Caravanning extras

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 17:25
ThreadID: 43850 Views:4983 Replies:7 FollowUps:7
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Well, after going to the caravan and camping show yesterday, I've now got a fair idea of the van I'm looking at.
Being our first van though, I'm looking for some info from some long time vanners as to what extras I'm going to need that won't be included in the purchase price.
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Reply By: maroni - Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 17:38

Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 17:38
What van took your fancy, we are in the same boat, went to perth caravan show was a bit confused but only really liked 3 vans that were there.For us
1.Boroma
2.roadstar
3.Traveller
AnswerID: 230871

Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 17:58

Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 17:58
Get a caravan set up with solar and 12 volt. You can be independent most of the time. Choose a 12 volt compressor fridge that can be run on 240 as well for dull days when you are near mains power. If you are going to colder climates, consider a Webasto heater - however we don't have one and so far have not needed heating (unlike the night we froze when we had the little wind up camper with slide out beds!).
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AnswerID: 230873

Follow Up By: Member - Arkay (SA) - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 09:14

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 09:14
We have replaced the MR11 halogen globes in the 2 reading lights above the double bed with LED MR11s (not cheap - about $25 each see www.hybralec.com.au and other sources). They are good enough to read a book in bed and use 1/10th the power of the halogens. I have also made up a portable 12v light using MR16 LEDs which can be used inside or outside the caravan, meaning we can cook, eat, etc. all on low power LEDs. The objective has been to reduce the power output requirements (the fridge runs off 2 x 9kg LPG) rather than increse the power input i.e. solar panels etc.With our 100 amp hour on-board battery I reckon we could last 2 months in the bush without needing a solar panel or generator.
Agree get a stove in the van with oven.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 11:43

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 11:43
Arkay, Like you, we are setting our caravan onto all LEDs. First we replaced the halogen bed lamps with LEDS and i found we could read with them easily - just needed to focus it onto the part of the page i was reading. These were cool white spot type, giving out a slightly blue light, and 32 LEDs (32 dots - the more LEDs the more light). Also, i could stay up later than my rooster, and use a light that focused onto what i was doing without disturbing him at all.

We tried various others LED bulbs, buying from USA (cheaper than factory direct from China) and from Hong Kong. We are now trying warm white in spreader for general lighting. Some of the LED bulbs tried seemed to 'melt' and go cloudy after a while. The trouble was we couldn't find suitable light fittings, other than buying halogen lamps and pulling out the bulb. We could readily buy the 'tail' so made our own fittings. This not only gives us the option of power saving and long life of LED bulbs, but they are a very low impact light when bush camping.

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Follow Up By: Member - Arkay (SA) - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 17:43

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 17:43
Yeah, and they tell me that LEDs do not attract insects at night. Don't ask me why. This may just be a rumour as we have replaced all fly proof mesh with midge and mosquito proof mesh at cost of about $40 for the mesh, so we no longer suffer much from that problem. Heather is very reactive (allergic?) to mozzies, so a no-go-mozzie zone is important to us.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 17:54

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 17:54
That's a bonus Arkay. I hadn't thought about it - but thinking about it, the garden solar lights are LED and they never have any insects come to them. Great - because mozzies just LOVE me, however they don't need light to find me. Fortunately our caravan has proved insect proof - although some people have used and even finer mesh for areas where the midges are very small. We have camped a couple of times where there were plenty of midges or mosquitoes so just stayed inside and had none have got in.
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Reply By: Mikee5 (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 19:17

Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 19:17
The sky is the limit, or your budget.
Solar panel set up with batteries and mains charger.
12v pressure pump for water.
12v compressor fridge (Vitrifrigo or similar)
Full oven instead of just griller.
BBQ in drawer on outside.
Generator drawer & generator.
Two water tanks.
Air conditioner.
Wineguard TV antenna.
Hot water system.
Polar Air rain sensor roof hatch (closes itself when it rains)
External shower if it is not a shower van.
Wheels to match the tow vehicle ( gives you an extra spare).
Hydraulic jack/jockey wheel combo.

AnswerID: 230886

Follow Up By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 20:30

Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 20:30
Add to above

Annexe for long stays
Cross bar fitted in centre under wind out awning
Lightweight front wind break/shade for short stays
Lightweight side wind break/shade for short stays (have made so it fits front or back)
Spare on back rather than front
battery in van
Anderson Plug on Van to accept power for battery in van
TV outlet outside on annexe side (as well as the one inside) for viewing outside
Back Sun shade as well as front shade
Trailermate Hydroulic (?)Jack fitted to cross bar for lifting van in tight spots
Top quality mattress
Fluro lights instead of bulbs inside
MAKE SURE VAN IS HIGH ENOUGH TO GET INTO YOUR DRIVEWAY
(I found this a major problem)

Pedro
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FollowupID: 491759

Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 09:24

Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 09:24
Mako Jockey Wheel
Any mug can be uncomfortable out bush

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Reply By: Mikee5 (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 21:08

Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 at 21:08
Add: Somewhere safe to park it when it is not being used.
And I will second the 'good mattress' very important.
AnswerID: 230903

Reply By: D-Jack - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 01:20

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 01:20
I have no experience with caravanning, but can I will add ELECTRIC BLANKET!
AnswerID: 230923

Reply By: Cruiserman - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 10:52

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 10:52
My suggestions.....

Before you sign, check what the weights of the van will be- tare (empty weight), GMT (max loaded weight), and tow ball weight (weight of the draw bar on your vehicle towbar). Double (triple!) check that your intended tow vehicle can handle these, especially the tow ball weight, which is often forgotten. Get it in writing that these weights will be correct. Some manufactures supply a weigh bridge docket. Vans usually have a 300kg load limit (what gear you can load into it) for a single axle van, and 400 kg for a dual axle. This usually includes anything added after the van leaves the factory, and can include things the dealer might fit- gas bottles, awning, aircon, microwave, water in the tanks. The vans chassis may be rated to carry more than this, and some manufactures will plate the GMT higher at your request so you can carry more personal gear.

Get crockery, cutlery, toaster, electric and gas kettles etc., just for the van. Don't transfer your regular household gear, it is great to be able to load as little gear as possible before you go. Pack what clothes you think you will need then take at least half of them out!

Hayman Reece weight distribution system? How big is the van? You will probably need some sort of weight distribution system.

Good mirrors.

A good jack. Your caravan probably won't come with a jack, they are not required to provide one now. I carry a cheap trolley jack so I can jack right under the axle.

Will it come with two gas bottles? Before you sign try to get two bottles. With just one you will run out of gas half way through the Sunday roast :)

Now we get to the "toys". Will it come with an LCD TV? Will it come with a TV antenna? How much do you like to watch TV? A roof top antenna like a winegaurd will give good reception in strong signal areas. It is convenient but not cheap. If you want TV reception in poor areas you will need a "real" antenna, with a pole. Dick Smith has the L4024. This style of antenna gives a better picture and is cheaper but not as convenient :)
For more info on caravan antennas see HERE.

We carry an L4024, a digital set top box, DVD player, VCR, and satellite TV system!! The wife does not want to miss The Bill :) Some people just turn on the radio or play cards when there is no TV.

As you travel you will get more of an idea of what you want, what you need, and what you don't.

Good luck.

Cruiserman

AnswerID: 230970

Follow Up By: Cruiserman - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 10:57

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 10:57
Typo, GMT should be GTM, gross trailer mass.

Also will it have a toilet? If not a porta potty is very useful to stop those late night trips to the ablutions block.

Cruiserman
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FollowupID: 491836

Reply By: Wingwang - Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 19:06

Sunday, Apr 01, 2007 at 19:06
a interesting mix of vans you have there.
whose time are you wasting asking.
can you afford a s/h camper trailer.
AnswerID: 231055

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