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Using Campervan Features

Using Campervan Features

During Your Trip

This guide provides useful tips on using the features and appliances in your campervan. Read more here Hire

How Do I Empty the Toilet?

Emptying the toilet cassette is very quick and easy to do. The toilet in your vehicle has a cartridge underneath that catches the waste. The cartridge requires a toilet chemical to break down the waste and keep it odour free. These toilet chemicals can usually be purchased from the pick-up branch or in caravan parks.

We recommend you empty the toilet cassette every 1 - 2 days (at an authorised dump point - find one at Dump Points) and place a new chemical inside, along with some water after emptying. The toilet cassette is located in a lockable compartment outside the vehicle, adjacent to the bathroom. Under the toilet cassette are wells that collect any overflow of waste.

These wells are dry and clean when you collect your vehicle from our branch. They need to also be returned this way.

If the wells under the toilet cassette are full, you will get overflow of waste coming into the bathroom floor area. This can be quite unpleasant for the hirer and our branch staff on return of the vehicle.

If you do not maintain the toilet during your hire and either the wells or cassette are returned full, you will be asked to clean/empty them or you will be charged a cleaning fee.

If you would prefer not to empty the cassette before you drop-off, please check at time of pick-up if this an option you can add.

How do I Use Fresh Water?

The freshwater tanks applied fresh water to sink & bathroom. If you want hot water, make sure to turn on the water heater on, it will take a few minutes to heat the water up.

We recommend filling the freshwater tank every 1-2 days with the hose provided with the vehicle. If the water pump is not working, check that the pump switch is on. Turn off the water pump if you are not using the water to prevent water built up. Make sure the sink plug is in while driving.

How do I Use the Awning?

The pole is in the vehicle. Loose up the wing nuts, unlock the awning and pull out the awning using the pole. Always pull out the awning fully and lock the awning. The awning should be use for shade only, do no use when it is high winds, rain and/or stormy conditions or out at night. The awning should securely back in place prior to driving.

Fridge

The Fridge works on the 12V battery, some vehicles have a 3-way fridge. Make sure you do not overfill the fridge and do not put heavy items in the fridge door. While driving or when plugged to 240V turn the fridge up to a higher setting. At night turn the fridge to a lower setting to minimize noise and have a good night sleep. All other time put the fridge to a medium setting.

TV/Screen

If your vehicle has a TV, it will not have television signal, it is a media player/screen. We recommend using this feature when plugged in to 240V power at a campsite to avoid draining the house battery. It will have an option for DVD and/or USB plug, so we suggest bringing a few DVDs or a hard drive.

Swivel Seats (Some Models Only)

Some motorhomes models have swivel seats. The front seats can swivel to the back with the swivel leaver. Return seat to front facing before driving off.

Gas bottle (LPG Bottle)

The gas bottle supplies the gas stove and the hot water (if a feature of the camper) in the vehicle. Gas bottle sizes and gas operated equipment differ with different campervans. Campervans with gas operated cooking, heating and water systems will use gas quicker than campervans with only gas cooking. If you run out of gas, you can swap/refill a bottle at many service stations, The Warehouse, Mitre 10 and other outlets. If you have “Pre-Purchased Gas Option“ then you don't need to return your campervan with a full gas bottle.

House Battery

To fully charge your campervan's auxiliary [house] battery you will need to plug the vehicle into 240V mains power regularly. We recommend you stay in holidays parks to charge the battery at a minimum every second night to maintain the lights, fridge and water pump. The more equipment you use the quicker you will use the available charge on your house battery.

Air-Conditioning

There is air-conditioning in the driver's cab of all campers. The larger campers with toilet and shower also include reverse cycle air-conditioning in the living area. This requires connection to 240V mains power at a campsite to operate.

What Works When Not Connected to a 240V Power Supply (Powered Campsite)?

When the 12V auxiliary (house) battery has a healthy charge [11-14V] the following equipment will operate:

fridge
house lights
water pump
house radio/stereo if fitted
toilet flush
rangehood
house USB ports
ignition for the water heater, diesel heater and electric hob for campers where fitted.

The following require a 240V power connection to operate:

electric jug
toaster
microwave
240V electric sockets
reverse cycle air conditioner (only motorhome with shower/toilet)

Expert Tip

Be sure not to leave devices charging when parked up or it will drain the engine battery.
Parking the vehicle in the shade can reduce power consumption.
Pack your belongings in soft bags as opposed to bulky suitcases – you’ll give yourself more room for other essential items.