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Post Info TOPIC: Newbies in preparation
Hylda&Jon


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Newbies in preparation
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Hi all!
I'm Jon & I'm very new to towing & caravanning. I joined this site a while ago after devouring post after post in the forums for several months...thankyou thankyou thankyou for all the lovely info & laughs.

My lovely fiancee Hylda & I, both 50yo, have decided to hit the road in a few months for a couple of years. We will be renting out the house and storing our stuff in the locked garage so when we're ready we will have a place to come back to...or keep traveling if inclination takes us that way.

I recently bought a petrol/gas Landcruiser & a 2nd hand homemade 16ft caravan built by a guy who has been in the business for over 25 years. It has an 80w solar panel & I bought a 3000W inverter for the odd time it may be needed. I had an extra deep cycle battery & an anderson plug installed in the car to help with power,(experience will tell me if that's enough). Also bought a trailer brake controller and Hayman Reece Hitch for extra safety.

This is all so new to me and I am trying to learn as much as I can from this site and elsewhere on the internet. (information overload?......maybe).

The van came with an awning plus annex which allows us lots of extra living space plus room to swing a cat in if we choose to travel with one. It also has an internal shower/toilet which we both appreciate for those late night excursions. All lights are DC & I had 2 cig lighter sockets installed for a few other DC things I have. There is a 3 way fridge plus gas stove/oven, and I also invested in one of those Dreampot thermal cookers to save power. Will try to be at non powered sites as much as possible to save money so I recently got the 'Camps 5' book to help find them.

The caravan came with 2 single beds but I had a friend change it to a king size bed (no comments please,..haha). I bought a couple of beanbags to use as backrests to help use the bed as a kind of lounge, plus they can be used in the Annex for a bit of comfort. (Just hope I don't have a bean leakage as I have memories of them in the 70s and finding beans years later)

We'll be using a laptop for internet (I believe the mobile phone company '3' is soon to use the Telstra next G network so I may look into that as a cheaper alternative than the overpriced Telstra.) Also will use the Laptop for our TV with a USB tuner and the Wynguard aerial I had installed.

I didn't want to pay for an aircon so bought from Bunnings a box fan for $44 which takes 2 water containers (bought 2 extra ones also). You seal & freeze them then slide them behind the fan. They are supposed to last up to 4 hours .

We will probably be heading North and West to start with but no definite plans. (I have enough trouble planning everything else).

I hope I didn't bore too many people with details but I like any feedback given plus maybe to pass on an idea or two to a fellow nomad out there.

I have some photos of the van at the site listed below if anyone is interested
http://photobucket.com/jjonoville/

Hope to write again soon with more news
Jon & Hylda




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Home is where we hang our hats - Home now in Yamba NSW
Cruising Granny


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Well done, and welcome to Grey Nomads.
You've certainly put a lot of work into your little home.
I haven't seen the ice/fan configuration for keeping cool, but if you're in the tropics in the wet season I don't think it will work very well. You need dry airconditioned air to deal with the humidity.
I set my split system aircon to 28degC, and put the fan on low to cirulate the air.
You'll see how it all works as you go, and you will make many changes and updates over time. But it's your start to this nomadic, lifestyle.
All the best to you both in your King Sized bed. Safe and happy travels, and above all, stay upright. Cheers Chris

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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment.
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lized


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H! Guys,

you sound so excited and that's how it should be. Every good wish for your travelling.  Let us know how the "Dreampot" goes. We were tempted, but the family kindly gave us a "Cobb"as a joint birthday present and we have been rapt in it. We also bought the Bunnings refrigerated cooler - We can compare notes !!!!

All the Best Liz and Ed

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hotrodbus


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Hi John and Hilda,
We are just about to head off on our Adventure as well. We are leaving Tassie on the 12th May and are just taking our 48 Bedford bus and 38 Chev to go see more of our beautiful country. Life is too short and we are looking to hopefully find part time work on our travels.We are excited and a little scared but we have just got to do it. We are heading first to the Northern part of New South Wales and will base ourselves there for a little while until we get our bearings. Good luck with everything and safe travels. This site is great for us grey nomads.
Kind Regards
Hotrodbus

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dave06


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G'day Jon and welcome to the madhouse, looks like you are all sweet in the knowledge department so nothing I can offer there but if you come across something in the future dont be afraid to ask

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 me, the dragon, & little blue,  never stop playing, live long,  laugh lots, travel far, give a stranger a smile, might just be your next best freind.  try to commit a random act of kindness everyday

 http://daventhedragon.blogspot.com
embkb


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Jon, I hope you mean a 300 watt Inverter - not a 3000 watt

Michael.

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Hylda&Jon


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Hi again everyone. Thanks for your comments & thanks dave for your kind words.

Cruising Granny:     Thanks for your thoughts about the humidity factor, but as the ice packs are sealed I'm hoping it won't give off much, it also has a drip tray underneath to collect some condensation & I'm hoping it will be better than just a fan, I could always try a 12v dehumidifier with it. To put in an aircon I believe I'd have to increase roof support so all up it not an option unless we can't live without one.

Lized:         I was thinking of getting a "cob" but instead I bought a hotplate & grill with fold in legs so we will BBQ (when allowed) on an open fire with it. I like the idea of a meal cooking while we drive so setting up at the new site is the only worry on arrival so the dreampot sounded good, & cheap to run.

EMBKB:    Sorry I did make a mistake. It is a 1200w Inverter which will only be used occasionally, Being on a medical pension due to my lungs I sometimes need to use a nebulizer which runs on 240V, plus one or 2 other things I may want to use on the odd occasion. I  also have a 150w Pure Sine Wave inverter for charging the computer

Hotrodbus:       So were not the only ones a bit scared, I hope all goes well for you. If you get up near Coffs Harbour before about June/July I live nearby in Woolgoolga so if you want to drop in I can offer a parking spot with power surrounded by bush  for you for a couple of days. email me on jonoville@gmail.com  if your interested as it would be interesting to swap preparation notes etc.
ps:I come from Tassie myself though I havn't lived there since I was a kid but I soo want to tour there.

Jon & Hylda

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Home is where we hang our hats - Home now in Yamba NSW
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