Caravan choice

Cole
you do not mention which model of Landcruiser that you have, but you will not find much difference between 19 and 22 ft vans behind any of the later models (4.2td or V8)

As you will be travelling with an elderly person I would suggest that you do so in a full van that is equipped with shower and toilet facilities, and the Lotus that you are looking at could be ideal.

Generally you will have no issues with camp sites with such a van anywhere except the National Parks on the East side of Australia. Where you are planning on going there are plenty of free camping sites, and also plenty of low cost camping outside of the towns.

I notice that you mentioned going to Arnhem Land, it is generally very difficult to get an entry permit to this area, however if you are in the area of Cahills Crossing on the weekend that Oenpelli hold their open day (generally late August) then you can leave your van in the at Nat Park camp ground and visit Oenpelli for normally a $5.00 donation to the Bush Nursing Service, collected at the entrance to the town.

Enjoy your travels
Athol

G'day Col and Brenda,

Whilst I cannot give any advice on what brand of caravan to purchase..... (we own an Ultimate Off-road Camper, but I am considering upgrading to a true "off-road" caravan now that I've reached the 60 year mark!!)..... I would like to make a comment/recommendation regarding something you mentioned, if I may.

You said you've never towed a caravan or anything else for that matter.

At the risk of sounding rude.....could I strongly suggest that you take a course aimed at new entrants into the "world of towing". I can't give you any recommendations about who to contact for such a course, but given the number of "disasters" I have seen on the roads over many years, I would hate to see you become another statistic.

The "statistic" I'm referring to relates to those "grey nomads" (and no, you don't have to be all that old to fit this criteria!!!) who do exactly what you are referring to.

They buy the big van to the "BIG LAP" (as it is often referred to) and have little or no experience at towing. Such drivers are the bane of the transport industry.....professional drivers are often overheard making rude (but accurate in my opinion) comments about THEY are required to get a special license to drive their rig, but these grey nomads are able to have a large 4x4 and then buy a huge van and proceed to tootle off down the highway with scant regard to the dynamics and safety implications of how their new "toy" works.

I am specifically referring to the ability (or lack thereof) to control the vehicle/van in a variety of situations such as (but not limited to) strong cross winds, the extra turning circle required when negotiating intersections, the "wash" of a large road train and their seemingly blindness to the other vehicles who are using the road. Often, these new caravan owners will decide that it is best to drive along the open highway at around 80k/h, thus causing some very dangerous situations for other drivers.

There is also the need to know how to reverse the rig into a caravan site.....for myself (and I'm sure many other travellers), it is a constant source of entertainment whenever a "new entrant" caravaner attempts to reverse park into a site. It is usually a case of the wife trying to employ a wonderful array of hand gestures to the hapless male driver....who has no real idea of what his wife is asking him to do and probably even less idea of how to actually follow her instructions even if he does know what she wants him to do.

So, I hope I haven't killed your enthusiasm to get into a caravan....but these are things I believe you need to be aware of.

I would also ask you: what type of Landcruiser do you have? I would advise that it should preferably have a turbo diesel engine (say an 80, 100 or 200 series). If you have a non-turbo diesel you will be disappointed with the power available and if you have a petrol model you will be disappointed with the fuel economy....bear in mind that LPG is not available at many out-of-the-way places you are likely to be passing through.

Good luck,

Roachie

Thanks Athol & Roachie for the information.

We have a 200 series Landcruiser & will be doing a Tow Ed course prior to our travels.

We have done a bit of outback travel. Our last trip was going up the Old Tele Track to Cape York in 2013. We have just never considered what it would be like towing a large caravan & all the implications of that. Do you have much difficulty parking in towns to get supplies or see some local attractions.

Athol, what length caravan do you Tow?

Thanks

Col & Brenda

Suggest you sign up to the Caravaners Forum - heaps of info and help on there.

It is a good thing you are planning a towing course for both of you and Caravaners Forum is a good place to go for all sorts of info.
Taking an 86 year old with you will require some planning and forethought. You should certainly get a van with a bathroom which will get you up to over 20 ft with beds for 3 adults. Take your mother with you when looking at vans and make sure she can easily handle the steps to get in and out. Also check the convenience of the shower! Some off road vans have very awkward high steps and no handrails and slippery cramped showers. A slip or fall could be more serious for her than you. Corrugated roads for hours at a time will be harder on older bones and joints even for a fit older person so you may need to shorten your driving days and have more rest days than if you were alone. It is great to hear that your mother wants to go on such an adventure! Just be careful she can really enjoy it. Lynne

Hi Cole & Brenda,

Just a word of caution.
My mate has recently bought a Lotus Freelander and it looks to be a great caravan, BUT!
He bought it for the two of them to take them to places they couldn't go with their previous Roadstar on-road van. For the two of them it has everything, but it only seats two people in comfort at the table. Any more and you need an extra portable seat.
Also, the queen size bed is beaut, again for two people. In some layouts you may be able to sleep a third person on the table, made into a bed, but you will be setting this up on a daily basis, which may become a PITA.
Just check the layouts and the table size to ensure you are getting what you think.
I was rather gobsmacked at the small size of the table and seats.

Our off-road van is a "wind-up", but we can seat 6 people around the table with ease and there is a queen sized bed at each end. The standard van has 1 queen, 1 double which is adequate in most cases and each bed has curtains to add to one's privacy, if required.
There will always be a compromise and we elected to do away with an on board toilet and shower to save room for (to us) more practical space requirements.
Being a wind-up, a little extra time is required to set up, but this is no big deal for us.
The big plus is the ease of towing and when the roof is raised and the beds pulled out, a wind-up van will give oodles of living space, although we tend to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Take a good look around before committing and if possible, see if you can hire a van with a layout to suit your needs and try it out for a weekend or so, before buying.

Thanks for the useful tips Lynne & Bill.

Thankyou all for your replies.

Athol

WE are deciding between the 21" 6" length & 8 ' wide . This van has a Queen bed at one end with a N/S orientation & a club lounge at the other, & full bathroom across the middle (shower on one side / toilet & basin on the opposite side of the van) separating the bedroom from the living area.

The other choice is a 16' length & 7' 8" wide van with a queen bed at one end with a E/W orientation & a club lounge at the other end. In this van the bathroom is in the middle but set to one side with the shower over the toilet.

We expect that we will at times need to leave the van & take the tent to access some areas. Our mother can either stay in the van or come with us. She doesn't mind camping for shorter periods.

In your experience would you choose the 21' 6" which has more living space or the 16'
for more offroad ability.


Thanks very much


Cole & Brenda

First, you have a gem of a mother. Make every day a mothers Day. It may be hard to ascertain, but try to ensure that she is happy with what you propose.
My missus is younger and reluctant to travel these days, I am jealous.