About the Club

Full History

Contact Us

Campsites

2008 Spring Rally

Helpful Hints

Other Clubs

Useful Links

Photos

Travelling Recipes

Member Profiles

Items for Sale

Safety Matters

Technical Articles

Sponsors

Workshops

Hits

Home

Helpful Hints

We encourage both members and non-members to contribute. Please phone Maureen on 02 6236 9322 if you have any good ideas.

GENERAL TRAVELLING
Essential Items for Caravanning [from Paddy O’Brien]
Flat Tyre [from Ray Edsor]
Fuel Supplies [from Maureen Hay]
New Rivet for Sheet Metal [Tom and Maureen Paine)
Keep those Boots Dry! [Tom and Maureen Paine)

RV - OUTSIDE
Towing Hitch Storage [from Ray and Richard]
TrailerMate Security [from Richard]
Window Shades [from Bucasia Qld]
Window Shade - 2 [from Chris Meadham)
Cable & Hose Stowage [from Ray Edsor]
Care of Safety Chains [from Ray Edsor]
Door Lock Modification [from Marie Perrin]
Drinking Water Hose Fittings [from John Seeley]
Load Equalising Bars [from John Seeley]
Load Equalising Bars (Hayman Reece type) [from John Seeley]
Packing for Wheels [from Chris Sullivan]
Sullage Hoses and Stowage [from John Seeley]
Outside Table [from Harry Allard]
Dog Run (from Maureen Hay)
Additional Security for Screen Door [from John Hume]
Weight Distribution Bars Security [from Ron Armstrong]
Drainage Hose - an easier way!
Additional Sink Drainage Space[from Mick Oates]
Stair Box [from Chris Forrest]
Cat House [from Corindi Beach]
Generator Storage [from John Hume)
Window Shade(from Tom and Maureen Paine)
TV Antenna - Made Easy!(from Tom and Maureen Paine)
Signs - Club ID(from Tom and Maureen Paine)
Safety Pin for Stone Shield(from Tom and Maureen Paine)
Stickers(from Tom and Maureen Paine)

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE
Safe Fire in a Gas Cylinder [from Claremont Qld]
BBQ Made Easy! [from Chris Meadham]
Simple"X" Stool / Side Table [from Ray and Chris]
Surat Heater [from Maureen Hay]
Making Your Site More Tidy [from Chris Forrest]
Easy Tent Bag [from Chris Meadham]

Non Slip Linings in Caravan Cupboards
This synthetic fabric is readily available from caravan accessory outlets. It is designed to prevent items placed thereon from slipping, due to the movement of the caravan. It should be remembered however, that this lining will not prevent an item from toppling over if there is room to do so. It therefore is wise to closely pack items in all cupboards to prevent movement, possible breakages and spillage of contents.
[John Seeley]

Protective Covers for Appliances Stowed in Cupboards
Short of wrapping everything in cotton wool padding or bubble wrap, there are some simple yet effective things that can be done prior to transit that will protect things stowed in caravan cupboards, especially items stowed in overhead cupboards. For things like the electric hot water jug, the electric toaster, and even our portable clothes iron are each tied in separate soft non shedding fabric bags. The bags are approx 140 mm square with carry handles that can double as tie cords. We even use two of these soft fabric bags to transport our fresh fruit and vegetables, one for fruit and one for veggies. Plastic ex shopping bags are no good for the fruit and veggies, because they stop fresh air circulation. The bags with fruit and veggies are stowed under the seat in a roll-out drawer, the coolest non refrigerated spot for them. Of course you still have to closely pack the items in soft fabric bags with the other contents of that cupboard. One big plus of this arrangement is that the bags prevent damage to the woodwork inside the respective cupboard.
[John Seeley]

Simple "X" Stool / Side Table
A simple cross folding canvas stool can also make a very light versatile side table for drinks and things by the inclusion of a piece of three ply and two strips of wood. It's stable and easy to make(see photo). The stool also makes a great foot stool.

Towing Hitch Storage
Sick of hitting yout shins on your towing hitch?
Here are two simple solutions to lock your vehicle hitch to your van when not in use (seephoto)

TrailerMate Security
One way to protect your Trailermate and secure your van. Weld two large chain links to allow a large padlock to be used to ensure your Trailermate doesn't walk away.(see photo)

Window Shades
Canvas,Vinyl, Rope Rail and Clips etc. from a camping centre can be used to make up simple shades for privicy and sun protection (see photo).

Safe Fire in a Gas Cylinder
There are many occasions when we want an openfire for warmth or cooking when a fire place is not available or we don't wan't to burn the grass. An old gas bottle can be converted into a convenient portable fire by someone handy with oxy welding skills (see photo).

Bedsheet Tips
We have an island double bed with doona. We often found the top sheet coming un-tucked a big problem and the doona would sometimes fall to the floor during the night. We fixed this by taking an old sheet and cutting down the centre and sewing long edges to the top sheet that can now be very well tucked in under the mattress. Makes making the bed easier in the morning.

Cable & Hose Stowage
To secure hoses and cables neatly, a small velcro strip is effective and easier to manage than string or rope.

Care of Knitting Wool
Make a lightweight wooden holder for knitting wool to stop that precious item gathering dust and dirt when it inevitably rolls away.

Care of Safety Chains
When travelling, place a short bungy strap over the towball to support the excess length of safety chain to keep the chain clear of snarling on large objects on the road, e.g pieces fallen off trees or dead animals.

Door Lock Modification
This relates to the door lock with a gearwheel catch and the internal snib lock. Make an alteration to the lock of the caravan door before you lock yourself out. Depending on the type of lock as to the method to use. One that is effective is to put a lever on the inside of the door in the unlocked position and drill a tiny hole and insert a split pin. Follow this by fitting an alternative slide lock on the inside.

Drinking Water Hose Fittings
You can't have too many of these. The ones I have found mandatory are:

• A brass two outlet tap fitting that screws onto a nom 1 inch pipe thread.
• Several 1 inch to 3/4 inch threaded reducer bushes.
• Several 1 inch threaded female to male type quick connect hose fittings.
• Several double male type quick connect nipple fittings.
• A triple or "Y" type male type quick connect nipple fitting.
• A nom 100 mm length of water hose with a female type quick connect fitting on each end. (this one is necessary when you are required to connect more than two vans to one tap).
• A plastic container, with a lid that contains all the above fittings.

Essential Items for Caravanning
Some little things that come to mind, in trying to remember my early days and first couple of rallies, are:

• Rubbish bags.
• Mat(s) for outside van door.
• Timber or similar for under jockey wheel, under van wheels (for levelling), under stabiliser legs.
• Old towel(s), or similar, for van floor for feet in wet weather.
• Laundry bag and/or basket for dirty linen, and for ease of taking to laundry.
• 15 amp - 10 amp connection, for that time you might have to plug into a domestic type power point, and these are only 10 amp.
• Carry tray, or similar - to take drinks, eats, etc from caravan to marqueetable cloth etc. for hot pots.

Flat Tyre
Ever had a flat tyre and couldn't get a jack under the vehicle because it was too low, ie, sunk down on a soft surface?.
Solution: lay the spare wheel down in front of the flat tyre. Then drive forward onto it. This will raise the vehicle or van approx. 20 cms, which should allow enough height for your jack, allowing you to change the wheel in the normal manner.

Fuel Supplies
We are always interested in finding the cheapest fuel. Most often Woolworths has the cheapest fuel in town. We went on the internet and copied a list of the names and address of all Petrol Plus stations. We keep this in the car. Helps us plan where the next big supermarket shop and petrol stop will be.

Load Equalising Bars
For "Shepherd Crook type" or "Hayman Reece" styles, recommend the towball weight of the caravan be taken by the jockey wheel, before any attempt is made to activate or deactivate the bars. In fact, if the rear of the car is raised up higher than normal by the jockey wheel, less effort is required to fit and/or remove these types of load equalising bars. It is also a good SAFETY check to see if your van is safely connected the towball.

Load Equalising Bars (Hayman Reece type)
Hayman Reece load equalising bars require lubrication on the two circular pintle bearings, to avoid unnecessary wear and permanent damage, not to mention the horrible grinding sound of two unlubricated metal surfaces under high load. Since 1995 I have smeared a light coating of " Dry Lube"on each pintle and have found it most effective. With all oils/lubricants however, you do get a build up of grease on the bars and the associated surfaces on the hitch. I combat this by wiping the grease off all parts with a piece of rag, each time I disconnect the van. To prevent grease getting where it shouldn't, I also cover the hitch (i.e. gooseneck) and the pintle bearing areas of the two load equalising bars, with old shopping bag.

Packing for Wheels
New caravaners - when setting up your van always make sure that you put a variety of sized wood in the cupboard to use as blocks on uneven ground and to stabilize the legs.

Plug, Kitchen Sink
If you have ever misplaced the plug you will find this invaluable; attach a thin chain to the sink plug.

Pop Top Owners
A tip to keep the weather out and let the light in. When you open the vents in the vinyl skirt, make up some windows from clear acrylic sheet (1.5 mm thick) to slide between the fly screen and skirt.

Soap
Here are two tips in one:

• For lovely fresh smell in your caravan leave bars of soap (still in the wrapper) in the clothes cupboard or drawers.
• When you buy new soap put it in the cupboard and use the older soap as this will have hardened and will last longer.

Sullage Hoses and Stowage
I first saw this idea on a van some years ago. I have fitted a series of 50mm dia plastic conduit tubes that are fixed to my van chassis rail, but at right angles to the chassis rails. That is, they run across the van and can be accessed from either side. I however, only access mine from the road side of the van. Each tube is approximately 1800 mm (6 Ft.) long, and the sullage tube it contains is of the same length. Each tube has a joiner nipple fitted to one end. Depending on the total length of sullage hose required, dictates the number of individual tubes I need to use. They simply just clip together. One big advantage of this system, is the ease of cleaning stowage and transportability. You simply flush out each length of hose at the tap and stow it in its appropriate tube. To prevent the hoses coming out of their tubes during travel, I stretch an "ocka strap" across the end of the tubes, that locates in a nitch in the end of each tube, the same diameter as the "ocka strap".

BBQ Made Easy
Place a sheet of Glad non-stick baking paper on the bbq plate (not the grill bars) and place meat etc. on top. The paper makes no difference
to the performance of the plate. The sides of the paper can be folded up to form a lip to contain juices which makes the hint very good for
marinated meats such as fish or chicken. The best part is, just roll up the paper when cooking is complete and the plate is clean. Especially
good in caravan parks when you are not sure about the cleanliness of the plate or when you want an easy way to leave a clean bbq for the next person. (see photo)

Built In Washing Machine
Tony has come up with a great space saving idea for his washing machine. He has built it into his rear wardrobe. Just cut a hole in the floor of the clothes cupboard and reduce the size of the drawer. All plumbing and drainage is built in under the floor. (see photo)

Outside Table
This outside table has been designed to fit permanently on to the outside of the van. Handy to the light and power point for cooking and convenient for meals.(see photo)

Surat Heater
We saw this great idea used while camping at Surat. In colder weather, there is nothing better than a campfire. To keep you even warmer, once the fire has coals, get a shovel and place a small amount of embers (about a handful size) on the ground directly under your chair. Guaranteed to keep you toasty warm!  

Dog Run
This dog run is made by running a steel cable from eyelet bolts placed at the front of the van and next to the rear entrance van door. Plenty of room to keep Rex happy!(photo A) and (photo B).

Security Door - Plastic Insert
Add a plastic insert screwed inside the van screen security door. Improves security by blocking the inside door lock mechanism from outside tampering.(see photo) 

Weight Distribution Bars
Here's an idea to store and secure your weight distribution bars while on site. Prepare a wire hanger for the A frame and place so as to hold the bars onto the A frame. Simply padlock your safety chain to the weight distribution bar chains.(see photo)

Window Shade 2
Another great idea to provide shade for your back window. Attach shade cloth above the window and position metal bars just below. Stretch cloth over the bar and secure to the bumper bar or underside of the van. The feature in the design of this window shades is that the pole comes straight out from the van, its supported by the shade and has no fitting on, or holes in the van. The only hardware on the van is the rope rail over the window. This is what makes it different to all other window shades..(see photo)

Drainage Hose - an easier way
Hard to bend over and crawl under the van to attach a drainage hose or place the bucket? Why not use this idea! Just permanently attach an additional pipe and secure to the a-frame. (see photo)

Addtional Sink Drainage Space
Have a look around for a large, plastic dish drainer - we spotted this beauty from Bunnings. Mick added a wooden edge to raise the end to ensure the lip went over the sink edge and the water ran quickly into the sink!(photo A) and (photo B).

Stair Box - What a great use of space!
Chris has built this sturdy outdoor step to make getting in and out of his van just a little easier. And why waste space? So he has used the box to store all those things you may need when you first get on site, such as a peg box and hammer. (see photo)

Making your site more tidy
How often have your arrived on site and found it covered in sharp rocks and sticks, or worse still, cigarette butts? Chris now carries a lightweight plastic rake. It's light and cheap and a few quick sweeps and the site is tidy and ready for your awning mat.(see photo)

Tent Bag
Finally!! A bag designed to enable us to stuff that tent back in!! You roll up your annex walls, fly, tent or ground sheet etc. and lay the bag, open side down over the item, then flip it over using the handles, fold in the flaps and clip it together. No more poking and pushing items into a tight sack.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

  Easy Clean Carpets
Experienced travellers know that a van without carpet will be the easiest to clean, but ohhh sooo cold in winter. The Brays bought a large offcut of new carpet, cut it into three mats to fit their inside layout and then returned the mats to a professional carpet layer to have the boarders overlocked. The look is professional at a reasonable cost. And the best part is they are able to take matts outside for cleaning or washing. As the weather warms up, any or all matts can be removed and stored, leaving the easy clean vinyl flooring.(see photo)

 More Kitchen Drawer Space
Finding extra storage space in the kitchen is always a challenge. Ann purchased an ordinary plastic cutlery drawer divider and keeps it on top of her built in cutlery drawer, giving twice the storage room. Plenty of room for the extra tongs, spatulas, can openers etc. you can't live without!  (see photo)

  Jayco Door Silencer
Newer Jaycos have a special cupboard door mechanism that opens automatically with the push of a button. Handy, except at night the Brays found it noisy. Andrew has added a small magnet to the corner of frequently used cupboards that keeps the door closed but not clasped, making it silent for night use. (see photo)

Added Bedroom Shelves
Great idea from Calum and Moira - they added small shelving along the bedroom wall from the clothes cupboard to the bedroom doorway. Out of the way and they were then able to store all those little bits and pieces that seem to take over the bedroom! (see photo)

 Moveable Table
Calum and Moira also designed a much more useful caravan table. They simply took the top of their van table and added foldaway legs. Now it can be used inside or out, or moved around the van as required. When travelling, it just folds up and is stored out of the way. (see photo)

Cat House
We spotted this ingenious double decker cat house at Corindi Beach. The owners have put a hatch in the side of the van and when they arrive on site they simply flip up the two foldable cat houses. After attaching to the van, they put the 'amenities' (being kitty litter and scratching pole) downstairs and sleeping quarters upstairs. The cats can come and go between the van and the Feline Hilton as they please. Add the shade sail for hot or rainy weather. (see photo)

Too Many Keys!
Don't you just hate it! Every caravan comes with a different key for everything and you end up trying to find the right one out of drawer or keychain full. Doesn't make for happy days! Here's an easier way - installed inside the cupboard next to the door. Make sure the labelling is big enough to read without glasses! And label the keys AND the holder so you can quickly tell which key is missing. This multi keyholder was purchased at Bunnings. (see photo)

 Extra Fridge Storage Idea
Many caravanners today opt to carry an extra fridge. And where to store it, particularly with security in mind, can be a problem. Andrew has found he was able to remove one of his lounge cushions and store the fridge very conveniently next to the kitchen in his Jayco. Easy to get to. Easy to move into the car for travelling days. Very secure. (see photo)

Generator Storage - on Back Bumper Bar
John has put a lot of thought into this idea and had the work done professionally. He has built a lockable generator storage box on his van's back bumber bar. He has even had it vented so that the generator can be run while inside the box. Just open the flip top and get her started! (Photo 1)  & (Photo 2)

Rivet for Sheet Metal
For all caravanners interested in DIY, Tom Paine has brought a new rivet to our attention. In the picture you can see the before and after product. Makes this rivet ideal for joining two bits of metal quickly and easily. Available from Barnes Caravan Spares, Sydney. (see photo)

Hatch Fan
An economical way to get some relief for those hot nights. Tom has added curtain rails to the inside of his four seasons hatch. He has then built a simple timber frame on a standard fan. This fan can be placed above the rails and plugged in to a nearby power point. Ensure the fan blows downwards for maximum comfort. Photo 1 and Photo 2

Towel Rails
Where to dry your towels? Always a problem, particularly on travelling days. Use curtain fittings fitted to the underside of your four seasons hatch. Strong enough for towels or drying laundry. All fittings were purchased at Spotlight. This fitting is removalbe, if required. (see photo)

TV Antennas - Made Easy
Always trying to get that TV antenna just right? Which direction? Vertical or horizontal? Here's a great idea. Tom has used the elbow of a beach umbrella. By mounting the antenna on this joint, he is able to easily move it in the most optimum direction! Photo 1 and Photo 2

More Window Shades
Here's another idea for window shades. Tom has attached a normal awning track above his sliding window. Maureen has sewn some shade cloth of the correct measurements. Then Tom added parts of curtain rails purchased from Spotlight. Use straps to hold down in the wind. Tom used the special sheet metal rivets for attaching to van. Very effective, especially for their sliding windows - keeps out sun and rain (in case they forgot to close the window before going out for the day!). (see photo)

Signs
Many RVers now have signs to identify their van. Some can be caravan club members id, some just personal identification. But where do you put them, since most are removable for travelling? How about this idea - so simple! Just cut up wire or old coat hangers, cut to length and bend to size. Perfect for hanging off the front of your van. (see photo)

Safety Pin for Stone Shield
Some older vans have a front stone shield with a nut that is hand tightened to hold it up while on site. Some times weather conditions will cause the shield to drop down. Tom has added a safety pin that he places through the stay to keep it upright. He has also tied a small loop of string to the end of the pin to make removal easy and stores it hanging on his inside keyholder while travelling. (see photo)

Stickers
Many caravanners will collect some type of sticker while travelling. We often hear and see problems with removing old ones from vans, either because of sticker deterioation, change of van ownership or change in club membership. The result can be messy, with discoloration of siding once the old sticker is removed. Here's a much easier way using metal offcuts. Simply mount permanently on your back bumber bar or curve the top to slip over towel rails for temporary signage. Photo 1 and Photo 2

How to keep those boots dry.
Gum boots for rainy days have never gone out of fashion! But now vanners have taken to the 'crocs' and their copycats in record numbers. So what to do with them to get them dry and keep clean? Tom just carries a pair of dowels, cut to the right size with a point at one end for driving into the grass and a rounded top to hang your boot off. Dry in no time! (see photo)

Top