@TheExpendables,
From one newbie to another hey!!
We had to start completely from scratch for everything camping/caravan related. You already must have some equipment I would assume. With that said, once I detailed a list of what was needed I done plenty of on-line shopping and review reading. It is surprising how much the main camping stores vary in price from 1 week to the next, one chair at Rays outdoors was $159 yet at Anaconda it was $79. Rather than rush out and get things I would watch them for a few weeks and when a bargain came up from one of the stores I went and got it, that way I knew I had a good deal.
Something to consider, I have a Weber baby Q and needed a new hose to fit the external bayonet, what will you be using?
Make sure you use a proper water hose and not a garden hose for filling the tank, (water filters are available from Bunnings for $29 for when you need to replace the new one). You can buy the hose from Bunnings also. Once you have the hose then think about cutting it to different lengths for different scenarios, that way you don't have 20m of hose sitting on the floor for a tap that 3m away.
Have a think about how you will store things. If you are getting a full annex they can take up lots of room and are heavy. Ours go between the rear dinette seats just over the axle.
I wanted to be as safe on the road as possible for my family and other road users and bought a weight distribution hitch from Hayman Reece. What vehicle will you be using to tow? I read up in detail regarding GVM ATM etc etc. (this can get very complicating but handy to understand)
What accessories are you changing/buying for the van so I can let know you what we bought and where from if that helps?
As an example I looked at many camping shops for cutlery for the kids and could not believe the price, then someone mentioned IKEA. They have the plastic cutlery sets for $1.99 for 4 of everything, bought a few packs of these along with matching plates and bowl sets. It is perfect and light for the kids to use.
Consider investing in the canvas bed end covers, they are expensive but have so many benefits, no one wants a damp pillow when they go to bed. They also stop the canvas from getting wet so when you are packing to go home they will be dry meaning you don't have to dry them out at home.
Also the best thing we done was set it up in the garden for the kids to get use to the novelty and get it out of their system before we went to a van park, this really helped with our 2 yr old who was in to every nook and cranny.
You must have a lot going through your mind, probably best to just throw it out there on this post and see what happens. Happy to help out where I can and point you in the right direction.
From one newbie to another hey!!
We had to start completely from scratch for everything camping/caravan related. You already must have some equipment I would assume. With that said, once I detailed a list of what was needed I done plenty of on-line shopping and review reading. It is surprising how much the main camping stores vary in price from 1 week to the next, one chair at Rays outdoors was $159 yet at Anaconda it was $79. Rather than rush out and get things I would watch them for a few weeks and when a bargain came up from one of the stores I went and got it, that way I knew I had a good deal.
Something to consider, I have a Weber baby Q and needed a new hose to fit the external bayonet, what will you be using?
Make sure you use a proper water hose and not a garden hose for filling the tank, (water filters are available from Bunnings for $29 for when you need to replace the new one). You can buy the hose from Bunnings also. Once you have the hose then think about cutting it to different lengths for different scenarios, that way you don't have 20m of hose sitting on the floor for a tap that 3m away.
Have a think about how you will store things. If you are getting a full annex they can take up lots of room and are heavy. Ours go between the rear dinette seats just over the axle.
I wanted to be as safe on the road as possible for my family and other road users and bought a weight distribution hitch from Hayman Reece. What vehicle will you be using to tow? I read up in detail regarding GVM ATM etc etc. (this can get very complicating but handy to understand)
What accessories are you changing/buying for the van so I can let know you what we bought and where from if that helps?
As an example I looked at many camping shops for cutlery for the kids and could not believe the price, then someone mentioned IKEA. They have the plastic cutlery sets for $1.99 for 4 of everything, bought a few packs of these along with matching plates and bowl sets. It is perfect and light for the kids to use.
Consider investing in the canvas bed end covers, they are expensive but have so many benefits, no one wants a damp pillow when they go to bed. They also stop the canvas from getting wet so when you are packing to go home they will be dry meaning you don't have to dry them out at home.
Also the best thing we done was set it up in the garden for the kids to get use to the novelty and get it out of their system before we went to a van park, this really helped with our 2 yr old who was in to every nook and cranny.
You must have a lot going through your mind, probably best to just throw it out there on this post and see what happens. Happy to help out where I can and point you in the right direction.
