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Offline alnjan

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Solo Camper
« on: October 19, 2020, 10:42:49 PM »
I'll throw it out there and see what the collective group can suggest.   

Due to the mother-in-law succumbing to a lung infection (NOT COVID) the Father-in-law is reassessing his life and life style.   

He has always been one to wander and explore but due to her failing health they have been stagnant for the last several years. 

Being a bit older he doesn't think he will have his driver's license for much longer but also doesn't like the idea of just staying put much either.

He has always has had a number of different types of campers from converted Coaster bus, Hiace campervan, numerous types of caravans and campers to self built campers in/on trailers.   

Talking to him after the funeral he was talking about getting another Hiace type campervan.  As the Bride is staying with him for a little while, helping to sort somethings out in the house.   While talking to her, he mentioned he wasn't sure about a van and back to towing something and was looking at the Avan campers.   

He is looking for a little camper/van that is basic, for a solo traveller, no canvas for security reasons, with minimal setup and breakdown,  bed travels made ready sleep in.   

Any suggestions?   
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Offline edz

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2020, 06:05:34 AM »
A  jaco pod or a tear drop might be the style to go   ..Here is a styromax quick build    https://www.facebook.com/mybandbcamper     The my B & B camper ..
« Last Edit: October 20, 2020, 06:09:06 AM by edz »
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Offline Jeepers Creepers

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2020, 06:09:50 AM »
"Being a bit older he doesn't think he will have his driver's license for much longer "

Based on the above, I would question whether he should be driving/towing something larger than what he is use to.

Only he can answer that, but a question you might want to ask.
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Offline Pete79

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2020, 06:30:08 AM »
What about a simple VW Transporter style camper van?

Easy setup and no issues parking in town or stopping at a hotel/motor inn if he needs a decent room for a night or 2 while traveling around.
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2020, 06:34:04 AM »
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on October 20, 2020, 06:09:50 AM
"Being a bit older he doesn't think he will have his driver's license for much longer "

Based on the above, I would question whether he should be driving/towing something larger than what he is use to.

Only he can answer that, but a question you might want to ask.

Largely that is him asking the question.  He is only 83, still got all his faculties, still capable and able to do all the things needed, drives good and can still reverse with a trailer.  Just the last couple of years he hasn't driven far.  Once he gets back in the saddle he is right.     
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2020, 06:48:13 AM »
Quote from: edz on October 20, 2020, 06:05:34 AM
A  jaco pod or a tear drop might be the style to go   ..Here is a styromax quick build    https://www.facebook.com/mybandbcamper     The my B & B camper ..

I suggested the Jayco J pod and he websurfed a few of the tear drop style campers but wasn't really taken by them for different reasons.   
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Offline Fizzie

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2020, 07:00:45 AM »
Another factor is where is he going to be staying ???

Caravan parks with facilities, power & water available / camping grounds with things "over there" / or remote bush camps that he's got to diy everything, especially a dunny, carrying water, setting up solar panels & so on ???
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2020, 07:01:34 AM »
IMHO, something that will allow him to drive around without breaking camp, and nothing that requires on-site assembly or contortionism to access.

I'd suggest a small pop-top, with electric lifting doo-hickeys for the roof.

 :cheers:

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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2020, 07:05:24 AM »
Quote from: Pete79 on October 20, 2020, 06:30:08 AM
What about a simple VW Transporter style camper van?

Easy setup and no issues parking in town or stopping at a hotel/motor inn if he needs a decent room for a night or 2 while traveling around.

Yep he started of talking about a Hiace van and I thought that would have suited him well.
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Offline Pottsy

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2020, 07:06:46 AM »
Tow a small, 12ft van. No Canvas, No Pop Top, No breaking camp to go anywhere, small, compact, lightweight, easy to tow and can be secure.
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Offline Steffo1

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2020, 07:24:46 AM »
On a recent trip, I was chatting to a woman, in her mid 70s, who is on her lonesome and travelling in this. Quite a good setup for one and easy to operate. With her solar panel, she is 99% independant and mainly free camps.




« Last Edit: October 20, 2020, 07:30:03 AM by Steffo1 »
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2020, 07:24:59 AM »
Quote from: Pottsy on October 20, 2020, 07:06:46 AM
Tow a small, 12ft van. No Canvas, No Pop Top, No breaking camp to go anywhere, small, compact, lightweight, easy to tow and can be secure.

His last few vans have been exactly that but he did sell not just the van but also the tow vehicle just so they wouldn't do any tripping while she was crook.   Now he has a late model Nissan Xtrail which has a max tow rating of just over the ton.   
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2020, 07:26:38 AM »
Quote from: Fizzie on October 20, 2020, 07:00:45 AM
Another factor is where is he going to be staying ???

Caravan parks with facilities, power & water available / camping grounds with things "over there" / or remote bush camps that he's got to diy everything, especially a dunny, carrying water, setting up solar panels & so on ???

He loves getting away to his local beach area and stays at the caravan park there, but has previously done a lot of free camping so it is a mixed bag.   
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #13 on: October 20, 2020, 07:49:59 AM »
Quote from: Steffo1 on October 20, 2020, 07:24:46 AM
On a recent trip, I was chatting to a woman, in her mid 70s, who is on her lonesome and travelling in this. Quite a good setup for one and easy to operate. With her solar panel, she is 99% independant and mainly free camps.

I think it's the way to go for a solo senior camper.   Simple easy and the least amount of parts to go wrong.
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Offline #jonesy

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2020, 08:09:58 AM »
When I started to read your initial post my first thought was HiAce van style.  Probably wouldn't go pop top on one though unless it is little effort.  Fiamma style awning and pull out kitchen. 
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Offline tryagain

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #15 on: October 20, 2020, 08:13:33 AM »
Quote from: alnjan on October 20, 2020, 07:49:59 AM
I think it's the way to go for a solo senior camper.   Simple easy and the least amount of parts to go wrong.

Yep, I don't see the point in him towing something, if he wanted something he could take a bit more offroad, then one of the tray back campers on a Hilux would be another option, although that might end up being a bit high to get up into.
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Offline Bird

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #16 on: October 20, 2020, 08:49:45 AM »
Quote from: Pete79
What about a simple VW Transporter style camper van?
Easy setup and no issues parking in town or stopping at a hotel/motor inn if he needs a decent room for a night or 2 while traveling around.
Good option I reckon... less problems with backing trailers, and less to break down. My olds had a Kombi in the 70/80's.. went everywhere in that and was really well setup.

Or if he wants offroad, something like Noels ute camper
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Offline edz

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #17 on: October 20, 2020, 10:18:27 AM »
My sister is a solo traveler in her mid 60's ...  Has a VW caddy, no pop top,  just a DIY bed with room underneath for storage ..hanging rail for clothes and plastic storage boxes .. A shelf bench along the inside to take a gas cannister twin burner stove  .. 40lt Engel with solar,  two 10 lt water jerries strapped to the floor + a cassette toilet  ..table / chair and a 4wd type roll out awning with  walls if she wants ..
Its been all she needed and quite regularly traveled from the East coast to the West coast over 2 > 3 months at a time ..
« Last Edit: October 20, 2020, 10:22:37 AM by edz »
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #18 on: October 20, 2020, 01:12:50 PM »
Quote from: edz on October 20, 2020, 10:18:27 AM
My sister is a solo traveler in her mid 60's ...  Has a VW caddy, no pop top,  just a DIY bed with room underneath for storage ..hanging rail for clothes and plastic storage boxes .. A shelf bench along the inside to take a gas cannister twin burner stove  .. 40lt Engel with solar,  two 10 lt water jerries strapped to the floor + a cassette toilet  ..table / chair and a 4wd type roll out awning with  walls if she wants ..
Its been all she needed and quite regularly traveled from the East coast to the West coast over 2 > 3 months at a time ..

Originally talking to him that is the sort of set up he was talking about.  While he doesn't have a camper/van at present he still has a lot of camping gear he can use.   Next time I talk to him he may be onto the next idea
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Offline dogbox

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #19 on: October 20, 2020, 01:29:52 PM »
does he have a budget
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Offline alnjan

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Re: Solo Camper
« Reply #20 on: October 20, 2020, 01:42:50 PM »
Quote from: dogbox on October 20, 2020, 01:29:52 PM
does he have a budget

He has a bit of funds behind him but I don't think he is looking to big with the budget
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