WE KNOW NOTHING about caravanning Australia (first days travelling full time)
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Join us for our first couple of days on the road in our newly renovated vintage caravan, Myrtle.
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When we first set off on this adventure, we had no idea what was in store for us.
Our vlogs were originally supposed to be something for us to look back on in the future but we are so ecstatic that you have been able to find some value, inspiration or entertainment in them!
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#vanlife #vlog #australia
About us:
We're Jack & Megan, and in late 2020 we sold our belongings and packed our lives into our 2005 Toyota Troop Carrier to travel Australia. Our original plan was to complete a full lap of Australia and return home to Perth to resume our 'normal' lives. We decided we wanted to document our lap for the future and began sharing weekly travel vlogs of our life on the road and fell in love vlogging, filmmaking and sharing our lives with you. We completed our first lap and couldn't imagine living any other way so we decided to continue travelling and calling the Troopy home. We have gone on some crazy adventures since then and it is all thanks to you tuning in to join us every week.
Best thing I have ever seen regarding reversing in anywhere: very old full time travelers with a massive van into a very tight spot, old fella got out and his wife drove- he instructed her every move via hand held uhf ,ie: left hand down ,stop right hand down stop etc: we stood and applauded as they nailed it first pot- she said they hadn’t had an argument in 15yrs reversing because she doesn’t even look and it’s all on him if it goes wrong , they said never rush and driver never speaks a word is the secret👌
Nice story, thanks.
We have been doing the same thing for a while now and find it much easier to get into tight bays. There was a guy instructing at a Perth caravan show on reversing with a spotter and made it so easy.
Spotter stands in front of the car to direct ,make out 2 paces from bay then step 4 paces past where you want to turn into the bay ,put the car in reverse and full lock until you reach the centre of the van down the car side, straighten the wheels and reverse till you get to the point you have selected to straighten, then opposite lock to continue straightening the van into the bay. All done with hand signals standing in front of the vehicle . You put your hand out the way you want the van to move the drive mirrors your instruction.
@@Kb3164-t3z sounds like reversing a tank. Did it in the army and it works a treat. Altough we found out that the hand signals for chained and wheeled armoured vehicles are not the same 😂 poor tree didn't like us. So it's important to lay down the rules first
What a brilliant story!! Now all I have to do is teach Megan how to drive a manual 🫠
Hand held UHF for reversing and talking to trucks. You must be able to see all along the length of the caravan on both sides, so extension mirrors are a must and legal necessity. Maybe heavy duty velcro to help anchor the coffee machine. A spirit level will aid in levelling the van. That could be the reason for the sticky cupboard.
I smiled the whole time watching this! absolutely lovely editing, perfect music and so good to see a happy couple in love with life and each other
Thank you so much! Megan Will appreciate this comment so much she spends hours putting the videos together!!
Caravan travel tip 1004: back off slightly when you see a truck in the distance and as you are about to cross paths accelerate lightly and it’ll pull the van in line and keep it more stable as you pass through the disturbed air.
I really enjoyed the re-build renovation videos of Myrtle, but this video is truly perfect, because you have to be happy watching, you both are radiating excitement, happiness and its fantastic to see a young couple understanding life is an adventure, not a road to debt and stress. Good on you both, safe travels.
Felt covered coat hangers - nothing falls off them (reject shop cheapies), muk mat for the ground at the step, keeps a lot of sand and grass out (we travel with a large furry dog so can vouch for those) and a bag/old sock for the shower head - it won’t scratch the base then. You’ll work out the tricks pretty quickly 🙂
Loving your joy with your new home, another beautiful vid
Congratulations guys so happy to see you on the road again. Jack you may need to get a set of clip on mirror extensions for towing. Makes it easier to see around the van
Ohhh man, that JMxploring reference hits really hard. You've come such a long way. This is an epic start to being back on the road.
I love how whenever you talk to the camera, its not like you're just talking to a camera, but its like you're having a conversation with us viewers, like we're really there.
Beautifully put together and edited episode once again Megan, people often overlook this and take videos like this for granted. but you consistently nail this EVERY TIME
The worst thing about Megan's editing is when the episode ends and i remember that I'm actually not there and I'm still sitting in a chair at home. 🥲
Agree...well said!
Mate thank you for the kind words 🙏🙏
Great to see you both and Myrtle on the road at last. I hope you have lots of great adventures in the future.
A few points I've noticed that I hope you take as intended, as advice:
1. To be legal, you need towing mirrors on your vehicle when towing your van. You can get booked for not having them.
2. From past experience, the back of the caravan is always more twitchy than the front, so stuff stored at the back will get thrown around more than at the front.
3. Always travel with the shower head wrapped and immobilised on the floor.
That's all that comes to mind. Thanks for the video and enjoy your travels.
What a great start to the trip! Myrtle looks sensational!
Just one thing - remember you have solar panels on the roof when you park up - the batteries need to recharge if you’re going to use them heavy with the cooking and hot water. Can’t wait for next episode 😮
A pool noodle cut through and put around your shower hose will prevent it from scratching your shower when travelling. 😊
I almost teared up as you left too!!!!! And I'm 16 timezones away!!!!
Your huge solar will be so useful when you park in the shade all the time!!!
You may be able to glue Neodymium magnets to hold that front piece that came loose.
3M high strength velcro may keep your coffee maker safe and all the knick knacks...just peel them off and put them away for safety....
I'm still anxious for your grey tank....have you put a plate under it to protect it especially the outlet.........
What a perfect project....I'm so happy for you!!!!!! HAPPY TRAILS!!!!!!!!!
Awesome job on Myrtle you two...back on the road with a bit more room than the troopy. great video. Just a few things I noticed while watching, you don't seem to have a door latch, and it was swinging with the breeze.....easy way to damage it, Parking in the shade doesn't help your solar charge. You soon learn not to waste too much water doing the dishes, especially when free camping. It's ok to cook inside when it rains, but an awning and outside cooking gives you a shaded place to cook, and stops cooking smells from permeating your van. These aren't meant as criticisms, just lessons learnt when we first started. Missed you when you were in Tassie, but maybe we'll cross paths on the road somewhere. Safe travels.
So good to see you out and about enjoying yourselves guys you do deserve it. ❤
Awwhh! It's so good that you're in your van and back out on the road and it's an adventure as you grow to know Myrtles little bits! Loved thisspecial episode as it's the start of the new Adventure!
I am smiling from ear to ear seeing you on the road again! We got our new motorhome this week too so I am feeling your excitement of the open road and endless possible adventures ahead. Hope to meet Myrtle and her crew on the road sometime soon. Safe travels ❤
2 way hand held radios make a massive difference for reversing into tight spots as you aren't yelling at each other.
Clearly what you’re meant to be doing - you both look so excited and happy with life! Loved this video and very much looking forward to your Myrtle adventure series. ❤
Great to see an old van renovated.
You guys need towing mirrors as it’s a legal requirement. I would also be looking at a rear camera to see behind you at all times.
I pop our shower head down and in to an old pillow case.
We used truck mirrors ,absolutely brilliant ,no movement at all !
Hey thanks for watching! Yep went and got some as soo. As someone mentioned it. For some reason it just totally slipped my mind.
Congratulations, guys. So happy to see you at last on the road. Been watching you build your home on wheels. Happy and safe travels.
Glad to find you caravan looking good enjoy every moment 🎉🎉🤗🤗💕💕🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Thanks you for watching 🙏😃👍
Congratulation on the Van & getting back on the road again. I think you might need to tow it with an old HQ Holden that way you will get all the old timers [ including myself ] coming up for a chat
So nice to see you enjoying the rewards of all that hard work. Yes you are going to meet many more Pam’s I’m sure. And I love the new hashtag #vanlife 😊😊😊
Thanks Robyn!!! It’s so good to be back on the road! How good was Pam hey such a beautiful soul. 🙏😃
Hey Jack, best thing i even did for towing my van was to buy some equaliser and stabiliser bars from the tow bar to the draw bar. Game changer to rock and sway even pass trucks.
Happy travels guys
Takes quite a while to iron out the glitches of a bespoke build. No stress, just need to deal with them, now you have the experience. So glad to see you so wrapped with all your hard work! Congrats!
Best episode ever guys. Myrtle looks fantastic and your enthusiasm is contagious. ❤
🙏
Yay, so good to see you back on the road, but I'll miss the build videos too. What a great job you've done with Myrtle 😀😀😀
Hi Guys, loved watching the van come together. Great job, she looks great.
One tip if you are going to do a bit of off road is a stone stomper or similar. We just got back from the red centre and saw so many tow vehicles with smashed back windows. Also a UHF is a must (in our opinion anyway)
Cheers
Peter and Tracey
Myrtle is looking so so good. I keep saying this to you , but I love how real you too are. Your smiles are so infectious , just keep enjoying your lives.❤❤ fractious.
Just a tip jack, unscrew the fitting off the tap with the hose still connected and you'll never leave the fitting behind. Been watching for you guys for years. Hope to see you guys on the road soon
I am so glad you showed what the van looked like after your first drive, what needed to be set up etc. I know it is a coincidence but that was the question I had on last video. Also great to see you on the road and enjoying it.
We just used a cable tie to hold shower head in place. It no longer falls down.
Caravaning is easy. Do daily checks on the van and vehicle. Reversing is easy. Hold the steering wheel at the 6 o'clock position. If you need the van to go left move the wheel to the 9 o'clock position. And to the 3 o'clock position for the other direction.
Congrats guy. You ll sort it as your journey forward goes. Life is magic but there sometimes things needs sorting.
Enjoy and thankyou both😊
OMG, such fun watching and beautiful locations. Thanks you so much for sharing this with us. You two much be so proud!
Enjoyed the maiden voyage episode. Couple of suggestions - towing mirrors for the Toyota and glue a 3 way level on the drawbar near your jockey wheel to help with levelling the van.
Also, with regards to your front window shield, we found a bungee loop and hook either side stopped ours from getting blown open - heaps of examples online.
Keep up the good work
Saw a tip from another site to secure the window shield , the child proof clips that keep cupboard shut !
Congratulations guys so happy for you both good to see you out and about again what a beautiful spot to spend your first night in Myrtle looking forward to. Many more episodes x🥰🎉🎉
I've been working away with no reception for my phone, but I'm back now and all I wanted was to watch your video... to see how it went !! Truly one amazing job guys, your efforts are your reward, great video 👍
Awesome you two, great seeing you back on the road, lookn forward to following your travels .
Can’t wait to share more!! It’s good to be back 🙏😃
Congratulations guys, so happy to see you out and exploring again. Myrtle is amazing. You both have done an awesome job on her. Jack You might have to get some clips for the window at the front
What a great way to start your adventure in Myrtle . Safe travels see you next week
We don't actually cook much in our van. I don't think many people do. We have a portable induction cooker on a table outside or we use the Weber Baby Q. Its hard to get rid of the smell if you cook inside. You probably know by now but that won't be the only time you leave a tap fitting behind. I keep several spares in the van.
Absolutely love seeing Myrtle on the road! 🚐 It's like a character of her own now. Can't wait to see what adventures you guys get up to next! Maybe some epic campfire stories? 🔥😊
you two are just so lovely you will iron out the little wobbles eventually have so much fun luv ya .
It was good to meet you both this morning in Albany. Happy travels, and we may cross paths again on the road somewhere in our renovated caravans.😊
I am so excited watching this video, I can only imagine how you guys feel ❤❤
Glad to see you back on the road that caravan is amazing. Looking forward to your journeys. 👍
Cheers mate!!
Thanks
Hey Thanks so much!!!
Great to see it's all turned out so well! Well done guys! Stoked for you! 🙌
Thanks George!
Awesome guys
Enjoy well-deserved time on the road again with your new home ❤
So stoked to see that you’re out and about and finally getting to enjoy all your hard work!
It’s good to be back on the road it feels amazing!!
Well done guys! Can't wait to see where you go and what you get up to...
Cheers mate!!
I hope you continue to enjoy people getting excited to see myrtle
It’s going to
Continue for sure
👌
So exciting you are back on the road 🎉 ❤
Everything is so beautiful, the landscapes, Myrtle and you two look so good back on the road 🎉
Thanks mate!! It’s so good to be back on the road.
Congrats guys all that hard work is paying off enjoy your new home all the best Ron
I'm so happy for you guys, I've been following you both for a very long time now, and you have come so far, good on ya's 😊
Great stuff guys. So happy for you getting away in the van.
You guys need a hand held 2 way for reversing
Stainless towel racks so they dont rust
Towing mirrors
Welcome to caravan life - and fixing things in exotic locations!
😂😂 love this comment haha.
Watching you both made my heart sing. Absolutely so happy for you both. Happy travels and look forward to watching many more vlogs xx
Thanks Natasha! Glad you enjoyed the episode. 🙏
Congratulations and great to see you back travelling
Definitely need towing mirrors. Shower head can also be wrapped in a towel and put on the floor. Well done guys and enjoy your trip. South is beautiful ❤
We got some! And yep that’s exactly what we’ve been doing with the shower head the last few days ☺️ thanks so much! It is so stunning, especially this time of year 😍
Awesome! What a great start to life on the road with Myrtle! 💚
It has been amazing!! Can’t wait to share more ☺️ Hope you have a great Sunday 😃🙏
Well done guys so happy for you both, no matter how much money you spend on a van you will always have teething issues. Myrtle has come up fantastic you should be very proud, looking forward to see you on the road again.
Thanks Jason! Can’t wait to start really exploring!
Loved this 😃 you guy's out in Mryt for the first time 👍You never dissapoint !! Great start 🤩
Congrats guys. Megan your cinematography is next level, even better than the big bloggers with their own camera crew.
Wow so excited for you guys🤩 What a beautiful home you both have restored well done, she's a little beauty😍
Thanks Sandra! So keen to explore this beautiful country!!
@@itsJackandMegancan't wait to watch, to see where they take you both😊
congratulations on first maiden voyage with the new caravan. can't wait till next video.
Thanks so much see you next Sunday!!
Best relationship-saving advice we were given for our big camper was to make a list of things to setup and teardown. Most important lesson was to turn off the water pump before travelling. Most unexpected discovery was how much it flexes when it isn't level. Best buy for it were a few rolls of non-slip silicone mat from Kmart.
So good to see you guys back on the road again !!
It’s good to be back mate!
So excited for you guys!! Such a huge achievement and learning curve. Now you get to enjoy it and keep learning as you go. Take time to relax into it and embrace new beginnings. What a wonderful adventure. 😊
Ps… love the record player!
Welcome to the South. Hope you enjoy your visit. Love watching your channel. A beautiful place to visit is Fitzgerald River NP. No dogs or caravans. But Bremer bay is right there. As I love my morning coffee. I would encourage you to put away your coffee machine. I would be devestated to find it broken because it come off the bench. Plan your trips as you did before. Looking forward to hearing how your travelling.❤❤
So proud of both of you what a massive achievement 🎉🎉🎉
Super excited for the new adventure
Sending lots of ❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks Mel!! Can’t wait to share more. Enjoy your Sunday! 🙏👍
Such a beautiful video guys, absolutely loved watching your first trip in your new home. The paddle boat looked like a lot of fun 🤩
Thanks for watching! Was such an amazing first trip 😃 the boat was a very nice touch to the campsite!
Hi guys great to see you on the move, Jack you need to get two two ways hand held because it helps with reversing " trust Megan:"hope to share your adventures cheers Phil
Thanks Phil! They’re definitely on the list!!
Congratulations, guys. A true inspiration to others to get out and do it them selfs.
🙏🙏
What a beautiful job you have both done, it is so homely🥰
Thanks so much! We’re in love with the van 😃
Congrats, the colour choice looks great in it's natural environment, it feels like the build will last forever sometimes but boats aren't built to live in the harbour after all.
Let the adventures begin. Have fun and enjoy your hard work 🎉😊
So excited to hit the road!!! Cheers Jay!
Amazing!! Loved seeing you guys celebrate your maiden voyage! 🎉🎉
Soooo good to be back on the road! Thanks so much for tuning in today 🙏😃👍
Lovely video! You both must be very pleased ❤
What a choice random recommendation YT! I greatly enjoyed this snippet of your build, so new sub...sorry I didn't find you earlier, but I'll go back to see how you did the van. You craft a beautiful vid, great shots and edits, and you're both so warm, humorous and engaging on screen...new favourite travel channel! I've done what you did to a vintage van, quite some years ago, and it was exciting to re-enjoy your satisfaction in your results with Myrtle. Well done, really well done! I love the van, and how you've brought her back to life. And what an introduction to the road ahead, finding those two glorious HipCamps! All the best, have a safe and fantastic journey...oh, and to save power in the cara battery for use when you pull up, don't you turn the hot water on an hour or so before you stop for the night so it's just using vehicle power to heat the tank...I assume you're charging the van whilst underway? Rob
(PS. if you dont know this fella already, he's renovating a grand old French chateau...good viewing for us who love projects! - Escape to rural France).
Hey!! Thanks for subscribing we appreciate it so much 🙏 you would know the exact feeling after finishing your own van hey!! I will turn the heater on from now on whilst we’re driving but to be honest I have not plugged the car in for once since we hit the road as the solar has been keeping the batteries topped up the whole time!
@@itsJackandMegan Thanks for the reply Jack&Megan...I have a Troopie now with the Duoetto Mk2 in it, and heating it on the go extends the battery in camp, especially handy on 'grey stays' (which can be weeks long up in FNQ). I got into the habit when touring up North. I live in Margs and know the area you passed through down south there, but have never seen it from the air...your drone footage was splendid! Best wishes....
Congratulations guys in finishing off the caravan, you have done a fantastic job.
To make sure the coffee machine doesn't slide off the bench, go to the $2 shop and get some non slip rubber mat, it comes in a roll. We have a fruit bowl on out bench and haven't lost it yet.
Just a little tip when towing. Always think your driving a semi trailer, take wider turns when going around corners, keep your distance from vehicles in front of you as it takes longer to stop.
Enjoy your travels around this beautiful country.
Regards Gary and Jane xx 🥂🍾
Best stuff !
Great stuff an exciting young team in a good old van - you’ll soon catch on. It’s a long fun road out there to enjoy. I will be following your travels on this site hope we meet out there - somewhere. Cheers Dave 🇦🇺
Thanks so much for watching Dave! We have been absolutely loving van life so far!
Your excitement is gorgeous. So happy for you.
Thanks Rob!! We had an amazing time.
There two caravan plastic latches at the bottom. You can get them from vintage caravan parts on the Murry River somewhere. They post to you. Put hooks and bungee staps to keep your sliders closed. You can put a rope guide on the rope and get some canvas tarps for shade. The joolca three ensuite tent is great. With the hot water.
Chuck some level rides on your van. It will help with the movement when trucks go pass. Also helps with overall control.
Absolutely, we never left home without them ! No problems with trucks ….ever ! Hayman Reece ,the best !
So excited for you guys enjoy the journey
Thank you!!!
Congratulations guy , back on the road. Get some “Mini steel wool” from cole/Woolies for the rusty chrome towel rail on the front and back of the van.
Thanks mate! Yes I have since purchased some will se how it goes!
Criky! An adventure right off the bat! How pretty!
Soo keen to start the adventure!!!
Looks so good! Well done guys, so good to see you back on the road. You might need to put some bigger mirrors on your car, in NSW you can be booked for not having the correct ones 👍
The Stirling's Ranges are absolutely beautiful. ❤ Im a local to Mount Barker.
Congrats guys! Well done on the build. Safe travels 🎉❤
Thanks so much 😃
Beautiful spot.
Do an episode fitting an awning. That will be great to watch, dont get a chunky modern one, one you can manually wind in and out and looks retro.
Also, get a simple latch for your door that is going to catch the wind and whack against the side.
Also, Catch 22 to park in the sun or shade, you cant get solar in the shade, but it is comfortable for your stay. Need to park somehere that gets some direct sun even if it is onlt up to late morning for your solar array.
This video was a joy to watch, hello from the Atherton Tablelands in Qld
❤you guys & your channel 🤟👍❤️❤️
🙏
Fantastic Raw 1st Myrtle ep. Ground clearance challenges to come maybe. Have a checklist to setup and pickup till you guys get back into it, just so nothing gets hurt and slow you down. Really strange seeing you guys with SSSSOOOOOO MUCH room, you'll never go back. Be safe.
Well done! Another tip, next time you go past a $1 shop buy half a dozen tap fittings as that won’t be the last one you forget and those Bunnings one’s get expensive. I’ll second the comment on getting a hand held two way. For us, it works better if we swap when parking and the bride does the reversing and I do the guiding. Happy travels.
Looks such a beautiful spot for Myrtle's debut voyage... Had to laugh as one scene taken with the drone looked like a cemetery in the next paddock... I know it wouldn't have been of course... Have a safe trip and a great time guys
Beautiful caravan built by an equally beautiful couple 😊
🙏
Glad you're enjoying the fruits of your hard work. Caravans are like Boats...There's always something to fix. Leveling ramps are a good addition and toing mirrors (legal requirement.