New member, 18.57.6 OB where to start?

Buzzard22

New Member
Dec 9, 2013
8
4
3
Melbourne
Expanda 18.57.6 OB 2 days old! Where to start?
We picked it up on Tuesday from Bayswater Jayco, great team out there! Really competitive price as well!
I've been reading and admiring the posts here for some time and now wondered where to start! Shelving? Underfloor protection? Stone guard? New rig?
Biggest hassle though- getting the caravan cover over the top of the van! Took us an hour, a lot harder than the Eagle OB we had.
Anyone got any good free camps pots to visit in the Yarra Valley?
 

BLJM

Member
Nov 7, 2013
79
48
18
51
chirnside park
Hi ya, you could head over to Murrindindi which is on your way to Yea.We've been to Upper Yarra reserve a few times now which is just past Reefton and that's great. Got toilet/shower block and fire pits you can use. You do have to pay but its not much. Check Parks Victoria web site
 

Buzzard22

New Member
Dec 9, 2013
8
4
3
Melbourne
It's so new we only have pics from the yard! Biggest question, how does anyone store stuff in the big tunnel boot thing? Boxes? Bags? It's a great space but a little difficult to access!
Thanks for the camping site tip, January is looking good. Funny, this site is perfect, all the magazines etc are for grey nomads (which is great and we'll all be there one day) or hard core off road. It's difficult to find family camping advice, seriously this site is perfect!
 

chartrock

Forum Patriarch
Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
6,163
7,448
113
Gold Coast Hinterland
Welcome to the site @Buzzard22, glad you like the place. :cool: Lots of friendly advice from members who would love to hear about your rig, mods and trips, ad we love photos. Look forward to your input. :ranger:
 

prado

Member
Dec 2, 2012
42
24
8
Warrnambool, Victoria.
Expanda 18.57.6 OB 2 days old! Where to start?
We picked it up on Tuesday from Bayswater Jayco, great team out there! Really competitive price as well!
I've been reading and admiring the posts here for some time and now wondered where to start! Shelving? Underfloor protection? Stone guard? New rig?
Biggest hassle though- getting the caravan cover over the top of the van! Took us an hour, a lot harder than the Eagle OB we had.
Anyone got any good free camps pots to visit in the Yarra Valley?
You will love it. 18s are such great vans. I am biased of course. Many happy travels to you.
 

gwadir

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2013
626
353
63
61
Albion Park, NSW
Welcome @Buzzard22, in the boot we store all sorts of things, a box for all the small stuff, Ozpig, Baby Q, Hillbilly campoven, camp chairs, Bed End Fly, Various pans(for pizza among other things) and a Wok, floor mat to name a few. Look forward to some pics and hearing your experiences.

Dave
 

macca

(aka maccayak)
Mar 20, 2012
1,660
832
113
Victoria
A couple tent poles or even broom handles, one person each side, start from back, lift cover up and both walk to front. Eazy peezy.
 
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Xpandafan

Seriously Likeable!
Aug 24, 2012
1,711
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Kealba, Victoria
Welcome @Buzzard22. Great choice of van .An hour to get the cover on isn't that bad. It's easier when your an old bloke and naturally awkward...someone usually comes to the rescue and does it for me! Got to get mine off this week ready for holidays. Usually takes me an hour (mostly spent trying to get it back in the bag). Best mod to start...carpet the floor...trust me!
 

Buzzard22

New Member
Dec 9, 2013
8
4
3
Melbourne
Welcome @Buzzard22. Great choice of van .An hour to get the cover on isn't that bad. It's easier when your an old bloke and naturally awkward...someone usually comes to the rescue and does it for me! Got to get mine off this week ready for holidays. Usually takes me an hour (mostly spent trying to get it back in the bag). Best mod to start...carpet the floor...trust me!
Thanks Xpandafan (and all). Some great tips there! As a matter of fact I have some carpet laying around, think I will cover the floor. Here's a quick question, I read the Napisan tip others gave in the forums else where, the young lady at Jayco on hand over specifically warned against this as it would 'wear out the o rings due to the coarseness'. Is that a furphy trying to get me to buy the expensive stuff or a legit concern?
 
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Buzzard22

New Member
Dec 9, 2013
8
4
3
Melbourne
:frusty:
Ahhhhh Maccayak, so simple yet I think it will work. I was a bit worried when I was perched on top of the ladder reeling away, cursing my kids for not helping whilst trying not to think of Molly Meldrum and his ladder exploits!
A couple tent poles or even broom handles, one person each side, start from back, lift cover up and both walk to front. Eazy peezy.
 

Burnsy

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2012
2,663
977
113
Newcastle
Thanks Xpandafan (and all). Some great tips there! As a matter of fact I have some carpet laying around, think I will cover the floor. Here's a quick question, I read the Napisan tip others gave in the forums else where, the young lady at Jayco on hand over specifically warned against this as it would 'wear out the o rings due to the coarseness'. Is that a furphy trying to get me to buy the expensive stuff or a legit concern?
You only use napisan in the bottom tank, so no risk of it damaging seals anyway!
 

Burnsy

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2012
2,663
977
113
Newcastle
My front boot atm has a plastic box with all sorts of stuff in it. Apart from that I have levellers, hoses (not sullage), fishing rods and tackle, torch, wd40 etc, broom, rain coat and some games for the kids. I try not to put too much heavy stuff in there, all my canvas is under the bunk bed. I also have anti-slip rubber in the boot....plastic very slippery!
I do like the mod I've seen on here with a false floor which leaves room at the bottom for poles etc.