Big Trip Gadgets and Purchases - Halfway Review

OK... this was going to be a nice big post on all the things we'd taken away with us after months of deliberating and discussions, arguments of do we need it or not... I'd been plugging away at a heap of hilarious text, some ripping jokes and banter. It quite possibly might have been the best piece of writing you'll never read. And, thanks to some pretty crappy programming that doesn't auto-save posts as you work on them (or at least doesn't point out that you're exiting without saving) it's gone...

So, as I sulk and sook it up, I've decided a different approach might work and suit people more. An express review... a two or three sentence max review of the things we've brought with us and whether or not they really are worth the trouble.

Just bear in mind, we're a family of 5 with three young kids. What works for us, might not work for you. But space, weight and convenience were always our priorities. Sometimes comfort got a look in....

Washing Machine

Life on the road + kids in a van = washing machine is a must.
It will save you years of work to pay the equivalent amount that will be used in van park machines.

TV

"Each to their own" but ours is largely dead weight.
Light a fire or watch a sunset, talk and enjoy 'natures TV', sans Trump

Outdoor Mat

Your living room carpet. Don't be afraid to spend the big bucks on quality. CGear for us and we haven't regretted it one bit.

Peggy Pegs / Tent Pegs

Great in theory and if Australia was made completely out of a sand base or grass site you'd be fine. It isn't though so get yourself a robust metal solution. I don't know... like a tent peg.

Butane Stove

Incredibly convenient but uses more fuel than Space Shuttle launch. Ditch it, carry a gas burner and get the attachments to plug into your van or trailers gas reserves like we did. Sit back and cremate away.

Coffee Machine

Why we thought we could go this trip without a coffee solution is beyond me. We now carry two, a Bialetti and a aeropress, which gives us a few options and ultimately have saved us a packet by not buying overpriced coffee in roadhouses.

Waeco Fridge

Waeco... Engel... whatever. A second fridge is a must for a big family as it allows you to store/freeze more food which in itself saves you money and gives you more flexibility. Just accept that it's not going to be the "beer fridge" it used to be.

Thumper Battery (Second Battery)

Thumper... Battery Box... Second Battery... whatever. If you have a fridge, I think you should really have a second battery. You don't have to, but when you're out bush, off grid and out of cranking power, don't try and call me for a jump (you won't have reception anyhow).

Tablets

Can be charged on 12V + install cool apps = more convenient on the road than PCs.

Chairs

Like the mats, don't be afraid to invest in quality as you use them ALL the time. You wouldn't buy a cheap and uncomfortable lounge suite for home now would you?

Table and Benches

See comments for chairs but in the witty second setence, replace "lounge suite" with "dining table".

Bluetooth Keyboard

Typing out posts and blogs on a touch screen sucks. Bluetooth keyboards are God's gift to nerds...

12V fan

Get one or option one of those swanky Sirocco thingys into your RV. Power doesn't always exist but still humid air does up North. And there's no escaping it. Ever.

Desk fan

Bought these little tackers for the kids to plug into the 12V sockets above their bed. They think they're cool, and keep them cool. Sometimes being a tightarse works out well.

Ceramic Heater

Currently (small) dead weight. But a complete and utter lifeline in previous van trips, I hope we never have to use it.

Collapsable Laundry Basket

ALDI collapsible baskets are cool. And helps you blend in with the grey nomads...

Drills and tools

Bring what you think you'll need but don't stress. You'll soon realise after a few weeks that you never have what you'll need and you support the local hardware shops anyhow.

Tents & sleeping bags

Have provided excellent flexibility in keeping open the chance to reach 'no vans allowed' spots. Not for everyone, but a great way to make you realise just how comfy your van really is.

Jerry cans

I thought I wouldn't need these, but brought along a couple anyhow. Have used them twice and I suggest you don't leave home without at least 20L of fuel stashed somewhere.

Surfboard and boogie board

The surfboard's best use so far is making our car identifiable amongst a sea of 4WDs in outback roadhouses and shopping centres. 'Nuff said.

Scooter and bikes

Bikes would be cool but scooters have provided more than enough entertainment for the kids. Plus they fit in the tool box on the front.

Weber

An outdoor roasting open is a must. Find a space to store it, and enjoy your trip smelling the best roast meat you can find.

Levelling ramps and chocks

They learnt many centuries ago that the world is not flat, and I've learnt rarely are campsites either. Bring along a solution to lift the van somehow.

Levelling bubbles

Ours 'broke'. Our solution was to get a golf ball and sit it on the floor of the van. Works a treat. Don't overcomplicate things.

Shade clothes and screens

Surely you are chasing the sun like we are? If so, bring the shade clothes and avoid looking like a lobster-esque British backpacker.

Wikicamps

The Bible. If you leave home without this installed, turn around and head back. You're not ready.

HEMA HX-1

Cool but a little wanky. Still we use around 5% of it's capabilities so I shouldn't cast too many aspursions. A good map will get you by.

Camelback backpacks

Cool in concept for the kids, but they all started to drip through chewing on bits. We ripped the bladders out and they had cool little backpacks for drink bottles and snacks. Fail = Win.

Torches and headlamps

Again cool in concept for the kids. Then they'll lose/break them and you'll all end up walking to the torch setting of your smartphone.

Clothesline

See washing maching comment above. Can't have the ying without the yang.

Hoses and cords

Get either longest version of power cords and water hoses you can find, or better, carry two shorter versions. You'll cover big distances on a trip like this, and most are just to the facilities of a powered site. That includes a 240V extension cord as well remember...

Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Who would have thought we'd still need a vacuum? And classes as a power tool as it runs off the drill battery right?

BOS370 Jockey Wheel

It's drill driven so does that make it a power tool too? It's been brilliant though, and worth every cent in avoided one arm workouts.

Fishing Rods

Who would have thought with with more coastline than most other continents on the planet we'd do a lot of fishing? It's brilliant, cheap, fun and accessible family time. Just don't expect fish for dinner if you come with me.

Spare Tyres

Not wanting to jinx it, but we've done OK with only one each for van and car. Please smile nicely on me Tyre Gods....

Pool Noodles

God's gift to caravans. Flexible, light and has a bazillion uses. Stash one somewhere and thank me later.

Clothes

Really, you need a couple of tops, a couple of pairs of shorts and more underwear than you think. As long as you don't mind smelling like a cattle yard. Which we don't seem to. Sorry if you're downwind.

............

Ultimately, there's a million things you can buy or get. Things you need but we won't. Things we need that you won't. In the end, unless you are going 'proper bush' you are never too far from a shop for that 13mm spanner you don't have. Just don't expect to pay the prices you pay at home. Unless you are from Perth. Then everything is cheap!