It had been a long time since I’d climbed aboard a van by MDC. Too long. And, in all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect. The company started over 15 years ago importing campers, but over the years has invested heavily in its Australian operations. The upshot is, each van in the MDC line-up receives over 50 hours of ‘finishing off’, including gas and electrical, with a heavy focus on compliance. In fact, it was the first RV importer in Australia to receive RVMAP accreditation. Interestingly, MDC even employed the former, highly regarded chief technical officer of the Caravan Industry Associ ..read more

My parents used to have a small pop-top. It was a basic thing with very little in the way of creature comforts and electronic technology. By today’s standards, it was archaic, to say the least. Today, caravans and other RVs have a plethora of 12V electronic components and gadgets to make your camping experience as enjoyable as possible. The issue is that this technology is not infallible. Problems do arise from time to time. Fortunately, with a small amount of knowledge and the right gear, it is possible to diagnose the cause of many of these issues and fix them yourself. This month, we look a ..read more

We recently looked at how a portable lithium power station such as the EcoFlow Delta 2 could be a viable alternative to a petrol-powered generator. In that article, I suggested the 1024Wh battery in the Delta 2 would be suitable for most caravanners and campers.  But what if you needed more power? What if you needed to use appliances with seriously high power demands? Well, EcoFlow has just released the Delta 2 Max and we were fortunate to be one of the first in Australia to get our hands on this unit to test its remarkable capabilities. ECOFLOW DELTA 2 VS DELTA 2 MAX At this point ..read more

When you’ve spent a career advising countless customers on caravans, watching as they build their dream, what do you do when it’s finally your turn? For Mitch Damyon, long-time employee of Goldstream RV, the answer was obvious: buy one of the very vans he has spent years selling.  This Goldstream 1760 RE CD Rhino is about to see Australia, from Port Augusta to Broome and so much more, as part of a big trip that Mitch and his wife have planned before Mitch finally retires. But this purchase will be their getaway machine for years to come. In some ways, it’s the culmination of a life’s wor ..read more

Caravan tyres aren’t cheap, nor are they something that should be taken for granted. So how do you choose what’s right for your setup? For starters, it helps if you understand tyre types and markings. Let’s look at caravan tyres in more detail so you’ll be in a better position when making that next tyre purchase. RV/CARAVAN WHEELS Reputable RV manufacturers will use a wheel rim that’s designed specifically for RVs or trailers. Unlike the tow vehicle, which distributes its load over four wheels, the tyres on a single-axle RV with two wheels have their work cut out. When you add differing suspen ..read more

In the world of modern diesel and petrol vehicles, complexity intertwines with digital innovation to forge machines that propel our exploration of this great land, Australia.  For caravaners and 4WD enthusiasts, pushing the boundaries of our vehicles’ capabilities is a thrill, but ensuring reliability is paramount. Enter the ScanGauge 3, the ultimate monitor of your vehicle’s health and performance. THE ESSENCE OF VIGILANCE Picture this: you’re amidst the vast expanse of the outback, miles away from civilisation, when your vehicle decides to throw a tantrum, leaving you stranded in a prec ..read more

The caravan and camping show season is about to get underway and, I’ll put money on it, those of you who have just bought an RV will be thinking of heading down to one or two and purchasing some accessories. It’s a good idea because you could pick up a bargain or two. But there are a number of items you should prioritise. The day will come when you will need them. SPARE CARAVAN KEYS When you pick up your new caravan, it’s a fair bet you’ve been handed a healthy selection of keys for all the cupboards and storage areas. You will likely be given two or three copies of each key, too. We keep a sp ..read more

Way back in time, when I was about 26 years old and we were running a service station, I joined an Apex club in Mornington, Vic, and before long I was made the dinner notice writer. As a courtesy, I started sending a copy to the local paper and was soon asked by the editor to write a column for the paper every Sunday. This was the real start to my writing career! Since then I’ve had a lot of occupations but always there was a magazine published. One of these was the Victorian Royal Eye and Ear Hospital, where I was the public relations officer for many years and produced a magazine every month ..read more

Australis Caravans opened shop a few years ago in Craigieburn, Vic, with the intention to offer a full range of caravans, from couple’s tourers, family vans and a dedicated offroader called the High Country, which we featured within these pages about six months ago. However, Australis has since developed an up-specced version of the High Country, known as the Xtreme. While the High Country is already well kitted out, the Xtreme version has a few extra features and touches that you wouldn’t get otherwise. But for me, the thing that appeals the most is its size. While the High Country is availa ..read more

INTRO: A unique, heavy-duty chassis. An extensively-equipped exterior. A smart interior. And one young family about to have the time of their lives. This is Justin and Carissa Morgan’s new caravan, a Pearl XX4 Off Grid, Off Road Air by Wonder Roo Caravans… Queenslanders Justin and Carissa Morgan were in Victoria to pick up their brand new caravan: a Wonder Roo Pearl XX4 Off Grid, Off Road Air. From there, they were heading almost immediately out on their big trip around Australia with their two daughters. Was I jealous? Just a little. But the circumstances allowed me a chance to check out the ..read more