shepperd-blog

[shepperd-blog]

The fridge is a Waeco (Dometic) CFX 28 and the 10 litre water container has a tap.

The two wall nets contain clothes and the ceiling net holds a hiking daypack and waist pack.

A folding Brompton bike with six gears is secured to the back of the passenger seat.

Under the bed are a Waeco Raps 44 dual battery, small plastic box of cooking and eating equipment, large plastic food box, large plastic box for bits and pieces, PortaPotti, spare 10 litre water container and two awning poles.

Down the side of the bed are a mesh room for the RhinoRack side awning, spare two person tent, Ice Mule cooler bag, ukelele and sleeping bag.

In the passenger footwell or on the seat are groundsheets, three 6’ by 4’ tarps, front panel for side awning, bag of pegs and guy ropes, spare shoes, Helinox Table One and Helinox Camp Chair. Another bag contains mains electrical equipment (10 metre power cable, six-stage DC battery charger, four-outlet power block with safety switch, power cord for fridge, USB adaptor and water heater coil).

Under the two seats are tools, vehicle maintenance material, grey water container and bike bag and helmet.

[shepperd-blog]

The sliding door can be left open but ‘locked’.

#sliding doors

[shepperd-blog]

The rear curtain is a queen size black sheet folded four layers thick and draped over a curtain wire.

Front curtains consist of two single size black sheets folded four layers thick and secured by clothes pegs (in part to the edge of the shelf above the front cab). They are stored on the shelf along with the front sunscreens.

The side curtain is a single white sheet folded in half.

#curtains

[shepperd-blog]

The two insect screens are made from a single rectangular mosquito net cut in half and secured to curtain wire.

#curtains

[shepperd-blog]

The 1600 mm by 610 mm bed is made from 9 mm ply supported by four 70 mm square posts and 18 mm wide pieces of timber.

The driver seat is slid or tipped forward 150 to 200 mm and the bed platform extended.

The self-inflating mattress (1840 mm long and 50 mm thick) is left permanently inflated and, when travelling, the front part is folded and tucked behind the driver’s seat.

#bed

[shepperd-blog]

The window screens are made from sunscreens and cloth tape. The rear screens are held in place with magnets.

#window screens

[shepperd-blog]

The cooking area is made with two 400 mm shelf brackets, two wooden supports topped with non-slip matting and a Helinox folding table top.

#cooking

[shepperd-blog]

The rear door can be locked with a small gap allowing ventilation and access for cables. A twist shackle provides a locked door with a larger gap.

#barn doors

[shepperd-blog]

The 55w semi-flexible solar panel is stored under the bed mattress and is lockable with a 5 metre steel cable.

#solar power

[shepperd-blog]

The solar panel is connected through a solar controller and alligator clips to the Waeco Raps 44 battery. Heavy duty wiring has been installed to charge the battery from the alternator while driving.

#solar power

[shepperd-blog]

Camping at Woodenbong NSW. The van has an ARB 1.25 m rear awning and a RhinoRack 2 m side awning. The side awning has a zip on front panel. 6’ by 4’ tarps are available to provide extra protection against the sun or rain.