The Camping Thread

[oldel]

Back in my day they were a popular school bag, so they were my first tool bag when I started working as well.
The only reason why I stopped using them is they get filthy and start tearing when being dragged through ceiling spaces. I switched to a black one with side pockets for a while, then eventually found a tool bag with shoulder straps I switched to in the 2000s.

[Trevor 57]

Just reserved my site for Fraser Island in September

[blueoval]

I forgot to mention. Prior to my trip to Yorkes I splashed out on a Ryobi 18V Cordless chainsaw with batteries and chargers mainly because we had to clear some branches and shrubs to clear a path and camp spot, but also for home use for my fireplace. Also went and bought a 160w solar panel kit from BCF to give my 100aH Deep Cycle Battery a tickle if it needed it. Then went and grabbed a myCOOLMAN 53L dual zone fridge/freezer and portable battery pack. It's something Ive always wanted and it performed superbly with the DZ fridge. Looking forward to more trips with this setup now.

[oldel]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I forgot to mention. Prior to my trip to Yorkes I splashed out on a Ryobi 18V Cordless chainsaw with batteries and chargers mainly because we had to clear some branches and shrubs to clear a path and camp spot, but also for home use for my fireplace. Also went and bought a 160w solar panel kit from BCF to give my 100aH Deep Cycle Battery a tickle if it needed it. Then went and grabbed a myCOOLMAN 53L dual zone fridge/freezer and portable battery pack. It's something Ive always wanted and it performed superbly with the DZ fridge. Looking forward to more trips with this setup now.

Similar to what I was thinking of last year, solar, battery and inverter for chargers and otherwise USB, removable solar and fridge from kogan. I did so many visits to retailers selling that type of stuff I ended up with a job ;)
And they gave me a store to run on my own already in ozzie park (Perth). Locals in the know should come by and educate me as I'm so new to this. E: Less embarrassing if a FF member does it than a customer expecting me to know everything, as the regulars here know how clueless I sometimes am

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by oldel

Similar to what I was thinking of last year, solar, battery and inverter for chargers and otherwise USB, removable solar and fridge from kogan. I did so many visits to retailers selling that type of stuff I ended up with a job ;)
And they gave me a store to run on my own already in ozzie park (Perth). Locals in the know should come by and educate me as I'm so new to this. E: Less embarrassing if a FF member does it than a customer expecting me to know everything, as the regulars here know how clueless I sometimes am

It was something that always ran through my mind ever since I got the deep cycle battery. Just means I dont need to run anderson plugs in the car, but if I wanted to get a dual cab later, I can get a DCDC charger and mount the panels on the ute or whatever for continuous charge.

BCF had a special for members for the XTM 160w panel kit for $219. I had a $20 gift voucher which I used and got them for under $200.

Bear in mind this isnt the solar blanket, but rather the hard folding panels. I have heard they seem to last a bit longer than the blanket despite the weight and inconvenient size.

[Junkyard-Dog]

I bet you were glad to have made those purchases once you actually made it out to the peninsula. I camped out at mozzie bay a couple months ago - good spot and decent beach for swimming. Will be "walking the yorke" (all the way) sometime this year.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

I bet you were glad to have made those purchases once you actually made it out to the peninsula. I camped out at mozzie bay a couple months ago - good spot and decent beach for swimming. Will be "walking the yorke" (all the way) sometime this year.

Mate, it just the trip a lot easier. Stinking hot day and the chainsaw made mince meat out of anything smaller than 200mm diameter. Then after working up a sweat for about 4hrs straight, grabbing a cold one from the fridge made it all the sweeter. Turned an arduous task into a bearable one.

[Junkyard-Dog]

I meant to say mozzie flat in my earlier post. I don't know why I said mozzie bay.

[roKWiz]

As with previous vans over the years.
Needed to stay onsite overnight on a small job out in the boonies last week so decided to try the XF out for a change. Took the butane cooker, billy, snags, etc the old steel esky I've owned for a zillion years and just slid it all in the back with the mattress. Can honestly say it was a comfy's night sleep the van wasn't really set up for.

[Trevor 57]

We just got back from 10 days in Victor Harbour S.A. We stayed at a caravan park which is a bit unusual for us. We did lots of day trips with a couple of 'rest days' thrown im

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

We just got back from 10 days in Victor Harbour S.A. We stayed at a caravan park which is a bit unusual for us. We did lots of day trips with a couple of 'rest days' thrown im

So it was you Trev!
I say that because I too was in Victor Harbor in the last week and saw this older grumpy looking guy displaying sound vehicle control, positioning and correct use of indicators.
I thought, that might be Trev..

Only joking mate, its a nice part of the world down 'round those parts, inparticular Pt Elliot's Horseshoe Bay, hope you had a good time.

[Trevor 57]

was I abusing people, coz I do that really well

Horseshoe bay is magnificent, there was virtually no-one there, we couldn't believe it, if that bay was in Sydney . . . . . . . .

Did Birdwood, Hahndorf, Cape Jervis, Goolwa and a cruise to the Mouth of the Murray. Did the horse drawn tram, cruised around some southern Adelaide suburbs. caught up with my wife's cousin in Adelaide, went to some flower farm

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

was I abusing people, coz I do that really well

Horseshoe bay is magnificent, there was virtually no-one there, we couldn't believe it, if that bay was in Sydney . . . . . . . .

Did Birdwood, Hahndorf, Cape Jervis, Goolwa and a cruise to the Mouth of the Murray. Did the horse drawn tram, cruised around some southern Adelaide suburbs. caught up with my wife's cousin in Adelaide, went to some flower farm

Sounds like you did more in 10 days than I've done in 30 years of living here

[BENT_8]

So with a camping trip scheduled for the Easter weekend I've been busy updating my dual battery install which is to include a fixed mount solar panel on the canopy roof.
I decided to go with a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform on the low profile legs and a 160w panel.
With the panel mounted across the platform it'll leave some space for other accessories.
One of the salesmen I was discussing my needs with mentioned they had a deal on with free recovery track mounts with a platform purchase.
He then said it wouldnt really be necessary for me though as I only have a high rider.
I thought this was a strange comment as although I didnt buy it with the intention of 4wding, surely a set of 2 tracks to compliment the rear locker would be a worthwhile addition incase I find myself needing a bit more traction.
So what do you guys think, are recovery tracks a worthwhile addition on a 2wd vehicle?

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

So with a camping trip scheduled for the Easter weekend I've been busy updating my dual battery install which is to include a fixed mount solar panel on the canopy roof.
I decided to go with a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform on the low profile legs and a 160w panel.
With the panel mounted across the platform it'll leave some space for other accessories.
One of the salesmen I was discussing my needs with mentioned they had a deal on with free recovery track mounts with a platform purchase.
He then said it wouldnt really be necessary for me though as I only have a high rider.
I thought this was a strange comment as although I didnt buy it with the intention of 4wding, surely a set of 2 tracks to compliment the rear locker would be a worthwhile addition incase I find myself needing a bit more traction.
So what do you guys think, are recovery tracks a worthwhile addition on a 2wd vehicle?

I reckon they would be great,realistically a rear locker on a 2nd is nearly as good as standard diffs on a 4wd.Plenty of times I have seen 4wds stranded rocking on a mound with opposite corner wheels spinning in mid air,so if you can get a bit more traction it has to help

[oldel]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I decided to go with a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform on the low profile legs

Did you find it is the bin?
So many people are buying rooftop tents that they're chucking those things away these days. I could have got you a free one, in exchange for helping to actually install a roof top tent.
I've got a few people trying to get rid of them in order to pick up their RTT soon. One definite tomorrow, 2 paid a deposit and still waiting to get 3x crossbars fitted.

More weight helps traction too, so a RTT is the way to go

Of course any recovery track is very useful for 2wd as well.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by oldel

Did you find it is the bin?
So many people are buying rooftop tents that they're chucking those things away these days. I could have got you a free one, in exchange for helping to actually install a roof top tent.
I've got a few people trying to get rid of them in order to pick up their RTT soon. One definite tomorrow, 2 paid a deposit and still waiting to get 3x crossbars fitted.

More weight helps traction too, so a RTT is the way to go

Of course any recovery track is very useful for 2wd as well.

Now why didnt I think of that, 5400km round trip added to the odometer, possibly get 8.5's out of the Ranger, multiply that by $2/litre and im saving about $40 on a new one, makes sense..
I'll be right over.

[Tonz]

For a project I am working on, non camping, where would I start looking for a 90* only batwing awning?

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Tonz

For a project I am working on, non camping, where would I start looking for a 90* only batwing awning?

Don't really know but maybe a big box Anaconda, BFC type store.

[prydey]

Setting off for another trip down to Naracoorte


Some threatening looking clouds made for a nice backdrop. Thankfully they didn't drop their load on us.


The view for the weekend...





We offloaded the kids this trip. Just me and the wife. Very peaceful weekend. Campground was full but we choose this particular site now as it's away from the main area and faces out to the bush so it feels quite peaceful still.

The new van is great. Tows really well. A nice size for my car and for me.

[stefcio007]

I’m looking to replace my ageing lead acid battery but my inverter and solar charger ( MI5720 from JayCar) only lists lead acid batteries. I understand the charging profile is different for AGM so do I replace it or get a li-ion 12V battery that has its own BMS that will play nicely as a drop in replacement?

[prydey]

Lithium isn't automatically better. Depending on what size inverter you have and what you run off it, Agm can still be the better option. Lithium output is sometimes limited even though the storage capacity is better.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by stefcio007

I’m looking to replace my ageing lead acid battery but my inverter and solar charger ( MI5720 from JayCar) only lists lead acid batteries. I understand the charging profile is different for AGM so do I replace it or get a li-ion 12V battery that has its own BMS that will play nicely as a drop in replacement?

Were you going to replace it with a lithium, I didn't read anything about LiPo. AGM is very similar to lead Acid only uses glass matting across the plating making it safer in tilt moving objects, eg yachts etc. Lipo as Prydey stated isn't necessarily better.

Edit found you referred to it as Li on.

[stefcio007]

Just running electric blankets about 300W.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by stefcio007

Just running electric blankets about 300W.

I remember seeing some 12v electric blankets somewhere recently cut all the inefficiencies of inverters if you are already wired for DC.

[stefcio007]

I’m running this at home so when the battery is empty I switch to mains power which is AC.

[Trevor 57]

My wife and i have just been on a 6 day jaunt around the Riverina area of NSW, here are a coupe of pics

This was just east of Griffith in the Binya State Forest



We camped for one night only at Lake Cargelligo, but it was too cold and windy to get out of the van to take a photo - LOL


We spent 3 nights at Wooloondool Campground, just west of Hay, that is the Murrumbidgee River


And spent the last night with some friends on the edge of the Edwards River at Deniliquin. This spot is on private property - sorry everyone

[buggerlugs]

Camping out at our bush block. Got about 140 fires to burn, big clean up. Love the peace and quite. And no traffic........

[Trevor 57]

I actually found one at Lake Cargelligo

[GasoLane]

I know that this isn't camping but it popped up on a friends FB page and he sent it to me.

If anyone is thinking about going to Qld it seems that Qld Plod are getting serious about Van axle weights.

https://fb.watch/eFXe7MYYQl/