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Purchasing an off-road hybrid camper can be your ticket to exploring everything this great Southern land has to offer.
Whether you want to traverse the unsealed Oodnadatta Track to Lake Eyre or relax in the tropical rainforests of Daintree National Park, an off-road hybrid camper is your home away from home.
As tempting as it may be to rush off into the great unknown to discover some of Australia’s fantastic landscapes, there are a few things you should know before taking your off-road camper off the beaten track.
So here are some of our pro tips and advice to prepare you to hit the (off) road.
Reaching your campsite
First things First, Planning can make or break your camping experience! From traversing the track to your campsite to packing enough relaxing beverages, a bit of forward planning is so important.
Some camping spots are relatively easy to access and may only require you to drive a dirt track or negotiate a small creek crossing.
But if you’re really going off the beaten track, study your route carefully. There may be sections of road which are prone to becoming completely washed out after periods of heavy rain. No one wants to get bogged, or even worse, damage their rig when on a family holiday, especially when you’re towing a camper.
Regardless of where you are going, there are some basic recovery items that you shouldn’t leave home without, including:
- Tyre gauge or even better a tyre deflator and compressor
- Quality nylon snatch strap with Bow shackles and dampener
- 4x4 recovery tracks (e.g. MAXTRAX)
- Tyre repair kit
- Portable jump starter
- Spare tyre (that’s a given!) and a shovel
Towing tips
Towing an off-road camper, particularly a hybrid camper, should be easy and stress free as this is exactly what these campers are designed for. But there are still some basic safety tips you should always follow to avoid any issues on your journey.
Consider the following before hitching up your camper and heading off towards the horizon:
- Service your towing vehicle before departure no-one wants to spend half their holiday stuck on the side of the road!
- Set up your camper before departure and inspect it thoroughly for any signs of wear and tear that could become problematic while on the road.
- Understand the clearance angles of your off-road camper and what it is/isn’t capable of.
- Your camper should place no more than 10% of its weight on to your tow ball. Also, always make sure you adhere to the stated towing maximum of your tow vehicle, whilst also taking into account the weight of what you pack into both your camper and your vehicle.
- Check your wheel nuts and tyre pressure on all tyres before you leave and also daily whilst travelling, especially when travelling on corrugated roads. Lower your tyre pressures to suit the road conditions, be aware you will need to lower your speed on bitumen roads until you pump your tyres back up.
- If you’re travelling as part of a convoy, a UHF radio is a fantastic way to communicate with other vehicles. You can’t always rely on mobile coverage when you are on your way to a national park or in the bush, so being able to give others in your group a heads up about any upcoming road hazards or to plan roadside stops is extremely helpful. A UHF radio will also allow you to get in touch with local authorities in the event of an emergency or a breakdown.
- Always keep an eye on your speed. You will need to account for the extra weight of your camper when braking.
Packing the essentials
Food and cooking utensils: You need to be completely self-sufficient when you’re heading out bush or national park camping. Make sure you cater for 3 meals a day per person plus snacks. Don’t forget the salt, pepper and refreshing beverages!
Porta potty or a shovel and toilet paper: If you don’t fancy having to take a walk to dig a hole, a porta potty is a good idea, especially if you have kids. You should also burn your toilet paper if not using a porta potty as toilet paper takes a long time to break down naturally.
Bushwalking clothes: The most comfortable clothes to wear when going for a bushwalk include lightweight quick drying shorts, a shirt, a hat and boots. A fleecy jacket or old jumper and a long sleeved rain jacket are a good idea to keep out the cold and wet. If your walk involves walking through scrub, gaiters can be useful.
Clean drinking water: Make sure you have at least 6L of water per adult per day plus enough for a quick rinse off or bucket bath.Firewood: In Australia, it is illegal to collect firewood from national parks. So if you want to enjoy a cozy fire each evening, bring plenty of untreated and split hardwood. Also, remember to check that where you are camping allows fires. Always use fire pits if they are provided. Most importantly - check if there are any local fire bans in place, especially during the summer.
First aid kit that includes a snake bite kit and burn kit: While it’s very rare to suffer a snake bite or a burn when you’re camping, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A good first aid kit should come with 3 sections - a general first aid section, a snake bite section and a burns section.
Stove: In national parks, it’s important to have a fuel stove to cook on, especially in the summer months during fire restrictions.
Solar panels or a generator: If you’re planning an extended stay out in the bush, you’ll need these to charge batteries, lanterns and your electronic devices. There are no power points to be found in the middle of the bush! A good portable solar panel is the best option so you can chase the sun as it moves throughout the day. Not all National Parks allow generators so make sure you are aware of rules for hours of operation etc.
Extra fuel: Both your towing vehicle and your camper can’t go far without fuel! Invest in some high quality jerry cans and fill them up before you go too far away from any major towns or highways.
Navigation: As mentioned earlier, you can’t always rely on decent mobile reception to use for GPS navigating. If you’re heading out bush, you need reliable navigation methods such as maps and in-car navigation devices such as a Garmin.
National park camping and vehicle access permits: You will need to book these in advance, especially during peak holiday times.
Mesh floor mat: Helps to keep all the dirt, dust and sand out of your camper and annexe.
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen: You can buy a range of mosquito repellents and sunscreen. Some are natural, some are tropical strength, some you put on your clothing and some are air based. Some of the kid and family friendly products we use are Thermacell butane powered mosquito repellent, Good Riddance insect repellent, and MooGoo Skin Care.
Tool kit: Always take a basic toolkit as you never know when you’ll need it. Some handy items to include are spare fuses, cigarette plugs, electrical tape and of course zip ties. The most important item to have on hand is a Torque Wrench so you can ensure your wheel nuts and suspension bolts are properly tightened.
Thinking of purchasing an off-road camper? Talk to the ModCon RV team today
Our range of campers and hybrids are engineered to withstand all the harsh conditions our beautiful Australian landscape has to offer, while giving you a comfortable, trouble-free camping experience. They are perfect for grey nomads, young families and couples alike.
If you’d like to see the level of quality you can expect from Modcon for yourself, visit us at your nearest showroom. We’d love for you to stop by. Click here to get in touch with us today.