new owner

Howdy finchesnest,
just been that way - reckon there may be lots more "on the road" variously - if ever in adelaide let us know we'll put the billy on!
Cheers - Ian & Sally

hi there finchy

we will be coming through north west victoria sometime end february, early march on the way to melbourne. where are you based as we might be able to stop around your area.

send me a members message or email davis1957@westnet.com.au

Angie

Hi Finchy,
Couple of things we added that work for us:

We went for the 4 Seasons hatch with the translucent top as opposed to the opaque one - it really lightens up in inside of the Bt.

We also went for 50% of our windows with the extra fine mesh that keeps out the sandflies and tiny bugs. I am now changing over the rest of them to the fine mesh.

We also had a table top across the rear with cubboards underneath. This left a small recess on the LHS between the rear of the shower door and the rear window. I had the factory put in three closed front shelves. There are only narrow but store a host of useful things that would get lost in larger storage areas.

A light on either side in the vast underbed storage is a good idea. and an extra water tight cupboard in the bathroom under the sink - lots of storage space in their

We also had the factory install on of the 'cranked and swivelling' table legs that are advertised in the caravan mags - great.

Cheers John

If you can get over to Mallacoota and spend a bit of time camping between 17th & 24th March you will be able to speak and see a number of BT vans there.

Brian

A few of our "loves" within out BT.
Inverter - fantatic for computer use and charging al the gadgets you always carry these days.
Water tanks - think about what you will need, especially if you are expecting to travel the dry regions with multiple people on board. We personally go through about 1 tank each two days with two people on board (showering daily). Washing up & toiles account for large % of this - but we may be wasteful.
Lights in storage area useful.
Would like to add a key bin adjacent to door so you can reach the keys without entering the van.
Awning needs some thought. The standard Aussie Traveller style whilst being excellent in it's storm resistant attributes is a bit of a pain use, not the type of thing you use at a lunch break or even a quick overnight stop. If you are doing lots of one night stands you may want one of the roll up types.
Extended draw bar to allow addition of a "bin" on the drawer bar we find very useful for all the dirty stuff - also a good place for smelly petrol gadgets - (generator & chain saw).
Rear view camera is an essential in our opinion.
External 12 volt outlet we find useful as we have a 12 v pump for providing water when parked near a nice clean creek. On the topic of water, we fitted a "town" water adaption after initial use - we mounted ours under the rear bumper, nice and high and I think more user friendly than on the drawer bar.
We use the outside shower reasonably often, especially when we have tenting family members staying next door - saves all the traffic inside the van.
We use a "pot drawer" for a dirty cloths bin under bed and a garbage bin adjacent to door.
Thats all I can think of for now. Welcome to the BT family. You will love your quality home.

Sharing Tips,

Isn't it great to share all these tips. We learnt how to economize on water uasage from a fellow BT owner we met in Longreach last year. Showering:- put about 2 litres of hot water in the handbasin. Use a washer to suds youself, then shower for rinse. We used to use a tank per two days, but with this practice a tank can go for 4 days.

Simple key rack can be installed above door using cup hooks with spring retainers on a piece of board covered with low pile carpet.

An additional 12v pump for pumping out of creeks is not really necessary.(Although I have one). You can use one of the pumps in the van for this by teeing into the pump's inlet and running a line to an external tap (on drawbar or at rear). If you put an additional tap on the drawbar as an outlet from your van's pump then run a 12mm tube from that tap to your tank filler pipe. Turn both taps on and you can pump from the creek into your tank using the van pump. KISS..

Cheers..........Rob