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Thread ID: 121790	2011-11-13 22:04:00	Advice on buying a campervan please	John H (8)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1243369	2011-11-14 03:25:00	Even $20k would get us a good caravan with much better specs than a van if we stayed small (which is all we need as a couple of old farts). Here is an example of something you wouldn't get in a van: www.trademe.co.nz Similar to what I bought, except mines a 4 berth, similar layout but with bunks across the back, we have the full bathroom, kitchen, 3 power systems, heating, its freaking amazing, the level of comfort and luxury is awesome. I've lived in it for months at a time and the family love going away in it. We got a full awning that goes up in about 15 minutes and doubles the living space, and I fitted a 12v LCD tv, DVD player and some car speakers. I had my heart set on a van, But in retrospect this was far and away the better purchase, especially with the nil running costs.	Metla (12)
1243370	2011-11-14 03:37:00	Get thee behind me, Satan!	John H (8)
1243371	2011-11-14 03:40:00	Metla, regarding the lower running costs for a caravan (which I had not thought about), what are you up for for registration and insurance, and do you have to get a 6 monthly WOF for a caravan?	John H (8)
1243372	2011-11-14 03:52:00	I think the rego is $28 a year, its classified as a trailer. No idea about insurance, I let the wife take care of all that. Having said that the rego and wof is about 3 years out of date, I need to sort that out. Still, its not going to cost much.	Metla (12)
1243373	2011-11-14 03:55:00	If you are not going to be using the caravan for a period of time you can put the rego on hold.	plod (107)
1243374	2011-11-14 03:57:00	Isn't there an electrical WOF of sorts that has to be done every now and then too? Just so it doesn't catch fire while you aren't looking...	wratterus (105)
1243375	2011-11-14 04:03:00	Yes, you do have to get an electrical certification. However, the costs Metla quoted are pretty low compared with what a van would cost, and I imagine the cost of electrical certification would be similar to or cheaper than a van. That, and the quality of what you can get inside a caravan (including the storage compartments they often seem to have above the tow bar) makes a modern small caravan pretty attractive. I showed one to Herself though, and she was less than luke warm because of the towing thing. I am not sure what caravans have in terms of grey water storage so it may not be possible to get a self containment certificate to enable freedom camping. I will have to check that out.	John H (8)
1243376	2011-11-14 04:19:00	Isn't there an electrical WOF of sorts that has to be done every now and then too? Just so it doesn't catch fire while you aren't looking... Yeah, Never bothered with one myself. Never been turned away from a camp ground either. I might look into it, or maybe not.	Metla (12)
1243377	2011-11-14 04:22:00	I am not sure what caravans have in terms of grey water storage so it may not be possible to get a self containment certificate to enable freedom camping. I will have to check that out. You can either have a tank mounted on the bottom of the caravan or one you place on the ground under the caravan. If you have the caravan mounted system you have to maneuver the entire caravan to the disposal point to dump it, otherwise you just take the container away to empty it. I have been meaning to buy a new one thats has wheels and handles on it and lies flat along the ground.	Metla (12)
1243378	2011-11-14 05:36:00	pcTek - I have been talking to a neighbour about his bus, and he says the word is that they are talking about changing RUC to a new system that is related to the weight a vehicle IS CAPABLE of carrying. In other words, if you have a 4 tonne camper bus but its chassis is capable of carrying 6 tonne, you would have to pay RUC based on 6 tonne - time for hubby to get rid of the ute perhaps? Sad to hear that Ford is crap like the D & L says... . It's worth bout $1500. Another would be at least $10000. Can't afford it.	pctek (84)
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