Caravan - east to west

[strydes]

Here's a looong shot:

I've bought a caravan in Portland, Victoria and live in Perth, WA. I'm in no real rush to get hold of it and the seller is happy to keep in his shed so any time in the next 3 months.

I'll start looking at trucking options (suggestions welcome) but if anyone was heading that way up until October and would like fuel money and possibly a place to sleep along the way I'd love to chat.

Even just up to Adelaide where it might be cheaper to get pick up from could work as I have a place I can get it stored there.

[Homestar]

What sized van and how much does it weigh?

I may be able to move it from Portland to Adelaide in 6 to 8 weeks, as I'm planning a work run through that way, but it is a very faint maybe at the moment as I won't have anything confirmed for a bit yet, and it could change to exclude the Western part of Vic.

[LandyAndy]

Would be worth posting some details of the van,especially its condition.
We have an olde fella at work that usually does a Xmas run over east to visit his family.Sometimes he takes his van,sometimes he sleeps in the wagon/motels and sometimes he flys.He has one of those V6 AWD Dunnydoore wagons,unsure if he has electric trailer brakes,possibly not as his van isnt big or that modern.
Andrew

[strydes]

Thanks for the replies gents. Not sure I want to wait till xmas... we need a get in a few practices before we head off for a year in March!

6 months old, dual axle, 21ft full size van. Tare of 2380, ball weight 160.

It has Cruisemaster XT independent suspension, 6 inch chassis and 16" wheels so the hitch sits pretty high, suspect it would be an issue for a standard sedan. D4 should do it though :D

[Homestar]

That's me out sorry, my work car is only good for 2 tonne.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Re the Brakes - You'd probably have to get some one with the same braking controller to suit the caravans system?

[alien]

I see these trucks refuelling every now and then and the drivers seem quite switched on.
They always do a walk around of tie down chains/straps etc..
Other than that I've had nothing to do with them.
Caravan Mover | Interstate Caravan Transport | Australia-Wide (http://www.opsl.com.au/interstate-transport-services/caravan/)


I'm not planning on an Adelaide trip put could bring it to Melbourne if it helps.
It may come down to a goggle search and quote requests:cool:

[weeds]

Re the Brakes - You'd probably have to get some one with the same braking controller to suit the caravans system?


In theory you should be able to hook up to any controller.........unless it has electric over hydraulic.

[strydes]

I'm not planning on an Adelaide trip put could bring it to Melbourne if it helps.
It may come down to a goggle search and quote requests:cool:
Thanks for the offer up to Melb! Might just be an option if we continue to struggle on freight.

We've had at least 1000 quotes now ;)

We thought we had a good quote but they said they couldn't do it for that price any more 2 days later, and the next closest said they didn't realise how far from Melbourne it was to Portland and wants to change the price. So I'm back to deciding what sort of premium is reasonable vs sending the car over and driving it all back. Just wish I had the time for that.

Surely there's plenty of people out there in Victoria just sitting around bored looking to drive to Perth that want to tow a van for me...

And yes, any electric brake controller equipped car will be fine, nothing fancy going on there.

[Basil135]

Just as a matter of interest, what ballpark are the quotes in, that you have been given from the companies?

There could be a plan forming... ;)

[Tombie]

Yes a cunning plan is developing dependant on Costings :)

[strydes]

Current best is $3300. The one that fell through was $2750.

The suspense is killing me...
Yes a cunning plan is developing

There's also another job on truckit.net for a caravan Perth to Melbourne if a return load is needed to sweeten the deal ;)

[Basil135]

Yes a cunning plan is developing dependant on Coatings :)

Coatings?


You gonna paint the man's van for him too?? :angel:

[Tombie]

Coatings?





You gonna paint the man's van for him too?? :angel:


Been a long day.. :)

[Tombie]

$3300 is essentially a $ per kilometre.

If it includes insurance it's worth every cent...

3300km of tyre wear, wheel bearing wear, and risk....

Fuel @ 15/100km (optimistic) is around $800 like closer to $1100 with a head wind...

And a minimum of 33 hours in the saddle...

[strydes]

If it includes insurance it's worth every cent...

Yeh this mob specialise in caravans and boats. Fully insured and seem to do lot of business for Coromal (WA made heading east) and local dealers bringing east-coast made vans west.

I did the numbers also and with the days off work just couldn't justify the 'saving' of doing it myself once you factor the wear.

[Homestar]

Speaking of which, your gunna need insurance if Tombie has anything to do with it... ;):angel::wasntme:

[LandyAndy]

So,for us WA folk,its obviously cheaper to buy ex east,how much cheaper than WA(aproximate is fine) to factor this delivery delema.
Worth considering carting ones chattels on a cheap 6x4 trailer,selling the trailer and starting the trip over there.
Andrew

[strydes]

In our case we bought ex-east because it was exactly what we were looking for, which we couldn't find locally, second hand and well priced.

You might be surprised how hard it is to find in WA a 1-2 year old family caravan (2 bunk & queen) less than 22 foot, well kitted for off-road and free-camping. Lots more supply in the east.

If we were buying new, the saving from a Victorian dealer to the local WA dealer is $5,500 for our exact van (minus the $15K in upgrades and accessories we've got on this one). Call delivery $3,500 and you're paying $2k more so not an outrageous 'WA tax'.

[alien]

I can see it now, another Fyrlyt run across the Nullarbor:angel:
What's the plan guys, what scheming is going on?


Plan A, when certain members have an RDO Monday???


I'll wander down to Portland and grab the van Saturday late morning..
A gentle wander to Tailem Bend for a change over @ 6PM and then I'll head east.
In the mean time the Disco and van with Fyrlyts' ablaze heads west with 2 drivers.
All going to plan another AULRO pub dinner at Kalgoorlie Sunday night after un-hitching.
I'm sure they will find a local or two to join in;)
All going to plan they can be home Monday night:D
This has the van a day trip away from Perth.




:wasntme:

[Tombie]

I think you're onto us there Kyle :cool:

[loanrangie]

What is this the A team - " i love it when a plan comes together " :D.

[strydes]

Hate to rain on the parade and thanks all for the comments and 'scheming' but it leaves tomorrow morning, in my driveway in Perth on Tuesday should all go to plan.

Bring on the endless tinkering. I'll drop a pic of the D4 and van onto the site when its here and hooked up.

[alien]

I think you're onto us there Kyle :cool:
With team Fyrlyt on the job it could have ended up a nasty trip.
It's probably a good thing you've been saved from further indiscretions:coplight:



Hate to rain on the parade and thanks all for the comments and 'scheming' but it leaves tomorrow morning, in my driveway in Perth on Tuesday should all go to plan.

Bring on the endless tinkering. I'll drop a pic of the D4 and van onto the site when its here and hooked up.
That's good news, hope the big trip goes well.


Don't forget if you get over to my side of the country to shout out.
I'm always up for showing off my little part of Victoria.
The local AULRO folk are always up for bush camp too if you have the time.

[LandyAndy]

I can see it now, another Fyrlyt run across the Nullarbor:angel:
What's the plan guys, what scheming is going on?


Plan A, when certain members have an RDO Monday???


I'll wander down to Portland and grab the van Saturday late morning..
A gentle wander to Tailem Bend for a change over @ 6PM and then I'll head east.
In the mean time the Disco and van with Fyrlyts' ablaze heads west with 2 drivers.
All going to plan another AULRO pub dinner at Kalgoorlie Sunday night after un-hitching.
I'm sure they will find a local or two to join in;)
All going to plan they can be home Monday night:D
This has the van a day trip away from Perth.







:wasntme:

Then assuming The Member for Kalgoorlie,BMKal survived Diggers and Dealers he could drag it to Perth on a work trip;););)
Andrew

[d2dave]

Don't forget if you get over to my side of the country to shout out.
I'm always up for showing off my little part of Victoria.
The local AULRO folk are always up for bush camp too if you have the time.

And if your touring takes you to central Vic I have tons of space for any size caravan.

[strydes]

And if your touring takes you to central Vic I have tons of space for any size caravan.

Thanks for the offer. When we finally set off we'll have everywhere to go and nowhere to be, with nothing but time, so sounds like a plan.

Here's a photo of the beast sitting outside our house when it was delivered on Monday. Can't wait for our first practice trip, but unfortunately it won't be moving out of the driveway for a couple of weeks because with the hitch being so high on the big wheels/suspension/chassis I need to wait for my Mitch Hitch order. I'm just not comfortable towing 2.5t on the standard hitch with a 6" riser (if I were to ignore LR's recommendation).