Thanks mate when time comes I'll investigate the fridge further.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
As for full annexe it would only be put up for long stays.
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Thanks mate when time comes I'll investigate the fridge further.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
As for full annexe it would only be put up for long stays.
So the plan is still a plan then Kallen?
Sure is.. The Patrol is taking a little longer than expected but doing it right the first time..Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuppa
So once that's done then smash these final few house renos over then on the market.. It is just a waiting game then..
Have decided to drop home loan back to interest only come next year.. Were 14 thou infront so have some time up our sleeve of minimum repayments..
How did I miss this thread?? Sounds like a good trip.
the wife and I wish to do the same but it will be a few years off as munchkin is only 12.
Yea were hoping to get in early. Eldest is 3 in Feb and youngest is nearly 1 so if we miss the first few years of school no big loss.. So were looking at 5 years On the road..Quote:
Originally Posted by oncedisturbed
Hi Kallen
If you have solar charging on the van be advised that travel in the north (in / above the tropics ) de rates your panels so you require double the wattage.
We found our 120w system needed upgradind to 220w just to run a 12v fridge and night time lighting.
In our new slide on i have a fridge and freezer so have installed 400w (at 24v with a smart charger MPPT tracker) to charge our 240AH battery bank
all fine till 3days of rain and cloud then need to start engine to chasrge up.
we also have a smart DC/DC charger for charging from engine alt as the Patrol regulates to 13.6v and this is too low with 6m of 6mm wire to rear batteries.
of course if you are in a powered site the no worries, however we rarely find one (and mostly don't need one unless its raining)
We aim to find a Powered site and laundry once a week other than that find what we can off road.
Hope you live the dream soon
Good luck and enjoy life
Joe
Not to start a fridge debate... I agree with TD, but would add that the Trailblaza is more suited to sitting in the back of a ute. Yes, they will go in the back of a wagon, but you will have to make do without lots of stuff just to fit one in.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
If your budget will allow it, I'd also consider two units instead of one monster sized fridge. At one point I ran a 60 litre as a fridge and a 40 litre as a freezer. You could stick one in the van and one in the back of the Patrol as long as your power needs are sorted...
That's how I've set up our camper. After having an upright fridge with freezer space in our bus I realised how much of a compromise that is, often having to choose between soft ice cream or frozen lettuce! Going with the separate fridge & freezer does away with this problem, but also gives a lot more flexibility. If need be both can be used as fridges, or one can be turned off once food stocks are depleted.Quote:
Originally Posted by BenK
Cuppa
Yea that's a good thought. We have a 50 For the Patrol so why spend big bucks On a van fridge. A 80 would be tops if that's the setup..
If you have a 50 already, perhaps find a decent little second hand 32 litre or 40 litre which can work as your freezer?
Kallen & family may decide that they need more fridge/freezer capacity, however your suggestion certainly makes more sense than a 50 & an 80 power consumption-wise.Quote:
Originally Posted by BenK
Ours are 60 an 35.
Smaller units are more efficient. i.e.. in the same conditions, with same thickness insulation a 40 litre will use less than half the power that an 80 litre will.
About 'stuff' in general:
It is common for folk who are used to relatively large fridges at home to think they need a large capacity fridge/freezer for fulltime life on the road. Generally speaking this is not so. When travelling there are shops just about everywhere to re-stock from. By trying to 'transfer' home life to 'on the road' life, it is possible to make some expensive mistakes. Large fridge capacity is one of them. It's not just the fridge, but also the the system to power it which costs.
It is actually amazing how little you need to live on the road, & anything extra costs extra, both at time of purchase, & in needing to cart it around. Until experienced at living on the road I feel it is better to leave with a minimal set up & unused space. If you find that you really need something you don't have, it's no different buying it once on the road than it is to buy it before you leave. Another common mistake many make is believing that because they intend on being on the road full time that they need a huge caravan. Again imposing 'home thinking' onto 'on the road' lifestyle. Just recently I heard of a couple who had planned their travels for years, & 6 weeks into their dream trip they were miserable & stressed. They were finding that their new 24' was just too restrictive & unnecessary. They sold it (at a considerable loss) & bought an 18 footer in which they were much happier, less stressed & able to go to more places. An expensive lesson learned.
After 18 months living in our 7 metre bus we returned to our modest little 12 square house & all our 'stuff', & felt lost in all the space & belongings. Of course within a couple of months we had re-adopted old ways of being. When we eventually get back on the road I'm sure we will quickly adapt back to the minimalist lifestyle once again & wonder why on earth we needed 'all that stuff' back home.
Cuppa
Thanks Cuppa.
So glad we never got that 30+ footer. Will look into a 18 footer. Less cleaning for me to do. lol
If travelling as I used to do the best piece of advice I have is be tolerant of others. Found some real pig headed ppl in my travels.
found sound rippers as well, some who I still see 20 yrs later. Be prepared to say yes and leave it at that.
you'll at least know you're right and other ppl still pig headed, lol You know what I mean
Also if you require fuel every day chances are ice will be available too M2cw
Your probably right cuppa with the 80 being to big. But with the family of 4 I don't want to buy a 40 then after a while think crap Its to small..
A 60 dual zine might be a better option with the 50.. We have a 450L at home and it does us well.. Just..
But if we adapt some of the tips from that living on the sea thread you posted on the other forum I'm sure we could do better..
I guess with the larger 3 way van fridges your not dependant in one thing..
If the weather turns bad you atleast know you have a gas backup.
Ow, and we're looking at around the 18-20ft cabin size van, but only due to dedicated queen and bunks, and still have a reasonable living area..
We are seriously liking the expandas.. But not sure how it would handle the full time gig..