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Old 07-23-2017, 12:48 AM   #1
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Hi From Australia

Hi from Australia
We are on the road permanently and are looking to up grade our caravan
We like the look of the Coachman which are available here.
We have a few questions
How do you charge batteries when free camping?
How do you power the fridge when travelling?
Why don't you guys have washing machines as standard?
Thanks
Linda and Danie
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Old 07-23-2017, 01:47 AM   #2
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By saying "caravan", I assume you mean what we Yanks call a travel trailer.
Coachmen also makes Motorhomes and 5th Wheels.

1. Many use a inverter generator or solar to recharge the batteries, when there is no electricity available.
2. The majority run the fridge on propane while traveling.
3. Virtually no travel trailer has the room for a washing machine. You do find them available on some Motorhomes and 5th Wheels.

It would help if you clarified what you mean by caravan.
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Old 07-23-2017, 03:33 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
By saying "caravan", I assume you mean what we Yanks call a travel trailer.
Coachmen also makes Motorhomes and 5th Wheels.

1. Many use a inverter generator or solar to recharge the batteries, when there is no electricity available.
2. The majority run the fridge on propane while traveling.
3. Virtually no travel trailer has the room for a washing machine. You do find them available on some Motorhomes and 5th Wheels.

It would help if you clarified what you mean by caravan.
Sorry I guess I mean trailer
It is illegal here to travel whilst propane is on. I think we might need to get a12v fridge from Australia
Our trailer is 25' and plenty of room for large washing machine, we don't have a dinette though
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Old 07-23-2017, 03:42 AM   #4
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none of the Coachmen travel trailers, that i know of, have a washer option.
only some of their 5th wheel trailers have that option.

strange that Australia doesn't allow for fridges to travel on propane.

we've been doing that in the States for decades.

only the smallest of trailers, like popups and A-frames, have 3-way fridges that use 12v DC to cool. and they are very small.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
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Old 07-23-2017, 06:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Howlin View Post
Hi from Australia
We are on the road permanently and are looking to up grade our caravan
We like the look of the Coachman which are available here.
We have a few questions
How do you charge batteries when free camping?
How do you power the fridge when travelling?
Why don't you guys have washing machines as standard?
Thanks
Linda and Danie
Welcome from Ohio!
The fridge in your trailer should also work on 12 volt while hooked up to yoy tow vehicle
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Old 07-23-2017, 06:24 AM   #6
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Welcome to the forum from Ohio.
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Old 07-23-2017, 01:50 PM   #7
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Welcome from Ohio!
The fridge in your trailer should also work on 12 volt while hooked up to yoy tow vehicle
Zak, only if it's a 3-way fridge, which is only available in folding trailers and truck campers.
Coachmen doesn't make truck campers.

Unless Coachmen is changing the equipment in their exported trailers.

From what I've seen, most US RVs exported to Australia, have to be modified there, for their different electrical system.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 07-23-2017, 02:02 PM   #8
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Welcome from SW Ohio .
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Old 07-23-2017, 02:43 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Zak, only if it's a 3-way fridge, which is only available in folding trailers and truck campers.
Coachmen doesn't make truck campers.

Unless Coachmen is changing the equipment in their exported trailers.

From what I've seen, most US RVs exported to Australia, have to be modified there, for their different electrical system.
Good point,
I thought all modern/new tt's in the size he's talking about has the three way as standard equipment?
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Old 07-23-2017, 04:59 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Zak1 View Post
Good point,
I thought all modern/new tt's in the size he's talking about has the three way as standard equipment?
The OP says they have a 25' trailer.
Every TT that size, all have 2-way fridges here.
Both my 25-26' trailers had 2-way fridges.

Even modern TTs in the 19' range have 2-way fridges.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 07-23-2017, 05:09 PM   #11
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Hi Ohio,
We want it to work on 12v whilst free camping too. Do you guys have Anderson plug on tow vehicle and trailer to trickle feed trailer batteries?
E really don't want a petulance gas fridge as they have to be exactly level to work and that is not always possible here
Thanks for your reply, happy travelling
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Old 07-23-2017, 05:14 PM   #12
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Our fridge/freezer is a big unit working on a compressor
Propane use whilst travelling. Nasty if in an accident the whole unit would be a ball of fire
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Old 07-23-2017, 07:39 PM   #13
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Welcome from Texas...and formerly Australia. Was there four years and miss the hell out of it. Want to go back. Was just getting settled into the outback camping there and we had to leave due to work. Had a 4.8 petrol Patrol and was in the market for a caravan when we got the call to head back to Texas. It's real camping there.
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Old 07-23-2017, 09:50 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Howlin View Post
Our fridge/freezer is a big unit working on a compressor
Propane use whilst travelling. Nasty if in an accident the whole unit would be a ball of fire
Propane/AC fridges have been used here since at least the 1950's and are the standard in the RV Industry.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 07-23-2017, 10:26 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Howlin View Post
Hi Ohio,

I really don't want a propane gas fridge as they have to be exactly level to work and that is not always possible here
Thanks for your reply, happy traveling
Don't you love spell checkers?

FWIW, the recent propane fridges made here don't need to be perfectly level.

From the manual:


Leveling is one of the requirements for proper operation with absorption refrigerators. to ensure proper leveling the vehicle needs to be leveled only so it is comfortable to live in (no noticeable sloping of floor or walls).
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Old 07-23-2017, 11:18 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Don't you love spell checkers?

FWIW, the recent propane fridges made here don't need to be perfectly level.

From the manual:


Leveling is one of the requirements for proper operation with absorption refrigerators. to ensure proper leveling the vehicle needs to be leveled only so it is comfortable to live in (no noticeable sloping of floor or walls).
Same goes for the electric side, not just the propane side.
Even 3-way fridges have to be somewhat level, including the 12vDC side.

No matter what the power source, and absorption fridge needs to be somewhat level.
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Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 07-24-2017, 12:13 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by KnuckleBones View Post
Welcome from Texas...and formerly Australia. Was there four years and miss the hell out of it. Want to go back. Was just getting settled into the outback camping there and we had to leave due to work. Had a 4.8 petrol Patrol and was in the market for a caravan when we got the call to head back to Texas. It's real camping there.
Hi Knucklebones
Yes we do know how to camp here. Wonderful luge as A very Nomad, just want a bigger caravan. Not easy, we have a Toyota Troupie.
Hurry back to where it all happens or on the road for free
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