14.44.4 Our first van

[spiderpig]

We needed something for our expanding family (sorry about the pun), with 2 bubs under 2 i wasn't keen on doing the tent thing anymore, which wifey and i had done for years, including a trip round Aus in one a few years ago.
So after some reading on here and talking to friends we decided on this.
Had only been used a couple of times by previous owner, so pretty much brand new apart from seeing a bit of sun on the front panel and roof.
Never had a van before so all is new to us. Van has very few additional options, No hot water or external shower, no 12v pump or battery (although it has provision for 1 Bat), only one gas bottle and 1 water tank. Didn't even come with water or drainage hoses. For us though this thing is still a hilton compared to what we had.
It Does have a little tv which is a bit of a novelty to us and has a factory fitted bike rack on the back which is handy.
The mod list is getting bigger and bigger with too much time being spent on here and us wanting to free camp in it in late january. But first things first, is to get the fridge running better to keep the beer/drinks cold, putting some fans in as we speak and something to stop the bubs from rolling/climbing out of bed...thanks to evryone on here for your advice on that so far.
First trip away is just before crissy for a few weeks so got a bit to do in the mean time.

 

[MDS69]

Love it. Congrats on the purchase. Another for the 14.44 club.

 

[willobee]

Very neat looking van mate well done!
Your reasons for the van pretty much the same as ours.

 

[Delano]

Congrats on the new van @spiderpig .
Looks in good Nic.
Don't worry about the extra mods needed
Plenty of people on here to help spend your $$.

Like the van cover I've got the same, works well,
easy to fit,

 

[PhilW]

Great looking van you have there @spiderpig.
Looks to be in awesome condition!

Enjoy the new purchase.

 

[Maxisverymad]

Same as ours new this year and love it.
Well done enjoy!

 

[chartrock]

Looks like you have a great van @spiderpig. The 14 footers are great. Enjoy your new toy.

 

[dagree]

Congrats @spiderpig and van looks great.....

You will never go back to tenting it now

 

[achjimmy]

Fantastic does look like new

 

[Drover]

The fun can now begin, camping when you can and mods when at home.......you will love it.......14's are go anywhere rigs.

 

[Marv_mart]

Getting hot water retro fitted must surely be on your mod list!
Wouldn't be without it... We have the 14.44-5 OB, Love it!

 

[spiderpig]

Thanks everyone, we wont know ourselves with this thing, cant wait for our first family trip away soon.

Getting hot water retro fitted must surely be on your mod list!
Wouldn't be without it... We have the 144.44-5 OB, Love it!

It sure is, will make do with boiling water and a bag shower for now but a hot water system, pump, extra tank and outdoor shower are def on the must do list After i get some 12v running in it more suitable for free camping.

 

[Rockape]

Hi @spiderpig,
Great looking van. We had the same one as yours and sold it in January to get a Journey 17.55-5sh shower and toilet model. Our only regret with the 14.44-4 was not to get the hot water. Live and learn. Welcome to the caravanning family.
Cheers
Nick

 

[spiderpig]

We would like to get some side sun shades for the awning, do we need to run an anti flap kit of some description to use side shades?

 

[dagree]

We would like to get some side sun shades for the awning, do we need to run an anti flap kit of some description to use side shades?

If you are talking about front/rear shades @spiderpig ... For most brands no anti-flap bars required as they are fitted using velcro straps to attach to the horizontal bars.

I had ours modified to fit an anti-flap bar to fill in the triangular gap at the top.

 

[Marv_mart]

I would get a set of anti flap bars anyway, they are invaluable to minimize damage to be your awning if the wind picks up. As a side benefit, you can run a line across as a drying line. The line we use is available from caravan acc places has the thickened end pieces that slide into the sail track. Most anti flap kits have two sail tracks at about 90o, one pointing in for things like this and the second pointing down for shades/annexe walls.

 

[spiderpig]

Yeah the front/rear shades are mainly what i was talking about. Looking at the coast ones. Was thinking we would prob need a AFK as we like to camp alot on the coast where it can get windy but gee there not cheap, especially when you add in the curved rafters.

 

[Drover]

With a 14 you won't need the full on kit, we just use the clamp and velcro ones, wide clamp is better than the narrow ones though.....really big blow I'll throw a rope over the lot, still works better than most.


I have an idea which I pinched off a mate for DIY anti flap set up, his works well just have to sort it out for mine.

 

[Marv_mart]

Yeah the front/rear shades are mainly what i was talking about. Looking at the coast ones. Was thinking we would prob need a AFK as we like to camp alot on the coast where it can get windy but gee there not cheap, especially when you add in the curved rafters.

Yes, maybe but worth every cent. The roof arches prevent slapping in the wind and help hold everything quite firmly. Experience with the clamp ones is that they might be a lot cheaper but nowhere near as effective when it gets gusty, also no track to slide in annexe walls, shade cloth. A larger expense now means possible savings in the future IMHO.

 

[spiderpig]

Yes, maybe but worth every cent. The roof arches prevent slapping in the wind and help hold everything quite firmly. Experience with the clamp ones is that they might be a lot cheaper but nowhere near as effective when it gets gusty, also no track to slide in annexe walls, shade cloth. A larger expense now means possible savings in the future IMHO.

Yeah i think its just going to have to be one of those bite the bullet things and do it, an annexe is on the cards one day aswell i think so will need one then anyway. We had some dramas holding our fiama awning down on our vw van last time we were at the place we're heading soon, had a few get up in the middle of the night rescues so i think its a given we will need something decent/reliable.