Tag Tech Talk
Solar Regulators: Putting Sunlight into Your Batteries
Solar Regulators: Putting sunlight into your batteries, and how to make sure that your panels don’t draw it back out! Words and images Gary Tischer. Solar panels are great for collecting energy from the sun but they need a solar…
Multiple trailers: Road Train? More like, Nope Train
Don’t be fooled into thinking that towing more than one trailer at once is anything other than illegal and unsafe. That’s when the Road Train is more like Nope Train. Back in 2013, retired Mildura truck driver Jim Underwood caused…
5 Minute Mods – Update your Satellite Phone Firmware
We all recognise the need to regularly update our smartphones and our other connected devices but how many of us know to update the firmware in our satellite phones? If you don’t, it may not work at that one critical…
Advanced Mobile Location now added to 000 emergency calls
The introduction of Advanced Mobile Location is a significant development for Australia’s Triple Zero Emergency Call Service and offers peace of mind for travellers in regional and remote Australia. Imagine this. You’re driving along a country back road that you…
Modifications for tow tug survival.
The three essential tow tug modifications that can help prevent engine and transmission failure while towing heavy loads. In our quest to tow heavier loads and carry all the comforts of home, our tow tugs in factory spec are failing…
Winsig’s new TV / 5G antenna promises better reception
If you’re having problems with TV and mobile phone reception in your RV, Australian manufacturer Winsig’s new 4.0 OMNI TV/5G antenna may just be the product you’re looking for. The team at Winsig have been busy during the Covid-19 shutdown…
5 Minute Mod: Improvised tow ball scales you can build yourself
Are you concerned about your tow ball mass but you don’t have tow ball scales to measure it with? We found this ‘MacGyver’ed’ method using a set of bathroom scales, a few pieces of wood and some pipe. If your…
Why caravan ESC is not a fail safe
Electronic and Dynamic stability systems are great safety features but don’t think that they will automatically save you if you get a huge sway up. Here’s why caravan ESC is not a failsafe, and how it works. A swaying caravan…
How to prevent broken caravan wheel studs and loose nuts
You don’t have to look too far to hear tales of broken wheel studs, and loose wheel nuts… sometimes with dramatic aftermath! What’s the cause? There’s a few. Let’s look at how to prevent broken caravan wheel studs and loose…
Do you need a GVM upgrade, or just better suspension?
When it comes to heavy towing, do you need a GVM upgrade or just better suspension? And talking of suspension does one set really fit all, or is going down the custom route a superior option? In a previous story…
How to pick the best solar panel for your RV
Solar panels are not created equal, but to the casual observer, they all look the same. Among the good, the not-so-good, and the downright rubbish, there are also different types of panels. Here’s how to pick the best solar panel…
The essential guide to servicing your caravan
It may seem routine to have the tow vehicle serviced, but are you one of those caravanners that don’t book your van in for a regular check-up? Do you do it yourself? Do you do it at all? Read on,…
A chassis extension can improve your vehicle’s handling and towing
Not only can you carry more in your vehicle, but a chassis extension can also improve your vehicle’s handling and towing. A chassis extension takes away the long rear overhang that’s a feature of most of our utes and can…
DC to AC Inverters: Where the magic happens!
Not everything that we take camping can run on 12V or gas. This is where DC to AC inverters are invaluable. Read on to find out why. An inverter will convert DC power from your 12V battery system to 240V…
The length of your towbar matters! Here’s why
In the length of your towbar matters, here’s why, we explain the effect it has, along with wheelbase, on the dynamic performance of your tow vehicle. In the first part of Understanding the dynamics of towing, we looked primarily at…
The essential guide to tyres for your 4X4, caravan or camper-trailer
Everything you could want to know about tyres in the essential guide to tyres for your 4X4, caravan or camper-trailer. Tyres might not be sexy, but they are vital for touring safely and reliably. It’s a cliché, but tyres are…
What’s inside caravan composite sandwich panels?
Just like an edible sandwich, a sandwich panel used in building caravans can have different fillings. What’s inside a caravan composite sandwich panel and what can they do for you? Chances are you’ve heard the terms composite used in discussions…
The facts behind caravan suspension
We look at the facts behind caravan suspension and ask, do you really need that independent set-up? Before we get into what’s important about the facts behind caravan suspension, let’s take a step back and think about what job the…
