So, We Brought an Aussie Caravan – Why?

Our Aussie Caravan Decision

We knew that our adventures around many countries in the world would need to come to a ‘pause’.  Although it is a lot of people’s dream to travel and experience what we have been doing, it’s not something that can last forever.

There was a lot of soul searching and many discussion held over Happy Hour as to what direction we should head in next.

Although we have seen many amazing sights around the world, we are extremely passionate about our motherland.  Travel to different countries certainly makes you appreciate New Zealand.

We came to the conclusion that we wanted to explore the highways and byways of NZ……hopefully more byways than highways.

The decision to purchase a caravan and ute and live on the road in NZ was hatched.

Why an Australian Built Caravan?

In order for us to truly experience the more out of the way places, we needed to look for a caravan which would be ‘fit for purpose’.

In a brief visit back to NZ last year, we scoured the caravans available.  Something capable of taking us off the tar seal road.  After all, quite often the best scenery starts where the tar seal stops.

To be honest, our choices in NZ fell short of what we were wanting in a caravan.  This included imported and locally made caravans.

We travelled to Brisbane to attend the large Queensland Caravan Camping and Touring Super Show.

If you are going to be attending this show, make sure you have narrowed your choices down as to what you want to look at.  There were what appeared to be hundreds of brands on display.  It is quite overwhelming and it made it seem more doable if we stuck to a list of ‘must haves’ and possible brands that we wanted to consider.

Off-Road and Off-the-Grid

The caravan needed to be set up for off-the-grid living.  We will be full time travelling so requirements are a little different than a caravan used for the odd weekend getaway or extended Christmas holidays.

Solar panels, generator, heating, insulation and off-road capability were all high on our list of essentials, along with a very long list of ‘wants’.

Australian vans seemed much better suited to our requirements.  They do a lot of off-road driving and camping so ticked more off our list than anything we could get back home.

Why JB Caravans?

After an exhaustive day wandering around the show, visiting all the caravans on our list (and lots of extra ones that we didn’t even know existed), we were most impressed with JB Caravans.

The layout and quality of the finish were impressive.  The options were boundless and the sales service was outstanding.

We both felt that they were the best fit for what we wanted.  Most of our list was ticked with the Milano.  Many hours were spent that night going over everything we’d seen.  The decision was made to go back to JB Caravans the next day to ask more questions before putting pen to paper.

There were some things on our list that we considered ‘deal breakers’, not negotiable.  The rest of the list was ‘nice to have’.

Interior Layout

Bedroom

It was important to us that the bedroom be as separated as possible from the rest of the caravan.  I’m an early riser, Scotty not so much.  We wanted a degree of separation so that me making my morning coffee wasn’t going to be too disruptive.  I could potter around as much as I like without having to be concerned with the noise factor.

It was also a ‘must have’ to have an island bed, easy to walk around and to make.

We also decided on two split windows instead of the single large side window.  The two smaller windows offer more security and privacy.  It will be nice to be able to choose to open just one or both depending on weather and air flow.

We requested cubbyholes be inserted in the wardrobe space, facing the bed.  We liked the idea of having a place for a book, clock or phone.  There are also power points and USB chargers located in both cubbyholes.

We won’t be having many clothes that require hanging so there was no concern about losing some hanging space.

Club Lounge

We also wanted a ‘club lounge’.  This is a lounge area at either the front or rear of the caravan, wrap around seating and adjustable table.  This layout is opposed to a dinette with is usually located on the side with two squabs facing each other.

A club lounge is much more conducive to laying back, feet up, watching TV.  It is also more sociable and more room.  We both use laptops and devises so require a good amount of room and table space.

Kitchen

Now although I love to cook, I didn’t have a huge list for the kitchen.  However, in saying that, the top of my list was to have plenty of benchtop space.  The Milano certainly ticked that box with two different working spaces and a good amount of gap between benches for two people to pass comfortably.

Of course, it also goes without saying that there has to be storage in abundance.  There are more draws than cupboards which is a big tick in my book.  There is also a slide out pantry, 216L compressor fridge/freezer, microwave and a front loading washing machine.  Oh, and the cook in me is rather excited to have an oven (fan forced).

Added Extras

There are so many more features that came standard with the Milano model, so there weren’t too many more additions we needed to make.  I’m sure that once we have been living in it for a couple of months, we’ll think of something that we should have added.

Extra Cupboard Door

The front loading washing machine is located in the kitchen.  I had a cupboard door added to cover this and now it is nicely hidden and looks just like another cupboard.

Power Points

Not only did we add some extra power points, but we also added USB charging outlets to many of them.  We also had fitted a 12v USB charger so we don’t need to use our inverter when charging devices when off-the-grid.

Sirrocco Fans

Two Sirroco fans came standard, located in the bedroom.  We added two more which are fitted in the club lounge.  These can be angled to where we are sitting or pointing towards the kitchen area.  This will help circulate the air better.

Internal Doors

There is usually a swinging door from the kitchen into the bathroom space en route to the bedroom.  We changed this to a cavity sliding door and added a lightweight concertina door directly on the bedroom side.  This is for extra privacy when using the toilet.

Exterior Features

Okay, I’m the first to admit that for me, it’s all about the interior.  The layout, the colour scheme and you know, the things that make life a little more comfortable.

What goes on the outside (or underneath) does make my eyes glaze over so I’ll do my best to make the outside features sound just as important (which they are of course).

Chassis and Suspension

As I mentioned earlier, being able to comfortably travel off the tarmac is important.  There are three options when looking at caravans.  On-road, semi-off road or full-off road.

While some caravans claim to be off-road, all that has been altered is that the suspension has been lifted to give you more clearance.

The Milano comes with Cruisemaster ATX Air Off-road suspension.  Now in layman terms, it has airbag suspension.  We have individual switches to control the height of the caravan to assist in clearance when on rough terrain.  We can also use it to help level the caravan when parked up.

Now the rest of the specifications have been copied directly from their website (because I know that it is important to some of you – (rolling my eyes right now!):

• Supagal chassis
• 6-inch mainframe
• 6-inch A-Frame + 2″ raiser
• Electric brakes
• DO45 recessed coupling (off-road Aussie hitch)
• Micky Thompson tyres
• 16″ alloy rims
• Mesh on A-Frame + deflector
• ALKO – Electronic Stability Control
• Gal sheet flooring

Holding Tanks

Water supply is more of an issue in Australia than in NZ but it is certainly handy to have the extra water storage on board.  Although we won’t be running with tanks full, there is the capacity to be parked up for a while before the need to top up.

We have x2 95L water tanks and x1 65L dedicated drinking water tank. There is also a 95L grey tank.  It’s important to remember that grey water tanks aren’t always standard for Australian vans.

All tanks are protected by a metal chequer plate guard.

Electrical

The Milano is very well set up for off-the-grid living.  We have x3 lithium batteries and a Redarc Battery Management System.  There were  x3 150W solar panels which are standard with the Milano, however, there was space for a 4th panel so we had the additional panel fitted in NZ.  We also have a 2600W Enerdrive Inverter. 

I’m told that these details are important so there you go, for those who wanted to know!

Warranty Cover

We are fully covered by the JB Caravan warranty in New Zealand.  Since purchasing our caravan in Australia, a New Zealand Agency has been established.  Drummond and Etheridge (D&E Outdoors) based in Ashburton who will be our ‘go to’ guys if we have any warranty issues.

These guys are now the New Zealand distributors for JB Caravans.  Check out their website above to view all their different models available.

Do Your Homework

Research, research, research.  We studied the different caravan models and made so many lists.  It would be impossible to get everything you want.  Figure out your ‘deal breakers’ and go from there.

Choosing the caravan or camper that is right for you is a personal choice.  Our wants and needs will be miles apart from others.  Our ‘fit for purpose’ lists of ‘must haves’ will be completely different.  Do your research, make your lists and happy hunting.

Check out our blog on Helpful Hints on Importing a Caravan.

In Summary

So as you have read, Scotty is all about the outside, underside and construction.  For me, it’s more about the inside.  It’s the finishing, the workmanship and how it ‘feels’ when you step inside.  This is our home.  It’s not a weekend or holiday escape getaway van.

We love the great outdoors, so I wanted this reflected in the colour scheme.  I wanted to bring as much of the outside in.  All the colours are based on nature.  The cupboard doors are high gloss woodgrain, darker on the bottom but light on the top.  At first, I was concerned that this might look a bit dated.  Is woodgrain still ‘on trend’ any more?  I think it works and I’m pleased how it looks and feels.

I’ll introduce texture with accessories.  There is nothing sterile about it, it feels warm, comfortable and inviting.

Check out our blog on Modifications to our Aussie Caravan in NZ.