We have recently purchased a camper van and are looking for ideas on how to get around when going off grid
We are to old for pushbikes and we have a small dog
Dougwe said
06:49 PM Jan 13, 2023
How big is your Campervan? Most people with Camper 'vans' just use that to get around in and if free camping just hope for the best the site they want or were when they get back is still there. If they have a larger style Motorhome some tow a small car behind and use the car to sight, see etc.
Whatever you do, just keep safe out there.
maids said
06:54 PM Jan 13, 2023
it's not huge 7mt just concerned someone will take our spot.
Plain Truth said
07:04 PM Jan 13, 2023
What about an e-bike.Otherwise it is Shank's Pony.
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Friday 13th of January 2023 07:06:08 PM
Whenarewethere said
09:02 PM Jan 13, 2023
Today saw another one of those E-bikes with very fat tyres, looks more like a motor cycle, heaps of them on Sydney Northern Beaches. It also had 3 battery packs. So obviously extra "fuel" for long range.
The best bit was the 2 voluminous girls ridding it.
To the technical specifications of the bike. They look very comfortable with fat tyres not inflated too much & probably have a very range with additional batteries.
Cuppa said
09:33 PM Jan 13, 2023
maids wrote:
We have recently purchased a camper van and are looking for ideas on how to get around when going off grid
We are to old for pushbikes and we have a small dog
Choices are walk, ride or drive.
We towed a pair of off road motorcycles around Australia thinking we would use them far more than we actually did. They were good to get to some places our 7 metre bus/motorhome couldn't go, but we never once used them for shopping or getting around towns & towing made our bus even slower on hills.
If room permits electric bikes are an option. Maybe ones which fold up to reduce storage size?
Now that we have a camper and can unhitch from our 4wd - we rarely leave it. Our travel habits learned with the bus/motorhome suited us & remain. Only difference now is that we have a huge increase in the number of camp spots available to us because we can get off the beaten track.
The option we utilise most of the time is that is we aim to camp at the places we want to visit rather than camping somewhere & heading off sight seeing or shopping or we sightsee between camps.
We did that most of the time with our bus too. We rarely camp where there are a heap of other people so 'keeping' our camp spot has never really been an issue if we have wanted to drive somewhere & return.
If we ever manage to find an off road motorhome which suits us our travelling style will almost certainly remain as it is, just with a bit more comfort & convenience. A cross between our former & current travel rigs.
We can't walk as far as we used to, but we still manage generally manage 5 to 10kms. Or just a stroll along the beach.
Bicyclecamper said
09:58 PM Jan 13, 2023
Foldable e bikes are a thing - if you can put them in an enclosed lockable box the back of your camper, or carry them in your shower stall, you would also need a decent amount of solar power, and a MPPT controller to charge them off grid. You can get cheaper ones from about $800 ea from ebay or from Abbottsford Cyclery in Melbourne. As they wouldn't be used all the time, expensive bikes would not be needed. If you cannot put them in a box on the back, go for a small 5 x 4 ft trailer that is lockable to carry them. They do need to be locked to avoid being stolen. Other wise you could each get a Pride GOGO mobility gopher like mine which is portable and breaks down to 4 lightweight pieces per gopher. They would have to be put into a small enclosed trailer as gophers/mobility scooter cannot get wet, and cannot be used in the rain or on wet grass or muddy roads. Like the charging needs of the ebikes you would need extra solar and an mppt controller for charging offgrid. You can buy that model scooter used from about $600 up to $1500 and new from $3300. If your dog isn't too big, than it can ride in the front of you on the bed of the scooter like mine does.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 13th of January 2023 10:14:27 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
10:29 PM Jan 13, 2023
I have reasonably sized 8m motorhome. I just take it every where I want to go . But generally when I find a spot ? I stay for a while . Even then when I go away . I just know I may not have the same place on return . Just get used to it !! Win some lose some .
maids said
12:13 AM Jan 14, 2023
we were going to leave the ground mat down and the chairs and tables, if we went for a drive, haven't tried it yet. Also have to take down the awning which is also an extra job
86GTS said
04:50 AM Jan 14, 2023
I think that its a matter of planning.
Do all your shopping for provisions, head out to your chosen location, set up your camp & then explore it on foot.
It works for us, we've been doing it for decades.
We do a brisk exercise walk of around 5-6kms every morning then bush walk around 5-10kms most days.
You discover more things on foot.
Dougwe said
07:10 AM Jan 14, 2023
Morning 86, I get in 1 more km than you each morning, then I wake up I do, do 3km each morning though. I reckon that is better than nothing.
Sorry maids, I couldn't help myself. Most unlike me to go slightly off topic
Keep Safe out there.
Possum3 said
07:58 AM Jan 14, 2023
We tow a large Caravan (6.5m) with a Y62 Patrol (5.2m) which means we require a lot of space to park and shop.
We tend to drive through a town first to ascertain where the shop/attractions are & determine if RV friendly parking is available. We do our shopping, etc before looking for camp area. Whilst in town we usually seek out visitor centre to fill our water tanks and check what attractions the area has to offer.
Most large country towns in the bush have adequate parking available for tourists and their camper/caravan/motorhome.
If we go to a camp first, we firstly utilise what we have in van fridge, freezer and pantry - we normally carry enough groceries for 1 -2 weeks. We usually unhitch van to set up camp, unless just an overnight stop, if we are camped and require a small trip to town, the child-bride usually goes to get gas, bread, milk, coffee or such using the Patrol bob-tail whilst I potter around camp doing "stuff".
Many times, we leave the van under to watchfull eye of another camper (with the van locked and immobilised) - to visit a local attraction.
**** Always lock and immobilise caravan - I was camped at a caravan park down on Vic/NSW border in 2012, where there just happened to be an old beat up Jayco caravan parked next to me. it seems an old couple there had come in a few days before in a newish Jayco caravan and went to town to visit and take a Steamboat cruise - they made arrangements with a couple camped (in the old van) to watch over newish caravan, whilst gone - long story short they returned to find only the old beat up caravan with their numberplate affixed instead of their schmick caravan. The caravan park didn't have security of any form and only had false details of the thieves and their vehicle. ********
Sorry I hijacked post - my point is that there is no need to pack up Campervan and leave, if you do a little forward planning. Never leave mats and chairs/tables at any camp or park unless you are absolutely intent on buying new replacements.
86GTS said
08:55 AM Jan 14, 2023
Dougwe wrote:
Morning 86, I get in 1 more km than you each morning, then I wake up I do, do 3km each morning though. I reckon that is better than nothing.
Sorry maids, I couldn't help myself. Most unlike me to go slightly off topic
Keep Safe out there.
Morning Dougwe, 3kms each morning is absolutely fine. We need to walk our dog early every morning before breakfast as she's part cattle dog & needs to burn off some energy. That's why we end up walking a fair distance most days.
Getting back to the OP, the more you walk the easier it becomes.
maids said
10:24 AM Jan 14, 2023
86GTS wrote:
I think that its a matter of planning.
Do all your shopping for provisions, head out to your chosen location, set up your camp & then explore it on foot.
It works for us, we've been doing it for decades.
We do a brisk exercise walk of around 5-6kms every morning then bush walk around 5-10kms most days.
You discover more things on foot.
wow you must be either very fit or a lot younger then us in our 70s and I have a bad hip lol
maids said
10:30 AM Jan 14, 2023
Possum3 wrote:
We tow a large Caravan (6.5m) with a Y62 Patrol (5.2m) which means we require a lot of space to park and shop.
We tend to drive through a town first to ascertain where the shop/attractions are & determine if RV friendly parking is available. We do our shopping, etc before looking for camp area. Whilst in town we usually seek out visitor centre to fill our water tanks and check what attractions the area has to offer.
Most large country towns in the bush have adequate parking available for tourists and their camper/caravan/motorhome.
If we go to a camp first, we firstly utilise what we have in van fridge, freezer and pantry - we normally carry enough groceries for 1 -2 weeks. We usually unhitch van to set up camp, unless just an overnight stop, if we are camped and require a small trip to town, the child-bride usually goes to get gas, bread, milk, coffee or such using the Patrol bob-tail whilst I potter around camp doing "stuff".
Many times, we leave the van under to watchfull eye of another camper (with the van locked and immobilised) - to visit a local attraction. **** Always lock and immobilise caravan - I was camped at a caravan park down on Vic/NSW border in 2012, where there just happened to be an old beat up Jayco caravan parked next to me. it seems an old couple there had come in a few days before in a newish Jayco caravan and went to town to visit and take a Steamboat cruise - they made arrangements with a couple camped (in the old van) to watch over newish caravan, whilst gone - long story short they returned to find only the old beat up caravan with their numberplate affixed instead of their schmick caravan. The caravan park didn't have security of any form and only had false details of the thieves and their vehicle. ********
Sorry I hijacked post - my point is that there is no need to pack up Campervan and leave, if you do a little forward planning. Never leave mats and chairs/tables at any camp or park unless you are absolutely intent on buying new replacements.
MM seems photos of what is next to you would be a good idea...
dogbox said
10:46 AM Jan 14, 2023
maids wrote:
we were going to leave the ground mat down and the chairs and tables, if we went for a drive, haven't tried it yet. Also have to take down the awning which is also an extra job
if you used a gazebo type set up which are cheap and easy to set up (probably easier than your awning from vehicle) and it only has to be done once per stop, you can use the camper as transport for whatever reason with little inconvenience and still save your spot.
Billy Cokebottle said
10:48 AM Jan 14, 2023
Hi,
If you go the push bike option I saw a couple with a dog and they had bikes. One bike had a towed trailer with a little box cabin on it for the dog.
They could go independent of their van and the dog was not left behind like many others seem to do at times. The little trailer was made so it came apart easy for packing up.
A motor bike or motor scooter is good but they are a weight worry and you may need to get a licence and training to use one. A lot seem to use the postie bike type of thing.
Good luck.
Possum3 said
10:55 AM Jan 14, 2023
maids wrote:
MM seems photos of what is next to you would be a good idea...
If being cautious - photo of neighbors may help police in case of serious criminal activity - stolen esky or chairs, isn't worth the effort to recover - although always report minor incidents, it does help with patrols and prevention - sometimes it could be the last link in a chain to providing evidence for convictions when search warrants are executed on known local toe-rags.
Mike Harding said
11:23 AM Jan 14, 2023
Make up a reasonable size sign saying something like:
"Gone out for a few hours - please site vacant"
86GTS said
11:33 AM Jan 14, 2023
maids wrote:
86GTS wrote:
I think that its a matter of planning.
Do all your shopping for provisions, head out to your chosen location, set up your camp & then explore it on foot.
It works for us, we've been doing it for decades.
We do a brisk exercise walk of around 5-6kms every morning then bush walk around 5-10kms most days.
You discover more things on foot.
wow you must be either very fit or a lot younger then us in our 70s and I have a bad hip lol
I ran for a Victorian athletics club when I was younger competing in many Olympic distance marathons (42.2kms).
This was back in the Robert DeCastella days.
I also competed in cross country & marathon championship races at State level.
I trained 7 days a week doing around 100kms regularly.
I worked in Melbourne CBD & used to do laps of the botanic gardens every lunchtime.
My wife has a good pedegree, she's related to Steve Monaghetti.
I started smoking after my athletics career ended, I quit 12 years ago.
We both carry a little bit of weight these days & I suffer from sciatica, walking helps it.
Our hips aren't that great either, old age.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Saturday 14th of January 2023 02:18:02 PM
PeterInSa said
12:11 PM Jan 14, 2023
Most times we carry our e-bike on the back of our Sprinter or caravan, sometime with a very light trailer for our Inflatable Boat and some years ago a push bike as well.
Great for a quick trip to the shops or if we ever break down in the bush (not as yet), it can get me back to a town for parts.
A milk crate could be attached on the carrier to hold a small dog.
Most times we carry our e-bike on the back of our Sprinter or caravan, sometime with a very light trailer for our Inflatable Boat and some years ago a push bike as well.
Great for a quick trip to the shops or if we ever break down in the bush (not as yet), it can get me back to a town for parts.
A milk crate could be attached on the carrier to hold a small dog.
I usually peg down a small tarp thats in very poor condition and add a couple of worthless items like maybe the dogs chair, a plastic cup and a magazine. That seems to hold it so far.
Whenarewethere said
02:24 PM Jan 14, 2023
You can buy plastic dog turds, leave a few of them lying around.
msg said
02:29 PM Jan 14, 2023
What for?
Cuppa said
02:40 PM Jan 14, 2023
Whenarewethere wrote:
You can buy plastic dog turds, leave a few of them lying around.
Ha ha. Plastic or real - our shovel would do the job.
Try going up the Old Telegraph Track mid season. They are not plastic up there.
Not dogs either.
PeterInSa said
04:21 PM Jan 14, 2023
Re (do u have one each e bike?)
Up to maybe 3 years ago, Margaret rode the e-bike and me the push bike.
Now only myself, since M has a bit of Osto/Bone issues and both are wary if she fell off the e-bike for some reason and wont bounce/just break something. ( me especially if she came across a snake while riding down a bush track) Both of us are on the wrong side of 70.
I paid $250 for a cover to be made up ( now availabel at a lower cost) for when the e-bike is folded, but only used it once, in the back of our Landcruiser/Sprinter Campervan its still 2 bulky. We use a standard 3 bike rack with a connect tube between the seat height adjustment tube and front of bike, connect tube held by the bike rack, and with tyre supports taking the weight. The U shaped tyre support frame is bolted onto the towbar (Tow-ball) and back chassis ( each side) of the Sprinter.
Battery is carried inside the vehicle. and use plastic bags strapped down, over the gear change control and brake cable ends on the handle bars when travelling.. My understanding is that CMCA/KT insurance will only cover the e-bike when its on the bike rack at the back of the Sprinter. Don't know about our current insurer CIL. Lock it up at night on the rack with one of those Steel cable alarms/Cut the Cable and Siren goes off. Never happened so far.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 14th of January 2023 04:31:35 PM
86GTS said
05:24 AM Jan 15, 2023
Whenarewethere wrote:
You can buy plastic dog turds, leave a few of them lying around.
I read on another forum a few years back that someone used dunny paper smeared with peanut butter to deter other campers.
We have recently purchased a camper van and are looking for ideas on how to get around when going off grid
We are to old for pushbikes and we have a small dog
Whatever you do, just keep safe out there.
What about an e-bike.Otherwise it is Shank's Pony.
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Friday 13th of January 2023 07:06:08 PM
Today saw another one of those E-bikes with very fat tyres, looks more like a motor cycle, heaps of them on Sydney Northern Beaches. It also had 3 battery packs. So obviously extra "fuel" for long range.
The best bit was the 2 voluminous girls ridding it.
To the technical specifications of the bike. They look very comfortable with fat tyres not inflated too much & probably have a very range with additional batteries.
Choices are walk, ride or drive.
We towed a pair of off road motorcycles around Australia thinking we would use them far more than we actually did. They were good to get to some places our 7 metre bus/motorhome couldn't go, but we never once used them for shopping or getting around towns & towing made our bus even slower on hills.
If room permits electric bikes are an option. Maybe ones which fold up to reduce storage size?
Now that we have a camper and can unhitch from our 4wd - we rarely leave it. Our travel habits learned with the bus/motorhome suited us & remain. Only difference now is that we have a huge increase in the number of camp spots available to us because we can get off the beaten track.
The option we utilise most of the time is that is we aim to camp at the places we want to visit rather than camping somewhere & heading off sight seeing or shopping or we sightsee between camps.
We did that most of the time with our bus too. We rarely camp where there are a heap of other people so 'keeping' our camp spot has never really been an issue if we have wanted to drive somewhere & return.
If we ever manage to find an off road motorhome which suits us our travelling style will almost certainly remain as it is, just with a bit more comfort & convenience. A cross between our former & current travel rigs.
We can't walk as far as we used to, but we still manage generally manage 5 to 10kms. Or just a stroll along the beach.
Foldable e bikes are a thing - if you can put them in an enclosed lockable box the back of your camper, or carry them in your shower stall, you would also need a decent amount of solar power, and a MPPT controller to charge them off grid. You can get cheaper ones from about $800 ea from ebay or from Abbottsford Cyclery in Melbourne. As they wouldn't be used all the time, expensive bikes would not be needed. If you cannot put them in a box on the back, go for a small 5 x 4 ft trailer that is lockable to carry them. They do need to be locked to avoid being stolen. Other wise you could each get a Pride GOGO mobility gopher like mine which is portable and breaks down to 4 lightweight pieces per gopher. They would have to be put into a small enclosed trailer as gophers/mobility scooter cannot get wet, and cannot be used in the rain or on wet grass or muddy roads. Like the charging needs of the ebikes you would need extra solar and an mppt controller for charging offgrid. You can buy that model scooter used from about $600 up to $1500 and new from $3300. If your dog isn't too big, than it can ride in the front of you on the bed of the scooter like mine does.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 13th of January 2023 10:14:27 PM
Do all your shopping for provisions, head out to your chosen location, set up your camp & then explore it on foot.
It works for us, we've been doing it for decades.
We do a brisk exercise walk of around 5-6kms every morning then bush walk around 5-10kms most days.
You discover more things on foot.
Morning 86, I get in 1 more km than you each morning, then I wake up
I do, do 3km each morning though. I reckon that is better than nothing.
Sorry maids, I couldn't help myself. Most unlike me to go slightly off topic
Keep Safe out there.
We tend to drive through a town first to ascertain where the shop/attractions are & determine if RV friendly parking is available. We do our shopping, etc before looking for camp area. Whilst in town we usually seek out visitor centre to fill our water tanks and check what attractions the area has to offer.
Most large country towns in the bush have adequate parking available for tourists and their camper/caravan/motorhome.
If we go to a camp first, we firstly utilise what we have in van fridge, freezer and pantry - we normally carry enough groceries for 1 -2 weeks. We usually unhitch van to set up camp, unless just an overnight stop, if we are camped and require a small trip to town, the child-bride usually goes to get gas, bread, milk, coffee or such using the Patrol bob-tail whilst I potter around camp doing "stuff".
Many times, we leave the van under to watchfull eye of another camper (with the van locked and immobilised) - to visit a local attraction.
**** Always lock and immobilise caravan - I was camped at a caravan park down on Vic/NSW border in 2012, where there just happened to be an old beat up Jayco caravan parked next to me. it seems an old couple there had come in a few days before in a newish Jayco caravan and went to town to visit and take a Steamboat cruise - they made arrangements with a couple camped (in the old van) to watch over newish caravan, whilst gone - long story short they returned to find only the old beat up caravan with their numberplate affixed instead of their schmick caravan. The caravan park didn't have security of any form and only had false details of the thieves and their vehicle. ********
Sorry I hijacked post - my point is that there is no need to pack up Campervan and leave, if you do a little forward planning. Never leave mats and chairs/tables at any camp or park unless you are absolutely intent on buying new replacements.
Morning Dougwe, 3kms each morning is absolutely fine. We need to walk our dog early every morning before breakfast as she's part cattle dog & needs to burn off some energy. That's why we end up walking a fair distance most days.
Getting back to the OP, the more you walk the easier it becomes.
wow you must be either very fit or a lot younger then us in our 70s and I have a bad hip lol
MM seems photos of what is next to you would be a good idea...
if you used a gazebo type set up which are cheap and easy to set up (probably easier than your awning from vehicle) and it only has to be done once per stop, you can use the camper as transport for whatever reason with little inconvenience and still save your spot.
If you go the push bike option I saw a couple with a dog and they had bikes. One bike had a towed trailer with a little box cabin on it for the dog.
They could go independent of their van and the dog was not left behind like many others seem to do at times. The little trailer was made so it came apart easy for packing up.
A motor bike or motor scooter is good but they are a weight worry and you may need to get a licence and training to use one. A lot seem to use the postie bike type of thing.
Good luck.
If being cautious - photo of neighbors may help police in case of serious criminal activity - stolen esky or chairs, isn't worth the effort to recover - although always report minor incidents, it does help with patrols and prevention - sometimes it could be the last link in a chain to providing evidence for convictions when search warrants are executed on known local toe-rags.
Make up a reasonable size sign saying something like:
"Gone out for a few hours - please site vacant"
I ran for a Victorian athletics club when I was younger competing in many Olympic distance marathons (42.2kms).
This was back in the Robert DeCastella days.
I also competed in cross country & marathon championship races at State level.
I trained 7 days a week doing around 100kms regularly.
I worked in Melbourne CBD & used to do laps of the botanic gardens every lunchtime.
My wife has a good pedegree, she's related to Steve Monaghetti.
I started smoking after my athletics career ended, I quit 12 years ago.
We both carry a little bit of weight these days & I suffer from sciatica, walking helps it.
Our hips aren't that great either, old age.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Saturday 14th of January 2023 02:18:02 PM
Most times we carry our e-bike on the back of our Sprinter or caravan, sometime with a very light trailer for our Inflatable Boat and some years ago a push bike as well.
Great for a quick trip to the shops or if we ever break down in the bush (not as yet), it can get me back to a town for parts.
A milk crate could be attached on the carrier to hold a small dog.
https://leitner.com.au/collections/electric-bikes/products/electric-folding-bike-step-through-leitner-libelle
do u have one each e bike?
You can buy plastic dog turds, leave a few of them lying around.
Ha ha. Plastic or real - our shovel would do the job.
Try going up the Old Telegraph Track mid season. They are not plastic up there.
Not dogs either.
Re (do u have one each e bike?)
Up to maybe 3 years ago, Margaret rode the e-bike and me the push bike.
Now only myself, since M has a bit of Osto/Bone issues and both are wary if she fell off the e-bike for some reason and wont bounce/just break something. ( me especially if she came across a snake while riding down a bush track) Both of us are on the wrong side of 70.
I paid $250 for a cover to be made up ( now availabel at a lower cost) for when the e-bike is folded, but only used it once, in the back of our Landcruiser/Sprinter Campervan its still 2 bulky. We use a standard 3 bike rack with a connect tube between the seat height adjustment tube and front of bike, connect tube held by the bike rack, and with tyre supports taking the weight. The U shaped tyre support frame is bolted onto the towbar (Tow-ball) and back chassis ( each side) of the Sprinter.
Battery is carried inside the vehicle. and use plastic bags strapped down, over the gear change control and brake cable ends on the handle bars when travelling.. My understanding is that CMCA/KT insurance will only cover the e-bike when its on the bike rack at the back of the Sprinter. Don't know about our current insurer CIL. Lock it up at night on the rack with one of those Steel cable alarms/Cut the Cable and Siren goes off. Never happened so far.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 14th of January 2023 04:31:35 PM
I read on another forum a few years back that someone used dunny paper smeared with peanut butter to deter other campers.