RV Ramblings #1

Welcome to the inaugural edition of RV Ramblings, the letters page that allows you, the reader, to get things off your chest. It’s also the place for you to share your tips, anecdotes, travel stories, opinions, comments or criticisms... and in the process have the chance to win a great prize.

Thanks to the many readers who took the time to respond to our initial request for letters; we've published a selection below. This month’s 'best letter' prize goes to ‘bush poet’ Shaun Williams, who wins a Dream Pot 5 litre thermal cooker valued at $260. Enjoy the delicious hot-cooked meals, Shaun, and thanks for taking part.

Next month we’ll be giving away to one lucky reader another fantastic prize: an ARB portable air compressor (pictured) valued at $350. This Aussie-designed and built portable air compressor is perfect for any off-road adventure, making light work of inflating tyres and other blow-up recreational gear.

It comes mounted in a heavy duty case for easy carrying and storage, and is equipped with a tough, six metre, air hose with corrosion resistant
quick connect couplings. The unit is fully sealed against moisture and dust, and comes with a bunch of unique features including a safety valve to prevent over-inflation.

All you have to do to have the chance to win the ARB compressor is send us an email on any topic. Just click on the "to comment on this article" button at the bottom of this page, or at the end of any CaravanCampingSales story, and get typing...

KEEPING UP-TO-DATE
My partner and I travel approx 25-30,000km a year touring Australia with an off-road camper van. We like to keep up-to-date on all news and particularly new and innovative equipment that’s available. CaravanCampingSales allows us to browse topics of interest and keep abreast of all the latest during the four to five months of the year we are on the road (mainly gravel and red sand). 
- Ian McKenzie

HARD AT IT!
When I'm stuck behind my desk at work and itching to hitch up and go but the boss/deadlines won't let me, I do the next best thing - that's right - click on CaravanCampingSales to see what’s going on around the country. I don't even need to leave the chair to dream. The only thing I miss is the smell of the gum leaves and the boss thinks I'm hard at it (but actually planning my next trip). I just finished another important email. Tee hee!
- Lindsay Burley

Ed: Don’t worry, Lindsay, we won’t let the boss in on your secret work project!

TRAVEL PLANNING MADE EASY
We are off to Queensland next month in our new Coromal van and the Travel Planner on your website has mapped out all the fuel stops, van parks and distances for us. Who needs a road map! All you need is CaravanCampingSales.com.au. Thanks so much.
- Ann Stevenson

POT OF GOLD
This is a very good prize but I wish someone would tell the history of this amazing cooking tool. I knew it as a child as a straw box cooker; just a box full of straw with a pot and a lid! It was used the same way but boy how wonderful it is now. It’s a beautiful pot and I sure would love to win one.
- Gary Brown

Ed: Not sure about the history of the straw box cooker, Gary, but we’re pretty sure the concept of the thermal cooker has been around since the early part of last century. In fact, one was carried by Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm on their epic Trans Pacific flight in the 'Southern Cross' from the USA to Australia in 1928.

DISASTER CHEF!
My boyfriend and I recently returned from a four month trip to Cape York. We are selling the home and buying a caravan to head west from Victoria through South Australia and will tour Western Australia and Northern Territory for the next few years, working part of the way around. It’s the biggest decision of our lives and we can’t wait to go. I’ve been researching thousands of products that will be useful for our trip and the Dream Pot looks like it might be a handy kitchen accessory to have. I saw a demonstration at the last 4WD and camping show in Melbourne and I was impressed. I’m not the best cook getting around and I have had plenty of disasters while on the road. This Dream Pot may just help my reputation amongst the men, and just for once I will have the last laugh on a full contented belly!
- Julie Bolden

BUSH BALLAD
The Dream Pot seems too good to be true,
They say I'll be amazed by what it can do,
It can complete my casseroles or cook my rice,
It can even be used as an esky filled with ice,
It seems just the perfect accompaniment for our family hoard,
When we go camping the Dream Pot will be adored,
So yes Dream Pot I agree I am hooked,
I would love to throw out our old billy and have our meals cooked,
A poem by a newly converted Dream Pot fan!
- Shaun Williams

SIMPLE AS ABC
D - dream to use
R - robust
E - easy to clean
A - always ready to go
M - maintenance free
P - perfect size
O - orginal design
T - top dinner thanks.
- Russell Lea

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
What about 4x4 drivers in the bush that have problems or come across others with problems? Winches and radios can save lives too. I have had a few people call for help on CB radios and driving lights add safety to any night driving...
- Bill Keen

Ed: Bill, you’re dead right that a number of 4x4 accessories like bull bars and winches that ‘city folk’ often regard as ‘cosmetic’ additions, are potential life (and vehicle) savers out in rural areas. Let’s hope the government comes to its senses and realises that what works in Europe is not necessarily a good thing in outback Australia.

BEEN THERE...
I have driven most of the very difficult tracks on the NSW east coast, back in the 1980s  and '90s (top7-offroad-destinations-in-australia-23079). I don't four-wheel-drive as much as I did back then; age has caught up with me, but enjoy a bit here and there. I now own a diesel Jeep Cherokee 65th Anniversary Special, and wonder whether it’s rugged enough for some of the trails I used to drive: Wirraba Ridge, Kiama Swamps, and the Dorrigo and Barrington areas. If it is, I’m sure it will handle the tracks you mention.
- Terry Tatham

TOURING FLINDERS
I took the family away to the Flinders Ranges over Christmas and had a great time touring with our Jayco Outback Swan. I can highly recommend Brachina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges National Park. We also enjoyed Arkaroola which is a fantastic area in the North Flinders Ranges.
- Axel Bendix

CHEAP CAMPSITES?
We are ardent campers and caravanners, but are tied down with school terms and dogs. So we’d love to know where we can camp easily and cheaply (or free) with our kids and dogs, preferably in Victoria.
- Judi Rietveld

Ed: Good idea Judi. We’ll look into publishing a feature on ‘free camping’ in the near future.

LIGHT-ON LANDCRUISERS
Very good article on the 100 Series. I have a 2003 Turbodiesel and a major weakpoint was a front diff crown wheel tooth failure which you mentioned. I agree that the other improvements are worth doing: increase ride height, dual rear wheel carriers to fit long range fuel tank, ARB difflocks front and rear, etc.
Incidentally Australia does not get access to the top of the range Toyota LandCruisers. I had a 1998 V8 VXR in Saudi with adjustable suspension (sport, normal and off-road, with maximum lift in low range an extra 125 mm), diff locks front and rear, winch, fridge, electric front/rear seats, leather trim, dual AC, sunroof, etc. - all factory fitted.
- John Churchill

FLAWED BUT FABULOUS
I enjoyed this article as I own a 2002 100 Series with 275,000km on the clock. I tow a heavy off-road caravan and have just completed an around Australia trip. Yes, I did replace all springs to compensate for the height problem and put on new heavier shocks. After returning home I have just had to replace my steering rack and pinion as the chrome had worn off and caused it to rust and start leaking. The installer advised me that this seems to be a major issue with this model and the HiLux of the same year. Today I had my front drive diff replaced as was also mentioned in the article, but other than that I love my 100 Series and intend to keep it as long as possible.
- Phil Davis

RARING TO RETURN
This is great news. We have caravanned for the last few years starting at Port Douglas, holidaying all the way back to Melbourne from June to September. We will be back this year and we have stayed at some of the most beautiful places on the east coast. Can't wait.
- Paul Hickson

PET UNFRIENDLY
This is good news, however most parks in Queensland don't allow pets. Time for change?
- Graeme

Ed: Sure, not all caravan parks are pet-friendly, and those that are often have strict rules, but there are a few that will accept pets, even in Queensland. Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park, for example, has gone so far as to install a dog hydrobath, to really pamper your pooch while on holiday. There are a number of websites that list pet-friendly accommodation. Try Googling ‘pet friendly caravan parks Queensland'.

* some emails have been edited for length and content.