Would you rather an older caravan or a brand new caravan?

It’s good to see someone travelling in a normal van, & not with a $150,000 off road van being towed by a chopped cut 200 series. Enjoy your travels

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Yeah look, it wild be nice having a new van… but we are more than comfortable with our old girl. Plus we don’t have to worry as much about damaging it if we take it somewhere it shouldn’t go 😂😂.

Been travelling for 5 years now in a 42 year old van. We love our older van

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

That's awesome! What caravan do you have?

Not over capitalizing on batteries. You can consider a portable power station like a Bluetti that you can add to your existing battery system. Then keep the unit when you sell the caravan.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We have looked into the Bluetti systems before, and they certainly would help/solve our power issues. I might be looking in to them a bit more going forward…

Mine is a 1991 renovated pop top and i wouldnt trade it for the world. I look after a storage facility with 130 RV's inside - some of them are worth $250K+ towed by vehicles also worth $250+. That's 1/2 a million on the road. I bought mine for 10K and spent $8K on reno. I appreciate that it is truly mine and not plastic fantastic. No debt and everything fixable.

Thankyou for the "Floordrobe" i finally have an official name for my system 👌

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

It's really strange, it doesn't matter how many times I clean the floordrobe up.....More clothes just appear there 😆

Not a bad camper at all. That's a shame about the awning. Beautiful interior, it still looks in great shape. Nothing wrong with a floordrobe 😄 You guys definitely keep your stuff to a minimum.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Originally I wanted to change the interior, but I actually love the colours now and wouldn’t change a thing 🥰. Floordrobe is incredible, but it never seems to disappear 😂

The lounge seating in the older vans always looks real comfy and inviting, all the late model vans even up into the $200k+ bracket look like the cold vinyl seats you'd get in a dentist waiting room.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We will never look at a new van the same again now 😂😂😂 At first I didn't really like the look of the couch and wanted to re-cover it, but so glad we didn't.

you can hide the shoes at the end of the bed in a box that keep them from the walking area

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We have a section under the bed where the shoes normally go, Jess just manages to always leave a pair out 😂

We just arrived home after 2years travelling around the whole of Aus we did so in a 18 year old Olympic Champion dont know how you get away without a toilet and shower but we do a lot of free camping keeps the costs down. We also have a storage place that opens on top we call it the black hole i wont go in there wife's domain

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We stay mostly in free camps, only staying in a caravan park at the moment because of work. I won’t lie, our ‘pit of despair’ is much like your ‘black hole’, it’s mostly Jess department. I’m too scared to know what’s in there 😂

Haha the pit of despair! When we bought our pre loved 2006 van I thought it was such a waste of space… now I love it. In it go… toilet paper (we have a porta potty), coats, extra blanket, hot water bottle - it’s actually a great space haha

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We actually love the pit of despair, it often changes what is getting stored in there 🤣😂. Sounds like you have your pit of despair all sorted! What 2006 caravan do you have?

We’ve had both an old 1990s Jayco, and a new one, and they both have positives and negatives. Old vans are really good for feeling more quality, but conversely you can pry our electric slideout and electric awning from my cold dead hands. At the end of the day, as long as the mattress is comfy, who cares!?!

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

You’re 100% right 👍👌. We are more than comfy with it and love it. I’m sure when the time comes for an upgrade we will love all the luxuries that come with it, but in the meantime, we are all good 🥰. What negatives have you found about your current van?

@captainkipper86

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz mostly just cheap fittings, cupboard handles that feel like they will crumble with pressure, and the van just feels ‘slapped together’…. But also, the good parts are amazing, so it’s all a compromise either way I guess

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

That’s what we have noticed in some (not all) new vans. They just feel like they have been thrown together quickly just to get them out the door. But if the good stuff outweighs the bad and you’re comfortable, then it’s all good.

We have a 2002 Jayco Freedom and we love it. I see people with their new $100,000+ off road vans that seem to have endless problems with things breaking and falling apart. We don't have any where near as many problems with our van. As for your canvas top and awning. If you find yourself in Adelaide go to Adelaide Canvas. Great family business. They do an excellent job and very reasonable prices. They do all our canvas work.

@Explore_oz

19 күн бұрын

We have seen quite a few of those expensive vans having issues too! I'm not saying we wouldn't like a brand new van, but we would certainly be very picky about what we would want. Adelaide Canvas is owned and run by friends of ours haha. Next time you are in there make sure to say hi to Jamie-Lee and Andrew from Allan and Jess.

@HilltopFarmHomestead

19 күн бұрын

@@Explore_oz our van is in there at the moment have a new canvas top put on. I'll say hi to Andrew when I pick it up.

She’s an absolute gem guys! We love her too. So glad you haven’t done any mods to take away her gigantic character. The comedic level amped up when Al got inside - HILARIOUS! That sucks regarding your awning hope you can get that fixed soon. By the way asking for a friend... is that an impact Dewalt drill you have and do you drop your legs with that or young enough to still use your manual winder? 😉😂😂😂

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Our old girl certainly has gigantic character! Originally I wanted to change the colour of the fabric, paint the wood panels etc. but now we are so glad we didn't! We love the interior colours and feel. Doesn't feel sterile and bland. The awning.....yeah it's on the list of things to get fixed haha. One day ;) As for the drill, its just a normal DeWalt drill, not an impact driver, I'm too scared to use it on the stabiliser legs because I'll probably break them 😂 Manual winding it is for us!

By the way you know our thoughts when it comes to doing necessary mods - just do it! She’s your home. You guys really just have to get that 12V system you need to be more carefree. It will be a no brainer game changer and make life so much more blissful. You deserve it. Go do it!

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Haha you're not wrong, we really do need to just get it done. We know what we want to go for...It's just getting it booked in and done. In other words, I need to convince Jess that it has to happen! I mean if (when) we upgrade we can run star link and she can watch all the Bridgerton on Netflix she wants! 😅🤣😂

@andrewearl3039

Ай бұрын

But as you said, upgrading this van or spending it on another van is the question

I had wondered if they let caravans without an ensuite stay at self contained sites. I spent 6 months travelling the east coast in 2022 sleeping in my car and found a large portion of free/low cost camps wouldn’t let people stay unless they had an internal ensuite and a fitted grey water tank. Your van is very practical, when you spend most of your time outside anyway you don’t need a big van!!! Hope you are enjoying the gorgeous weather in Perth, winter who 😂

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

It’s such a grey area when it comes to being ‘self contained’. We have been turned away from only one place due to the toilet not being a ‘fixed in place toilet’. We think that’s rubbish. It’s not like we are going to take the toilet outside and use it in the open 😂 You’re spot on though, you don’t need a massive van when ya spend time outside mostly.

We have a 2012 jayco poptop with ensuite and the shower doesn't cause moisture issues. Just zip up and use the overhead fan. I'm with you otherwise. Keep it basic and spend your hard earned on experiences rather than trying to impress the neighbours. The older vans are probably often easier to look after.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Good to hear about the moisture not being an issue. Do you find that you have to wipe everything down to dry after a shower, or does it generally dry pretty well by itself?

Great Video Guys. Loved seeing someone who travels with a normal van. Not a monstrosity with all bells and whistles.Then needing a massive tow rig to pull it. Ensuite would be nice but people travel without one.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We wouldn't mind a couple of bells and whistles...but we are very very happy with our old girl. It's mostly just the power system that we would upgrade if anything.

We had our pop top fly screen replaced by Exclusive Marine Trimming & Upholstery in O'Connor.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Thanks for that, we will look them up :D

She is your home and by the sounds of it you will be keeping her for years to come so- . Do the mods you won’t regret it ( especially the 12 volt) Midland rv centre replaced our awning and did a great job; probs could do the fly screens too

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

She certainly is our home and really do love her :D We do need to update the 12 volt system, having troubles with it again at the moment haha.

We are NZ and have a new to us 2010 english bailey. Shes comfy and does the job. We do off grid in summer as we have 3 way fridge, hot water and cooking plus trustee bbq. Enjoy your adventures in your van

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Hello from over the sea's! Sounds like your old Bailey has everything you need to make incredible memories :D

Thanks for sharing, the van is fit for your purpose and really comfortable which is great , love your Floordrobe , I need 2 🤣🤣,keep enjoying your travels we really enjoy seeing the places you travel too , Thankyou cheers Darrel 👍

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Hey Darrel 👋 Thanks for watching. As for needing 2 floordrobes....Sometimes most of the floor in our van turns into one very large floordrobe haha

Love the interior and the pull out pantry near the door is great. Love your approach to vanning and keeping it simple. I imagine you are having just as much fun and seeing just as much of our beautiful country as the big rig owners. 👍👍👍☕️💙

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Honestly we both absolutely love the pull our pantry near the door, makes cooking outside so simple! To be fair, we can probably take our little old Goldstream places that the big rigs can't get, and we love that haha. Are you on the road at the moment? Or a trip coming up soon? Thanks for watching :D

Nice video. Easy to watch. Great to some real people and not wannabe influencers😁 BTW the fly screens should be Velcro and not hard to replace. Have a close look.

@Explore_oz

6 күн бұрын

Well you’re right… they are Velcro which will make getting new ones a lot simpler 👍 Cheers for the kind words too, we appreciate it.

A sturdy camper trailer with excellent suspension and you can go anywhere. Everything else on any van are just add ons

@Explore_oz

26 күн бұрын

We had our camper trailer for two years travelling Australia before upgrading to the caravan. We absolutely loved it, and you're right, we could take it anywhere.

BYE the way just got a quote to supply and fit a new roof skirt zips are all buggered cant be fixed insitu so whilst out might as well replace it

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

That’s probably going to be the best way. Just get it all done it one 👌

"Bags n Swags" in Koo-Wee-Rup, Victoria, do pop top sleeves. Made to order and are fantastic. I sent measurements one day, and they shipped the sleeve the next day and it fits like a glove. Brilliant service.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Ohhh that sounds good! Sorry to ask, how much did it cost?

@PittsFly

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz $630 shipped. That included blockout canvas, 4 windows, and 12 bow/tensioner pockets. They send instructions on how to correctly measure the sleeve, and when they ship the sleeve, they send detailed fitting instructions. Exceptional quality too.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

@PittsFly gee that’s not badly priced at all 😳. I was thinking it was going to be a couple grand at least. How hard / easy was the install?

@PittsFly

27 күн бұрын

@@Explore_oz Looks like my original reply to this was not allowed for some reason... It took two of us around 4 hours to install, but now I've done it, I reckon it could be done in half that time. Its really not hard to install, just time consuming because of its size.

@Explore_oz

27 күн бұрын

That’s really strange! 🧐🤨. Don’t know what happened there, sorry. Thanks for getting the reply back in. By the sounds of it, we might get ours ordered and shipped to your place… then you can help install it 😂😂😂

Hey mate I’m a solar guy living in a 30year old van, I reckon we can sort your battery charging for under $200 and you can diy it and buy the parts in any major town

Good honest appraisal

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much. We love our old Goldstream :D

One of the strongest memories my dad had in his late stages of dementia was their trips around Australia…. His van was not glamorous by any standards... He always said and I say it to our customers now, it doesn’t matter what you have, just so long as you are out there doing it because at the end of the day when you are parked up at these amazing spots you are enjoying the exact same view as the guy next to you.. if your van is just sitting at home it just becomes an expensive garden gnome

With no kids, that would be perfect. I dont like to fuss and its straight forward. But who swaps out a suspension system ;D

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Yeah the suspension thing was a little strange 😂 As for being straight forward, we’re the same you. The easier and simpler, the better.

I'm tossing up between a caravan or Ford Transit Campervan. I like listening to other peoples experiences.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

ohhh tough choice! Both have pros and cons. We looked at getting a toyota coaster bus before we bought the caravan. The main reason we went the caravan was because we can set up camp and still head out to do other things. Which way are you more likely to end up?

I get it like I do agree u don’t need a new van etc and as long as you’re happy and travelling then that’s great. But with no hot water and all that your just camping

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We have hot water, we just boil it on the stove 😂

Such a relief to see a down to earth couple , I'm new to the channel and have loved the content.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Naawww thank you :D We just try to be ourselves haha. Welcome to the channel, we hope you enjoy all the future content.

Living the dream, brilliant. We have a 2010 Goldstream 14ft no ensuite and we find it is quite spacious and love the simplicity of it. Feel like we can tow it anywhere and not have to be too concerned about being precious with it.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

That's exactly it We would be so worried taking something worth $150k to the places we take our old Goldstream haha. No disrespect to people that have new vans of course :D

Have you considered doing a over axle conversion for a bit more clearance on the van?

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

At the moment we haven't had any issues with clearance, but we never rule anything out ;)

Older vans built better anyways. And proof ye don’t need 500k setups like most these days 🤙🏻 love ye work

@Explore_oz

6 күн бұрын

If we had a 500k setup I’d be too scared to tow it anywhere 😂

We’re living in our 1998 goldstream goldwing and we love it easy to tow easy to maintain

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Love it! :D Old school vans are amazing.

Well done video mate,it show traveling aus can be done on the lean side without a Hassel. The only real issue you have is power , cheap way out add another AGM and a couple off solar panels . Thank for sharing best regards Allen Mann.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

The easier the better for us haha. We don't need all the bells and whistles :D You're right though, power is our only real restriction so we should just bite the bullet and upgrade the system. Just gotta convince jess 🤣😅

@bigals.ktms.9937

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz lol yer, the only problem with agm is it may be a 100 Amp hour but u can only really use 50% of it in a caravan a single 100 amps lithium will nearly double what u got now, we only run 2 AGMs in the patrol and 2 fridges, but we never stay long anywhere.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

@bigals.ktms.9937 that’s exactly right. Plus the weight of agm is horrible compared to lithium. The only issue we have with putting lithium straight in the van at the moment is we would need to change the battery management system too. The system was built before lithium was even considered 😂

@bigals.ktms.9937

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz that sucks more expence just put another agm in then.

Does the job 👍🏾 some need bigger vehicles/vans some don’t just do what suits you. Just do it 😁

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Absolutely spot on!

Mate, we bought a 2010 Goldstream Explorer (I think only it's about 14 foot?) last year. Pop top same as yours and has shower and toilet. Best van ever. Solid unit and tows well. Did 10 weeks up to Cooktown and back. It's all you need. So many twin axels 3t behemoths on the road it's ridiculous. I swapped all the lights to LED, and just have an AGM battery. Just used a portable solar panel. The caravan fridge is three way, but we never used it. Just used the fridge in the ute canopy.

We have owned a 2002 Supreme Territory for only 12 months. We head off across the Nullarbor from Perth on June 1. We love our Supreme. It belonged to my Mum and has done a lap or 2 so we know she can do it. Mandurah Caravan Repair Centre would be my choice for an awning repair. They have looked after Bonnie ever since we owned it and can not speak highly enough of Troy and the gang at MCRC.

@Explore_oz

19 күн бұрын

Hey legends, hope you are enjoying your travels and had a cracker of a time crossing the Nullarbor! We have no doubt that your supreme caravan will take amazing care of you on your travels. Where's your travel plans taking you?

@woky57

18 күн бұрын

@@Explore_oz thanks so much for your kind words and support. As I type we are in Broken Hill. Heading for Wilcannia, Cobar, Dubbo, Moree, Toowoomba and finally 4 weeks on Bribie Island. The Nullarbor was awesome. We left Fremantle on June 1st and stopped at Southern Cross, Norseman, Caiguna, Eucla, Ceduna and Port Augusta before making our way to Brocken Hill. I did the Nullarbor in 1979 on a Honda K2 750. This was just as epic and a little more comfortable🙂 I enjoyed seeing you guys around Cervantes as my parents and siblings lived there for many years. I really enjoy for videos and look forward to the next instalment of repairs. I spent the whole day in Broken Hill fixing stuff. Che Sera Sera 😂Safe travels, Napoleon & Josephine

I,ve got a 1984 millard love it❤❤❤ 24ft looking for a man with a good towball and truck😂😂😂😂

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

😂😂😂 Same year I was born, must be a good model!

@julieannesimms981

Ай бұрын

@Explore_oz it is getting repaired at present first trip away jumped off the towball broke the chain and hit a tree devastated so next man in my life has to have a decent towball barahahaha

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

@@julieannesimms981 Nooooo that sucks! How did that happen?? Decent tow ball would certainly help ;)

@julieannesimms981

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz my neighbour offered to tow it for me not far out of wagga for a test run hit a pot hole next minute the vans up the side of me luckily it went off the side of the road and hit the tree luckily it didn,t go to the right could have killed someone on the road thank goodness for insurance CIL fabulous they didn,t right it off have a fabulous repairer in wagga so good ending

Thanks for sharing. What is Jess doing for work ??

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching ☺️. Jess is a physio and has picked up a locum position in an aged care facility.

@breegle

Ай бұрын

That’s awesome. Looking forward to seeing more episodes.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We’re looking forward to sharing more episodes with you 👌😂. Is there anything you would like to see in future episodes?

Do you still have the weber q for cooking?

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We sure do We use it multiple times a week and love cooking with it. 😄

Interesting that you wouldn't do a pop top with ensuite. I'm considering one but have always been suss about moisture. You're making me double think now. Ahhh! So many decisions

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

The only reason we wouldn't is because of moisture. We feel as though one hot shower and the whole van would be filled with steam / moisture. Also with an older van, leaks and water getting in places it shouldn't would be something that we would be scared about. That's just our thoughts though.

@brianmercer0113

Ай бұрын

You should be used to cold showers, no condensation then

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

So very true 😂😂😂

@kelliemibus2953

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz We have a hybrid van, pop top with combo ensuite. Showering does not cause an issue with moisture in the van, we use a curtain over the toilet and I have a squeegee to wipe down after showering.

$2800

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

That’s not a bad price at all 👌

@HilltopFarmHomestead

Ай бұрын

@@Explore_oz We just had ours replaced on our 17' Jayco. $1500. Brilliant job. Just like new.

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

@@HilltopFarmHomestead Sounds perfect :D

Really enjoyed this episode, it’s a cracker van and is so solid. You are creating so many awesome memories in it🫶🏻💗 Ps : Do you still want my pumpkin soup recipe ?😁

@Explore_oz

Ай бұрын

We love our old van, and so far it seems to love us back 😂. Don’t get me wrong, a new van would be amazing 🤩 As for the pumpkin soup…. You know I’m keen for that recipe. Mine won’t be as good as yours though, yours was incredible 😍