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What's the best Camping setup?
Topic Started: Wednesday 28-10-2009, 21:26 (709 Views)
johnshares
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The wife and I have been travelling for 4 years around the countryside with a caravan. It's a normal van (not an off road van). We have stayed mainly in free camp sites (80%) of the time. Next year during winter we would like to go to WA and find the Gold that has my name on it!! :) We would spend 2 -3 months there.
My question is, I want to downsize, but which is better :
1/ a camper trailer, or
2/ a small say 12 foot van ?
We where in a dust storm last week and I thought if that had happened with a camper trailer, that would have not been much fun. however with a van, you just stop, put up the roof and camp is made. But I noticed somewhere in the posting here in the forum, Kris had a photograph of a line up of 5 utes towing campers and 4 utes on there own. I think the photo was in Coolgardie.

Whats the opinion of members?
thanks
John
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silverback
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Hi John,
without knowing your details its a bit hard to suggest something for you. For me its definitely a van.We have been down the road of swags,tents,light and heavy camper trailers even a bus but after using our offroad van for the last two years its the ducks dangly bits.The nights are bloody cold on our goldfields and having a bit of solid material around you helps.we also carry a few comforts such as sat tv,breadmaker ,computers air con/heater etc.i'm out there to enjoy myself not punish myself but you may be younger and enjoy the roughing it :P .Thats my view ,hope it helps in someway :) :)
All the best,
Peter
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Depends on where you want to go, there are a lot of places to bush camp not too far from main roads,and as long as you have reasonable ground clearance you should be ok in a van as its much more comfortable, you should get permission from pastoral properties to camp on their land and D.E.C. has purchased some pastoral leases where you can camp. Need to watch weather, if it rains too much you may have to stay put for a while as in some places that lovely red country turns into red mud. otherwise you cut up the tracks too much. DOG BAITS EVERYWHERE, SO BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE A DOG. I was too late getting here as someone else has found all my gold. Hope ive been some help CP
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nuggetykath-68
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Hi John,

We prefer a van. If travelling a fair distance we stop for a break & pop into van to make a fresh cuppa
in our travelling mugs. Guessing you have solar panels as you have been travelling so long? Great
asset for those of us who mainly do bush camping. Here in the west we suggest you have an air-scoop
to keep open on dusty tracks...works well,keeping that dust out of the van!! Just make sure you
close it if it rains.Our van is small 14ft older type & boy it has been to some rough places, hubby
keeps it well maintained & for US it is perfect.

Cheers,

Kath

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Jon
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Hi Johnshares
This is what I have,depends how many in the family,but for 2 people i think this is great,well it suits me just fine.
The quad fits in the back of the cruiser,I have a electric winch to haul it up. :D :D
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Attachments: camping1.jpg (137.19 KB)
Attachments: P1130243.jpg (1.87 MB)
Edited by Jon, Thursday 29-10-2009, 13:14.
CHEERS JON
Goanna Gold Adventures WA
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johnshares
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Hi Peter,Silverback,
My details are that I'm 63 with the navigator a bit younger (a man should never let on these details) You certainly have a way with words, and I like your add on ideas while Sharon definitely likes the breadmaker. We have the sat tv now and will not sell that when we sell our current van, however the solar is stuck down and will go with the van.
I am however looking at the Jaycar wind turbines, as an added power supply.
Peejay,
I know what you mean about the red mud, here we are in Qld, and last night pulled into a roadside camp spot then suddenly the car went forwards and I was turning right, a quick slip into 4 wheel drive, (cause you can in a Patrol ;) ;) and away we went to the next camp site!!
Kath,
As you have a 14 foot van would you say that a 12 foot would be too small? I imagine that we would have an annex and would probably be in one location for 2 -3 weeks at a time.
Jon,
Hey, now that looks just my cup a tee!! ;) ;) I'll take it as is !! We have even got another shower for use as a ??

Thanks everyone for inspiring us
safe travels
John
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Mr Walker
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Hello John

I am firmly in the van camp (so to speak.)
The reasons being we appreciate the relative ease and quick setup at he end of a long day exploring this great (but expansive) state.

I suspect many others have found the camper trailer option a bit too much trouble to set up etc, judjing by the many thousands of them for sale "only used once/twice." By way of comparison, good small offroad and semi-offroad vans are like hens teeth, and maintain excellent resale value.

Also like Kath, we like to stop often for a cuppa break, and enjoy being away from flies and the elements. Setup can be acheived in a few minutes.

My vote: go for a 13 to 14ft high clearance pop-top, just take it slow and careful on the dirt, and you will be amazed at the beauty of the places you will get to. As in life, your journey should be at least as enjoyable as your destination.

Mr Walker
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nuggetykath-68
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Hi John,

For OUR liking we would not like to go smaller & yes we do have an annex also..poptop van.
Now hubby has strengthened the van..put one extra leaf around the main spring & upgraded
our axle to 1800 kg load..it was 1250kg.....Our tyres are 14" but we still have good ground
clearance. We are not in the van lots BUT when it rains etc it is good to have a bit of room.
We also have our dog with us!!!! Our van is very good for creek & gully crossings etc.

Cheers,
Kath
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Topcat
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I try to keep my setup to the "KISS" rule.

(K)EEP
(I)T
(S)IMPLE
(S)TUPID

Sometimes it does help when prospecting.

Cheers

Ted
Cheers,

Ted


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www.havewheelswilltravel.iinet.net.au
"I believe that if life gives you lemons,you
should make lemonade & try to find somebody
whose life has given them vodka, & have a party"!!!!

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johnshares
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Thanks for Replies guys and gals,
Kath, I heard a rumour that you where increasing the springs to accomodate the extra weight of gold found ;) ;)
Good point Mr Walker, on both our last two roadside overnight stops, we noticed that camper trailer's where left intack and the folks used swags. Mind you a camper trailer set up for a weeks enjoyment would be a different kettle of fish.

have a great weekend
john
Edited by johnshares, Saturday 31-10-2009, 10:32.
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nuggetykath-68
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VERY GOOD JOHN, I SURE LIKE YOUR HUMOUR!!!!!! :X :$ ;)

CHEERS,

KATH
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Jigalong
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G'day John,

I am a new member on the forum and was scrolling through the posts looking for things of interest when I saw yours. As a very keen camper for many years, I just had to add my two cents worth.

I think that most long time campers would agree that what is right for you, is a constantly changing equation. Like most people I and my familly have been through many camping equipment cycles - small tent to large tent, to on site van, to camper trailer, to off road trailer / tent, to tent swag, to on road trailer, to the present - an off road caravan.

I bought a second hand 2001, 16 ft Bushtracker off road van and I have taken it into some very rough spots over many hundreds of miles of bad corrugations in WA. I am by myself and often camp in those roadside rest stops spots on my way over to the WA goldfields from Sydney. Having the van, gives me that added bit of security when I do that and it is great not to have wet canvas after it rains.

I have swaggged it in the goldfields for a month at a time and that gets a bit wearing. Once when I took my Trak Shak camper over, I found I swagged it for 50% of the time, as it was just too much hassle to put it up for one or two nights. And I did not feel secure with the canvas sides, like I do now in the van.

I am sure "not feeling secure" will make a few members laugh, but an hour out of a town in the middle of nowhere and a car pulls up next to you at night, can lead to a restless sleep.

When out in the bush I cook on the fire. The only time I use the stove is to boil a kettle. I had a diesel heater put in for those chilly desert winter mornings.

I usually take my swag as well, so I can leave the van in a town and go out for a few nights if I need to. I would never go back to a camper, as to me, they seem to be halway there - not really comfy or secure (and lockable when your out of camp all day) and not really able to go into the really rough stuff. But that's just where I am in the "cycle".

I guess it all comes down to what part of the "camping cycle" you are in and what your special needs are.

Cheers,

Willie (Jigalong)
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goldnomad
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Willie,

You can't do better than a "Bushtrakker" (if you can afford one :P :P :P )

Sure beats a swag mate.

Robert
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mulgadansa
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Gday Johnshares and All
Interesting looking at everyones thoughts.
I guess the Bushtracker is the "Ducksbits" if that is what you want but John wanted to downsize so I'll just report on my situation.
I drive a dual cab Rodeo and tow an Avan camper. Totally different to other campers in that there is no canvas to set up, it has hard walls and takes about 30 secs to erect. It's fitted with solar and an off road kit for extra height and goes wherever the Rodeo can.
I was thinking of selling it but for the life of me I can't find anything that comes anywhere near it's versalitity, weight, ease of storage, ease of towing and it's behaviour in some pretty crappy weather. Wind, rain and dust simply don't worry it and it tows like there's nothing there on gravel roads.
There is a canvas annex for extended stays that works really well. Double inner spring bed, table, dining setas,microwave(never used), tv(never used), inverters and all the other guff we need now.
Now Kath, this is the second report I've heard of you being a gold magnet, what gives??? True or not???
cheers
Brett
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Jigalong
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Brett,
I agree with you on the Avan being the pick of the campers. No canvas, quick to set up and good security. I am not sure how bullet proof they are in the suspension / axle dept as I have never lifted one's skirts. Do they ever leak dust ? I think just about anything will on corrugations - including Bushtrackers.
Willie
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Nightjar
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Hi all,
My neighbour has a Tvan, almost went for one myself. They travel a lot of gravel roads and the suspension and dust has not been a problem at all.
My intro into detecting was a Holden ute, 39L Engel, 350W generator, sleeping bag, camp stretcher and 3.5 X 3.5 metre tarp I strung over a pole and the most important bit of equipment, a Garrett Deepseeker.
After few, hopelessly bogged, experiences upgraded to a 4X4 shortie, Garrett Groundhog and a small tent.
Then came another 4X4 shortie + a swag, Whites VSat detector, later went 4 ways in the first Minelab SD 2000 .
Then a 4X4 Ute with a canopy, this became home from home with the swag spread across the back + SD2100.
Late 2008 got our first caravan, very happy with the layout and the comforts, run the Generator for approximately one hour in the evening, to microwave frozen home prepared meals + electric blanket on the Queen bed. ;) :D
Of course we do also use an open fire and cook on the barbie plate and boil the billy to spread out the easy meals.
Can't wait to get out there this year...

Cheers
Peter

Good luck & safe travels
Peter


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mulgadansa
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Gday Willie, Nightjar and All
The Avan I bought 2nd hand has been fitted with an "Outback" kit, 100mm more height and a beefed up axle I was told. I've done a fair bit of gravel road work with it and it tows like a dream and there's no dust leakage.
I'd love to meet the guy who designed these things. there's a whole lot packed into a little package. I'm about 183cm and it's impossible to hit your head getting in or out of the camper. It has about 8ft height in the middle inside with a full height doorway when erected.
Heaps of storage for food and clothes, inner spring double bed, 3way fridge that lasts for weeks on gas and I can plug an inverter into the solar system to charge anything I need.
Very happy with the setup.
cheers
Brett
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