Batteries
AGM batteries
- AGM’s perform better in zero temperatures.
- Can be wired in a series
- Might suit people who only travel for short periods
- Cheaper to buy
- Take longer to recharge
- Shorter lifespan than lithium
Lithium
- Are 50% lighter than AGM’s
- You don’t need as many batteries as the depth of discharge is greater than AGM’s, so you won’t need as many batteries
- Lithium don’t like below zero temperatures, but luckily we don’t have many nights below zero in Australia
- Recharge time is significantly quicker
- Cost more than AGM’s but last longer
- Much better for full time travellers
Campsite apps
There is only one app that allows you to put in your route and then find campsites along that route and that is WikiCamps. I have written a post on how to use WikiCamps here.
Other campsite apps to have are CamperMate and Aircamp.
Other apps to have are:
Gas Finder to find LPG
Fuel Map Australia to find petrol stations and hopefully people have updated prices for you, please update yourself to help others
NSW Parks for New South Wales national parks
Prepare your van for the dirt
Here is a YouTube video where the guy prepares his caravan for driving on dirt roads – siliconing up gaps, strengthening his drawers and protecting the underside.
Off-road modifications and additions
Gas Bottle Refills
There is a website with with a map for gas bottle refills here
Grey Water Tank
Some people consider either not putting in a grey water tank or combining it with their fresh water to get more fresh water. Just be aware that there are some campsites that you require you to be Self Contained – this means you cannot put grey water on the ground.
Fire Lighters
Dry out your tea bags in the sun. Put them in a plastic container and cover with mentholated spirits.
Fridge
Camper Fridge
Make sure the fridge you buy has a low amperage draw. An Engel draws about 2amps while a Dometic draws 7amps
Caravan Upright Fridge
A compressor fridge performs better in hot temperatures than a 3-way fridge
Cool your fridge at home on 240v before you leave on your trip
Lighting
Use yellow or orange lights outside as they don’t attract the bugs as much as white ones
Milk
You won’t always be near shops to get milk and UHT milk will go off up north when the temperatures are hot. The alternative is powdered milk which you can get from most supermarkets. Full cream or skim. You use 4 cups of milk powder to one litre of water. Put in a plastic bottle and shake.
Mobile
The network with the best coverage all over Australia is Telstra. No surprise there. What you might not know is that some companies such as Aldi, Woolworths etc are not on the full Telstra Network.
This post explains the differences between the network providers that aren’t Telstra
As the article above explains, the only other network provider on the full Telstra network is Boost Mobile. We were travelling with a friend for a short time in North Queensland last year who had Boost. We had Woolworths. He had service in Normanton, Leichhardt Falls and Lawn Hill when we didn’t. I had Optus, which is woeful pretty much everywhere. Vodaphone is even worse.
There are two options with Boost: monthly plans or yearly. The yearly plans work out cheaper than the monthly one. If you want to stream Netflix you would be better off with a monthly plan.
Saving Your Tank Water
If you have access to water, either a tap or river – you can use this to have a shower instead of using your precious drinking water. Grab a bucket and fill it up. If it’s a really sunny day, just leave it in the sun and it will heat up. If not, fill up a kettle and bring it to the boil. Do this twice and it will be warm enough. Now take the bucket to your shower and use a bowl or saucepan to pour the water over yourself.
Have some scented baby wipes on hand for those days that you don’t have time for a shower or don’t have enough water.
School Holidays
Here is a calendar showing the school holidays for most of the states for 2021 & 2022
School Holiday Calendar
Tyre Deflators
Campboss 4×4 Boss Air Tyre Deflators will cut down the time it takes to deflate your tyres. You can set them to a certain psi.
Washing Machine
A washing machine repair guy recommended that you use liquid washing detergent in your caravan washing machine, apparently powder clogs the lines and they stop working.
What to take
- Backpack for taking clothes and toiletries to a shower block
- Head lantern
- Winter jacket, beanie & gloves – even nights in summer can get cold
- Use an empty Berocca or hydralyte canister to store $1 & $2 coins for the laundry
- Surface spray to spray the fly-wire on your windows to stop the sand flies coming in
Do you have any tips to add? Let me know below
Luminosity Trails 