Caravanning News - Cold reception as Snowy River campers labelled 'freeloaders'

Caravanning News - Cold reception as Snowy River campers labelled 'freeloaders': "'I find this term rather derogatory'

Cold reception as Snowy River campers labelled 'freeloaders'

FORMER caravan park owner Graham Canham has come to the defence of Snowy River caravanners who have been branded 'freeloaders'.
One of the popular spots along the Marlo Road for Snowy River overnighters

One of the popular spots along the Marlo Road for Snowy River overnighters

'I find this term rather derogatory,' he told Caravanning News after Victoria's Snowy River Mail carried a letter from a local resident complaining about overnight campers alongside the iconic river and at Marlo.

The letter said: 'Maybe it's time for a camping ban to be placed on the banks of the Snowy River and toilet blocks in Marlo for the freeloaders who abuse the area.

'While some will have toilet facilities in their caravans, campervans etc., others will not. We have great facilities with caravan parks in Orbost and Marlo for overnighters and those wishing to stay a few extra nights.'

But Australian Caravan Club member Mr Canham, who lives in Orbost, said he was happy to see caravanners and other travellers overnighting on the banks of the river and has sent his own letter to the newspaper.

He points out that travellers were 'enjoying our beautiful part of this country' and spending locally on fuel, groceries, meals and drinks.

'There have been many similar articles in various towns calling for the banning of so called 'freeloaders',' he wrote.

'Instances of bans have found many local businesses experience a dramatic drop in turnover and are now lobbying their council to overturn the bans and actually install facilities for overnight stays.

'Please don't think that by stopping a caravan etc from spending the night on the banks of the Snowy that they will automatically stay in a caravan park. In most cases they will move to the next town that welcomes them and spend their money there.'

Mr Canham said he enjoyed bush camping in his self-contained caravan which has solar power, water, toilet, shower and a grey-water holding tank.

'If we want facilities then we stay in a caravan park and put up with the noise and crowds of 'suburbia'. Don't get me wrong, I am not against caravan parks. We have owned and operated two. However, we prefer the solitude and tranquillity of being with nature most of the time.'

Mr Canham accepted that maybe the time had come for a 24 or 48hr time limit on stays along the Snowy River.

'But please don't call for a blanket ban,' he pleaded. 'Should we condemn all for the actions of a few? The majority of the travelling public are very conscious of the environment and their impact has on it and do the right thing.'

And he warned: 'The power of caravan forums on the internet soon alert the travelling public to 'non-friendly' towns.'"

GU Patrol Drawer System DIY

Finally, I have completed the design, construction and fitting of the 'Drawer and Bed Extension' for the GU Patrol 4 x 4


First steps were to remove the existing tie-down points, rear seat mounts and seat belts.


I then made cardboard templates of all cut-outs and one of the floor pan to enable the use of existing captive nuts of the child restraints and seat mounting brackets in the centre of the floor.


I used 2 x 40mm 1/4" bolts and 2 x 70mm (10mm Metric, Fine) bolts and washers to secure the draws to the floor. For the two larger bolts I made two spacers out of 20mm square tube, cut to floor height (approximately 45mm) (See photos)

MATERIALS USED

1 off Sheet 2400 x 1200 x 18mm Melamine

2 off Sheet 2400 x 1200 x 12mm Construction Ply


3 off Rolls (2 x 1 metre) grey speaker carpet

6 off Recessed 'Trapdoor' handles

Roofing Screws & Lock nuts (For handles & tie-downs)

2 x 400ml tins "Gel Grip" (for carpet)

6 metres of 24mm x 12mm aluminium angle

Piano hinge

Screws, wood glue, 18mm brads, 12mm staples

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Construction was not difficult, but time consuming due to the intricacies of the various cut-outs, mouldings and storage pockets.

The reasoning behind the "Melamine" base and drawer bases, was for ease of sliding the drawers when fully loaded. This works and with some soap rubbed on the drawer bases it is even easier.

Apart from the base, drawer bases and ends, the rest was constructed from 12mm ply. I only used the Melamine in the drawer ends because I had enough left over and I felt it would give more stability. Everything was glued and screwed for strength.

I intentionally paced myself and was determined not to rush the job so that everything was thought of before completion.

This became evident in the very early stages when I cut out the base in one piece and finally had it fitting very neat. This was all very well when it was a flat sheet, but when constructed it was going to be another story, so I decided to cut the sheet in half and build as two separate sections, plus the side pockets.

This proved to be a very wise move as it would have been impossible to fit in one piece. To remove the unit it has to come out in the reverse order it went in, as it basically locks into place.

Since fitting, the vehicle seems to be quieter, and certainly no rattles from the drawers.

With the rear seat backs folded down and the bed extension in place it gives far more usable carrying space in the rear.

As we normally travel with the dog and canary on the rear seats, the bed extension had to be able to be stored for traveling and so it sits behind the rear seats.

The idea behind the drawer system was to allow us to camp in areas that were not assessable with the caravan. It had to be designed so that everything we needed to camp was also with us in the caravan and could be transferred to the Patrol, such as tarps, poles, ropes, cooking facilities etc.

We purchased a 4x4 self inflating camp mat which fits neatly in the rear of the car with the bed extension in place (1375mm wide x 1950mm long). The mattress when rolled up sits on the floor behind the seats.

A tarp (18' x 12') is attached to the roof bars, covering the rear half of the vehicle and gives a covered area at the rear for cooking & eating.

The Waeco fridge is taken out of the vehicle when not travelling.

Below is a link to a photo album of work in progress and the finished project.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/CruisinTwo/DIYGUPatrolDrawerSystemBedExtension?feat=directlink