Opinions wanted

[4wdadventureoz]

Hi all,

It has been ages since I last was on here, life has been busy. I have been asked by a magazine to write an article on the following, and would love to hear your opinions on the matter.

Fuel and water are the two most important substances while free camping. One keeps your tow vehicle running while the other keeps you running, and you can’t travel without either. What are the best and safest ways to carry each, how much you need for a week and a month of free camping, legalities on each, weights (remember, full water tanks can bring you close to your weight limits. I need expert opinions from caravaners who are out there free camping as to what your experiences are and what the challenges that you are facing are. Also please include the quality of water and fuel in free camping locations and what this means for you.

My deadline is tight so I would appreciate any opinions in the next few days.

Thanking you all in advance.

Cheers

Glenn

 

[4wdadventureoz]

I was wondering if you would be able to assist me by answering the following
questions?

1. How much water do you carry when traveling?
2. How do you carry that water?
3. How much do you allow for a week of free camping and a month of free
camping?
4. How do you collect water on your travels an where from?
5. Have you ever filled your tanks with bad water?
6. Is the quality of water at free camp sites suitable?
7. How much fuel do you carry and how do you carry it?
8. Do you have a pre fuel filter to protect your engine from bad fuel?
9. What are your thoughts on the quality of fuel when traveling?

Much appreciated

 

[Xpandafan]

Just a part response, Glenn.
1.2.3. Have dual tanks and carry 160 litres of filtered water, If I'm not sure of availability/quality where I'm headed.
That can stretch to a week or more. I also carry a slab of 500ml el cheapo bottled water as back up. (Last lot was 39c bottle) useful for tea/coffee/brushing teeth.
4. I usually refill where there's a tap supply. Do a visual check first. Run to clear, then fill a glass.
Then always run thru a BEST filter.
Happy to use running water (river/creek) once boiled for washing etc.
Ditto from watertanks. Usually bucket this and fill a collapsible water carrier.
Water a free camp sites if marked "drinking water" or more often NOT marked "unsuitable for drinking" is OK subject to above provisos.
Wouldn't do a month off free camping without knowing where there was reasonable drinking water en route.
5.6.I never put dodgy water in my van tanks anymore. (Did it once years ago and tasted it for weeks after, and heard about it for months!).
7.8.9. Don't carry extra fuel these days as I don't do the marathon trips I used to.
Used to carry 2x20 litre jerry cans.
If you're planning the great adventure investigate an aftermarket LR tank for your tug.
Always work on looking to fill up when tank is half full, and I know I have 200-250km to find a servo.
Only had one experience with iffy diesel in recent years (and that was at 165.9c a litre as well), the spider webs on the nozzle should have been a give-away.
I change the fuel filter twice a year.
Pre-filter is an option - you'll probably get good feedback on these from forum members.
I try to use truck stops and the high flow pumps. Carry a pair of gloves to avoid oily hands and to look the part. My reckoning is that the volume/turnover means fresher/cleaner fuel. The pumps are also usually easier to reach with a big van on the back. I've discovered that not all servos are caravan friendly (Access/clearance)
Hope that gives you a start.
With any major escape, a bit of logistical homework if called for.

 

[4wdadventureoz]

Just a part response, Glenn.
1.2.3. Have dual tanks and carry 160 litres of filtered water, If I'm not sure of availability/quality where I'm headed.
That can stretch to a week or more. I also carry a slab of 500ml el cheapo bottled water as back up. (Last lot was 39c bottle) useful for tea/coffee/brushing teeth.
4. I usually refill where there's a tap supply. Do a visual check first. Run to clear, then fill a glass.
Then always run thru a BEST filter.
Happy to use running water (river/creek) once boiled for washing etc.
Ditto from watertanks. Usually bucket this and fill a collapsible water carrier.
Water a free camp sites if marked "drinking water" or more often NOT marked "unsuitable for drinking" is OK subject to above provisos.
Wouldn't do a month off free camping without knowing where there was reasonable drinking water en route.
5.6.I never put dodgy water in my van tanks anymore. (Did it once years ago and tasted it for weeks after, and heard about it for months!).
7.8.9. Don't carry extra fuel these days as I don't do the marathon trips I used to.
Used to carry 2x20 litre jerry cans.
If you're planning the great adventure investigate an aftermarket LR tank for your tug.
Always work on looking to fill up when tank is half full, and I know I have 200-250km to find a servo.
Only had one experience with iffy diesel in recent years (and that was at 165.9c a litre as well), the spider webs on the nozzle should have been a give-away.
I change the fuel filter twice a year.
Pre-filter is an option - you'll probably get good feedback on these from forum members.
I try to use truck stops and the high flow pumps. Carry a pair of gloves to avoid oily hands and to look the part. My reckoning is that the volume/turnover means fresher/cleaner fuel. The pumps are also usually easier to reach with a big van on the back. I've discovered that not all servos are caravan friendly (Access/clearance)
Hope that gives you a start.
With any major escape, a bit of logistical homework if called for.

Thanks Xpandafan, much appreciated. I have to have the article in this week so your reply has helped heaps.

 

[Xpandafan]

Thanks Xpandafan, much appreciated. I have to have the article in this week so your reply has helped heaps.

You're more than welcome. BTW the use of backup bottled water allows you to distribute the weight in the van or vehicle quite easily and you've always got emergency water even if you have tank issues.