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Tips for Caravanning Beginners

We've got 2.8m Fishing Kayaks coming to our store from Adventure Kings! These kayaks lightweight but super tough! They'll be available in-store from Friday the 27th of November for $599 incl gst*. *While stocks last.

It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3. We’re your adventure pitstop for all caravan services, repairs, renovations, insurance and warranty jobs, caravan roadworthy certificates, gas certificates, electrical installations, spare parts, camping accessories and installation. PLUS we can install any caravan & camping accessories you purchase in-store to your vehicle, caravan, motorhome, RV, trailer or fifth-wheeler. Get the most out of your next adventure, stop in, stock up & get fitted out!

They’re passionate about enabling local adventurers to do what they do best... adventure! Cam is known for his clever adventuring tips / tricks. He’s got a few tips to share with you before you head out adventuring this Spring. 1. Check the forecast Although Spring weather is awesome, it can be pretty temperamental. Sometimes it’s warm and sometimes it throws in a chilly night. Spring temperatures can range from freezing to balmy. These severe temperature changes can occur within the same day! Although weather forecasts aren’t always accurate, it helps to take a look, make a plan and pack accordingly. 2. Check your gear! This is an essential step. It’s one we always tell adventurers to do, because when gear fails you it can be dangerous and put a real dampener on the trip! Check for holes, mould or rips in your tents, awnings, swags, sleeping bag, air mattress and such. Test all your camping gear to ensure it’s in tip top shape. If you are caravanning, you’d be a smart cookie to get a service done before hitting the road. You can book one of these online, it’s that easy! 3. Pack lighting! You don’t want the camping fun to end just because the sun has set. Illuminate your campsite, navigate a dark trail or read a book in your tent with a lantern, flashlight, LED lighting and/or a headlamp. We’ve got plenty of lighting options in-store, we can even install them to your ute, caravan or camper trailer while you wait! We’ve got qualified auto electricians here ready for you! We’re your local adventure pitstop, get adventure ready at MAKS! We’d love to see you in-store! Stop in, stock up and get fitted out.

You won't want to miss this announcement. We'll tell you our secret very soon!

Heating your Carvan Choosing the right air heater for your van or RV is important. With an investment of well over $1000 you want to get it right and there are a few things you definitely need to consider. These include brand, heater size and installation considerations, like fuel source, heater location and whether to install it yourself or get it installed. Choosing Heater Size Having a heater that is too big is just as much of an issue as having one that is too small. With an oversized diesel heater you most likely will never turn it up high. It will spend most of its time on idle. This causes carbon build up and shortens service intervals. An undersized heater will struggle to keep you warm and will be operated on high most of the time. This is fine operationally, but it’s the most noisy setting. At MAKS our experience has shown that, generally speaking, a caravan that is less than 21 feet will be fine with a 2kW heater, and longer vans up to 24 feet are well served by a 2.2kW heater. For really big vans, 5th wheelers and buses, we suggest using the 4kW heater. Generally, flat floor campers, pop tops and anything with lots of canvas gets a 2.2kW because canvas loses heat more quickly. In terms of space required for installation, a 2kW and 2.2kW heater are almost the same size and use 60mm ducting, whereas the 4kW heater is larger and uses 90mm ducting. This is of course a guide. If you have an expanda or a pop top with lots of canvas you may need a bigger heater, as canvas loses heat easily. Environmental conditions may also have an impact on your final decision. Our sizing advice is based on the assumption that you are camping in and around typical Australian areas with temperatures mostly above freezing. If you will be spending extended periods in cold alpine areas or in desert winters where it can get well below zero, you may want to consider installing a larger heater. Heater Brand There are basically three tiers in the diesel heater market. The top of the line brand is Eberspacher . They are European-made and are the best quality available. In the middle tier, are our Chinese-made Belief air heaters. These heaters are some of the best heaters made in China. They are a quality product and backed by our two year warranty. The bottom level is composed of heaters from brandless factories in China. These factories sell heaters directly online with no service, parts or backup. Their heaters are generally made of inferior parts and are generally unreliable. Additionally, they are often marketed falsely above their specifications; for example, some 5kW heaters are listed as 8kW. We do not sell these heaters due to reliability problems. Fuel Tanks For camper trailers and caravans that don’t have a diesel fuel source, you will need an ancillary tank. Tank options include wafer tanks, which can either fit behind your gas bottles on a bracket or on a front box, or the easy fit tank, which is designed to go in front or tunnel boots and is easily disconnected and taken out for filling. We also have other tank options, including 10L and 20L jerry cans. The choice of fuel tank can be very specific, depending on your layout and available space, so best to chat to one of our technicians about your needs For diesel fuelled motorhomes and buses it is ideal is to take fuel out of the main tank. On Fiats and big buses, accessing the top of the fuel tank is quite easy as they have a removable cover. Other motor home brands often don’t have removable fuel tank covers, so accessing the top of the tank is more difficult. In these cases the only way to install a fuel straw may be to drop the tank out and have a technician do the install. We do not recommend tapping into existing vehicle fuel lines. Modern vehicles often have pressurised fuel lines that won’t work with the heater. Cutting into them may void your warranty or pose a safety risk. At the end of the day, staying safe is the primary concern, so always speak to a professional caravan technician before you make you final decision on your caravan or motor home heating.

The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has grounded most of us in more ways than one. Did you know that grounding your caravan can be just as taxing as towing it? Extended periods of park up time can lead to a Pandora’s Box of problems such as flat batteries, perished tyres and broken pumps. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your van is in tip top shape and ready to go when we get the all-clear. Cleaning the exterior of your van is not rocket science but avoiding some traps can extend its life and retain resale value. You will need a soft bristle brush attached to a long handle, a liberal serving of detergent and some elbow grease. Best avoid the pressure cleaner as this can damage the joint sealant, which may cause leaks down the track. Also avoid scrubbing polycarbonate windows as they scratch easily. Roll out the awning and check it is clean and in good order. Cover your fridge and hot water vents, as wasps love a good park up too. Once you have worked your way around the van, it may be necessary to get on the roof to wipe the solar panels and air-con unit. Make sure to lay a plank over the roof to distribute your weight. Cladding will buckle under foot and cause water to pool, creating potential for leaks. Do not neglect your tyres. Inspect the tread for even wear and remember that after long periods of no use, tyres may have plenty of tread, but can still perish due to age. While you’re there, ensure the wheel nuts are tight. We all know how that scenario might unfold. Now for the interior. Ideally AGM batteries need to stay on charge to prevent damage. Other appliances such as your stove, hot water system, fridge and air conditioner should be checked monthly on all power sources, ensuring they are functioning at optimal capacity. Check that your air conditioner filters are clean and do not need replacing. Finally, as trivial as it seems, locate all your remotes and change the batteries. The Anode in the hot water system should be replaced and the tank cleaned of sediment build-up every six months. You can purchase a specialised Water Tank Rinser for around $20, or simply use a hose with a nozzle. When you do this, ensure the tank is not under pressure, as these beasts release with a filthy rush. Water tanks, including the toilet, should be emptied. Remove the toilet pump and give it a spray with WD40 to prevent it from ceasing. Finally, a smear of cooking oil around your toilet seals will stop them from becoming brittle. Hopefully these tips should save some headaches on the other side of our grounding. Remember to stay safe, stay connected and we can’t wait to see you on the road in the near future.

Here at MAKS it's business as usual. In response to COVID-19 we've added in a new service! We are offering free (contactless) pick up and drop off for all caravan repairs and servicing. Our team is mindful of observing social distancing but hey, who doesn't love a bit of extra space! 😉 As a small business, we care about our team and clients. We want to MAKe sure you have alternative ways to access our services. We want to help keep you and your family safe.

He’s scouted out the best coastal caravan parks worldwide and he reckons that some of the best are located right in our beautiful state! Here’s his top picks! DICKY BEACH FAMILY HOLIDAY PARK, SUNSHINE COAST This is one of Caloundra’s most-loved beachfront plots of land, the Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park is ideal for families traveling with teens. This Holiday Park has 11 caravan sites that have complete ocean views! You can watch your kids wander to and from the patrolled beach easily while you sit with your feet up sipping on hot chocolate… Wait we’re not in the North Pole anymore. Maybe a cold beverage of your choice! Kids these days love WiFi! The on-site recreation room including free internet, a TV and computers. And, no rec room isn’t complete without interactive gaming consoles and a pool table. Hot tip: Make sure your kids pack their skateboards they got from Santa because the Dicky Beach Skatepark is just a stone’s throw away from where you’ll be staying. CAIRNS COCONUT HOLIDAY RESORT, TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Haul the caravan up to Cairns to experience the amusement-filled Coconut Holiday Resort. On arrival, you can opt for a tour in their Nemo, Turtle or Frog buggy (Mrs. Claus thought this was very cute!) and be introduced to all the on-site facilities. Experience the…. SPLASH Waterpark. Complete with a tipping bucket, it’s the best way to beat the Tropical North Queensland heat and keep your little ones laughing and playing for hours. And, if that’s not enough for your kiddies, let them explore the adventure playground, experience the interactive play hub or bounce up a sweat on the biggest jumping pillow in the southern hemisphere!!  BARGARA BEACH CARAVAN PARK, BUNDABERG Experience a holiday that suits all age groups, that’s exactly what you can expect at Bargara Beach Caravan Park! While the oldies (Like Santa & Mrs.Claus) are off enjoying a round of golf, fishing off the beach or having a game of tennis, your kids can ride their bikes on the coastal cycleway, shoot hoops on the basketball court or show off their skills at the skating rink. The Bargara Beach Caravan Park is a short drive from the Mon Repos Conservation Centre. If you visit between January and March, you can treat yourself to an evening guided tour to watch baby turtles emerge from the sand and take their first dip in the ocean! It’s an unforgettable experience!