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Thread: Guess What? We bought a caravan!!!

  1. #1
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    Guess What? We bought a caravan!!!

    Yesterday we went to the Adelaide Caravan show to look at some vans and to get some ideas on what we might want.
    And we ended up with a caravan!!!!!!!!!
    All in all, it was a pleasant sale and we were very happy with what we got, and the price/deal we arranged.
    We ended up with an 18' Road Owl single axle, 1.7T van.
    I had no intention of buying, or towing a hotel on wheels - I want the towing to be an enjoyable process for me, as well as enjoying the comforts out in the bush.
    Whilst I've towed lots of things, including smallish vans, trailers and camper trailers, a caravan has never been on my list!
    I have a V6 Disco 3 - petrol (yes I know it will not be super economical, but i'm sick of diesels).
    I have the usual Land Rover tow hitch, which I know is more than adequate, but I guess there are some more things I'm going to need now.
    Would appreciate advice from others, but I am looking at the following.
    1. 12 pin connector
    2. Brake controller - looking at Redarc model
    3. The van is fitted with a red anderson plug for the anti sway brake controller - so I'll need to wire that up on the Disco.
    4. Hitch weight thingy to keep an eye on the weight at the front.

    I've already got a Traxide kit fitted, so I have the Anderson plug at the back of the D3.

    Other than doing a course on towing (both of us will do it), and a few gentle runs around the country, what else do I need?

    I've got tons of camping gear including solar, stoves etc and the only thing I probably need is a Genny to look after the aircon unit in the van (that will keep HER happy!!!) We are also both pretty good at packing, and I do not see us overloading either the Disco or van with un required junk.

    As I said, would appreciate feedback from others who have been there and done this already!!

    alan
    2012 L320 Range Rover Sport Fuji White
    REMLR 012
    No 5 Trailer ARN 177-295
    2006 Disco 3, 4L V6 Petrol SE Deceased Feb 26 2023
    SOLD Engineers Trailer - no id
    SOLD RAAF 231194 Perentie 110 GS - SIR ANGUS
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  2. #2
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    Congratulations, enjoy it. Don't believe the caravan forums, they will scare you to death, well sometimes anyway. It is an awesome way of life. The D3 will be a superb tug & you won't have to worry about WDH etc. Easy to hitch up with the air suspension. See you on the road.
    + 2016 D4 TDV6

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aussie Jeepster View Post

    Other than doing a course on towing (both of us will do it), and a few gentle runs around the country, what else do I need?
    Good for you! I wish more people would do that. Make sure you have a CB so you can have comms with the trucks when you are on the highways. Makes life easier and calmer for all concerned.

    Enjoy.
    ​JayTee

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    ​Getting involved in discussions is the best way to learn.

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  4. #4
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    A 2.4kva will probably start your brand new aircon,, but maybe not leave much,, ???
    We looked at a 3 kva Honda,, its the Holy Grail of van generators,, but size and weight are an issue,,

    any Pics of the van?
    "How long since you've visited The Good Oil?"

    '93 V8 Rossi
    '97 to '07. sold.
    '01 V8 D2
    '06 to 10. written off.
    '03 4.6 V8 HSE D2a with Tornado ECM
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    '21 to Infinity and Beyond!


    1988 Isuzu Bus. V10 15L NA Diesel
    Home is where you park it..

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  5. #5
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    This should mount up to the draw bar ok.


    Happy travels

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milton477 View Post
    Congratulations, enjoy it. Don't believe the caravan forums, they will scare you to death, well sometimes anyway. It is an awesome way of life. The D3 will be a superb tug & you won't have to worry about WDH etc. Easy to hitch up with the air suspension. See you on the road.
    I've already been told I need a WDH which I have no plans for!
    2012 L320 Range Rover Sport Fuji White
    REMLR 012
    No 5 Trailer ARN 177-295
    2006 Disco 3, 4L V6 Petrol SE Deceased Feb 26 2023
    SOLD Engineers Trailer - no id
    SOLD RAAF 231194 Perentie 110 GS - SIR ANGUS
    SOLD 4MP COY Series 3 FFR 30-209

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by strangy View Post
    This should mount up to the draw bar ok.


    Happy travels
    Geez, that should almost be in a museum. Haven't seen a KTTA38 like that for donkeys years, but its in good condition. 👍
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  8. #8
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    Just me perhaps but, even though you're not off roading, I'd still consider a DO35 , or similar, tow hitch to lessen the chance of the tug being rolled in a van flip scenario.
    Happy travels
    Steve

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Saitch View Post
    Just me perhaps but, even though you're not off roading, I'd still consider a DO35 , or similar, tow hitch to lessen the chance of the tug being rolled in a van flip scenario.
    Happy travels
    Steve
    Sound advise - I’ve just put one on my old Viscount even though it will never go off road.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  10. #10
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    I suppose,,, god alone knows how many kays our hitch has done
    "How long since you've visited The Good Oil?"

    '93 V8 Rossi
    '97 to '07. sold.
    '01 V8 D2
    '06 to 10. written off.
    '03 4.6 V8 HSE D2a with Tornado ECM
    '10 to '21
    '16.5 RRS SDV8
    '21 to Infinity and Beyond!


    1988 Isuzu Bus. V10 15L NA Diesel
    Home is where you park it..

    [IMG][/IMG]

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