Changes

On Thursday just gone (31-Jan), Megan and I went to the local Kokoda dealer, Adelaide City Caravans, to select all the colours, options and changes for our new van.

A couple of days earlier, we asked the Kokoda community for ideas to add to the list we had already created for ourselves. They were extremely helpful, as usual. Our colour selections are now done and dusted – we have stayed very neutral, mainly in the grey tones – but our customisations are still not finalised. We are waiting on the costs for some of them before we decide which ones to go ahead with, and which ones can wait until further down the road.

The changes we are considering are as follows:

• Square corners to the club lounge. We have been told that sitting back in the lounge for TV watching is more comfortable without the rounded corners in the rear.
• Deleting the oven and replacing with a pot drawer. This retains the cook top and grill.
• Moving the microwave from the high cabinets above the kitchen to just below the bench on the opposite wall. This is a much more convenient height, even if we lose some storage in the process.
• Swapping the microwave to a microwave/convection combination oven.
• Upgrading the fridge from the standard 185 litre 3-way to a 216 litre compressor.
• Upgrading the washing machine from the standard 2.5 kg to a 3.5 kg. Some people have suggested eliminating the washing machine entirely, but this is a deal breaker for Megan.
• Adding 12v sockets on the walls in the bedroom for future fans.
• Adding a sail track on the off-side of the van. This is a common addition to allow keeping direct sun off the side of the van, especially around the fridge.
• Upgrading the 2 batteries from 100 Ah to 120 Ah. Recommended both for the (apparently) poor quality of the base batteries, but also because we are opting for a compressor fridge.
• Placing the outside entertainment ports in a box with lid to protect from the elements.
• Adding Dexter anti-sway control.

The anti-sway system is the most expensive of these items, but also the one I am least inclined to exclude. Not only might it reduce our insurance costs, it may also save our bacon. We have seen too many reports of rolled caravans of late.

Some other options we have been considering, but can be left until later are:

• Adding a grey water tank.
• Adding more solar. This was recommended due to the compressor fridge we are favouring. The dealer suggested instead that we buy a portable panel that plugs into the Anderson plug of the van. This can (obviously) be added later, and also has the advantage of being able to be placed for the best sun exposure, even if the van is shaded. An additional, fixed panel can also be added later if we choose.
• Adding a diesel heater. These are efficient and extremely effective, but also easy to add later.