Dreaming time

[Chucaro]

Guys, start talking with the other half :D
How long will take for her to give up?

http://www.defendericon.com/images/dyn/airstream/airstream.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/676.jpg

http://discoverlandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/arriving-lg.jpg

[Homestar]

Mmmmm. Airstream..... :)

Funny you should post this as it's one of the options we've been looking at recently if we sell up everything to move down onto the inlaws property in a few years. We can't build another house on the property (40 acres) due to council farming regs, but the woman from planning said that putting a big van under a carport was fine, as long as you didn't stay in it for more than 6 months per year 'wink wink'...

Due to this we were looking at vans that would be roomy enough to live in. The 762 is the only thing I've found that might fit the bill - and we can take it on holidays (just)... :D

It may never happen, but it's certainly on the 'maybe' list.

[Chucaro]

Mmmmm. Airstream..... :)

Funny you should post this as it's one of the options we've been looking at recently if we sell up everything to move down onto the inlaws property in a few years. We can't build another house on the property (40 acres) due to council farming regs, but the woman from planning said that putting a big van under a carport was fine, as long as you didn't stay in it for more than 6 months per year 'wink wink'...

Due to this we were looking at vans that would be roomy enough to live in. The 762 is the only thing I've found that might fit the bill - and we can take it on holidays (just)... :D

It may never happen, but it's certainly on the 'maybe' list.

I just wonder if will not be a better option to borrow the money needed against the property, rent it and let the tenant pay for the Airstream.
Regarding the 6 month rule that is it is stupid law.
It is about time that authorities have to realize that:
1) not many people can afford to have their ouw home and need to live with relatives or simple rent a spot in a back yard.
2) dual occupancy means population density which it is better for services including transport, maintenance of roads,etc
3) it is good for the economy and the environment.

Regarding the Airstream I am very impressed how it is built and would love to have the 27 footer but it must cost a fortune considering that the 762 is about $135000

[Homestar]

Yeah, the rules are stupid. We want to move there to look after them as they get older, so also less services would be needed, but they don't care. They say that the property should be used for farming, so they don't want people building on farmland. Not sure how you would consider 40 acres a farm - when the property is bigger than 100 acres you can build another house on it. Seems backwards to me.

Thought about borrowing to do this, but we want to simplify our life, so selling all our properties would make life simpler - I'm getting sick of tenants, I don't want to add to that.

I can sell up everything, buy an Airstream or similar, be 100% debt free and not be saddled to one area if I didn't want to. I can get work anywhere and we'd only need to earn enough to pay for food and fuel.

Oh, and I'd still have a spot for all my Land Rovers.... :)

It's a tempting scenario...

[Chucaro]

When we lived in our motorhome was nice, the freedom was awesome and we have our piece of mind to have a "home base" in our 27 acres in Childers, Qld in case that we need to stop there home health reasons or any other problem.
We sold the 27 acres because the maintenance there was very intensive,gu the guinea grass used to grow higher than the sugar cane within 3 months or so.
I guess that the best set up it is to have a home base like in a 2 acres or so in a land that it is not very fertile (less maintenance) with a shed in a country town that has all the basic services and then have the caravan to be free and doing jobs as you travel.
In your case your are set up, you can have your home base with and at the same time take care of them.
I think that the rules are that you cannot live on the land for more than 6 months but nothing stopping you to go for a 3 weeks trip at the end of the 6 months and then come back for another 6. At least was like this in the Isis council.
You have right idea, go for it when both of you have good health :)

[DoubleChevron]

I'm pretty sure they cater for the this in council regulations. You can have a 2nd transportable residence (eg: granny flat) however it must be removed if the granny dies/shifts out.

We are on 4acres. We can't put a cabin out in any of the paddocks if it's livable. ie: if it has a kitchen and toilet/shower. Another issue if you if there is no covenants on the area is sewerage. There is also sort of water board restrictions on the number of septic tanks allowed in run off areas now.

seeya
Shane L.

[Homestar]

I'm pretty sure they cater for the this in council regulations. You can have a 2nd transportable residence (eg: granny flat) however it must be removed if the granny dies/shifts out.


seeya
Shane L.

Unfortunately not in this case. The farming regs overrule everything else. Even putting a large shed up is looking doubtful. A 3 sided machinery shed with no concrete floor looks about the only thing I can build out there - just got a quote for a 12 x 24 meter version - that should keep me out of trouble for a while.:)

[DoubleChevron]

Unfortunately not in this case. The farming regs overrule everything else. Even putting a large shed up is looking doubtful. A 3 sided machinery shed with no concrete floor looks about the only thing I can build out there - just got a quote for a 12 x 24 meter version - that should keep me out of trouble for a while.:)

That's strange. I was under the impression a lot of farming areas didn't even require permits for sheds. Possibly it depends on farm sizing. If you have 500acre farms. Your not going to annoy neighbours :)

seeya,
Shane L.

[Mick_Marsh]

Yeah Shane. Machinery shed. Three sided. Fourth side must not be enclosed.
Unfortunately not in this case. The farming regs overrule everything else. Even putting a large shed up is looking doubtful. A 3 sided machinery shed with no concrete floor looks about the only thing I can build out there - just got a quote for a 12 x 24 meter version - that should keep me out of trouble for a while.:)
Hmmm...
Can I convince you to build one a little bigger. By about 300% or 400% ought to do it.

[Homestar]

That's strange. I was under the impression a lot of farming areas didn't even require permits for sheds. Possibly it depends on farm sizing. If you have 500acre farms. Your not going to annoy neighbours :)

seeya,
Shane L.

If it was 500 acres I could do what I like, but if it's under 100 acres in the farming belt then your pretty stuffed with the council in this area - they are known to be on of the hardest councils in the country to deal with. The rul changed about 10 years ago. A neighbour in the area was given approval to subdivide several hundred acres into 40 acre lots before the rules changed. He spent a lot of money doing that, then the rules changed and now he can't sell any of the blocks because no one can now build a house on them. So now he has lots of 40 acre paddocks on separate titles for his cows to graze in. He has to pay rates on them all which is a lot more that what he would pay if it was one large property. He's been in and out of court for years, but it's just sending him broke.

Just another example of bureaucracy gone mad...

[Homestar]

Yeah Shane. Machinery shed. Three sided. Fourth side must not be enclosed.
Hmmm...
Can I convince you to build one a little bigger. By about 300% or 400% ought to do it.

I would love to, but it's not on my property (yet) and the FIL doesn't like having cars sitting around...

You'll have to wait until they shuffle off, but that won't be happening any time soon.

[DoubleChevron]

Build the machinery shed ............. Put some large roller doors down the open wall. Roll 'em up, you have a 3walled shed with some supports, roll 'em down and it's closed .............. Obviously do this AFTER the permits have been approved :)

[Chucaro]

Bugger that this is nice, very nice :cool:
Why the old cars have that character that it is lost in the new ones ?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/73.jpg]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

yea, thats not a number plate,, its the engine capacity needed to tow that van---;):p

[DoubleChevron]

yea, thats not a number plate,, its the engine capacity needed to tow that van---;):p

It's only a little single axle 'van isn't it :)

[Chucaro]

The ATM of the 20' dual axle is ATM 2,722 kg and the 6 m single axle ATM 2045 k

[DoubleChevron]

The ATM of the 20' dual axle is ATM 2,722 kg and the 6 m single axle ATM 2045 k

The airstreams? Are they really that heavy :o :o :o Anything short of an old truck or modern 4wd probably doesn't have the tow capacity to move it .....

[Homestar]

The airstreams? Are they really that heavy :o :o :o Anything short of an old truck or modern 4wd probably doesn't have the tow capacity to move it .....

Yep, the big banger we looked at came in at 3,400Kg. They are designed to be towed by F trucks or similar. It's one of the reasons we're looking at 5th wheelers instead. You still need an F truck or the like to tow them, but you can get something with twice the floor area - 2 or 3 slide outs, that weighs in at around 4,000Kg for similar money, and tows much better.

[Chucaro]

You do need to break the bank or sell your kids for purchasing a proper towing vehicle, this smart 1973 F250 do the job just fine :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/07/1369.jpg

I am not so sure if the LR like in this photo can do the job as good specially in Tasmania

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/07/1370.jpg

[Chucaro]

Yep, the big banger we looked at came in at 3,400Kg. They are designed to be towed by F trucks or similar. It's one of the reasons we're looking at 5th wheelers instead. You still need an F truck or the like to tow them, but you can get something with twice the floor area - 2 or 3 slide outs, that weighs in at around 4,000Kg for similar money, and tows much better.

In USA you can get cheap old Airstream to convert to 5th wheeler but here starting @ $135000 it is better to get an Australian made unit.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/07/1367.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/07/1368.jpg

[TerryO]

While a Airstream is a real nice thing another alternative when looking for big vans and in this case one that doesn't weigh more than a bus and cost more than a Greek Island is the Grandcruiser.

This particular 28 footer is a bit old, but it's still a nice van and this brand of van has about the best sound and heat insulation of just about any van on the market. The new ones are a good thing and unlike most other vans hail isn't a worry for them as they are mostly fibreglass.


2006 Grandcruiser Extreme Caravans in Victoria - caravancampingsales.com.au (http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3373387/2006-Grandcruiser-Extreme?cr=2&category=Caravans&psq=%28%28%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Ne w%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloTyp e%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BP rivate%20Used%5D%29%26Category%3DCaravans%29%26Mak e%3DGrandcruiser%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampings ales%5D%29%26SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium)

Here are some better pics of a much newer 24 footer. Note the payload of 800 kg which is nearly double what most van manufacturers allow. This mob who are located in Newcastle custom make vans to thier customers designs as well.

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3103678/2013-Grandcruiser-Advancedcruiser?cr=4&category=Caravans&psq=%28%28%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Ne w%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloTyp e%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BP rivate%20Used%5D%29%26Category%3DCaravans%29%26Mak e%3DGrandcruiser%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampings ales%5D%29%26SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

[Chucaro]

I was looking at the prices of used Airstream in USA and have the shock knowing that the the 762 model here range from $130000 to $140000
I just wonder how much will costs to shipping and old 25 footer which can be get from less that U$A 350000 ?

Airstream Classifieds (http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com/ad-category/airstream-trailers-for-sale/)

[TerryO]

Hi Arthur,

the transport costs are not high, but the vans are all wrong to get registered easily here, doors on wrong sides, wrong electrical connections and a number of potential issues.

I know several people who import vans, campers and fifth wheelers from the US. Up until recently quite a number of the US imported fifth wheelers that were sold here were dodgy. The importers got them passed for registration without roll out awnings as with a awning fitted often they were to wide. Then after registering them they fitted awnings.

Its not impossible to do but can be lots of work, especially moving doors and fixing closed existing doors so they can't open etc. Plus then making the furniture fit back in or making new furniture etc.

[Chucaro]

Hi Terry, thanks for your inputs.
It is a shame because I like them so much, they are very bright inside and I like the construction of them not to mention the shape that it is not a box on wheels.

My second option is going to be a retro like the alum framed Viscount, the ones with wrap around windows.
The are heaps lighter so the Rangie will be more that enough to tow a 18 to 20 footer

[DoubleChevron]

Hi Terry, thanks for your inputs.
It is a shame because I like them so much, they are very bright inside and I like the construction of them not to mention the shape that it is not a box on wheels.

My second option is going to be a retro like the alum framed Viscount, the ones with wrap around windows.
The are heaps lighter so the Rangie will be more that enough to tow a 18 to 20 footer

Pommy 'vans are light .... my brother just imported this one ... $28K delivered complianced to his doorstep.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOIywvPBkXjHjm08xzU_Mz_Hj3Jd8iqGtSx9HqUWzHPYy K-Rcur6Mui6DFqvrRONw?key=NGNfcDVNT3ZpbWlFdjRKR1Nha1h yZElwQmN4M3Nn

It arrived exactly as described.

seeya,
Shane L.

[Chucaro]

Pommy 'vans are light .... my brother just imported this one ... $28K delivered complianced to his doorstep.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOIywvPBkXjHjm08xzU_Mz_Hj3Jd8iqGtSx9HqUWzHPYy K-Rcur6Mui6DFqvrRONw?key=NGNfcDVNT3ZpbWlFdjRKR1Nha1h yZElwQmN4M3Nn

It arrived exactly as described.

seeya,
Shane L.

They are very nice inside but I am not sure if the Alko chassis will be strong enough for the Australian (not off road) conditions.
Also they are very low and I will be worry about the departure angle in some driveways.

[Chops]

Pommy 'vans are light .... my brother just imported this one ... $28K delivered complianced to his doorstep.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOIywvPBkXjHjm08xzU_Mz_Hj3Jd8iqGtSx9HqUWzHPYy K-Rcur6Mui6DFqvrRONw?key=NGNfcDVNT3ZpbWlFdjRKR1Nha1h yZElwQmN4M3Nn

It arrived exactly as described.

seeya,
Shane L.

Shane, he got a good deal. They sell these here, but double+ that price. There's quite a few nice European units here now that look spectacular, but as Arthur said, I'd be worried about the strength and height on some of them.
We looked at a couple late last year, early this year and opted to wait for a while on a Caravan, and bought the Camper instead.

[Chucaro]

In this video it is possible to see the construction of the Alko chassis.
Hymer, the German company use them as well

NEC Spring 2013 - FEATURE Caravan chassis with Alko

[DoubleChevron]

Shane, he got a good deal. They sell these here, but double+ that price. There's quite a few nice European units here now that look spectacular, but as Arthur said, I'd be worried about the strength and height on some of them.
We looked at a couple late last year, early this year and opted to wait for a while on a Caravan, and bought the Camper instead.

You will NEVER break one of those "alutech" system alko chassis 'vans. Take 4 solid sandwich panel walls.... Bolt and lock the suckers together (think a garden shed all screwed together and how flimsy they are until bolted together...). Way, way, way, way tougher than an aussie 'van (ie: a big heavy chassis with frail box sitting on top).

My parents recently bought a baileys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzx56FmZSGY

The interior fitting lock into the walls when it's assembled so can't fall apart too.

https://youtu.be/Fyvj8CTlgIE

Bailey australia has just started building htem here. They showed my father photos of the one that took down and hammered the **** out of around a car testing ground. Absolutely hammered the crap out of it. They showed him the picture of the interior. The stove and fridge fell out, some of the locally sourced furniture came apart etc... they went back and screwed down everything that moved and tried again .... then hammered them across australia. No australia manufacturer destruction tests there caravans like this.

I'd ONLY buy a pommy van bolted together like this if I was in the market for a new van :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_x8bDuOVO0

Why don't htey build aussie 'vans like this :(

seeya,
Shane L.

[Chucaro]

.......................... then hammered them across australia. No australia manufacturer destruction tests there caravans like this.

I'd ONLY buy a pommy van bolted together like this if I was in the market for a new van :)
.................................................. .................


Why don't htey build aussie 'vans like this :(

seeya,
Shane L.
Is this what you are referring to ?

Bailey Australia West2East Episode 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch't=2&v=vO72mVDliIA)

Bailey Australia West2East Episode 2

[Chucaro]

You will NEVER break one of those "alutech" system alko chassis 'vans. .................................................. ................
seeya,
Shane L.

Shane, looks like that not only Chops and I believe that the Alko chassis is not up to the task in Australia, Bailey also appears to have that suspicious because they have developed an Australian version with a duragal RHS chassis similar to the other Australian brands of caravan and further more they went to leaf spring suspension.
I agree with you that the body is very strong and watertight and better that in many of the Australian made vans.

Here is a video where it shows the chassis in the Australian model

Rangefinder Prototype Testing at AARC

[TerryO]

Already had a look at these previously and I reckon the new Bailey, so called, off road van could do the job Arthur, they have improved ground clearance over their usual vans. Unfortunately still have Billy Kart suspension and still not a lot of it, but enough if your not going off road.

[DoubleChevron]

Shane, looks like that not only Chops and I believe that the Alko chassis is not up to the task in Australia, Bailey also appears to have that suspicious because they have developed an Australian version with a duragal RHS chassis similar to the other Australian brands of caravan and further more they went to leaf spring suspension.
I agree with you that the body is very strong and watertight and better that in many of the Australian made vans.

Here is a video where it shows the chassis in the Australian model

Rangefinder Prototype Testing at AARC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyvj8CTlgIE)

It's cheaper ... they moved the axle back and made the interior layout like an aussie van too. there tyring to make it look like a traditional aussie 'van. So less expensive local chassis, standard aussie furniture (looks like it's flat pack out of china rather than the pommy style furniture).

Remember, that ALKO rubber suspension is used on a lot of the heavy duty offroad camper trailers.... It's sure to be more than suffice (though I wouldn't say superior by any means).

seeya,
Shane L.

[Chops]

Damn,, they're pretty cool. I've watched them all :D
I do love the large front lounge, which is one of the things that drew us to them in the first place.
I didn't realise they were now made here in Aus, and seem to have been for some time now. Me thinks we might reconsider our end goal ;), once the harder stuff is done and dusted.

[TerryO]

If you look at the ZONE van construction video clip there ain't a lot if difference in the way they build vans to Bailey

Though the ZONE vans are truly off road capable unlike the Bailey, having said that for the price difference one would reasonably expect that.

There is another top brand of Aussie built vans that don't weigh a lot and are very much quality built, Future Systems is the brand, made in Victoria and just about all fibreglass.

[Chucaro]

If you look at the ZONE van construction video clip there ain't a lot if difference in the way they build vans to Bailey

Though the ZONE vans are truly off road capable unlike the Bailey, having said that for the price difference one would reasonably expect that.

There is another top brand of Aussie built vans that don't weigh a lot and are very much quality built, Future Systems is the brand, made in Victoria and just about all fibreglass.

The only problem with the Zone vans is that they cost more than $120000, double of the UK vans.
The chassis alone cost $25000

[Chops]

Price is a bit exxy, but having said that, not bad at all.

It amazes me just how many van makers there are in Aus. I'm sure I haven't heard of half of them, a bit like the camper trailers.
We went to the camper trailer show in Melb a couple of months back, and I was gob-smacked at how many different brands there were there, and we didn't even get to check them all out :o

[3toes]

Stats I saw here earlier this year for UK van sales and merchandise quality was commenting on how much better the construction methods were. Only 20% of new vans were now being returned to the dealer for water leak problems in first 12 months of ownership.