In regard to bush camping, over the last18 months, I have been getting my vehicle and van up to scratch so it all does what I want, properly. It has been the cause for a lot of head scratching, research, frustration, and cost as well. At the end of the day, for me, I am convinced that by taking no shortcuts I am way in front.
I used to put up with being frugal when necessary with power. It took me a long time to commit to more solar on the roof of the van. I did it right this time, rethinking my battery needs and added enough solar for what I need. Now I am very comfortable with being able to cover my power usage.
With heating I was ok with the usual blankets, water bottles, and sometimes electric blanket powered by an inverter, then when I was able to, I installed a diesel heater. Wow, life in winter just went up another notch.
Another thing I addressed, was 12 volt power to the full size 3 way fridge whilst travelling. After much research, testing and talking to so many auto electricians and the like (ughh) I had to sort the wheat from the chaff. Eventually running near battery cable from the tugs main battery, using a VSR, all the way to the vans fridge. (through the vans batteries) Gee, what a difference. Car now supplies all that the fridge asks for. If I ever make a mistake and switch the fridge to 12 volt whilst parked up, unhooked from the car, if it was sunny, the rooftop solar would still run the fridge.
As for the tug, it also powers a second battery in the rear for a Waeco fridge/freezer without any dramas, due to the correct size cable. Van and tug weights are all in spec and tows wonderful after finally reworking the tugs rear springs and correctly fitting the correct Weight Distribution Hitch.
Generally had no trouble with portable fans but summer life is just that little bit easier now that I have installed some Caframo fans instead.
I even paid attention to the generator extension cord, now using one with 2.5 mm inner cables.
So after 20 odd years caravanning, things are finally sorted properly. Yes it has cost a lot (for me), and for me, worth every penny. I am so pleased to have a van that I trust, that works as it should. From this long process, the peace of mind I have now is immeasurable.
Wishing you all well this year,
Cheers, John.
-- Edited by meetoo on Wednesday 1st of March 2017 12:55:16 AM
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Geez John, you are so far down the road compared to us who are just starting out. Not sure we'll ever get that set up in our small pop top but there will definitely be room for improvement. Not sure what a pop-top roof will take but we'd like to get some solar. Our is not an off-roader but some light bush camping (off-road lite?)will probably happen. Our agg weight is a fairly serious limitation too.
Thanks for the well wishes. Upon rereading my post I think perhaps I didn't convey well enough, what I was meaning. What I had in mind was more a post about how making the effort to get a problem worked out and then fixing it properly is so much better than going about it half as*** and having the resulting frustrations, more so than a post about how happy I am with my van now, lol. Also I have found, at the end of the day, having spent a few of the hard earned to make something right-properly, far outweighs the anxiety of messing around with the 'cheap fix'. Nearly always, I have found that putting the dollars first, instead of the correct job is the poor choice. Having to find the money has always been the reason for me making the wrong choice, and after the fact, I have always been better off and happier from the times I 'lashed out'.
What are your thoughts?
Cheers, John.
-- Edited by meetoo on Wednesday 1st of March 2017 02:30:52 PM
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
I am a cheap skate by nature. I always look at the price first & usually take the cheap option sometimes only half doing the job and frequently later regret not doing it properly.
eg .. recently decided to change only 1 brake drum as the others 'weren't too bad'. After a lot of buggering around & doing things twice or thrice I ended up having to replace all four drums. A PITA just trying to save $300.
SWMBO on the other hand steadfastly refuses to take the cheap option .. on almost everything.
As I age I am starting to get a bit more like her.
eg. The price of my fav tipple is steadily increasing & I just can't stomach the cheap stuff.
)will probably happen. Our agg weight is a fairly serious limitation too.
