Humour me ... let's hypothesise for a minute or two.
It is generally felt that van parks are too dear and that is one of the reasons travellers prefer to camp - free or low-cost.
But if we decided to NOT buy and/or provide our vans with -
batteries;
battery chargers;
solar panels;
inverters;
showers;
toilets;
multiple high-capacity water tanks;
washing machines;
generators;
jerry can holders for the petrol; etc
The money saved not making the whole shebang 'self-contained' could be used to cover the cost of staying in van parks. WIN WIN
AND --- loud fanfare of trumpets --- think of the weight removed from the caravan and vehicle.
Then fuel savings could be added as well to the overall savings above.
Maybe even a smaller, cheaper vehicle in the first place rather than the large, expensive 4X4/SUV/UTE.
Perhaps even savings on insurances and rego as well.
Perhaps even servicing of the vehicle could be reduced due to less strain in towing.
Just a thought.
Cheers - John
brickies said
08:20 AM Oct 28, 2016
Yes John we did those sum and are sticking to our 17'6 caravan and which we can easy tow with the Prado , It has one house battery two 4 kg gas cylinders , Led lights 1, 12 volt TV , 3 way fridge . We have camp up to 3 nights . Can pay a lot of caravan park fee and be close to the action with the extra you have to pay to put on all the bells and whistle and upgrade your tug , But if you want to sit at a free camp for months it may be worth spend that extra money .
Dougwe said
08:58 AM Oct 28, 2016
Shut the front gate, Rocky.
"hypothesise". Mate, that word is way too big for this time of the morn'n. For me anyway.
I have all on that big list of yours and am one of those that like to stay put in a nice spot and enjoy it for as long as I like or can but have also used the odd CVP (I fit in well in them, being a bit odd myself ). I must add to that, I use my own loo at all times, even in CVP's, just my choice.
I will also add that I much prefer the company at Free/Low cost/Alternative camps than CVP's.
So I reckon the cost of 'that' list is well worth it to me. Just MO.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Vince said
09:07 AM Oct 28, 2016
rockylizard wrote:
But if we decided to NOT buy and/or provide our vans with -
batteries;
battery chargers;
solar panels;
inverters;
showers;
toilets;
multiple high-capacity water tanks;
washing machines;
generators;
jerry can holders for the petrol; etc
Cheers - John
20 odd years ago none of these items were even considered in a caravan when buying one let alone available,
free camping was.... well, rare in a caravan and just about everyone went to CP's
while travelling or on holidays. Most of the time same place each year.
The list of desires and necessities gets longer and the vans get heavier.
Good hypothesis on it though John
Cheers
Vince
LLD said
09:14 AM Oct 28, 2016
The cost of free camping. That thought was running thru my mind. We are set up to 3 or 4 night but once water (60l) is topped up and loo emptied can do another 3 or 4.
sandsmere said
09:30 AM Oct 28, 2016
That's true Rocky.
But for us permanent travellers, we would spend our lives living in caravan prisons.
After you've tried it for a year or so, please let us know how it's going.
landy said
09:44 AM Oct 28, 2016
No, sorry John. I'm afraid there is a bit of a problem in your thesis in our case, and I would think the same would apply to a few others. We just don't like caravan parks and the finances are only a small part of it . Being shoehorned in to what often equates to not much more than a car park in the suburbs with noisy kids the neighbours telly, and air con rattling away all night, just isn't our idea of fun (although sometimes an evil necessity). Give us a quiet river bank fellow travelers a polite distance away (3 or 400 meters is fine). a long way from all of that and we're in heaven. Guess I'm gunna keep buying solar panels and batteries. Full marks for initiative though. Landy
rockylizard said
09:45 AM Oct 28, 2016
sandsmere wrote:
That's true Rocky.
But for us permanent travellers, we would spend our lives living in caravan prisons.
After you've tried it for a year or so, please let us know how it's going.
Gday...
I too am a full-time nomad (now ending my sixth year), and only stay in van parks probably 2 days out of 14 on average ...
and I have all the below-mentioned items
batteries;
battery chargers;
solar panels;
inverters;
showers;
toilets;
multiple high-capacity water tanks;
washing machines;
generators;
jerry can holders for the petrol; etc
As I sed - "Humour me ... let's hypothesise for a minute or two."
It sort of reminds me when I was deeply in motor-sport. A mate had a Monaro - all flashed up with THE paint and strips, worked motor, great exhaust sound etc - and he lashed out for these very wide wheels and tyres - I forgot what he paid but it was ridiculous at the time. Top shelf - VERY expensive.
I told him he was a fool. The car was only driven slowly around down as a 'pose machine' - what a waste of money.
The following weekend we were getting ready for our State Championship rally event ... he was quick to remind me that we would spend more to compete in just that one event than he had spent on his wheels and tyres - which would last many, many Km.
It is just that we all spend money where we think we NEED it (want it??) and think that money spent on other pursuits by others as expensive, waste of money, not value etc etc .....
Again ... all jest a thort
cheers - John
Yuglamron said
10:23 AM Oct 28, 2016
Three words
"Freedom of Choice."
End of Story
Cupie said
11:08 AM Oct 28, 2016
landy wrote:
No, sorry John. I'm afraid there is a bit of a problem in your thesis in our case, and I would think the same would apply to a few others. We just don't like caravan parks and the finances are only a small part of it . Being shoehorned in to what often equates to not much more than a car park in the suburbs with noisy kids the neighbours telly, and air con rattling away all night, just isn't our idea of fun (although sometimes an evil necessity). Give us a quiet river bank fellow travelers a polite distance away (3 or 400 meters is fine). a long way from all of that and we're in heaven. Guess I'm gunna keep buying solar panels and batteries. Full marks for initiative though. Landy
Not my general experience of CPs.
I could talk about free camps that are full (to overflowing ) by 2pm near main roads with transports whizzing past all night, competing with noisy generators rattling away late into the night.
Stepping out early in the morning (having been woken by the raised voices of fellow free spirits arguing about various unsocial behaviours) and all the early risers banging & leaving their smelly & noisy diesels idling, only to step into 'you know what' while surveying the white paper flags fluttering from all the native flora. Wouldn't dare to go for a stroll in the bush in fear of bumping into a squatting fellow free camper doing their business or repeating the unpleasant step into nastiness.
I could go on ... while waiting for the (sleeping in) late comer who parked across the entrance effectively blocking everybody from leaving ...
But all free camps are not like that and nor are all CP like Landy's description.
As Yuglamron said ....
Three words
"Freedom of Choice."
Happywanderer said
11:24 AM Oct 28, 2016
Wouldn't work for me. I drive past a c/p and cringe at the closeness of all the vans. Very claustrophobic just to look at.
Prefer the outdoor, outback, free, freedom type of camping. With room to stretch out and breathe.
landy said
12:11 PM Oct 28, 2016
CUPIE Wrote
Not my general experience of CPs.
I could talk about free camps that are full (to overflowing ) by 2pm near main roads with transports whizzing past all night, competing with noisy generators rattling away late into the night.
Stepping out early in the morning (having been woken by the raised voices of fellow free spirits arguing about various unsocial behaviours) and all the early risers banging & leaving their smelly & noisy diesels idling, only to step into 'you know what' while surveying the white paper flags fluttering from all the native flora. Wouldn't dare to go for a stroll in the bush in fear of bumping into a squatting fellow free camper doing their business or repeating the unpleasant step into nastiness.
I could go on ... while waiting for the (sleeping in) late comer who parked across the entrance effectively blocking everybody from leaving ...
But all free camps are not like that and nor are all CP like Landy's description.
As Yuglamron said ....
Three words
"Freedom of Choice."
Fair comment Cupie I too have been in a lot of free camps I didn't like and probably even more that I have looked at and driven past, But when all's said and done its just one night and they are free, we role on the next morning in search of Eldorado. Have a good one Landy
-- Edited by landy on Friday 28th of October 2016 12:28:29 PM
Ron-D said
04:12 PM Oct 28, 2016
Guilty as charged John we have a nice new van with all the little luxuries, caravan parks are for us on the coast ,but even in C/p parks that ensuit and toilate is nice to have,freecamping is nice in the country areas alongside rivers ,around nice fires with good people ,plenty of space, the newer vans are really nice inside John Wu not spoil yourself? When your running out of years and not cash .
Bagmaker said
06:03 PM Oct 28, 2016
you could sell the lot and buy a nice, big telly to sit in front of...........................
Cupie said
08:27 PM Oct 28, 2016
Bagmaker wrote:
you could sell the lot and buy a nice, big telly to sit in front of...........................
Got two of tem. One for she & one for me.
Best of all we both have our own changer.
I don't watch TV in the van ... guess who has the changer there.
Craig1 said
08:56 PM Oct 28, 2016
There is a **** load of motel nights in almost any van, but who wants to lug their stuff inside every night and pay $30 plus for toast and a cuppa? and still have ignoramus idling his diesel early in the morning. cheers Craig
Tony Bev said
09:38 PM Oct 28, 2016
What you say in your original post is true John
But...
The saving cost would only cover so many nights in a caravan park
Around about the year 2000, I put pen to paper about the cost of a four month lap
Scenario 1 Purchase genset, extra petrol and free camp
Scenario 2 Purchase Batteries and solar panels and free camp
Scenario 3 Purchase nothing extra, travel light, and stay in caravan parks
I was surprised to find that the difference between the three scenarios was less than $1,000
Back in the day, both solar and genset were more expensive, and caravan parks were cheaper
Perhaps if for whatever reason I had not liked my first lap, then I would have probably only used caravan parks from then on
With no disrespect to caravan parks, in all honesty I have never yet found a bad person in a free camp
DarylC said
05:55 PM Oct 29, 2016
I have batteries, solar panels etc etc so I can camp out the bush.
I don't camp where I do because it's free I camp there because it's a nice setting.
I prefer the term bush camping to free camping.
I stay in caravan parks IF they are nice sites on water & not crammed in .... eg. Narrawong in Vic.
Cheers
Daryl
Phil C said
06:14 PM Oct 29, 2016
I was told that too much Hypotherosizing will send you blind...
I was told that too much Hypotherosizing will send you blind...
Tongue in cheek
I thought that it was just an urban myth, Phil
I read a report (unconfirmed), that it was originally put out by someones mum
Hylda&Jon said
08:42 AM Oct 31, 2016
Some of the best memories we have from our travels were to out of the way spots where there were no toilets or power.
Crossing the Nullarbor without a toilet and power we would never have even considered parking in this spot for 4 days so would be missing on one of our best memories.
When people ask us 'what are the best places you found to camp at?' Guess what's at the top of our list?
Some of the best memories we have from our travels were to out of the way spots where there were no toilets or power.
Crossing the Nullarbor without a toilet and power we would never have even considered parking in this spot for 4 days so would be missing on one of our best memories.
When people ask us 'what are the best places you found to camp at?' Guess what's at the top of our list?
Cheers
Jon
Is that Twiggys Camp? Check my avitar, looks like the same. Loved that place.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:31 AM Oct 31, 2016
Think it's expensive ? How much is is it to replicate your home to mobile comferts ? Take your time . Check and search YouTube on fitting solar systems etc ., or read a book every night to take up your time .. Knitting, darning your old clothes etc ? Lol
Hylda&Jon said
12:37 PM Oct 31, 2016
Phil C wrote:
Hylda&Jon wrote:
Some of the best memories we have from our travels were to out of the way spots where there were no toilets or power.
Crossing the Nullarbor without a toilet and power we would never have even considered parking in this spot for 4 days so would be missing on one of our best memories.
When people ask us 'what are the best places you found to camp at?' Guess what's at the top of our list?
Cheers
Jon
Is that Twiggys Camp? Check my avitar, looks like the same. Loved that place.
Don't think so Phil. It wasn't a set camping spot at all.
We were on the SA side of the Nullarbor and noticed the road was paralleling the edge of the cliff about 1 km to the south.
I spotted a couple of car tracks heading towards the cliff edge and decided to swing off with the caravan and have a look as the vegetation was so sparse it would be easy to turn around anywhere.
When we got there we couldn't resist setting up camp for the night.
Next morning we looked around and thought...WOW!.....bugger it, we're staying for a few more nights.
Gday...
Humour me ... let's hypothesise for a minute or two.
It is generally felt that van parks are too dear and that is one of the reasons travellers prefer to camp - free or low-cost.
But if we decided to NOT buy and/or provide our vans with -
The money saved not making the whole shebang 'self-contained' could be used to cover the cost of staying in van parks. WIN WIN
AND --- loud fanfare of trumpets --- think of the weight removed from the caravan and vehicle.
Then fuel savings could be added as well to the overall savings above.
Maybe even a smaller, cheaper vehicle in the first place rather than the large, expensive 4X4/SUV/UTE.
Perhaps even savings on insurances and rego as well.
Perhaps even servicing of the vehicle could be reduced due to less strain in towing.
Just a thought.
Cheers - John
Shut the front gate, Rocky.
). I must add to that, I use my own loo at all times, even in CVP's, just my choice.
"hypothesise". Mate, that word is way too big for this time of the morn'n. For me anyway.
I have all on that big list of yours and am one of those that like to stay put in a nice spot and enjoy it for as long as I like or can but have also used the odd CVP (I fit in well in them, being a bit odd myself
I will also add that I much prefer the company at Free/Low cost/Alternative camps than CVP's.
So I reckon the cost of 'that' list is well worth it to me. Just MO.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
20 odd years ago none of these items were even considered in a caravan when buying one let alone available,
free camping was.... well, rare in a caravan and just about everyone went to CP's
while travelling or on holidays. Most of the time same place each year.
The list of desires and necessities gets longer and the vans get heavier.
Good hypothesis on it though John
Cheers
Vince
That's true Rocky.
But for us permanent travellers, we would spend our lives living in caravan prisons.
After you've tried it for a year or so, please let us know how it's going.
Being shoehorned in to what often equates to not much more than a car park in the suburbs with noisy kids the neighbours telly, and air con rattling away all night, just isn't our idea of fun (although sometimes an evil necessity).
Give us a quiet river bank fellow travelers a polite distance away (3 or 400 meters is fine). a long way from all of that and we're in heaven. Guess I'm gunna keep buying solar panels and batteries.
Full marks for initiative though. Landy
Gday...
I too am a full-time nomad (now ending my sixth year), and only stay in van parks probably 2 days out of 14 on average ...
and I have all the below-mentioned items
As I sed - "Humour me ... let's hypothesise for a minute or two."
It sort of reminds me when I was deeply in motor-sport. A mate had a Monaro - all flashed up with THE paint and strips, worked motor, great exhaust sound etc - and he lashed out for these very wide wheels and tyres - I forgot what he paid but it was ridiculous at the time. Top shelf - VERY expensive.
I told him he was a fool. The car was only driven slowly around down as a 'pose machine' - what a waste of money.
The following weekend we were getting ready for our State Championship rally event ... he was quick to remind me that we would spend more to compete in just that one event than he had spent on his wheels and tyres - which would last many, many Km.
It is just that we all spend money where we think we NEED it (want it??) and think that money spent on other pursuits by others as expensive, waste of money, not value etc etc .....
Again ... all jest a thort
cheers - John
Three words
"Freedom of Choice."
End of Story
Not my general experience of CPs.
I could talk about free camps that are full (to overflowing ) by 2pm near main roads with transports whizzing past all night, competing with noisy generators rattling away late into the night.
Stepping out early in the morning (having been woken by the raised voices of fellow free spirits arguing about various unsocial behaviours) and all the early risers banging & leaving their smelly & noisy diesels idling, only to step into 'you know what' while surveying the white paper flags fluttering from all the native flora. Wouldn't dare to go for a stroll in the bush in fear of bumping into a squatting fellow free camper doing their business or repeating the unpleasant step into nastiness.
I could go on ... while waiting for the (sleeping in) late comer who parked across the entrance effectively blocking everybody from leaving ...
But all free camps are not like that and nor are all CP like Landy's description.
As Yuglamron said ....
Three words
"Freedom of Choice."
Prefer the outdoor, outback, free, freedom type of camping. With room to stretch out and breathe.
Not my general experience of CPs.
I could talk about free camps that are full (to overflowing ) by 2pm near main roads with transports whizzing past all night, competing with noisy generators rattling away late into the night.
Stepping out early in the morning (having been woken by the raised voices of fellow free spirits arguing about various unsocial behaviours) and all the early risers banging & leaving their smelly & noisy diesels idling, only to step into 'you know what' while surveying the white paper flags fluttering from all the native flora. Wouldn't dare to go for a stroll in the bush in fear of bumping into a squatting fellow free camper doing their business or repeating the unpleasant step into nastiness.
I could go on ... while waiting for the (sleeping in) late comer who parked across the entrance effectively blocking everybody from leaving ...
But all free camps are not like that and nor are all CP like Landy's description.
As Yuglamron said ....
Three words
"Freedom of Choice."
Fair comment Cupie I too have been in a lot of free camps I didn't like and probably even more that I have looked at and driven past, But when all's said and done its just one night and they are free, we role on the next morning in search of
Eldorado.
Have a good one Landy
-- Edited by landy on Friday 28th of October 2016 12:28:29 PM
Guilty as charged John we have a nice new van with all the little luxuries, caravan parks are for us on the coast ,but even in C/p parks that ensuit and toilate is nice to have,freecamping is nice in the country areas alongside rivers ,around nice fires with good people ,plenty of space, the newer vans are really nice inside John Wu not spoil yourself? When your running out of years and not cash .
Got two of tem. One for she & one for me.
Best of all we both have our own changer.
I don't watch TV in the van ... guess who has the changer there.
What you say in your original post is true John
But...
The saving cost would only cover so many nights in a caravan park
Around about the year 2000, I put pen to paper about the cost of a four month lap
Scenario 1
Purchase genset, extra petrol and free camp
Scenario 2
Purchase Batteries and solar panels and free camp
Scenario 3
Purchase nothing extra, travel light, and stay in caravan parks
I was surprised to find that the difference between the three scenarios was less than $1,000
Back in the day, both solar and genset were more expensive, and caravan parks were cheaper
Perhaps if for whatever reason I had not liked my first lap, then I would have probably only used caravan parks from then on
With no disrespect to caravan parks, in all honesty I have never yet found a bad person in a free camp
I don't camp where I do because it's free I camp there because it's a nice setting.
I prefer the term bush camping to free camping.
I stay in caravan parks IF they are nice sites on water & not crammed in .... eg. Narrawong in Vic.
Cheers
Daryl
CAN OPEN, Worms all over the place.... he he
Tongue in cheek
I thought that it was just an urban myth, Phil
I read a report (unconfirmed), that it was originally put out by someones mum
Some of the best memories we have from our travels were to out of the way spots where there were no toilets or power.
Crossing the Nullarbor without a toilet and power we would never have even considered parking in this spot for 4 days so would be missing on one of our best memories.
When people ask us 'what are the best places you found to camp at?' Guess what's at the top of our list?
Cheers
Jon
Is that Twiggys Camp? Check my avitar, looks like the same. Loved that place.
Don't think so Phil. It wasn't a set camping spot at all.
We were on the SA side of the Nullarbor and noticed the road was paralleling the edge of the cliff about 1 km to the south.
I spotted a couple of car tracks heading towards the cliff edge and decided to swing off with the caravan and have a look as the vegetation was so sparse it would be easy to turn around anywhere.
When we got there we couldn't resist setting up camp for the night.
Next morning we looked around and thought...WOW!.....bugger it, we're staying for a few more nights.