#vanlife : choosing your go-go mobile

How a mobile home can give you freedom

My first experience in a motorhome was a 10-day trip around the south island of New Zealand. The absolute freedom of being able to stop wherever, hop in the back, make lunch in the kitchen and eat it while enjoying panoramic views from the table, must have impressed me back then. At the end of a day of touring, the same was repeated, with the addition of a shower and bed.

What kind of bliss was this!?!

It’s land-based cruising. Unpack once, but travel all over the place!

My NZ motorhome adventure was around the time an ad about a Goggomobile was showing on Aussie TV (see below). While a motorhome (RV) or campervan is nothing like the microcars marketed under the name Goggomobile, for me, the name stuck.

This year marks my 10th anniversary of being an owner of my very own go-go mobile. Actually, a few different ones, as my needs changed over time. From a fancy campervan to a large motorhome, caravan and coaster bus, I’ve now come full circle back to a campervan.

My current one is a true go-go mobile in that it’s micro, well, small for a campervan. As the landscape of freedom camping has changed dramatically post-pandemic, I now use a people-mover van with absolutely no external signs that there’s a bed, bench, fridge and other living stuff in the back.

This stealth micro-camper has no fixed attachments like awnings, solar panels or #vanlife stickers that scream “campervan”. Rear seats were removed and a bed, bench and fridge installed inside. Simple, compact, stylish.

If you’re considering alternative accommodation (alt accom) like a campervan, motorhome or caravan, how do you decide? Let me take the pressure off and tell you a secret. There’s no perfect setup. Each one has pros and cons and your needs change over time too. Here’s a simple chart to get you thinking though:

Try before you buy

Before spending large amounts of money, it’s a good idea to hire a van of choice for a weekend or week away. There’s nothing like living in one to help you realise what you do and don’t want. Look for commercial hire companies, or private people renting their own vans out through sites like Camplify in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Spain.

In Stuff the Status Quo, I share other info that can help you choose the best fit for your very own go-go mobile:

• Find your best fit questionnaire - is a mobile home right for you?

• The RV Quiz - helps you narrow down which type of mobile home suits your needs right now.

For me right now, my best fit in alt accom is a combo of housesitting and my silver go-go mobile. I’s a cost effective way to keep a roof overhead and travel. As I write this, I’m sitting in my silver go-go mobile next to some spectacular silo art (pictured). A stopover on my way to a farm sit, where I’ll be looking after some goats and chickens. Stay tuned for the photos of that adventure 😃