E31- Fulltime Travelling Australia in a Camper Trailer the good, bad and mods

Travelling is fun... Well lets find out what it's really like.
We open our doors (zip :-) and show you how we been living in our tiny camper trailer. What we like, hate and modified to make living in remote places as easy as possible.
If you have any questions, just drop a comment below.
******************************************************************************************************
DONT FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE
#4x4 #fulltimetraveler #campertrailer
😊 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
/ wild.world.adventures

[@edoffher]

Yea, my wife and I both enjoy our Jackson, been 3 years not full time but 3-4 weeks at a time, been in high 40- 50 nots winds, an passing cyclones, rain not a problem seasoned cavas every year with water, upgraded to Itec lithium 2x 120x for off road, 3000 watt inverter, I found that the ties for the tropical roof was the main cause of flapping noise, I just tied them in a knot after the plastic and stoped that noise. The benefit of going to the real off the beaten track is the glory of campers. Well done on living for so long in your crusier, always look forward to your adventures, and thanks for taking everyone with you.

[@wildworldadventures]

Cheers mate, appreciate your feedback 👍

[@garytaylor5864]

Enjoying the video, live in Darwin, yeah it's hot here during the wet and especially the build up.

[@wildworldadventures]

Tell me about it

[@danielpountney8259]

Great video and rundown of life in a camper 👍

[@wildworldadventures]

Cheers mate

[@Jimmcgregorphotography]

Hey guys. I admire you travelling in a camper. I too am planning to travel in a camper trailer. I have a Toyota Hilux Ute tub behind my V6 Mitsubishi Triton. In my trailer I have added 80litre water tank, the kings drawers. Two side awnings and a rear awning as well as a shower and shower tent. I also have an awning tent and I will also be carrying a double swag as a backup . I have two 160AH solar panels and three 200ah AGM batteries with a DcDc and a 3000w inverter. Gas stove and in induction cooker. I have an 80 litre upright fridge as well as awning sides and floor mats

[@wildworldadventures]

Awesome mate, sounds like you will be covered with electrics. I think you mean 160Watts solar panel. That may not be enough to top up 600amps of battery. Enjoy your your travels mate I'm sure you will not regret it 👍

[@SandVan]

Great video 😊nice set up 🤩

[@wildworldadventures]

cheers guys 🤘

[@craigtomkinson2837]

Lovely Ep and set up,

[@wildworldadventures]

Cheers mate 👍

[@magnusomariericssonjorgens1305]

Thanks❤ You gave us a lot of useful information. We are going to retire in a Camper in southern Africa next spring, on a retirement budget... Nice to see that it actually works. Carpe Diem ❤ Best regards Magnus&Mari Sweden

[@wildworldadventures]

Thanks guys, you can make anything work, you just need to want it enough ;-)

[@wildworldadventures]

Just found out it is advisable to get a wheel alignment on the camper trailer done when travelling long distances. We found out the hard way 😥

[@shaynedixon]

👍

[@anygivenweekend1193]

Great video. Picking up a different brand camper in a few weeks and your experience will definitely help out.

[@wildworldadventures]

Thank's and enjoy the great adventure

[@ailo4x4]

My man! I'm so glad I stumbled across your video. I'm an American retired military expat in the UK married to a lovely English lass. We bought the same exact trailer you have off a Scotsman who brought it to the UK with his Aussie wife (I see a pattern here!). My wife's sister lives in Adalaide and I had been trying to find a way for her to buy a camper trailer for us and import it here. Then this one popped up unexpectedly in Scotland. I knew exactly what it was and pounced on it. We got a very good deal as this kind of camper trailer is TERRIBLE for the conditions here ;-) We have been modifying it to fit our needs for a year long trip in southern Africa behind our classic Defender. Seeing you talk about yours absolutely confirms our experiences with it. In fact, I did the exact same thing with the table as you! the only minor difference is I mounted the leg on the passenger side corner (above the kitchen slide out). I guess great minds think alike!!! Sadly, our trailer does not have the boat rack :-( I might have a go at making one though. And are you ever right about lack of storage but I do have some ideas. Here is my concern about living in it full time for a year; lifting the main canvas hoop up and down every other day or so. I'm 61 and in very decent shape but damn if it isn't heavy and awkward. Mostly because the steel poles are crusty on the inside and don't slide up and down easily. Have you seen any videos (or in real life) a Cub Frontier camper trailer? Take a look at them because they fold up and down without ever raising or lowering the main and front hoops. The rear one hinges from the back and folds forward. That would be a very easy modification and, funny enough, exactly what the MDC factory did a few years after ours were built. Here is my number one question for you; how on earth do you store the awning still attached to the tent?? I can't see any way it would fit. I'm really looking forward to collaborating on this trailer with you! Kind regards, Cole

[@wildworldadventures]

Hi Cole, thanks for your comment. Yeah, camper trailers definitely have their pros and cons. Setting it up and packing it away is one of the biggest drawbacks especially when you carry lots of stuff on the boat loader. The awning will fit inside if tucked away properly. Just don't pack it up when its wet. Now we took this thing to some really remote places in AUS but if you are taking it anywhere else get some spare parts sorted before you head out there. Keep in mind they are made in China so we changed a lot to Australian made equipment ie the suspensions (OEM is rubbish) the struts, electrical and also the bushes. In hindsight I should have changes the wheel hubs to match the hilux tires. We had a few issues with tires coming off. Otherwise we really enjoy living in it but will now upgrade to a different setup. The campers are not good for short stays and it took us over 2 years to get around Australia 😀😀

[@MikeBanks2003]

If yours is missing the boat rack, I would have one made out of aluminium alloy. The steel ones are extremely heavy, which is why many people remove them if they are not carrying a boat. I left mine on, because my shower system and enclosure is attached to it. I have had no trouble with my original suspension, but then, I take it easy on rough roads and slowly over rocks. The upgraded suspension kits here cost a little over a grand, and if you must do it, get the one which uses shielded air springs and high quality shock absorbers. On dirt I use high range four wheel drive--one throws fewer stones that way. Also, these trailers tow better without the REALLY HEAVY lead acid batteries. The lithium replacements balance the trailer much more evenly. In My Cruizer Highside, the safe locker now contains a Vevor diesel heater--and it works like a charm. The silencer for it folds up under the camper floor, one has to reach under and pull it down, and the stainless steel exhaust pipe I made for it is demountable and hangs off the boat rack bracket and it stows when not attached with the poles in a PVC pipe fastened to the back of the camper. Electric blankets keep one toasty warm, but they do not prevent breath condensation on the inside of your freezing tent. My heater uses about two litres of diesel or less on really cold nights. I set it on level 2 and it looks after itself--drawing a little power to run the two fans, one circulates the warmed fresh air, the other feeds some cold cabin air into the combustion chamber, and then drives the burned gas out of the exhaust pipe, which need not be vertical as it is not a convection system. I could use less fuel if I recirculated the air in the camper, but I have it draw in fresh air, heat it, then release it warm into the camper. Bliss.

[@ailo4x4]

@@MikeBanks2003 thanks Mike! The first thing I did with mine is replace the AGM batteries with two lithium batteries (220ah total) huuuge difference! I installed a diesel heater in the centre console if my classic Defender and love it. Brilliant idea to put one in the 'lock' box. I'll put that on my list of things to do. I had been thinking about mounting a standalone unit in the front but yours is a better idea. Is yours one of the Chinese units?? Cheers from over here!

[@wildworldadventures]

thanks for the comment @@MikeBanks2003. Luckily we don't have to worry about getting cold very much in Australia 🤣😂.

[@scale2tail]

We just bought a new hybrid fully off-road caravan. I'm still confused about the load configuration. I have been told all heavy items should be on the floor over axel. 60% towards the front and 40% towards the back. I still get a little sway, especially when its windy. I also have 2 spare wheels at the rear of the caravan. 2x 120 ltr tanks. Its hard. But we will get there. Fantastic video. Your channel is fantastic. I'm looking forward to downsizing my boat and getting my ute canopy setup on my colorado. Well done 👌

[@wildworldadventures]

Thanks for the comment, the weight ratio sounds right. As long as you have enough weight on your towbar it's fine. Sway from wind is normal too. I would recommend getting your wheels balanced as this is not done from the factory. Happy travels

[@scale2tail]

@wildworldadventures thanks mate. Yes. We are getting the balance done. Also, getting the bearings changed. Never know. We may see you on the road sometime. Thanks again 👌

[@charlespomfret7207]

Thank you for a very honest review could I ask you what do you think of the new kings camper trailers your opinion will be greatly appreciated

[@wildworldadventures]

I have only seen a few around but knowing Kings stuff in general it's really only good for light and occasional use. There is always a reason why things are cheap 😉 hope that helps.

[@charlespomfret7207]

Thanks heaps for that

[@Syphadeas]

Awesome video as always guys! We are just finalising a few things on our Highside before we set off on 9 week's in the Pilbara and Kimberley! Can i ask, did you fab the outboard mount on the spare wheel carrier yourself? I'm struggling to find some info online how other people have done this...

[@wildworldadventures]

Yep, basically just a T welded up from steel tubing and then on a flat piece of Metal that fits the 3 holes of the wheel mount. I used Aluminium but in hindsight Steel would be the bettor option I think.

[@MikeBanks2003]

I replaced the three heavy lead acid batteries with a 200 ampere-hour LiFePO4 system. That took a lot of weight off the drawbar., and gave us more capacity. I put a diesel heater in the safety locker/step. added a tool box to the front drawbar, and fitted the fuel tank for the diesel heater in there too. I also put in a bigger water pump, and added a bacterial filter that should make most water safe. Only the shower uses water straight from the water tank. I also added blowers and filters to make the refrigerator run more effectively, added an extra drawer to the front compartment opposite the fridge, and put in a heavy duty slide out tray. The original ones soon pack it in if you carry tools in there--which I do. I also up-graded . the refrigerator mounting system and put a thermostat control on the ventilation system for the refrigerator compartment. It can get hot in there if you do not. Mine feeds filtered air into the compartment, as the hot air is drawn out, and vented out through the tools and spares locker door through another filter and an aluminium waterproof outlet grill. I feed filtered air into the camper when it is travelling, through a blower in the water pump compartment. This keeps out dust because it gives a slight positive pressure inside the camper. I just buy cheap air cleaner filters from Super-cheap, the square ones, and make a frame to hold them bolted against a hole in the door fitted with a stainless steel mesh.

[@wildworldadventures]

Well done mate, all sounds very good and the way to go. I would go for 400amp but then we use a lot of power editing videos and did find ourself running out of juice a few times during bad weather. Looks like you got it sorted though. Enjoy your travells.

[@clintgirdler38]

Can you provide some info on internet while in a camper trailer please. Other than that, we are planning a round Australia trip in our camper trailer (we are not caravaners at all) and your tips have come in handy. Cheers.

[@wildworldadventures]

Hi and thanks for your comment. Well, internet is unfortunately a tricky one as phone coverage is not very good in remote places. The cheapest option is to just use your phone as a wifi modem. Best if you only need internet occasionally. We have a blackhawk modem with a telstra plan and then connect it to a mimo omni directional antenna. This was recommended to us in various videos. In hindsight we should have saved that money as it did not make a huge difference to the streaming speed. I think starlink is the best option but unfortunatly we can't justify the cost for this yet. In short. If you staying in remote areas more then starlink is worth it and also a safetey backup in case you brake down. Saves you having to buy a satphone. Hope that helps 🙂

[@steveinoz8188]

I have a feeling that my Black Series Forward Fold comes out of the same factory as your MDC. There's a heap of features that look the same.

[@wildworldadventures]

A lot of AUS brands have their campers made in the same factory in china. I actually once knew the name but I'm sure you can find them still on alibaba. Impossible to sell at that price otherwise. Downside is you have to change over a lot of stuff or it just ends up breaking.

[@samh-smith2931]

Where's your video about your AC?

[@wildworldadventures]

Hi there, do you mean this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/moXakHiIlJ2pm5I ?

[@NarelleTurner]

Hi where did u buy the TV bracket please

[@wildworldadventures]

I ordered it only but not sure where, sorry.

[@jeffwilkes3039]

Obviously u stay in the one spot for long periods. Is that because of work or because it takes a bit of time to set up and pack away?

[@wildworldadventures]

With a camper we prefer to setup properly and explore from there. It does take time 😁

[@mickmack6732]

G'day. Great vids and full of interesting ideas. We have an Austrack Telegraph X, and from your run through they are very similar. Just wandering about leaving the annexe roof attached full time. Considering trying it on ours, does it add substantial weight when lifting camper poles into position? Any tips would be appreciated. Keep up the great work guys. Cheers. 👍👍

[@wildworldadventures]

@@mickmack6732 Hi Mick, it does add a little bit weight but nothing unmanageable. We mainly do it to save time when setting up and to avoid wearing out the velcro. Just make sure you fold it up tidy when packing it up.🤙

[@ronnie9103]

Why do you sound funny