RV MAIL

GRINNING OVER THE GATOR

We love your magazine and website . Would you consider adding the JB Caravan Gator X 18ft bunk van to your list of vans to review ? We ’ ve ordered one and think it is the bee ’ s knees !

After a couple year ’ s research , we felt it offered the best mix of offroad features , and that it was not too small or big for a family .

We were determined to keep to a single-axle van , but find one that was fully enclosed with bunks , bathroom and enough space to play cards at night with our teenage daughters and two dogs lounging at our feet .

Jude Harper . Via email

CHECK OUT COOKTOWN

When you ’ re doing the big lap , don ’ t bypass historical Cooktown . There is so much to see and experience .

Steve and Angie Paris . Via email

Steven Paris relaxes with a beer in a park in Cooktown

BATTERY BLUES

I too have had mixed success with batteries ( GoRV # 47 ) and am disappointed with a couple wellknown Australian brands . My car fridge ’ s 102Ah deep-cycle battery , with two-year warranty , lasted 2.5 years .

My car ’ s starter battery ( same brand ) was 810 cold-cranking amps and fared better at over three years . I topped up both batteries every two to three weeks with my CTEK 5A smart charger .

By the way , my original Japanese factory-fitted Nissan Patrol ’ s Yuasa battery was only 600ccA but lasted nearly eight years !

But killing them all is my van ' s house battery : a Super Start SSB HVT-86D AGM battery , with a three-year warranty . This AGM battery is in its seventh year and still going strong . It ’ s not cheap but I will happily buy another when this one dies .

Frank Augustyn . Via email

If you have an opinion or thought about the RV lifestyle , or about this digital magazine , we ’ d like to hear it ! Email your feedback to info @ gorv . com . au

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