Innehållsförteckning för Issue 614 från Caravan World

After travelling last week from my border home on the NSW south coast to Victoria for some reviews and office meetings, I was one of many caught in the latest sudden lockdown. With no indication from the government that I would be allowed to complete my journey the next day, it meant a long drive into the night with a van in tow to get home. It gave me plenty of time to think about long-distance driving, and I recalled some early advice about travelling with a van. Someone suggested the 222 rule, and fortunately, it has nothing to do with the 303 rule from the Breaker Morant movie. Let's start with the premise that caravanning is fun. Towing a van for long distances at a single stretch may not…

Well here we are again. As I write this, border doors are clanging shut again because of COVID-19 and in some states, we are being told to stay at home. As anyone who likes/has to travel will know, it’s making planning just about anything that involves interstate travel very tenuous. Yours truly was supposed to be in Queensland about now but that clearly isn’t going to happen for a few weeks. FULL HOUSE The effects of COVID-19 are also creating difficulties for those lucky RV owners (and I sincerely hope you are enjoying yourselves) who are able to travel. Particularly up north, there’s many a caravan park that’s full up and arriving without a booking is a risky business. I’m told in some places, queues start to form early in…

KEEPING WARM Q Hi team, We’ve just started caravanning and some nights are really cold in our old Jayco Swan. How do I keep my caravan warm? Also, which is likely to be better for this — a diesel or gas heater? Mary Hutchenson, Vic A Welcome to caravanning, Mary. I don’t know if the Swan is your first van, but they are a great ‘first’ van that I recommend often. For those that don’t know the Swan, it’s a pop-up, so unfortunately you will very much feel the wind through the canvas sides. In all honestly, I wouldn’t recommend a fuelled heater for a Swan beyond taking the chill off the air while inside and awake. I don’t recommend leaving gas or diesel heaters on whilst sleeping, as…

If there’s anything that grabs attention in the current caravan scene — apart from the ever-growing delivery times — it’s that rough road and offroad caravans are often the dominant stock at many dealers. This was certainly the case when I had quick look around the salesyard at Fair Dinkum Caravans when I was there to collect a Network RV Terrain Tuff caravan to review. Although Network RV do build both road tourers and offroad caravans, there was an entire stable of the latter. Along a similar line, five to six years ago, finding a family caravan required a bit of searching, but that certainly is not the case now, with many dealers stocking more than one layout. I mention that because my Terrain Tuff review van was a 6.4m…

Not everyone wants a loud and dirty offroader, even if they plan to travel far. Plenty of travelling couples instead embrace the comforts of a well-equipped caravan park, as can be witnessed in the many popular venues along the North Queensland coast in winter. The annual migration to anywhere warmer than Noosa sees thousands of colder climate couples pack the van and hit the road, and although much of the Bruce Highway is pretty rough, you don't need an offroad van to handle the trip. I was first impressed by the Safari brand on the caravan show circuit and later found videos of their adventure vans that owners had put up on various forums. But, as well as the offroaders, the range extends to more than 20 blacktop tourers from…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Good value for a well equipped van of this size.” TOWABILITY “Moderate weight and well balanced on load sharing leaf springs.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Will suit couples planning long travel on mainly blacktop roads.” BUILD QUALITY “Traditional Meranti construction with care to weather sealing. Interior is well appointed.” LIVEABILITY “Has room to move, a good size ensuite and a great club lounge for relaxing.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Enough power and water for occasional off grid stays if used judiciously.” CUSTOMER CARE “Three- year warranty on caravan build. Accessories warranted by suppliers.” INNOVATION “Traditional build and standard layout. The club lounge is a great feature.” X-FACTOR “Good looking touring van with a well-balanced impression.”…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Exterior length 6.3m (20ft 8in) Height 2.5m (8ft 2in) Width 2.1m (6ft 11in) Tare 2100kg ATM 2800kg Ball weight 110kg EXTERNAL Chassis Fully galvanised with underbody anti-chip protection as standard Suspension Adjustable independent trailing arm coil spring, 4 x Gas shock absorbers Wheel arch flairs as standard Brakes 12in electric Wheels 265/75/R16 offroad tyres with 6in steel Landcruiser wheels Water 2 x 120L Grey water 1 x 80L Battery 3 x 100Ah deep cycle AGM Solar 300W roof-mounted panels (optional) Air-conditioner Dometic roof-mounted reverse-cycle (optional) Gas 2 x 9kg INTERNAL Fridge Front toolbox with pantry and fridge slide Bathroom Internal ensuite with Dometic cassette toilet Hot water Truma Ultra Rapid 14L gas/ electric hot water system (optional) PRICE AS SHOWN $46,989 + ORC MORE INFORMATION Maverick Campers…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 7.24m (23ft 9in) Internal body length 5.51m (18ft) Internal body width 2.04m (6ft 8in) Travel height 2.95m (9ft 8in) Internal height 1.97m (6ft 6in) Tare 2620kg ATM kg 3500kg Payload 980kg Ball weight 180kg Ball weight to Tare 6.87 per cent EXTERNAL Frame Composite Cladding GRP Chassis 150 x 50mm hot dipped galvanised Suspension Air bag Trailing arm independent Coupling DO35 Brakes 12 electric Water 1 x 125L and 1 x 75L fresh, 85L greywater Battery 360Ah Lithium Solar 540W Gas 9kg INTERNAL Cooking External kitchen only Fridge 90L and 120L Microwave No Bathroom Combination Washing machine Yes Hot water Yes PRICE FROM $159,000 OPTIONS FITTED NIL PRICE AS SHOWN $159,000 CONTACT Mountain Trail RV 838 Knight Rd, Albury NSW Ph: 02 60404488 W: mountaintrailrv.com.au…

NEED TO KNOW Kakadu National Park is located 250km south of Darwin via the Arnhem Highway. VISIT Kakadu is at its best during the cool, dry season months (May–September). STAY Choose a camp with the price tag and facilities you need from remote, bush freebies to basic $6-a-night camps, or camps that come with hot showers for $15/ adult, $7.50/child or $38/family. Peak season powered campsites at Cooinda Campground and Caravan Park range from $69 to $89/couple/night (from $39/ couple unpowered), kakadutourism.com. PARK FEES During the April–October peak season, entry costs $40/adult, $30 for seniors and concession cardholders, $20/child or $100/family (free for NT residents). Prices drop over summer’s wet season. BE CROC-WISE Estuarine crocodiles are found throughout Kakadu so obey signage and if in doubt, stay out of the…

• 125g butter • ½ cup raw sugar • 1 egg • 1 tbsp wattleseed • 2 cups plain flour Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius and place baking paper on a tray. Cream the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add egg and mix well. Add wattleseed and 1 cup of flour, mixing well before adding the next cup. Take out the mixture and knead until mixed well. Roll into small balls, place on the prepared tray and flatten with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on trays. Variations: Substitute wattleseed for lemon myrtle.…

Your electrical system is paramount to your enjoyment and safety, providing power for lighting, appliances and entertainment. So, it stands to reason that you should have a general understanding of its components and how it works. Without a direct 240V source such as a power pole at a caravan park or input from a generator, most 240V plugs won’t work without an appropriately sized inverter, a device that converts 12V power to 240V power. If you’re using an inverter to run things like a laptop, the inverter will use a small amount of power in the conversion, so make sure you turn it off when not in use. In our travels, we found our laptops were quite power hungry, each using around 6A an hour. Out in the bush, simply…

Three different floorplan layouts are available in the Jayco All-Terrain — two 19ft models, and one 22ft model. 19FT MODELS Body length 6.05m (19ft) Interior height 1.98m (6.47ft) Width 2.47m (7ft 11in) Tare 2470kg ATM 2970kg Loading weight 500kg Tow ball weight 220kg 22ft Model Body length 6.76m (22ft) Interior height 1.98m (6.47ft) Width 2.47m (7ft 11in) Tare 2655kg ATM 3140kg Loading weight 475kg Tow ball weight 240kg EXTERNAL - ALL LAYOUTS A Frame Outback A-Frame Axle Rating/Setup JTECH Independent Coil Suspension Coupling DO-35 Offroad Pin Coupling Gas Bottle Dual 9kg Gas Bottles Grey Water Tank Optional Jockey Wheel 8” Jockey Wheel Shockers Shock Absorbers Water Dual 82L Freshwater Tanks INTERNAL - ALL LAYOUTS A/C Ibis 4 Roof Mounted Bed Setup Double Bed with Standard Innerspring Mattress Cooking Appliance Thetford…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 6.4m (21ft) Overall length 8.2m (26ft 11in) Width 2.46m (8ft 1in) Height 3.15m (10ft 4in) Tare 2512kg ATM 3300kg Payload 788kg Ball weight 112kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti timber Cladding Aluminium composite cladding, fibreglass roof Chassis Galvanised box section, 150mm (6in) rails and drawbar Suspension Tuffride independent with coil springs and shock absorbers Coupling Cruisemaster DO 35 Brakes 10in electric Wheels 15in alloy Water 2 x 95L Grey water 1 x 95L Battery 2 x 100Ah Solar 2 x 170W Air-conditioner Houghton Belaire 3500 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No INTERNAL Cooking Swift 500 4 burner & grill Fridge Thetford N641-E Bathroom Separate shower cubicle, Dometic cassette toilet Hot water Swift gas/elec 28L PRICE AS SHOWN $69,990 (NSW) MORE INFORMATION Fairdinkum Caravans 2/19 Gateway Boulevard…

There are a wide variety of medical kits available that should be tailored to your individual needs, but these items are a good starting point: • Crepe bandages • Triangle bandages • Sports/skin tapes • Band-Aids • Gauze swabs • Non-stick dressing pads • Saline • Sterile eye-pad • Alcohol swabs • Disposable gloves • Thermal blanket • Tweezers • Small scissors • Safety pins • Notepad and pen • Antiseptic cream • Anti-rash cream • Pain pills…

Chassis FP Chassis Suspension Rocker/Roller Brakes 10in Electric Wheels/tyres 15in Offroad (all terrain tread) Water 180L Battery 120Ah AGM Solar 160W monocrystalline panel Air-conditioner Ibis 4 Gas Twin 9kg Sway control Optional AL-KO, Dexter or lipert WEIGHTS AND MEASURES External length 8.3m (27ft 3in) External Body length 6.4m (21ft) External width 2.5m (8ft 2in) Internal height 2.3m (7ft 8in) Travel height 2.9m (9ft 6in) Tare 2370kg ATM 3200kg Ball weight 170kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti timber Cladding Aluminum composite INTERNAL Cooking 3 gas/1 elect cooktop Fridge 190L Dometic 3-way (compressor available at no cost) Microwave Yes Toilet Thetford ceramic bowl Shower Yes Lighting LED lighting through-out Hot water Swift gas/electric PRICE FROM $64,490 OPTIONS FITTED Black pack $1000 PRICE AS TESTED $65,490 drive away MORE INFORMATION Trounce Caravans 9439 Western Fwy,…

WHERE TO START Karlu Karlu is 400km north of Alice Springs, 1100km south of Darwin and 120km south of Threeways at the turnoff to Barkly Highway which leads east to Cairns. WHILE YOU’RE IN DARWIN (Some of the) Must-do experiences: • Street markets at Mindil Beach or Parap. • Stokes Hill Wharf for food, fishing and history – The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist has fantastic VR experiences that will give you a unique insight into the bombing of Darwin. • Darwin Waterfront is a bustling hub with lots of food and drink options and a spot to swim. • If you’re into Indigenous art, check out: • MAGNT, Bullocky Point — exhibitions and a giant stuffed croc. • Mbantua Gallery, Smith St Mall for art from Central Australia’s…

VALUE FOR MONEY “With the Option Pack added, its a great deal.” TOWABILITY “Surprisingly heavy which was notable in towing.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “There is so much potential in how you can use the Viper, inside and out.” BUILD QUALITY “Excellent attention to detail and an emphasis on strength are evident.” LIVEABILITY “It might be cozy inside but the flexibility of outside adds a lot of value.” CUSTOMER CARE “Being camper-focussed, Maverick warrant offroad use, albeit in a limited way but it is good to see some coverage.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Masses of water and power plus a grey tank are fantastic.” INNOVATION “There are few things that set the Viper 13 apart from the crowd.” X-FACTOR “A common shape, size and similar spec to a lot of competitors.”…

VALUE FOR MONEY “The 5.7 competes as a unique large hybrid and its build quality and ability will win buyers.” TOWABILITY “The relatively light weight, narrow track, good weight balance and superior suspension make it a dream to tow.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Intended for long distance travel over rough and dusty roads, so if your the van for you.” BUILD QUALITY “Superior engineering and attention to detail delvers a stunning van.” LIVEABILITY “Some compromises for practicality like the bed and outdoor kitchen won’t be everyone’s preference.” CUSTOMER CARE “Mountain Trail RV lives on its reputation for customer service.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “With enough solar, battery, water and storage you can get off grid for extended stays.” INNOVATION “The range has been developed from the ground up for reliability and usability. Incorporates…

I often associate mulled wine with my time living in Europe, when a mug of the hot alcoholic beverage was a must to warm the body and soul while strolling the open air Christmas markets in winter. If I close my eyes, I can still hear the crisp snow under my boots as I head in the direction of the inviting aromas. The origins of mulled wine are believed to be traced back to around 400BCE, when Hippocrates made the drink as a tonic and served it to people for health benefits. I like to support this time-proven theory — mulled wine is good for you! The drink was then carried through to the Roman times who used the drink to warm themselves through the winter months. As history has…

Researchers from the University of South Australia have confirmed Australia’s first sighting of Aphis lugentis on Kangaroo Island’s Dudley Peninsula. The black aphid invasive species was found feeding on seedlings of Senecio odoratus, a native species of daisy that is commonly known as the scented groundsel. Kangaroo Island has 16 native Senecio species, with at least 10 of these of conservation concern. The aphids are a pest that sucks the sap from plants, and spread across multiple continents over the past 20 years, originating in North America. Wildlife ecologist and Associate Professor Topa Petit found the aphids and said they could threaten plants in the Compositae (daisy) family. “[The] aphids were tended by several species of native ants that were feeding on their honeydew, showing easy integration for the pest…

Q Hi BMPRO, Have been trying to understand why, when I have a fast charger and it tells me that the battery is at 100 per cent, it lasts less time than if I charge it slower overnight. Can you shed some light? Bill Slattery Mt Gambier, SA A Thanks, Bill, for what is a very misunderstood issue when it comes to charging batteries — especially the 12V deep cycle variety found in most caravans and campers out there. It is not always a matter of connecting the charger and thinking that is the end of it. Much of what is described below is similar to what you would see with the charging of your mobile phone. While the chemistry of the batteries is vastly different, the point…

VALUE FOR MONEY “For an offroad caravan with a family layout, the van is quite reasonably priced and doesn’t require an overly expensive tow vehicle.” TOWABILITY “Van was quite well behaved on the road and towable by a range of vehicles.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “It’s built as an offroad van and does have bunk beds, exactly as described.” BUILD QUALITY “Fit and finish was relatively good, and everything opened and shut properly.” LIVEABILITY “Family vans aren’t going to be totally spacious but this one does have a reasonable bit of internal manoeuvre room.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “Water tank capacity are definitely good for quite a few day of remote travel. For a family, the limiter as usual is the toilet cassette tank capacity.” CUSTOMER CARE “Network caravans have a 3-year…

• If you have a personal locator beacon (PLB), activate it immediately. • Try to contact emergency services using your phone and your UHF CB radio. • Remain with your vehicle unless it is unsafe to do so. • Conserve your energy. Don’t walk if you don’t know where you’re going. • Try to find or create water sources. This can include a solar still — a container that gathers condensation on the inside from the heat and moisture outside. • Hydrate as much as possible and if you do walk with the assistance of a map, move at night to conserve your hydration and energy. • Have a mirror ready to signal for assistance or hang your mirror or lights from a tree or post. • Build a fire…

Where 350km north-west of Windorah, 260km east of Bedourie, 290km south-west of Winton. When: Best time to visit is between March and October. How: All access roads to and within the park are unsealed and often impassable in wet conditions; suitable only for 4WD vehicles and high-clearance vans and trailers. What: Aboriginal culture, pastoral history, birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, scenic driving, sightseeing, bush camping. Stay: Hunters Gorge and Gum Hole campgrounds; toilets only; camping permits required — $6.65 per person per night, or $26.60 per family per night. Bring: Be self-sufficient so bring lots of water and extra fuel. All supplies are available at the nearest towns.…

I noticed on the BMPro battery management system that only the fuse for the television was marked. When I asked Kris why this was so, he said it was the only circuit that gave trouble. Owners like to disconnect the television when travelling, so it doesn't swing around and damage the van or the unit itself. He reckons that many owners in all brands will experience blown fuses with their NCE television, which is common in many vans. The base of the panel for the various plugs is metal, and if you plug the 12V lead into its socket but miss and hit the base plate, you will short out the TV and blow a fuse. You can solve this by being more careful, of course, but more practically, by…

Though this isn’t my first look at a Maverick, it is my first look at their Hybrid and the Viper 13 is eerily familiar. With the same layout of external access and overall size to the half-dozen or so other imported hybrids of the Viper 13’s competitors, I feel like I’ve seen almost all they have to offer. So, why look at the Viper 13? The price is sharp — at $46,989+ORC as seen — for one, and that's for a Viper 13 with the Option Pack inclusions, which I’ll get to later on. And, as the brand seems to be on a roll, with company frontman and genuinely great guy Bailey Winnen telling me the company is outselling supply by large amounts, I wanted to see what the fuss…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 5.79m (19ft) Overall length 8.41m (27ft 7in) Width (incl. awn) 2.5m (8ft 2in) Height 3.11m (10ft 2in) Tare 2810kg ATM 3495kg Payload 685kg Ball weight 200kg EXTERNAL Frame Hybrid, aluminium front, rear & roof, strong timber wall Cladding Aluminium cladding Chassis Hot dipped galvanized truss chassis Suspension Cruisemaster ATX independent Coupling Cruisemaster DO35 Brakes 12in electric Wheels 17in alloy Water 2 x 95L, 1 x 50L drinking Grey water 1 x 95L Battery 1 x 400Ah lithium Solar 4 x 170W Air conditioner Dometic Ibis 4 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No INTERNAL Cooking Thetford 4 burner, grill & oven Fridge Dometic RUC6408X 12V compressor Bathroom Dometic cassette toilet & separate shower cubicle Hot water Girard Instantaneous LP gas PRICE FROM $118,990 OPTIONS FITTED…

The Loddon Valley was built on a history of gold — solid and liquid. In the gold rush era, the region was booming. Today, its gold rush history is popular with tourists, as is its production of liquid gold — eucalyptus oil. With a rich Indigenous history, it’s not surprising that this area has its own bush tucker gurus. The Murnong Mammas is an initiative of Nalderun Upper Loddon Aboriginal Services. The local group produces food and products in a commercial kitchen using bush tucker plants and native ingredients. Known for its specialised salts, curries, meringues, chutneys and sauces, the Murnong Mammas are able to cater for large groups and offer specialised bush tucker courses. The Mammas recently shared their delicious wattleseed biscuit recipe with Caravan World, ideal for enjoying…

WINE CHICK’S SPECIAL MULLED WINE RECIPE WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • 2 bottles of dry red wine (I go for Shiraz, but any flavoursome red is good) • 1 orange • 1 lemon • 1 apple • 1-2 cinnamon sticks • 3-5 star anise cloves • /3 cup of brown sugar • ¼ cup of brandy (optional) WHAT TO DO: 1. Slice the orange and lemon, arrange covering the bottom of the saucepan you’ll be using. 2. Dice the apple and throw on top. 3. Sprinkle herbs and sugar on top. 4. Add just enough wine to cover the fruit — important to not add all the wine at the beginning as the alcohol will evaporate. Think of this as our sacrificial wine that we will boil the alcohol out of.…