backing a campertrailer without jack-knifing it. Will have to come to terms with it if this is all that's going though. All
feedback welcomed...
Reply By: Ace000 - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 04:25
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 04:25
you are looking for a Toyota Troop Carrier.."Troopy"..Utilitarian vehicle but oh so tough and reliable..go to Gumtree Website and you will find the ones that have been used by backpackers and are due for recycling...Oh and also my partner 5'2" and female takes over the reversing jobs when expertise is called for..keep working on your head, she tells me it is damned easy..
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Follow Up By: iluvthebush - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:38
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:38
thanx Ace and brave partner. Yes, did have a troopy for a couple of years and may think about getting another one already kitted out for camping. I have been warned off the backpackers ex hire ones as everyone reckons by the time they are due to be sold they've been flogged to death. Not sure how true this is, but sounds a reasonable deduction.
Only thing with my troopy was that it was very thirsty and lacked a bit on room inside for what i want. will still consider it though and thanx.....
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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 06:37
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 06:37
Hi. There is a fully imported vehicle called a Mitsubishi Delica. It is a diesel powered 4wd van similar to a Hi ace. I'm not sure if you would find one under 5 years old but they are a pretty good,popular buy. I parked beside one that had been fitted out as a camper at Temora recently and the older couple using it loved it. There is a "Delica"
forum if you google it. Cheers,Bob
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Follow Up By: iluvthebush - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:39
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:39
thanx tc, will have a look at the
forum you suggested...
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:01
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:01
http://ausales.keacampers.com/vehicles/vehicleDetails.aspx?siteID=45c3f703-71c8-4d13-bb76-ba0cdac3588a&vehicleGroup=xa&stockItem=conqueror
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
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Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:30
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:30
As Ace said above, you cannot beat the Toyota Landcruiser Troopy as an all purpose un-stoppable camping vehicle and if the budget allows then a used Kea Conqueror as linked above by Peter ticks all the boxes.
Our Troopy is custom modified to provide a full-size bed in the back with below storage. We find it ideal for our purposes to go almost anywhere with no towing hassles.
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Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:37
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:37
And another option to fit your specifications is a 4WD
sedan of your choice kitted-out with a roof-top tent, which can be pretty easy to erect and close.
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Follow Up By: iluvthebush - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:47
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:47
Hello P&M and Al,
thanx for your suggestions. The kea looks like it would pretty much fit the bill. will get onto a few sites and look further into them.... am still looking at a troopy too.....cheers
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Reply By: Member - Steve & Cecily W (QLD - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:07
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:07
VW does one and I think both Kea and Tracker use them in their hire fleet here in Oz so would sell them after a period of use. I don't know that they have low range 4WD though.
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Reply By: Mr Pointyhead - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:44
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:44
4wd Camper for sale on Ebay
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael A (ACT) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:55
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 08:55
I had a gander on line at this vehicle. .....if only my dreams would come in.
looks fantastic and
well thought out and engineered only thing i didnt
check was the k,s bur the 4.2 just keeps on keekin on
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Follow Up By: iluvthebush - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:34
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 21:34
Mr P,
this would be my dream camper and thanx so much for the link. Only trouble, about a zillion dollars out of my price range. God, if i had that, why would I ever want to sell it? thanx for your help though, will keep looking.....
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 09:58
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 09:58
Our type of exploring is with maximum performance in all directions from car capability to security when camping.
We have found no camper to fit the requirements like our Patrol can.
Sleeping inside means its fast and flexible.
They come in diesels but for us thats a compromise.
Image Could Not Be Found
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:24
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:24
Mercedes make a 4wd version of the Sprinter vans too, bit pricey though.
I'm surprised Peter didn't suggest an Oka ;-))
Still plenty around, mechanically simple, but probably not a proposition for most as they are the " next size up" but there are lots that have been converted from tour buses into campers and some still being converted as ours is.
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:34
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 10:34
If you're travelling solo, or with one other person, a Troopy or similar sized 4WD with a camper conversion would be ideal. A bit thirsty, but unstoppable by most terrain. They are available ex hire already fitted out. The photo above, or
our Troopy setup shown here show a couple of options.
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member
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Reply By: Life Member - esarby (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 11:24
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 11:24
Hi iluvthebush. I traded my Tvan in as I travel alone. The Impi Roof Top Tent is a breeze to set up. Wrangler is set up with internal draws and the Foxwing Awning is a treat. Set up in ten minutes.
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Reply By: wombat100 - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 16:18
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 16:18
IVECO 40-10 4WD !!
Covers all your bases.
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Follow Up By: iluvthebush - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 22:09
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 22:09
thanx for that, will have a look at these, have only seen 2wd ones, but they are a good size. a little worried about the extra length but will google it and see how we go...
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Reply By: ben_gv3 - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 18:05
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 18:05
I think it depends on how rough a terrain you intend on driving in.
A
well setup Troopy is certainly an awesome machine however they are they are a handful. My dad had a Troopy which he setup as a camper but then bought a caravan due to the limited internal space.
I think a
well setup van, eg Delica, VW is a better compromise if you don't need the ruggedness of the Troopy and want more internal space.
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Reply By: happychap - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 21:36
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 21:36
Whilst these people are not in Australia, they do cater to the Australian market, and are aussies -
check out www.exportnippon.com
They claim if they do not have what anyone wants, they will find it. They also claim to handle everything right through to compliance.
I have had no dealings with them, so cannot comment on their service. Nor do I have any association with them.
One of the things it would pay to
check though, is whether any appliances require mains power - Australia has 240 volt whereas Japan runs on 110 volt.
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Reply By: iluvthebush - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 22:47
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011 at 22:47
Hey, I'm overwhelmed with the responses to my query and quite a few handy ideas. Had a troopy a few years ago and they are quite heavy on the juice, as suggested. Also would like a little more room inside. But may think down that track again. Will
check out the Delica, sounds interesting and about the right size. Also will
check out the Iveco, have seen them around town but never seen a 4WD version. Thanx for all your interest, will need a bit of time to digest all the replies and look up linx etc.
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Follow Up By: ben_gv3 - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 10:06
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 10:06
The Delica has Pajero running gear so is quite reliable.
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Reply By: iluvthebush - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 22:12
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 22:12
Thanx all for your great
feedback and suggestions. Lots to think about and investigate now with this and quite a few more options seem to be available than I thought. Appreciate your help........
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