20' Series Macca_75's 20.64.1 OB

[Macca_75]

Small mod for the weekend - about 2 mins worth.

The fridge overflow (little white container that it drained into) would fill up in about a day or 2 of use.

I just grabbed the drainage hose, slipped a piece of 10mm hose over the top (it was a firm fit once pushed in enough) and ran the outlet through the vent.

I'm not sure I like the length of hose coming out, but drilling through the floor will go straight to the top of the guard. I need to get under the van and look for options to run the hose directly through the floor.

For now, this will do. I left extra hose hanging out so the dripping water cleared the van and doesn't run down the side of it.

Total Cost - Nil (I had the hose lying around) but if you had to buy it I would guess $1 or so.

 

[warren cook]

Small mod for the weekend - about 2 mins worth.

The fridge overflow (little white container that it drained into) would fill up in about a day or 2 of use.

I just grabbed the drainage hose, slipped a piece of 10mm hose over the top (it was a firm fit once pushed in enough) and ran the outlet through the vent.

I'm not sure I like the length of hose coming out, but drilling through the floor will go straight to the top of the guard. I need to get under the van and look for options to run the hose directly through the floor.

For now, this will do. I left extra hose hanging out so the dripping water cleared the van and doesn't run down the side of it.

Total Cost - Nil (I had the hose lying around) but if you had to buy it I would guess $1 or so.

View attachment 49994

View attachment 49995

One of the jobs I have been meaning to do, I have the same issue. I was going to run a hose from the catch basin but your solution is better.

 

[Crusty181]

Small mod for the weekend - about 2 mins worth.

The fridge overflow (little white container that it drained into) would fill up in about a day or 2 of use.

I just grabbed the drainage hose, slipped a piece of 10mm hose over the top (it was a firm fit once pushed in enough) and ran the outlet through the vent.

I'm not sure I like the length of hose coming out, but drilling through the floor will go straight to the top of the guard. I need to get under the van and look for options to run the hose directly through the floor.

For now, this will do. I left extra hose hanging out so the dripping water cleared the van and doesn't run down the side of it.

Total Cost - Nil (I had the hose lying around) but if you had to buy it I would guess $1 or so.

View attachment 49994

View attachment 49995

Bit surprised (read stunned) it drains into a tiny cup and not through the floor. Our 2014 20.63.1 fridge has a drain pipe out through the floor, for what reason could they possibly stop doing that

Defrosting our fridge would fill that cup 5 times

 

[Johnanbev]

Bit surprised (read stunned) it drains into a tiny cup and not through the floor. Our 2014 20.63.1 fridge has a drain pipe out through the floor, for what reason could they possibly stop doing that

Defrosting our fridge would fill that cup 5 times

@Macca_75 and @Crusty181 I believe the little bath acts as an impediment to ambient air returning through the drain hose back into the fridge.
You could achieve the same result by puting a vertical loop in the drain hose then exit it through the louvres, or there is available a plastic valve which can be inserted into the end of the drain at the exit end. I had one on a 5th wheeler I had, do not know if the valve is available in OZ
John

 

[Drover]

Just opening the door would let more ambiant air in than a little hose, mine just goes out thru the floor but a pigs tail would stop any air flow.

 

[Macca_75]

I read somewhere it is to stop cold air exiting/warm air entering and stop bugs/dust.

I would love a little 6mm s trap to hook up inline, but that doesn't seem to be an option.

Not a big deal anyway I guess. Lets see - time will tell.

 

[Macca_75]

@Macca_75 and @Crusty181 I believe the little bath acts as an impediment to ambient air returning through the drain hose back into the fridge.
You could achieve the same result by puting a vertical loop in the drain hose then exit it through the louvres, or there is available a plastic valve which can be inserted into the end of the drain at the exit end. I had one on a 5th wheeler I had, do not know if the valve is available in OZ
John

Loop seems like a easy and good alternate to a S trap. It will fill with water and self drain.

 

[Macca_75]

The van was in Jayco for a few minor warranty items so I had them fit a new access hatch to get into the storage in the front of the rear bed from the outside

If anyone is interested it was this one

https://www.caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=15718

I was considering the taller model door however this would mean the clearance light would need to be moved up (and wouldn't line up with the others or the other side) and I think (looking at the height of the rear bed) it would be to high anyway.

 

[Macca_75]

We were planning to get away this weekend but for a variety of reasons (bad weather being the main one) we didn’t.

So I took the time to knock off a few little jobs I have been meaning to do.

First up was mounting a portable table for when we are travelling (I am really trying to avoid just throwing things in the van). I bought a “Lifetime 6ft Standard Blow Mould Trestle Table” from the Big Green shed – turned out the legs on it are made from 25mm steel so I also purchased some 25mm clips for holding Electrical conduit while I was there and some 8g screws to mount it. Was < $60 all up.

Pre drilled a hole in the base of the back bed. Used 2.5mm so the thread could get a good bite. Turns out these things appeared to be about 3 mm of “something” about the rest is core filled with polystyrene. Non the less the screws seemed to tighten well enough.

Close up of the Conduit mounting clip.

All 4 of them in place.

Table fitted.

A also measured to make sure the table sat high enough so it didn’t need to be removed when the back bed was lowered. Margin was closer than I thought but the right result so I will take that.

Next up some Magnetic strip for the shower to hold the door close when we are slightly on a lean. I bought “5M Flexible Self Adhesive Magnet Rubber Tape Magnetic Powder Roll Craft Strip – 10mm x 1.5mm from “direct-magnets" on ebay.

Simply remove the backing from 1 strip that I cut to length and apply it to the door.

Then attach the next strip to this one, remove the adhesive backing and close the shower door to make sure the second strip goes where needed on the frame. Should be strong to work exactly as I need.

I also had an old bit of floor lino laying around so I cut it to size to cover the stove and stop the glass getting scratched. It was stored curled up and I didn’t wait for to it lay flat before taking the photo.

Next up – the access door I recently added for the rear tunnel had a different key so we purchased the same lock from Jayco so all access doors are keyed alike. We have enough keys to deal with. Anyone need an “A21” lock hit me up – I have a spare

 

[mikerezny]

Anyone need an “A21” lock hit me up – I have a spare

Hi @Macca_75,
I could be interested if you have 2 x A21 barrels?

cheers
Mike

 

[Macca_75]

Hi @Macca_75,
I could be interested if you have 2 x A21 barrels?

cheers
Mike

I only have the 1 supplied with the door. It's yours if you want it for $10 (less than half the price of a new one). I never used the lock - it was on the van for about a month while in storage. I could even drop it off on the way to/from work or you could pick it up - I work in Burwood East. It's also the whole lock - not just the barrel.

 

[Macca_75]

So our trip to Flinders SA is done and dusted - what a great experience. To much for a full trip report but here are a few of the highlights.

The original plan

http://wctrip.co/au/214811/1014553365

Amongst the hundreds of photo's, I've pulled a couple of the van related ones below. I didn't get pics of the van at every stop (a setup van is a setup van) but the stops we had were:

• Cockatoo Downs Farm stay - highly recommend you stop here for a night or 2 if you have kids. Great hosts and the animal feeding in the morning was a highlight the kids all loved. We will be back if we are that way again
• Big4 - Adelaide Shores - Resort caravan park - what more is there to say (other than the planes can be a little off putting). Other than that great place right on the beach.
• Flinders Bush retreat in Hawker - definitely the highlight of the stay. Great hosts and they won Bronze in some SA tourism awards for their self contained cottage whilst we were there. To see what they have restored from a derelict house is amazing. Allen and Sharon were great and the kids enjoying getting dirty "working" on the farm tour. Wildlife was everywhere and roamed all around you. If we stopped at Hawker we would book there again.
• Big4 Renmark - again a Big4 resort caravan park right on the Murray. We coped a 39 degree day but you can't control the weather. Great park and am considering a longer stay with this as the only destination.
• Hopetoun Caravan park - unplanned stay as we got caught on the road in a severe storm and needed to stop ASAP. Weather was so bad we didn't even drop the bed ends - just covered the slider table to a bed and used this and the bunks.
• Bendigo Big4 Park Lane - This was my sons pick as the brochure was filled with the indoor play centre. The play centre was great and we caught up with friends in Bendigo.

Anyway, some of the pics.....

We stopped for a bite to eat at Murray bridge - parking was not a problem.

What a view from the 4WD track on Flinders Bush retreats property

Time for some marshmallows...

We climbed the hill at the back of the van - no drone footage here. You can see our van and in the background the eco tent accommodation offered

This is what our campsite looked like closer up

On the way out - surprisingly the van didn't have a lot of dust inside it and it faired well

Last but not least we stopped by Kangaroo Flats (near Bendigo) and saw a house but by my ancestors around 1851-1853. It has since been restored (late 70's)

And some of the low points (minor inconveniences)

• Mains pressure valve failed while we were in Adelaide. Adelaide Jayco gave us a swap out under warranty and it was a 10 min DIY swap over.
• Microwave failed. Turns on and off, beeps randomly, etc. Jayco are swapping out under warranty so no issues.
• We had trouble getting the fridge to start on DC consistently when travelling, but nothing defrosted so it was more annoying than anything.
• Car really struggled in the heat. When temps were over 35 and the wind (dry/hot) came up (mostly as a head or side wind) we had to back off the speed. I will be moving the Lightbar to allow some more airflow in.
• CB Aerial snapped. No reason why - just bent and then flew off. Funny to watch actually. New one ordered.
• My bike racks - I wanted to take my bike but didn't have enough room. iSi 4x4x4 already order and will be on for the next trip.
• Drinking water - God we have it good here in Melbourne. We will have a water filter before the next interstate trip. Just needing to decide which one. It will be a temp "hang on the side in line with the hose" type.

There is a list of other smaller things - every trip improves.

Bring on January.

 

[Crusty181]

http://wctrip.co/au/214811/1014553365

How the hell do you do that ???

 

[Macca_75]

How the hell do you do that ???

• Buy the Wikicamps app.
• Create a Wikicamps ID and logon to the app using that ID
• Create a trip in Wikicamps
• Share (this will give you the URL)

 

[Macca_75]

Just a quick get away for Easter

 

[Macca_75]

We took the van up past Licola on Queens Birthday weekend freecamping - man it was cold.

Well, we wont be cold anymore.

We had a Truma Varioheat installed.

The unit was installed under the fridge. They screw it up so we didnt lose much storage.

You can see the lighter colour heating duct behind it. That is bought out under the ensuite cabinet and provides a duct for the back beds.

There is also a duct under the table point to the front bed.

The controller is mounted on the side of the fridge and no issues with the slider going in or out.

The exhaust runs along the chassis and comes out just behind the rear mudflap.

And the air intake is neatly hidden away between the slide out and the fridge.

Very neat workmanship (I am a little finiky about presentation). All up $2,800 supplied and fitted. Happy with the price considering the extra rear vent and the time/effort they put in to hide the ducts where I requested.

 

[Macca_75]

Haven't done any mod's of late. Managed to take it out of storage for a quick weekend getaway just out of Licola.

also got a new toy - still learning how to fly it.

Will try and add a few more unedited videos later but as they are 4K they can take a while to upload.

 

[JBee]

So our trip to Flinders SA is done and dusted - what a great experience. To much for a full trip report but here are a few of the highlights.

The original plan

http://wctrip.co/au/214811/1014553365

Amongst the hundreds of photo's, I've pulled a couple of the van related ones below. I didn't get pics of the van at every stop (a setup van is a setup van) but the stops we had were:

• Cockatoo Downs Farm stay - highly recommend you stop here for a night or 2 if you have kids. Great hosts and the animal feeding in the morning was a highlight the kids all loved. We will be back if we are that way again
• Big4 - Adelaide Shores - Resort caravan park - what more is there to say (other than the planes can be a little off putting). Other than that great place right on the beach.
• Flinders Bush retreat in Hawker - definitely the highlight of the stay. Great hosts and they won Bronze in some SA tourism awards for their self contained cottage whilst we were there. To see what they have restored from a derelict house is amazing. Allen and Sharon were great and the kids enjoying getting dirty "working" on the farm tour. Wildlife was everywhere and roamed all around you. If we stopped at Hawker we would book there again.
• Big4 Renmark - again a Big4 resort caravan park right on the Murray. We coped a 39 degree day but you can't control the weather. Great park and am considering a longer stay with this as the only destination.
• Hopetoun Caravan park - unplanned stay as we got caught on the road in a severe storm and needed to stop ASAP. Weather was so bad we didn't even drop the bed ends - just covered the slider table to a bed and used this and the bunks.
• Bendigo Big4 Park Lane - This was my sons pick as the brochure was filled with the indoor play centre. The play centre was great and we caught up with friends in Bendigo.

Anyway, some of the pics.....

We stopped for a bite to eat at Murray bridge - parking was not a problem.

View attachment 58341

What a view from the 4WD track on Flinders Bush retreats property

View attachment 58336

Time for some marshmallows...

View attachment 58335

We climbed the hill at the back of the van - no drone footage here. You can see our van and in the background the eco tent accommodation offered
View attachment 58337

This is what our campsite looked like closer up
View attachment 58338

On the way out - surprisingly the van didn't have a lot of dust inside it and it faired well
View attachment 58339

Last but not least we stopped by Kangaroo Flats (near Bendigo) and saw a house but by my ancestors around 1851-1853. It has since been restored (late 70's)

View attachment 58340

And some of the low points (minor inconveniences)

• Mains pressure valve failed while we were in Adelaide. Adelaide Jayco gave us a swap out under warranty and it was a 10 min DIY swap over.
• Microwave failed. Turns on and off, beeps randomly, etc. Jayco are swapping out under warranty so no issues.
• We had trouble getting the fridge to start on DC consistently when travelling, but nothing defrosted so it was more annoying than anything.
• Car really struggled in the heat. When temps were over 35 and the wind (dry/hot) came up (mostly as a head or side wind) we had to back off the speed. I will be moving the Lightbar to allow some more airflow in.
• CB Aerial snapped. No reason why - just bent and then flew off. Funny to watch actually. New one ordered.
• My bike racks - I wanted to take my bike but didn't have enough room. iSi 4x4x4 already order and will be on for the next trip.
• Drinking water - God we have it good here in Melbourne. We will have a water filter before the next interstate trip. Just needing to decide which one. It will be a temp "hang on the side in line with the hose" type.

There is a list of other smaller things - every trip improves.

Bring on January.

Hi Macca

Great set up you have, I also have a 20ft Outback.

Was just wondering how you got on with the bike racks? I have 3 young kids who love getting out on the bikes so I'm interested in finding something that will fit to the rear of the van but also folds out the way to allow bed to be pulled down.

Thanks
James

 

[Macca_75]

Hi Macca

Great set up you have, I also have a 20ft Outback.

Was just wondering how you got on with the bike racks? I have 3 young kids who love getting out on the bikes so I'm interested in finding something that will fit to the rear of the van but also folds out the way to allow bed to be pulled down.

Thanks
James

Hey James,

I thought I had updated this, but it appears not.

I bought a 4x4x4 ISI bike rack. I added a few pics here - https://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/bike-rack.11146/post-188546

Definitely a great bike rack that will outlast your van, however you couldn't fold it forward with the bikes on it as they would hit the hitch.

Probably overkill for 3 x small kids bikes as well.

 

[Macca_75]

Unedited Fly over and around secret site #9

The van makes an appearance @ 2:17