Travel & Product Tips

Caravanning in the great Australian outdoors is a wonderful experience. But it could turn into a nightmare in no time as it takes a second for the space to convert into a mess. Even after having so much space, clothes spread all over, shoes lying on the floor, utensils spread in the kitchen, food staples mixed in the pantry, items scattered in the bathroom cupboard, and whatnot. It could drive you crazy and even turn the fun trip into a stressful one.
It is possible to reduce the chaos smartly with proper storage and organization. We have curated a list of ideas to maximize your space and relax comfortably.

Caravan Clothing Storage Ideas

Our clothing takes up much space in the caravan. Apart from the basics, we carry many extras, so it is obvious that space is needed. But of course, you do not want your caravan to be flooded with clothes all over. Here is how you can store more of them without compromising on the space and their condition.
1. Replace the old coat hangers with velvet hangers for hanging the clothes in the caravan cupboards. These do not take much space and easily fit in the cupboard. Because of the velvet covering, your clothes will stick onto them and will not fall off even when driving off-road. It even keeps the clothes wrinkle-free, which saves your time in ironing.
2. Store aside all of the extra clothes that are not in use, like under the caravan seat.
3. Turn the washing machine space into an additional cupboard by placing extra shelves.

Caravan Shoe Storage Ideas

The number of pairs of shoes depends on the campsite activities like shoes/boots for hiking, while some are a must to carry for the rest of the time like flip flops. But the more the pair, the more the messy floor space in the caravan. So,
1. Pick up a shoe pocket and run it along the side or front of your bed. A shoe pocket is ideal for keeping the shoes off the floor to save you from tripping hard.

Caravan Kitchen Storage Ideas

You have to be prepared for the trip with all the kitchen assortments required to cook, like utensils, cutlery, cleaners, and so many more. But their storage in the caravan becomes a matter of concern. Instead,
1. Make the most of the drawers as drawers are a great storage solution. You can store your utensils, containers, and even some extra items you bought with yourself.
2. Utilise even the unusual spaces like the space under the sink. You can place a basket holding your essentials under it.
3. Use stackable pots and pans or collapsible items as they do not consume much space.

Caravan Pantry Storage Ideas

Surely, you will stock plenty of food staples for the trip. It is suggested
1. Use square or rectangle-shaped containers for storing them as these make the best fit for the cupboards. And could be stacked easily.

Caravan Bathroom Storage Ideas

It becomes hard to adjust the towels, toilet supplies, personal assortments, washing powders, and all the other bathroom items in a single room. It seems easy but it is not. You can increase your storage by:
1. Placing different sized baskets in the bathroom cupboard. When placed in these, tubes and bottles are less likely to fall off or slide over in the cupboard.
2. Commanding some hooks on the wall to hang the towels or napkins. Once used, often the towels or napkins lie here and there but having hooks sorts the issue.

Conclusion

An awning is another storage solution not for inside but outside. Attaching an Xtend Outdoors Caravan Awning to your caravan expands your living space, which could help you in many ways. You can use the space for relaxing amidst nature or for stocking up the extra items to lessen the chaos from inside the caravan.

On the campsite, you have parked the caravan, pulled out your awning or annex, you have got the shade, sides are covered, but what is missing in the whole outdoor setup? The annex flooring. When added, it automatically makes us feel complete.
Not just for the setup, annex flooring is crucial in many ways. Imagine sleeping or playing on a rough surface with stones or on the grass? There are chances of getting slipped, being injured, get mosquito bites all night, and many other possibilities. With flooring, you can have more comfort underfoot. And even have fewer chances of items getting lost as you can place everything on a preserved area. It reduces the chances of dirt tracks in the caravan and even eases dirt and water dispersion.

How to Choose the floor mat for your Caravan annex or Caravan Awning?

When choosing an outdoor floor mat for your caravan awning or annex, there are multiple options. Besides the size, here are some features to keep in mind while choosing:

Water Resistance

While camping, you can expect rainwater or some liquid spills on the mat. So it would be better to go for the mat which does not get damaged from water.

Budget

If the budget concerns you, there are any pocket-friendly options. So make sure to choose the durable and sturdy one.

Weight

Choose the mat for your caravan annex that does not add to the overall weight. A lightweight mat is ideal for carrying for camping.

Set-Up

Adding the caravan annex floor is said to ease your camping, not double your efforts. So try choosing the one that does not take much time to install and fits securely to the ground.

Material

As either the floor will be grass or an uneven part of the land, so make sure the annex mat you choose is made with sturdy and breathable materials that could keep away the weather elements and does not damage the grass.

Caravan Annexe Flooring at Xtend Outdoors

Being the topmost manufacturer of Caravan Awnings, Caravan Annexes, and all the Caravan Accessories in Australia, Xtend Outdoors also provides the best mattings for caravan annexes. Apart from the wide variety of annexes and awnings, we also offer a varied range of Caravan annex flooring. Let us look at those.

Best Caravan Annexe Matting

Rubber Multi Matting

Our rubber mat is one of the best, lightweight, comfortable annex matting and outdoor flooring options. It offers so much and sits securely on the ground without any pegging or tying. The annex mat feels softer on the feet to walk, and its rubbery texture provides a hard grip to the feet that prevents anyone from slipping or falling. It even consists of a mesh that allows the water and sand to drop off easily. The material of this annex mat is breathable that does not kill or even damage the grass when spread out.

Muk Mats

When camping, the thought of a dirty annex and caravan could spoil the whole trip. You can prevent the dirt from outdoors from entering the caravan and annex by placing a muk mat. Our muk mats are synthetic grass camping mats specially designed to remove the dirt, mud, sand from your shoes and feet.

Vinyl Floor

If looking for a sturdy and comfortable annex flooring option, then our vinyl floor is the one that will fit your requirements. The vinyl flooring is lightweight, easy to fit, and can be customized according to the size required. It is even easy to clean with a mixture of apple cider vinegar & water.

Mesh Floor

To ensure the area is sand and dirt-free while camping, place our mesh matting on the outdoors of the caravan. The mesh floor matting is perfect for the outdoors as it is lightweight, simple to spread, versatile, and easy to clean. The mat has layers of weaving that allow sand, water, dirt to fall through and stop them from coming up from the ground.

C-Gear Multi Matting

One of the preferable camping mats. The mat contains multi-layer weave technology that allows the dirt to fall off easily and not come up from the ground. Our C-Gear mat is made with durable, breathable, sturdy materials with very few chances to tear, offers 90% UV protection, and can be used as windbreak or shade sail.

Conclusion

While you head out on the journey with your loved ones, caravan matting is the most convenient and essential addition to your list. Having a comfortable living space for relaxing and doing various activities enhances the overall camping experience for everyone.

Caravan Awning Privacy Screens are the simple yet popular addition to the caravan accessories that protect from the weather elements without enclosing like an annex. These awning privacy screens are extremely compact, lightweight, and only take a few seconds to set up. Not one, but there are a variety of privacy screen options to choose from.

How Does the Caravan Awning Privacy Screen Works?

When attached to the awning, privacy screens offer additional space at camping. Which can be used for kids to play, have some relaxed time amidst nature, spend some time with family, cook delicious meals, have fun activities, or store your additional items such as bikes, footwear, luggage, etc for keeping the caravan clean and tidy.
The hot Australian weather may restrict you to step out. Still, awning privacy screens offer protection from the scorching Australian heat, keeps away the windy gusts, and restricts the rainwater access in case so that you can enjoy your time and the scenery with a cup of coffee irrespective of what may be the weather condition.

Advantages of Caravan Awning Privacy Screens

Attaching Privacy Screens to your caravan roll-out awning has multiple advantages.

• Firstly and most importantly, it expands your living space.
• Used for housing a variety of activities, like an outdoor kitchen as it offers more space, more ventilation, and less time to clean than the kitchen in the caravan.
• Provides privacy from the neighbors at the campsite.
• Encloses the area without blocking off fresh air.
• Keep away the insects to enter the area you live in.
• Can provide you protection from elements anywhere & anytime, it is that easy to install.
• When attached to the caravan awnings, privacy screens provide extra comfort at all times.

Awning Privacy Screens at Xtend Outdoors

In Australia, Xtend Outdoors is the leading manufacturer of Caravan Awnings, Caravan Annexes, and all the other Caravan accessories, including Privacy Screens for Awnings. You can choose the privacy screen suitable to the awning of your caravan or motorhome, as we provide a wide variety of privacy screens such as:

Screens for Caravan Roll-out Awnings

Art Shade Walls

If not in favor of adding boring plain privacy screens to your caravan awning, use our Art Shade Walls. These shade walls are colorfully designed with beautiful prints for making the setup fun and interesting. These are available in a variety of lengths. You can get it according to your awning measurements and in the print of your choice. Apart from protection and privacy, these artistic privacy screens would make you catch the eyes of all the neighbors at the campsite.

Premium Reversible End Shade Wall

The reversible end shade wall is an amazing addition to our collection of privacy screens for caravan awnings. This roll-out awning shade wall is made from high-grade residential fabric and is stylishly designed to match the new-gen caravans or motorhomes. This end shade wall can be attached to the awning reversely from both ends; this makes it different from other privacy screens.

Premium Long Side Shade Wall

By attaching our long side shade wall to your awning, you can fully cover the awning sides, which restricts the heat to enter and have privacy from the neighbors at the campsite. The long privacy screen is made from durable materials and is available in various lengths from 8ft to 22ft. You can choose the length according to your awning measurements.

Off Side Shade Wall

It is important to maintain privacy and protection on every side of the caravan. Our offside shade wall is specially designed for the rear of your van and is made from strong materials. It restricts the heat to enter from the windows and warm up the temperature inside the caravan. If you wish to set up some activities or place something at the backside, it will be easier with our offside privacy screen.

Conclusion

Whether planning a short trip or long stay for exploring the great outdoors of Australia, these caravan awning privacy screens are a perfect companion for enjoying all time without being exposed to the harsh Australian heat.

In the excitement of exploring the exotic beauty of Australia, experiencing amazing adventures, capturing scenic views, spending time with family and friends in nature, having fun around the bonfire at night, cooking some delicious food at the campsite, playing some games with your kids, relaxing while feeling the cool breeze, and all other fun of the trip, you might miss on some of your stuff, even overlook your caravan.
The caravan is going to be your home away from home. So it must be well equipped to have a convenient, comfortable, and safe trip. To ease you from the search of accessories that would be helpful, we have listed them for you below. Let's look at what those are:

Caravan Accessories

Towing Mirrors

Driving becomes difficult when towing a large caravan, as you need to constantly look at the vehicle behind the caravan. And relying on the vehicle's side mirrors or lurking behind for taking turns or changing lanes is extremely risky as neither you will be able to see what is behind nor the vehicle's mirrors provide the broader view. So for safe towing, install towing mirrors as they increase the view behind your caravan, enabling you to easily see what is coming while driving.

Caravan Awning

An awning is an amazing addition to the caravan. While on holiday, if space is not enough for sleeping, relaxing, or for kids to play, an awning comes to your rescue. It expands the living space and also provides protection from the weather. You can choose the one that suits your caravan from the wide variety of Xtend Outdoors Caravan Awnings. Each awning is lightweight, made from sturdy materials, and will not take much time to set up.

Fire Extinguisher

Due to the wiring mistake, short circuit, or any fault in the caravan or at the campsite, fire can erupt anytime, or items can catch fire. Even while cooking, there are chances of some pan fires. It is better to be on the safer side and install a fire extinguisher in your caravan.

Tool Kit

What if something in the vehicle or caravan loses or breaks down in the middle of the road or at the campsite? Who is going to go in search of a mechanic or to buy some tools for repairing? Instead, by taking a simple toolkit, you on your own can repair the minor issues. Some common inclusions of the kit are wrench, screwdriver, duct tape, hammer, spanners, cable ties, tyre repair kit, socket set, spare screws.

Reversing Cameras

Reversing a caravan is hard and even exhausting. Traditionally, for parking the caravan at the right spot, the person along with us goes out and assists in reversing. But the reversing becomes impossible when you are unable to understand the directions. With reversing cameras fitted on the tow vehicle, you get the view of the back instantly, and the reversing is easily done in a minute.

Conclusion

When the caravan is equipped with these accessories, it is sure to have a fun-filled caravanning experience without a hitch. Now it is upon you if you wish to have one or not.
 
 

Traveling in a camper trailer/caravan is so much fun in the great outdoors of Australia. But it could be overwhelming due to the sudden surprises that you might get in the form of vehicle failures. Which could leave you stranded and drift you apart from the relaxing trip you were excited for.

Overheated Bearings

Not a problem to worry about, as it is a common trailer issue. Bearings are the elements that are responsible for a smooth towing ride. And overheating of the bearings could be due to various reasons like improper lubrication, mechanical causes, and housing-related issues.
In lubrication, over time, the grease or oil dissipates because of heat and leakage, which weakens the steel and leads to corrosion of steel. And when under load, it overheats and collapses. Thus, grinding the movement of the wheel. If the bearings are making noise, this is the indicator of overheating.
To avoid this, fill the bearings with oil at recommended levels. Or replace the bearings once a year. Make sure to carry a kit with all the right tools for emergencies. It would be helpful if you try it once before heading out.

Incorrect Tyre Pressure

While prepping up for the trip, the tyres are often overlooked, which are the major support system of the trailers. Due to the uneven pressure, the tyres lose their stability. They cannot handle the trailer weight that makes them fall apart, leading to accidents or damage before than expected. If the tires are squealing, it is a sign of low pressure.
To avoid this, use good quality tyres and a tire gauge to measure the tyre pressure of both the trailer and the tow vehicle before heading out.

Rust

When the trailer or trailer parts are exposed to moisture and oxygen, the steel or metal components are likely to get rusted. It further weakens as well as decreases the span of the parts and ultimately leads to failures. Rust accumulates inside out, which sometimes can be hard to spot.
To prevent your trailer from rust attack, make sure to clean it thoroughly after every use. Ensure cleaning the caravan, accessories with the Xtend Outdoors Cleaning Products that are specially for the purpose. And clean if you are particularly traveling to the coastal areas, as the salt particles easily deteriorate the surfaces.

Trailer Parts Hanging Loose

No matter the type of trailer, the trailer undergoes many bumps on the road, especially when you are driving off-road. The unlevelled terrains cause damage to the gears and parts that are fixed underneath the chassis. Some of them are water tanks, battery boxes, pipes, and even wiring connections.
Fix up the battery boxes so that they do not hang and clash with the surface. Ensure everything is topped up before heading out, and carry the repairing kit to avoid anything on the road.

Conclusion

Do you know what your trailer is lacking, which has resulted in these failures? Regular Maintenance. It is important to keep a check on the trailer during regular intervals to avoid any problem that leads to dysfunction.

For an Aussie family, nothing could be more exciting than going on a camping trip. Aussies love traveling to the outdoors, exploring different destinations, enjoying amazing views, and experiencing great adventures.

When heading off the grid or to the nearby campsite with the family, it involves overnight stays. But if you haven't planned it right, the most fun trip can turn into extremely stressful and difficult to survive. You may even be left stranded.

Are you also planning a family camping trip? Don't stress out. To ease you from this task, we have listed some tips that would help a newbie or even a family who has traveled multiple times.

Find a Perfect Location

First, decide on the camping location. There are multiple options to choose from. But select the one according to the weather conditions, convenience, and facilities.

• Is the place pet- friendly if you are taking your pet along
• Consider the proximity of water
• Is there buzzing of mosquitoes all-day
• Does the place provide an ample amount of shade

Also, consider availability before selecting the campsite and book in advance as these tend to be in high demand during the peak season.

Choose the Right Van

Before choosing the van, set your space limit, the place you will be traveling, and for how long. You can make your choice from retro revivals, motorhomes, towing a van, or caravan.

But nothing can be compared to traveling by caravan. The caravan could be your home away from home, offering all the comforts. Even for going down the road, you won’t have to worry about packing the whole camp. Instead, hitch your caravan and get moving.

And before pitching your caravan, keep the power & water connections, distance from the neighbors, direction of the door in mind.

Pack Smartly

Of course, you won’t forget to carry clothes. But, pack adequately as you never know when it gets dirty and requires it to be changed. Camping requires a list of items that you might need anywhere, anytime.

Prepare a checklist of items for making it easy to stuff things. And, when you are traveling with your kids, checklist their items first. Do not forget to carry the essentials such as a first aid kit, bug repellent, lighting & navigation accessories.

Camping Meals

Do not get stressed out when it comes to the meals at the campsite. If your caravan has a refrigerator, it is easy to carry items that can stay fresh through cooling.

Of course, you cannot carry tortillas in the absence of a refrigerator. But some dry snack items would work for keeping everybody’s stomachs full.

Connect with the Neighbours

Do you know how essential an awning could be? An awning is a portable gear that gets attached to the caravan or can be set up alongside your car. An awning extends the living area for sleeping or recreational activities and even protects you from the weather elements.

You often require some extra space at the campsite. What could be better than an awning for it? Choose from the diverse range of Xtend Outdoors Caravan Awnings. The awnings are quite handy, sturdy, specialized with waterproof and weatherproof materials for protecting you during any condition.

Prep for Some Fun

When taking your kids along, what will they do apart from hiking, swimming, and playing at the beach? Your kids may feel restless and get bored. Take care of their fun by:

• Stuffing marshmallows for toasting and hot chocolate
• Preparing some fun outdoor games that they can play in the outdoors such as
• scavenger hunt, camping Olympics, the alphabet game, etc.
• Carrying board games and card games.
• Colouring books, a tennis ball, skateboards for passing time
• Telling the stories
• Planning a musical and dancing night

Conclusion

Camping is all about spending some beautiful time with your family. Traveling to the Australian campsites will get you hooked on the adventures. And planning according to our tips mentioned above, the trip would become worth experiencing.

 

Traveling to beautiful destinations in Australia is a wonderful idea. But for comfortable accommodation, if you're up for off-roading in your caravan, it can be extremely fun but challenging if not prepared like an expert.

Traveling off-road might involve bumping into rocks, bogged into the mud, and whatnot. To guide for these tricky situations, you need to prepare your vehicle and caravan for some off-road expeditions like:

Prepare the Vehicle

When you plan to take the caravan off-road, your towing vehicle should be strong enough to handle various types of rough terrains during the trip.

Driving off-road is often inaccurate. What if you collide with something on the road and are left stranded? What are you going to do? Consider adding some extra protection using a bullbar to the front of your vehicle to be on the safer side. It makes it look good and helps protect the vehicle from rough road articles like rocks or sticks, animal collisions, etc., and enables driving further without causing any severe damage.

Equip your vehicle with the top quality, sturdy, all-terrain tires for upscaling its off-road abilities. As the tires are the point of contact with the ground, that enables a vehicle to get over every off-road obstacle. And regular tires are not suitable for traveling on rough terrains.

Traveling on dusty roads would allow dust to enter the vehicle, prevent it, and raise the air intake. The higher air intake would reduce dust from entering and allow fresh and cooler air to enter into the engine and result in the engine's efficient working.

While traveling off-road, the network signals may become weak, leading to no clear communication. And there may be the possibility of getting stuck in tricky spots and losing direction. So, how to communicate now? Install a UHF radio in the vehicle and carry a handy UHF radio. It is very useful for guiding and communicating clearly & calmly. When it is done with the vehicle, come to your caravan.

Prepare the Caravan

First of all, while towing a caravan off the blacktop, you need a strong tow hitch. As it is the link for joining the caravan to the vehicle, it should be flexible to extend the caravan's movement range, hitch and unhitch with minimum fuss for easy use and long-distance travel off-road.

While traveling off-road, there is a risk of stones flying up from the caravan's wheels and hitting the van, leading to damaging the caravan's exterior and windows. Place a stone guard at the front of the caravan for protecting it from dents & scratches and preventing stones from bouncing up.

The framework of the caravan should be strong for towing. Chassis are the caravan's backbone that carries all its load while moving. It should be off-road-ready by being strong & durable enough to withstand the rough Australian terrain.

Before leaving, check through all the electrical leads, water pipes, and other exhausts inside the caravan. Off-road obstacles like stones etc., could suddenly hit the exhausts, catch fire or create puddles of water in the caravan.

Remove the spare tire from under the van and relocate it to somewhere for easy access and protection as bumpers while traveling off-road could damage it, leaving it of no use for you.

Install an Xtend Outdoors Caravan Awning on your caravan for traveling safely and having a shade over you when you think about stopping by for taking a break and enjoy, take rest for some time from off-road driving on the rough terrains and edges.

Conclusion

Preparing mindfully for off-road travel is the key to avoid incidents and accidents. It is important to take all the necessary steps for preventing your adventure from becoming a disaster and survive in the extremist off-road conditions.

Out for a camping trip? In Australia, relaxing in the great outdoors and enjoying a beautiful view with your family asks for some fresh fruits and vegetables with some icy drinks on the beach. But how is it possible to get these? It is possible to get home like accessibility on the trip with a camping fridge.

To avoid rotten fruits and soggy sandwiches, buy a camping fridge for the trip. It is a feasible option to keep your food and drinks cold and fresh while camping. While buying a new camping fridge, we have listed some handy tips to help you buy the best one.

Choose the Best You Could Afford

Quality and quantity matter the most while buying a camping fridge for your trip. Consider purchasing the high-quality fridge in the budget, as the quality product tends to last for years than the usual. A good & branded quality camping fridge would come with better services, better warranty, and easily available spare parts. Selecting the best ones in all would save money and reduce additional problems for future trips with your family and friends.

When it comes to the fridge's quantity, it will require less fridge space than taking fresh food if you are carrying canned veggies. You might think that a small fridge would do for some time, but what if you go along with the group of people in the future? It will ask for more space to store food and drinks. If you can re-stock during the trip, you can consider a small-sized fridge, but to be on the safer side, buy the bigger fridge.

When finally buying the fridge, install fridge slides and drawer systems. These would make taking out and keeping in something easier. Otherwise, it will require you to put in much more effort each time you want to take out or keep in something. These are worth installing to make the trip effortless & feasible.

Select a Sturdy & Portable Fridge

Being portable must be the key function of a camping fridge. A portable fridge is an important part that can make all the difference on the trip. If it is portable enough, it would be flexible for you to carry and use anywhere. Garage, camper trailer, caravan, or even beach, wherever you want to take it with you.

Ensure that the fridge comes up with sturdy handles and a hard exterior. Those would make it durable, withstanding the multiple knocks on the rugged roads and developing a good grip for moving it.

A camping fridge/freezer

You also have the option of buying a portable fridge/freezer for your caravan. Some models could alternate between freezing and cooling while some other models offer two different compartments both for freezing and cooling.

This is a great option that would make it easy to get fresh food and chilled drink together.

Conclusion

Make sure everything is easily accessible and kept neat & tidy. Protect the fridge from the hot Australian sun and other elements, cover it with Xtend Outdoors Fridge Shade. Manufactured from high-quality shade mesh that keeps the heat off the caravan's aluminum wall and restricts it from reaching the fridge wall.

Now, it would be easier for you to sit back with fresh food and a cold can of coffee in your hand and relax anywhere, anytime.

What is the first thing that is to be done right after you return from a holiday – camping in your caravan? Cleaning.

It is important to keep all your camping equipment clean, whether it is a caravan, motorhome, or tent. A thorough cleaning will ensure that the equipment lasts longer and make the next trip easier.

When cleaning, you need to speed up to get those stubborn stains or mold off so you can rest before you get back to your job. We are giving you a helping hand by listing some tips.

Tips for cleaning your caravan

Make your caravan shine and winter-ready by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Wipe off the caravan inside out before putting it back to storage as the dirt can leave a permanent stain on it. Do not use a car shampoo and avoid using a high-pressure hose.

2. If you don’t want to wait before leaving for your next holiday, consider checking if there are any scratches or cracks and are all parts up to date. Get repaired or order new ones if required.

3. Inspect the gas supply, if needed, and check the gas connection, gas hose, and gas protection. Also, remove the gas bottles from the caravan and store them safely at your home.

4. Check whether the caravan is still waterproof or not and get defects repaired if any.

5. Check the tires and inflate at recommended tire pressure before storing them in. It will help in preventing tires from flattening out. Also, do check the spare tire is at the correct pressure too.

6. Check if all the lights are in working condition or not. These include indicators, brake, fog, reversing lights, number plate, and also the lighting inside the caravan through the control panel.

7. For the batteries to last longer, keep them charged with a trickle charger.

8. Check the locks and hinges are working, if not, lubricate them and keep the rubber around the door flexible by using talc.

9. Check all the water taps, and clean and disinfect the pipes and water tank. Make sure there is no water remaining as it will freeze and can cause severe damage.

10. Check the refrigerator and hot water installation are working well.

11. Clean the toilet and flush off all the fluid from the caravan.

12. Purchase a good caravan cover to protect it from rust damage and to increase the caravan’s lifespan.

13. Take the final check and slightly ajar cupboards, doors, and windows. Now, put the caravan into storage.

Tips for cleaning your tent

To increase the lifespan of your tent, keep in mind these useful tips after your camping trip:

1. Pitch your tent at the place away from bird droppings and resins or clean it as soon as possible.

2. Make sure to remove any stones, fir cones, and tent pegs on the ground before spreading your tent’s groundsheet as sharp edges can damage the tent.

3. Avoid dishwashing inside or near the tent as condensation may destroy the waterproofing of the tent.

4. For extra insulation and saving time in cleaning after heading off, place a clean sheet under the tent so that it does not get dirty.

When you return home:

1. Hang up the tent as soon as you reach home if it is wet and damped.

2. While cleaning, brush down softly and do not use soap or detergent; instead, use some hot water.

3. Rub an ice cube over resin stains on the tent and hot water for cleaning bird droppings.

4. Store your tent wisely in a cotton bag for proper ventilation.

Tips for cleaning your motorhome

1. For condensation, empty the fuel tank.

2. For preventing brakes from getting jammed, use a braking wedge and put them in front of the wheels.

3. If necessary, check the antifreeze level and fill up the cooling system.

Before driving for washing the motorhome:

1. Not all the models are suitable for car washing. Ask the manufacturer if camping equipment can go through the carwash. And what special they have for car washing a motorhome/caravan.

2. When deciding to use a high-pressure hose, make sure the motorhome can withstand it. Take care of the windows and not damage the paint layer of the motorhome or a caravan.

Conclusion

Use special cleaning products for cleaning your caravan, tent, or any other camping equipment to make them last longer and remain safe when in storage. Check out Xtend Outdoors Cleaning Products specialized for maintaining and cleaning every piece of camping equipment.

Are you planning your first caravanning trip? Do not know which are the right caravan accessories to fit your caravan with? The variety and number of available caravan parts and accessories in the market can frighten even the regular going caravanners. But do not worry.
Before heading out, consider these few essential components required for a comfortable & homely caravan trip.

Caravan Air Conditioners

Anywhere you go, an air conditioner is an important component for your caravan home setup. Do not go for the regular home air conditioners for the caravan as the RV air conditioners are specifically tailored to withstand the movement and vibrations while traveling, and prevent water from entering the vehicle.
Choose between the rooftop and the built-in models. For most caravans and motorhomes, a rooftop air conditioner is the one to go as it facilitates efficient air circulation without taking much of your living space.
Whereas built-in air conditioners are for a pop-top caravan or a caravan with a single skin roof and they can be mounted under a bench or over a cupboard along the wall inside your caravan.

Caravan Awnings

Choosing the right caravan awning is simple, but before selecting consider the purpose of an awning. Do you want a small shaded area outside the door of your caravan? Or want an extended sitting area to get an alfresco vibe with a fine view?
Caravan Awnings work best from creating a small backyard to creating a complete veranda spread across the entire length of a caravan. The caravan awnings are available in various shapes, sizes, and designs. While looking for the right caravan accessories, selecting a caravan awning is quite a strategic decision you will take.
As far as the quality, Xtend Outdoors Awnings are made from durable, weatherproof materials that protect you from extreme weather conditions, be it heat, wind, or rain.

Caravan Annexes

Caravan Annexes can be your in-hand solution if you wonder how you can create extra space or room in your caravan without upgrading the caravan size. Among so many options available, choosing the right type of annex can be quite confusing.
When choosing, understand for what use you want an annex and choose the model according to the requirements. While selecting the annex walls or room, you need to ensure the size of the awning as well. Keep the note of the awning measurements, start measuring it from the center of the left arm to the center of the right arm.
Caravan annexes are available in various materials, sizes, and designs that are available with Xtend Outdoors Annex for every purpose that is easy to carry and attach.

Caravan Hot Water Systems

There is a sigh of relief when we know it is possible to get hot water when out on the road. You can go for a gas-powered water heater system and electric composite systems. An electric water heater system will spare you from carrying gas cylinders when camping.
Options are available whether to choose a tankless water heater or one with the inbuilt water storage tank. To get instant hot water without waiting for long, go for a tankless water heater system like the one with an inbuilt storage tank will take a long time to heat up the stored water.

Fiamma Awnings

Fiamma Awnings can protect you and your family from the weather elements while caravanning in the dense forests or beaches. There is sure to be a Fiamma awning that will suit your caravan among the variety of range, colors available.
Decide whether to go for an awning with a winch or manual opening and will it be able to attach to the caravan. Choose the one that blends and goes with the shape, size, and type of the vehicle.

Conclusion

Selecting the caravan accessories for the first time may exhaust you and will result in the wrong choice. Be calm and go for the expert help if required. With some basic and clear idea of what actually you are looking for, even you on your own can do this.

During the summer holidays, many Aussies air out their caravan. And so, when you plan a perfect trip with your friends and family, you must make sure that you have all the caravan accessories you need.
Items like caravan water tanks and a fridge slide can make all the difference to your comfort on the road and the campsite.
When you have already installed caravan water tanks and have a fridge slide then before hitting the road, ensure that your caravan is kitted out with these must-have accessories.

1. Rear View Cameras

When holidaying with your family safety is the foremost concern. Although the caravan has well functional towing mirrors, it can still be both difficult and intimidating to reverse your caravan.
With rearview cameras, you will know exactly what’s behind you and make the reversing process much easier than before. You will have no trouble reversing into tight spaces and negotiating tight corners, and you will reverse like a pro. For great caravan accessories, these are the number one pick.

2. Caravan Levellers

Manually checking whether your caravan is level can be a frustrating chore. These caravan levelers are cool pieces of technology that take all the pain out of trying to level your caravan with 4WD when it is the undertow.
This wireless leveler sits on your caravan floor and has a receiver in the car; you will know whether your caravan is at the level or not. It is another accessory that makes your life easier on the road.

3. Bike Racks

If you want to sneak a cycle into your holiday, a multi-bike carrier will make the world different when you reach your destination. Most of us don’t want to fire up the caravan when we have a great parking spot at the campsite.
So, a bicycle can be the ticket for exploring around the campsite and is a great form of exercise as well.

4. 3-way Camping Fridge

A fridge is an essential part of a trip, so why not upgrade to a 3- way camping fridge that can be powered by a 12-volt battery, 20-volt generator, or LPG gas and is a highly efficient, compact, and effective solution.
It automatically shuts down when it meets its target temperature, and when you’re away from the grid, it can run on gas alone for days. But don’t forget the fridge slide as it will make access to the fridge easy.

5.Awnings

An essential accessory for the camping trip, as it provides shelter and protection from the weather elements while allowing you to enjoy the amazing outdoors.
Whether you are enjoying the sunrise, kicking back with a good book, or having some al fresco meal. An awning brings you the comforts of indoors, outdoors.
Plan your next caravanning trip, with Xtend Outdoor Awnings-the ultimate weather protection shield, that will make your road trip an unforgettable experience. You can buy any awning of your choice and need as we provide various awnings for every purpose.

With a pandemic pause on overseas travel, many Australians are turning to caravan and camping holiday for the first time. And when it comes to setting up a caravan, many travelers like useful and standard accessories. After all, your home on wheels should be designed for your living.
The specialists at Xtend Outdoors, your one-stop solution for all the caravan accessories, have sorted ten of our favorite caravan and camping accessories to be equipped with on your next adventure.
These are the must-have practical caravan accessories that turn camping into glamping. 

1.BBQ Arm

These days, many of the items claim to make life easier while camping and caravanning, but in the end, increase unnecessary weight. But BBQ Arm is not one of those items, and it will certainly simplify your gear and reduce your set up a time for better.

Xtend Outdoor BBQ Arm is an arm with a tray that swings off your caravan or camper and is powder coated with galvanized steel. A caravan is our home, but we do not like to cook out in the elements, so adding this BBQ Arm in the awning is advantageous. It is a multipurpose element you can add while holidaying.

2.Australia Wide Inflatable Annexe

Attaching an additional room to the caravan is time-consuming, and you may struggle to attach traditional large metal awnings, but now you can count on these airframes.

Xtend Outdoors Wide Inflatable Annexes are quite convenient and easy to set up the poles as each one is linked together. Once you start inflating the single-pole, the air will automatically inflate the entire annexes. It allows natural sunlight to enter and can be inflated with a manual hand pump.

3.Electric Roll out Awning Annexe

To have a fully enclosed canvas area, you need an extra option for sleeping or waterproof storage or shade area. Xtend Outdoor Electrical Rollout Awning Annexe is perfect for it as it adds strength to your awning as it comes with curved roof rafters and anti flap kit.

It provides the convenience to extend and retract the awning with the push of a button as the task of rolling out the awning is an effortless and one-man job that can be done from inside the awning itself.

4.Art Shade Walls

We do not want our surroundings to be boring and dull while we are out, but we can add some fun and pop colors in practical accessories to use in the caravan. And if you do not have time to create on your own, attaching Xtend Outdoors Art Shade Walls is a fantastic option for ultra-fast set up for short trips.

Art shade walls are a fun way to add protection and privacy while making a statement when holidaying in your van! It provides 92% protection from the sun and offers superb privacy and ventilation.

5.Rollout Awning Clothesline

Flooded up with washed clothes and do not have an ideal area to dry them out while traveling? The innovative Xtend Outdoors Rollout Awning Clothesline cleverly attaches to your awning and involves no complicated installation as it installs either inside or outside of your awning.

6. Australia Wide Camper Awning

To have fun with your wind up camper in a home-like comfort, Xtend Outdoors Australia Wide Camper Awning is an innovation for the wind-up campers. To equip your wind up camper with best quality awnings and annexes, anti flap kit to prevent awnings from flapping.

It is the most convenient option for all the wind-up campers as you can drop the canvas down to fully cover the room or roll it up to let the cool breeze come in.

7.Fiamma Awning - F45S

Whether you have set up camp in the middle of nowhere or you have settled in a caravan park, if you want to extend your living space to enjoy spacious outdoor dining, Xtend Outdoors Fiamma Awning - F45S provides shade and shelter to you and your family.

It is easy to handle and simple to install. After attaching, you just have to hook the Fiamma brackets and fasten the awning to the brackets. These are the best options for a caravan holiday!

8.Australia Wide Rollout Awning Walls

When it is beautiful breezy weather, you like to enjoy, sit outside and have fun. But what if it is raining or it is hot outside? You do not have to give up, simply install these Xtend Outdoors Australia Wide Rollout Awning Walls for some privacy, ventilation, and storage.

It has layers that allow you to see whether it is raining cold or windy, or roll all the layers up to have the annex completely open. It is built to withstand wind using a full awning support system and provides a complete waterproofing seal.

9.New Aussie Traveller Anti-Flap Kit

Weather is not predictable when you are out camping with your family and friends. You may often experience heavy rain and wind, and the awning you installed keeps on flapping and creating noise.

Prevent the awning from flapping with Xtend Outdoors Anti Flap Kit, which is made from high strength aluminum and has six clamps to secure your rollout awning vinyl from flapping, also coated powder-white for visual appeal.
This is our new standard product with a provision for LED lighting and contains an additional external sail track for easy addition of patio awning extension.

10.Inflatable Extension Room

While camping, often a caravan is not spacious enough to fit them all. You need extra space or room for children or a storage tent to park your bike and excess gear or a place to set up a shower or toilet.

Xtend Outdoors Inflatable Extension Room is a great affordable adoption for extra space and privacy while on the road, involving no interference of other caravanners around you.

Conclusion

For making life on the road easy, practical, and comfortable, invest in the right caravan accessories. Caravans that are appropriately equipped are safer, more secure, and enable a better living while holidaying in your van!