Our Home

Our Caravan Home.

Our Van is set for travelling with important things like
A fully working Hair Dryer and plenty of space for the makeup.
The less important details are
Have changed the Suspension and brakes to a Simplicity axle and large brakes.

No matter what you get, do get to know it back to front so you can at least work on the van and understand if things need fixing as sometimes nobody will be around to help you.

One of the most Important things we have on the van and use at every stop is the water filter it really is surprising how the water can be, we have had to change filters in some places after a few weeks so we want to have clean clear water all the time

Extra Bits Added To Van And Car

Solar power on roof
Toilet and shower of course
Washing machine
Full oven
full annexe for long stays
4g wireless system
satellite TV.
Gas bayonets both sides of van
LED Lighting both sides for ease of night camping
Storage tubes under van for fishing lines and drain hoses (separate of course)
Have cameras mounted on back plus at tow point so wife and I don't have the backing in dance that I see about.
The tow bus is a 4.8 lt. Patrol with a 1/12 inch lift with truck coils and air bags with 20 psi keeping it all level.
in the back is a 80lt fridge freeze full draw system Solar for fridge 4 batteries on board.
stone guard up front

On board nav. system is Garmin 7 truck system which shows all low bridges and dead ends we all like.
Extra boost for iPhone via a external aerial mounted on bulbar
A I pad pro for finding those camp sites mounted for ease of use
2 radios mounted into dash so not very easy to get at for when you need to chat with the semis or other vans
Winch mounted to front with large spotlights above to see where you are going, but plan not to drive after 3pm
12vt. Fans behind the grill in fridge area to help cool the hot air out during warm days.
Rear PVC Pipe to carry Fishing Lines Etc. under Van
Outside TV for sitting out watching the world go by.
Timber board for cover over oven plate while stove in use or to protect top.

Have awning set in case winds pick up over night.

Good thing is can travel at speed limit of 100km all day without any worries and being into vans since I was 4 so when know to get out of way of people behind me if I feel that I am the cause

As you are seeing in the photos we change the way we set up to suit the length of time we are parked up, it can be a short stay so no awning are out to a 2 month stay were we throw up the full annex. More about Annexe below in link Button

The Annexe

As you travel you start to see things that you can do to help make things easier or better for you and some are just simple ideas that suit you and would not work for someone else.

Such as you see to the left the way I have got the sat dish and cloths line on back of van it works for us and it took a while to get the right length from van so the clothes line don't touch the van and can spin 360 so hanging clothes is better. I have two jockey wheel clamps on rear and an extra one on front from where I have some pipe cut and bent to an S shape, it's 50mm gal and stainless steel pipe.
Smaller one is 40 cm at each bend or the larger to clear van with cloths line is 40x70x40, to clear rear of van, you may need to check that for your van size. Now my sat dish is not going to be moved and the cloths line will not fall over and I can put sat dish at front or on which side to get the best sig. and the cloths line will take other place or in sun as needed

The cover for the arms of the awning is so good it does two jobs, it protects the arms from stone chips and also holds the arm firm while you are driving along so no worries about them coming away from van.

And the holder on the van door is so handy for us who just had little things that you use almost daily and nowhere to put them but it is so simple and everything now is just there and it works if you are inside or out they are in a place when you need it.

And of course is the Anderson Hitch and do I get some strange looks from people, something I thought I would never use but was given it as a test and have for most part of the past 9 months or so and it really works as it stops the van swaying about, no more bouncing like a bunny and I don't have issues with large trucks passing anymore it really holds the van to the road.

And the hitch set up I have colour coded each piece so hook ups are easy to see and with the camera I can see which part is hooked up in a glace.

Have three points so no matter which way I am can hook up Sat. Dish or clothes line to get best out of it

Protect the fitting from weather

Note the awning drop is shorter for a door way

keeping the off side cool on those hot days

From photos we have so many different options when we set up so for any length of stay or what we require are always at hand.

As part of the getting van ready had the van pay load increased to 790kg. for those times we carry extra loads, not that is going to happen anymore as we have got all we need on board and have our weights well under what is required of us and of course that helps with the fuel and damage that can happen by towing over loaded

Having the right car to pull your van is the most important thing that you should spent time getting right, before the van is bought.

Our Tow 4x4

The link on the Button will take you to info about our Patrol

Having a good set up in back of 4x4 or what ever you have is so important when looking for something.

The guards are protecting her while we are away.