CARAVAN
2018 New Age Gecko 16BE Enduro
We love our New Age Gecko set-up! We purchased our van in July 2019 as the ex-demo/stock model, so we weren’t able to customise it before being built, like so many others do! However this mighty little van has not disappointed – we absolutely love travelling with it, and after several modifications, we’ve now got the perfect set-up for our family as we travel part-time around Australia.
INTERIOR:
- Full ensuite with separate shower & toilet
- Triple bunks
- Queen-size east-west bed – simply pop up the front hatch and it folds straight down!
- Full kitchen with microwave, fridge and 3-burner gas stovetop
- L-shaped dinette
- Dometic reverse cycle air conditioner
- Stereo System
- All windows fitted with roller fly-screens and roller block-out blinds
- 2 x roof hatches with roller fly-screens and block-out blinds.
INTERNAL MODS:
- Added a 12V/240V TV/DVD, mounted on a Camec TV swing arm bracket.
- Installed 4 x 12-volt Sirocco fans, hardwired in (one for each bed).
- Anti-slip matting in all cupboards.
- Added a door roller blind.
- Added a Navigator Kids Pocket Buddy to the foot of each bunk, so the kids can easily store their water bottles, books, and ‘treasures’ each night.
- Added a removable outdoor mat to the door entry.
- Installed a tea towel rail to the underside of top kitchen cupboards – now the tea towel and dishcloth hang out of the way to dry.
- Purchased 2 ottomans for extra dining seating – these simply tuck away underneath the dining table when not in use.
- Diesel heater installed under the lounge for those cold winter mornings!
- Curtains for the bunks – installed curtain tracks and cut down a set of ready-made curtains to fit.
- Converted the awkward ‘half-wardrobe’ at the end (beside the kid’s bunks) into a full wardrobe with functional storage – 3 big drawers at the bottom, hanging space at the top. This area houses all the kid’s clothing, hats and jackets, plus a charging station for devices. This was completed by a local cabinet-maker for less than $400.
- Navigator collapsible laundry hamper – fits in the bathroom corner for all our dirty clothing!
- Mattress topper – caravan mattresses – especially the split/folding ones – are known for not being super comfy at times. Rather than purchasing a new, upgraded inner-spring mattress to replace the standard one our van came with, this memory foam mattress topper has been a lifesaver – no more waking up with an achy back or hips!
EXTERIOR:
- Additional tap on the drawbar
- 1 x 80L water tank, 1 x 60L water tank
- Full-sized awning
- Full-length tunnel boot storage
- ALKO electric brakes
- ALKO Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Independent suspension
- DO35 Hitchmaster hitch
- External outdoor drop-down table
- 2 x 9kg Gas Bottles – to run the fridge, BBQ, stovetop & hot water system
- Permanent solar panel on the roof
- Battery + Redarc BCDC 1240D 3-stage Battery Charger
- Redarc Inverter
- BM-1 Battery Management System with digital gauge
- Anderson plug to the car to run the fridge whilst driving
EXTERNAL MODS:
- 20lt Jerry can plus holder installed on the rear bumper.
- Diesel heater fuel tank mounted on rear bumper (behind the spare tyre).
- Sizzler Deluxe 2.0 S/Steel BBQ mounted in the tunnel boot (on a pull-out slide with swivel arm).
- ‘Little Black Dress’ bed-end privacy screen – made by Covers Plus and permanently mounted on the bed-end cover for easy set-up.
OTHER GEAR WE LOVE AND USE IN OUR NEW AGE GECKO SET-UP:
- Ampfibian RV02 MAX 15A to 10A Adapter Converter – no matter where we are, we can plug into a regular powerpoint thanks to this handy, weatherproof converter.
- Coast Travelite Sunscreen – offers plenty of shade and privacy for our awning area. We use the Coast Premium Awning Tie Down Kit to keep the awning and screen secure, and anti-flaps on the awning.
- Weisshorn 40L portable water tank – we don’t have a grey water tank installed on the van, so use this when we stay somewhere that requires us to contain our grey water.
- Fire Pits – previously we used a Adventure Kings portable steel fire pit but have now switched to a Fireside Portable Popup Fire Pit – much lighter and compact!
- Milwaukee Pruning Chainsaw – we used to carry an axe for firewood, but we’ve now purchased this little saw. Don’t let its size fool you – it packs a punch!
- muk mat – this green door mat is worth purchasing, it seriously works with reducing the amount of dirt, sand and mud tracked into the van!
- Adventure Kings collapsible dish rack for washing up.
- Thermal cooker – we have an Aldi one, but there are so many great thermal cookers available!
- T-Rex motorised jockey wheel – this handy device lets us easily park the van in a tight spot at home!
- Caravan awning mat from Recycled Mats, plus a Muk Mat at the entry step to help clean little (and big) feet before going into the van.
- Wanderer Caravan Levellers and Wheel Chocks, plus the Caravan Cross Check Leveller.
- Kovix Alarmed Trailer Lock – for extra security when in storage or unattended.
- Thermal cooker – like a slow cooker, but no electricity needed!
Vehicle
We started off with a 2008 Toyota Prado GXL wagon, and we loved it so much that when the time came to replace it in 2021, we went with a brand new Prado (yay for the 3t towing limit!). Our new car came with the standard inclusions, plus we added a bullbar, snorkel, lightbar, towbar, and trailer plugs at the time of ordering from the dealer.
- We currently use Drive Easy Fit Towing Mirrors on the new Prado. Our old vehicle had Adventure Towing extendable mirrors installed.
- Airbags installed to help with the towing level – no more sagging rear once the van is hitched up!
- MSA Seat Organiser – keeps all the kid’s bits and pieces organised while in the car, plus the quality is fantastic!
- Black Duck Seat Covers – we had these in our old Prado and they were still going strong after 13 years, so of course we fitted another set to the new car. No need to worry about food, spills, or the dog’s muddy paws.
- Rubber Floor Mats – I hate carpet in cars! We use rubber floor mats throughout – including the rear cargo area.
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT OUR SET-UP:
- We can set up or pack up in less than 5 minutes!
- Having an onboard ensuite is a lifesaver with 3 young kids.
- Having a kitchen inside, especially in bad weather.
- Having permanently made beds – yes, even the front fold-down bed! It’s as simple as pulling the doona and pillows to the side and then folding up the bed and closing the hatch. The mattress topper and sheets stay on the mattress!
- Being able to pull over on the side of the road and access whatever we need from the van, whether it’s to make lunch or use the toilet.
- We’ve never run out of power, even during Tasmanian winters.
- We can free camp as often as we like!
- The 16ft length of the van means it’s compact to tow with our Prado and store when not in use, yet spacious enough inside for our family of five.
