RV Ramblings #3

Thanks to everyone who took the time to write a letter during the past month. Our article Crackdown on Cheapskate Campervanners  seems to have struck a chord with many readers, particularly grey nomads on tight budgets wanting more options when it comes to affordable camp sites offering basic facilities.

It was a tough choice, but this month’s winner of the ‘best letter’ prize, goes to Neil Rose for his wise words about the need to respect others and the environment, regardless of where you camp or what type of traveller you are. Congratulations Neil,  you’ll be receiving a Wenger Field Classic watch and EvoWood10 pocket knife valued at $295.

Next month we’ll be giving away to another reader a Dream-Pot 5-litre thermal cooker (pictured)valued at $260. Suitable for use in the home, caravan, or while camping or on picnics, the Dream-Pot portable cooker will economically and efficiently cook up soups, roasts, pasta, rice and countless other hot tasty dishes without the need for supervision. You can find out more about these fabulous non-electrical cookers at the Dream-Pot website.

It's easy to enter; just send your opinions through by clicking on the Comment button at the end of all editorial articles...

DIY DUNNIES
In caravan parks, grey nomads in the main, only want a powered site, water, and access to a washing machine, showers and toilet. All the other facilities are of no interest to them, yet they must pay, usually over inflated overnight fees. It is little wonder they choose to camp "off road".

Mind you there is no excuse for the disgusting mess left behind by many fellow travellers, particularly at the many rest spots along the road sides. Human waste, toilet paper, bottles and cans litter these sites. I would have fines of $1000 or more for those caught doing the wrong thing. I would also have it compulsory for every caravan and motorhome, etc built, to have toilet facilities.

Grey nomads are a great source of income to many small communities scattered around Australia; free camp sites are a wonderful way of bringing these people to your community. To have to pay up to $50 a night at some caravan parks is nothing but exploitation of the travelling public. We will not stop there as many other like minded travellers will avoid as well.
- David Thomas

LEAVE NO TRACE
It’s simple. Make it law for all "whizzbangs" rented to have a  porta-potti on board. We have our own toilet on board our campervan and never go into caravan parks. We cannot afford caravan parks. It does not matter what councils or anybody else does they will never stop us freedom camping wherever we want.

We are stealth campers and park in any town we like and leave no mess or trace of any kind. We are happy to frequent the $5 a night camping spots or leave a donation in community facilities. Towns that are not RV friendly in some way or another we don't spend our money. 

We don't care if there is no dump point as we use the public toilets to empty our cassette. Towns like Esperance don’t supply dump points so they think they keep the freedom campers away. How wrong they are.
- P. W. Dizon

BACKPACKERS SPEND MONEY TOO
There seems to be a lot of blaming of backpackers here. These local councils should remember that backpackers bring in revenue to their towns. Saying that they are the main cause of rubbish build up is just a way to discredit them.

From my experience backpackers travelling in vans and motorhomes are very respectful of others and the places they stay. They generally put their rubbish in bins and don't cause problems, not like some locals. Be careful not to label them as troublemakers or they won't come to your towns.

Word travels fast in their world as they communicate with many people during their travels and also via online message boards etc. Local councils should embrace this tourist trade. It sounds like sour grapes from the local caravan and camping park operators, missing out on business. Some of these charge exorbitant prices as we found out on a trip through South Australia last year. Not everyone can afford to pay $50-60 a night just to park.

Backpackers are on a budget. What's the difference between them and campers in 4x4s leaving rubbish in our parks? I'm an avid four-wheeler and I get sick of the sight of irresponsible four wheel drivers leaving their rubbish behind and destroying the surrounding terrain and bush tracks. Most are locals and/or young heroes, not backpackers. It's all about respecting your environment. Many travellers are here to do just that, enjoy and respect this beautiful country of ours.
- Neil Rose

NOT DIRT CHEAP
I have a fully self contained motorhome and I recently stayed in a caravan park that wanted me to pay $38 per night to park on a piece of dirt. The park had over 400 sites and there were only 15 sites for the travelling public, the rest being filled with permanent cabins. Let’s get real and tell the truth: the parks are doing very nicely indeed as an industry and add to that most will not allow me in because I travel with a very small dog.
- Arthur Bugden

LOCALS TO BLAME
I am a full time grey nomad and can assure you that much of the rubbish does not come from travellers young or old but the local travellers such as day trippers and local people on a day out.

Many of the grey nomads have joined the group to avoid Queensland and by doing so you not only lose our custom in your local businesses but also lose our input into your volunteer base as many of us do voluntary work as we travel.

If I am not welcome in an area to bush camp, or whatever tag you put on it, I just move on and have decided with many others that I will not venture north of the NSW border.
- Brian Eiife

LET’S WORK IT OUT TOGETHER
If the caravan parks are doing so poorly and only achieving 44 per cent occupancy rates then they should offer better rates in the off season.  That would encourage grey nomads to use the facilities; after all a small increase in profitability is better than none at all. Instead of whinging about it combine user with supplier to conciliate and potentially overcome the issues.
- Ian Martin.

SHARE THE PROCEEDS
Responsible nomads need free spots because they can then spread their money around the town providing them. If they always have to pay the high prices that caravan parks charge then their money is only going to one place instead of helping some of the smaller businesses in the town.
- Dianne Wilkinson.

TOURING TOO EXPENSIVE
After travelling in our van during winter months we are selling our lovely van due to excessive charges for parks and fuel. Many parks were charging $50 per night for power sites (one in Adelaide wanted $68 per night). As pensioners we cannot afford such charges and I am sure that the same situation applies to many retirees who would make up a large number of travellers.

We still spend heaps on food and tourism in towns apart from park charges. Thanks for killing our lifestyle.
- Kevin Saunders.

OVERSTAYED WELCOME!
If anyone is going to the Kimberleys, I can highly recommend going to Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park, between Kununurra and Wyndham. It’s only 20km to the Gibb River Road, and such a fantastic place to stay.

I went there for three nights and stayed for 11 months! I was the camp fire cook on Friday nights. Tell them Garry sent you, you won't regret it...
- Garry.

CHEAP AND CHEERFUL
Money is short and weekends away few and far between. For more time away I thought a van would be great. I picked up 30-year old 11 footer van for $600. I’ve had the best weekend away yet with my two-year old daughter and wife. Who needs the latest and greatest $30,000 wonder van to have a good time? Keep it simple.
- Chris Hudson

LITTLE GUY A WINNER
I totally agree with your article on the Little Guy caravan (except for the over 55 bit; I am 41!).

I bought a Deluxe model last year and absolutely love it, it is so easy to move and tow. It may be small but it has heaps of features and more room than you think. When we go, we just up and go. The only addition that would be nice is an awning, but we take a big sun shade with us and put it up in front, then we have somewhere to sit out of the sun.
- John Barton.

WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY VANS?
I’d like to bring something to your attention. For those who have loved caravanning and camping over the years, and who now for health reasons are no longer able to continue doing what they love most, the feeling of loss and sadness is a major hurdle to overcome.

If one's partner or oneself becomes ill or disabled, life just seems to stop, and one becomes almost a prisoner in their own home. Travelling is limited to overnight stops in suitable motels etc, and the freedom of the road seems a far off memory.

The costs of travel rise immensely and almost make it a dream that cannot be fulfilled. Yet the longing remains. So why cannot caravan and camper manufacturers make some models that incorporate wheelchair friendly systems? The market for such disability friendly equipment must be huge. Simple things like a hydraulic lift to allow ease of entry. Or maybe a camper that has a bed that slides out at ground level?

Perhaps it's time for manufacturers to rethink, and at the same time increase their sales.
- Tony Smyth

TOP MARKS
The Crusader caravans are great. We own a Mark 2 purchased new, and we are very happy with our caravan.
- Glen Dadswell