What You NEED & the COST to set up a CARAVAN

What items do you need for setting up a Caravan? The cost of buying and setting up a caravan add up very quickly. We run you through how much we spend setting up our van.
There are still more costs to come since filming this video but they are not essential items so I havent included these things. we may have missed also a item or 2 as there is alot that goes into the setup, but this video will give you a guideline
prices are subject to change but were correct at time of purchase
Hope this helps you

[@mikemorgan4670]

Very comprehensive run down. Nice to see your Misses in on this one, her perspective was valuable. Lots of fun and memories to be had with that unit. Enjoy Brother.....and Sister!!

[@4x4brothers]

Thanks mate, small fortune compared to the memories

[@mikemorgan4670]

@@4x4brothers The pleasure will be savoured long after the cost has been forgotten.

[@paulgriggs3851]

Amazing what comes and goes in a van when balancing comfort, weight, needs an wants. Good video guys well done.

[@4x4brothers]

Sure is mate and plenty of other things you could add in there also. Well worth the investment for the memories made though

[@kathleenwhelan6500]

Yes, I did expect the total to be that much. It is rather a home away from home. And we will be taking more than that on our big lap. Good work guys, appreciate your effort.

[@4x4brothers]

Thanks Kath I reckon we would probably still have about another $1500 on top of that total with a few other bits we brought a savy level. Going to get a bos jack and a few other goodies adds up really quickly. Enjoy the lap guys very envious of that one

[@katherineporter2654]

Great video. You don’t Realise how much it adds up over time. Nice to see Ash in this video. Navigator should give you a discount code. 🤣🤣 I love their gear.

[@4x4brothers]

It adds up really fast, few things we even forgot until I was putting this video together and there is still a few more things we want. Money pits haha. Ash was a natural have to get her doing some more. The navigator gear is awesome hey and it shows with it being so popular

[@SeeBird686]

Great vid guys, Just a small word taken from experience regarding the square cooking pots with the removable handles. We bought a set for our boat and found the pots excellent but be real careful with the handles if you put too much in the bigger pots. They can suddenly release if the handle locking tangs bend due to too much stew or whatever. End result was a handle letting go of a pot full of HOT stew halfway between the cooker and the sink bench, which in turn had me improvising a new dance called the "Hot Stew, Barefoot Shuffle". Unfortunately we lost our dinner everywhere but onto a plate so we could eat it. We still use the pots all the time but have stored the handles indefinity.

[@4x4brothers]

Sounds like that would have provided some entertainment if it was all caught on camera haha Good little warning and will definitely be sure to keep an eye on the handles mate cheers for that and the story

[@highcountryrob5534]

Very interesting exercise.Going camping can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.Weather you choose the tent option or the off road bling caravan option you are still enjoying the same experience but possibly paying a bit more to be out there in luxury.Spend what you can afford and enjoy the experience.Both options have their own benefits and draw backs.Sometimes you need to compromise on the level of your accomodation to ensure that your still eating great steaks and drinking quality red wine.Each to their own. Find a middle ground that suits you. Caravan parks are full of people from all works of life, get out there and introduce yourself.Love ya work. Cheers, Rob.

[@4x4brothers]

That’s 100% right mate This caravan is the best investment we have made family wise and like you said definitely make sure we have the rib eyes and a Pinot on a trip Still do our swags and sausages in bread and pies trips it’s all about that balance and getting out there and enjoying it

[@shaynebeswick8087]

Awesome video guys. Very informative

[@4x4brothers]

Cheers for watching. Sure adds up to a have probably since this video spend another small fortune 😂

[@martyphillips9823]

Unbelievable hey, such a detail and comprehensive list well done guys! Surprisingly how much it adds up quickly, especially like you said for multiple scenarios ie 4x4 trips and family camping trips

[@4x4brothers]

Thanks mate few things we have left out too as I forgot about them till making the video about another grands worth. Like ash said it’s like setting up another house, money pits but worth it for the memories

[@bobkats]

This was something we were well aware of, and your video highlighted this.. I guess we were a bit lucky as we were very patient. New Van 67K Bought from a guy who never used it due to health, he spent 80k on a special build Jayco 17.55.9 Then our car was cheap 16K with a new engine, we did all the mods ourselves, so parts were an extra 6K, we still need two extra lithium batteries an inverter and two extra oanels, that will be an extra 3K, we will fit these ourselves, even that comes to 92K without the linen pots pans etc... Adds up.

[@4x4brothers]

Sure does mate adds up really quickly. They are a big investment but one of the best things us personally have done as the memories we have made have been unreal

[@daveo1559]

Dave sleeping bags for the kids on the bunks works a treat. Open them up for summer n zip up in winter. They dont dirty the sheets as much either. I spent about the same on all the shit for my new van aswell. Doesn't take much

[@4x4brothers]

Adds up really quickly hey, we have another mate who runs sleeping bags for the kids too and finds that works really well might be worth a go

[@iangoodwin345]

My wife and I picked up our van last August. No little kids for us, but your fit out gear is almost identical to us. We also bought the anti flap awning kit for $500 plus the big pvc storage tube on the rear bumper to keep it in 🤣🤣 we didn't track our receipts specifically, but looking at your spreadsheets, we would have to be around $6k as well.

[@4x4brothers]

That’s when we got this van too mate and absolutely loving it. Hope yours is going well too. Few bits and pieces we forgot about too and a few bits we still want to get adds up really quick doesn’t it. Some maybe another grand or 2 to go haha The anti flap kits on the to get that pvc tube is a good idea to keep it in on the rear too might use that idea

[@greghammond7956]

Well done guys! Excellent video, we’re about to take delivery of our new full off-road van so this is great info! Your Navigator chairs really caught my attention, what’s your thoughts on them, they certainly look the goods. Love your content, keep up the good work 👍

[@4x4brothers]

Thanks Greg. It adds up really quickly all the bits and pieces. Big fan of the navigator chairs the are really comfortable, not to heavy. Only thing it’s missing would be a little pocket to say put your phone in although the back of the chair has a big pocket. Wine glass holder on the arm is great too Have had a few people after sitting in them order some also. All the best with the new van, best investment we have made

[@greghammond7956]

@@4x4brothers Cheers mate, thanks for the reply, much appreciated 👍

[@Jokkles]

Great looking set up there Dave. I added a shade awning for the other side of the van as well, keeps some of the heat off the fridge side. Some people may need level rides, and the electric brake set up in the 4by too. I also hard wired in 12 volt fans for the kids bunks, then made a couple of portable ones. Decent size power cable for dcdc charging might be needed, seems the list goes on..

[@4x4brothers]

We end up doing the same thing with the shade on the opposite side the week after filming this. Brake controller I did forget to mention too. Few other bits and pieces like we got a savy level for setup it’s brilliant app on my phone so can see when reversing onto the level ramps when it’s right. Like you say list goes on I want to change the jockey wheel to a bos and few more things. Money pits 😂

[@Jokkles]

@@4x4brothers As you say - so many things! My set up was in 2004 for almost two years- so many advances in all sorts of gear since then! Money pit is spot on!!

[@4x4brothers]

@@Jokkles yeah lots would have changed since 04 technology, design, materials etc Worth every cent for the memories with the family though

[@katherineporter2654]

Not sure how you store your shower gear but we have a multi dispenser for the shampoo, conditioner and body wash got it from Bunnings. I use the fusion lock in the shower for my shampoo and conditioner. The sistema containers are awesome for coffee, sugar, and other stuff like flour, rice, pasta etc. My niece makes the bunk bed sheets, I will get some info.

[@4x4brothers]

Yeah the fusion lock stuff is amazing we have one in the shower now too for the gear we take it out when travelling though. Yeah that would be amazing if you could get some info for us or even if she can modify what we have and cut it down to size for us? Thank you

[@GrabLifeByTheGourlays]

Yeah it adds up quickly but if you get it over time, it doesn’t feel like it hurts as much! 😂 we’re yet to head off on our big trip! Just waiting on the Y62 then there’s the set up of that too! 😬

[@4x4brothers]

I think the drama there is are you ever really done 😂 so over time as new things come out or you come up with a idea to change something up it’s bye bye to a few more thousands 🤦‍♂️

[@peternobbs1605]

Love your real we retire in 2 months have the 4b and the van going to be our home very scared but we are gone

[@4x4brothers]

Unreal mate that’s the dream. Hope you have a blast. So much to explore

[@ChickaIva]

Just take your doonas to a taylor or curtain maker and ask them to cut and overlock the edges to size. They have pro machines and it is an easy job so its not too expensive. Sheets and doona covers you can do yourself at home if you have a sewing machine.

[@4x4brothers]

Yep that’s exactly the plan we came to as well Just need to get the time to get to one now

[@michelesummers1529]

Hi Mrs 4x4 brother 😊 I’ve heard that Adairs kids sleeping bags are perfect size for the bunks and a lot less trouble making them.

[@4x4brothers]

Ah nice little tip we will head down and have a look

[@tonystaley2761]

Did you need to do any upgrades to tow your van? How did you go with your weights? GVM, GCM, ball weight and rear axle?

[@4x4brothers]

I didn’t and I’m right on the limit of the car and have to be careful when loading everything so have it booked in for the 4085gvm to then have not worry. They are all so tight out of the factory with numbers

[@sammegson2902]

Did you include the gripsport?

[@4x4brothers]

That was part of the van build mate so didn’t include that as the extras so if you were to add a bike rack have to budget maybe around the grand mark or more depending what you buy

[@timrichters8161]

We have same 4 bike grip sport bike rack that was almost $2000

[@4x4brothers]

It’s a bloody good rack though isn’t it. Only downside is no good for carbon frame bikes

[@timrichters8161]

@@4x4brothers didn’t know that, better check sons bike before next trip.

[@4x4brothers]

@@timrichters8161 yeah shouldn’t have a system that touches the frame on a carbon bike