The main thing for me was Good Solar and 12v set up, a good big 3 way fridge, a full size stove/oven, my Weber Baby Q, good quality mattress (although that is about to arrive), a good seat for outside. Not having my own shower before and now have my own ensuite with seperate shower and toilet, I will add that to the list as well. OH! My poota and Mobile Phone are a must as well.
I have gone over the "5" sorry.
When I first went on the road full time I had a full Tug and Den but soon discovered there was no need for all the "stuff" I packed so got rid of most of it and haven't missed any of it.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Minimalisation is the go - if there are two of you - you only need enough crockery for two or three, same with cutlery - one change of bed linen, two towels each.
We recently purchased a 240 kettle and toaster, for the few times we do go to a caravan park with power, paying for the power, why not use it. We also have two electric leads, came in handy the other day when "he whose name will not be mentioned" drove off with the lead still attached to the motorhome! Snapped the lead, ripped the plug off.
Enjoy your travels, keep in touch on the forum, you are sure to meet up with some other members. There is a gathering in WA early October, if you are over that way, details in "Get Togethers" on this forum.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Thanks Doug.
I have external shower, portaloo thingy, a nice chair, a 3 way fridge, big enough for me but I will use an extra esky for my fresh veges, the system I use when camping before I got my van. I have my mac lappy, I will leave my uber gaming desk top at home. And I have mobile phone. My little van has a solar panel and gas HWS. More bells and whistles than my tent certainly has.
I will be taking my solar fairy lights which have been camping with me for 5 years.
I will also be buying a Baby Q with a temp gauge as suggested by many on this forum. The previous owners left me 3 x 9kg gas bottles, is that one too many Doug?
Yes Spyder, useless suggestions would be good also.
Thank you Jules.
There is just me going so I will take enough for 2 people just in case someone wants to come visit me but I'm not handing out invitations, lol.
Its tempting to aim to be in WA in October, maybe I will.
Thank you Panther.
All the above are my agenda, number 5 is easy for me, I'm a self employed gardener and a bush regenerator, Nature is the reason I get up in the mornings.
I've gone from camping with my Trumpy - by the time you get the tent and sleeping bag on, the luxury of long life custard was about it. Then camping with my car and now, a huge boot in my ute and a van, I think I am overwhelmed at what I can take.
I am going to take my gardening gear just in case I can pick up a bit of work which means I can stay away longer.
After my brother did the big lap he recommended 1,a battery drill 2, a pop rivet gun 3, a good chair and footstool 4, a ground mat (for the awning) and 5, a collapsible ladder.
I have all of these and while I haven't used them all for myself other travellers have availed themselves from time to time.
Got the battery Drill, its in my garden gear,I use that when I want to get rid of a stump. Drill holes and pack them with Epsom Salts which dissolves the stump, slower but better for the environment.
Lucky me, the previous owner has left me some outside flooring, a very nice one too.
The collapsible ladder or should I say small painter's stand is in my garden kit too. I thought I could put the baby Q on it and double up as a ladder/platform if I need to wash or sus out the roof of the van. That's my climbing limit at which I am comfortable with and still sure footed. I am used to making sure it is absolutely level, sometimes I have to use my petrol hedge trimmer at that height. I love hedge pruning but I do lady pruning as a posed to man pruning.
Thanks for the tip on a good price Jules. I must say a very nice looking ladder, does that mean you can both stand on it at once holding 40kg of spuds?
Cheers, Naomi.
-- Edited by Nomes on Friday 3rd of July 2015 04:19:41 PM
I would suggest a good solar set up, I have just a little flexible 85watt solar panel on the roof which charges the battery, plus an external anderson plug that links up with a portable carry case type solar panel, which means I can park in the shade and put the portable panel out in the sun, most leads that come with them are too short so ask someone ho knows what they are doing to put an extra long lead on, at least 15 metres.
I also have an inverter, so I can run appliances and don't have to be plugged into the grid, laptop,tv, toaster, etc. I got a 600watt one, have never tried boiling an electric jug.
A good outdoor seat with a tray table as part of the chair, a must have for wine and bickies, coleman make a really good quality one.
I found travelling by myself a bit isolating at times, so I tried to make an effort to sit outside the van and say hi to hose passing by, although the look of my large dog put many people off I think!
If you enjoy reading invest in a kindle, or something similar so you have plenty of reading material without taking up space and getting weighty, some caravan parks have a book swap area.
Give yourself plenty of time, don't rush your trip, and have fun, I enjoyed my time out on the road although I am now settling in to starting work again soon.
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I am made up of flaws stitched together with good intentions.
The Wikicamps app was gold for me especially as an easily confused solo. So was google maps used as a gps. I had far too much stuff and ended up shedding a lot. Try to make sure as many things as possible are dual purpose if you can and keep it simple. If you miss gardening and make it to the Territory I'm sure I could make room for you for a few days lol. Enjoy!
I would be more than happy to do your garden when I am up your way! I love seeing happy faces when gardens are snipped and tied. The pleasure is all mine!
