campervan help

Nannabear · Member

campervan help

Ma · Guru

Welcome Nannabear, I can't help with the camper situation as I haven't done that mode of camping.

We have just come back from Tassie, this week actually. There are sooooo many nice spots to free camp down there it will be a big decision just to decide where to go.

There will be quite a few on here that can point you in the right direction regards your setup.

Enjoy

Nannabear · Member

Thanks Ma we are very lucky we live in a beautiful place. We hope you enjoyed you stay in Tassie. blankstare

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Nannabear wrote:
My jusband John and I have just purchased a campervan . We live in Tassie and as I work 15 hrs a week and can't retire for another 2 years we are going spend our free time looking around tassie. We hope to free camp and would appreciate and hints on making camping easier in such a small space.

Nannabear

you need to get a copy of Camps 6

JRH · Guru

Welcome Nannabear, I hope you get a lot out of our forum.

As Wombat suggests a copy of Camps Australia Wide 6 would be an excellent addition to your travelling library.

Old Crofter · Senior Member

Recommend camp6 and have a look here,

http://ozcamps.net/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=29

wait for it to load and click on TAS

Bob

blaze · Guru

Hi and welcome
I am a born and bred tasmanain currently on an extended trip on the big island. Dont know where you are in tassie but there is some nice free/cheap camping to be had in the nw coast around Stanley (on te wharf), Smithton (at te boat ramp), most forestry areas allow free camping on the north west, along with all the reserves managed by Parks and Wildlife like down around Arther River and Temma Areas. Plenty of free stuff up the nor east ( even a member on here offering his property). Some nice spot around wat was the old township of Luenna/ Savage river. I reckon tassie has some of the best free campsites I have ever found and a lot have prime water veiws.
cheers
blaze

Vic · Guru

Welcome to you both Nanabear, what type of campervan have you got?

Ma · Guru

blaze wrote:
Hi and welcome
I am a born and bred tasmanain currently on an extended trip on the big island. Dont know where you are in tassie but there is some nice free/cheap camping to be had in the nw coast around Stanley (on te wharf), Smithton (at te boat ramp), most forestry areas allow free camping on the north west, along with all the reserves managed by Parks and Wildlife like down around Arther River and Temma Areas. Plenty of free stuff up the nor east ( even a member on here offering his property). Some nice spot around wat was the old township of Luenna/ Savage river. I reckon tassie has some of the best free campsites I have ever found and a lot have prime water veiws.
cheers
blaze

Couldn't agree more Blaze.

Nannabear · Member

Thanks to everybody who has replied I appreciate your input however I was looking more for campervan tips rarher than free camp sites.We purchased an oldie but a goodie . 1986(only 2 owners since new)Ford Maxi Van 4x4. It is in very good condition for its age. blankstare

blaze · Guru

Work out (if you are going to free camp) what te capacity of your battery system is and what your usage is estimated at (add about 15 % to this). Are you using sola (more user friendly). Add your personel touches to your new home whatever they are going to be, now reaccess wat you really need and remove about alf of what you first thought just to same weight and storage room. Next step is to use it to work out wat will work for bot you and your hubby, there will need to be compromises on bot sides I think. Above all, use it and enjoy te lifestye
ceers
blaze

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

But Nannabear you did say 'We hope to free camp and would appreciate and hints on making camping easier in such a small space.'

Camps 6 will make it easier. biggrin

Nannabear · Member

I did didn't I Wombat but when I said small place I mean't the campervan not Tassie.Thanks Blaze we live at Edith Creek 20ks from Smithton.
Cheers
Carole

JRH · Guru

Nannabear I have found that when out caravanning we spend most of our time outside and only go in to eat or sleep, worth thinking about.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Nannabear wrote:
I did didn't I Wombat but when I said small place I mean't the campervan not Tassie.Thanks Blaze we live at Edith Creek 20ks from Smithton.
Cheers
Carole

Oh, trust me, I'll go back in my hole biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

the rocket · Guru

Welcome nannabear, when you get up qld way give us a hoy. happy camping. rocket n strop

Happywanderer · The Master

It's going to be a tight squeeze with two of you so I suggest you only take the basics. You probably need only 4 sets of clothes, a coat and a good pr of walking shoes, sandals and uglies. Try to cook outside as much as possible if you have a portable gas cooker.

Nannabear · Member

Thanks everyone you are all so helpful I will let you all know how we get on we plan on having a trial on the long weekend coming up.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi and welcome Nannabear. Nice to see you here. Glad you could join us.
Your main concern would be water supplies and fridge. You'll need a car fridge of some kind. Several types available, 2 and 3 way.
You can pre-cook meals and freeze them or cryovac fresh meat. Tinned food takes up a lot of room and is very heavy.
Decide what you like to eat and work out the best way to cook and pack. Cooking every day is not my favouite past time, so I pre-cook all the time then just thaw or zap as required.
Malamine "crockery", cooking pots, storage boxes in the trailer and the tug. Keep things neat. They take up less room that way.
I'm guessing you have a ute or some larger vehicle to tow the camper trailer, so you will have plenty of space.
Tell us more.
Safe and happy travels.

Nannabear · Member

Hi Cruising Granny
Thanks for your help and advice I am taking it all on board. We have a campervan not a camper trailer so space is tight.I will more than likely have to cook daily.
Cheers
Carole

Happywanderer · The Master

Have I got it wrong CG. I thought it was a campervan, not a campertrailer.

Sheba · Guru

Welcome Nannabear. A Pic would be great. Marj., I think CG forgot her glasses. Nannabear said campervan.

Specific questions woul be a help too Nannabear.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Oops, sorry. Doesn't matter, it's all about space and comfort. Good luck with that.

ChiChi1 · Guru

I have a campervan. The biggest lesson I have learned is to have a place for everything and PUT IT BACK straight away after use. Otherwise you spend a lot of time looking for things.

Also anything that has the "this might be useful" tag, discard it. Only pack what you MUST have to be comfortable. It takes a lot of mind changing to get everything in the most convenient places. I think everytime I go away I rearrange for next time.

Eventually everything will fit in nicely in places that is most convenient to you. Try to have items that have multiple purposes. e.g. generic napisan, doubles as washing powder. Purchase only the food you will need in the next couple of days if you will be in civilisation.

Nannabear · Member

Thanks ChiChi I appreciate your help.

scotia59 · Senior Member

Hi Nannbear,

our camper setup -

removed small double bed, we found it too cramped, and put in proper size double which takes up all of the back (our engine is at the back so it is useless space anyway)
put storage under the front of the bed for portable cooker, small toolbox, awning, wash powder, etc etc
have removable plastic drawers which contain food, cooking utensils, plates etc etc
porta poti which can go in pop up tent when stopped for any length of time, also 12volt shower
we carry a large water container which sits on floor when travelling
small table and chairs lie on bed when travelling along with bag for clothes which transfers to front seat when stopped
We usually just wash sheets and put straight back on bed so no second set needed, and we have a engel which runs off the second battery.
Very basic but it suits us fine. We also have a German Shepherd who fits in too!!!!!!

It has taken us a few years to get this just the way we like it but now it is quick to set up when we stop and comfortable.

Hope this helps you.

Nannabear · Member

Thanks Jean and Alex I appreciate your input I am taking it all on board.
Cheers
Carole