Growing up with both my parents as school teachers yielded a plethora of camping experiences during school holidays. Back then, camping usually consisted of a semi watertight dome tent with my brother on stretcher beds. We didn't seem to mind back then, but as I get a little older I can see both value and worth in creature comforts.
Sarah grew up staying in hotels during family holidays, so it was a welcome relief when she fell in love with the camping lifestyle during our first trip.
Our first caravan was a 1982 Jaydove, which had seen many, many trips. My parents owned this van for years and kept it for us kids to use when we were old enough to tow. It was old, but solid and comfortable.
In 2010 we purchased our first new van; a Jayco Eagle onroad camper. The eagle took us on a number of different trips including Arlie Beach, Adelaide and Carnarvorn Gorge. We loved the eagle, but the constant hinderance of lengthy set up and pack up times got us searching for something more.
Roll on April 2013 and the purchase of our Expanda 16.49.1b Outback with too many extras to mention. We haven't looked back and just love the ease of set up and pack up with this model.
This trip presents the problem of the best of Australia's outback bull dust ingressing into our van as well as the potential for stray rock damage to the van or car. Therefore I have spent considerable time reading a variety of travel guides and trawling online forums to read what others have done to protect their investments when travelling some of the rougher roads.
The result has been the purchase of a Stone Stomper stone guard and the application of plumbers foam and very generous portions of sikaflex. Hopefully this will keep most of the dust out and protect the wiring/plumbing for the trip.
Here are some photos of our van. (The tow vehicle pictured is our previous car)
