Serious Motorhome, campervan, housebus, RV or caravan?

[Mudskipper]

I'm starting a new contract working in the Western Australian mines in the Pilbara region in middle of nowhere in the Aussie outback. I'm working 2 weeks on,, 1 week off FIFO (Fly in, fly out) and am thinking of leasing my house out because I'm hardly going to be here. Am looking at portable accomodation and wondered if anyone had thoughts on the best type of house on wheels? The mine site has full accomodation, gym, pool, taverns etc but I need somewhere else to stay every third week and am thinking fully off grid with a solar set up, batteries and generator back up. Or go and hang out in Bali every third week maybe as I'll be working big hours but getting paid pretty well - just separated from wife so have no requirements to be anywhere but will fly to NZ a few times a year to see family but that's about it.

 

[Fentanyl Floyd]

I think a camper van is better just because it's more low profile

 

[Mudskipper]

I think a camper van is better just because it's more low profile

I've been looking at kitted out campervans, might be a bit small is my only thought as I want something with a full ensuite / shower but on the upside it could tow a lock up enclosed trailer which could have more solar panels, could fit my tools and also a motorbike I'm thinking. Looking to keep it under $50k if poss. Have been looking at buying a bus and converting it myself as another option. Campervan much easier to cruise in though

 

[Dr Deacon]

I'd say campervan or small motorhome. If parking is an issue when you're out and about, go for a caravan.

 

[Preacher]

A while ago I was very close to buying a big motorhome to travel with. The problem was always the same, parking. It wasn't going to be easy to find a place to park it during the time I wasn't going to use it. And when it used it, neither.

If I were you I would buy something like this (campervan), cheaper, practical, easier to find parking, less maintenance, easier to move/maneuver and has everything it needs to have...

 

[wiggins]

I'm starting a new contract working in the Western Australian mines in the Pilbara region in middle of nowhere in the Aussie outback. I'm working 2 weeks on,, 1 week off FIFO (Fly in, fly out) and am thinking of leasing my house out because I'm hardly going to be here. Am looking at portable accomodation and wondered if anyone had thoughts on the best type of house on wheels? The mine site has full accomodation, gym, pool, taverns etc but I need somewhere else to stay every third week and am thinking fully off grid with a solar set up, batteries and generator back up. Or go and hang out in Bali every third week maybe as I'll be working big hours but getting paid pretty well - just separated from wife so have no requirements to be anywhere but will fly to NZ a few times a year to see family but that's about it.

Pilbara is stinking hot so you'll need something with aircon.

If you carry a decent generator then that would allow you to run household aircon in what ever you have.

I did a wet season trip for 10 days when I lived in Darwin across the Kimberly and down to 80 mile beach. I slept in my Troopie with the engine and aircon going all night and it worked really well. I had the back decked out with a bed etc. I burned less than 20 litres all night on idle and it was cool enough for a sleeping bag as a doona and the windows were all fogged up in the morning...

Camper versions of troopies are available second hand at reasonable prices and have the two diesel tanks which gives them good range. They are high sided though and high so shit in the rough stuff and prone to tree damage.

For a single guy a troopie with a rolling tarp fitting on the side would be ok. Basic camping gear with gas stove would provide the basics of life.

The advantage of 4x4 is you can get away to interesting gorges and water holes on your time off and see some good country.

I have a 3 kva Honda generator which can run a small house hold air con so you could be as cool as anything if you used some ingenuity to fit it up with some ducting. Or even carry a 'sleeping tent' and pipe the cool air into that. Come winter though you won't need the aircon, but you will in summer as it will be a real bitch! Also, flies will be a nightmare so get a fly proof set up.

I had a Kimberly Kamper for many years and that is another option. And again aircon would be easy to pipe in with generator.

Where is your house? Rentals are at an all time low so you should be able to cover the mortgage and then some...

If you go the Troopie route get the V8 as the naturally aspirated 6 is very gutless...

 

[Mudskipper]

Pilbara is stinking hot so you'll need something with aircon.

If you carry a decent generator then that would allow you to run household aircon in what ever you have.

I did a wet season trip for 10 days when I lived in Darwin across the Kimberly and down to 80 mile beach. I slept in my Troopie with the engine and aircon going all night and it worked really well. I had the back decked out with a bed etc. I burned less than 20 litres all night on idle and it was cool enough for a sleeping bag as a doona and the windows were all fogged up in the morning...

Camper versions of troopies are available second hand at reasonable prices and have the two diesel tanks which gives them good range. They are high sided though and high so shit in the rough stuff and prone to tree damage.

For a single guy a troopie with a rolling tarp fitting on the side would be ok. Basic camping gear with gas stove would provide the basics of life.

The advantage of 4x4 is you can get away to interesting gorges and water holes on your time off and see some good country.

I have a 3 kva Honda generator which can run a small house hold air con so you could be as cool as anything if you used some ingenuity to fit it up with some ducting. Or even carry a 'sleeping tent' and pipe the cool air into that. Come winter though you won't need the aircon, but you will in summer as it will be a real bitch! Also, flies will be a nightmare so get a fly proof set up.

I had a Kimberly Kamper for many years and that is another option. And again aircon would be easy to pipe in with generator.

Where is your house? Rentals are at an all time low so you should be able to cover the mortgage and then some...

If you go the Troopie route get the V8 as the naturally aspirated 6 is very gutless...

Thanks for your reply, just got back to my place in Perth after my first swing - pretty bloody toasty up there, hit 47.5 which wasn't much fun but went pretty good - I've got a contract waterproofing accomodations so lucky to be inside a good amount of the time but lugging gear around is pretty brutal - 1800 units so will keep me busy for a bit. Yeah have always liked the Troopers and you're spot on about needing the aircon and full insect protection, I doused myself in insect repellent when working outside and the goddam flies just laughed at me. After 2 weeks of 12 hour days I recckon I could just about sleep anywhere, will wait till after the Christmas holidays and see what's floating around, saw a pretty cool truck earlier that has well kitted out accomodation and the other half has 3 horse stalls and a hydralic ramp - could set up to hold all my gear and have room to store a motorbike and do day or overnight trips with a swag when not so hot. Full off grid with solar and back up generators, king size bed, gas heated hot water shower ensuite, kitchen, lounge / dining - was pretty cool, could chuck a trailer on back too. Need to get an MR or HR licence.