Hi. I'm new to caravaning and in the process of buying a second hand Jurgens Wallaroo poptop. If I wanted to use it straight away - collect it and go to a caravan park for a few nights, what 'extras' might I need? Equipment that won't come with the van that I will need to connect etc. Thanks
Possum3 said
12:54 PM May 25, 2020
Depending on from whom you are buying your van - some sellers leave all hoses and leads, guy ropes, levelling ramps, etc in the van when they sell, many screens and mats are caravan specific so they will be of little use to the seller.
Read camping checklists at Caravan Council of Australia website, free to down load at www.caravancouncil.com.au/
DMaxer said
12:59 PM May 25, 2020
Hi Noel. Welcome to the forum. When you first set off you will need a water hose to connect from the tap on site to your water inlet on the van. Secondly, you will need a sullage hose to drain out your water used from the drain outlet on your van. Thirdly, you will need an electric power cord to connect from the power socket on site at the park to your electric inlet on the side of your van.
I would suggest you buy these from perhaps the big green shed. Much cheaper and reasonable quality. Whilst there get a couple of spare hose connectors and joiners preferably brass ones that dont fall apart like the cheaper plastic ones.
After you connect everything up at the van park sit down and have a beer and think about what else you might need. Have a look around at the other vans and see how they are set up. Caravan people are friendly and like to give you a few tips about what is needed. The first time I pulled up in my van I didn't have a clue and just asked the people next door. Within about five minutes I had about half the park there giving me advice. It was great. I still probably haven't got a clue but I know now who to ask.
Don't rush in and buy everything at once as you usually find out later that you didn't need all that extra stuff at all.
One other suggestion is a good ground sheet. One of those ones that lets the dirt and water fall through.
I hope that helps. Enjoy your travels.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Monday 25th of May 2020 01:02:54 PM
Bicyclecamper said
02:46 PM May 25, 2020
Make sure the power cord you buy is an 15 amp cord, as they have larger earth terminals that is what is on your van.
Whenarewethere said
03:05 PM May 25, 2020
DMaxer wrote:
Don't rush in and buy everything at once as you usually find out later that you didn't need all that extra stuff at all.
Or you will be spending endless amounts of time trying to work out what to throw out to reduce weight!
TPMS, tyre repair kit, pointy nose pliers, compressor, builder's gloves, hi-vis vest, fire extinguisher & dustpan & brush.
NoelB said
04:30 PM May 25, 2020
Thanks Guru
NoelB said
04:34 PM May 25, 2020
Thanks for those excellent tips.
So what your saying is, park the van, crack a beer, send the wife around the park to set what others have set up ...
Kidding, is the sullage hose the same as a garden hose?
Cheers, Noel
Joda said
05:30 PM May 25, 2020
Don,t forget the must haves, duct tape & cable ties!
Plain Truth said
06:01 PM May 25, 2020
If you are going to a caravan park, power lead,water connection and sullage hose.And your favorite tipple,relax and celebrate the good times to come,enjoy.
P.S. and a torch
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Monday 25th of May 2020 06:03:31 PM
DMaxer said
06:10 PM May 25, 2020
No. The sullage hose is different. They are sort of ribbed. Check the size of the drain outlet on your van as they come in a couple of circumference sizes.
Also get a longer one as some sites there can be a distance to where the sullage water empties into the drain. Other places is just onto the grass or trees. If you get a longer one you can cut it into two lengths and use a hose joiner if you need more length.
They sell them at the green shed.
As Possum said, check they are not already included.
DMaxer said
06:16 PM May 25, 2020
Forgot to add. My sullage hose is in three pieces as when I was camped in a National Park near Forster the ranger ran over it with the ride on mower!
Not recommended.
Plain Truth said
07:52 PM May 25, 2020
Lucky it is only 3 pieces
Long Weekend said
08:24 PM May 25, 2020
Nobody has mentioned that the water hose must be drinking water quality. Ordinary garden hose, while cheaper, gives a plastic taste to the water.
Also the purists use smooth bore hose for the sullage. Super Cheap have them, the outside is ribbed but the inside is smooth. (Unless the inside is smooth food scraps get caught in the ribs and smell after a while.) But like said, if not a purist then other people don't care what it smells like.
DMaxer accidentally gives a good tip for the sullage hose. I cut my hose into two sections and join them as necessary to reach the drain sump along side the caravan site. Saves having the hose running every which way. Bunnings etc have the necessary screwed joiners in the irrigation aisle.
Murray
SouthernComfort said
08:35 AM May 26, 2020
As well as the hoses and power lead I'd definitely add leveling ramps as a must have, a couple of short wooden planks will do. Very few sites are truly level, inevitably you need to stick a ramp under one side or the other, even a small slope can be annoying to live/sleep with. Also better for your fridge to operate when level.
littledick said
09:44 AM May 26, 2020
I use the larger pool hose for drainage. I find it better for the wash machine, shower, and general drainage. Several lengths.
Hi. I'm new to caravaning and in the process of buying a second hand Jurgens Wallaroo poptop. If I wanted to use it straight away - collect it and go to a caravan park for a few nights, what 'extras' might I need? Equipment that won't come with the van that I will need to connect etc. Thanks
Read camping checklists at Caravan Council of Australia website, free to down load at www.caravancouncil.com.au/
Hi Noel. Welcome to the forum. When you first set off you will need a water hose to connect from the tap on site to your water inlet on the van. Secondly, you will need a sullage hose to drain out your water used from the drain outlet on your van. Thirdly, you will need an electric power cord to connect from the power socket on site at the park to your electric inlet on the side of your van.
I would suggest you buy these from perhaps the big green shed. Much cheaper and reasonable quality. Whilst there get a couple of spare hose connectors and joiners preferably brass ones that dont fall apart like the cheaper plastic ones.
After you connect everything up at the van park sit down and have a beer and think about what else you might need. Have a look around at the other vans and see how they are set up. Caravan people are friendly and like to give you a few tips about what is needed. The first time I pulled up in my van I didn't have a clue and just asked the people next door. Within about five minutes I had about half the park there giving me advice. It was great. I still probably haven't got a clue but I know now who to ask.
Don't rush in and buy everything at once as you usually find out later that you didn't need all that extra stuff at all.
One other suggestion is a good ground sheet. One of those ones that lets the dirt and water fall through.
I hope that helps. Enjoy your travels.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Monday 25th of May 2020 01:02:54 PM
Or you will be spending endless amounts of time trying to work out what to throw out to reduce weight!
TPMS, tyre repair kit, pointy nose pliers, compressor, builder's gloves, hi-vis vest, fire extinguisher & dustpan & brush.
Thanks Guru
So what your saying is, park the van, crack a beer, send the wife around the park to set what others have set up ...
Kidding, is the sullage hose the same as a garden hose?
Cheers, Noel
If you are going to a caravan park, power lead,water connection and sullage hose.And your favorite tipple,relax and celebrate the good times to come,enjoy.
P.S. and a torch
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Monday 25th of May 2020 06:03:31 PM
Lucky it is only 3 pieces
Also the purists use smooth bore hose for the sullage. Super Cheap have them, the outside is ribbed but the inside is smooth. (Unless the inside is smooth food scraps get caught in the ribs and smell after a while.) But like said, if not a purist then other people don't care what it smells like.
DMaxer accidentally gives a good tip for the sullage hose. I cut my hose into two sections and join them as necessary to reach the drain sump along side the caravan site. Saves having the hose running every which way. Bunnings etc have the necessary screwed joiners in the irrigation aisle.
Murray
I use the larger pool hose for drainage. I find it better for the wash machine, shower, and general drainage. Several lengths.
Dick.
Cheers Bob
A bit down this page is a spreadsheet of things we carry.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65110614/towing-weights-again/
Fly nets for your head.