New to camper trailers

familycamper · August 10, 2011, 10:07:47 PM

Hi Everyone, I am picking up our first camper this weekend and I can't wait. We have been tent camping a couple of times and quickly discovered with 5 kids this is really going to test us. So with the budget being really low we had a look around and finally went with a GIC extreme off road camper. I know that there is a lot of disliking for GIC but with such a small budget when we looked a round there was no way we were going to get what we did for the price we did anywhere else. Plus I am prepared to do what I need to fix anything that needs it. Which brings me to my question. Can anyone give me any tips or point me in the direction of a good electrician to add power to the camper. At the moment I just want to plug the camper into a powered site and use electricity. Later I would like to add some batteries to power up when we don't have access to powered sites. Any info would be great. And if you know of an electrician near Avonsleigh (which is next to Emerald in Vic) that could help, that would be great as well. Can't wait to read all about your stories and additions you all make and suggest.

Pete_R · August 10, 2011, 10:12:57 PM

Hi & welcome to MySwag. Heaps of great tips on this forum but can't help with an electrician in Vic

JCOJ · August 10, 2011, 10:42:59 PM

WOW - with 5 kids you really are the family camper!! Welcome to the fourm!

Enjoy the GIC - there seems to be alot of them about and who cares what you're in as long as it gets you and the crew out there!!

Snow · August 10, 2011, 11:27:04 PM

G'day and welcome to Myswag. I reckon you lot will have a ripper time with your camper.

HEM19X · August 11, 2011, 06:40:46 AM

Welcome mate,

The GIC will be fine for what you want to do.

As for 240v power, there is no real need to add this to the CT. Just run an extension lead to where the CT is, add a power board & away you go.

A point to remember, get a good quality "outdoors" lead [15amp] & make sure any plugs are off the ground if it rains.

Hem

GGV8Cruza · August 11, 2011, 09:02:08 AM

Welcome to the forum, any camper is a good camper, get out and enjoy the outdoors, watch out for a Vic meet and join in the fun. I would agree with Hem, keep it simple and use a good lead and a earth leakage board, keeps the cost down

GG

D4D · August 11, 2011, 09:58:10 AM

Welcome to myswag, agree with the 240V comments above, just get an extension lead and a some sort of protection device. We used this http://www.arlec.com.au/viewProduct.aspx?productcode=PB96&catalogueID=2&parentCatalogueID=2

Bird · August 11, 2011, 12:25:24 PM

Quote from: D4DWe used this http://www.arlec.com.au/viewProduct.aspx?productcode=PB96&catalogueID=2&parentCatalogueID=2

Always wondered being an electrics nuffy would that unit or one like it be safe on the ground in rain?? would you cover that or just leave it?

D4D · August 11, 2011, 12:37:26 PM

It has an IP44 rating, that said I always placed it elevated under the camper.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

Black Diamond · August 11, 2011, 01:40:32 PM

Gday and welcome to Myswag mate

Doesnt matter whether you have a GIC or KK, if it gets you out there its good enough

Look forward to checking her out in all her glory

cheers BD

familycamper · August 11, 2011, 02:05:07 PM

Hi Everyone, thanks for the extention lead suggestion. I never thought it could have been that easy.

This weekend is almost here so getting even more excited. Can't wait to pick her up. Thanks again everyone.

Bird · August 11, 2011, 03:55:26 PM

these look nice.. but $?!!!!
http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11292?osCsid=3ef33399b755b082f3df56b20408055e

D4D · August 11, 2011, 04:08:03 PM

The AMP-FIBIAN has come down in price, jury is still out as to whether they are truly legal, I'll leave that discussion to the electrical section.

Bird · August 11, 2011, 05:16:24 PM

Quote from: D4D on August 11, 2011, 04:08:03 PM
The AMP-FIBIAN has come down in price, jury is still out as to whether they are truly legal, I'll leave that discussion to the electrical section.

damn, dont want to start a pissin comp...

any good though? Legal or not?

Heiny · August 11, 2011, 07:09:55 PM

Hi familycamper and welcome to My Swag

familycamper · August 13, 2011, 11:40:13 AM

Just picked her up. The kids are all ecstatic. We will have to find somewhere to take her now to test her out. And suggestions on where we could go in Vic?

GGV8Cruza · August 13, 2011, 05:24:21 PM

Quote from: familycamper on August 13, 2011, 11:40:13 AM
Just picked her up. The kids are all ecstatic. We will have to find somewhere to take her now to test her out. And suggestions on where we could go in Vic?

What sort of camping are you after, amenities with flushing toilets and showers, or the type where you need a shovel to lighten the load. Congrats on the new camper

GG

goody59 · August 14, 2011, 07:22:13 AM

Welcome aboard. Try David Willingham as a sparky with excellent work on 0418342420. He was living out that part of Melbourne last I heard. Tell him Steve GOODWIN of Whittlesea passed on his number. It has been a few years since David worked at my place.

familycamper · August 14, 2011, 11:45:32 AM

We're after a place with amenities. Might need to ease the girls into it. And thanks Steve ill give David a call and ill let you know how it goes.

carinya · August 15, 2011, 11:33:56 PM

Congratulations on biting the bullet and making the move. We've only been out a few times in our ( less than top shelf ) unit, and already I have an extensive list of stuff to get and do. Don't be alarmed, it's natural for a man to take a grinder to a near new CT and fix things. Enjoy.

watto11 · August 16, 2011, 06:41:54 AM

Welcome to myswag mate I bet the kids will love traveling with the camper and I'm sure they will have life long memories good on u for making the effort to take the tribe touring

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