The one thing that sux about buying a new van....

[davemc]

We have those egg things somewhere. Normally eggs come in a box which does the same thing
Have those collapsable storage Tupperware things which take up less space which is good.
Have a collapsable bucket, laundry basket as well. Got the sink one and used it once
Yes a lot of crap you buy then do not use
We have a lot of empty space I like to leave empty in the van
As when you weigh it you will get a fright

 

[mikerezny]

We have those egg things somewhere. Normally eggs come in a box which does the same thing
Have those collapsible storage Tupperware things which take up less space which is good.
Have a collapsible bucket, laundry basket as well. Got the sink one and used it once
Yes a lot of crap you buy then do not use
We have a lot of empty space I like to leave empty in the van
As when you weigh it you will get a fright

Hi @davemc,
I bought one of those yellow plastic egg holders many years ago. Pretty well useless, since it did not cope with large eggs in 700g or 800g per dozen. Sometimes, there is the odd larger egg even in the 600g dozens that will not fit.

The only time we found it useful was for backpacking. The normal containers will not protect against squashing.

So, now it just sits in our travel cupboard. Unlikely to ever be used again.

Fortunately, we haven't bought many duds over the almost 30 years of outdoor adventures.
We just take it slowly and carefully evaluate items before buying them.

For us, the enjoyment is not in the purchasing, but in the searching and finding those little gems and then the pleasure in continually utilising them.

cheers
Mike

 

[Dobbie]

My theory is that caravan shows are exciting in the anticipation but exhausting in the execution.

We had sore feet, sore backs and general lethargy last year....from a long time on the train, a long time on the platform, a long time in the queue to get in and a long walk to where we wanted to visit first.

I think our resistance level was lower than usual when we bought the new van.

We were almost too exhausted to be excited!

and I agree that it's interesting to see new products or new ideas ....it's the smaller things that excite that interest. I'm always fascinated by the number of people who wander around toting large heavy parcels of things they had to have. Anaconda bags come to mind..... It must be the free bags that attract.

One year I went to buy a kettle and ended up with a fridge....delivered or I wasn't buying it.

 

[Ssil2000]

Sooooooooo I'm back from the show... got the annex with a porch and they threw in a clothes line that attaches to the tracks and gives you 3 lengths of of line… anyhow it was well cheaper then quotes I got prior
Also got a baby q and I got the Yamaha 2400 genny... managed to get it below 2k so happy days!

 

[LC Guido]

Sooooooooo I'm back from the show... got the annex with a porch and they threw in a clothes line that attaches to the tracks and gives you 3 lengths of of line… anyhow it was well cheaper then quotes I got prior
Also got a baby q and I got the Yamaha 2400 genny... managed to get it below 2k so happy days!

Well done... Baby Q is the best!

 

[bigcol]

should have gotten you to buy the stuff I want as well then @Ssil2000

would have saved me even more

 

[Drover]

Sounds good........................cans of Scotch Guard from Bunnings only way to go, same with paint protection get a can of polish, collapapseable buckets and stuff are brilliant and those plastic egg rings, excellant stuff, egg carton is way better than other rubbish to store them...when using clothes line in awning make sure the colours don't run on certain items or your awning cops it.......................hose bags mean more work and expense, I made some but now just use Aldi chiller bags, way easier.

 

[mikerezny]

Yep. That's the stuff.

We sprayed the couch seats and cushions liberally!

Best to take them outside the van as it's easier and creates no smell or fumes inside. Do both sides and suggest you do it twice. Our Jayco seats etc were done ...twice. a bit of overkill...but I could stand on the seats, leave dust and dirt and it just sponged off. A wine spill also ...no marks.

Cheap for $10.

While we're mentioning the big green shed...and because I'm reminded by what's emerging from our shed as we setup the van....check out the gas monitors and carbon dioxide monitors. Bunnings and others have them...some more sophisticated than others.

There's a thread on this forum and the strong message is ....get a gas and carbon dioxide monitor for the family's safety. Ours were never hard wired but have 12v plugs so we just plug them in when away and disconnect when not. It's an easy install that way, unless you're very handy, and had the advantage of being able to be transferred to another van. Hence, the shed camping gear storage reminded me.

Certainly worth checking out.

For the vanguard $$$ you can get a lot of safety...and have some change.

Hi,
thanks for the tip regarding the cans of Scotch Guard.

Bought a can at Big W. One can was enough for two coats over two bottom seats, two back rests, and two cushions.

cheers
Mike

 

[Ssil2000]

Still waiting... did final sign off last week
Made them add a couple of things at no cost of course

Now focusing on getting the parking spot ready

 

[Dobbie]

Well......get on with it!

It'll take your mind off the myriad of things you'll be considering for the van ......and it's getting closer by the day.

The site looks to be progressing...some self levelling to do now?

 

[Ssil2000]

Level and compact rubble concrete hopefully next Saturday if I am get my bit done then landscape the other end... lay lawn... install irrigation...

 

[dagree]

Level and compact rubble concrete hopefully next Saturday if I am get my bit done then landscape the other end... lay lawn... install irrigation...

Now you have started the list will go on and on and on......

 

[Ssil2000]

Concrete poured and curing away nicely

Weekend off :drum:

Next week irrigation

Then lawn...


Then... VAN!!!!!!!

 

[LC Guido]

Then mods.... and trips to the weigh bridge, with more mods.

 

[Dobbie]

See....the time is going quickly so the excitement can build up while the concrete cures.

It's a productive way to spend the waiting time.

Now for the lists....and more lists.....and more $$$$

 

[Ssil2000]

See....the time is going quickly so the excitement can build up while the concrete cures.

It's a productive way to spend the waiting time.

Now for the lists....and more lists.....and more $$$$

Part of me can't wait for the thing to come but part of me wants it to be delayed till may so I have more time to sort everything out lol

 

[Ssil2000]

so just an update...

concrete still curing...

weekend off never happened lol

irrigation - check
lawn - check

van - still waiting...

the list keeps getting bigger... thats the scariest part... lol

Concrete poured and curing away nicely

Weekend off :drum:

Next week irrigation

Then lawn...


Then... VAN!!!!!!!

 

[mikerezny]

van - still waiting...

the list keeps getting bigger... thats the scariest part... lol

Hi @Ssil2000,
I know the feeling. Had to wait three months for delivery. Nothing to do except get the car electrics done and then plan all the mods I 'needed' (wanted) to do after it arrived. And the list grew each day and the planning got more and more detailed. Then the hunt for bits started. The eBay account ran hot.

As it turned out, I probably did less than a quarter of what I had thought HAD to be done. Four months have passed, we have had a ball enjoying using the van, and the pressing need to do mods has slipped down the priority list. AND we are really none the worse off for it.

Other than the car electrics, the other most important things for us were getting the right insurance and sorting out a solution for securing the van.

cheers
Mike

 

[Dobbie]

We waited seven months.....so our list of things to do / to get just expanded.

Some were done, some deferred till we finally got the van, and some just slipped by the wayside, where they'll stay.

In retrospect, the important items were ticked and those that fell into the "should we consider" category were largely ignored.

It doesn't seem all that long since you started this thread.....so you're definitely making headway.

Shame about the weekend off....take it when you get the van.

:encouragement:

 

[Drover]

Thats why I buy one that has the bugs all sorted, walk in, see what I want, throw money on table, drive out and go camping, all done 1 day...........life is to short for stuffing around waiting...................................not against people buying new vans or cars, someone has to get my next vehicle bug free and pay all the costs.