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# Finding Our Home on Wheels: Choosing the Right Camper for Our NZ Family
Adventure For a while now, we’ve been dreaming of hitting the road for an
extended road trip around Aotearoa, New Zealand — just the four of us: two
adults, two kids, and hopefully a home on wheels. After a lot of thought (and
even more scrolling through trademe listings), we finally set out on the hunt
for the perfect camper or bus that would suit our family’s needs, offer a bit of
adventure, and keep things as comfortable and simple as possible. First Up: The
10-Meter Bus Our search began with big ideas — quite literally. We looked at a
10-meter bus that had plenty of potential to be converted into a spacious and
functional living space. It would’ve offered room to move, plenty of storage,
and space for everyone to have their own little nook. Unfortunately, reality
kicked in pretty quickly. While it was an exciting idea, the bus just needed too
much work to bring it up to a livable standard. We’re not afraid of a bit of
DIY, but this was going to be a major project — and with kids in tow, we wanted
something a bit more turn-key. There was also the issue of driving it. It
would’ve meant my wife needing to get her heavy traffic license just to take it
on the road, which added another layer of cost and complication. So, as much as
we liked the space, we had to let the big bus go. Then Came the Ford Trader
Next, we checked out an early 90s Ford Trader that had been converted into a
camper. On paper, it was a good match. It had more seats — great for our two
kids — and a larger kitchen setup that would have made mealtimes on the road
much easier. But again, a few red flags popped up. The price didn’t quite match
its age or condition, and while it had a solar setup, it wasn’t quite what we
needed. There was no inverter and some of the wiring looked like it would need
upgrading before we could rely on it. The Trader had the right bones, but it
felt like we’d be stepping into another “fixer-upper,” and we weren’t ready for
that. Third Time Lucky: The Mercedes Sprinter Finally, we came across a Mercedes
Sprinter camper that ticked all the boxes. It’s already been professionally
fitted out, with the kind of attention to detail we were hoping for — a good
layout, working electrics, solar power, and all the essentials ready to go. It
might be smaller than a full-size bus, but it’s more than enough for our family,
and crucially, it doesn’t need any major upgrades before we can hit the road.
Best of all, it was within our budget. No compromises on safety, functionality,
or comfort — just a solid, tidy van that’s ready for our adventures. What’s
Next? With the camper now ours (subject to pickup), the excitement is really
starting to kick in. There’s a bit of organizing to do before we set off —
packing, planning, and figuring out how to live with four people in a van — but
the big decision is made. We’re looking forward to exploring the country slowly,
soaking in the scenery, and showing the kids the beauty of life on the road.
Here’s to our next chapter: the open road, starry skies, and plenty of memories
waiting to be made.
Well I guess that we have bitten the bullet and got a camper.
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