In their travels and during seminars, Evon and Peter have often been asked questions about motorhomes and caravans and many of the practical aspects of travelling. It quickly became apparent that most people embarking on this new travelling lifestyle literally do not know where to start, and this can result in some expensive mistakes. Following are some answers to some of the regular questions.
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Question – What recreational vehicle is best – a caravan, motorhome or camper trailer?
Answer – No one else can answer that question for you. There are advantages and disadvantages with every ‘recreational vehicle’, and with any one of them you will have to make compromises. What some travellers consider ideal for them will not appeal to everyone else. If you plan to stay in one place for a period of time and use it as a base, then a caravan or fifth wheeler could be best. If you plan to just keep on travelling, even if it is only a short distance each day, then a motorhome or campervan would probably be more convenient. If you want to travel in remote areas on unsealed roads, a camper trailer might best suit the conditions.
Question – With the current high price of fuel, does it cost too much to travel?
Answer – Not really, because fuel is only one component of your travelling costs, and there is no point in waiting for the price to come down significantly. An example is our mid-size motorhome that has fuel consumption of 7.1km per litre when travelling at 85kph. When fuel was $1.00 per litre the fuel cost was $14.10 per 100km, while at $1.25 per litre it would cost $17.60 for 100km, and at $1.50 per litre it would cost $21.13. With an increase in fuel price from $1.00 per litre to $1.50 per litre, someone travelling an average of 200km per day would pay an extra $14.10 per day. Other vehicle costs (tyres, repairs and servicing) entrance fees to attractions, food, camping fees and other personal costs far outweigh the extra cost of fuel.
Question – Should I consider fuel consumption when I am choosing a motorhome, van or camper trailer?
Answer – Most definitely. Once again, it is a matter of compromise and you have to decide what suits you. There is a significant difference in fuel consumption between different vehicles and different car/caravan combinations. With a motorhome or campervan, the weight and aerodynamics of the vehicle impact heavily on fuel consumption, as do the specifications and capacity of the motor. If you plan to tow a caravan or camper trailer, it is not only the specifications of the tow vehicle that determine fuel consumption, but also the weight and aerodynamics of the towed unit. In all of these, weight is a key factor.
Question – What are the advantages of the different types of fuel – petrol, diesel or LPG?
Answer – A vehicle will drive further on a litre of diesel than on a litre of any other fuel. LPG is less efficient than petrol, both in terms of the distance you can drive and the power of the engine when powered by LPG.
Question – Are supplies of petrol, diesel and LPG gas readily available?
Answer – Petrol and diesel fuels are both readily available on the highways, however supplies of LPG gas are not as widespread. In some very remote regions diesel is the only fuel available (refer to Hema maps), although supplies of a special type of petrol known as opal are becoming available in some remote aboriginal communities that previously only had supplies of diesel.
Question – Do you need long-range fuel tanks or extra fuel in jerry cans to travel around Australia?
Answer – No. Unless you are travelling in remote desert regions, there is never more than a couple of hundred kilometres between service stations. It is not worth adding to the weight of your rig by carrying extra fuel, and the transportation of fuel, particularly petrol, in cans presents an unnecessary danger.
Question – If I am travelling in a remote area, how can I carry fuel safely?
Answer – Fuel can only be transported in containers designed for the purpose and cannot be carried within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or the accommodation area of a motorhome or campervan. Take a funnel to help pour fuel into the tank.
Question – Can I travel around Australia totally on bitumen roads?
Answer -Yes. Most of the popular attractions are accessible on sealed roads, and the few that are not can be visited on a local tour. Unless you have a 4WD, it is probably more economical to pay for a tour rather than taking a vehicle not designed for off-road travel on a badly corrugated road. In addition to possible damage to the vehicle, tyres and contents, it can be very stressful for a driver not used to these conditions, and after all, we are meant to be having fun.
Question – Which caravan is best – a conventional one or an ‘off road’?
Answer – Consider where you want to travel and the extra cost of a more solidly constructed caravan. Is it only on bitumen roads? Is it only short distances on unsealed roads or do you want to do more extensive off-highway travelling.
Question – If I want to travel around Australia, which direction should I go?
Answer – Most travellers favour anti-clockwise. There are two main reasons: you can be in each area when the weather should be at its best, and you should have the advantage of tailwinds on the Barkly Tableland and the Nullarbor Plain. Tailwinds can reduce fuel consumption dramatically.
Question – When would I go?
Answer – Follow the weather reports so you arrive in north Queensland after the Wet has finished. Sometimes there is a short Wet (January/February) so by April the weather should be great, but in other years the Wet can extend as late as May. Continue on to the Northern Territory in May/June. This is long enough after the Wet for floodwaters to have subsided, but before the countryside becomes dry and dusty. Travel on to the Kimberley around early July. The wildflowers in Western Australia come into bloom in the north in July, and as you travel south the weather will warm up and a new montage of colourful flowers will come into bloom. In the midlands the wildflowers are at their best in September. The southern part of Australia has cold and wet winters. You can explore the southern part of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania in the summer.
Question – How can I travel more economically?
Answer – Reduce the weight of your rig by not carrying unnecessary heavy items, and reduce your travelling speed. Fuel consumption of the authors’ vehicle driven at 85kph is 7.1km per litre, while increasing the speed to a little over 90kph results in fuel consumption of 6.5km per litre. Fuel economy decreases even more at higher speeds. You can save money on accommodation costs. Try bush camping, or if you prefer to stay in caravan parks, seek out smaller less expensive ones in country towns rather than fancy resort-style ones in tourist areas.
Question – Do I have to stay in caravan parks?
Answer – No. There are thousands of low-cost or free campsites available, and publications that list them. Camps Australia Wide is the most popular of these books. It is your choice how often you stay in caravan parks, although in some tourist areas there won’t be any other alternative. If you plan to camp where you do not have access to 240volt power you should set up your motorhome or caravan accordingly.
Question – Is bush camping safe?
Answer – Yes. Very rarely do campers feel threatened when bush camping. In all our years of travelling we have never felt even remotely uneasy when bush camping. If you are unsure at first, camp near other travellers.
Question – Is it safe for a single person to travel alone?
Answer – Yes. Hundreds of single people travel alone, many of them on the road permanently. For companionship, many travel with another single person, or even a few people, each in their own vehicle.
Question – Can I travel with school-age children?
Answer – Yes. Many families sell or rent their home and travel for a year or two, or even permanently, while the children undertake schooling by Distance Education supervised by a parent. This is probably easier with primary school age children rather than high school. Parents say that their children learn far more than they would have in a normal school, and that their children are generally more mature than others their age. Travelling together is a fantastic bonding experience for a family. A disadvantage can be that it is hard for children to establish friendships with a wide group of their peers as happens at school, although they will meet other young people while they travel, then can keep in touch by email.
Question – Can I travel with a pet?
Answer – Yes, but there are places you cannot take a pet.