Innehållsförteckning för Issue 604 från Caravan World

A new form of caravan park accommodation has landed in Australia — repurposed shipping containers. Known as ‘Glamtainers’, they are designed to appeal to the increasing numbers of Australians who want a step up from glamping safari tents. Two units are currently in situ at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort in Umina and consist of two modular containers (one 20ft, one 10ft) clamped together to make a luxe bungalow to sleep four. It has its own plumbed bathroom, full kitchen and lounge plus outdoor seating area with barbecue and full glass windows for a 180-degree view. The Glamtainers can either be a standard model with a bed and bathroom or an extendable model like the ones in Ocean Beach, which incorporate a front slide-out section (much like a slide-out on…

The DO35 Drop-On Coupling is designed, tested and manufactured by Cruisemaster™, home to Australia’s leader in all-terrain towing technology. With full 360-degree articulation to reduce the risk of roll-over, smooth ADR compliant locking mechanism and patented ‘Check Lock’ system the DO35 means added safety whether on the highway or going offroad. Valued at $405, the DO35 V3 is easy to install and compatible with all major WDH systems out of the box. (Note: this model does not include handbrake, sold separately for $70.) How to win If you’re stumped by a technical or towing problem, send your question to submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with ‘Tech Talk’ in the subject line or send a letter to Caravan World Tech Talk, 125 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, Vic 3161. All entries must include your full address…

Tony Jackson has won an RV Inline Water Filter from B.E.S.T. Water Filters, valued at $119. With a B.E.S.T. (Bacteria Elimination Silver Treatment) water filter, you can ensure you have clean, safe water – wherever the road may take you. The filter means you can safely draw water from town, tank, creek or bore water sources to fill your caravan’s tanks, while the chemicals and sediment will be removed and the bacteria destroyed. The filter is multi-directional, can be used after long periods of non-use and involves a simple, DIY installation.…

Apart from tackling one of Australia's iconic 4WD tracks, I couldn't think of a better place to test the credentials of a brand's flagship offroad van. Landcruiser Mountain Park, located at Jimna, 2.5 hours north of Brisbane, is one of Australia's premier 4WD parks. Recently, I made the journey to the park to see how the new Marvel Thunder Storm Mark II stacks up when it comes to the rough stuff. LET'S GET OFFROAD I first met Chris Michel, owner of Marvel and Sunseeker Caravans, a couple of years ago when photographing the 2018 Best Aussie Vans in Echuca/Moama. That year, their ‘pocket rocket’ Sea Breeze Sport took out the sub $65k and Best Value Van categories. Throughout the event, Chris was always looking for harder tracks to put the…

Franklin’s top model is best described as a blend of luxury and capability with a sprinkle of cool ideas. From the layout to the positioning of the washing machine, the little differences make it a memorable and fun caravan to review, but the underpinnings are what make or break a good van so let’s start there. CONSTRUCTION The frame is Meranti with 3mm fibreglass cladding roof which supports 340W of solar panels, a Winegard antenna and AC unit. The chassis comes from Preston and features an extended A-frame that is home to two 9kg gas bottles plus a toolbox ready to take a gen-set or an additional fridge. The underside is neat and tidy with no wires or plumbing protruding in ways that would make me concerned for gravel road…

Over the last few years, Caravans Coffs Coast in NSW has carved out a niche market for offroad caravans, and has recently added the Eden Caravans brand to its growing range. As dealer principal Andrew Altschwager explained, with his years of offroad experience he wanted to add to his offering and commissioned Eden Caravans in Melbourne to build select models to his specifications. The 20-footer reviewed here was the first to arrive before Victoria’s second COVID-19 lockdown, and we were able to give it a run along the highway and over the picturesque Boambee Beach. “Hooked up behind Andrew's tricked out LandCruiser, the Wildtrax was eye-catching in the mid-morning traffic." In the spirit of the whole range of vans out of Caravans Coffs Coast, the Eden Wildtrax 20 has a…

Discovering the wild places of Western Australia is a lifestyle more and more four-wheel drivers are enjoying each year. But with the increased interest in the outback and the bush experience, has come pressure and an increased impact on the environment. There has been a steady increase of rubbish being left and the degradation of the outback tracks is increasing. Track Care WA Inc is a group of volunteers with a common goal of maintaining ‘Access for the Future’ so that coming generations will be able to enjoy the fantastic country that we live in. Track Care started when a bunch of four-wheel drivers decided that the Canning Stock Route (CSR) was basically unmanaged and this created a risk for those adventurers that wanted to travel the route. Initially the…

WHERE IS IT: The trail starts at Geraldton, 417km north of Perth, while Exmouth is 1270km from Perth. DISTANCES: Geraldton to Murchison Settlement is 355km; Murchison to Gascoyne Junction is 298km; Gascoyne Junction to Exmouth is 611km. BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: June–September, to coincide with the wildflower season and avoid the summer heat. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Following the trail is easy with distinctive Wool Wagon Pathway signs at main road intersections and interpretative signs at the main places of interest. This is remote travel, so please make adequate preparations. There are no services between Gascoyne Junction and Exmouth. Supplies and services are limited, and road conditions can vary, so plan ahead, stock up on food, water and fuel, make sure tyres are in good condition and contact local visitor centres for…

Caravan brakes aren’t an exciting or regular topic of conversation at Happy Hour — or any other time for that matter — unless, of course there’s been a problem, like an emergency braking or a loud squeal that suggests maintenance is necessary. That said, caravan brakes are very much a safety feature, and when set up correctly, they can mean the difference between a controlled stop and one where something unfortunate happens. I’m not a total expert on brakes, so I had a chat with Chris Assat from Couplemate Trailer parts. Couplemate has a large range of caravan and trailer parts available, particularly those items relating to towing — chassis, tow hitch, suspension, brakes and wheels. Just about all caravans used in Australia today have a braking system fitted in…

As overlanders we travel further and see more of Australia than most other Aussies — we probably spend more time looking in our rear-view mirror too. With our homes-away-from-home attached to our tow-hitch, reverse parking is a routine part of life for many of us. But even if we’re adept at it, sometimes mistakes can occur and accidents happen. Recently, we found ourselves reversing the rig into our carport, a task we’ve done hundreds of times before without incident. With rear-pointing cameras and reversing guide, it’s usually a pretty straightforward task. Regrettably, too much concentration on the guide and too little on the wing mirrors, meant that we neatly pruned a rosebush along our own driveway — with the passenger side-mirror. As we said, accidents can happen, even to James…

I was coming home from a desert trip along the Anne Beadell Highway last year when the ‘Engine Check’ and the fuel filter lights came on. The Cruiser was still seemingly running OK, and a check under the bonnet and a disconnect of the battery didn’t change anything. Set up in the pleasant beachside caravan park in Streaky Bay, we dropped the fuel filter and changed that, even though it looked fine. Still we had the warning lights on so then we Googled how to switch them off. Yes, there is a short video on how to do that on YouTube and while now I can’t remember how to do it, we got the warning light out and we were ready to go next morning with just a minor inconvenience…

Drivers caught using their mobile phones will be slapped with a $1000 fine as of 1 September, making it one of the strictest laws in the country. Those who check their social media feeds, text or stream videos while driving will cop the $1000 penalty, while anyone caught touching their phones or making calls will be dealt a $500 fine. WA joins Queensland as the toughest on mobile phone users, with the Sunshine State also threatening a $1000 penalty. WA Police estimate there 31 fatalities on WA roads caused by distracted drivers, and the new law is designed to force drivers to concentrate on the road ahead, not Facebook. Qld and WA’s fines are more than double those legislated in other states. In NSW you’ll be charged $349 fine ($464…

It might be a piece of history worth seeing, but travellers heading to the outback this spring could face a $10,000 fine if found travelling along Western Australia’s State Barrier Fence. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has advised it is illegal to travel on the track that runs alongside the fence. Only authorised vehicles requiring access for government or commercial purposes are permitted. Travellers can only drive on roads that transect the fence. There are surveillance cameras in place to record unauthorised vehicles that turn onto the fence track. The State Barrier Fence assists in preventing the migration of emus and wild dogs into Western Australia — which could result in significant damage to grain crops and livestock. Licensed Pest Management Technicians support the role of…

The Optitec V3 Remote Control Caravan and Trailer Jockey Wheel is the newest, most powerful portable mover. It’s simple to attach to any drawbar and with the handheld remote control, you can park even the largest 3500kg caravan into extremely tight spaces. Features: Easy Operation to manoeuvre up to 3500kg Caravan or Boat Advanced Radio Receiver/Controller Full overload Protection Over current Protection so you can’t burn out the Motor Under voltage protection to prevent damage to your motor and your van battery Over temperature protection so you can’t damage it even on the hottest day New Padlocking Lug to prevent theft Can be powered from caravan Anderson plug or Alligator Clamps Weighs only 22kg so is very portable Transmission manufactured with all machined steel gears Built in dynamic brakes Full…

Reader John Day took this photo of his towing setup while enjoying the morning's rays in central Queensland. “Sunrise 98km west of Emerald, Queensland at Bogantungan on our way to Karumba. Our van is Coronet XT3-5950 for a bit of relaxation and the Navara uses 15/16.5L per 100km.” Readers Roger and Gail Collins took a trip down memory lane on their recent travels. They took a moment to send in this photo of their eye-catching setup along the way. “We recently travelled through Western Queensland including a stopover at the Blue Heeler Hotel at Kynuna. Gail's cousin owned this hotel in the 1970s and wrote a book about her time there. Our rig is a 2017 Toyota LC200 and a Wonderland Amaroo 2200.” Wildflowers are a huge draw for travellers…

We were driving at 80km/h, watching pieces of gypsum on the track twinkle like stars, when it happened. Strips of black rubber cartwheeled out of the arch, rocks dinged and ground against the exposed wheel, and the car tilted forward as we rolled to a halt. Outside, in a silence broken only by flies, the unintelligible clicking of expanding metal under the bonnet and the occasional F-bomb, we assessed the carnage as beyond the scope of our ARB Speedy Seal tyre repair kit. The jack fit under and soon we’d fitted our one spare. Ahead lay 120 bare kilometres to Oodnadatta, the hottest and driest town in Australia, where the merc famously kissed 50.7 degrees in 1960. Behind us was William Creek, 60km distant, but that would’ve been backtracking —…

On 27 May 1866 Edward ‘ET’ Hooley left the Geraldine Mine, just north of Northampton, to drive 1945 sheep north to the Ashburton River to avoid the exorbitant shipping rate of 13 shillings ($1.30) per sheep. Hooley arrived three months later on the 25 August, having lost only eight sheep along the way. Hooley’s remarkable overland journey, and the wells he dug along the way, led to the establishment of the Mullewa to De Grey Stock Route in the 1890s, along which thousands of cattle and sheep were driven over the next 80 years. Today the 1248km Wool Wagon Pathway from Geraldton to Exmouth is one of Western Australia’s great outback road trips. Exploring the pastoral country of the Murchison and Gascoyne regions, you can read the stories of the…

For many years, the Viscount logo rode high on the backs of thousands of caravans, and the company was one of our highest producers across a big range. But circumstances changed, the brand gradually lost its drive, and the name went into hibernation in the late ‘80s. A few years back, the Concept group saw an opportunity to revive the memory, realising that, if nothing else, there were still plenty of classic Viscounts on the road, and that they are even becoming popular as restoration projects. “The majority of buyers will opt for a rear entry, rear ensuite and front bedroom and that’s what we have here.” The new plan introduced three models, the V1, V2 and V3 across different lengths, all with a touch of luxury designed to woo…

Australia’s first colonial road was two short kilometres from Governor Philip’s Sydney residence to Dawes Battery. Since then, the nation’s road network has grown to a whopping 817,000km. Indeed, Highway One, which circumnavigates the country, is the longest national highway in the world, with a length of 14,500km. That’s quite a lap! With massive stretches of road like the Eyre Highway extending in a straight line over 140km of featureless plain — and the notorious Bruce Highway spanning over 1600km with a reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous highways and coined the ‘Highway of Shame’ — mishaps on the road are inevitable. Knowing this, are you really prepared for your next road trip? Are you prepared for the ‘What If?!’ Whether our travel plans are modest or massive,…

Creating childhood memories is a great thing, and the Kinsman On-Road Family Van is the perfect choice for young families. With three bunk beds, ample storage and a large fridge, this medium-sized caravan manufactured by Highline Caravans in Campbellfield, Victoria, looks the goods. But does it provide enough space for families to enjoy a holiday road trip? SLEEK EXTERNAL LOOKS From the outside, the Kinsman is well specced for an on-road model constructed using the traditional meranti timber frame with insulation and aluminium composite walls. Protecting the frame from moisture is an insulated single sheet fibreglass roof and composite sheets sealed at the corners. Further protection is provided by black checkerplate that wraps around the entire body. The steel used in the Roadrunner chassis and A-frame is a 6in DuraGal…

We've all been there. On the trip of a lifetime, driving through one stunning landscape after the other. There's a lookout ahead. So you pull the car over, stop and get out. You walk to the edge of the platform, bring the camera to your eyes and fire off a couple of frames. You get back in the car and drive off. When you get home, you download your photos onto your computer. Excitement builds and you click on open, only to find them dull and boring. They just don't have that ‘wow’ factor or invoke the feeling you had when you were there. In this article, I'm not going to go all camera geek on you and start talking about weird things like the exposure triangle, RAW vs JPEG,…

Sales of caravans have boomed in Victoria as Australians pivot toward domestic travel, but there is some concern about the ability of manufacturers to supply vans given the state’s tough lockdowns. According to Rob Lucas, Chief Executive of Caravan Industry Victoria, the stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne have effectively shut down RV manufacturers in August and September. Given 90 per cent of recreational vehicles are made in the state, that means delivery times are stretching out to six months as builders play catch-up. “The difficulty now of course is that we have been shut for a while and now the supply is drying up all over the country,” he said. “The ability to put new vehicles into the market has been severely curtailed.” Supply issues haven’t dampened the huge uptick…

BATTERY CHARGING Q Hi Tech Talk, I am new to the world of caravans and have a question regarding recharging my caravan batteries whilst on the move. I have been told by my auto electrician that many people now recharge the batteries when on the move by solar only, and don’t bother with charging via the tow vehicle at all. I have 2 x 100Ah AGM batteries and 2 x 170W solar panels on the van. We plan to do a fair bit of free camping. What sort of charge can I expect from solar only whilst on the move (assuming sunny conditions) and should I still opt for a tow vehicle connection as well? Cheers, Haydn Tomlinson A Haydn, Your auto electrician is probably right. That much solar…

Just email your most travel-inspiring picture (2-3Mb) of yourself, family and friends, with your rig along with a brief description to submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with ‘Readers’ Rigs’ in the subject line, or send a print to Caravan World Readers’ Rigs, 125 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, Vic 3161. All entries must include your full postal address (not for publication). Photo submissions may also appear on caravan.hemax.com Reader Simon Gliders took advantage of WA’s closed borders to head to Mt Augustus and took this photo of his rig. When he got there, though, it was a bit busier than expected. “With no-one allowed in or out of WA, we headed up to the world’s largest rock (Mt Augustus) during the school holidays. It’s pretty remote and usually fairly quiet. But this year it was…

Distances Marree to William Creek — 203km; (William Creek to Coober Pedy — 166km); William Creek to Oodnadatta — 205km; Oodnadatta to Marla — 209km. When to travel May to August are the most comfortable during the day and the safest to avoid extreme temperatures. However, expect very cold winter nights down to zero degrees. Supplies The best diesel prices will be in Coober Pedy at around $1.30/L. Prices elsewhere will range from $1.80 to $2.30/L. On the track itself you can fill up at Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta and Marla, so there’s no need to carry jerry cans of fuel, unless you want to save money. Drinking water can be purchased at all the town roadhouses, or in Oodnadatta at a drinking water station for $4 for 20L. There’s…

Expedition National Park. It’s a name that fires the imagination, conjuring visions of intrepid explorers venturing into wild and unknown lands, pioneering trails across rugged ranges, fording rocky streams, clambering through boulder-strewn gorges bound by sheer sandstone cliffs, beguiled by myriad birds and rare animals, scaling lofty peaks to gaze upon vast open woodlands, and resting at day’s end beside a campfire under a star-filled sky. All of this and more awaits the modern-day offroader at this remote park in Queensland’s Central Highlands, about 660km north-west of Brisbane. “Once part of the Glenhaughton cattle station, the park is now the focus of self-reliant 4WDing” The park comprises three distinct sections straddling the Expedition Range — Robinson Gorge in the east, and Lonesome and Beilba in the west. With a combined…

There’s no doubt that battery and solar development in the RV arena has advanced rapidly over the last decade or so. AGM, gel cell, lithium, inverters and solar panels are all part of the technical jargon these days. However, although most devices these days can be powered by 12V battery supply, it’s not quite so easily achieved with higher-powered devices because of battery capacity and weight factors. When Mat Perks from Australian Motorhomes and Caravans (AUSMHC) first contacted me about a new Condor caravan that AUSMHC was working on, the Land Bruiser Hybrid, I initially thought it was a caravan/camper trailer combination because that’s the jargon the camper trailer industry uses. But it turned out to be something a little different and, in my opinion since it involves high-capacity lithium…

The new 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit from Bendix is designed to provide drivers with improved stopping power in demanding emergency situations and reduced stopping distances overall. The comprehensive kit includes Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads with a specially compounded high-performance ceramic material brake pads for increased stopping power plus the latest Bendix Ultimate Rotors which have been designed and developed specifically for Australia’s demanding conditions. The new rotors are manufactured to a high level of precision engineering based on OEM specifications and incorporate innovative technology such as high carbon metallurgy for increased braking performance. Also, the company says, plus special diamond tip slots and a special bi-directional pillar are designed to expel gases, water, dust and grit, quickly and efficiently. “Consider the weight of accessories such as a canopy, storage draws,…

Getting your van level after a long day’s drive can be a pain. In some situations it’s not easy to find some level ground, especially if you have discovered an ideal spot beside a quiet creek somewhere. Driving the van up on some dodgy blocks can be frustrating, if not outright dangerous. I’ve seen the whole thing collapse as the van rolled forward once the tow vehicle was detached. If this sounds familiar then Brad and Vicki from Ozi Block N Chock might have the answer. After their own near-miss experience, Brad and Vicki decided there must be a safer way that would pull the van up onto a flat level surface, not up an incline, which increases the chance of roll and overall wheel movement. From this, Ozi Block…