RV MAIL

GOING OFFROAD

I am writing for some advice . My wife and I are going to buy our first van as we are going to both retire soon . We want to do a lot of remote , offroad travel and are both physically fit and able . Our vehicle can tow up to 3500kg with 350kg on the towball . In your experience , what sort of things should we be looking for when deciding on the right van for us ?

Edward Simmons

G ’ day Edward . I could talk on this topic all day but I ’ ll keep it brief . First , ensure the van is built and warranted for the kind of travelling you ’ re intending doing . Clearly you ’ ll need a serious offroad suspension setup , but you should also ask how the structure of the van has been reinforced or built to withstand the tricky terrain you ’ ll likely encounter . Think about your 12V setup , too , and how you ’ ll charge those batteries . Fresh and grey water storage is important too . Think about remote-area communications , the tyres , the coupling type … and finally , think about the size of the van . The larger the van , the more limited you ’ ll be in terms of accessing certain sites .

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This is by no means exhaustive advice , but hopefully it ’ s a starting point . Good luck in your search and your travels ahead . – Ed

THANKS , TRUCKIES

To all long-haul truckies : I appreciate the service you provide Australia . Without the work you do , to tight schedules , people all around the country wouldn ’ t have the goods and services they rely upon . As much as we caravanners sometimes find it frustrating to be stuck behind you or , more to the point , to be overtaken by you ( I always get ready to hit the brake ’ s override button when I see one of you start of overtake me ), I am glad to share the road with you .

Ian Keller

+ OVERTAKING TRUCKS

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