Recommendations for a van to travel around in/sleep in?

Heracles26 on 08/04/2016 - 17:39

Budget would be around $10,000

Don't care what it looks like as long as it is reliable and not too big or small! Ideally would like to put a mattress in the back and travel around.

Kombi would sweet but they are very expensive!

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • the-mal on 08/04/2016 - 17:48
    +1

    Lots of ideas here: http://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/

    Some of the conversions people DIY are so clever.

    As for van brand, go for super reliable, cheap to repair and as low kms as you can afford. Toyota vans never seem to die.

    • miarn on 08/04/2016 - 21:48

      agree with the Toyota comment. My parents have a Hiace camper which has done about 77 billion million kilometres in all sorts of conditions and is still going strong :)

  • spackbace on 08/04/2016 - 18:00

    Toyota/Mitsubishi/Suzuki - probably come down to 1 of those. Suzuki would be the newest out of the 3 that you could get for your money. Smallest, but still big enough

  • captobvious on 08/04/2016 - 18:20
    +1

    Kombi ive been everywhere man

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 19:05

    Kombi.

    For added character, keep some bright and colourful candies to hand out to kids walking past.

  • nikkirose on 08/04/2016 - 19:43

    Bedford Vans make nice RVs

  • mskeggs on 08/04/2016 - 20:01
    +1

    Old postie ford transit is cheap and usually well maintained.
    http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?sortby=~Price&offset…

    Get a 24/7 gym membership from one of the big chains to get anytime access to showers/bathroom.

    • symo on 08/04/2016 - 22:59

      Most caravan parks will let you have shower for a small fee…

      • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2016 - 05:24

        And get Athlete's Foot for free…

        • symo on 09/04/2016 - 18:32

          Not if you wear thongs…

        • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2016 - 18:36
          +1

          @symo:

          I generally shower without underwear…

  • airzone on 08/04/2016 - 20:19

    https://imgur.com/sgkWqgw Dude has a piano in his bus.. All the creature comforts.

    • tenner on 09/04/2016 - 20:00

      …. and a nice fuel bill to go with it carrying the weight of that thing around.

  • CheapskateQueen on 08/04/2016 - 20:38
    +1

    as awesome as Kombi's look, i don't think it's worth the pain of driving at like 80 km/ph for your whole trip!

    it's like the Wicked vans.. (apart from the fact theyre old and gross) they're slow AF! I've done 3 x 2 wk road trips in Aus in hired vans/cars and have always cringed/pitied the people stuck crawling up uphill roads o_0

    try speaking to some backpacker places in the city that you're in for tips/advice on where to buy vans that may already be converted and resold

    If you're only going to sleep in the van and won't have anything else, you might not need a van at all. You could get a station wagon instead http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/blog/stationwagon-bed-…

    • enzioFirenze on 08/04/2016 - 21:59

      Toyota Townaces are more or less a good solution too. They can go pretty fast and comes with Toyota reliability.

      • tonyjzx on 08/04/2016 - 22:21

        Have you driven a Townace? I do like them but they have a 1.8 carb four. They are pretty damn slow, not Kombi slow but slow.

        • enzioFirenze on 08/04/2016 - 22:45

          the 2L Diesel one I used to have was pretty fast, not in terms of acceleration I guess but they hold their speed pretty well :)

    • WT on 09/04/2016 - 09:42

      I agree, check out kombilife on yt. He has had so many issues whith his.

  • 2jzzzz on 08/04/2016 - 22:25

    EF station wagon on gas… Cheap to run and fix, reliable, power, space to sleep, but fill back space with stuff. Can onsell for similar money to what you paid.

  • Crabshack on 09/04/2016 - 08:16

    Toyota Tarago is suitable for this. They have a bit more power and top speed than most of the vans and generally ride better as they don't have stiff suspension. Just remove the rear seats and there is heaps of room for mattress etc. They are ultra reliable for very long mileages.

  • WT on 09/04/2016 - 09:45

    There are some older express post vans on the normal sites. I recall one selling for 8k with low 100k klms with a very mild panel scrape. They are also turbo diesel. They are an an ugly yellow/silver though.

    • tonyjzx on 09/04/2016 - 20:10

      any jap van would be the go

      not sure about ford transits… its a ford

  • Smerch on 10/04/2016 - 07:56

    I am actually selling mine for about same price.
    Not online yet. Location: Bathurst NSW

    2002(Dec) Nissan Elgrand 3.5 V6 auto petrol 80Km
    Pros: comes with seats for 8 people but you can lift 3rd row, move second and you get to fit 3-4 people at back on a mattress or in sleeping bags.
    Cons: 10-15 liters per 100Km, especially when heavy and going uphill but very comfortable drive.

    We had it for 3 years and no major service so far, only oil and tyres and pinks slips.
    Traveled from Sydney to Gold Coast no problems. Have not tried 4wd but it is capable for some light offroad.

  • masrm on 11/04/2016 - 08:53

    hi i have a lwb transit deisel fully serviced carpeted shelved with side awning , kombis for collectors only,after20 years in outdoor markets,and having had 30000 vehicles ownership, known of a lot of petrol eng vans blown up , for mine i suggest$8k inc 6 extra tyres wheels lwb deisel the only way to go forget the others

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join