Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Snobs Go Camping...

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Snobs Go Camping...

    Ive kept this pretty close to myself for the past few months...only a few here have known about my new adventure but as encouraged, time to let the coffee out of the bag and see how many others are also doing this.

    It had been discussed in the Scoota home for a while about what wed like to do as an alternative to staying with family and friends on our holidays. Having borrowed a friends camper trailer (CT) on several occassions, it was decided to pursue this concept further. And Oh my goodness...how far you can go with this stuff! Coffee snobbery has probably got NOTHING on Camper Trailers!  ;D (yet!)

    Anyway...without too much further ado because I know you all love pictures...

    Heres my CT. It was built in QLD by Customline. I went with a full offroad version but it has leaf springs (easier to repair outback if needed) and Ill list the extras after the photo. I picked it up from the factory in February and since then Ive had it out quite a few times. Easter weekend being the longest stay in it so far.



    Um...yep, we always take a John Deere sign camping with us... ;D



    Kitchen set up...


    The Beach House all set up...



    I had friends wanting to call it all sorts of names but Ive insisted that it be known as The Beach House because my parents and my best friend have got beach homes and I reckon Ive got the best beach home of them all as I can take my beach house to ANY beach I want!  ;D (hence the "Beach" sign that comes with me too.)

    Anyway, the trailer came with electric brakes, 70 litre water tank and external tap, jerry can and gas bottle holders, battery box, storage box and the stone guard. The tent has a tropical roof which has proven to be a brilliant addition in heat and cold. I have the biggest possible tent you could buy (well, 12 foot) but having had adults share the space Im very glad I did go the big tent. I can set it up all by myself and over the past few months have had help from a mate who has built me some things to assist with achieving that end.

    Initially it takes me about 10 minutes to set up the main tent. All up the camper takes about an hour and a half to set up. Thats just me by myself.

    I got the manufacturer to organise the Drifta kitchen DPOR package as it looked to be the best set up for what I wanted. I wanted to be able to cater for groups out of my camper and its maiden voyage catered for about 40 people at my birthday party and Ive also done a girls camp of 25 people since as well. Both times Ive been exceedingly happy with the way the kitchen has worked for me.

    The Drifta kitchen has been a great part of the camper so far. Alongside it is the huge storage box, which is perfect for me as it slides in and out so easily from the trailer and has heaps of room in it. I dont have to climb into the trailer to get my gear out!

    The things I have added so far are some pinchweld to the trailer edges (for looks and a little stone protection), a 105 amp/hr battery and a 100 watt solar panel kit that plugs into the trailers Anderson plug to charge up the battery. Ive just bought a Bainbridge 12 volt plug and meter combination to install so I can more easily plug my fridge and lights into. Other additions Im planning on are some pole storage holders at the front of the trailer and some larger mud flaps on the bottom of the stone guard.

    ON the coffee front...

    Of course, all my friends joked that Id have the coffee machine with me. I told them that Drifta had actually made a spot in the kitchen where I could put it. They saw that I wasnt joking... ;D Seriously, I had ended up with one of those butane gas burners (these are awesome things!) and have been doing plunger coffee. At first, I started with my own home roasted but preground coffee, though I now have a hand grinder so I can grind fresh. Whilst french press is quite acceptable as a coffee, Im still not an overly big fan of it and am still trying to see what Id like to do. Im now considering the aeropress and a Bellman stovetop steamer so as I can froth milk. Ive looked at quite a few options I can tell you! (Ive read a lot in the manual brewing forum here I assure you!) Anyway, this is just part of the journey of camping too I think!

    All in all, I just love sleeping in the camper. It has a queen sized bed in it and when set up it is as cosy as. Funny thing, when in this bed I just sleep all over it, whereas my bed in the house, I still only sleep on one side...but I do love my camper bed and Im always looking for the next opportunity to get out in it! Im hopeful to get out in it over the June Longweekend...

    Ive got a few other camping related things that you guys might be keen to see but Ill post them up a bit later...this post is long enough!

    Now...tell me what youve got/dream of/are building!!






  • #2
    Re: Snobs Go Camping...

    Whoa! What a fantastic setup there Scoots! Im jealous!


    Java "Heading for the woods this week-end!" phile
    Toys! I must have new toys!!!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Snobs Go Camping...

      Want to do the exact same thing, just not yet as it would just sit in the garage and anoy me as I would never have the time to use it. Fast forward about 2 years and I will be in a position to join the ranks of the camper trailer owner club. My uncle has an awesome one that he has taken all over Australia that I dream about but his setup aint cheap.

      Well done scoots.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Snobs Go Camping...

        I also dream of similar setup. Wouldnt mind a luxury trip in a motorhome one day too - but damn they are expensive.

        Regarding your coffee - Id be voting for a gas powered lever espresso setup myself .

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Snobs Go Camping...

          I know I should not... But next to the Lever and grinder I want..

          This is a major need and lotto is only next Saturday away...

          Sorry.. About the link...

          Do a search for Kratzmannscomplex and tvan

          Only real Off road unit around...

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Snobs Go Camping...

            Great setup Scoots

            We have had ours for 12months but have not been away for more than a 4 day break our last run was to TinCan Bay two weeks ago.

            I have had caravans when the tin lids where young but now with just the two of us the camper is a great way to get away and you dont have 30+K sitting in the drive when not being used.

            These pic are of our first trip to Hervey Bay to try it out I have done a lot of things to it since then : 68 Lt water tank- mains tap- Elec breaks made a slid on slid off board so as to turn the bed around which gives more room down one side for getting up to bed ;D I also have made a 20mm tubing frame for the floor of the tent that holds it in place its in 4 pieces with sliding sections for joining and also Velcro the carpet to it.

            A great way to have a holiday and like you said you can take your Beach House any where you want ;D ;D

            Cheers Gra..









            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Snobs Go Camping...

              Originally posted by 18373E3C2B143837383E3C343C372D590 link=1274794745/4#4 date=1274851528
              Do a search for   Kratzmannscomplex   and tvan

              Only real Off road unit around...
              I know about 500 blokes who could very quickly disavow you of that notion!  ;D

              This is a picture of Johnny "Trackabout" taking his camper over a 4wd competition course as a 1 dollar bet.  ;D He got in trouble off his wife for breaking the eggs in the campers kitchen after doing the course. The trailer didnt have any damage, unlike the tow vehicle!!



              Originally posted by 1E2B38590 link=1274794745/5#5 date=1274852843
              Great setup Scoots
              Yours looks pretty good too, Gra!   Actually, I think I now have camper trailer oven envy. What is that oven you have there and where do you store it in your trailer? Is it heavy or can you move it yourself? As Im pretty happy to use a camp fire to cook over, getting a proper oven/stove setup hasnt been at the top of the priority list but that just looks perfect!

              Originally posted by 09382F3637303B3620590 link=1274794745/3#3 date=1274847906
              I also dream of similar setup. Wouldnt mind a luxury trip in a motorhome one day too - but damn they are expensive.

              Regarding your coffee - Id be voting for a gas powered lever espresso setup myself .
              Im not sure about the motorhome trip...as I can see where I can get with my truck and trailer and Im betting that you wont get there in the motorhome!   This setup that I have is great for bush camping, IMO which is what well be doing a lot of!

              Pavboy, can you please tell  me more about the gas powered lever machine? Are these things a reality or just unrealistic because of price? Do you know anything about them or can you point me to where I can find out about them? (in the meantime, Ill have a search myself.)

              At this rate, I can definitely see a bunch of Camper Trailer Coffeesnobs getting together... 8-)



              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                Originally posted by 6A7A76766D78467E7875190 link=1274794745/6#6 date=1274857060
                I know about 500 blokes who could very quickly disavow you of that notion!  
                YA me too..

                But In context... An interesting outfit and would not say NO..

                Spent too much time ON teh beach and some gawd dammed awful places and seen lots of so called OFF road stuff.. That just do not cut the real ongoing work..

                Now a good mule and and one or two of the trackers my old man had working for him.. Would beat all... But I dont think many would be up for that today.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                  Speaking of mules and trackers, AM...youd be interested to know that recently there was an organised charity ride out here that followed the old Police patrol route. It took 7 days and the riders covered two different routes, meeting up in Burren Junction for the ride back to Wee Waa. They were raising money for the rescue helicopter. I had the chance to ride one day, the first one out of town. (no time for more sadly but wish I had been able to). They tried to do about 30 kms per day and at all times there were (off duty) police on horseback as well. They wanted to include an aboriginal tracker on the ride but I dont think that there are many of them left anymore. It should have got more media coverage than it did, as it was historically significant as well as being a great charity fundraiser too.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                    Originally posted by 5545494952477941474A260 link=1274794745/6#6 date=1274857060
                    Actually, I think I now have camper trailer oven envy.
                    The oven is a Jackeroo you can pick them up at Kmart when I saw it I had to have it  ;D I have set out the inside of the trailer with metal angles to hold every thing in place -generator- Battery pack -waco  are fixed over the Axel the oven is up the front every thing else packs in around with table and chairs on top worked out fine..

                    I think the ovens are around $275.00..

                    Cheers Gra..
                     

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                      Originally posted by 3525292932271921272A460 link=1274794745/6#6 date=1274857060
                      Actually, I think I now have camper trailer oven envy.
                      Indeed! Thats an awesome stove/oven combo!

                      I survived for years with the Coleman folding oven. It folds up flat for small storage and is used on top of your camp stove. A bit of a pain if you have a small stove and want to cook at the same time. It worked well with my 3-burner camp stove though. They retail here for Under $30 new and make a nice low budget option for those who wish to bake in the bush.


                      Java "Gotta love the smell of baking bread in the bush!" phile



                      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                        Originally posted by 30202C2C37221C24222F430 link=1274794745/8#8 date=1274862348
                        Speaking of mules and trackers, AM...youd be interested to know that recently there was an organised charity ride out here that followed the old Police patrol route. It took 7 days and the riders covered two different routes, meeting up in Burren Junction for the ride back to Wee Waa. They were raising money for the rescue helicopter. I had the chance to ride one day, the first one out of town. (no time for more sadly but wish I had been able to). They tried to do about 30 kms per day and at all times there were (off duty) police on horseback as well. They wanted to include an aboriginal tracker on the ride but I dont think that there are many of them left anymore. It should have got more media coverage than it did, as it was historically significant as well as being a great charity fundraiser too.  
                        Not sure if this was talked about some where ...  But I do remember my dad saying something as to .. Not the same...  

                        He would take live stock from central NSW to Darwin WW11 and for some time after...  About 12 at the time ???

                        His comment was... Phones, quality of SOME hardware and flying doctor etc have an impact on ya mental position.. We never had that stuff back then.. Ya made it to the other side or we buried you and no one would know for months etc.  He tels a story of one his cousins who was getting right sick and they left him mid way between Adelaide and Darwin.. With some tucker etc and NO horse / Mule etc... 

                        Someone got news to his misses and she and the new bub got in a dray and went off to find him...  Some many many many months later; all three arrived back at the station just out side Stanthorpe.  The rest of the hands kept it going... They got a wire from Adelaide that Ben had been fixed and his wife was bring him home.

                        They were tough and knew no better so just got down to doing what had to be done...

                        He only has weeks left and is getting very mushy about somehow making records / details of some of the experiences and times...  However; I think it will all be verbal and for many of the pictures and old letters..  We will look back and not understand as the CONTEXT will not be available.

                        I need to spend more time...

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                          Good on yer Scoots for getting some gear and getting out there.

                          We would like a CT as well, currently making do with a Cabin Tent, but at least we got away for a week at Christmas, and another week in late March to spend some time camping with a sister in law who had terminal cancer...glad we did.... her funeral was last week.

                          Camping coffee... I made do with hand grinder and Plunger or Aeropress, heat some milk in a pot and wizz it with one of those cheapy battery things.
                          Am thinking I might get a moka pot, dunno yet, or a Belman so we can steam milk...(I dont mind going without the steamed milk as much as my wife does).

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                            Originally posted by 5E6F786160676C61770E0 link=1274794745/3#3 date=1274847906
                            Regarding your coffee - Id be voting for a gas powered lever espresso setup myself  
                            Hey scoota gal - AWESOME setup!

                            Ask Chris at Talkcoffee about the commercial Izzo machines. Theyre gas powered. Hmmmmm.... imagine the reaction of campers waking up to fresh espresso wafting over the camp ground.... Youd recoup the cost of the machine over a weekend I reckon  

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Snobs Go Camping...

                              Originally posted by 760502330 link=1274794745/13#13 date=1275362700
                              ommercial Izzo machines.
                              I am looking at retrofitting my 3 grp and it will fit in my trailer too 8-) The Pavoni when camping makes so much more sense with a big inverter I reckon.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X