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#751 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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Quote:
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.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic Last edited by blueoval; 14-08-2020 at 01:12 PM. |
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#752 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,617
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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.
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#753 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,617
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Quote:
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#754 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,853
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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
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#755 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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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.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#756 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,300
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Quote:
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.
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#757 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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Quote:
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#758 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,300
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Quote:
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.
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#759 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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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.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#760 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,617
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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. |
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#761 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,300
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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.
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#762 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,300
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Quote:
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#763 | |||
The Terrain Tamer
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,112
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Quote:
The first thing my wife ![]() So I built an ensuite... ![]() ![]()
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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#764 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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Quote:
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.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#765 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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Quote:
![]() 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.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#766 | |||
The Terrain Tamer
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Posts: 36,112
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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#767 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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Quote:
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#768 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,853
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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
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#769 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,282
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Quote:
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#770 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,853
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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
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#771 | |||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,766
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Quote:
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.
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heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
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#773 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Darwin now, originally Perth
Posts: 170
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Quote:
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?
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May today bring the smell of burning rubber... ![]() Current rides: 2020 79 Series GXL 2010 TTG 2011 Polaris RZR XP Previous rides: 2004 RTV V8 Manual 2006 XR5 2004 Pursuit 1993 XG SPack Work ride: 2017 Ranger XLS 4x4 New toy arrived Fully optioned MASTERPIECE Dynamic Family Caravan |
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#774 | ||
Falcon RTV - FG G6ET
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: In Da Bush, QLD
Posts: 30,898
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Your canvas may flap; mine doesn't, not one bit.
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BAII RTV - with Raptor V S/C. RTV Power FG G6ET 50th Anniversary in Sensation. While the basic Ford Six was code named Barra, the Turbo version clearly deserved its very own moniker – again enter Gordon Barfield.
We asked him if the engine had actually been called “Seagull” and how that came about. “Actually it was just call “Gull”, because I named it that. Because we knew it was going to poo on everything”. |
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#775 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,517
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Quote:
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#776 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,617
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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. |
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#779 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,617
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Righto, who's heading out for the long weekend?
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#780 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,300
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Not us. Maybe a day trip or two, but no camping.
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