The tow vehicle is the 2010 Mitsubishi Challenger, LS 5 seat, 5sp Auto, Champagne in colour. We considered it to be cheapest of all those that were up to the task. It has now been fitted with a genuine towbar, Anderson plug, Prodigy P3 Brake Controller, Gator reversing camera and mudflaps.
The windows have been tinted. Will be using Aussie Truck Mirrors when towing.
The Weight Distribution Hitch is likely to be an Eaz-Lift; a bit cheaper than Hayman Reese and apparently the bars don't hang down as low and they are not as noisy as the HR ones.
We will be taking the Samsung 17" laptop, with TV dongle with recording capability in addition to the Kogan TV. Not sure yet how much use the TV dongle will get . We will have mobile broadband, not sure which one, but probably Telstra/Bigpond for the extra coverage. We are also getting the axles underslung to give a bit more clearance to negotiate driveways and the like; also getting the jockey wheel clamp moved to the inside of the drawbar to make it easier to attach and remove the WDH arms. We'll have 2 mobile phones, one (Samsung) with Telstra (blue tick) with the "my hour" option, and the other (LG) with Vodafone (free call Vodafone to Vodafone (kids)).
6 Oct 10
Since delivery we've added extra padding under the seat bases (made up of 3 layers of carpet underlay left over from recarpeting the house), sealed up a hole in the floor around a pipe, "dekinked" the inlet hose to water tank No2, moved the TV arm to give greater movement. We've added all manner of baskets, trays etc to hold all the bits and pieces in the cupboards. We had to modify/adjust the table leg so that it would sit correctly in both the folded and extended position. All minor things but things that should have been done at the factory!!!!
As we get more familiar with the van we're finding more little things we can do to "tweak" it; hooks, scrim curtains, water filters, mats, drain systems etc.
2 Nov 10 After our first experience with non Adelaide mains water and tips from other travellers and various forum posts, fitting a filter system seemed like a good idea. Will test it out on our next test run. The system is set up so that the tanks are filled through the filters also. Whether the tank water needs to be filtered again on its way out remains to be seen. We've also set up a couple of water jerrycans for drinking water just in case we can't get decent water.
7 Nov 10 After Test Run 1 it was obvious that just tossing everything into the boot wasn't the best idea in the world. Things like the ramps, safety stand and the jockey wheel when travelling are kept in the back of the car; spreading things out a bit so that each item can be reached without unloading everything else. The sullage hose goes into a green garden bag and is thrown in last of all.
6 Dec 10
Dvd player/recorder to be hooked up to the TV. Provided we are in a powered site we can now either watch what we have previously recorded or record additional programs as we go. Attaching the battery charger to the wall also makes that task a bit easier.
Had the first service carried out on 30 Nov 10; service went OK. Eventually found a loose wire to the elec HWS; now works a treat. No joy with the A/C so we had to take the van to Aircommand; identified that the unit had been installed poorly, ducting was torn so the air was going all over the place and not where it should have been. The sensor couldn't work out what temperature was what, now works better than a bought one. Part of the table leg was broken, but instead of supplying the one bit we got the whole assembly. We used the spare pieces to make a stand for the BBQ that clamps on to the old jockey wheel clamp.
We've used a couple of luggage straps to secure the TV to the wall when travelling, instead of taking it off its bracket and storing in its packaging on the bed. The white korflute protects the screen from the buckles.Also got creative and installed a towel rail on the awning side. Jazzed up the curtains with tie-backs made from ribbon and installed srim for extra privacy.
13 Feb 11 We've added an outside towel rail and made shields for the wheels to protect them from the sun's UV rays (apparently). The fridge has decided not to work on gas, so it's back to Jayco to check that out and the gas HWS and right rear burner again. We've also fitted a grey water tank system for times when we can't just let the water run on the ground; the tanks are plastic tubs from Cheap as Chips, just hope they will go the distance. So far so good; shower, sink and hand basin all now drain quickly.
We've also added a short towel rail across the door to use as a grab handle as the tendancy was to grab the curtain to pull the door closed when it flew open; could also use it dry a towel on!!!!
20 May 11 Took van to Dario's to have the HWS, fridge and toilet checked. Apparently the HWS on gas wouldn't light and stay alight because it wasn't getting enough air. Airflow was improved by bending the cover of the HWS. We'll see!!! Appears the fridge had been wired incorrectly causing the ignition failure light to come on preventing it from starting on gas. Again we'll see. Replaced the cassette in the toilet as a small magnet had fallen out rendering the "full" light useless. This was easier than trying to put the magnet back in the original cassette. They also found a loose hose connection that was causing water to leak out onto the bathroom floor. Again we'll see!!!
8 Aug 11 Completely changed the seating arrangements in the dinette; saw a similar idea on 1 of the forums. We had considered this idea at the very start but most people use lounge chairs which don't offer a good sitting position for dining. Chairs recline, swivel, raise and lower and roll around. Two of the wheels are held in "stormwater pipe cups" for travelling. Also installed a car radio/cd player as the little portable battery operated one could only pickup FM stations and even then the reception wasn't real flash. Originally fitted a little flexible rubber aerial so that it would flex if it hit anything, but it was useless. Upgraded to an extend able metal one on a "one off" drop down bracket. Can be raised and lowered using the awning crook. The cord was put through the vent so that no holes had to be drilled in the roof or walls. Had the TV antenna checked to find that power for the built-in booster was connected to the auxiliary line to the side of the van and not to the antenna as it should have been (good old Jayco). Got that corrected and fitted a different antenna that could be rotated for the different polarities; also fitted an upmarket booster. Now works a treat, so far so good, however any system is likely to struggle the further you are from civilisation.19 Sep 11 Three weeks and 2500 klm into our "Find my Family" trip and the new chairs work a treat; wouldn't go back to the old format seating arrangements.
The first night we didn't try the TV but everywhere else we have been able to get at least 2 or 3 channels, sometimes more, happy with that. Radio reception has been pretty good as well; sometimes some interference in weaker areas. Sometimes the LED lights will arc up the reception. The gas HWS has fired up correctly each time, looks like they have fixed that. Water has appeared on the floor around the toilet a couple of times after we had been over some bumpy road and when the van had been raised on the jockey wheel to hitch up. Water may be splashing up everytime it is flushed and runs to the floor when the level is altered. May not be a leak at all. The van is a lot lighter this trip, that in conjunction with increased tyre pressures in the car has made travelling much easier and a bit more economical.
28 Sep 11 In a non-powered site last night and it is overcast today so it will be good test of 12 volt usage and the solar panel's ability to recharge the battery. We are now using a Telstra's Elite wireless broadband connection. Much better than Vodafone (no comparison really). Only 1 bar inside the van where we are at the moment; external aerial increased reception to 2 bars inside the van. Placing the aerial outside on the roof gained another bar; pleased with that. The battery will cut out when the voltage drops to 10.5 volts. We got through 2 nights and a day without sun to recharge the battery; still had some charge left.
4 May 12 We’re nearing the end of the Tasmanian trip
and we’ve learnt that the computer takes out more power from the battery than
the solar panel can put back in especially when the sky is overcast. We now either charge the laptop in the car or
use it on mains power when 240 volt power is available. Another solar panel will be installed on the
roof to assist on overcast days. We’ll also need to carry 1 x 20lt diesel
jerrycan, 2 x 20lt jerrycans for tank water transfer. We also have on board 4 x 20lt grey water
containers for times when grey water must be contained and emptied
elsewhere. The “internet” aerial works a
treat, usually increasing reception by 2 bars.
The phased array TV antenna works well in a lot of places; happy with
that. Prior to the trip we had put
carpet on the floor under bed and mats at the sides of the bed; seems to have
kept the cold out much better than before. My phone on Vodafone was virtually
useless, so will have to transfer to Telstra. We took the printer with us this
time; only used it a couple of times, didn’t take up much space, doesn’t weigh
much so will probably take it again. The
only limitation is that we need to be on mains power to operate it.
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| Eva Matting |
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| Hose Adapter & Jerrycan Shelf |
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| Second Solar Panel |
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| TV with Computer Speakers |
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| Wall Heater |
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| TV in Travel Position |
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| Extra Step |
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| Step in Travel Position |
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| Drawer Divider |
