Male comany welcome

Beams · Veteran Member

RE: Male comany welcome

Sheba · Guru

Beams wrote:

Hi Sheba, That is what I use too. An electric jack and of course an extension to push up the roof. Very good and easy.

Where did you buy yours Beams ? How much did it cost, if it's not a rude question ?
Any chance of a Photo of the Jack and extension ?
Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 2nd of July 2010 06:44:37 PM

Beth54 · Guru

My recent trip...my first with my little 'Gypsy'..was done tag along with family and friends at various stages, then alone in the last week. I prefer to have the company, but with my own rig. I'm not worried about being alone, I just like to have someone to talk to.
I like the plastic boxes idea. I plan to set up something similar in my rear passenger doors, for easy access.
This trip was a good learning experience. There are several things I want to change for next time.

Happywanderer · The Master

Some great ideas here guys. I like the plastic boxes for storage, what a great idea. Are they just stacked on top of one another or encased in a cabinet type of thing.

Maybe you can give me some ideas on Portaloos too. Will have to get one if not already in
the van when I buy. I have looked at the camping stores, Quite a good variety. I like the one that has the bottom cassette that slides off to carry for easy emptying,

Happywanderer · The Master

I hadn't thought about different ways to push the pop top up. I thought it would be quite easy. Just whats involved?

Sheba · Guru

"Some great ideas here guys. I like the plastic boxes for storage, what a great idea. Are they just stacked on top of one another or encased in a cabinet type of thing."

The Drawers come in sets of 4 or 5. To use in the house, they have wheels. 4 is the right size [height-wise] for the Hi-ace, and leave the wheels off. You assemble the Black frame, and then slide the drawers in, and put the lid on top. Check them out in Sams' Warehouse, or Crazy Clarks'. Usually $19.99 for the 4 drawer unit.

To raise the Pop-top, you have to bend your head, put your shoulders and hands to the roof, and push up. Pretty easy when you're younger, but as you get older, and if you have breathing problems, it's not so easy. That's why some people use electric Jacks to help.
Getting the roof down IS easy, you just pull it down with the fitted handles.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 5th of July 2010 06:58:15 PM

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 5th of July 2010 08:25:47 PM

Sheba · Guru

"Maybe you can give me some ideas on Portaloos too. Will have to get one if not already in
the van when I buy. I have looked at the camping stores, Quite a good variety. I like the one that has the bottom cassette that slides off to carry for easy emptying."

I bought one, and have never used it. I use a Lidded Bucket type container, for liquids at night, and empty it in the morning, at the nearest Public Toilet. You'll find you're not the only one doing that, so there is no need to be embarrassed. A couple of good reasons for this.
One is that you don't annoy any-one else opening and closing the door during the night, and the other is the fact that you DON'T have to get out in the middle of the night.
Just a safety precaution.
For anything else, there are plenty of servo's, Public Toilets, and camping areas with facilities, not to mention Shopping centres if you're in a built-up area,which also usually have Public Toilets.

I do carry a supply of Toilet Paper, as that can be scarce in some places.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Ole Grizzly · Senior Member

Most poptops have an over centre spring or gas strut which requires only the least amount of effort to manually lift and lower the poptop..so simple that even I can do it.
The canvas skirt has an elastic cord around the middle horizontal section which folds in the fabric as the roof is lowered.
Being of a short stature I am not inconvienienced with a low roof line when stopping for a smoko or lunch or on an overnite stopover.
If the weather is wet and windy I leave my lid down to keep the canvas dry and prevent any mould starting.
Once a year I apply a water proofing which also seems to stop and discolouring if dust settles on it.
All in all, I love it. Cool as and warm as. Enjoy

Sheba · Guru

Mine is still a bit heavy Grizzly, with a large Solar Panel on top. I can still get it up yet, but it will get harder the older I get. [69, with Emphasema]

An electric Jack will come in handy soon, believe you me.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Beth54 · Guru

RE: Portaloo. Depends how much comfort you want. I finally bought one, and I wouldn't be without it now. Many National Parks don't have facilities, so you need to be self sufficient. Many towns have 'dump points'. There's usually a tap there too for rinsing out. It's a bit gross having to empty it, but better than digging a hole! Been there, done that, too old for that now!

Cheers Beth.

Happywanderer · The Master

If you are free camping which I will be doing a lot of, I won't want to have to head into town to use the local loos. Thats why I thought a proper portaloo would be good. I can see the point of a lidded bucket for liquids but need a bit more comfort and don't want to be digging holes in the woods.