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#421 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
My eldest lad moved out of home last year to live with his girlfriend and we kept his room empty until we thought things were serious. When that time came we asked him if he was settled and if he was happy to let his younger Brother have it to which he said yes. We have a 4bdrm home and with 3 kids remaining at home they then had their own room. A month later he split up with the girlfriend and came home tail between legs begging for his room back. As you can imagine, it would have caused WW3 so we had him stay with his Grandparents for a month whilst we worked out what to do. He was going to rent a flat until i suggested a Van in the driveway and free rent so long as he doubled up on the repayments so it still had good value when paid off. He could only get a loan for $13k as he has his car loan to keep and for $13k you couldn't get much never mind something with A/C so i said we'd go him halves and use it when we wanted to go away. We went looking around in the 20k range and found a real nice 98 Roadstar poptop at the Camp agent on Pt Wakefield Rd however they refused to throw an anderson plug on my wagon in the deal after we agreed to pay retail for the van so we moved on. Later that day we found a 19' 2000 model Roadstar Voyager full van in immaculate condition, they wanted 22k for it and after telling them the trouble we had at the other mob they knocked 3.5k off on the spot and agreed to fit a battery and charger and weight distribution hitch in the price so we bought it. Then they appologised when we picked it up as it hadnt been washed as they couldn't get reliable detailers so i said you just found one and i picked up work with them. I also travel all around the state picking up vans we buy and consignments, in the past 2 weeks i've been to Pt Wakefield, Gawler, Pt Augusta, Strathalbyn and Port Willunga. Its only part time but suits me fine and when they saw the quality of my work they upped the hourly rate by $3 on my first day. 2 days later i landed my retired Mother inlaw a job with them detailing the interiors. People regularly comment on the vans and suggest they are the best presented vans in Adelaide, cant ask for more than that..lol I wont advertise the yards name on here but if you ever need anything done to yours let me know and ill see what i can do for you, our mechanic is a whiz and a wealth of knowledge. Not a great pic, but all i have at the moment. https://imgur.com/uDJlzPW Last edited by BENT_8; 25-05-2018 at 09:43 PM. |
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#422 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Perth
Posts: 827
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I have a Jayco Dove, the only time it is quicker than our old soft floor camper is when setting up for a quick overnight stop. Its all the other crap you take that is time consuming eg floor mats, cooking gear etc. If the weather is looking dodgy and you want to use the bed ends and awning, any time saving over our old soft floor camper is pretty much gone.
I wasn't too impressed with the standard storage space, while there is a enough room I found it a real pain to access all the gear as most of the storage was small spaces where you had to lift off seat cushions and the wooden bases and so on. I ended up gutting ours and making the storage much more user friendly. Each of us has a basket for our clothes, other storage is made accessible from the outside too. I'm surprised Jayco/Goldstream don't make a model similar to this, there are many that have modified them in a similar way. ![]() ![]() |
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#423 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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headed back to our favourite little camping spot on the weekend just gone.
Naracoorte caves national park. We did end up doing a few caves as well, but the main appeal of the campground in the national park is the fact that its very quiet, and a great place to just kick back and unwind. If you need more than nature and the odd bushwalk to keep you entertained, then this place isn't for you. there are only 13 powered sites and a big grassed area for tenting plus a shower and toilet block. we had the whole place to ourselves, which isn't unusual. its also our 3rd visit there. loved it so much when we started camping in 2016 we have made it a yearly thing. some pics just leaving. we were in the site behind us ![]() looking the other way. like I said, a small campground with not much else. ![]() the company ![]() the set up ![]() the obligatory fire ![]() and a couple of cave pics ![]() ![]() just on the caves, whilst they are fascinating, we found them quite expensive. also, when I asked if I needed scuba gear, it looked like they'd heard it quite a few times already ![]() ![]() quite cold overnight and only just getting in to double figures in the day, but still, as long as you went prepared, which we did, the weather was pretty good. walking is much more enjoyable in cooler conditions anyway I find, as you don't get all hot and sweaty and don't have to continually brush away flies. weather turned south on pack up day, and so we had to pack up in the rain. of course, as soon as we'd finished, the rain stopped and some blue sky appeared. once on the road, the blue sky was short lived and we ended up with some of the worst weather I've ever driven in. high wind, debris and rain so heavy at times visibility was down to less than 100m. I believe parts of Adelaide also suffered from the same storm system as it made its way across the state and down to the south east where we were coming from. |
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#424 | ||
The Terrain Tamer
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,419
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We had our first trip away in our recently renovated caravan...
Newcastle down to Heathcote (via Canberra) for the AFF Drag Day in June... Leaving home... ![]() Arrived to mum & dad's in Canberra (we were sooks and stayed inside... ![]() ![]() A few pit stops along the way to Rutherglen in Vic... ![]() ![]() Our first ever 'dump' stop... ![]() ![]() We finally made it to Rutherglen where we setup for the night and met up with a few other AFF members for dinner & beers... ![]() ![]() We had to check out the Lolly Shop - It was like a time warp back to the 70's / 80's inside... ![]() ![]() Setting up at Heathcote (great weather...not... ![]() ![]() ![]() Was a great 4 days away with some good friends made right here on the forum... ![]()
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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#425 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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#428 | ||
The Terrain Tamer
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,419
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Thanks...It's 90 - 95% done...
I've just bought weight distribution kit and heavy duty towbar. We are also going to upgrade the suspension and axle to lift our GVM up from 1190kgs to 1600kgs (hence the heavy duty t/bar). We have 2 x solar panels, 2 x 110Ah batteries, an electric hot water system & pump, and a 100l fridge.
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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#430 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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that's a pretty serious transformation isn't it! can't even tell its the same van. no doubt a darn sight cheaper and lighter than buying the equivalent 'modern' van.
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#431 | ||
The Terrain Tamer
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,419
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Funny you say that...
About a week before we finished the reno, we went to a local Caravan & Camping show just for a bit of a gander... In the end we decided that our <$10K van (including purchase price & reno's) had everything we needed compared to the >$50K vans... I felt bad about 'blobs' of silicone to seal pipes going to my water tank in my van, until I opened the cupboards of some brand new vans and saw the same 'blobs' of silicone... ![]()
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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#432 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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Quote:
no one makes a 'simple' van anymore. |
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#433 | |||
The Terrain Tamer
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,419
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Quote:
I had been looking for a van for 12 months before we found this one... Nothing against them, but we didn't want a pop top or a camper van. We were also restricted by our tow vehicle, so we had to look for something sub 17 foot and sub 1600kg. Try finding a sub 17 foot van with a shower and toilet for less than $10K (second hand)... ![]() So our only option was to buy an older van and have a crack at renovating it. I was lucky, as I have experienced caravaning friends who gave me plenty of advice and help along the way... ![]() I also read a lot of caravan & camping magazines, which was interesting as they seem to say what you are saying - have modern caravans become too 'modern'... ![]() Anyway, we are happy and looking forward to our next trip which will be in September to a town called Sofala, Australia's oldest surviving Gold Mining town... http://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/sofala-nsw
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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#434 | ||
Performance moderator
![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St Clair..N.S.W
Posts: 14,875
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Some have it good .
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Real cars are not driven by front wheels,real cars lift them!!... BABYS ARE BOTTLE FED, REAL MEN GET BLOWN. Don't be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark...Professionals built the Titanic! Dart 330ci block turbo black pearl EBXR8 482 rwkw.. Daily driver GTE FG.. Projects http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=107711 http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...8+turbo&page=4 |
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#435 | |||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,830
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Quote:
Looks like Albury station where the dump point is cause that looks like my local train sitting behind it. Rutherglen and Chiltern are great town's, real time warps I'm currently staying in Chiltern again for work. Regarding motorhomes and caravans..... the bigger they are the less they move.
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heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
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#436 | |||
The Terrain Tamer
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,419
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Quote:
![]() Yep, it was Albury.
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#437 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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Looking forward to heading to Mount Remarkable National Park camping for 4 nights next week. Got an awning and lightbar set up for the trip (finally), pretty much have everything for that amount of time.
Next lot of camping "mods" will be a fridge and deep cell battery system etc. Oh, I also need to raise the G6ET up of it's stomach too. I am in the hunt for probably some XT shocks/springs but not 100% on what to do as yet. Obviously an RTV/4WD is the answer but Falcons were "built" for this country haha. 300,000kms is just around the corner too!
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Rides: -Toyota Blade Master G. -Ford G6ET (that will be for sale) |
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#438 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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We set up in the dark but everything seems all good. Lovely spot out here! We have a 2nd tent for storage but unsure if we need it yet. #Falconswerebuiltforthis
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#439 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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what number campsite are you at? Looks like 41? If so, its nice that side looking out to the bush. Any visits from the lace monitors yet?
We stayed along a bit at site 7 the first time we went. Although its opposite the facilities, we found it quite nice. I have 3 females with me (wife and 2 daughters) so being close to the facilities had its benefits ![]() Last easter we stayed at 29. It was a case of leaving things to the last minute and having to take whatever was still available. Although its an open site (no real shade) we actually quite liked it. Its a bit separate on all sides, with no one opposite. next time we reckon we'll try for site 20/21. Its such a nice campground that one. Enjoy your stay.
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UA2 TREND 4WD BI TURBO |
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#440 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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Literally strolled through 10mins ago.
Yea mate s41 haha. We picked it using Google maps lol. ![]()
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#441 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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there's a couple of those around. keep your food and scraps secure.
yep. its handy that the street view car drove around the whole campsite. We used that also. found it quite helpful.
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UA2 TREND 4WD BI TURBO |
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#442 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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When we camped throughout America we street viewed all the campgrounds, glad they did it here too.
Bears there, monitors here haha.
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#443 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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We are all done, sad to pack this beautiful mess up.
We did the Alligator Gorge 10km hike yesterday. Half of it was absolutely brilliant the other half was quite bland to be honest. ![]()
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#444 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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Few more mods to make for next time. 245/45/18 tyres, XT front and rear struts within a week or so, some windscreens for the weber and burner, bigger power supply and maybe solar.
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#445 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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we've done alligator gorge a couple of times and agree, the gorge part is quite stunning, but then the rest of the short walk we did was just a bushwalk back to the carpark. Now that we've done it a couple of times, i'm not sure we'll do it again, or at least not every time we go there.
When my youngest is older i'll have a go at doing the hidden gorge hike. currently its just a bit too far for the youngest (and probably wife). I bought one of those lithium jump starter batteries when I was in a tent. 18AH. was enough to run lights (Korr 50mm led light bar) and charge devices for 4-5 nights. this is the one I have, which no longer has a pic http://performance12voltaccessories....mp-you-bastard also available on ebay under different brands https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Powercon...0AAOSwax5Yyx7z its the same thing. one labelled 'monster' as well I think.
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#446 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
, the battery track and hidden gorge loop is a great experience, something to consider if heading back in the future. I prefer to head up the bluff and return via the gorge as its a lot cooler and easier descending in the afternoon and the views from the top of the battery ridge are spectacular. Its called the battery ridge as back in the day the powers that be were concerned of a hostile invasion to central Australia through the Gulf so they set up armourments along the long ridge top to pick off enemy ships. |
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#447 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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Well there ya go! Good information for next time cheers!
And prydey that's what we are thinking size wise, thanks for the links. If we go the fridge route I'm not sure what we would get. But it's all good ideas for now!
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#448 | ||
Luxojet
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,883
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Oh and one more thing, those with no kids and Falcons, I found removing the bottom of the rear seat and replacing with a false floor like this to be an immense help. Level surface and also more room.
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#449 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,539
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Quote:
I bought a cheap ebay power bank that was supposed to be 20000mah, but it lasted about 2 phone charges. No idea how they claim what they do. I've heard other stories of people buying some of the cheaper ebay stuff and being more than happy with it. Another option is a small AGM battery, in a battery box. That's quite expensive (the boxes are almost as dear as the batteries), but they will run a fridge and can be topped up with solar. If you are planning on sticking with tenting or even upgrading to a camper trailer, it will be a good investment as it can all be used for many years.
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#450 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Perhaps one of these might be worth a look, will run your fridge and led lighting.
When i spoke to various people about 12v power for fridges etc. i was told to get a battery big enough to run it over night and a solar panel kit big enough to charge it quickly the next day. https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sal...h-battery-pack I run 2 fridges, a 60l for cooling drinks and food and an 18l as a freezer so i went with an Arkpak and 130ah AGM battery and i charge it with 180w of solar panels. I can run both fridges for 48hrs before i hit the critical point for the battery and can charge it on a reasonable day easily. Also comes in handy during blackouts, whilst everyone else is hovering around candles i simply put the Arkpak on the kitchen bench and plug in a touch lamp. |
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