Hey All

[Beepa]

Hi, yep we are another new member (from Brisbane) to Myswag, we have been trawling through the forums for 6mths or so, ever since we made the decision to finally by a camper trailer. So first up thanks to all who post here because it greatly influenced us in which direction to go in buying a trailer and estimating our solar needs etc. We decided to go for a Camel Beachcomber Plus with the basic kitchen, standard tent etc. We got a few extras but finances were tight so we didn't go too crazy, we took advantage of the EOFY thing and on the money we saved are getting the trailer gusseted and gal dipped. I decided to do the electrics myself (how expensive are batteries/solar!!!!$2k for cold beer and noisey CPAP) so I will be busy when the trailer arrives. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the first time I drag it into a campsite at Main beach Straddie. Fingers crossed the old 75 series cruiser has the guts to make the campsite entry.

[KingBilly]

Welcome to myswag.  Congrats on the new Camel    Enjoy Straddie

Happy camping
KB

[Rob C]

Welcome Beepa,

The money will be well worth it when you reach for a coldie.

Rob

[sol]

G'day and welcome Beepa
Congrats on the camper mate.

     

[CokeBottle]

Welcome from another newbie

Dave

[GGV8Cruza]

Welcome to the Forum, a great combo will get you out and about. Keep us updated on the mods as the progress, 12v is our specialty 

GG

[Beepa]

Thanks GGV8Cruza. I haven't started 12v install yet, was waiting on repairs, been a bit shell shocked with Camel closing no warranty etc    Looks like I have to pay for canvas repairs on a never used camper myself. Ahhh but ya get that on big jobs. I've gotta squeeze in 2 x 130AH Agm's, Ctek dual charger, 2 x solar inputs one on draw bar, one near kitchen, projecta 25A 240v charger, 600W inverter, baintec 6 pole fuse block etc. Have 2 x 200W solar panels to play with trying to stop the "solar death spiral."(yes 20a max for Ctek so I'm betting on losses) I have been going camping at Straddie since I was a kid so setting up for 7 days plus with no driving/external 240v is a must (generator is next on the list). I will run 16mm twin(solar)from truck battery to Ctek via anderson plug then to fuse block. From fuse block I see no need to run solar/automotive cable for final sub circuits as they will be fixed and run in Anaconda conduit, so 6mm twin xlpe for them. I'm still contemplating the 240v circuit for the Cpap unit fed from the inverter, seems much easier/cheaper just to tag on an extension lead rather than another sub board/double pole breakers etc. Oh and a fire extinguisher or two.

[Sixpack]

Welcome to Myswag Beepa

[Beepa]

Finally broke the Camel in, and broke it of course (also broke the Cruiser) but all was good, 4000k's plus including the 200km return dirt road to Stanage.

[Mangrovematt]

Broke the Camel in hey, did u get crabs..........(in Stanage bay) Nice work getting out there Beepa, hope the breakages aren't to bad,  any photos of the new pride and joy

[Beepa]

Couple of pics, first is new Camel empty, second and third id electricals I put in and fourth is Notch point. Camel tent was always hard to pack up, we thought it was normal and we were doing something wrong but on our second night I noticed one of the Struts on the tent had popped off and bent it's mount. After having a look I can't compress the Strut at all so off it came, made packing up a breeze. The Strut is 600n so I'm thinking about replacing both struts with 300n and see how we go (can't even talk to someone at Camel about it grrr). And the Cruiser, well that's my fault, 10yrs ago I bought new Springs for my then Troopy choosing a lighter spring for the rear. Before I sold the Troopy I swapped the Springs with the shagged ones on my current ute, all good until you load it up, whack on a CT and drive 4000kms...New constant 400kg-600kg rear springs are in the mail.