Woooo hooooooo!!! it is very exciting, we're half way there!!! Yippeeeeee!!! aaaaarrrrggghhhhh!! eeeeeeeeeeee!
ok, after I've got that out of my system (yeeeaaaahhhhhh!!...oops, sorry) we picked up our 4wd last night after deciding to buy it on Monday. We have been looking for weeks and getting very confused in the process because everyone has an opinion (& rightly so) on what will be the best vehicle for the job.
So, the new member of our family is...... 2001 Toyota Landcruiser Prado Grande 3lt turbo diesel automatic.
It can tow braked 2500kg which is what we wanted and/or will need. After much deliberation and discussions with other caravan owners, we have decided against getting a caravan with an ensuite (I'm just gonna have to toughen up...princess!!). Reasons are as follows:
1) we'll mainly be staying in caravan parks and using their facilities, therefore an ensuite in the van would not be used.
2) to have an ensuite gives the van extra weight and length when we really should have that extra weight allowance for our stuff etc.
3) a porta-pottie & portable shower are much lighter, take up less room and can easily be set up & used when we do free camping - and we'll be using river water etc and not precious drinking water stored in the van.
4) it will make the purchase of the van cheaper.
so, because of our change in decision about the type of van we're going to purchase, we have been able to make a decision about the type of vehicle to buy and be very comfortable with that choice.
We picked her up last night (why are they she's?) and showed our respective families (oohs & aahhs). It's getting real now, another step taken on our journey.
Driving last night & this morning, it feels like "Silver" (Dave shudders at naming the car, but hey....... WHO CARES, I LOVE IT!!!) ...... mmm...calmed down now...right, where was I.....that's right.... it feels like "Silver" has been part of our lives since forever and I don't miss my little Echo at all!!!! Do you think we're ready? :)
It is a very comfortable 4wd, important for long trips, and it is an eight seater and we'll be able to take out the last row of seats for storage space. We will have to add a few accessories, eg. roof racks, anderson plug/electric brake doovies (technical term folks) for the caravan, jerry can holder, no doubt some other stuff I can't think of right now. All part of the journey and exciting in their own right.
The best part, I think, is we paid cash for it...... we don't owe anyone money!!! Debt Free!!! An exceptional feeling after drowning for years, not only are our heads above water, we're walking on it baby!! :)
Looking forward to taking Silver on her first fishing trip and camping trip early in the New Year..... the adventures begin.
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