Hi everyone, In the coming weeks, I'll be organising a Zoom catch-up here - it will be great to chat with you face to face (so to speak) as we spend so much time on the computer, it's nice to put a face to a name. In this thread, could you please let me know what topics you would like us to cover. Suggestions are: - What we're testing on our new van - maintenance tips from Tim - suggestions for places to see - big lap planning/road trip planning info. Feel free to comment below with what topics you'd like, and then I'll collate the topics that get the most feedback, then schedule the rest in the following weeks. But, I need your help - what day would suit you? Here are some options: The late night options we can both chat and answer questions, sat morning will be only one of us (someone needs to watch the kids! :P) Have a great day Margie PS I've also just created a road trip bundle - 11 printables for $9. If you're interested in finding out more, here is the link (good old pen and paper style!)

New video out on our new van! Before we even left for our first camp in the new van, we stopped at a mate's weighbridge — fully loaded, food, water, everything in both the car and the van — just to get the most accurate weights we could from the start. Always good to know - especially when you start by just guessing (and hoping the manufacturers got it right!) Once we were out there, a few things we actually tested or noticed: - The charging system was pulling 30 amps from the car and not going over — good sign the limiter is doing its job and not flogging the alternator - Turning circle clearance — we found a clear spot and went full lock left to right to make sure the A-frame wasn't going to strike anything - Inside kitchen vs outside kitchen (our last van was a hybrid) — already set the smoke alarm off twice in under a day, so that's going well - Fuel consumption looks higher towing this van, but we didn't do a proper test — that's coming next trip If you're getting a new van, a new to you van, or have done some big modifications - it's always great to check a few things out to be fully accustomed to your new home on wheels. Is there anything you would like to know about what to test/learn in a new van? We'll be doing a zoom live in the coming weeks to answer any of your questions - add them under this post so we can keep track of them and keep a look out when we'll do our live chat. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMkvVZXU6_0

One of the most annoying things about tunnel boots is that smooth hard floor — everything slides around, bangs into the sides, and anything wet just sits there. Tim fixed ours with a piece of marine grade carpet and it cost next to nothing. The key things he found: - Marine grade carpet is the right call — solid backing, handles moisture, pull it out to dry if something spills - He went with a neutral grey that comes in sizes wide enough to match the tunnel boot exactly, so minimal cutting - Measure twice, cut once (yes, the kids' chalk came in handy for marking the line) — and check your diagonals if you don't have a set square, because two equal diagonals means a square cut every time - The leftover carpet became a doorstep mat and a step mat, so very little waste Fitted like a glove. Genuinely one of those small mods that just makes the van feel more sorted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzWtGRLhvgY Curious what others have done with their tunnel boots — are you running carpet, rubber matting, something else? And has anything survived a proper wet-weather spill? PS do you like the thumbnail? hehe:)

Hey Margie — really enjoying scrolling through this group. I'm based in San Antonio, Texas. No big lap of my own on the horizon (caravanning is a completely different world than anything I've done), but I'm genuinely curious how it all works — the budgeting side especially. I run a small solo-travel community in the US, so watching how you two have built the planning/budgeting side of this is interesting to me from a totally different angle than most people probably read it. Following along to learn. Congrats on the growth so far — 315 members is no small thing.

Hi, I'm new to this site. We are planning a trip from country Victoria to Townsville because my daughter is due to have another baby in mid January. Although we have travelled to Townsville before, this is the first time we will be doing it in a caravan, so we are very excited! However, we are aware that we will be travelling over the peak season, and fuel is expensive right now. We appreciate any tips you can give us!