Learned this from an old couple that caravan full time, use the mobile on hands free instead of uhf & put the missus or person who has less reversing skills/ experience in the drivers seat and the spotter completely takes control ,eg left hand down, back ,stop etc, and then everything is on the spotter ,the driver must play their part buy obeying every instruction , they said they haven’t had one reverse argument in ten years & his wife also has gained awesome reverse skills if she ever needs to do it on her own, we watched them slowly put their massive set up in a tight spot in one shot, they trust the system so much she said she often doesn’t even look in the mirrors, just listens and said he’s to blame if they hit stuff , classic old Aussie couple👌
Hi Steve. The mobile is a definite goto when you have coverage. Most of the places we visit offgrid don't though. I have seen a few do this with the wife driving and looks to work well. As a couple we live by the belief that we should both be cross skilled in all our tasks just in case of emergency or for when we are by ourselves. I'm fortunate enough that Kel has shown up many a bloke on the boat ramp over the years with her reversing skills.
@@ourrealitytravels that’s awesome, my wife learned how to pack the van up hitch it and drive home when I had a kitesurfing accident last year, (day one of a week holiday🤦♂️) not a good way to learn , proving your method of both having all skills as the best , happy travels, & we are enjoying your channel 👍
As 'newbies', we laminated our 'arrival' and 'departure' checklists (via Excel spreadsheet) and we use a whiteboard marker to check off each step as we do them. You can wipe it clean after each successful arrival or departure is complete. Easy peasy. :) Great vid.
Thanks so much x just about to head off around Australia thanks for the tips where we bought the caravan told is about the surface spray good to know it work and I'll be on to the no more gaps before we leave !!
Great tips, .We have our own code for parking, Jian stands at the back drivers side of the van so I can see her and says push, pull or back. Push means away from her ( my right hand down)..etc etc. Works for us
Thats a great code I reckon! It's so important to find something that works for you to take the stress out of reversing. Last thing you want to be is the entertainment when pulling into the caravan park.
Brilliant video, about to look for more of your videos after this one! Just bought a van after selling my camper trailer a few years ago (as a kid we progressed through tents to a wind up Jayco then to poptop etc) Good to see relatable aussie content like this, makes me keen to get back into it now at 30 with our 7 month old son
Nice one. We are very similar mate, tent to trailer to caravan. I would say don't hesitate with the little one. We set off when he was 4 months and love it!
Okay thanks for this on the screws, have you tried the butterfly ones that open out when going into wall or these don't work mainly for weight distribution, do you use a glue when doing them or just self tapper.
Just the self tappers worked fine on mine. Theres not much weight going on it. I wouldn't use butterfly ones, I'd think you would have issues with them vibrating loose. No glue, screws were sufficient. Cheers.
You mentioned tired and cranky after long drive and tempers frayed when backing in. To eliminate that, think about this. You're about done in One or both need a toilet stop. You're hanging out for a cuppa. STOP Even if you're only 10 minutes away, stop refresh and you will cruise it in when you arrive at your destination.
1. Install fans in the top fridge vent (3 way fridge) and inside the fridge, 30 bucks DIY. 2. Accumulater after the 12v water pump, 25 bucks. 3. Solar trickle charger for your brake away battery, 30 bucks. Hope this helps
Brilliant ideas. We have the fans for the fridge and it makes a big difference up north. The solar trickle charge for the breakaway is a great idea. Thanks for the input.
We are looking to travel next year and was looking at 24ft caravans, some sales people told us that we shouldnt buy that size because a lot of caravans will say you are too big, can you provide some advice on this?
Hi. Well 24 is a really big van. Not sure if caravan parks would turn you away as there are plenty of big rigs getting around. More importantly you need to strongly consider your weights and towing capacities. What car will you be towing with? If you already have the tow car then work backwards from there to see what max van you could take. Ours is 21'6 and I would be comfortable going up to say 22'6 no worries, but 24 is big. Research your weights - GVM, GCM, ATM. If you don't what those abbreviations are then get researching. Salespeople will want a sale at the end of the day - you need to make sure your setup is legal and comfortable to tow! Cheers, ORT.
@@ambientsensations OK, so you need to be careful with GCM - even though they are 3.5t towing capacity, you cant tow 3.5t if your car is at full GVM. Tred carefully and do lots of research. Cheers
I just fitted auto light up led light to step so in the night orange light lets you see just enough to be safe taking dog out at night and less chance to draw the bugs used similar button type switch as in a car door light switch so just open door and see where to step brilliant well I think so but I did copy from get camping channel cheers
Make sure you stick around until the end. The bug hack is a must for everyone!
Learned this from an old couple that caravan full time, use the mobile on hands free instead of uhf & put the missus or person who has less reversing skills/ experience in the drivers seat and the spotter completely takes control ,eg left hand down, back ,stop etc, and then everything is on the spotter ,the driver must play their part buy obeying every instruction , they said they haven’t had one reverse argument in ten years & his wife also has gained awesome reverse skills if she ever needs to do it on her own, we watched them slowly put their massive set up in a tight spot in one shot, they trust the system so much she said she often doesn’t even look in the mirrors, just listens and said he’s to blame if they hit stuff , classic old Aussie couple👌
Hi Steve. The mobile is a definite goto when you have coverage. Most of the places we visit offgrid don't though. I have seen a few do this with the wife driving and looks to work well. As a couple we live by the belief that we should both be cross skilled in all our tasks just in case of emergency or for when we are by ourselves. I'm fortunate enough that Kel has shown up many a bloke on the boat ramp over the years with her reversing skills.
@@ourrealitytravels that’s awesome, my wife learned how to pack the van up hitch it and drive home when I had a kitesurfing accident last year, (day one of a week holiday🤦♂️) not a good way to learn , proving your method of both having all skills as the best , happy travels, & we are enjoying your channel 👍
way to go for sure, we get to site wife goes in drivers seat and I direct so much easier and less stress.
As 'newbies', we laminated our 'arrival' and 'departure' checklists (via Excel spreadsheet) and we use a whiteboard marker to check off each step as we do them. You can wipe it clean after each successful arrival or departure is complete. Easy peasy. :) Great vid.
Awesome idea Kevin! Thanks for sharing.
Good idea 👍
Love seeing tips and tricks from fellow vanners, makes life just that little bit easeir. Thanks
Thanks guys, hope to see you on the road someday!
Thanks so much x just about to head off around Australia thanks for the tips where we bought the caravan told is about the surface spray good to know it work and I'll be on to the no more gaps before we leave !!
Absolutely! It's a game changer keeping the little buggers OUT. Cheers, ORT
Great tips, .We have our own code for parking, Jian stands at the back drivers side of the van so I can see her and says push, pull or back. Push means away from her ( my right hand down)..etc etc. Works for us
Thats a great code I reckon! It's so important to find something that works for you to take the stress out of reversing. Last thing you want to be is the entertainment when pulling into the caravan park.
great idea
Brilliant video, about to look for more of your videos after this one! Just bought a van after selling my camper trailer a few years ago (as a kid we progressed through tents to a wind up Jayco then to poptop etc) Good to see relatable aussie content like this, makes me keen to get back into it now at 30 with our 7 month old son
Nice one. We are very similar mate, tent to trailer to caravan. I would say don't hesitate with the little one. We set off when he was 4 months and love it!
thanks for sharing your tips. like the relaxed style.
Thanks guys, hope you could take something from them.
Just found u guys. Luv your banter with each other, bloody awesome. Need to look back over your past Ep’s now, cheers 🍻
Cheers Rob. Glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more to come.
We are Mad Aussie Adventures: Already subscribed but also now subscribed on my laptop. Keep up the good work!
will check you guys out too. Happy travels
Good tips, cheers
Thanks mate, glad they helped.
You guys are brilliant! Keep it going 🙂
Thanks Cassandra. Plenty more to come :)
Okay thanks for this on the screws, have you tried the butterfly ones that open out when going into wall or these don't work mainly for weight distribution, do you use a glue when doing them or just self tapper.
Just the self tappers worked fine on mine. Theres not much weight going on it. I wouldn't use butterfly ones, I'd think you would have issues with them vibrating loose. No glue, screws were sufficient. Cheers.
You mentioned tired and cranky after long drive and tempers frayed when backing in.
To eliminate that, think about this.
You're about done in
One or both need a toilet stop.
You're hanging out for a cuppa.
STOP
Even if you're only 10 minutes away, stop refresh and you will cruise it in when you arrive at your destination.
Too true, after all thats what it's all about. Safe travels, ORT.
1. Install fans in the top fridge vent (3 way fridge) and inside the fridge, 30 bucks DIY. 2. Accumulater after the 12v water pump, 25 bucks. 3. Solar trickle charger for your brake away battery, 30 bucks. Hope this helps
Brilliant ideas. We have the fans for the fridge and it makes a big difference up north. The solar trickle charge for the breakaway is a great idea. Thanks for the input.
@jorji- hi, I’m a newbie, would you add a little more explanation to your 3 ideas please. Thanks
We are looking to travel next year and was looking at 24ft caravans, some sales people told us that we shouldnt buy that size because a lot of caravans will say you are too big, can you provide some advice on this?
Hi. Well 24 is a really big van. Not sure if caravan parks would turn you away as there are plenty of big rigs getting around. More importantly you need to strongly consider your weights and towing capacities. What car will you be towing with? If you already have the tow car then work backwards from there to see what max van you could take. Ours is 21'6 and I would be comfortable going up to say 22'6 no worries, but 24 is big. Research your weights - GVM, GCM, ATM. If you don't what those abbreviations are then get researching. Salespeople will want a sale at the end of the day - you need to make sure your setup is legal and comfortable to tow! Cheers, ORT.
@@ourrealitytravels looking to buy a ford ranger or equivalent
@@ambientsensations OK, so you need to be careful with GCM - even though they are 3.5t towing capacity, you cant tow 3.5t if your car is at full GVM. Tred carefully and do lots of research. Cheers
@@ourrealitytravels thanks, yes I'm looking at all of that to make sure payloads and weights are ok
Guys what is the best screw to add towel rail or other things to the van sides in your opinion.
Stainless self tapper does the trick. Just make sure you're not near any internal wires or pipes! Cheers, ORT
I just fitted auto light up led light to step so in the night orange light lets you see just enough to be safe taking dog out at night and less chance to draw the bugs used similar button type switch as in a car door light switch so just open door and see where to step brilliant well I think so but I did copy from get camping channel
cheers
Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
The bug tip 👌👌👌👌
life changing mate!
It’s nice video Vlog.
Thanks, hope there was something helpful in there for you.
Love a good hack vid 😁
So do we! Hope you got something to use from it. Cheers.
Hackathon part 2?
Haha maybe down the track. Hope you enjoyed.
Buy a rear view camera. Will save your marriage
Haha yes I think there's merit in that mate. Cheers.