The next question in preparation for our big adventure is what kind of car should we get and what kind of accommodation?
Thinking about the accommodation first, there are many options. In order of comfort (and probably price) they are:
- Camping with a swag and tent;
- Camper trailer/van;
- Caravan;
- Motorhome.
Considering we are planning to be travelling for about 1 year (or more), and it will just be Emily and I, I think we would be mad to settle for a swag and a tent. I am not sure we would last the distance with the thought of "roughing it" night after night. Pitching a tent every night in rain, hail, or shine for an extended period of time does not really appeal to me. Then there's the lack of minor conveniences such as a fridge (other than a car fridge), and well, a lockable and secure place to sleep. So that rules out swag and tent.
Next on the list is a camper trailer. I like the idea of not having as much to tow but what if we get somewhere, stay for a night, and then decide it's not for us and have to pack up again? It's not a simple job of just hooking it back onto the car and taking off. Phew, I'm getting tired just thinking about doing that myself week in, week out. That rules the camper trailer out.
Next there's the caravan. I like the idea of a caravan. I must admit I had a bit of "reversing the caravan on my own phobia". But after some practice with a trailer, which I'm told is much harder as reversing stuff gets easier the bigger you go, I'm feeling ok about that. Then there's this awesome idea at a lot of caravan parks now called drive through sites. No, not the kind where you come in, see a movie on the outdoor picture theatre, and then stay the night. I mean a site where you can just drive through and park your van, no reversing required! It must have been a female caravan park owner who came up with that idea. Either that or some male caravan park owner who got sick of reversing caravans for the weekend warriors every week.
Next is the motorhome. The appealing things about the motorhome is that there is less things to maintain, less tyres, possibly easier to maneuver? But I am worried that if it does need repairing, not only do you lose your transport but you also lose your bed (and kitchen, etc). I see a lot of motorhomes towing smaller vehicles behind them. That's a good idea but then you are back up to 2 sets of tyres, 2 things to maintain, etc. You might as well go back to a car and caravan with the added benefit of being able to go away camping for a few nights without the caravan.
Ideally the "must have" checklist for a caravan/motorhome is:
- Ensuite (I think guiding my 6 year old to the toilet at God-knows-what-hour or at God-knows-what-rest stop for a year does not sound like a good trip to me!);
- Larger fridge (don't get me started on how much this little girl can fit into those hollow legs);
- 2 x single beds instead of a double or bunks (I am not, I repeat, I am not sharing a bed with the squirming child of the century for that length of time! I cannot function off 2 hours of sleep every night).
With those things in mind and after having a look around at what is offered with a motorhome, I think a motorhome is ruled out. They don't seem to offer the 2 x single option as the double bed is usually situated over the cab. There are larger berth option but they tend to be tables that convert into beds. That means you are either converting a table into a bed every day or Emily won't have her own area as a "bedroom".
After all that, the decision has been made. A car and caravan! After looking around at caravans that have all the "must haves" you are looking at one around the 20ft mark. I was hoping for one less but then you have to sacrifice something, mainly the ensuite, if you want a smaller van. I will probably be grateful for a larger van as time goes on too and you start enjoying the smaller comforts after being on the road for a while. One that keeps coming up that ticks all the boxes is a Jayco Sterling.
So... you need something to pull it!
Let's face it, I'm a ute girl. My current car is a Nissan Navara.
I could set this up but ideally I would love a canopy (greater lockable and weather proof storage space and a good set up if you want to go camping without the caravan). I would also have to add an electric brake system. It currently has 131,000km on the clock so it will probably start needing major things replaced as well in the near future. That would not be fun if we have to do it on the road!
I would love another dual cab ute. Preferably something with at least 3T towing capacity. It would also be great if it was already set up as a tow vehicle. With this in mind, I have started keeping my eye open for a car and caravan combo. There are actually quite a few out there. People must have had the full set up, done their travelling and either got sick of the wife whinging about the lack of TV reception in the middle of the desert, or just run out of steam. Either way, I'm not complaining if it means everything is set up and ready to go!
We're going to check out this one tomorrow.
But then again.... Go go crypto currency and I can up the price range..!
