SPECIAL SECTION: OUTDOOR & GARDEN
Recreational vehicle( RV), caravan and campervan travel has always been popular in Australia, as it’ s a beautiful way to explore regional areas. But ever since the pandemic and the following cost-of-living crisis, it has taken the spotlight as the ultimate affordable holiday.
“ Numbers have recovered well since the COVID-related lockdowns ended,” writes Federal Government body Tourism Research Australia.“ Trips were at 12.7 million by the year ending June 2022 [ and ] spend was at an all-time high of $ 10.5 billion … With over 770,000 total caravan and campervan registrations across the nation in 2021, this growth is set to continue.”
Add to that the beauty of nature and the thrill of exploring it, and it’ s no wonder caravanning has surged in popularity.“ We really like moving around,” says Costco member Jennifer Stermer, who has been RVing with her husband for more than five years.“ We can go wherever we want, and our house is right with us.”
If the idea of rolling down the road in a home on wheels appeals to you, there are important considerations. Planning and preparation, key to any trip, are especially crucial.“ Nowadays it’ s even more important to do your homework and call ahead or visit websites to see what’ s open,” Stermer says.
Behind-the-wheel preparations
“ In most states, as long as your RV is under 4.5 tonnes you won’ t need a special license to drive it,” says Costco member Janine Pettit, founder of camping enthusiast website Girl Camper( girlcamper. com).
According to Pettit, the place where you buy or rent the vehicle should give some initial guidance. Driving around an empty parking lot, such as at a sportsground or shopping centre, may help you grow comfortable with the manoeuvring techniques. You can get further instruction at places like Get About Training Services( getabout. edu. au) or METEC Driver Training( metec. com. au), which offer
KIERAN STONE / GETTYIMAGES. COM accredited driver training for motorhomes and towing in different locations across the country.
Whether you’ re staying close to home or crossing the country, you’ ll want to make sure your RV is ready for travel, says Gary Lewis, CEO of US-based RV Basic Training and a Costco member. Having a mechanic who is familiar with RVs look over the vehicle can be helpful. Lewis recommends checking the engine fluid levels, belts and hoses. Test the lights to ensure they all work, including turn signals and the license plate light. Keep anything on the roof tightly secured, along with compartment doors and everything inside the RV. If you’ ll be towing another car during the trip, make sure the vehicles are equipped with proper hitch systems and that the RV can handle the extra load. Lewis had his mechanic install a base plate and electrical hook-ups to his car so it could be towed with all four wheels down.
In addition, check the tyres for correct air pressure and any cuts or gashes, and make sure they’ re rated for the load they’ ll carry. Also check the manufacture date.“ Tyres older than five years can be a real hazard on the road and cause blowouts,” Lewis says.
Mapping the route
If you’ re thinking about camping, you’ ll find two main options: public campgrounds and private campgrounds. Public campgrounds can be found in places like state and national parks. They tend to be in rural settings and may be near hiking trails or a lake. Privately owned caravan parks and campgrounds are often not as remote as public campgrounds.
A third, less common option, consists of finding a place on your own. Often referred to as“ freecamping”, the idea is to camp off the grid, away from the services and amenities provided at public and private campgrounds.
Keep in mind, however, that this option includes extra legwork.“ There’ s a romantic notion of camping anywhere in the wild,” says Costco member JP Smith, co-creator of the Ultimate RV Checklist app and a full-time RVer for more than seven years.“ It’ s possible, but it takes preparation.”
For instance, you’ ll typically rely on solar power or a generator in those places.“ Know how long you can stay away from hook-ups,” Smith adds.
And you’ ll need to check that the spot you’ re considering is legal and available. >
COSTCO CONNECTION MAY / JUN 2024 | 23