Hello from Down Under

[robbo1802]

Hi there,

As you may have guessed we are in Australia.

Although I joined the forum a few months ago I haven't really had time to read much till now.

My wife and I are full time RVers down here, we have been on the road permanently for about 8 years (retired early - had the health scare thing). Normally we boondock (well our version of it anyhow) and have had a great time. We are intending to do another 2 years wandering this country before trying to do the same thing in your country.

I am just starting to get together the information we will need for this adventure so I thought this forum would be good place to start. I have read a few stories in out local RV club magazine about people who have undertaked adventures in North America and they all seem to have have a great time in the USA and Canada.

If anyone has any info or links to information that can help, I would be most grateful.

Thanks,
Bob

[CLIFFTALL]

Welcome to IRV2. Glad you're here. Id like go do some Rving " Down There " someday.
Cliff

[Route 66]

How about some pictures of your rig boondocking in your beautiful country?

[JohnRR]

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Bob! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you decided to "rejoin" us!

Just post specific questions over in the appropriate areas of the forum for best results. Not many folks hang out here in the Welcome area.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Scarab0088]

Here's some points about boondocking in the "States."

The w-i-d-e open spaces (where you can just camp most any place in the wilderness) in the lower 48 States are getting more and more rare due to legislation and enviromental concerns (read: "Public Land Closures"). And, the majority of these open lands are the Southwest.

Now remember, May-September in this hemisphere is Summer. Summer in the Southwest can get HOT unless you are along the 30-50 mile wide Western edge along the Pacific Coast!!

So I suggest that like so many Snowbirds from our Great White North, consider the Southwest for the cooler months (late September -> late May) and explore the rest of the country for the other 3 months...I hear September in Maine is beautiful.

Best of luck!

[sdennislee]

Hi and

[robbo1802]

Thanks all for the welcome

For Route66.

I don't have many photos of the MH while boondocking. Plenty of photos of beautiful views which is why the MH is not in them. Don't be fooled by the name on the MH, the Australian company has nothing to do with the U.S. company and recently the Aust company has been ordered by the courts to cease and desist using the trade name.

After all that, here a few photos.

The first is a road_train_assembly_area, Pilbara region WA, it was about 42 degrees centigrade (about 107F), fortunately there was a spring fed gorge just down the road. We saw about 30 people in 2 days but no one else camped there.

The second (top right) is Gym Beach, Yorke Peninsula, SA - there was no one but us on the beach.

The third is Frenchman Yorke Peninsular SA, we saw 3 people (fishing off the rocks) in 10 days, apart from them and a couple of small boats it was beautiful solitude - a private beach, pods of dolfins fishing around the rocks, me fishing off the beach and the rocks, not too shabby.

The last is a beach near Swincers rocks Yorke Peninsular SA - 4 days, not another soul.

There are a few others but I am having difficulty in attaching them - ahhgg - I might have to read the instruction.

Regards,
Bob

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by robbo1802

Thanks all for the welcome

For Route66.

I don't have many photos of the MH while boondocking. Plenty of photos of beautiful views which is why the MH is not in them. Don't be fooled by the name on the MH, the Australian company has nothing to do with the U.S. company and recently the Aust company has been ordered by the courts to cease and desist using the trade name.

Regards,
Bob

THAT IS SO FUNNY!! The Winnie logo even has the same basic "shape" as the original.

Did you think about shipping your "Winnie" here or would you get a rig when you arrive?
That question that has come up before...because RV rentals are not very "affordable" but the risk of buying used is high, and the loss of value in the first 1-2 years when buying new is high too.

Thanks for the pictures! Very beautiful shots.

Safe travels

[JohnRR]

Now that I would have to consider as really "Boondocking".

[robbo1802]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

THAT IS SO FUNNY!! The Winnie logo even has the same basic "shape" as the original.

Did you think about shipping your "Winnie" here or would you get a rig when you arrive?
That question that has come up before...because RV rentals are not very "affordable" but the risk of buying used is high, and the loss of value in the first 1-2 years when buying new is high too.

Thanks for the pictures! Very beautiful shots.

Safe travels

Hi Scarab,

We are intending to get a 60 month Visa which normally allows someone to travel in USA for 6 months out of every 12.

One possibility for us to spend those six months in the USA and the other 6 months traveling elsewhere in the world. With this in mind the MH in the USA would have to be comfortable, though, after living fulltime for 8 years in a 23ft class C most things will be more comfortable.

I have had a quick look at MHs for sale in the USA with particular interest in 8 year old, gasoline, class A MHs in the 34-38 ft range. The prices (even those from the larger dealers) are within our budget constraints. I have only just begun my research into all this but I would think that most of the problems with MHs in the USA would be the same as the ones in Australia, the worst of which would be failing seals and all the problems that stem from the water penetration.

My first quest will be to find out the expected life of a gasoline MH drivetrain to get an idea on mileage I should look for in a used MH since we may be looking at doing at least 30-40,000 miles in the USA and Canada.

Before committing to this plan we might come over to the USA for a month or so and hire a motorhome and just see how we adapt to driving on the other side of the road. As expensive as MH hire is in the USA this would give us considerable insight.

Thanks for the compliment on the photos, I am a terrible photographer but the scenery makes up for it.

See ya,
Bob

[robbo1802]

Originally Posted by JohnRR

Now that I would have to consider as really "Boondocking".

Hi John,

We have some friends who do four wheel drive camping. They have been on some outback (dirt) roads where they haven't seen another vehicle for several days. After 2 days on one road without seeing another vehicle, they came to a crossroad with an equally deserted road to find that some comedian had put up a "Give Way" sign.

See ya,
Bob

[Tony Lee]

they all seem to have have a great time in the USA and Canada.

And an even smaller number have a great time in Mexico as well.
Worth considering!