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The Campervan and Motorhome Book

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Chapter 1 - Campervans & motorhomes
Ideally, the choice of vehicle is determined by travelling needs, but compromise is often necessary. A campervan may also be needed for commuting, for collecting kids from school, or for trade...motorhome cumbersome in a city...many owners tow a smaller vehicle behind... Long term travelling does not work for everyone. It is best to delay until you’ve tried it for a time. Consider letting your house, as escalating prices may rule out...another in later life... Consider if you are ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ people. If like ourselves, you are outdoor types, you are likely to cook mainly outside, and spend most evenings around a campfire...
Chapter 2 - Fifth-wheel caravans
Fifth wheelers are becoming increasingly popular...are inherently more stable.....attached at a point above or very close to the tow vehicle’s rear axle changes the dynamics of towing.... Taking the tow vehicle into account, large fifth wheeler caravans may cost less than motorhomes of the same size and space. The towing vehicle provides mobility whilst on site....the space above the drawbar is utilised...up to two metres shorter on-road...provides accommodation whilst the tow vehicle is serviced or repaired.... Major factor that separates a conventional and a fifth wheel caravan is the position of the hitch. To maintain inherent stability, the hitch needs to be...
Chapter 3 - Slide-ons
The slide-on camper...logical and practical way of enabling one vehicle to serve two purposes. There are two main types: those that resemble small caravans and typically have a pop-top roof... and those that are more compact when closed up, but open up much as.... ... many too heavy, even before personal effects were included. One fitted to a 4WD was put over a weighbridge by the intending buyer (fortunately) before she handed over her cheque... Compact slide-ons...good value for money....up-market camper trailers without wheels....good solution for those seeking to travel seriously off-road.
Chapter 4 - Off-road vehicles
For many, four wheel drive is rarely needed. But, when it is, you may need it seriously. It is essential for a Simpson crossing, and for a few tracks like the Canning Stock Route, remote tracks at the tip of Cape York and....obligatory for the track into Purnululu... Reserve low range four wheel drive for getting out of trouble, not further into it.... ...maximum convenient height is 2.4 metres...tracks are kept vaguely clear by bush fire trucks ...many an OKA and Canter has been limited by... ...turning circle restricted by front drive shaft angles....problem at creek crossings....tightly curving entries/exits with a steep drop on one side... A 4WD only provides four wheel drive whilst all wheels are on the ground.
Chapter 5 - Fuels
Petrol-engined vehicles...usually cheaper, smoother, quieter, and friendlier than their diesel-engined....more reliable since adoption of electronic ignition systems and fuel injection, but are still not as reliable as are... Recently-made diesels produce similar greenhouse emissions per litre as do petrol engines but, as they use less fuel, they emit less emissions for the ... (turbocharger)...high speed turbine driven by the otherwise wasted energy of exhaust gas pressure...forces more air into the cylinders, increasing power, torque and efficiency, reducing fuel consumption by 5%-10%... Depending on speed and headwinds, a turbo-diesel...about 4 tonnes is likely to consume 10-12 litres per 100 km. This typically increases by... Truckies have long injected LPG into diesel engines to increase power, but their...savings will lessen as tax annually increases... Opal fuel combats the terrible effects of petrol sniffing...little sulphur...low levels of aromatics...has the same octane rating...performance equivalent to regular unleaded.
Chapter 6 - Tyres
A survey of tens of thousands of private US motorhome owners’ tyre usage...one-third of all US RVs exceed tyre manufacturers’ maximum loadings....probable that the situation in Australia and New Zealand is as bad... (Ply rating)...never a measure of load carrying ability (pressure that carries the load)...rough idea of abrasion resistance...mainly marketing term vaguely indicating side wall thickness... Check and set pressures to the recommended level and only when the tyres are... Dual rear axle/s of bus and truck chassis...such that the payload is carried primarily by the.... Some users routinely fit tubes to tubeless tyres, but makers say this increases problems. High pressure tyres are not good in sand... Tyre life depends on driving habits, driving and storage conditions, geography, atmospheric conditions, loads carried, weight distribution as well as age... Extra-wide or extra-rugged tyres used mostly by people who live in towns. Outback dwellers more commonly opt for...
Chapter 7 - Things to consider
A pop-top roof reduces travelling height by 500–600 mm...typically 20% of frontal area...fuel consumption more or less in proportion....valuable for marginally powered vehicles... ...problems when attempting to fit an awning...(may) require structural strengthening... Awning is close to essential....apart from providing shelter against sun and rain...the more stylish, the less well it usually withstands strong winds... ...Chapter 35 lists all needed for extended travelling...two cubic metres, and around 450 kg. Restructuring what exists, or built as suggested here saves space....transforms livability. ...double bed over the driving cab; or under a pop-top roof and accessible by... ladder can be scary...dangerous for the less agile, particularly for the ‘far’ sleeper ... ...whether to sacrifice living and/or storage space to make room for a loo and/or a shower.... Common for ‘travelling life’....only one partner’s dream....(but) compromise can lead to an awkward imbalance in available space etc... ...cooking both inside or out, duplicating taps, and having external and internal access... Stainless steel...strong, light, compact, easy to clean...but conducts heat so fast that.... A fridge is close to essential, a freezer is less so. Latest inverter air-conditioners draw less power... eventually, fuel cells may provide sufficient... Webasto and Dometic...diesel-fueled space heaters....also combined water/space heaters... ...avoid fitted carpet....alternatives include wood (bamboo) or... Reduce sand and dirt...doubled-up shade cloth along the side... Be cautious when handling fallen timber... adding an external fold-down firewood rack...volume of 1500 by 200 by 200 mm adequate for overnight... Civilisation extends beyond the freeway...outback communities have general stores where...
Chapter 8- Building your own
... at least twelve months full-time work...larger units are easier...firmly establish your needs and priorities..it is pointless to convert an OKA unless you really intend to travel extensively off-road...most people end up adapting to what they have... Delay building until a roughly ‘mocked up’ layout has proven satisfactory. Constructional materials are much heavier than usually realised...not knowing this can result in finished vehicle having insufficient...19 mm chipboard weighs 20 kg to 30 kg/square metre. ...need to establish your vehicle’s legally permitted maximum Gross Vehicle Mass... Only a small part of the load is intended to be carried by the front axle or, in some cases... Locate heavy items such as...low as possible, ideally close to the centre... Slide-outs...resulting in asymmetric tyre loading... Roofs...designed to react lozenging forces...(if) pop top, reinforcement required... ...design that is light and spacious, and ideally with access to the driving cab... Doing away with full-height everything...extra light and space is a revelation! Stuff expands to fill the space available...storage you need, not as much storage as you can... Hinging the inner skin of an opening boot lid...houses a vast number of light bits and pieces. Work on 2140 volt electrics...must employ licensed electrician... ...insulate...prevent condensation in cold climates. Don’t do this by adding thermal mass... To obtain registration, the vehicle must be completed to the extent that it can be used for its intended purpose. In particular, sleeping and cooking facilities must be... The vehicle may not be driven on the road at a weight (mass) higher than that GVM - or GCVM. In practice the authorities allow about... ...must accord with Gas Installation Code AG 5601 - 2008 and be done by a certified gas fitter... it is illegal to run an LPG appliance from Autogas...invalidates insurance. Portable gas stoves and lights ... cheap and simple but jets are hard and often impossible to clean... campervan and motorhome cooking appliances have large low-pressure jets. Cylinder/s...upright and rigidly secured so that the fastenings will withstand a steady load of... Drain at least 25 mm in diameter...away from direction of travel.. must house the cylinder/s.... Deadly carbon monoxide gas...insufficient oxygen to ensure total combustion. To prevent a build-up of such gas, there must be two permanent air vents, located at opposite..
Chapter 9 - Gas
...must accord with Gas Installation Code AG 5601 - 2008 and be done by a certified gas fitter... it is illegal to run an LPG appliance from Autogas...invalidates insurance. Portable gas stoves and lights ... cheap and simple but jets are hard and often impossible to clean... campervan and motorhome cooking appliances have large low-pressure jets. Cylinder/s...upright and rigidly secured so that the fastenings will withstand a steady load of... Drain at least 25 mm in diameter...away from direction of travel.. must house the cylinder/s.... Deadly carbon monoxide gas...insufficient oxygen to ensure total combustion. To prevent a build-up of such gas, there must be two permanent air vents, located at opposite... In Australia, gas installation must accord with the Gas Installation Code AG 5601 - 2008 and be done by a certified gas fitter. Portable gas stoves and lights meant for casual use accept the gas at cylinder pressure via control taps and tiny jets on each appliance. The appliances are cheap and simple but their jets are hard and often impossible to clean...the usually larger campervan and motorhome cooking appliances have large low-pressure jets supplied by a pressure-reducing regulator... Cylinder/s must be mounted upright and rigidly secured so that the fastenings will withstand a steady load of four times the weight of the filled cylinder - with this load applied from any... The compartment must house the cylinder/s only, and allow easy removal and access to the cylinder valve. The access door must be able to be opened without tools (here, a key is... ... piping to appliances must not be located underneath the vehicle. Where more than one appliance is installed, the main run of the piping system must be located outside the caravan. ...there must be two permanent air vents, located at opposite ends of the vehicle (the vents must be unrestricted whether a pop-top roof is up or down). One opening must be within 150 mm of... ... air vents ensures carbon monoxide remains at safe levels with correctly-working appliances, but the gas is so deadly and both tasteless and odourless, that many people install gas detectors.
Chapter 10 - Water
...minimum is around five litres per person/day. ..just enough for cooking and cautious washing up, cleaning oneself...fifteen litres allows a preliminary...twenty litres is more comfortable. ... polythene and stainless steel water tanks...metal fabricators will make up tanks...housed under the vehicle above the lowest part...travelling on dirt roads...
Chapter 11 - Space/water heating
...a system that cannot generate carbon monoxide - a colourless and odourless gas produced when any carbon-based substance is burned without enough air - or not 100% complete... Heat exchangers utilise waste engine heat to provide hot water. They consist of... Solar hot water heaters for RVs...not so far met with any substantial acceptance. Australian Gas Installation Code ruling... precludes instantaneous gas heaters being used in any RV excepting (at October 2009)... ...diesel-powered space and space/water heaters...products are generally similar...glycol-based fluid that is pumped through the outer jacket of the diesel-powered heater unit...even the smaller is more than adequate for the average sized...
Chapter 12 - Self-containment
Caravan park owners...dislike free campers...some sneak into their premises to use the facilities...park owners rarely realise the services offered are not many travellers seek. The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) has developed its Leave No Trace Self Containment Code of Conduct ‘to ensure that mobile travellers comply with its environmental and ethical standards’...
Chapter 13 - Toilets & showers
Smallest and simplest portable toilets...store in a cupboard... upper section that contains a water tank (15-20 litres) and a seat and....lower waste holding tank. (vacuum toilets) work in a similar manner to aircraft toilets ... when flushed, the contents are sucked into the holding tank... it is claimed no chemicals are required... A macerator pump does things I’d prefer not to contemplate in any detail, excepting that it enables the toilet and holding tank to be connected by a smaller pipe than otherwise... Dumping points exist ... do not rinse the container under publicly-used water taps. ... if the ‘Leave No Trace’ code...is to be followed, the used water must be totally collected in some form of sump, and pumped back into the gray water tank within the vehicle.
Chapter 14 - Electricity vaguely explained
Volts: the pressure that causes electricity to flow: it is akin to pressure in a pipe. Amps: the amount of electrical current that is flowing. It is akin to flow in a pipe. As with piped water, the greater the pressure (voltage), the greater... It is often asked why there is a need to use watts (in electrical term) when amps times volts are the same thing. The reason is that using watts is often simpler. Sixty watts is always sixty watts, but so is two amps at thirty volts... Direct current flows and performs work in a manner analogous to a band saw: it operates in a continuous direction. Alternating current works much as big cross-cut saws that operate by being pulled to and fro. Preferred abbreviations are... In the mid-1850s, Lord Kelvin, whilst lecturing on the basics of electricity, asked his class: “What is electricity?”. One student put his hand up, but then stammered out that he’d forgotten. Lord Kelvin turned slowly to the class, and said ........
Chapter 15 - Mains power
The 12/24 volts that auto electricians and almost everyone else thinks of and calls ‘low voltage’ is correctly known as ‘Extra-low voltage’...everything below Low voltage... Mains voltage is dangerous stuff, and even more so in the caravan/motorhome area...regulations differ...from domestic practice. Major changes...and modified in 2008. The overall Standard is now AS/NZS 3000:2008. That specific to RVs in Australia and New Zealand is AS/NZS 3001:2008. Standards apply to all fixed mains voltage wiring, regardless of where the power is sourced... ... Australia and New Zealand share electrical Standards, but there are a few differences...older New Zealand built units may require one absolutely essential change that not all Australian electricians are aware of. US/Canadian imports claimed to...meet all local standards. Some may well do, but many...
Chapter 16 - Supply cables
Australian caravan parks have long been required to have 15 amp socket-outlets. They must now also include circuit breakers, and residual current devices...New Zealand caravan parks now have similar outlets, and some also have the .... ...supply cables must now be of one single and unbroken length. Various lengths may be used... A 15 amp plug does not fit into a10 amp outlet...prevents 10 amp cables being overloaded by appliances that exceed 10 amp draw, but presents problems where 15 amp outlet not available.... You are no longer restricted to a removable cable. You may now have a cable that retracts into a watertight enclosure. Small generators are fitted with 10 amp socket outlets and the manufacturers’ warranties are usually invalidated if that socket outlet is replaced by a 15 amp device.
Chapter 17 - Away from mains power
Solar began to be used by 1985 or so...less mysterious, cheaper and more efficient... improvements in appliance efficiency enable realistic needs to be... Reducing energy used....designing and building new electrics from scratch, modifying existing... Honda and Yamaha quiet generators...but on still bush nights...larger units (2.0 kW and above) will run air conditioning...but not intended to be run continuously. Most portable generator provide mains power, and also 12 volts dc, but the latter is typically limited to 8 amps and intended mainly for running 12 volt appliances directly.. Wind-power is only practical for extended stays on exposed sites... Fuel cells generate electricity chemically, using hydrogen usually derived from methanol, LPG etc... early models produced five amps at 12 volts... promising is a (claimed) 6 amp 12 volt.
Chapter 18 Solar basics
On a clear summer’s day the solar energy falling on a flat bit of Australia is equivalent to around 800 watts/square metre: ... commercial solar modules turn 14-18% of that....it enables those planning to free-camp to supply realistic needs... Limitation in smaller RVs...space for solar modules...not an issue with the bigger... ...not realistic (from solar) is anything that, as its primary function, generates a lot of heat. For 12 volt devices multiply the amps by 12 to give watts. For 24 volts multiply amps by 24, for 240 volt appliances multiply amps and add 12.5% (to allow for inverter losses). To estimate daily energy usage...multiply wattage of each device by the hours that it is in use. Solar modules turn light, not heat, into electricity...work best in cold places with bright sun. Sun’s energy measured in...Peak Sun-Hours...think of it in rain gauge terms...our maps show averages for Australia. .. a ‘100 watt’ module...about 350 watt-hours along most of Australia’s east and west coast during a typical mid-summer day. Stores incoming energy in batteries for later use...weight carrying restrictions, rather than optimum balance, usually determines battery capacity. Modules ideally face the sun...impracticable for RV use...but adding 20% more compensates..cleaning apart, no maintenance required....solar modules mostly either work or they don’t.
Chapter 19 - Implementing solar
Work out what size and how many modules and batteries etc for any sized system. List what you really need and see how the sums work out. Real savings are had by using a three-way fridge on gas whilst camping. Solar regulators control the output from solar modules...essential except where very small modules (less than 5 watts) are used... regulators need adjusting for battery type, voltage, capacity and time of day.
Chapter 20 - Batteries & charging
Alternator controls the output...ensures sufficient energy at the correct voltage (i.e. electrical ‘pressure’)...works well enough for driving needs...but less so for charging auxiliary batteries...ways around this...simplest is to.... ... withstand discharging more deeply than starter batteries, but life span still shortens if frequently discharged below 50%.. AGM batteries were initially..... ...smart versions sense starter battery voltage...delay operating until starter battery is adequately charged...overcome the earlier problem of parallel charging. Like a brat camp supervisor, the voltage regulator relentlessly enforces its control. Coaches normally have mega-alternators... Low-priced battery chargers...poor compromise...(they) charge quickly to about 55-60% but taper off steeply...buy a proper ‘three stage charger’...will outperform most conventional... Instant voltage readings result in wrong assumptions...good batteries thrown away. A near to useless battery may show 13-14 volts within... knowing the remaining charge... The real need for energy monitoring is rarely obvious to first time owners.
Chapter 21 - Battery sizing
Battery capacity needs to be matched to generating capacity. Part of the charging current is lost in the battery as heat...a battery’s idea of heaven is like that of a lead-acid Labrador’s... Many users discharge batteries to 20%-30% remaining,...drastically shortens battery life...one is paying for the ability to store a finite number of amp-hours.... (AGM) less affected by routine deep discharging...charge faster and more fully...heavier and cost more... but offset by greater effective capacity. Don’t buy into arguments against parallel connecting...each battery provides energy according to its capacity, and each charges according to its needs.
Chapter 22 - INVERTERS
Inverters raise 12/24 volt direct current from your batteries to the mains voltage ac. ...reverts to stand-by when the power drawn falls below a set.... detect a load above that level, and instantly switch back on...avoid mains appliances with built-in clocks. ...up to 94% efficient when powering medium-sized loads...produce up to twice their rated output for some seconds, and about one and a half times for.... Select one big enough for the job but not hugely more or it will use excessive overhead. An ‘800-watt’ microwave draws up to 1500 watts. Allowing for overload capacity, this... ...‘Simulated’ or ‘modified’ sinewave is marketing spin for ‘this is not a sine wave inverter’.Laser printers and other equipment may be damaged or even wrecked by using. Don’t trust sales people regarding this...few will understand what you mean.
Chapter 23 - Refrigerators
Refrigerators...shift heat from their insides (where it is not wanted) to outside the vehicle where it does not matter...their ability, and the power they draw, varies with their size, the way in which they operate, and also very much on... ...cold air is retained when a chest opening unit is opened...more energy efficient... Gains in efficiency enable larger volume fridges than before to run from solar. Engel, Waeco and others...fridge making kits...end results often way ahead of... Today’s 3-way units (12 volts dc, mains voltage ac, gas) typified by ....ample and rapid cooling.... most designed for ambient 26 degrees. Cooling drops off thereafter. Dometic’s ‘T-rated’ three-way fridges operate at up to 43 degrees C. They are identifiable by... ...cycle continuously for about four minutes or so in every ten, in temperate climates. Euectic refrigerators may need power only an hour or two every morning and evening... ...fridge problems are almost always due to inadequate or downright incompetent installation...particularly applies to three-way fridge...page 35 (in book) shows how a fridge needs to be...
Chapter 24 - Lighting
Lighting is rarely a serious energy gobbler...but12-volt incandescents are essentially glass-enclosed fires that produce a little light...most alternatives use only a quarter of the energy. Fluorescent tubes are cheap and effective but bulky...a fraction of their size. A 22 watt compact fluorescent globe is comparable to a 100 watt incandescent in light output. Flicker-free... cost more than incandescents but typically last five to seven years. ‘Warm white’ produce much the same colour light as incandescent...most compact fluorescent globes run from mains voltage but, as with fluorescent tubes... Metal halide lights combine high efficiency...natural colour...available from 35 watts upwards.
Chapter 25 - Communications
Next G covers sections of main highways, but (2009) very far from all... Satellite-based telephone services work to and from....unobstructed line of site to the satellite...sat phones are not chat phones. HF Radio traffic congestion is often a problem...prior channel searching to find one that’s free...connecting to public network available from private organisations...now exceeds ability to provide adequate communications but (still) invaluable services for travellers. CB radio...handy for chatting or exchanging information...invaluable if travelling in convoy. 27 MHz units rarely used now. ...operating at 477 MHz...quietest, high quality transmission. Pocket-sized UHF transceivers * Mail can be sent for subsequent collection to any post office anywhere... Message Bank ...travellers can have a permanent number allocated for this purpose alone. Email can be sent and accessed via computers in (some) public libraries, tourist information centres, Internet centres and cafes...text messages and email can also be sent over mobile telephones. The fastest affordable bulk mail is via Australia Post’s pre-paid 3 kg Yellow Express satchels. Delivery is overnight in some areas, and usually within three working days.
Chapter 26 - Television
Australia’s traditional TV...progressively replaced by digital. By 2014, analogue will have ceased. Capital cities will be the last to... Digital TV provides the quality inherent in the program material...no snow, ghosting or sound distortion.... you can buy a new digital TV but, by adding a set top box to your existing TV....but few set top boxes cope with weak signals, corrugated roads, or dirty power from.... Existing antennas that satisfactorily receive analogue signals handle digital even better...directionality less vital in cities. Use RG6 quad insulated cable. A booster maybe needed (but) too strong a signal as bad as too weak. Visually, with sets under 100 cm (40 inches) there is little discernable difference between SD and HD picture quality, but without that HD compatibility you cannot... By and large LCD TVs draw less power than do plasma units. A typical 80 cm (32 inch) TV draws 100-135 watts but, with each, draw is related to... Personal video recorders (PVRs) make recording easy. Program guides precis content. ...To find stations, select ‘Installation’ and then ‘Search’...the unit does the rest...the code stays the same across the whole of Australia, e.g., for the ABC press 2, for SBS press 3. Satellite TV provides top quality digital signals almost anywhere. A basic service requires a decoder, dish antenna (minimum 60 cms across), an LNB Low Noise Block)... Setting up takes less than three minutes (given a modicum of....100% result is unnecessary - minor errors in tuning make little discernable difference...simplified by signal strength meter. Programming content trade-offs with satellite TV...need to be sure you will be satisfied.... Freeview prevents PVRs from ‘jumping’ advertisements, and recording duplicates. Digital radio is becoming available. Satellite radio reception - perfect picture even where no terrestrial coverage...listen to news and other programs from home state..is invaluable if home is a bushfire or flood prone area. Any mains-voltage TV will run from a suitably rated pure sine wave inverter, but far from all ‘modified sine-wave’ and ‘modified square wave’ units... Technology, marketing and programming changes rapidly...inevitable (this chapter’s) content will change...obtain current advice before making buying decisions. Useful resource...this and other RV-related areas... www.around-oz.com
Chapter 27 - Preparing for the trip
Poorly maintained vehicles a repairer’s nightmare. Any one or more long-neglected components may trigger a breakdown...regular preventative maintenance and the replacement of worn components is essential. Water, sand, rust or paint flakes find their way into your vehicle’s or a fuel vendor’s tank. The original filter traps most of this but... Don’t buy unknown-brand discount fuel - particularly diesel. It may contain solvents, crude oil etc. Add anti-bacteriological diesel additive if the vehicle is off the road for... Opal petrol...totally suitable for engines intended to run on unleaded fuel. ...air filters elements must thus be cleaned or changed regularly...consider replacing with a cleanable foam equivalent... Most engine lubricating oils have multi-viscosity; i.e., they are thin when cold to ease starting, and thicken as they become warm, but gradually lose this latter property. Computer-controlled systems...essential to reduce emissions...increased engine reliability but, if problems arise, the engine is likely to need expert attention...outback dwellers and travellers thus prefer basic diesel-engined vehicles.... Carrying the parts listed...save you time and money if you break down... main coach lines carry freight...often quickest way to transport spare parts. The recommended lists of tools and spares may seem overkill but even if you don’t know how to use the tools, or replace bits and pieces, you’ll find people who do, and will. Air filters: Clean or replace. A partially blocked air filter is unlikely to disable a vehicle but may lead to power loss with diesels, and increased fuel consumption with petrol engines. Air filters need replacing frequently if travelling on dirt roads. They are best replaced by cleanable foam equivalents. Battery: Replace if more then three years old. If younger, load-test and replace if necessary. Remove and clean battery connectors. Use an anti-corrosion material when reconnecting. Check water monthly. Apart from old age, the most common causes of battery failure are undercharging and shock loading caused by loose battery mountings. Battery clamps that nip only onto an edge formed around the base of the battery are likely to fail on corrugated roads. Add extra clamps if necessary to truly secure the battery. Drive belts: Check for wear and tear, and adjust tension. Replace if necessary or if they are more than three years old. Although the battery will keep the engine going for a time, a broken alternator belt will eventually bring you to a halt. Always carry a spare.
Chapter 28 - Outback travelling
Fuel is available within 400 km intervals on most outback routes except northern WA where there are....700 km gives a fair margin even for the Birdsville, Oodnadatta, and Strzelecki tracks. Diesel is available from...fuel is available at Tilmouth Roadhouse, about 200 km west of ..... Diesel usage on dirt...0-15% more, keep under 80 km/h... Jerry cans convenient...not safe to carry fuel inside the vehicle, nor on a roof rack... ... most common outback problems...lack of routine maintenance, particularly ‘time-expired’ items, (see also previous chapter)...oil temperature gauge almost as valuable as a water temperature gauge..maximum safe temperature for engine oil is about 110 degrees C. Consider a four wheel drive course...only enrol in government accredited and with instructors experienced with trucks. Driving a 4WD RV is different from a smaller 4WD. Until you are totally familiar with its capabilities...reserve four wheel drive solely for getting you out of trouble. If sand softens, you will become aware of the engine working harder...if engine starts to labour in third gear - until you are more experienced - stop there and then... If as above but in second gear, low range, do not even think of dropping down to first until you are truly experienced: the truck is trying to tell you that you are very close to bogging. Spinning the wheels, even for a quarter turn, almost invariably digs you deeper...if tyres even begin to slip - stop. An overseas tourist died when her campervan became bogged off the Oodnadatta track... Police simply dropped tyre pressures and drove it out. Carry your own suitably-rated snatch strap...it shows you are not totally relying on others. Strong winch dangerous but well worth considering...learn to use via accredited course...
Chapter 29 - Keeping safe
Look for a camp site at least two hours before sundown (very hard to spot, let alone assess safety in the dark)...National Parks, State forests etc...check for fall-back caravan parks. If you are concerned, and have direct access to the driving cab, pack up before going to bed so you can drive off without exiting the vehicle. Lock the entry doors from inside but leave the keys in the inside lock (in case of fire): likewise ignition key/s. ... advise not to carry a weapon...if you (do) you must be prepared to use it, or an attacker will use it against you. ... two dry powder fire extinguishers...one close by the exit, another in the kitchen area. Mosquitoes...some carry Ross River Fever, Barmah Forest virus, the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis, and also dengue fever. Peak mosquito time is between... Effective repellent is 90% Sorbolene, 10% Dettol, drop of tea tree oil and a little... Avoid stinger-prone seas...Stingose or raw vinegar provides some relief. Most snakes co-exist...react to light and shade, movements, and vibration...pause every few metres to give them time to respond. Never attempt to kill a snake: most who get bitten are drunken males who attacked them. Crocodiles...north of a line from Bundaberg to Port Hedland... life’s ambition is to eat you...they are found in the sea and also in rivers (both salty and otherwise)...minor risk of crocodiles on flooded roads, particularly Fitzroy River crossings. Flooding is a very real risk in the upper part of Australia throughout the wet season. EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Beacons)...new service has 5 km radius accuracy (without optional GPS), and 100 metres with it...older beacons still work, but update is advisable. Has unique code, programmable to include who you are, car details, registration number etc... Windscreen damage... stones thrown upwards/sideways...damage is via driving fast into them.
Chapter 30 - Cyclones
Most form north of Australia between November and April. Only those that may threaten life are reported by media. There are typically are three/five cyclone warnings each year. Cyclones typically move at 10 km-15 km/h day and night. Best advice is not to be in affected areas...if likely to be caught out, follow advice in this book. Preparation is essential. There is usually a rush for cash and supplies, banks and supermarkets may close. Keep fuel tanks topped up, have food and water to last five days. Carry $200 in cash. Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has regular news broadcasts on local AM radio.- in defined progression depending on severity. Direct advice from SES (State Emergency Services) If cyclone within 300 km, move away., but risk of torrential rain blocking exit roads/tracks. Unless you can get well out of the area head for the nearest town. Real risk is storm surge, the next biggest risk is flying debris.
Chapter 31 - Where /when to travel
Fuel can be saved by using strong prevailing winds...most coastal areas are packed from late December until mid-January, and during Easter and school holidays. Also crowded are the ‘back-packer trails’, eases a few kilometres away from the coast. Any number of interesting and virtually traffic-free alternatives. Outback National Park and other campsites, particularly in Kimberley, run or owned by Aboriginal communities...clean, well run, spacious and private. Standard campervans and motorhomes with good ground clearance (driven with care) can safely travel major dirt-surfaced routes... not routinely but odd trip unlikely to damage... Around-Australia trip needs a minimum of twelve months.. several years is not absurd...don’t try to see everything along the road or you’ll quickly become jaded. Accurate and up-to-date maps are essential...fuel stations have reasonable selection but not necessarily up to date...good overall map of Australia is Australian Geographic. Hema also consistently reliable...further possibility are maps on DVD etc... Quarantine zones...illegal to take fruit, vegetables, honey, etc between South Australia and Western Australia and vice versa...also other fruit and vegetable exclusions...
Chapter 32 - What it costs
The cost for two adults travelling 20,000 km a year in a reliable medium-sized vehicle, eating well, and staying two/three nights a week on paid sites, is likely to be about.... Some people sell up and then miss having a permanent base. Consider having a real estate agent let and manage the home before committing to an as yet untested way of life. The more you carry, the more your vehicle costs to run. Save money by keeping light... Don’t skimp on servicing: one breakdown may well exceed the cost of a missed service. Fuel prices in regional centres are high but consistent....in isolated areas expect to pay 10–25% more...and up to 100% more in the remote north and north-west. Some caravan parks offer three nights for the price of two...but staff do not always advise this, nor that they may have cheaper and often better sites if you do not need power. Free camping sites all around Australia...including NSW State Forests and some Queensland forests. Also can stay 24 hours in some rest areas ...food likely to be biggest single cost...buy only fruit and vegetables that are in season... roadside stalls have bargains...as do country markets just before they close. Many towns in the Northern Territory and Western Australia enforce selling times and impose quantity restrictions. In northern WA, casks of any size are forbidden. Major cost saver are ‘clean-skin’ wines...often (over-produced) quality wines marketed under labels that describe the contents but not the producers. Some country towns do have really good restaurants, but dining out is often disappointing outside big cities...basic meals can usually be obtained cheaply at local clubs. It pays to shop around for insurance...big differences for similar cover.
Chapter 33 - Keeping well
How and why we age is not due to simply genetics - that accounts for only 25% - the remainder is up to us and our choice of lifestyle...we need a diet low in fats and high in nutrients. Body weight, blood pressure and blood cholesterol need to be normal. We need regular exercise, and ideally a lasting marriage and a large group of family and friends... We need meaningful projects and things to be passionate about. We need plans, and stimulating creative leisure. We need low stress, and flexible thinking. We need to be open to change and to be able to live independently. We need to limit tobacco, alcohol and drug usage.... The human brain acts much like a muscle: the more we ask of it the better it performs. Lifelong learning helps. Learning new skills, and understand new ideas in different disciplines opens perspectives and opportunities.... Healthy eating is essential: high calorie fat-laden food does not assist... Social contact boosts our immune system and brain development. Our capability to cope and move on helps us to live long and to be healthy and happy. This requires seeing problems from outside oneself - not to internalise them. Attitude is important. Those who say they are aging well are not necessarily the healthiest: but they have an attitude of optimism and good coping strategies. Consider completing a St John Ambulance (or equivalent) CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) course. Better still complete the full two-day First Aid Certificate...
Chapter 34 - Legal issues
Renewing a driving licence or vehicle registration from outside one’s ‘home state’ can present unexpected difficulties. Some authorities renew licences prior to expiry...worth surrendering a still-current licence to do so. You must provide a street address in the State that issues the licence. Ditto for vehicle registration. An LR licence is required for vehicles that have a registered Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) exceeding 4.5 tonnes and less than 8.0 tonnes. The requirement relates to potential carrying capacity...if the GVM is 5.5 tonnes, but not loaded beyond 4.49 tonnes, you still need an LR licence. A Personal Effects allowance must be included - 60 kg for each of the first two sleeping berths, and 20 kg for each thereafter...long-term travellers are likely to need a lot more. Many manufacturers have the dealer supply and install anything not in the base vehicle...none of the subsequently dealer-fitted bits may be included in the apparent Tare Weight Have a lawyer read this and draw up a contract for the inclusion of a specified allowance.... Authorities define ‘camping’ in various ways but it is local councils’ Health Department regulations that usually prohibit overnight occupied parking. It is technically an offence to consume alcohol in a campervan or motorhome even whilst settled down for the night in a public street... It is unlikely that police would take any action in the above circumstances..any consequent charge would likely be thrown out of court. Fishing licensing and fishing restrictions vary...illegal fishing can (in the NT) result in confiscation of all associated equipment...can extend to your vehicle/s. Even though you plan to...spend life more or less permanently on the road, Australian law still requires you to vote. The simplest way of doing so is to pre-register as an ‘itinerant voter’. This status enables you to cast your vote from any polling booth, anywhere... here’s how.
Chapter 35 - Likely needs/weights
Full listing of all that typical travellers require on the road. Includes weights of all items.

The Author

I was originally a research engineer with General Motors Research Division, specialising in monitoring and measuring various aspects of vehicle behaviour and performance particularly in off-road usage. In the 1960s I drove a large 4WD mobile laboratory/motorhome twice across the length and breadth of Africa, recording track conditions. I spent further years running my own business designing and building everything from nuclear scanners to 500 tonne concrete testers before switching careers in 1970 to found the now-worldwide "Electronics Today International", and other publications in electronics, computing, telecommunications, and music.

From 1982-1990, I was technology editor of "The Bulletin" and "Australian Business". During this time I founded the periodical "Australian Communications" and also wrote the Federal Government's "Guide to Information Technology".

My wife (Maarit) and I own an Australian-made OKA that we converted into a fully off-road motorhome. We have taken this vehicle twice around Australia, including to the tip of Cape York, the long route across the Simpson desert, and many of Australia's major and minor inland tracks.