What are the common mistakes made when towing a caravan?

What should everyone know before they tow?

In this episode we cover:

-Should you tow with water tanks empty or full?

-Carrying fuel, spare tyres, and tool box on the back of the van?

-When is a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) needed?

-If I use air bags and my car is level, do I still need a WDH?

-What to do if a truck is overtaking?

-Brake controllers: mistakes and misconceptions?

-What should you do if you get caravan sway?

-What is the process to weigh your caravan?

-What safety checks should be done each time you tow?

-Common mistake with connecting the breakaway system?

-How to calculate caravan tyre pressure based on your load?

We cover all of this (and more!) in this interview with Ricky Esser (https://followme4wd.com.au/), who you might recognise from Channel 7's 'Discover' program or 5AA's weekly radio program. Ricky is a Tow-Ed instructor, also offering Nationally Recognised 4WD & defensive driver training

What are the common mistakes made when towing a caravan?

What should everyone know before they tow?

In this episode we cover:

-Should you tow with water tanks empty or full?

-Carrying fuel, spare tyres, and tool box on the back of the van?

-When is a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) needed?

-If I use air bags and my car is level, do I still need a WDH?

-What to do if a truck is overtaking?

-Brake controllers: mistakes and misconceptions?

-What should you do if you get caravan sway?

-What is the process to weigh your caravan?

-What safety checks should be done each time you tow?

-Common mistake with connecting the breakaway system?

-How to calculate caravan tyre pressure based on your load?

We cover all of this (and more!) in this interview with Ricky Esser (https://followme4wd.com.au/), who you might recognise from Channel 7's 'Discover' program or 5AA's weekly radio program. Ricky is a Tow-Ed instructor, also offering Nationally Recognised 4WD & defensive driver training

Travelling is cheaper than living at home? Surely not!

A frequently asked question that's asked is around how much does it cost to travel on an ongoing basis.

In this episode we talk about some of the expenses that you no longer have to worry about, and what the main expenses become.

We also interview Emma from My Rig Adventures (www.myrigadventures.com) as she discusses their set-up which allows the to freecamp more, how they track expenses, and resources they've developed to help families monitor their expenses while travelling... so they can travel longer.

In particular, check out their Expense Tracker, part 1 of their Oz Big Lap Series

Ever dreamed of living on a yacht, but think you couldn't afford it? Or think that it's just not doable with a family?

After randomly watching the documentary Maiden Trip by Laura Decker, this family of 5 from Adelaide, South Australia, made it their goal.

From being in debt, 2 years later they're now sailing the Caribbean.

In this episode they detail how their (new) dream came to fruition - getting out of debt, what they did to save, learning how to sail, getting their boat, and adjusting to some of the challenges that come with not just living on the water in another part of the world, but also a completely new way of life.

Check out their blog, www.sailingtoroam.com... you'll quickly see how life on a yacht can be a thing for the average family

Before you buy anything 12V you should check out this episode! You know who else should listen to this one? Anyone that has a 12V system that came with their caravan or camper (especially if it was factory fitted!)

In this episode we cover:

How to work out how much battery storage you need?

What's the most critical piece of equipment in a 12V solar set-up?

Why you can get a greater amount of charging from a smaller wattage folding solar panel than one mounted on top of your caravan/camper?

Why you can't rely on the caravan charger to charge your battery when you're plugged in to a 240V power-point?

The biggest mistakes people make related to their 12V set-ups?

Why inverters hardly sell anymore?!

A special thanks to Battery World for this episode. David, a Batteryologist from Battery World Lawnton, is an absolute wealth of knowledge and makes you appreciate how visiting their stores when getting set-up with 12V will save a lot of money in the long-run!

Travelling full-time with teenagers and a dog?

Today we're joined by Annie and Liam, part of this family of four who set off in 2016 ]in their caravan with a plan to do a lap of Australia. After getting everything ready and planning their itinerary... within 2 days that went out the window. 2 1/2 years later they're still going.

If you haven't already, check them out on Facebook &Instagram. As well as great articles on www.fourhandsinatincan.net, they're a stand out for capturing the highlights of the places they visit with their photography and drone use. Liam let's us know what equipment, drone, and software he uses to get this great look.

Distance Education for a high schooler on the road? Liam also happens to be 14! He lets us know how long he needs to spend on this to get everything done, & still find time for his passion for multimedia.

We also discuss recommendations for those planning extended travel, modifications, and their favourite places.

Worried about how you'll fund your trip? Thinking that you'd like to work on the road, but are worried that you won't find work in your current field... or at all?

This interview with the Wandering Jocks will surely alleviate any concerns. Travelling Australia for 6 years with 3 children, they manage a Facebook group, Jobs for Families Travelling Australia.

We cover working in a job you've never done before, how most of the work is not advertised, how they've found the work, as well as the occupations, skills, and qualifications most commonly sought after.

This interview also gives insight into how you can save money while you're on the road to upgrade your set-up, the pros and cons of soft vs. hard floor camper trailers, as well as having a baby while you're on the road.

We also answer a listener question to help convince their partner that (even though they have some transferable skills) it's the right can-do attitude that employers are willing to give a go!

If you're a family wondering whether doing a lap of Oz in a camper trailer is possible, check out Our Crazy Campfire Clan (our Family of the Week).

After putting it off, they moved out and started their amazing journey just 4-weeks after making the decision.

Now, they've traveled from Tasmania to the Northern Territory in their $1,500 soft floor camper.

Listen to their amazing story if you feel like you're becoming overwhelmed by extensive planning, worried about how much a set-up will cost, or that you won't pick up work in your field.

Lyndon and Danielle are absolute legends, head over to @ourcrazycampfireclan on Facebook and follow their adventures

As long as I don’t pack too much I should be okay, right? ATM, GVM, GCM. I don’t need to worry about that stuff, do I?

Well, you might be the best driver in the world. But… what happens when you are involved in an accident that you didn’t cause?  What if someone pulls out in front of you and you have to try to stop suddenly? What if you have to swerve to miss an unexpected obstacle and get the wobbles, or are just plain unlucky and get called in over a weighbridge?

If you couldn’t be bothered learning about this stuff, you may as well not bother with paying for your insurance premiums either then.

We recommend heading over to www.facebook.com.au/abigpeacheyadventure or http://abigpeacheyadventure.com.au/towing-capacity-and-weights-explained/ to grab the infographic that matches this episode

Do you have a deep cycle battery? If you do (or are planning on buying one), then check out this interview.

Are the more expensive types of batteries worth it when you weigh up things like depth of discharge, longevity, etc... or are you better off replacing cheaper batteries more frequently?

What are the main mistakes people make with the care of their batteries?

How does temperature really impact your batteries?

What are the main pros and cons of AGM vs Gel vs Lithium batteries?

Which companies make the better batteries?

These are the questions we explore in this episode!

A special thanks to Battery World (www.batteryworld.com.au) for linking us up with David, a Batteryologist. When you listen to this guy, you'll understand why they suggested him to speak to. These guys really know their stuff!

Check out A Big Peachey Adventure on Facebook for links to the pages of all the battery brands mentioned in this episode