2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption A dump mate Use our Dump Mate! Emptying the cassette with a Dump Mate, is a very quick and clean operation. Silicone grease CRC silicon grease for the rubber seals. A DIY tool for opening the cassette You can take the top right out of the cassette to give it a really good clean inside. Dont leave it behind Leave the Dump Mate bag in your cassette locker to remind you not to leave your Dump Mate behind. Hints and tips on toilet cassettes Heather McMurdo Through our own experience, and also from talking to many people while demonstrating and selling our Dump Mates, we have picked up a few ideas to make things easier and cleaner. Empty often When we first started motorhoming, we tried to use every public toilet we could, because this would make our cassette last longer before we had to empty it, a job that John did not look forward to. This just seemed silly to me, when we had our own nice bathroom to use, but then I wasn’t the one emptying the cassette. Anyway, once we had our Dump Mate, this was no longer a problem, and we now empty every second day. We have noticed that this alone keeps the cassette much fresher, rather than trying to make it last four or five days. After-trip care When we get home from a trip away, John always half fills the cassette with warm water and a scoop of Napisan (or equivalent) and keeps it in the garage, giving it a shake every time he walks past it. Then he rinses it out, puts a dash of chemical in it and small amount of water. A ventilation kit We don’t really need to use a chemical, as we have fitted a Thetford Ventilation kit (similar to a SOG unit). This has a fan that ventilates through the floor, so we have no nasty smells in our motorhome any more. I can highly recommend it. We must have tried every toilet chemical on the market, and none really worked, (although to be fair, they probably lost their effectiveness after a couple of days). We still put a dash in the cassette as we have a few bottles to use up. Clean the inside of the cassette Every now and then, John takes the top right out of the cassette and gives it a really good clean inside. He has even designed a small tool to unscrew the top so as not to put too much pressure on the plastic. See sidebar. He also uses CRC silicon grease on the rubber seals. Use our Dump Mate! Emptying the cassette with a Dump Mate, is a very quick and clean operation. If we are emptying our grey water as well, we start this running first, and then do the cassette. Because we are putting the Dump Mate in the sewer pipe, and there is no spillage, there is no risk of contaminating your grey water hose. By the time you have emptied your cassette and rinsed it a few times, the Dump Mate is clean, and you just shake the water off, and pop it back in it’s bag. Then you can pack up your grey water hose, and both jobs are done. There is no mess, and the dump station (and your feet) are clean. This is a real bonus if the water pressure at the dump station is poor, or there is no hose. Use the cassette air-lock release button We have been surprised to hear, when demonstrating, that many people do not realise that their cassette has a button on the top, at the back to allow air flow. As you raise the back of the cassette to empty, hold the button in: you will find it empties much more smoothly. How not to forget to take your Dump Mate with you Another little tip is to leave the bag for the Dump Mate in your cassette locker when you take your cassette out. This will mean when you put the cassette back, you will see the bag and it will remind you to make sure you have your Dump Mate with you. You don’t want to leave it at the dump station. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 29

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Going for the putt throw, Hanmer Domain ©2024 Marty Ireland Tee off, Taylor River, Blenheim ©2024 Marty Ireland Dual set of golf discs ©2024 Marty Ireland Going for the putt throw, Hanmer Domain ©2024 Marty Ireland GO TO Springing Keeps you healthy, in shape and moving HOBBIES: Disc golf Marty Ireland This is an ideal interest to have as campers for individuals, groups and families as its cheap to purchase a set of individual discs and many councils have set up Disc Golf courses in existing reserves where you can already walk, bike or exercise your dog. The discs are lightweight and take up little space and best of all its free to play. I was introduced to it in Hanmer Springs earlier this year in a forest reserve, 9-hole course and later found we have a local 18-hole course along the Taylor river in Blenheim. After checking our local sports shop and retailers I purchased online an entry-level dual player pack in a carry bag with cleaning cloth and marker pucks for around $50. There is an app that lists many courses around New Zealand and lets you keep track of your score during a game. The name of the game is to get your disc, in the least amount of throws, into the chain basket. It has similar drop shots and out-of-bounds penalties as the game of golf. Its a therapeutic, scenic, active walk, with gentle upper body movements to keep you healthy, in shape and moving. Give it go. ◊ Images: ©2024 Marty Ireland Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 41

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Rotorua-bike-1_w_m.webp Ready for tomorrow’s ride Andrew Morton I’m in Rotorua today (MTB Mecca) ready for tomorrow’s ride, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: 33km, 3hr. Another one of the 23 Great Rides of NZ. ckw.nz/great-rides ©2022 Andrew Morton Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 35

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption There is the toilet tent Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Toilet and shower tent Gary Hitchcock Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 25

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Away with the dog Heather Auckram We grab any chance to pack the Toyota Estima and the dog and just go. Here we are freedom camping beside the sea at Fortrose, Southland. Heather Auckram Photos ©2023 Heather Auckram Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 29

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 10-tips-PassingTruck.png Their main type of accident is jack-knifing 10 Tips for safe caravan towing Collyn Rivers Here are 10 tips for safe towing: caravans and their tow vehicles have much the same accident rates as other forms of motor transport, their main type of accident, jack-knifing, however, is different. Overtake whilst towing with great care. Pic: AL-KO, rvBooks.co.au Tip One: limit speed Never tow above 100 km/h (especially if overtaking). Driving too fast is by far the major cause of caravan-related accidents. Tip Two: do not exceed maximum legal weight Never load a tow vehicle or trailer above the maximum weight limits stipulated by the manufacturers. Doing so is illegal, dangerous and will invalidate your insurance. Knowing the weight of your tow vehicle and trailer is as important as carrying your passport overseas. Tip Three: correct weight ratio Ideally, a laden trailer’s weight should exceed a laden tow vehicle’s weight (ideally only 80%). If you follow this recommendation, in RV Book’s opinion, you will have no need for a Weight Distributing Hitch. The use of such a hitch is advisable if the caravan‘s laden weight exceeds the tow vehicle’s laden weight, but that vehicle’s ‘cornering power’ is then inherently reduced. Tip Four: adequate tow ball mass It is essential to have your trailer’s front end heavier than its rear. For camper trailers, not less than 5% of the trailer’s laden weight should be on the tow ball. For Australian caravans the percentage should be 8% to 10% (the longer and heavier the caravan, the higher the percentage needed). UK/EU-made caravans are by and large much lighter — they need 6–7%. This mass must remain reasonably constant. It should not vary as water tank content varies. Towing stability is since proven to relate to tow ball mass. The lower the trailer’s percentage of its weight on the tow ball, the lower the stability. Furthermore, the lower that tow ball mass, the lower the so-called critical speed. The critical speed is that above which a strongly snaking caravan cannot be driver corrected. Any heavy trailer longer than about 5 metres with less than 7% tow ball mass is (in RV Books’ opinion) an accident waiting an opportunity to happen. Its critical speed may be as low as 50–70 km/h. Find out more about critical speed here: ckw.nz /why-roll-sway Tip Five: Correct weight distribution Heavy items in a trailer should be stowed low down and close to the axle(s). Store only lighter items higher up and away from the axle(s). Never store heavy items at the front or rear of the trailer. Tip Six: limiting height Keep everything as low as feasible across your entire rig consistent with adequate ground clearance. The lowest part of a rig is usually the tow vehicle’s differential housing/s or exhaust. Tip Seven: tow vehicle choice Choose a tow vehicle that has: • A maximum towing capacity greater than the laden weight of your trailer. • An adequate maximum tow ball allowance for your trailer. • Has the longest possible wheelbase (i.e. distance between its front and rear axle/s). • Has the shortest possible distance from rear axle to tow ball. Find out more about choosing the right tow vehicle here: ckw.nz/choose-tow-vehicle . Tip Eight: trailer choice Choose a trailer that: • is as light as possible • is as short as possible • has the longest possible distance between the tow ball and its centre of mass. Extended A-frames help, but at the expense of increased turning circles. Tip Nine: Tyres Use ‘Light Truck’ tyres to assist trailer and tow vehicle handling. Their stiffer sidewalls enable them to carry their maximum weight at all times, and they are better able to resist yaw and snaking. They are a little noisier and have a slightly harder ride compared to normal tyres, but safety is more important. Never increase the tow vehicle’s front tyre pressure for towing. Always increase the tow vehicle’s rear tyre pressure by 50‑70 kPa (7–10 psi) whilst towing. In borderline cases simply using these pressures eliminates the need for a Weight Distributing Hitch. Tip Ten: Read our book Why Caravans Roll Over—and how to prevent it Our book — Why Caravans Roll Over—and how to prevent it — explains just how and why caravans roll over. It has many pages that advise how you can reduce the risk. An invaluable feature is a Question & Answer section that enables you to assess your own rig’s likely stability. It shows how to remedy the failings. Reproduced with permission. ckw.nz/10-towing-tipsrvbooks.com.au Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 9

7 Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Saw 21 sunrises and 21 sunsets plus billions of stars ©2024 Bette Cosgrove 30 + swims; 3 lakes 4 rivers 9 beaches ©2024 Bette Cosgrove 21 days #vanlife ©2024 Bette Cosgrove 3 Sunday pannekoeken days ©2024 Bette Cosgrove So thankful Bette Cosgrove After 21 days #vanlife freedom camping: 30 + swims; 3 lakes 4 rivers 9 beaches 12 FREE camps 2 koha sites 2 DOC paid sites 21 days of a happy dog 4 dump stations 3 Sunday pannekoeken days 1 Christmas dinner BBQ in the rain 19 sunny days 6 hours on the paddleboard 5 nights in family or friends’ driveways 15 regions of Te Ika-a-Maui crossed 2 meals of amazing fresh fush n chips 1 paua pie Multiple new friends made in lovely small towns where we spent $$$ at every stop. Saw 21 sunrises and 21 sunsets plus billions of stars. Photos ©2024 Bette Cosgrove STATUS: Free camping with a non-fixed toilet. Impossible after law changes. GO TO Celebrating Summer billions of stars Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 9 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

7 Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption limestone crags set up for climbing and abseiling (byo gear and skills)/ ©2024 Emma Pearson limestone crags set up for climbing and abseiling (byo gear and skills). ©2024 Emma Pearson celebrate-waipu-3.jpg ©2024 Emma Pearson celebrate-waipu-6.jpg ©2024 Emma Pearson The campground: Big flat 9m by 9m tent sites plus parking (vehicle camping sites available too), well-equipped kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers ©2024 Emma Pearson The campground: Big flat 9m by 9m tent sites plus parking (vehicle camping sites available too), well-equipped kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers ©2024 Emma Pearson A campfire... ... playground, farm animals to visit and super helpful and friendly owners. ©2024 Emma Pearson In two minds Emma Pearson In two minds about posting this as it was so wonderful to have had it all to ourselves (the way I like it this side of Xmas!) for 3 nights! But its such a cool place I can’t not share and recommend it. I just got back from camping at Waipu Caves Farm Park (not the same as Waipu Caves DOC campsite), Northland. Such a cool place that’s only recently opened to public camping. My 3 boys absolutely loved it, as did I! Big flat 9m by 9m tent sites plus parking (vehicle camping sites available too), well-equipped kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers, fantastic network of walking and biking tracks around limestone boulders and crags and (marked) tomos, a cave tour (stalactites and glow worms; see page 25 ), river with swimming holes, eels, crayfish etc to discover, limestone crags set up for climbing and abseiling (byo gear and skills), a campfire, playground, farm animals to visit and super helpful and friendly owners. Definitely my new favourite spot and would definitely recommend it! n ©2024 Emma Pearson GO TO Celebrating Summer My 3 boys absolutely loved it, as did I! Camping ground. Not affected by law changes. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 9 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing The fairy forest walk Martin & Diana Ireland We did the fairy forest walk at Dog Walk Stream, Hanmer, and lo and behold the fairies camp too! ©2024 Martin & Diana Ireland Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 41

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way In the Spring Issue 9 Editor Steampunk – from North to South and back again: “It’s a chance to get dressed up and some have fun” page 5 The re-build of my Toyota van: I woke up to the smell of the sea and the sun rising. I was bitten by the lifestyle. Page 7 Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights: If you are new to towing it is not hard to master. Page 13 Buyer beware: The caravan was only 9 years old. We pawed over the photos, checked questions asked… Page 21 The making of the Black Moa™ A new cassette toilet for small spaces. Page 25 Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 3

2 Summer 2022 Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Instagrammable: making the most of instagram Bette Cosgrove Up Instagrammable(v) beautiful enough to share on the Instagram.com app So many travellers, campers, and vanlifers are recording their journeys on 'the gram' these days, sharing snippets of their lives, packaged neatly in squares or reels. Instagram, the social media platform, is a quick and easy way to document and share to your chosen followers or a keen public, just where you've been and what you've seen. ‘Reels ‘or ‘carousels’ of photos and video snippets with background music, are simple to create and can make even the most basic scenery shot look like a luxe travel promo for camping or travelling adventures. It also creates a simple visual diary for your trips away or life on the road. Instagram is an attractive and often addictive 'look book' to scroll through, filled with recommended places to visit and shared experiences. It's a good place to start researching if you want to go on a roadie or camping trip of your own. Beware of what you see though stories Instagram feeds can often glorify or sanitise the sometimes cold, miserable or cramped reality of vanlife or camping adventures. Always be conscious that the carefully curated shots of stunning vistas, natural beauty, and carefree living might be missing the full truth of everyday challenges that weather, environment, crowds and lack of home comforts can create. Where to start? If you're keen to discover new places to visit or freedom camp, in our gorgeous country, then a good place to start is to search Instagram using the #hashtag #Coddiwompling You're bound to find an INSTA account with adventurous Kiwis, just like you, to follow. They're intent on finding out-of-the-way places to share their life 'in squares' so that their followers get a head start on which top spots to add to their itinerary. Try these recommended accounts for starters : @vangranz @adventureswithrosy @wandawompling @coddiwomple_van @lifedonedifferentlynz @wee.white.van @shazgram What is a hash tag? And how do you use it? Take a word. Put a # (hash) in front of it. Its a hashtag. Add the hash tag to your photos on instagram, your posts on facebook, any blog post you put on the internet. Just type it at the end. #coddiwompling Now you can find your and other peoples stuff that share the same hash tag. Your photos and posts will stand alongside others who also add #coddiwompling to their photos. Up Up Beware of what you see though stories coddiwomple_w_m.webp coddiwomple_w_m.webp 1/1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing the perfect gift idea for a camper in your life The Slow Road Jonathan Collins I caught up with the authors and fellow camping adventurers of this amazing book, The Slow Road, which is available from ckw.nz/allenandunwin Kirianna is a Kiwi and Lockie is Australian; after the pandemic grounded Lockie’s career as pilot, they and their three children travelled all around Australia in their custom-made kombi. They recently shipped their custom van to New Zealand and spent most of 2023 travelling and documenting their trips around the country. Here is what they have to say about their book. “This guide documents our journeys through NZ from 2022 to 2024. It is an essential resource for anyone contemplating a trip by van or caravan, offering valuable information for camping enthusiasts, van buyers or renters, and individuals seeking sun and sand. The book includes details about the places we visited in both the North and South Islands, featuring recommendations from locals, hidden gems, cultural and historical landmarks, sunset and sunrise viewing spots, as well as tips for fishing, swimming, skiing, and experiencing NZ’s diverse natural and cultural wonders. “Moreover, it delves into kitchen essentials, healthy road-trip food ideas, and a collection of recipes, along with advice on where to stay, eat, play, and explore in key North and South Island destinations.” Kirianna and Lockie have been sharing their adventures through YouTube and Instagram. @theslowroad_ This is the perfect gift idea for that camper in your life who has everything or perhaps treat yourself to a guide and inspiration for your next adventure. I will be popping in-store to Paper Plus to grab a copy for our van. Happy reading campers. (ISBN: 9781991006585) Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 29