Our Set-Up

CARAVAN

2018 New Age Gecko 16BE Enduro

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.

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 marine carpet 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 and the pop-up laundry hamper. This was completed by a local cabinet-maker for less than $400.

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

POWER:

• 2 x 9kg Gas Bottles – to run the fridge, BBQ, stovetop & hot water system
• Permanent solar panels on roof
• Batteries
• Redarc BCDC 1240D 3-stage Battery Charger
• Redarc Inverter
• BM-1 Battery Management System with digital gauge
• Anderson plug to the car to run 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 mounted on the bed-end cover for easy set-up.

OTHER GEAR WE LOVE AND USE:

• 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.
• Adventure Kings portable steel fire pit.
• T-Rex motorised jockey wheel – this handy device lets us easily park the van in a tight spot at home!
• Caravan mat for the awning area from Recycled Mats.
• Wanderer Caravan Levellers and Wheel Chocks, plus the Caravan Cross Check Leveller.
• Kovix Alarmed Trailer Lock – for extra security when in storage or unattended.

Vehicle

We started off with a 2008 Toyota Prado GXL wagon – we chose not to upgrade our super-reliable Prado and instead we bought a caravan that the Prado was legally capable of towing. In 2021, we decided to replace it with a brand new Prado (yay for the 3t towing limit!).

• We currently use Drive Easy Fit Towing Mirrors on the new Prado. Our old vehicle had Adventure Towing extendable mirrors installed.
• Navigator Build It Seat Buddy – keeps all the kids bits-and-pieces organised while in the car, plus the quality is fantastic!

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.
• 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.