Caravan & Hybrid Upgrades & Modifications- What Is Great Value/What Isn’t

So you’ve finally decided which caravan or hybrid camper is right for you from the myriad of manufacturers…… Awesome! Next minute, you’re hit with a long list of upgrades and modifications that you have to choose from (and pay for) to make your van perfect. Our little Jawa was one of the most upgraded vans to roll out of the QLD showroom! But after almost 12 months of living in the van full time, we have some very well formed opinions about what we consider are absolute bargains, what was ok, and what we wouldn’t bother doing again. This video is a must if you don’t have unlimited funds to spend on mods, as I detail where we’ve learnt to spend your money to maximise your camping experience. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to add in the comments and we’ll get back to you with our thoughts.
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[@chrisbridgland7212]

Yeah I agree! For us the stereo, tv and Safety Dave were a complete waste of money that we never use. Best additions for us were lithium, lots of solar panels and the diesel heater! 👍👍

[@whitedog7897]

Thanks for the vids guys. We enjoy following your travels and down to earth advice and suggestions. 👍

[@robertjfsoper]

Interesting video, I couldn’t do without our reversing camera, we use it predominantly to see what’s behind us when traveling, it’s a safety Dave, was $800 installed, not sure how yours cost so much? Next on the list of our upgrades is Lithium, but I need to sell a kidney first!

[@RoMiTouring]

Great work. Really do enjoy the way you two present your episodes and the way you convey your thoughts on things. Looking forward to much more from you guys.

[@deanissit]

Great vid its always good to hear from people who know what aorks and what doesnt.

[@aussietravelgold4873]

Thankyou for all your helpful videos guys. We are about to set off on our second short shakedown trip in our new Solera 12. Jawa have been great in rectifying several problems we identified on our 1st outing.

[@michelleroberts9721]

Thanks guys. Loved the video and love your home away from home. Have really loved watching your videos and really enjoyed seeing all the amazing places you have visited. Cannot wait to see what you update to and will be waiting patiently for your travels to resume.

[@empty_nestadventures]

Heaps more videos to come! Just need to get them all edited

[@StinkhoundRosie]

Hope you keep the vids coming, wife and I will most likely get the jawa13 when the time comes ( thanks to your reviews etc)

[@stephenmurfit800]

Great video guys showing your pros and cons with your van. Loved the unbiased and honest view. I bet you have mixed emotions getting rid of her, lots of great memories created with you Jarwa. Thanks again for an enjoyable video.

[@wonniefamily]

Very informative, thank you

[@rossschofield5981]

Well done very informative

[@gavrasmussen1305]

Good solid advice. 👌 cheers 🍻

[@rich9903]

Hey Ant. I’ve got a 15ft hybrid and did several upgrades specifically aimed at maximising offgrid camping experiences leveraged off KZbin videos including yours. One thing I learned very quickly when camping offgrid with my family which includes two small kids is that yes, sufficient power production and storage is essential but perhaps more than that (at least from my perspective) is the water limitation. I plan to eventually build myself a standalone 12V water pump and filter system all mounted inside a small plastic tote box to allow me to pump reasonably clean fresh water such as from a flowing water source like a creek, back into my 200L storage tank. Weight permitting, I’m also considering installing a decent sized water bladder in the rear passenger footwell of the car. Apart from that, an essential water related accessory I have installed is a Bluetooth Topargee water flow monitor to accurately track the water level and usage rate. It’s relatively inexpensive and easy to install and I highly recommend it. It’s powered by a couple of AA batteries as standard but I hardwired it to my LiFePO4 batteries and installed a switch to allow me to turn it on and off as required. A great bit of kit!!

[@VykingBoy]

The thirsty camel is a water “purifier” not a “filter” so does a different job. Use a filter when filling and a purifier at outlet for drinking Is a good combination.

[@garyallan8664]

Thank you Ant and Dee, that was some great feedback. We have a Jawa Sirocco on order and the only upgrade at this stage we have opted for is the 200a lithium battery, but the diesel/gas heater is something we have definitely been considering. I think you have convinced us to go for the 300a lithium, gas heater, water filter and sirocco fans. Thank you for sharing your experiences on your big journey, it has been very entertaining and informative.

[@empty_nestadventures]

Cheers Gary. Lots more episodes to come! We just need more hours to get them all edited

[@barrymurphy3554]

Thanks very much very informative. Thanks for being Honest Thanks

[@bradnallyadventures]

Awesome, thanks! The JAWA range is certainly at the top of our list, we have a slide on camper, and I was about to install a diesel heater due to the cold weather but we are now looking at a JAWA. I love the compact nature of the 13ft, but we are balancing the slide out rear for better off road access, against the permanent bed and front bunks options... Will head to the showroom for a look but not sure that will help make a choice. Thanks for your vids, it is great to see how you can live in these. Hope to see you on the road again (and actually say hi to you next time)

[@empty_nestadventures]

We will be getting another Jawa soon

[@adrianbean1107]

Thanks for the great advice we are at the moment thinking about options as our van is ordered and wasn’t sure as to extra’s 👍

[@adrianbean1107]

Hey guys did you get the extra solar panel installed or just use standard with extra blanket thanks 👍

[@foss5011]

Great video. Am toying with the idea of a hybrid camper, so the info was helpful. With the BEST filter, you have it marked "van" and "tap". Were you aware it matters not which end is connected? You just simply back flush it a few times to clean all the gunk out. Cheers. Dave.

[@jackcat550]

Enerdrive gear is the absolute best I reckon.

[@ivansanders7461]

Great video, great advice - would love to know what the new van will have that the Jawa didnt - what are the changes youre looking for and why :)

[@empty_nestadventures]

Hey Ivan. There were a couple of main reasons we sold the van, nothing to do with the Jawa! 1. We actually went into partnership with Jawa and spent 6 months reviewing and testing their prototype models for them. We also photographed them for their marketing 2. As we are back at home, we just don’t have the storage space in residential BNE, with our 2 sons, one of the girlfriends, a work van and tool trailer to store everything! When we take another break to travel, we’ll buy another van and there’s a big chance it will be a Jawa

[@beme6971]

Great vid guys 👍. Aside from being able to run your AC would go the with the passthrough inverter again? Or is the standard offering if one inside and one outside 240v outlet sufficient?

[@empty_nestadventures]

We could survive with a standard, but definitely like this option and will install again

[@aaronchesebro6991]

Thanks Ant and Mav I’ve really enjoyed watching your adventures! My wife and I are fellow south east Qld Empty Nesters with a Ute and 13 foot hybrid. What is your favourite place you visited in your lap?

[@empty_nestadventures]

Two places stick out (and most places were awesome), but Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth for simply awesome natural wonders. The other place was Kakadu for the deep cultural immersion

[@peterritchie3777]

Thanks for the great info. Really liked it. We have a 13/16 Southern Cross and love it. Are your mattresses standard on the van or did you upgrade? They look bloody comfortable and I need to change ours. What is the brand?

[@empty_nestadventures]

Just the standard that came with the Jawa, not sure of the brand but I believe they are Australian sourced. We always use a foam topper when travelling and after almost a year living in it, the mattress was much better than expected

[@bulldog9708]

Great videos. Question would you go for a Jawa again if you was looking for a similar sized van ?

[@empty_nestadventures]

We will be and without a doubt. The quality of our van really exceeded our expectations and we really put it through some tests. The best part about Jawa, is that they look after you brilliantly, long after they have your money and you’ve driven the van away

[@benbrown9784]

What a great vid thanks for sharing it, we’re currently looking at the infinity15! If I put 660 amp of lithium in the van would that be enough for the aircon all night ?

[@empty_nestadventures]

I’d say if you got it on early in the day and it wasn’t over 30 degrees at night, it would go close. You’d need high wattage solar as well to top up during the day

[@placestosea]

Good review of options, do you think people consider the extra weight of the options?

[@empty_nestadventures]

Apart from much more usable power, weight was our main consideration with Lithium. It saved over 50kg

[@ottoswinebar]

Good video mate. Shame to see you sell her. End of your travels ? Its funny you know, we had a full van, then back to a camper, then another full van and now I’m going to buy something similar to what you have, probably an MDC. We now live in the North of WA and find this style of Caravan better for weekends. But if we were doing more caravan park travels a full van is definitely the way to go. Hopefully we see you over this way again the the future?

[@empty_nestadventures]

Definitely not our last hybrid and we are working out to do a stint in WA and progress our super and retirement plans. We have so much content still to edit so plenty more videos to come

[@ottoswinebar]

@@empty_nestadventures I hope so. Believe it or not you guys are the reason we sold our big van. We are about the same age, kids are gone and we are up here working our butts off to do a lap and save for retirement. Glad you’re doing more editing, Mrs and I watch every Sunday. Not bad considering the Mrs isn’t a fan if most KZbinrs, Too much cooking of wraps she says 😆😆

[@remoteflyboy]

Hi Ant, just watched your video, some great ideas and some really good pointers on what not to get, I noticed you mentioned you had a Tyre pressure monitor, what brand is it and does it monitor your Caravan as well and are you happy with it. Love watching your Adventures, both of you take care and safe travels.😀

[@empty_nestadventures]

I use an iCheckTPMS. It monitors car, van and spare tyres for both pressure and internal temperature. It been one of the best investments we’ve made and it one of those things you use every travel day. Our subscribers get 10% off ICheck if you use our discount code ENA10 at the checkout. All the details are at iCheckTPMS.com.au

[@remoteflyboy]

@@empty_nestadventures Hi Ant, thank you so much for the information and fast reply, I’ll check out their TPMS.👍😀

[@empty_nestadventures]

@@remoteflyboy interestingly enough, if you’re on the Jawa Owners Group on FB, there is a post of a blown out tyre just gone up. A TPMS would have picked this one up way earlier than a full failure of the tyre

[@remoteflyboy]

Hi Ant, I contacted you a couple of weeks back regarding an ICheck TPMS, I purchased one from I Check a few days ago,thank you again for all the information, I used your code to get the discount, I’m very pleased with the TPMS it works great, thank you once again. Safe Travels.

[@edoffher]

Out of interest, what speeds on the GRR’s corrugated roads did you travel at ? Enjoyed your vids with more to come we hope, also your description on your van ( mods & do without mods ) well explained, last question, after your travels did you detail, or paid to be done? We have ordered a JAWA and with your vids it it reassuring we made the right choice. Cheers.

[@empty_nestadventures]

You won’t be disappointed with a Jawa. Post our lap, it took me approximately 20 hours of detailing! Over 3 days and it was hard work. Because we had decided to sell it, I wanted it to be up to my standard. In terms of speeds on the Gibb (and Kalumburu off the Gibb) it varied so much, depending on the conditions in certain places. Maximum with the van would have been around 70km/h, but some sections were as low as 10km/h! I think we got our tyre pressures pretty spot on- car was 30 front, 32 rear and van was at about 40psi

[@edoffher]

@@empty_nestadventures hey thanks for that, and a great job in your detail looks like new, may bump into you if you get back to the west one day.

[@Us2Overland]

Hey mate, my wife and I are moving to Aussie soon to spend life living in a caravan and traveling so just wondering it this type of hybrid with the canvas attached to the roof and the push out bed ever gives you issues in extreme weather. Can you park this up and live happily for a year or 2

[@empty_nestadventures]

No issues with weather mate. We lived in it for a year no stress at all. Only addition we made was a portable induction burner that allowed us to cook inside when it was windy

[@jorjimaco5331]

🍻👍

[@Hipporider]

Where are JAWA made?

[@empty_nestadventures]

Boxes imported from China. Australian suspension, Enerdrive 12V and generally thetford and Dometic fitout

[@Hipporider]

@@empty_nestadventures thanks for the reply 🇦🇺