The Camping Thread

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Meet Alf - well that's our chosen name for now pending how he/she looks after some paint and modernising.

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Looks like a solid base mate, well done.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Meet Alf - well that's our chosen name for now pending how he/she looks after some paint and modernising.

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Looks solid. Looks like its got a lot of life left in it too.

[FTE217]

We stayed at One Mile Ingenia cara park the last 4days......
There is another just up the road where my bro inlaw was staying at as well with his Jayco Expanda.
His place was our go to hang out.
I've always liked observing what people "spend" on their rigs/trailers/tow vehicles etcetc for being in the Aftermarket game there is quite alot of product I'm involved in and customers of ours that is on display.
Wow its become a real "look at me" game nowadays.
The pecking order in cara parks is massive more than ever lol......
Love watching it.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Wow its become a real "look at me" game nowadays.
The pecking order in cara parks is massive more than ever lol......
Love watching it.

Agreed, we spent the weekend at Barmera in the caravan park as our Daughter was playing in the Prestige Medley in Renmark.
As it was only for two nights we decided it wasn't worth dragging our caravan all that way and so borrowed our old soft floor camper off my nephew as its no more work setting up than a tent.
Well, the looks you get when you roll up and start banging in pegs next to someone in their shiny new 20'+ palace on wheels that they probably cashed in their super to buy thanks to Covid and Scotty from marketing.

I've noticed recently that many of the new breed dont want to associate with those around them as it used to be, i remember when it didnt matter what you were sleeping in, everyone was equal and what you had didnt get a mention, almost frowned upon to discuss infact. Now its as though you are given a score as you drive in depending on what you have in tow and allocated your spot in the pecking order, i said to the missus, is it just me or are caravan parks becoming anti social, she laughed and said took the words right out of my mouth.

I cant wait for international travel to kick off again so things can go back to normal.

[prydey]

While there is an element of keeping up with the Joneses, I don't think it is a new thing and definitely not unique to camping.

Sure, there are some shiny setups around but it doesn't bother me at all. I go camping to spend time with my family, not to socialise with other people I don't know. I'm polite and don't really care how other people go camping.

Not having a go at anyone in particular but it seems that if someone does something different to how things were done years ago then they are condescended to.

Also if someone can't travel overseas so decide to travel locally instead they seemed to be looked down on as well... I don't care how long or short someone has been doing their thing, no one has any more right to it than anyone else.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

While there is an element of keeping up with the Joneses, I don't think it is a new thing and definitely not unique to camping.

Sure, there are some shiny setups around but it doesn't bother me at all. I go camping to spend time with my family, not to socialise with other people I don't know. I'm polite and don't really care how other people go camping.

Not having a go at anyone in particular but it seems that if someone does something different to how things were done years ago then they are condescended to.

Also if someone can't travel overseas so decide to travel locally instead they seemed to be looked down on as well... I don't care how long or short someone has been doing their thing, no one has any more right to it than anyone else.

Yes you are, every time i've posted something along these lines you've come back quickly with the above, only problem is, you're reading it wrong.

Im not saying theres anything wrong with choosing to holiday locally, nor do i really care what you've bought to do that with, but fit in with those who've been doing it for a while, dont roll up in your sparkling new van and begin giving filthy looks sideways at others because you've just sold the farm to enter the world of caravanning as its blatantly obvious when everything in your campsite still has the tags on them and you're trying to workout how it all goes together.
Caravan parks have always been social places, you may never see your neighbor again or they may be in the next park you roll into or on the road along the way, its a great way to get to know people you might otherwise never cross paths with.

I had an issue a few months ago as i was setting up at West Beach, within seconds half a dozen blokes we're on the spot to help out and when all was right, disappeared just as quick, thats what its all about, looking after the next bloke as you never know when you might need a hand yourself, sitting there giving dirty looks because you think you're something special wont win you many friends in that environment.

This isnt my opinion, its my observations and becoming more of the norm than the exception.

[prydey]

I guess I'm just saying that all those traits I have seen from those who have obviously been doing it a long time. They are human traits and not linked to how new or old you are at camping.

[FTE217]

yep prydey, its not new nor unique But it sure is much bigger today (even before covid might I add) how big is your d ick.
Its observations nothing more or less we all have our rights and pov's, I agree with Bent re your return angle on the posts, its just discussion doesn't need to be directed the way you have.
Live long and prosper my friend.

Another thing that has improved greatly, is options on rain covers for additional awnings over awnings for rain, the floor/ground coverings more and more options, heating/tv's.
I sometimes wonder how much time its to prepare, set up upon arrival and then pack up.

I watched this poor women in a Rav4 wagon having to pack up 2 large tents. awnings etc and just fit it all back in the Rav, just might I add.
I thought after all that work why not just get one of the cabins.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

I guess I'm just saying that all those traits I have seen from those who have obviously been doing it a long time. They are human traits and not linked to how new or old you are at camping.

And im basing my observations off of spending quite a bit of time in caravan parks post Covid lockdowns, ive been to west beach 8 times since October, Barmera 3 times including twice in tbe past month and Mannum once, ive seen it happening and getting worse gradually, that this also coincides with the loss of overseas travel and the emergence of new campers is no coincidence.
From your own admissions Rob you've been to Warrina when you 'had it to yourself' and bush camping at Mambray.

Now im not saying im an expert at caravan park etiquette but i think i might just have a little more recent experience to draw on.

[Trevor 57]

there is definitely an air of arrogance around some people and their set up's, we saw it a bit on a 3 month trip down the west coast - we were in a V'Van Cruiseliner at the time (it measured a solid 12 foot or 4 metres on the inside), no shower, no toilet, an east-west bed, but we lived in it for 3 months and had a wow of a time, and we were certainly looked down upon by some, we had it for 6 years. We had a camper trailer, not a modern camper trailer, this was literally a tent on a trailer, no slide out kitchen or Engel and we found the same thing with it

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

We had a camper trailer, not a modern camper trailer, this was literally a tent on a trailer, no slide out kitchen or Engel and we found the same thing with it

Thats exactly what we used on the weekend Trev, a camper trailer tent that some guy imported in a container and had a locally made 7x4 trailer built to suit, no kitchen, power, water tanks, nothing and whilst its still as new, looks really good set up and takes no time at all to accomplish, the 'have's' in their 80k mansions didnt appreciate its simplicity.

I just had a little laugh to myself, we could have taken our van, which still doesn't come close to what some of these new vans offer, but as i said before, for 2 nights its not worth it when you factor in the extra fuel and effort.

I actually enjoyed the simplicity of camper to be honest, we left home at 3pm Friday, was setup and in the local having a snitty by 7pm and packed the whole show up on Sunday morning in 30 minutes whilst the little lady had a shower.
We both commented on how much we missed it but having used it as a stepping stone from tents to the forward fold camper we bought after it and now the van, i couldn't go back to it for extended periods.

[Trevor 57]

We have a great off-road Goldstream van, it is not close to the "80k mansions" but it is up there. We are off to Fraser Island in late October, all being well and borders open and we will be tenting it. I have a super modified 6x4 with a steel square box canopy on it, it has a pull out Kings awning off the roof rack, it has a fold down table on the passenger side, it has a deep cycle battery with 12v electrical fittings, I am in the process of adding a 80l water tank, it has 16" Nissan rims and off road leaf suspension - it has literally done hundreds of bush trips and never let me down, that is what I will be taking to Fraser and to the Finke in June

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by FTE217

yep prydey, its not new nor unique But it sure is much bigger today (even before covid might I add) how big is your d ick.
Its observations nothing more or less we all have our rights and pov's, I agree with Bent re your return angle on the posts, its just discussion doesn't need to be directed the way you have.
Live long and prosper my friend.

Another thing that has improved greatly, is options on rain covers for additional awnings over awnings for rain, the floor/ground coverings more and more options, heating/tv's.
I sometimes wonder how much time its to prepare, set up upon arrival and then pack up.

I watched this poor women in a Rav4 wagon having to pack up 2 large tents. awnings etc and just fit it all back in the Rav, just might I add.
I thought after all that work why not just get one of the cabins.

You can learn a lot by taking a good look at what others do to overcome hurdles, especially in caravan parks where you get all kinds.
A walk around the park every night is a must do for us and i appreciate everything from a swag under an awning off the side of an old ute right up to some of the full size motor homes that you wouldn't get much change from a qtr of a mill for.
Everyone's different and have different needs but i certainly wouldn't look down on someone who needs less than me, some do though and its quite obvious.

I met a lovely lady just before Christmas at West Beach, she was single, recently retired and had just bought her first van and tow tug but had little idea how to set it up properly, she was walking past and we got talking so i offered to wander down and give her some advice and help, id never walk into someone else's camp uninvited but she was thankful for the offer and so i went down and showed her how some things worked, i may never see her again but it was good just to pass on some tips that will see her right in future.

A few years ago we shared our trailer load of wood with a lovely Victorian couple at Mambray creek, they spent the first night asking us all about our camping habits and family, work etc. later that night on reflection i realised we spent so much time talking about us that we knew very little about them, so the next night as we all cooked dinner i asked them their story. Turns out they weren't really into caravanning, the van they had was a hire van and they'd been touring the flinders with friends.
When i asked them what they did for a crust i discovered she was a nurse, handy in the bush, and he flew around the world designing airports. Two obviously well educated people sitting around a campfire with a cook, equally handy in the bush and a bus driver but you wouldn't know we came from such different backgrounds in that moment, fantastic people and down to earth.

[Trevor 57]

You can meet heaps of interesting people when camping, either is Nat Parks or caravan parks. we have met heaps of great people (and some we don't wanna see again too )

We were camping at a farm stay at a place called Parry Creek Farm Stay, kinda halfway between Kununurra and Wyndham up the top end of W.A. back in 2012. It was hot so my wife and I headed to their pool, the water was freezing, anyway this lady about 50 wanders in and asks what the water is like and I said great, she laughed and said she knew I was lying . . . . .anyway turns out she is a travelling GP, travelling with her 2 Border Collies in a Pajero with a Jayco camper, she travels from town to town doing locum work, really nice person, we were watching something on TV last week and there she was, I can't remember why she was on TV, but it was good to see her still doing her thing and not at all pretentious.

[Trevor 57]

Just a quick question, I know a few in here visit the Grampians a bit, we are planning to be over that way in a few weeks, we are planning on staying at either Jimmy Creek or Smiths Mill - my wife isn't that ambulant, so which is good for a bit of sightseeing

[buggerlugs]

Bought a couple of these https://www.snowys.com.au/taipan-hotspot-chair
They come with heat packs. Yes I'm getting old !!!

[Trevor 57]

Nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with getting old either. I just bought 2 new Darche Vipor chairs, f my wife had seen those she would have been all over them lol

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

You can learn a lot by taking a good look at what others do to overcome hurdles, especially in caravan parks where you get all kinds.
A walk around the park every night is a must do for us and i appreciate everything from a swag under an awning off the side of an old ute right up to some of the full size motor homes that you wouldn't get much change from a qtr of a mill for.
Everyone's different and have different needs but i certainly wouldn't look down on someone who needs less than me, some do though and its quite obvious.

I met a lovely lady just before Christmas at West Beach, she was single, recently retired and had just bought her first van and tow tug but had little idea how to set it up properly, she was walking past and we got talking so i offered to wander down and give her some advice and help, id never walk into someone else's camp uninvited but she was thankful for the offer and so i went down and showed her how some things worked, i may never see her again but it was good just to pass on some tips that will see her right in future.

A few years ago we shared our trailer load of wood with a lovely Victorian couple at Mambray creek, they spent the first night asking us all about our camping habits and family, work etc. later that night on reflection i realised we spent so much time talking about us that we knew very little about them, so the next night as we all cooked dinner i asked them their story. Turns out they weren't really into caravanning, the van they had was a hire van and they'd been touring the flinders with friends.
When i asked them what they did for a crust i discovered she was a nurse, handy in the bush, and he flew around the world designing airports. Two obviously well educated people sitting around a campfire with a cook, equally handy in the bush and a bus driver but you wouldn't know we came from such different backgrounds in that moment, fantastic people and down to earth.

yes I love having a walk around the parks we stay in, its been a thing of mine forever, even at events like Bathurst I enjoy walking around the carpark.
You learn and observe alot, plus you meet bump into people you wouldn't have.
There's some lovely people you meet unexpectedly and you learn something everyday, thats what great about being out and about the great outdoors of ours.

buggerlugs, wish I had those chairs the last week whilst this first chill came through ! good pick up.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

Just a quick question, I know a few in here visit the Grampians a bit, we are planning to be over that way in a few weeks, we are planning on staying at either Jimmy Creek or Smiths Mill - my wife isn't that ambulant, so which is good for a bit of sightseeing

Smith's mill is close to Mackenzie Falls. I think that one even has a basic shower if you want /need that sort of thing. I checked it out a few years ago but we were tenting at the time and it seemed more suited to trailers. We were camping in boreang camp ground but as nice as that was it was quite a trek in and out every day. Mt victory road is quite narrow and the turn off to Mackenzie/smith's mill is a fair way along but all the main lookouts are off that same road. Boroka, balconies etc.

Last visit we used halls gap lakeside as our base. A bit pricier than the national park but well worth it in my opinion.

[Trevor 57]

Cheers, we will be there mid week out of school holiday time so no expecting it to be too busy. We have a shower on-board

Really interested to know what to look at if based at Smiths Mill (our preference at the moment)

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

You can meet heaps of interesting people when camping, either is Nat Parks or caravan parks. we have met heaps of great people (and some we don't wanna see again too )

We were camping at a farm stay at a place called Parry Creek Farm Stay, kinda halfway between Kununurra and Wyndham up the top end of W.A. back in 2012. It was hot so my wife and I headed to their pool, the water was freezing, anyway this lady about 50 wanders in and asks what the water is like and I said great, she laughed and said she knew I was lying . . . . .anyway turns out she is a travelling GP, travelling with her 2 Border Collies in a Pajero with a Jayco camper, she travels from town to town doing locum work, really nice person, we were watching something on TV last week and there she was, I can't remember why she was on TV, but it was good to see her still doing her thing and not at all pretentious.

I havent been back to Wyndham since I was 11 about 33yrs ago. My parents and I live there in the late 70s for a couple of years and we went back to catch up with friends. Lots of memories of that place. I spot I wanted to take my late father back to before he passed away. Its a bucketlist place to go to to take the wife one day.

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

Bought a couple of these https://www.snowys.com.au/taipan-hotspot-chair
They come with heat packs. Yes I'm getting old !!!

These looks ggoooooddd. Nice find

[Tonz]

As a teen I used to walk through caravan (we called them camping grounds in those days) spying out those who had a nice boat and fishing gear, I would worm my way into their family and get my brothers so jealous I was always invited out on boats and catching fish.
Best fish I ever caught I am still married to many many years later. dang she filled her bikini out nicely ans also gave me a run for money on her fish catching prowess.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by Tonz

Best fish I ever caught I am still married to many many years later

That's Rex Hunt lvl 1000.

I started taking doors off and sanding cabinetry in the caravan last night. My multi tool is a live saver. Initially bought sanding discs attachment for the drill but because there's dressing on the cabinetry the 125mm discs were too big to get to most of the surface. The multi tool triangular head helps get into the corners so there's only routed dressing and small crevices to do by hand. Also pulled carpet up which was laid by the original owner next to beds. The outside of this van shows weathering, but its very solid and the more I get into it the more im convinced we have made a good purchase. Impressed with the cabinetry to the point I moved doors from one spot to another and the drill holes, hinges, magnets and locating lugs lined up 100%, and with no splits in any of the mdf or timbers. Considered a caravan project thread, but im terrible at taking progress photos or reporting back frequently.

I see 4WDsupercentre is selling shower coves in an awning style set up. Might get one of these down the track. we have a rechargeable camp shower - with a pump that goes in the bucket. I built a PVC water tank to pressurise which ill use to carry water for the shower on the van.

[blueoval]

I bought a cheap 100aH Deep Cycle battery from Aldi a few weeks ago and want to charge it on a trickle charge setup. Can someone advise on the level of charge needed thats sufficient please?

[prydey]

Ideally you should invest in a decent multi stage charger.

I have one of these
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Victron-....m46890.l49286

but there are other good brands like projecta etc.

Sorry I can't answer your question.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by prydey

Ideally you should invest in a decent multi stage charger.

I have one of these
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Victron-....m46890.l49286

but there are other good brands like projecta etc.

Sorry I can't answer your question.

My Brother in law has a Projecta charger which I think is multi staged. I'll just borrow that for now I guess.

Thanks anyway

[sgt_doofey]

Shav, go back a few pages and have a look at the set up I've bought myself.
150w solar panel with 20A solar controller for $89 from memory. Can just use that to charge the battery. Bought it off of eBay. (Cheap, so may not last the distance. Buyer beware )

On a side note, my mate borrowed my battery setup and fridge and used it for the 4 days over Easter. They had no issues running the Kings fridge, camp lights and charging phones over the weekend. Was nice and sunny so that would have helped with the solar charging.

Trevor_57, what sort of things are you looking to do in the Grampians? Are you talking about just camping with the wife, or sightseeing around the place?

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I bought a cheap 100aH Deep Cycle battery from Aldi a few weeks ago and want to charge it on a trickle charge setup. Can someone advise on the level of charge needed thats sufficient please?

Minimum would be 12a but i was recommended and used the Projecta PC1600 6 stage for the 100ah battery in our old camper, being multi stage it also conditions the battery when necessary.
I left it on 24/7 for 12 months and never had an issue.

If your running the battery in a box with fused Anderson plugs for in/output just cut the aligator clips off the charger and flood solder an Anderson plug onto it, better connection.

I buy all my 12v gear from Home of 12v and run my van battery in one of their Thumper battery boxes, costs a bit more than the ones you get on ebay or supercheap etc. but they're good quality with local backup, think i paid $130 with dual Andersons, 3x cigarette sockets, dual USB and voltage monitor. They do a few diffetent combinations and will custom make them on the spot if you want a specific setup.

[blueoval]

Ive got the battery box from Aldi which is suited for the battery in question. Just need to connect it together. I will see what the charger is from BIL before I do anything. Otherwise I'll go buy a charger setup like you mentioned BENT.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Shav, go back a few pages and have a look at the set up I've bought myself.
150w solar panel with 20A solar controller for $89 from memory. Can just use that to charge the battery. Bought it off of eBay. (Cheap, so may not last the distance. Buyer beware )

On a side note, my mate borrowed my battery setup and fridge and used it for the 4 days over Easter. They had no issues running the Kings fridge, camp lights and charging phones over the weekend. Was nice and sunny so that would have helped with the solar charging.

Thanks Sam, thats my next item to buy. Looking for a Solar blanket setup so its easier to pack up.