Drop axle on caravan

**Homestar** · 3rd March 2015, 07:42 PM

Ok, a couple of steps further. It is now ready for rego! Tomorrow night it goes over the weighbridge, Thursday morning in for Registration...

Also got the 12 volt electrics sorted - a bit of a bodge at the moment, but it works like a treat. Basically, I've got a 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter connected to 200 amp hours of deep cycle batteries. Lead from the inverter runs out the window and plugs into the side of the van....

Yes, I know, but I won't have time to put a changeover switch in before we go away for the first time. With 2 lights on (that have 6 watt LED globes each), the pedestal fan running on low and the TV on, I'm drawing just under 5 amps on the 12 volt side - pretty happy with that. The fridge will have to wait until we get to site and the gas lit. I'll use the engel in the back of the 101 in the meantime. I will eventually get a decent 12 volt supply run from the 101 so I can run the fridge through the inverter while driving. All in good time.

The downside of running a cheap inverter is that it draws .6 amp while doing nothing! I'll turn it off when not using it at night, so all good. During the day, the 150 watt solar panel will keep thinks happy. Given that I don't need to run the engel while parked up, I doubt I'll run short of power. Will just have to keep an eye on the gas though, not sure how long a gas fridge will take to suck a 9kg bottle dry - any ideas on that?

cheers.

**Cap** · 3rd March 2015, 08:42 PM

good luck with it all, ill be doing same end of month with rego.

**Chucaro** · 4th March 2015, 09:07 AM

I am jealous

Eventually I will fix the gas bottles cradle on the RR so I can fit the towbar on it, then start hunting for a cheap van.............

**loanrangie** · 4th March 2015, 10:18 AM

9kg bottle will last a couple of months , its really only a pilot light.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

**TerryO** · 9th March 2015, 12:12 AM

It will be interesting to see how you go Gav with rego considering it now has a new A frame, I was told by one bloke a few years ago who does blue slips when I got a camper trailer registered in NSW for the first time that the A-frame is the main part of any trailer that must meet ADR compliance and needs to have some proof that it is complied by the manufacturer or a engineer.

I hope he was wrong otherwise it could be a hassle

**TerryO** · 9th March 2015, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

9kg bottle will last a couple of months , its really only a pilot light.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

If your van has a gas HWS and gas fridge like ours does then a 9 kg bottle lasts about 2 weeks. Less if we use the BBQ a lot.

**Mick_Marsh** · 9th March 2015, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by TerryO

It will be interesting to see how you go Gav with rego considering it now has a new A frame, I was told by one bloke a few years ago who does blue slips when I got a camper trailer registered in NSW for the first time that the A-frame is the main part of any trailer that must meet ADR compliance and needs to have some proof that it is complied by the manufacturer or a engineer.

I hope he was wrong otherwise it could be a hassle

Engineers reports are not neccessary for a trailer under 4.5t GVM in Vic. As long as it meets certain criteria (axle size, spring size, braking system, position of lights and reflectors) it's fine to register for only $54 per year.

**Sitec** · 9th March 2015, 10:54 AM

Looking good, and that drawbar is fine! You've already discovered the first advantage of extra length.. When you towed it home! Steady as a rock!

Roll on Melrose!

**Homestar** · 9th March 2015, 07:07 PM

Almost ready for its maiden voyage!

A big thankyou to Chops who came over today and gave me a hand, and some ideas.

. Got the floor down where the toilet is going - effectively gaining an extra foot of floor space it didn't have before.

After that, got a heap of wiring done, and the plumbing for the 12 volt pump. Only got to tidy up the wiring for the lights and to rehash the camera wiring in both the van and 101.

Biggest issue I have is can't get the 12 pin military plug apart to make up an adaptor for the wiring - that is tonight's job.

Terry - as Mick mentioned, no requirement for engineering here in Vic for any trailer that has a gross mass under 4,500Kg. As long as it meets the criteria Vicroads ask for - VIN or chassis number, proof of ownership, tyres in good condition, all lights working to the required standard, brakes as required depending on gross mass, and you're good to go. They don't care if it's super glued together or made from balsa wood. A brand new home made trailer would also require a data plate with a few more details on it, but still no requirement for engineering or a RWC.

Pay your $40 for the inspection, then about $28 for the plate and about $55 for a years rego, and you're on the road.

**Homestar** · 11th March 2015, 08:25 PM

Whew! All done, ready to roll in the morning. Went for a drive to the weigh bridge and back this arvo - sits on 85 to 90 on the highway no dramas.

Thread: Drop axle on caravan

Thread Tools

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions