Hi,
Would or do you ever set it up in a 'favourite' location for an extended stay?
Yes, we have stayed a week or so in the one spot, usually when camping with friends. The innovan is not as 'social' as say a camper trailer with a huge awning area to sit around in and chat.
We find we tend to gravitate to the larger 'amenities' when camped in a group as ours are really designed for a couple.
What did you have prior to the Innovan?
Motorbike and tent before kids.
Car, trailer and tent when kids were small.
Motorhome when the kids were a bit bigger until they drove their own vehicles.
Bought the Landrover and Innovan when I retired in 2010.
What are the biggest disadvantages or limitations with this type of set-up?
It is quite 'cosy' and you need to be active to use it. i.e. only room for one person to cook on the inside stove - the other needs to be outside or sitting down at the table.
Really only room for one at a time to get out of bed and get dressed at a time. One has to move if the other wishes to get past in the isle area. (You are living in a box on a ute tray. but it is WAY better than a hike tent.
Twin beds, BUT the mattresses can be put across the table, with the two seat cushions to make a double bed for happy hours.
The Innovan has HUGE storage, BUT the bulk of it is accessed form outside, which is fine if you organise it well.
Other issues to consider.
Forget putting it up on legs at a campsite. The legs are 10kg each and occupy a large space. I cross chain the unit when it is parked at home on the legs on a concrete slab and it is very stable when this is done.
You could do it at a long term camp, but I wouldn't.
It is practical to stop for lunch and fully set up, takes maybe 1 minute once on a level spot. (gas on, unlatch, lift, drop stairs, pull awning, open door) It is just as quick to get going again once every thing inside is tidy.
It is also quite practical to explore local areas and return to the same campsite each night, we have done this at plenty of popular spots like Katooma, Dubbo, Melrose etc. Setting up and breaking camp is not an issue.
The unit is 2.4m high, so multi-level carparks are too low to use.
One of the main reasons we went for the Innovan was no canvas. Tassie is a cool damp climate and after years of drying tents when getting home, it was on the 'not to do' list.
It takes me about 30 minutes to load/unload the camper off the ute. It could be done in about half the time with less faffing about and being organised.
Yell if you have more queries.
cheers
