Stage 1. What are we doing ? a lap of OZ ? EEEKK OK what Van do we need
We have previously travelled for many years using our camper trailer all over QLD and NT and we decided a little more room and ease of setup is what we wanted for our big Loopy Lap of OZ. So we headed off to the Brisbane Caravan & Camping show in June with the 3 boys in tow to crawl all over every van we thought we'd like. And we did. First up we wanted a van with Triple bunks for the boys, with the mind boggling we spoke to everyone about what they could do and when. As we originally were planning on leaving in September 2014 we needed a van ready to go ! Most couldnt build what we needed in time or if they could we didnt like the price tag that came with it. Also we had recently upgraded Blake's car to a new Mitsubishi Triton GLXR which luckily has a great tow rating of 3000kgs - and heaps of room for the kids and a tub to fit all the extra stuff.
So after an exhaustive day we new what we didnt want and had a better understanding of what we did, so off to the second hand market we went - searching the internet Australia wide. And after looking at many vans in our needs and price we came accross the Jayco. With very little use and in near mint condition, it had everything we needed to start our journey.
Stage 2. A van followed us home
July 2014 and "Jeff" follows us home to begin his life as our home on the road
" Jeff " the Jayco as we decided the van needed a name is a Jayco Starcraft Outback 22.68-1 OB that we bought from a family in Gladstone. He ( Jeff ) had almost everything we needed to basically hit the road and GO. Equipped with a tool box on the front, 300W solar panels, twin 100AMP deep Cycle Batteries, Triple bike rack out the back, twin gas bottles with a bayonet for the BBQ and all the extras from the factory. Jeff had only done a couple of trips with its first family and we couldnt be any happier to take him home to join our family and take him on our exciting journey
July 2014 and "Jeff" follows us home to begin his life as our home on the road
" Jeff " the Jayco as we decided the van needed a name is a Jayco Starcraft Outback 22.68-1 OB that we bought from a family in Gladstone. He ( Jeff ) had almost everything we needed to basically hit the road and GO. Equipped with a tool box on the front, 300W solar panels, twin 100AMP deep Cycle Batteries, Triple bike rack out the back, twin gas bottles with a bayonet for the BBQ and all the extras from the factory. Jeff had only done a couple of trips with its first family and we couldnt be any happier to take him home to join our family and take him on our exciting journey
Stage 3. Putting our touches on "Jeff"
Off to the forums and endless hours searching the internet on what to do, and what needs to be done. Surely we are not the only one's that are doing this and surely many others have been there and done that ? Well yes there are , and yes they have. ( Phew )
WHAT HAVE WE ADDED AND WHAT ELSE HAVE WE DONE TO JEFF & THE CAR ?
Tekonsha brake controller to the car, anderson plug to the rear and tub for our dual battery and engel we carry in the ute.
Upgraded the Mitsubishi Triton with an ECU remapping modification to give 50% more tourque and a 3 inch exhaust pipe so now it gets up and Boggies !!
Eclpise full sattelite navigation system with tracking and trip recording, off road maps and everything else that we are trying to figure out what it can do.
Another bike rack to the top of the tool box to carry Sue's Bike
Rear view WI-FI camera that operates through the Iphone, Ipod or Ipad - and also has audio, infared
Added an extra jerry can holder to the rear of the van to accomodate 2 jerrys.
Kids organisers to each of their bunks
Changed the curtains in the triple bunks to the double cartridge blinds to give the boys some more sleeping space.
Various storage solutions to the kitchen and bathroom.
A Weber Baby Q for the outdoor cooking.|
A set of Dual Axle levelling blocks
An extended length Jockey Wheel
A set of Milenco mirrors ( after the cheap ones kept on slamming the mirror backwards even via a passing scooter ! )
and thats about it ( for now )
Off to the forums and endless hours searching the internet on what to do, and what needs to be done. Surely we are not the only one's that are doing this and surely many others have been there and done that ? Well yes there are , and yes they have. ( Phew )
WHAT HAVE WE ADDED AND WHAT ELSE HAVE WE DONE TO JEFF & THE CAR ?
Tekonsha brake controller to the car, anderson plug to the rear and tub for our dual battery and engel we carry in the ute.
Upgraded the Mitsubishi Triton with an ECU remapping modification to give 50% more tourque and a 3 inch exhaust pipe so now it gets up and Boggies !!
Eclpise full sattelite navigation system with tracking and trip recording, off road maps and everything else that we are trying to figure out what it can do.
Another bike rack to the top of the tool box to carry Sue's Bike
Rear view WI-FI camera that operates through the Iphone, Ipod or Ipad - and also has audio, infared
Added an extra jerry can holder to the rear of the van to accomodate 2 jerrys.
Kids organisers to each of their bunks
Changed the curtains in the triple bunks to the double cartridge blinds to give the boys some more sleeping space.
Various storage solutions to the kitchen and bathroom.
A Weber Baby Q for the outdoor cooking.|
A set of Dual Axle levelling blocks
An extended length Jockey Wheel
A set of Milenco mirrors ( after the cheap ones kept on slamming the mirror backwards even via a passing scooter ! )
and thats about it ( for now )