The Camping Thread

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by prydey

Don't rush in to buying anything. Some caravan rental places may even have a small avan type van to try so you can see if it's for you.

Not sure if you are planning to tow with your subie (if you still have it) but some cars are limited with how much they can have on the ball so check that out too... I know avans don't weigh much so should be ok on that front but always cheaper to check everything out first.

Yes I have the little XV. Sold the liberty 6 months ago. The XV is rated to 1400kg. The Avans Im looking at have a Tare weight of about 900kg with an ATM of about 1100- or there abouts. I will be looking at a HD tow bar setup with anderson plug, electronic brakes and towball weight of about 140kg.

Looking at something with similar specs to this
https://www.avanadelaide.com.au/curr...ck/avan-aliner

TECH SPECS:
TARE WEIGHT: 835KG
BALL WEIGHT: 65KG
STOCK NUMBER : AV2011

FEATURES:

EFFORTLESS SPRING ASSISTED SETUP
LOW PROFILE FOR EASY TOWING
2 X 4KG GAS BOTTLES AND REGULATOR
SPORTS WHEELS
REVERSE CYCLE AIR CONDITIONING
1 X LARGE WIND OUT DOMES FRONT
1 X LARGE WIND OUT DOMES REAR
2X READING LIGHTS
MICROWAVE
2 X GAS BURNER COOKTOP
3 WAY FRIDGE
1 X REAR DOUBLE BED
UNDERBED STORAGE
FRONT DINNETTE TURNS INTO ANOTHER BED
SOLAR WIRING
1 SIDE BAGGAGE DOOR
ELECTRIC BRAKES
ELECTRIC HOT WATER SERVICE
BATTERY PACK
63 LITRE WATER STORAGE

Adding solar will increase weight so will take that into consideration.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

He might have to rush in as its a sellers market ATM according to other threads. With the limited travel Australian's are going to enjoy for quite a while I don't reckon there will be much of a choice.

Its true, i work part time in a van yatd and we cant keep up with demand and you know what demand does to prices.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Yes I have the little XV. Sold the liberty 6 months ago. The XV is rated to 1400kg. The Avans Im looking at have a Tare weight of about 900kg with an ATM of about 1100- or there abouts. I will be looking at a HD tow bar setup with anderson plug, electronic brakes and towball weight of about 140kg.

Looking at something with similar specs to this
https://www.avanadelaide.com.au/curr...ck/avan-aliner

TECH SPECS:
TARE WEIGHT: 835KG
BALL WEIGHT: 65KG
STOCK NUMBER : AV2011

FEATURES:

EFFORTLESS SPRING ASSISTED SETUP
LOW PROFILE FOR EASY TOWING
2 X 4KG GAS BOTTLES AND REGULATOR
SPORTS WHEELS
REVERSE CYCLE AIR CONDITIONING
1 X LARGE WIND OUT DOMES FRONT
1 X LARGE WIND OUT DOMES REAR
2X READING LIGHTS
MICROWAVE
2 X GAS BURNER COOKTOP
3 WAY FRIDGE
1 X REAR DOUBLE BED
UNDERBED STORAGE
FRONT DINNETTE TURNS INTO ANOTHER BED
SOLAR WIRING
1 SIDE BAGGAGE DOOR
ELECTRIC BRAKES
ELECTRIC HOT WATER SERVICE
BATTERY PACK
63 LITRE WATER STORAGE

Adding solar will increase weight so will take that into consideration.

They are bloody horrible, terrible cramped snd the angled walls reduce headspace, id look for a Jayco Penguin, you get everything the Avan has with square sides, bed in main body and the ability to mount an awning.

[Tassie f100]

Yeah I reckon if you have a van but don’t really have intentions of using it for the next year or so,probably a good time to sell,but don’t expect to be able to get a new one for several months at least.Most caravan makers are either closed or working on skeleton staff at present

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

They are bloody horrible, terrible cramped snd the angled walls reduce headspace, id look for a Jayco Penguin, you get everything the Avan has with square sides, bed in main body and the ability to mount an awning.

I hear what you are saying. I was looking at the Jayco Penguin but wasnt sure about all the canvas flapping in the wind at night and also resisting mould if its wet. The wife thinks the Avans could be too cramped for us also.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I hear what you are saying. I was looking at the Jayco Penguin but wasnt sure about all the canvas flapping in the wind at night and also resisting mould if its wet. The wife thinks the Avans could be too cramped for us also.

Canvas resists mould ok as long as you don't leave it packed up wet. Whenever I've had to pack up wet I always put it back up at home and make sure it's fully dried out before putting it back down.

Canvas is a bit dodgy in high winds but it looks wise than what it is. Mine has held up pretty well in some very windy conditions. It can be a bit unsettling on the inside though, esp if trying to sleep.

Maybe look at small pop tops. Some of them are pretty light, esp older ones.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by prydey

Canvas resists mould ok as long as you don't leave it packed up wet. Whenever I've had to pack up wet I always put it back up at home and make sure it's fully dried out before putting it back down.

Canvas is a bit dodgy in high winds but it looks wise than what it is. Mine has held up pretty well in some very windy conditions. It can be a bit unsettling on the inside though, esp if trying to sleep.

Maybe look at small pop tops. Some of them are pretty light, esp older ones.

something like this you think? https://www.caravancampingsales.com....18255366/?Cr=0

[prydey]

Originally Posted by blueoval

something like this you think? https://www.caravancampingsales.com....18255366/?Cr=0

I was thinking about 10 years older but yes.

Weight is very similar to my van, and no canvas to worry about. I often look at upgrading mine for that reason but I still need room for two kids so not an option just yet.

Older ones will be lighter still.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by prydey

I was thinking about 10 years older but yes.

Weight is very similar to my van, and no canvas to worry about. I often look at upgrading mine for that reason but I still need room for two kids so not an option just yet.

Older ones will be lighter still.

ok great. I'll keep looking. I notice the real old ones look a bit dated. I also need something that has a/c but not an ensuite. I do like the look of the Jayco freedoms though. The layout in particular look the business.

[BENT_8]

There is no such thing as the perfect fit, a wind up camper is succeptible to wind and mould if not cared for, but it tows much better with less wind resistance, a poptop wont get blown around but will be more drag on your tow rig meaning more stress and fuel.
The old Prattline low tow was the answer, if you could handle the looks.
We leave our jayco's wound up all year round at the van yard, never come in and found one blown away etc.

[prydey]

Agree. Pro's and con's to everything. Another good thing about the wind up ones is most of the sides are clear windows when wound up, as you can see in the pic I posted earlier. This gives them a nice open feel inside and you don't feel stuck in a box, like you can with some vans. It means the views are available from inside as well as outside.

A further downside is they do get cold in winter for obvious reasons. Mind you, we went to naracoorte in July and kept warm enough with just a little fan heater (240v though).

Shav, at least you're doing your homework. When we decided we might want to get back in to camping for our kids, we wasted a lot of money buying a tent and associated furniture only to use it once and decide tenting wasn't for us. I think a lot of my journey is in this thread (I did start it). If I had my time again I would probably bypass the wind up and go straight to an expander type van/pop top. Just easier for one night stop overs etc.

So if you are looking to get in to exploring the outside world, try to work out fairly well exactly which type of accommodation suits you.

Lots of people offer advice, which is great as you get to tap in to their experiences, and then you just hand pick the bits that apply to you and discard the rest... or all of it

If you ever want to check mine out just give us a yell. Takes 5 min to set it up.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

.
We leave our jayco's wound up all year round at the van yard, never come in and found one blown away etc.

Never thought of it like that before. Plenty of van yards leave them up. It can be quite daunting when you're inside them though. Logical thoughts tend to go on holiday

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by blueoval

ok great. I'll keep looking. I notice the real old ones look a bit dated. I also need something that has a/c but not an ensuite. I do like the look of the Jayco freedoms though. The layout in particular look the business.

We bought an older Viscount with the plan to reno it inside as the frame & exterior was in good nic.

The first thing my wife asked for demanded was an ensuite...

So I built an ensuite...

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by prydey

Agree. Pro's and con's to everything. Another good thing about the wind up ones is most of the sides are clear windows when wound up, as you can see in the pic I posted earlier. This gives them a nice open feel inside and you don't feel stuck in a box, like you can with some vans. It means the views are available from inside as well as outside.

A further downside is they do get cold in winter for obvious reasons. Mind you, we went to naracoorte in July and kept warm enough with just a little fan heater (240v though).

Shav, at least you're doing your homework. When we decided we might want to get back in to camping for our kids, we wasted a lot of money buying a tent and associated furniture only to use it once and decide tenting wasn't for us. I think a lot of my journey is in this thread (I did start it). If I had my time again I would probably bypass the wind up and go straight to an expander type van/pop top. Just easier for one night stop overs etc.

So if you are looking to get in to exploring the outside world, try to work out fairly well exactly which type of accommodation suits you.

Lots of people offer advice, which is great as you get to tap in to their experiences, and then you just hand pick the bits that apply to you and discard the rest... or all of it

If you ever want to check mine out just give us a yell. Takes 5 min to set it up.

Cheers mate. I have the side awning and side tent and I dont mind the true camp feel. The tent is good as you can at least have shelter if you dont want to take the van. Downside is the time to set it up. Its an easy 2 man job or take your time one man job. A lot harder on your own when there is lots of wind.

Im getting on in years so am looking for the experience with minimal fuss now. Hence looking all the portable options out there first. I slept in my car with foam mattress and find thats great for an over nighter. Easy to setup and pack up. But for the times I want to head away for 3,4,5 nights somewhere, a pop top will serve its purpose better for my old bones over a longer period of time.

Ive considered the roof top tent and while convenient, I dont want it as a permanent feature of my car.

Ive also considered getting a trailer, welding some rails on to fit the RTT on it and set the tub area for a fridge and make shift kitchen. But by the time I do that and fuss around with it, Im better off buying a camper trailer which is already set up. Decent camper trailers are not cheap either, then there is the canvas concern I mentioned before and while I know I will have to pop it up to dry at home, its just another thing to add to the maintenance list.

Then to step up from that, its getting into pop top areas. The Jayco Penguin is a great little unit. Ive checked one out at the last caravan and camping show and really liked it. I would need to get real with myself though and think about the canvas maintenance on it though. The Jayco Freedom looks the goods. Minimal canvas, still feels large and plenty of space.

My only concerns is towing it with my little XV. The XV can only tow 1400kg braked. So the Jayco Freedom is on the highest end of what the car can legally tow. I need to work out what pay load I have left to carry. Not that I want to bring everything but I need to know Im not exceeding the legal limits.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Beastie

We bought an older Viscount with the plan to reno it inside as the frame & exterior was in good nic.

The first thing my wife asked for demanded was an ensuite...

So I built an ensuite...

image

haha, thats brilliant. great job!!!

The only reason I mentioned no ensuite was based on a recent trip in a motorhome. It was only me in there for the first week and my biggest thing I hated was emptying the cassette. Everytime I emptied it, I dry reached. That was my own waste too. Having other family members add to it a week later was a massive turn off for me regardless of the convenience.

If anything, I will consider the smaller unit like you have and have a ensuite shower tent to set up outside for the mrs at worst if going off grid was an option, but other than that, I prefer to avoid them, dig a hole and bury it, OR go to a CP and grab and ensuite site just for her.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by blueoval

haha, thats brilliant. great job!!!

The only reason I mentioned no ensuite was based on a recent trip in a motorhome. It was only me in there for the first week and my biggest thing I hated was emptying the cassette. Everytime I emptied it, I dry reached. That was my own waste too. Having other family members add to it a week later was a massive turn off for me regardless of the convenience.

If anything, I will consider the smaller unit like you have and have a ensuite shower tent to set up outside for the mrs at worst if going off grid was an option, but other than that, I prefer to avoid them, dig a hole and bury it, OR go to a CP and grab and ensuite site just for her.

Whilst very handy / convenient, emptying them does take a bit of getting used to...

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Beastie

Whilst very handy / convenient, emptying them does take a bit of getting used to...

very true. After emptying it twice, I ended up using the great outdoors or CP toilets instead.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by blueoval

very true. After emptying it twice, I ended up using the great outdoors or CP toilets instead.

Once you get the knack they are actually quite easy to empty and if you use the good chemicals in liberal quantities there is very little smell, probably no more than a caravan park toilet

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Once you get the knack they are actually quite easy to empty and if you use the good chemicals in liberal quantities there is very little smell, probably no more than a caravan park toilet

maybe thats where I came unstuck. I was using 2 tablets and a scoop of nappysan and I still could smell it.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by blueoval

maybe thats where I came unstuck. I was using 2 tablets and a scoop of nappysan and I still could smell it.

No buy a bottle of the proper stuff and put maybe a quarter of a cup into the holding tank and another eighth of a cup into the flush tank,very little smell and it breaks the solids up a bit so it pours out the spout a bit easier,doesn’t make it look any better though lol

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

No buy a bottle of the proper stuff and put maybe a quarter of a cup into the holding tank and another eighth of a cup into the flush tank,very little smell and it breaks the solids up a bit so it pours out the spout a bit easier,doesn’t make it look any better though lol

Ah the good old dunny.....
Done quite a lot of research on this due to building cabins and motorhomes.
Currently, I like to use Zeolite in the motorhome cassette dunny. Absorbs the liquid which is mainly what produces the smell when mixed with the solid. Sold for the horse stables market.
Quite a lot of country CP's, showgrounds and NP camping area's don't want chemicals down in their septic systems or long drops.
Being offgrid at home, I just installed whats called a 9020 Separatte dry toilet, (a flash composting dunny) just ordered another baby one which will go into the MH later.
They work by separating the dry from liquid waste. In a caravan, boat etc the liquid is captured in a different holding tank while the solids are 12v fan dried to a powder in the chamber.

In a RV....The ammonia pee smell isn't as bad when emptied at a dump point and the broken down solids are approved for garden compost material (still wouldn't put it around the veges though)

In a home install.... the pee is diverted off with grey sink water to a approval reed bed or absorption field.

Mobile wise the biggest problem with this system is cost a pee tank, 12v fan install and the need to be installed under an already busy chassis.
To me its worth it as it doesn't stink and cuts out the cost of chemical toilet additives.
There are a few great RV type composting toilets available now, some are completely self contained Sunmar and Airhead comes to mind.

[Trevor 57]

We are currently planning our next trip out of lock-down, thank goodness I live in regional Victoria and not Melbourne

[ThePursuit]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

We are currently planning our next trip out of lock-down, thank goodness I live in regional Victoria and not Melbourne

That’s the way Trev, can only imagine the relief that comes with being set free...

I applaud the efforts of most of you victorians, all I need is the mob building my van to get back to work now and I’ll be one happy camper. Still made a mess of my planned 6months off work with these restrictions but best that everyone is doing what they can to stay safe at this point in time and our trip can always wait.

Where you off to?

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I hear what you are saying. I was looking at the Jayco Penguin but wasnt sure about all the canvas flapping in the wind at night and also resisting mould if its wet. The wife thinks the Avans could be too cramped for us also.

Your canvas may flap; mine doesn't, not one bit.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by ThePursuit

That’s the way Trev, can only imagine the relief that comes with being set free...

I applaud the efforts of most of you victorians, all I need is the mob building my van to get back to work now and I’ll be one happy camper. Still made a mess of my planned 6months off work with these restrictions but best that everyone is doing what they can to stay safe at this point in time and our trip can always wait.

Where you off to?

Looking at 2 trips, one up the Buckland Valley, a favourite jaunt and the other up to where the Murray River kinda starts

[BENT_8]

Ive been doing a bit of glamping this past 4 weeks, first trip was a couple of nights in the camper on an ensuite site at the Barmera caravan park to give the Pajero a run, backed it up with 3 nights at West beach park again in the camper and enjoyed it so much i went back last weekend for 3 nights in one of their eco tents.
I like staying in these local parks as i can go mid week and still commute to work during the day, then kick back at night talking to randoms.

[Beastie]

A sneaky weekend away at Myall River Camp.



Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[ThaFlash]

LOL great photos to show us Melbournians

[BENT_8]

Righto, who's heading out for the long weekend?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Righto, who's heading out for the long weekend?

Not us. Maybe a day trip or two, but no camping.