The Camping Thread

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

I certainly haven't ruled anything in or out at this stage, Billy. I have been keeping an eye on the market for around 6 months or so now and have only seen a couple of the A vans pop up (bearing in mind that my criteria are less than 10k and in Vic).

we owned a A'Van Cruiseliner for about 6 years. bloody loved it, 910kgs so **** easy to tow, 5 minutes set up time, no canvas, but they only sleep 2 people. When we bought ours they didn't make an off-road version, if they did we would have bought it. In the 6 years and towing it around more than half of Australia we had no problems with it at all, we sold it for $22.5k, we bought it for $28k. We only sold it coz the missus wanted an ensuite and north~south bed

As far as swags go, I own a Shepp made Darche, I have had it for maybe 15-20 years, it is still as waterproof now as the day I bought it. I bought a camp stretcher to put it on, it is a lot easier than sleeping on the ground at my age

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by WyldOne

Anyone here have Darche Dirty Dee swag. Looking for feedback or other similar swag recommendations

I bought my swag from Anaconda in Perth, why I chose it was because every swag and tent they had for sale was set up, so you could see what's what, forget the name of mine it was 10 years ago, cost $350+ and I sold it 2 years later for same money, but if I had my choice over again, I would buy a swag off the ground, like the old camp stretcher but swag affixed, got pics somewhere of my complete set up, will have a look for you!



Regards William

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by slowsnake

if I had my choice over again, I would buy a swag off the ground, like the old camp stretcher but swag affixed, got pics somewhere of my complete set up, will have a look for you!



Regards William

The Oztent RS1 swag i have can be bought as a complete setup like that, i didnt bother with the stretcher part as i cant sleep on my back so i end up sore if i sleep on a stretcher.
I just bought a thicker foam mattress and use it with the included mattress.

[blueoval]

if I was looking for a swag I would definitely go for the stretcher type versions. Being off the ground and having some space to get changed on the flat is a bonus to me. I was given an old school on the ground swag with a mattress that is about 30mm thick. Pretty uncomfortable even on grass. Luckily I have setup my wagon as a car camping rig and it works for me perfectly.

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by blueoval

if I was looking for a swag I would definitely go for the stretcher type versions. Being off the ground and having some space to get changed on the flat is a bonus to me. I was given an old school on the ground swag with a mattress that is about 30mm thick. Pretty uncomfortable even on grass. Luckily I have setup my wagon as a car camping rig and it works for me perfectly.

The good thing about the stretcher is when it rains overnight you don't have to get up and move it, I used to put mine head first uphill, or on a slight incline.
But I'd work out which way the roo's went in the morning to water, and put my 4x4 between me and the roo's!.......


Regards William

[Trevor 57]

We just spent 7 days at Corringile Camping area just south of Orbost, a great spot, nestled between the Snowy River and the ocean. We would have stayed longer and we were booked in longer but Parks Victoria stuffed up our booking.

[five 7]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

We just spent 7 days at Corringile Camping area just south of Orbost, a great spot, nestled between the Snowy River and the ocean. We would have stayed longer and we were booked in longer but Parks Victoria stuffed up our booking.

image

image

Seems a bit like going to a restaurant and they ask if you have a booking, so you look around and most of the tables are empty. got to love Govt bureaucracy. The beach looks like a prime spot Trev.

[roKWiz]

Nice Trevor, beach looks great. Maybe not Fraser Is but at least you got away.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

We just spent 7 days at Corringile Camping area just south of Orbost, a great spot, nestled between the Snowy River and the ocean. We would have stayed longer and we were booked in longer but Parks Victoria stuffed up our booking.
]

Hey Trev, looks like a nice spot. What were the toilets like? Flush or long drop?

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by prydey

Hey Trev, looks like a nice spot. What were the toilets like? Flush or long drop?

Long drop, but super clean and no smell. A contractor was in their cleaning twice in the7 days we were there

[prydey]

Another long weekend and another trip down to Naracoorte caves national Park.

My view for the weekend


View across a neighbouring property from one of the bush walks




Wandered down to Mt Gambier to check out the Umpherston sink hole. Been about 5 years since last visited. It hasn't really changed but it was a good drive and day out.




Plenty of these little guys come out at dusk apparently. We saw a couple. Very friendly but mainly for food so if you hold your hand out they will try and bite it.



Just thought I'd throw a couple of pics of how I keep my awning poles in place




If the wind picks up too much I'll still throw a couple of guy ropes on but these tether it down pretty well. I use screw in pegs with a cordless. They aren't pretty but I just happened to find 3 pieces of metal in my shed with just the right size holes. No idea where they are from but they work well.

[Trevor 57]

the beach was beautiful, unfortunately not great for kids swimming, but there were a few spots not too far away

The Snowy River was right beside us, there was a back water that the campground backed onto

We were on sites 11 & 13 from the 11th until tomorrow, the 25th, but the Parks double booked (long story) my site, 13 and we had to move yesterday so we decided to come home

[slowsnake]

You ever get out to Lake Eucumbene Trev!
They reckon it's ok if it's flat, but stay away if it's choppy, but very good fishing out deep.



Cheers Billy

[Trevor 57]

Sorry Billy, I don't fish, the ratio of fish versus water always leans in favour of the water

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

Sorry Billy, I don't fish, the ratio of fish versus water always leans in favour of the water

That's the perfect answer Trev!,,,,,,,

You would make a fine politician, or Union organiser,



Cheers Billy

[blueoval]

you take strapping poles down to the ground to a new level Rob

Ive never seen any almost chemically anchor down awning poles to the ground the way you do.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by blueoval

you take strapping poles down to the ground to a new level Rob

Ive never seen any almost chemically anchor down awning poles to the ground the way you do.

Great idea I reckon. I'm over belting pegs in then trying to get them out. Give me a rattle gun any day..............

[Tonz]

Weather over our way was c r a p p y very cold blustery winds, looks better down your way.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Tonz

Weather over our way was c r a p p y very cold blustery winds, looks better down your way.

It had its moments but enough good weather to still get out and do a couple of walks etc. Quite windy still which kept the showers brief as they blew through pretty quick.

[hayseed]

Prydey, What are you using for Pegs.??

I've been eying these off for a While.
https://www.fullrangecamping.com.au/...g-anchor-kits/

https://groundgrabba.com.au/collections/all-products

But am A Little unsure as to which way to Go..

[prydey]

Originally Posted by hayseed

Prydey, What are you using for Pegs.??
.

https://www.snowys.com.au/hex-pegs

[sgt_doofey]

The Box 2.0!













My 12V power box. Now with remote turn on/off!

I'll be using this to charge devices and run my camp lights off of. (Turn camp lights on and off via remote control)

It has 3 x USB ports, 1 x USB-C port, 1 x cigarette socket & 4 x remote controlled connections. 30A circut breaker for fun!
Switch turns on/off the USB and cig socket. Instantaneous button lights up the volt meter and a screw in connection for the input.

[Beastie]

The wife and I are off to Myall River Camp for a long weekend.

https://www.myallrivercamp.com.au/



Should make for an interesting weekend given the weather forecast...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Beastie the Barista

The wife and I are off to Myall River Camp for a long weekend.

https://www.myallrivercamp.com.au/

image

Should make for an interesting weekend given the weather forecast...

Arent you worried about the wind tearing the seat off sitting up like that?
We always loaded ours **** forward for that reason.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Arent you worried about the wind tearing the seat off sitting up like that?
We always loaded ours **** forward for that reason.

Nope. I've driven with the seat like that many times and no problem. I have it tied down to the kayak where you can't see.

[blueoval]

Im looking into either an A frame or pop up caravan again.

I need something that is no more than 2.5m in (traveling) height so it fits into my garage. Garage panel door is 2.55m high. My driveway is on an upward slope too so it needs to clear air con, antennas etc on an angle as the van is approaching the garage door before it tapers flat.

Do the Avan A frames leak? Been trying to find out more experiences on them. Expensive for what they are but the storage situation when not i use is important to me. A pop top van is also a possibility but from what I have read they are at least 2.6-2.7m high traveling height which wont work depending on brand.

Not interested in a traditional canvas camper trailer. The Jayco Swan/Hawk I know would work but Im trying to steer clear of as much canvas as possible.

Any advice and help is appreciated.

[Honest Gaza]

Originally Posted by blueoval

The Jayco Swan/Hawk I know would work but Im trying to steer clear of as much canvas as possible.

My Wife had the same issue with the Canvas. We went with the Penguin which leaves the Double Bed under the main roof (no slide-outs).

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Im looking into either an A frame or pop up caravan again.

I need something that is no more than 2.5m in (traveling) height so it fits into my garage. Garage panel door is 2.55m high. My driveway is on an upward slope too so it needs to clear air con, antennas etc on an angle as the van is approaching the garage door before it tapers flat.

Do the Avan A frames leak? Been trying to find out more experiences on them. Expensive for what they are but the storage situation when not i use is important to me. A pop top van is also a possibility but from what I have read they are at least 2.6-2.7m high traveling height which wont work depending on brand.

Not interested in a traditional canvas camper trailer. The Jayco Swan/Hawk I know would work but Im trying to steer clear of as much canvas as possible.

Any advice and help is appreciated.

I owned an A'Van for 6 years, I bought it new in 2010 and sold it in 2016, we loved it. We actually lived in it for 3 months while we took a long service leave trip down the west coast.

Our had no leaks what so ever, well there was one little 'leak', because we ran the compressor fridge for 3 months solid the little drip catch tray at the back of the fridge overflowed, it was an easy fix, just put a bit of small plastic tube as an extension on the outlet of the drip tray

You can buy an 'off-road' version now, if I had that option when we bought ours I would have taken it, ours was a bit limited going bush like we like to do

In the 6 years of ownership the only thing that went 'wrong' was the little flue extension from the gas powered fridge fell off, it was a 20 minute job to recover it and re-fit with a tech-screw so it wouldn't come off again

I paid 29k for it new and sold it 6 years later for 22.5K, the purchasers were over the moon with the condition

You will struggle to find an A'Van owner who has had issues, everyone I ever spoke to had nothing but praise. But there was this one bloke we talked to at a Broome Caravan Park who had issues, but he was to blame, some fool told him to pump up the tyres to 60psi when on rough gravel roads so a few things vibrated out of place.

Towing was awesome, 910kg, no higher than the PK Ranger we had at the time, didn't even know it was on the back most of the time

I was able to store mine in a conventional 6x6 house garage

We owned the Cruiseliner 2b - https://www.avan.com.au/our-range/ca.../6-cruiseliner

How they set up and pack up - piece of cake, so simple - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl0V6ex6wSs

This one shows around the van and setting up etc, this one is the same layout as ours was, except it is a Cruiser (no boot and the front) and ours was Cruiseliner (boot at the front) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwBo47n5gvI

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

I owned an A'Van for 6 years, I bought it new in 2010 and sold it in 2016, we loved it. We actually lived in it for 3 months while we took a long service leave trip down the west coast.

Our had no leaks what so ever, well there was one little 'leak', because we ran the compressor fridge for 3 months solid the little drip catch tray at the back of the fridge overflowed, it was an easy fix, just put a bit of small plastic tube as an extension on the outlet of the drip tray

You can buy an 'off-road' version now, if I had that option when we bought ours I would have taken it, ours was a bit limited going bush like we like to do

In the 6 years of ownership the only thing that went 'wrong' was the little flue extension from the gas powered fridge fell off, it was a 20 minute job to recover it and re-fit with a tech-screw so it wouldn't come off again

I paid 29k for it new and sold it 6 years later for 22.5K, the purchasers were over the moon with the condition

You will struggle to find an A'Van owner who has had issues, everyone I ever spoke to had nothing but praise. But there was this one bloke we talked to at a Broome Caravan Park who had issues, but he was to blame, some fool told him to pump up the tyres to 60psi when on rough gravel roads so a few things vibrated out of place.

Towing was awesome, 910kg, no higher than the PK Ranger we had at the time, didn't even know it was on the back most of the time

I was able to store mine in a conventional 6x6 house garage

We owned the Cruiseliner 2b - https://www.avan.com.au/our-range/ca.../6-cruiseliner

How they set up and pack up - piece of cake, so simple - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl0V6ex6wSs

This one shows around the van and setting up etc - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwBo47n5gvI

This is the experience I was after. Thanks Trevor

I have literally watched every you tube video on Avan Campers.

The one Im looking at is the Cruiseliner 1D with the Adventure Pack. Like you said, I think the additional off road clearance and the few extra features will come in handy.

https://www.avanadelaide.com.au/curr...adventure-pack

What do you reckon?

I think the US versions of the A frames there are possibly poorly assembled and that could be a problem with leaking? Reports are saying the bubble windows out in the weather are the cause for the leaks. But if Im storing it in the garage I 'should' be ok?

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Reports are saying the bubble windows out in the weather are the cause for the leaks. But if Im storing it in the garage I 'should' be ok?

ours was stored inside all the time when not in use - it does help with resale when you decide to upgrade

New van storage