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A man had been drinking at a pub all evening, and by the time the bartender rang for final orders he was totally bladdered. He stood up to leave and promptly fell flat on his face. A second attempt ended in the same result, so he figured he'd crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that would sober him up. Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face once more. Giving it up as a bad job he decided to crawl the mile to his home. When he arrived at his front door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled indoors, up the stairs and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one last time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell onto bed and was sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him. "So, you've been out drinking again!" she shouted. "What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an oh-so-innocent look. "The pub called. You left your wheelchair there."

We have set up camp at Gumtree Lodge, Howard Qld for a couple of nights to celebrate the New Year. This time we have gone upmarket with a deck site. It is lovely enjoying the breeze off the water and watching the turtles, ducks and water hens. They do forecast storms, however hoping they stay further west from us. Wishing you all the best for 2025.

We are camped at a drop dead gorgeous beach camp at Port Gibbon on SA’s Eyre Peninsula. Called Serenity (talk about well named) it has a view from our van that is unrivalled. The cost is $15 a night, and the only facilities are rubbish bins. Mobile phone reception is OK, but not brilliant. But we have Starlink and Celfi Go so that’s all good.

Merry Christmas and safe travels over the holiday break. Hope you all have a wonderful 2025 exploring our lovely country.

Sandra I made this after Killkivan get together,so easy and lovely. I found that it gets even better with a night or two in the fridge. Thanks again

Air bags, or heavier rear springs, do not re-distribute weight, and that is why steering will be floaty. I used a weight distribution hitch on the 100 series, and am now using it on the 300. On a recent trip the ball weight was 330 kg and as at all times using the WDH there is no difference in the feeling of the steering from when not towing. The steering is responsive and positive. There is an unfortunate lack of understanding as to how WDHs work.

Just replaced the old nylon red dust impregnated insect screens on the 2012 Kedron ATV. Well actually, Paul & Vanessa at “Swap & Stop Midge Screens did!!!! They did a great job and we are very pleased with the results. Recommend Paul & Vanessa’s service! Based in Caloundra, they arrive at your site (we used Dicky Beach Caravan Park) first thing. They remove all the blind/screen window fittings, take them away, replace the insect screens, clean up the blinds, fix up any small tears and return early afternoon to refit on your van, like brand new! Excellent and good value for money!!! Given the option of replacing the entire window blinds/screens by your local repairer this is a no-brainer! Paul & Vanessa 0448911235 pandvarch@gmail.com

A nice quiet spot on the River Murray SA, near Berri. Site 5, at Lyrup Flats. It is a national park (Murray River National Park), NE of Adelaide. And although it’s a national park, it is dog friendly in this section. Lovely weather and equally lovely view. And no one else in cooee. The small town of Lyrup is just across the river on a ferry ride, and has a great tavern with meals.

I MADE THIS AGAIN FOR OUR MAY DAY KILKIVAN GATHERING, ONCE AGAIN A SUCCESS . Try this lovely Apple slice, easy to make with minimal ingredients. If you don't have an oven in your van I'm sure it could be cooked in the Webber. APPLE SLICE Base - 1 pkt vanilla or butter cake mix ( I use the generic brand ones from Woolworths or Coles) 1 cup coconut 125 gms melted butter Filling - 1 410gm tin pie apple Topping - 1 carton light sour cream Cinnamon Mix together Base ingredients and press into a greased 7"x11" tin, cook in a moderate oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spread pie apple over the base, then spread sour cream over the apple and sprinkle with cinnamon. Return to oven and cook for a further 15 minutes. Slice when cold.

I will definitely be using this as one of my go to recipes, thanks everyone.

Recently our TPMS saved us a tyre on our caravan . Since we have had the TPMS on our car and caravan it has saved us 4 tyres in the last 8 years. However 2 of these tyre deflations have been from the stem valve splitting at its base. I am wondering if this is caused from the excess movement of the stem valve as a result of the extra weight of the TPM attached to the top of the valve. Has any one else had this problem and if so how did you remedy this from future happenings. Thanks in advance. Rod

Hi Rod Our van has Safety Dave TPMS, and I'm unsure where I gained this bit of advice however, it is to have a small wedge of semi flexible foam tucked in between the valve stem and the rim. My concern was that the weight of the TPMS would be pulled by centrifugal force on the valve stem at speed. From time to time the wedges work their out and so I carry a few spares. Barry

SOLD....

Those querying previously about LC300 series with standard suspension and towing issues, did you find that the vehicle could handle 280kg downball weight, towing approx 3100kg double axle van loaded evenly for touring ( heavy stuff near axle)? My LC300 VX sagged at back and lifted at front, making steering totally floaty, even with 30psi inner-spring HD airbag support. Anyone have similar problem? If no, let me know. If yes, how did you solve? Note, I don't want to use a WDH unless absolutely necessary.

Yes, we did, had nearly 200mm over two days. Having a deck site was a real blessing. A few caravaners left early due to the amount of water flowing through the camp area.

I am very interested in purchasing a Kedron Compact. If you’re looking to sell yours please get in contact with me. My email is stephen.kalyniuk@infogroup.com.au Thnak you in advance for your reply.

Hi all, I have a 2011 TopEnder and I want to replace the 3 x 120ah agm batteries with a 200ah lithium lifepo4 battery. The onboard 240v charger is the Xantrex 40amp and the solar controller is the Morningstar TS-45 which came with the van when built. Both do not support lithium charging that I know of. My question is, can I simply just replace the agm's with the new lithium without replacing the 240v AC charger and Solar controller? Has anyone done this? My understanding from what I have read online is that the Battery BMS will sort it out. There are conflicting reports online as to what will work and will not. Any constructive feedback is welcome Cheers Rob Note: I have 3 x 135w solar panels on the roof, my guess is that will be OK with charging the lithium battery.

Hi all, I have solved my problem.... I have taken the plunge and purchased a 200Ah Lithium battery, a new AC charger to suit and a new Solar controller to suit also. Cheers Rob

With Tom's help I resolved the problem by forcing a cold reset of the C40. To do this, remove the front cover, then disconnect the red and black leads that go to the battery and -ve van shunt respectively. Leave 10 minutes, then reconnect and wait for the unit to reset, at which time the charge light starts blinking again Hope this is helpful to someone else in the future. Many thanks to all who helped. Regards, Andrew

Hi Ian & Sue We are on our second SOG unit. The first I fitted myself to our first van and the second we had fitted during new van manufacture. The answer to the #2 in the tube is to always fit the plug while travelling. This we only needed to do on the new van as the old 20 litre cassette on the old van had the hose on the top of the tank and was no problem.The new 17 litre tank has the hose attached on to the drain cap.The plug has a key ring fitted that allows it to be slipped on to the vent hose when not in use.Thus it is a quick job to fit and remove and always where you need it. We can thoroughly recommend the SOG.No smell on the bathroom and no qualms in emptying in roadside composting or septic toilets. Ian it is money well spent if you intend to keep the current van for a while. We do use nappy san when doing a thorough clean when sewage dump facilities are available,this tends to thoroughly de gunk the tank. Hope you three had a great trip to the East and thanks,good luck and enjoy with the Prez position on the committee. Cheers and love too ya from the Kyd's.

Sounds great. What happens to the sourcream if you cook it?

We've decided to sell our Kedron.... This Kedron ATV was sold new to us in March 2017 and first registered then. Cruisemaster suspension. We have looked after it obsessively and it has looked after us! Registered till MARCH 2026. The photos tell the story but some things in addition include: New in 2024 Freshjet 7 Plus Air conditioner professionally fitted New in 2024 all bearings (Japanese) and dust covers New in 2024 front window 'bra' to protect the front of the van and front window New in 2024 Yokohama GO15 AT tyres x 4 New in 2024 genuine 'Aussie Traveller' 17'6" awning New in 2024 midge screens retrofitted to all windows and the screen door Kedron retrofitted the Kedron dust pressure unit for us in 2022 It is powered for offgrid by 2 x 240amp (480AH) SolarKing Lithium batteries and these are charged by 630w of solar panels on the roof. Enerdrive AC charger Enerdrive DC charger Enerdrive inverter Morningstar Tristar Solar controller/charger Includes Anti-Flapper bars and rafters Includes BOS jockey unit Everyone knows how tough Kedron build their vans... this van is ready to go with nothing to do but enjoy! Please ask any questions. LOCATED 1hr north of Sydney just off the M1... https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/items/details/2016-kedron-all-terrain-vehicle-6-7m-22ft/sse-ad-18067824/?utm_campaign=ad-edit-approved&utm_source=notification-center&utm_medium=email

Use a 27.5cm x 17.5cm slice tin Grease and line with bake paper - leave enough overhang on long sides to lift slice out once cooked and cooled Preheat oven to 160 degrees centigrade (slow oven - the temperature may vary depending on your oven) Ingredients Slice 185g unsalted butter melted 3 Weetbix crushed or use a combination of Weetbix and/or other cereal (I often use Guardian) to make up 60g 1 x cup self raising flour 1 x cup brown sugar 1 x cup desiccated coconut Icing 1 x cup icing sugar mix 3 x tbs chocolate Quik 1 x level tbs softened butter approx. 1 tbs hot water a bit of extra coconut for sprinkling on icing Method Mix all dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl until well combined Make a well in the centre and pour in melted butter Mix well with a wooden spoon or knife until all ingredients are moist and well combined Press evenly into slice tin Bake in slow oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden in colour Remove from oven and leave in pan to cool When slice is slightly cool, lift from pan using long edges of bake paper Place on cooling rack and allow to cool almost completely When slice is cool… Place icing sugar mix, Quik and butter in a small bowl Slowly add water in small amounts while mixing with wooden spoon to a spreadable consistency Spread icing onto slice and sprinkle with extra coconut Cut into squares (approx. 20 pieces)

Hi we have a 2006 cross country 18ft and no 12 volt at all on 12vswitch. Have power when switch on 240.cant find any fusses blown. Can any body tell me where the main 12 vt fuse if there is one.

You’re on the right track. A 120W panel will just cover your usage, but in real-world conditions (heat, shade, angle), you’ll likely see only 60–80W average output. If you're regularly pulling your 120Ah AGM down to 60%, I’d suggest going for a 160W to 200W panel to give you a bit more buffer and ensure full recovery each day. Cheap vs Expensive Panels: Cheaper options ($200–$300) can work, but: Often come with PWM controllers (even if labelled MPPT) May use lower-grade cells Build quality and connectors can be hit or miss More expensive panels ($500+): Use better quality cells (more efficient) Include genuine MPPT regulators Have better build, waterproofing, and longevity Best approach: Consider buying a quality folding panel without a built-in regulator, and use a proper MPPT controller mounted near your battery. This gives you better performance and flexibility. Look for setups with Anderson connectors, and double-check voltage ratings if pairing with your own controller. Let me know if you want help choosing a solid mid-range option. Cheers.

Kedron Topender - our around Australia travels have finished and we would very much like for others to share in this amazing experience. That is why we are selling our ultimate off road caravan that will go anywhere you want to take it. Australian built and guarantee with its outstanding workmanship. What an opportunity to get a great off-road caravan for half the price of a new one, and no waiting time as its ready to go now. Excellent second-hand condition, and well maintained and serviced. NSW registration 15.11.25. Has everything you need to go off road and off grid, and avoid the crowds and caravan parks if you wish. 3 solar panels provide heaps of power and 3 water tanks gives you a total of 300lts. Independent suspension. Most things operate on 12 volt eg fridge, lights, fans & TV which is great when off the beaten track. We have had some amazing trips and adventures around Australia in this van and now its your turn. Pull out generator drawer with rain cover Boot divider for ease of storage BBQ & gas cooker. Innerspring queen bed & topper Leather lounge/dinning setting Full ensuite with large size shower and separate toilet Large fridge and oven, microwave and heaps of storage Reverse cycle air conditioner and also 2 x 12 volt fans All the comforts of home Come and inspection as you will not be disappointed Why not become a grey nomad and enjoy this great life style Recently replaced: 3 x 120amp deep cycle batteries Powertech 40 amp solar charge controller Outside awning Stone guard Full block out blinds Lots of extras, too many to list More photos are available on request. Phone - Denise 0432 168 185

Hi Gail. After emptying the cassette, we pour about half a cup of Pine O Clean disinfectant into it, seems to do the trick. Cheers from Pete.

Hi Gail, Yes, there is a certain smell from the contents of the SOG cassette when you empty it, and of course it depends on what goes in as to what comes out. Both number one and two goes into our toilet and the smell can be quite strong, however according to my husband it is better than some of those awful chemical smells. I also empty the cassette and manage just fine, it is not pleasant, however it is not the worst either. The benefit of no odor inside the van when you use the toilet or go into the ensuite was the absolute winner for us. You could add a few drops of an odor netualising agent such as nilodor or V.I.Poo just prior to emptying which may help mask the smell. We always give it a really good clean out with detergent and water. Cheers Penny

Hi All I would apprecaiet any feedback on the Kedron "Compression Hatch" . How effective is it? I've looked at Carafan, Gusto and Dometic. I like the Gusto unit and was prepared to go that way unti I found out Kedron do their own DRS. Thanks for your input

Well here is another Question or Warning we have a Dec. 2006 L/C Sahara 198,000km always serviced, well yesterday we were heading up the Kuranda Range north of Cairns pulling Kedron 17.6ft. van almost to top & a hell of a bang steam every where managed to go 300 meters to pull over place at top, popped bonnet & the whole top of Radiator was blown off, water res. was only half full & still okay. Rob from Cape York Auto managed to get new Radiator & fitted it on side of road said he had never seen anything like this before & on closer inspection of plastic top it was perfect on exterior but inside it was all crazed & you could scrape bits off it. They have our car in Cairns going over everything to see if they can come up with reason for this to happen. The rest of Radiator is in great shape just like new inside. Rob said he will keep this in the memory bank & if any of his costumers are pulling loads with similar vehicles or older he will tell them what happened & they can make the decision as to what they will do, as you can not look at the interior of the top tank. I will keep you updated when we know the final out come. It will not be a cheap outcome. Neville

Just today been replacing radiator and heater hoses as a precaution on our 2005 LC 100 4.2 TD. All hoses have been in excellent condition and not really needing replacement, however doing it for peace of mind as a friend had a heater hose burst on his LC 100 a year or so ago. I found though that the top radiator connection spigot was a bit crumbly on inside, so referred to Dr Google and found this thread. Now I am more concerned than before changing the hoses. Perhaps I'll pay a visit to Ipswich Radiator Works on Robjewel's recommendation above, seeing as I live here. Would have been my 1st point of call anyhow.

Hi Pete, I’ve heard tell of the ‘Fridge Whisperer’ before so thanks for the number and if I can’t get this sorted out locally I will give him a call. Now that I’m armed with this new knowledge regarding average daily use from Chris I’m quietly confident that I can get the problem fixed. Up to then I didn’t know for certain that my suspicions regarding amperage consumption were justified as I’ve been wrong before .Just ask my ……….anyway ,thanks.

Hi. This might be a long shot. A couple of times in the past, I have used ‘The Fridge Whisperer’ (07 5499 1261) in Caboolture, north of Brisbane. The guy was able to help us some years ago. Even though you’re in Belrose NSW, no harm in giving him a call. Cheers from Pete.

Thanks Chris , That figure of 70 amps /day is very helpful as it gives me something to compare with.Ours uses about 50 amps overnight with the sleep function on for most of that 12 hr period so I’m guessing it uses well over a 100 amps per day to operate. I’ll call the Australian distributor and hopefully get this fixed as it’s frustrated me for 4 years! Thanks again.

We don’t have the 150l fridge (have the 230l) and it uses roughly 70 amp hours per day…that is, over a 24 hour period. Ours does ice up and needs defrosting about every 3 to 4 weeks. I hope this is helpful?

Hi Karen, yes but they weren’t interested as it’s a manufacturer’s problem. I’ve taken it to a Vitrifigo fridge mechanic who fixed the exhaust fan which solved the icing up that was occurring but not the coldness issue. Can anyone tell me approximately how many (amps) this fridge should use in say a 12 hour timeframe while on sleep mode? Also do other owners only run their fridge on the (1 ) setting regardless of ambient temperature ? In which case it seems to me a little odd to have 4 useless settings! Any help would be much appreciated.

ooohhh Tony, I think it is time to give up on a comedy career. We are heading to the Louth races this week

Congrats on the new (to you) cross country vehicle! Here's some helpful advice on insurance companies as you take delivery: * **Compare Rates:** Don't just stick with your current insurer. Get quotes from several companies, including national providers and regional specialists that might cater to SUVs or off-road vehicles. * **Consider Your Coverage Needs:** Tailor your coverage to your specific needs and the vehicle's value. Cross country adventures might involve different risks than city driving, so consider factors like roadside assistance, comprehensive coverage for off-roading mishaps, and uninsured motorist coverage for remote areas. * **Ask About Discounts:** Many insurers offer discounts for things like low mileage, safety features on your new car, bundling multiple policies, or being a good driver with no accidents. * **Read the Fine Print:** Don't just focus on the monthly price. Understand deductibles (the amount you pay before insurance kicks in), coverage limits, and any exclusions that might apply. Here are some resources to help you compare quotes: * Web aggregators like NerdWallet [invalid URL removed] or [The Zebra](https://www.zebra.com/) can get you quotes from multiple companies. * Consumer Reports ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/)) offers car insurance ratings and reviews. Remember, the best company depends on your individual needs and driving habits. Take some time to compare, ask questions, and find the coverage that gives you peace of mind for your cross-country adventures!

Don't suppose they have someone in WA who could do it?

Hi Rich I know others have said they replaced their screens themselves, but we had our caravan door & window screens replaced with black midge mesh by Paul and Vanessa Archer - Swap & Stop Midge Screens. They are based on the Sunshine Coast and can be contacted by mobile 0448911235 or email pandvarch@gmail.com I can recommend them, they did a great job with our van. Cheers Karen

1x 250grpack of Salada Biscuits 200grms Butter 185grm (1 cup) soft brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence Generous pinch of salt 200gr dark chocolate chopped Turn oven to 180 degrees. Line a baking tray (approx 300x250cm) with foil then baking paper. Lay out Saladas in a single layer to fit the tray. The Caramel - melt the butter and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about five minutes until it is thick and "gloopy". Stir in vanilla and salt. Take the caramel off the heat and quickly our it over the Saladas. Smooth with spatula. Put tray in oven for 15 minutes until the caramel has darkened. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes, then sprinkle the chopped chocolate over the toffee. As the chocolate melts spread it evenly over the base. (Some cut up pistachios sprinkled on top can be a festive addition). Allow your "Crack" to cool then snap into pieces - any odd shape will do and store in an airtight container in the frig. ENJOY!! Sorry, there is no photo, I made this recipe for the Christmas gathering at Ruberns Lagoon last week and it disappeared before I had a chance to take a photo.

Hi Neil. We have our 2012 ATV and 2017 Landcruiser Sahara insured through Ken Tame and Associates. Have been with them about 12 years. They will do ‘agreed’ value as opposed to ‘market’ value. You have to be a member of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) in order to insure through Ken Tame and Associates. We’ve found them very easy to deal with. We’ve also heard good things about Caravan Insurance Ltd (CIL). As Sandra said, it’s best to shop around. Cheers from Pete.

I have used this recipe for years! It was first made for me by my now departed sister in law. It is simple and delicious. Thanks for sharing it!

Hi Sue We are on our second Kedron, and our second SOG. Would not have a van without one. They are wonderful. No odours and definitely no #2's going where they shouldn't. We leave it in the full setup mode even when travelling. We also only use Napisan. Tell Ian he won't be sorry. It's money well spent.

Hi All, 4 years ago my then husband took out a policy for his Toyota Landcruiser. For reasons of convenience, we used my credit card (in my name only) to pay for the initial premium. A year or so later, he and I split up. When the next premium came due, it again came out of my credit card. I spoke to my now X husband and ALSO CALLED Club 4X4 and told them to please take my name and my credit card away from any association with my X husbands account/policy. They apologised and told me they would do this immediately. The next year passed with out incident. Then this year, on the 7th of April, they again took nearly $2000.00 from my credit card. I called them up to complain and to get the payment reinstated to my credit card. Admittedly I was a little annoyed, but I have to say their response was lacklustre at best. I assumed that they would refund the money back to my credit card. When I called them back to enquire why the money had not been reversed back to my credit card, they told me that the credit card had expired so they were unable to process the refund. (WTF???) This totally begged the question as to how they were able to get money from a credit card that was expired in their system, and also, that they were told by myself (owner of credit card) to remove the credit card two years earlier from this account. To add insult to injury, the consultant then implied that my X husband had run a shonk and had told them to use my expired credit card. He who has no ability to know the numbers on my credit card. They also told me that my name had been spelt incorrectly in this most recent payment. (I had lived with this person for 42 years so it is improbable that he would be unable to spell my name correctly.) All in all it was a pretty disappointing effort on the part of 4X4 to deflect the blame of their mistake on to an innocent party. I found the arrogance of some of the consultants with whom I consulted to be extremely off putting. I had to provide Club 4X4 with an alternate BSB and account number so that they could process the refund. As soon as I have the money safely back in my account, I will sincerely hope that I never need to have anything to do with Club 4X4 ever again. So far theyve had my money tied up for about a week and theyre saying it could be 5-7 working days for it to get to my account. Not good enough 4X4. Not nearly good enough!!! Regards Daz

Hope you didn't get caught up in that bad storm we saw going through the area with heaps of rain.

Hi, I have a Vitrifigo 150 slim in my Compact CP 5 van that seems to me to be using too much battery power. It operates on the number one setting regardless of the outside temperature being 0 deg or over 35 deg as we experienced in QLD. A 300 amp lithium battery will last 2 nights without any solar input in that period. The fridge cuts in and out periodically and seems to keep the right temperature in the fridge and freezer. It says its power at 12 volts is 70 w which doesn’t mean much to me. Any suggestions ,or better still, solutions would be appreciated.