To Van or not to Van

That is the question. For a while now I have been debating if I want to continue my Trainee Grey Nomad journey. I alternate between loving it and thinking it would be easier to just stay in cabins or motels. Having been home from our last trip for a couple of months, I must say I am missing the travelling.

Currently, we have a Jayco Lark (wind-up camper) which makes setting up a bit of a drama (especially as we get older). We are pretty quick at the set-up and, if everything goes smoothly, it takes about 30-45 minutes. However, having done some travelling in the winter, it is pretty cold and the condensation can be an issue and also, no toilet/shower is becoming tricky. The lack of storage can be annoying as the camper generally looks like a tornado has been through it. We do travel very ight and have a plastic drawer set up to keep clothes and linen neat.

I guess what I want to be able to do is simply pull-up wherever we want (even if it is for just one night). It would also be great if we didn’t have to unhook the caravan. We are not especially OUTBACK WARRIORS so don’t really need a van capable of doing the Gibb River Road - simply a van that can cope with some dirt roads along the way and has a bit of clearance. I notice some caravans these days are so high you just about need a ladder to climb up!

The one great thing about the Jayco Lark is that it is really light-weight and is easy on fuel - we hardly know we are towing most of the time. I do find that staying just one night is a pain in the arse because it seems a lot of set-up and pack-down time is involved for just one night.

I have noticed that a number of caravan manufacturers are now producing smaller, light-weight, single-axle vans with ensuites which look great. I guess we are not the only people with this wish-list:

SMALL, SINGLE-AXLE, LIGHT-WEIGHT, ENSUITE, VALUE FOR MONEY, REASONABLE STORAGE, INTERNAL FRIDGE & STOVE

I would love to know what smaller caravans people have that fit the above criteria (or close to it). I don’t mind a bit of compromise. Also, I often see second-hand caravans that meet the above criteria and are very well priced. I worry about buying other people’s problems though.

Working on the road is something I have always thought would be great and a good way to fund our travels. We were lucky enough to work at the Blinman Heritage Mine in the Flinders Ranges in SA which was fabulous and certainly reinforced my desire to work on the road. Fortunately, we had a house to live in during our time there and we didn’t have to live in the camper. To be honest, I think it would have been very difficult and uncomfortable living in a small camper and working. If I want to continue my work travel adventures, I think it is time to get a caravan and trade in the camper.

I would love to know other travellers’ experiences updating from a camper to a full-size van.

Yesterday, we went along to the Maryborough Caravan Expo to get a chance to look at caravans we don’t have readily available in Bundaberg. To say I am a little overwhelmed is an understatement!

Some of the vans I really liked included the Peregian 17’6 from Sunvan Caravans, the Feathertop from Set Up Camps as well as the Victory VIC1760RD. I guess what they all have in common are: Island Bed, two-door fridge, hot plates/grill (some have an oven), microwave, awning, solar panels, battery.

I am thinking I prefer the dinette style table over the lounge because it looks like you can kick back and watch TV on your own chair. I also noticed that some microwaves are down really low and I think I prefer it above the fridge so I am not down on hands and knees to get stuff in and out. At this stage, I am not too worried about a washing machine because I figure I can wash my knickers out in the shower. As we are not really OUTBACK people, I think we can also use a laundromat or the laundry in a CP. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Having spent a lot of time in our dinky little camper, I am thinking I definitely want some hanging space.

A grey water tank I am not sure - is it worthwhile ……. who knows, we may just become a bit more off-grid than we currently are.

I would like this caravan to be our last one so need to be sure it caters for our older-age including dodgy knees and back.

Firstly, we need to sell our Lark!

Watch this space but feel free to give me any feedback you may have for me on this upgrade.

If you know anybody looking for a Jayco Lark, please have them reach out! Heaps of accessories including portaloo and pop-up ensuite tent (camper has an outdoor shower), bed flies, TV antannae, rubber mats, solar blanket (camper fitted with Anderson Plug for charging), HWS, bed-flys, fans plus more. I have put some photos below.