KEA News AU

On with the shows!

Norman Roe — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:35:09 GMT

Autumn has arrived here in NSW, and the RV show season is now well and truly upon us. With the Newcastle and Adelaide shows already under my belt, the KEA team and I will head to Melbourne, Illawarra, Perth and the Gold Coast this month before popping into the CMCA rally in April (although I notice this coincides with the Tullamore Irish Festival, which I would dearly love to visit… decisions, decisions!).

As you can imagine, show season is a busy time for us at KEA, with lots of travel and logistical challenges involved in moving our staff and display vehicles around the country. It’s a time we really enjoy though – it’s so rewarding to get out and about and spend time with wandering folk. The RV community in Australia really is just that – the manufacturers all know each other, and I always enjoy catching up with industry colleagues. Most of us have been in the RV game for many years and it’s good to compare notes, and swap stories over the odd glass of wine or two in the evenings. And of course it’s so valuable to meet or re-connect with people who are actually on the road, living or holidaying in RVs. Many a vehicle design idea or improvement has resulted from a comment made by a member of the public at a show.

I’ve been doing the rounds of the rallies and shows for nearly 10 years now and have many stories to tell. One which some CMCA members may recall was at one of the first rallies I attended - Toowoomba in September 2004. I spent much of my time there proudly showing off the KEA motorhome in which I was staying. Needless to say, I was thrilled with all the attention until the following day, when the first knock on my door announcing a curious visitor occurred around 5.30am! The visitor was treated to the sight of me in my pajamas. And so my education into the lifestyle of the grey nomad began! I now share the ‘early to bed, early to rise’ philosophy of many RV’ers – but if you see me around the rallies or shows in your area, I hope you’ll give me time to get decent before showing up at my van for a cuppa!

One thing I really like about travelling around the shows is how different they all are. Sydney, for example, is a relatively formal show, where the exhibitors are dressed in business attire and on their best behaviour, and many of the visitors are pressed for time as there’s so much to see (and so much peak hour traffic to avoid). The further away you get from the main centres, the more relaxed the shows become. It’s a nice change. On a personal note, I am particularly fond of the Brisbane show which takes place in June. Not only are Queenslanders a friendly bunch, in addition to enjoying the show itself I have the opportunity to catch up with a bunch of very dear Queensland-based friends who share my passion for fine Irish music.

I’m always pleasantly surprised at how many people approach me at the shows and mention they’ve read my ramblings in this column. You are all very kind. Please keep your suggestions and feedback coming – my email address is normanroe@keacampers.com, or you can find me in person at the KEA stand at many of the shows or at our open days – check out the Events page of our website www.keasales.com.au for a list of these. You can also find a complete list of RV shows for 2012 at www.caravancampingsales.com.au on the News page.

I’ve visited RV shows around the world (though not as many as I would like) and it’s fascinating to see what’s happening in the industry overseas. I know many Wanderer readers take overseas holidays, so if you can, I strongly recommend you try and fit in a visit to an RV show on your next overseas jaunt. You can find a list of RV shows in the UK at www.campingandcaranningclub.co.uk, or in the USA at www.thecampingsource.com. New Zealand also has a number of RV shows – you can find a list of these on our NZ website, www.keasales.co.nz.

And just in case you’re not planning to attend the CMCA rally, no doubt you’ll be wanting to work on your Irish dancing at the aforementioned Irish Festival: you can find more information at www.tullamoreinc.com.au/irish_festival.

Safe travels,

Norman

Time Flies when you’re Having Fun!

Norman Roe — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:58:15 GMT

As I sat down to write this month’s column, it dawnedon me that it’s now been over three years since KEA Tracks first appeared inthe Wanderer. In that time, these columns have covered everything from earlyrisers, travelling with kids and campervan improvements to single ladies on theroad (I’m not sure that sounds quite right!), group RV travel and picnic food.

This milestone got me thinking about the past threeyears and what changes have taken place during that time. And although threeyears really isn’t long in the big scheme of things (I’m not far away frombeing a ‘Grey Normad’ myself), actually quite a lot has happened in the RVworld.

My industry colleagues and I have really noticed a bigshift in the mindset of people looking to buy an RV today. Going back a fewyears, people were content to just buy a van. Now most people seem to want moreaccessories and fittings rather than a basic model. Maybe this is because theindustry has evolved too; innovative new campervan and motorhome designs and accessoriesare appearing in all the time, as you’d notice if you’re a regular visitor toany of the caravan and camping shows around the country – they seem to becomebigger every year. Thanks to the Global Financial Crisis, the market is muchmore competitive these days – which is a good thing for the consumer.

My colleague Steve in New Zealand has really seen achange in the NZ market because of the influx of European RVs. These offer avastly different product to the traditional Kiwi motorhome – they’re all aboutthe bells and whistles, with less emphasis on reliability or quality. But somepeople are after the bells and whistles, and the imports have certainly causedNZ motorhome designers to lift their game and consider different designs andthe inclusion of more features.

Going back a few more years, I well remember the timeswhen motorhomes didn’t even really have TVs. They were seen as slow, cumbersomevehicles renowned for holding up traffic. Now, if it hasn’t got a TV there’ssomething wrong with it – and I hear many more stories about people gettingspeeding fines in their RV than I do about them causing traffic chaos!

At KEA we’ve also noticed a change in our customerbase. Their average age is creeping down, and we’re seeing a lot of interest inmotorhomes from young families looking for a cost-effective way for theirfamily to explore Australia. The traditional ‘go bush’ market for our 4WDConqueror is also changing, with a lot of interest in this vehicle from caravanners– take a 4WD pop-top camper, tow a caravan behind it, and you have the ultimatecombination for exploring the outback, and a bit of luxury when you need it –the best of both worlds.

As I’ve said in previous columns, these days we seelots more people trying before they buy. The modern RV buyer is savvy and manypeople want to test whether the lifestyle will work for them. And people reallydo their homework these days – the questions we’re hearing at the shows nowtend to be knowledgeable, technical and well thought out rather than some ofthe corkers we heard in the past (“How do you unhitch the cab?” being apersonal favourite).

I wonder where the next few years will take us. Theworld’s a small place these days – it’s relatively easy to transport vehiclesfrom one country to another (check out www.troopytracks.com for the latest onGraham Brooke and his trip around the world in a KEA Conqueror) and motorhomesseem to be getting lighter, faster and more innovative all the time. It’s anexciting industry to be a part of.

Thanks to everyone who comments on my column when theysee me at shows and events, your suggestions and kind words are greatlyappreciated. I hope to catch up with my many adoring fans during the year - youcan find information on all the shows and events KEA will be attending on theevents page of our website. Naturally I will be signing autographs and posingfor photographs.

On a serious note - a big Thank You to the CMCA andthe Wanderer staff for giving me the opportunity to share my monthly ponderingswith all of you. We have some exciting things in the pipeline for 2012 and Ilook forward to sharing these with you.

Safe travels and a Happy New Year,

Norman

Anger on the Road - It’s All The (Road) Rage

Norman Roe — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:34:29 GMT

A friend of mine had his campervan damaged in a road rage incidentlast week. He was stopped at a set of lights, and a guy on a motorbike pulledup between the traffic lanes next to him. The lights changed and the trafficstarted moving, and the motorcyclist started trying to merge in front of mymate in the camper. He got so close that my mate had to pull quite far tothe right to avoid him (yes, it is true he could have slowed down and let himin…!). A little later the motorcyclist came alongside the camper, shouting andgesturing rudely (I’m sure you can imagine). To which my mate, you'll be amazedto hear, responded in kind.

Then the motorcyclist leaned over and smashed the campervan’s wingmirror, and sped off! Pretty crazy behavior, a motorcyclist (withpassenger on the back) leaning across in the pouring rain. He could have goneunder the campervan’s wheel so easily.

According to my internet research, up to 90% of drivers report having been thevictim of an aggressive act by another driver, and over half admit to havingacted aggressively themselves. Certainly, everyone I’ve spoken to has a roadrage story. Just asking around the office, one of the guys told me about thetime he was driving in a car behind a van whose driver was obviously not payingattention – going ridiculously slowly and weaving all over the road. Mycolleague beeped to hurry him along, and before he knew it, the van driver hadstopped in the middle of the road, stormed towards the car and startedthreatening him and hitting his car. It could have turned very nasty if mycolleague hadn’t very wisely pulled a u-turn and driven away.

I’veexperienced road rage a number of times myself (and must confess to having,ahem, silently cursed other drivers on the odd occasion). The thing I findparticularly frustrating is that the people who get all aggressive are quiteoften the ones making the mistakes and driving badly! Idiotswho pull out in front, don’t obey the road rules, tailgate, talk on the phonewhile driving and a whole host of other thoughtless and dangerous things arebecoming so common these days as to be unavoidable on the road. They can turnan enjoyable trip into a stressful nightmare.

Here are Norman’s Tips for controlling your own roadrage and dealing with that of other drivers.

Avoid eye contact with angry drivers, and give them plenty of space. You’re better to let them get away from you rather than try to compete with them or make a point (as tempting as that can be!).
Don’t retaliate. The other driver is not having a go at you personally! Ask yourself – “Is getting back at that idiot worth my life?”
If you do make a mistake, acknowledge it.
Be polite, courteous and responsible, even if other drivers are not.
Remember that you can’t control other drivers, but you can control the way they affect you. Take some deep breaths, or pull over in a safe place and take some time to unwind if you’re feeling very angry. It’s amazing how a cuppa can defuse anger.
Always remember that safety is your number one priority.

If you’re still feeling outraged, head to www.roadrageaustralia.com, where youcan vent your anger online, rather than on the road – it’s longer-lasting,safer and much more gratifying!

You can find me this month at the South Coast Caravan,Camping & Holiday Expo in Batemans Bay from 4-6 November. Come and saygidday at the KEA stand if you’re in the neighbourhood.

Safe travels,

Norman

It may seem unbelievable that people would spend tens of thousands of dollars on something they haven’t even seen, but it’s becoming quite common. Research published by website getprice.com.au earlier this year found that more Australians are shopping online than ever before, and the RV industry appears to be following this trend. At KEA our reputation as a top supplier of new and used RVs has meant that we are selling more and more campervans and motorhomes to people who have not driven, or even seen, the vehicle. Many of these buyers are from overseas, or live in remote rural locations where they can’t easily pop in to the nearest sales centre and take one for a spin. The system works just fine for us and our customers – they put a deposit down “subject to inspection and road test”, and we (and our vehicles) have never failed to meet their expectations.

The wonders of technology certainly help. RV websites these days feature floorplans, internal photographs and even videos of the vehicles, as well as detailed information about vehicle specifications and inclusions. So you’re pretty well covered if you’re buying ‘sight unseen’ from a reputable dealer who’s been around for a while. But a word of warning – be careful! If you are considering buying this way, make sure the vendor is a licensed motor vehicle dealer. They should send you an invoice for your deposit and give you a receipt. Make sure the purchase is subject to you being satisfied with an inspection and test drive of the vehicle. And if you have any doubts – don’t do it!

Speaking of buying online - at the time of writing, we’re coming up to Christmas and a debate is raging in the office here about this very issue. Some of our ladies (who I will politely describe as ‘dedicated shoppers’) feel it’s just not in the Christmas spirit to order gifts on a computer. Apparently the parking issues, checkout queues and piped Christmas carols (why do retail managers not realize that Snoopy’s Christmas loses its cuteness after the 10th time you hear it?) is all part of the fun. Call me a Scrooge, but I’ll stick to my current plan of ordering online from the comfort of my lounge room.

Our Marketing Manager, Lynn Briggs, has taken online buying to a whole new level. She buys anything and everything she can online – including groceries, clothes and even (for a reason she has not yet explained to me) a very impressive-looking massage table. Lynn is leaving KEA this month, after almost 5 years with the company – she’s moving home to New Zealand to be closer to her family. It’s been a pleasure working with her over the years – she’s responsible for all the KEA advertising you see around the place – and I wish her all the best.

I’d be interested to hear your stories of anything unusual that you’ve bought ‘sight unseen’, or any unsavoury (or especially good) online RV purchase stories. Please send these to me at normanroe@keacampers.com – I’ll be sure to mention your stories in future issues of the Wanderer.

And in case you’re wondering - Roland and Regina’s motorhome (fondly named “Winnie”) is still going strong. Look out for them when you’re on the road – they’ve seen more parts of Australia than most locals I know!

Safe travels,

Norman

Would You Buy Sight Unseen?

Norman Roe — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:10:41 GMT

I recently received a letter from Roland and Regina Wagner. This adventurous pair were the very first people to buy a KEA from me. Based in Germany, they holidayed here in 1987 and became so hooked on Australia that they returned virtually every year during the 90’s (our economy could do with a few more tourists like that!). But that wasn’t enough for them - they contacted us in 2002 enquiring about long-term rentals. Well, to cut a long story short, they ended up buying a brand new KEA 4 berth motorhome – and they bought it via email!

It may seem unbelievable that people would spend tens of thousands of dollars on something they haven’t even seen, but it’s becoming quite common. Research published by website getprice.com.au earlier this year found that more Australians are shopping online than ever before, and the RV industry appears to be following this trend. At KEA our reputation as a top supplier of new and used RVs has meant that we are selling more and more campervans and motorhomes to people who have not driven, or even seen, the vehicle. Many of these buyers are from overseas, or live in remote rural locations where they can’t easily pop in to the nearest sales centre and take one for a spin. The system works just fine for us and our customers – they put a deposit down “subject to inspection and road test”, and we (and our vehicles) have never failed to meet their expectations.

Safe travels,

Norman

Safe travels,

Norman

Work Hard, Play Harder!

Norman Roe — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:51:28 GMT

I’ve attended quite a few camping shows over the past couple of months and I always enjoy chatting with motorhome aficionados and hearing about their adventures. One of the things that’s struck me recently is the amount of people who are taking to the road and earning money as they travel. There’s the usual seasonal work such as fruit picking, farm work and so on, and of course thanks to technology, a huge number of people now work from a ‘mobile office’ which can be literally anywhere which has internet access.

What really tickled me, however, were the people I came across who had what can only be described as unusual occupations – such as the golf course designer, the cat groomer, the nocturnal nature photographer, the professional kite surfer and the sports statistician. These make my own job, although immensely enjoyable and fulfilling, seem rather dull by comparison.

One of our staff spoke to a lovely guy at a show earlier in the year who had the unusual but necessary job of relocating the bodies of those who’ve passed on in another state and need to be returned to their families. He regaled us with (slightly morbid) tales of his interstate exploits and according to him “you have no idea how common it is” to be sitting next to a vehicle holding a corpse when you’re stopped at the lights. I’m not sure exactly whether he had work in mind when he was looking at our vehicles – I guess you could carry quite a few bodies in a 6 berth motorhome! The mind boggles.

A quick search under ‘unusual jobs’ on Google found a whole range of weird and wonderful employment opportunities. You can work as a secret shopper, sewer inspector, snake handler, roo poo picker-upper and – my favourite – crime scene cleaner (a prerequisite for this is having “no qualms with gory scenes”!).

I have held my own share of unusual roles, the most notable of which was when I was 13 working on the daily bread run in my home town of Dublin. I recall travelling along Dublin’s notorious Sheriff St on the back of the bread truck – Mr Murray, my boss, was up the front driving, and my job was to stand on the back of the truck and swing a big pole to keep the Sheriff St kids from jumping up on to the back and getting their hands on the bread! I can’t recall my actual title but it should have been something like Bread Bouncer, Dough Basher or perhaps Bread-stick Wielder.

A quick poll around the office shows I’m not alone in having done unusual work. Our marketing manager, a New Zealander (but we don’t hold that against her – much!) once had a job at Auckland’s Eden Park where she was paid to sit next to the NZ cricket team during test matches and keep the fans away. Being paid to watch cricket – it sounds almost too good to be true! We also have a staff member who travels around the country in her motorhome working out of our various different depots as needed. And we’re currently looking for a part-time motorhome mechanic to work out of our Cairns depot at certain times of the year. It’s the perfect job for a grey nomad (check out the Careers with KEA page on www.keacampers.com.au to find out more about this role).

How does all this relate to campervans and motorhomes? Well, it’s clear – there are loads of opportunities out there to combine being a nomad with earning a crust. Just another reason to give up that day job and start living the dream!

If you’re keen to get out on the road and earn as you go, here are some websites that may be of interest:
National Harvest Labour Information Service: jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
Workabout Australia: www.workaboutaustralia.com.au
Jobaroo: www.jobaroo.com
Grey Nomads Employment: www.greynomadsemployment.com

If you have done an unusual job from your campervan or motorhome, I’d love to hear about it. Email the details to me at goodlife@keacampers.com and I’ll share them with all our readers in my next column. The people judged by my team to have done the most unusual jobs will win a KEA cap.

You can find me this month at the South Coast Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo in Batemans Bay from 4-6 November. Come and say gidday at the KEA stand if you’re in the neighbourhood.

Safe travels,

Norman

Dream Maker

Caravan & Motorhome magazine — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:17:30 GMT

Sleep easy with KEA Dreamtime's quality fit-out and modern comforts.

Read the full 4-page review from Caravan & Motorhome magazine here.

Free Camping = Responsible Camping

Lynn Briggs — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:35:00 GMT

Who is a free-camper? ......... I would bet that nearly everyone reading this will have free-camped in Australia at some time and I would also wager that all of you would consider yourselves responsible campers. It’s someone else who is the rat bag and you’re probably right in thinking he’s not from around here.

There is a breed of RV traveller who isn’t so nice - the budget traveller who puts a mattress in the back of a cheap van and heads off to tour our beautiful country with little or no regard for the environment or people in the district he intends to visit and stay in. And he’s giving everyone in a campervan or motorhome a bad name, be it a rental or a privately owned RV. Many of the general public who are not motorhomers seem to view all RV travellers as somehow a danger and a menace to the environment. They don’t realise how much CMCA members in motorhomes both care about and contribute to local economies when they travel around Australia - but that’s a topic for another time.

The plague of irresponsible campervanners has been of particular concern to my colleagues over in New Zealand, and KEA has been an active member of the New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum (now renamed Responsible Camping Forum) since its inception several years ago. The Forum has done a great job in getting people from national and local government, environmental groups and RV rental and sales companies together to discuss the issues and agree on a common strategy. I take my hat off to the CMCA on following suit and championing the establishment of the Australian RV Camping Forum here in Australia, and it’s encouraging to see that a range of RV companies have jumped on board.

I believe the issue of free-camping is actually pretty simple. It’s about everyone being responsible, whether you’re in a tent or a campervan. And it’s about understanding the bigger picture and asking the question “What is free-camping?” This in itself means different things to different people, but to me it’s all about the right of Australians to camp responsibly pretty much where we like in a public place as long as we don’t impact on the environment or offend the locals.

As you may know, the objective of the Forum is to develop a “responsible free-camping code” setting out education and advice for visitors on respecting the environment and camping responsibly, including information on acceptable disposal of toilet waste and rubbish and links to information about where free-camping is allowed. The CMCA has been encouraging members to follow such a code for years, and really is one of the driving forces in promoting self containment and responsible free-camping in Australia. At KEA we have supported these same ideals for many years but I believe it is now time to do more and have a national standard for all campers, both rental and privately owned, to be self contained so we can all enjoy the best that Australia can give back to us for years to come.

I reckon one of the best ways to see this amazing country is in a motorhome or campervan, cruising at your own pace doing it your way. Driving down to that little beach, stopping to admire the view and just deciding to stay the night right there and then is something so special, it should be preserved for generations to come. So for anyone out there who isn’t self contained - make the effort and get your van or motorhome certified. You can contact the CMCA to find out more.

If you’ve got a funny or memorable free-camping experience you’d like to share, email me at normanroe@keacampers.com and I’ll send the writers of the best three stories one of our new Eco Caps.

Safe travels

Norman Roe

Campervans - and So Much More!

Lynn Briggs — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:33:00 GMT

I recently sold a KEA Conqueror 4WD campervan to a lovely chap called Kim. Kim is planning to use his camper to ‘go bush’ and then some. He’s going to tow a caravan behind it, effectively having the best of both worlds – the versatility and durability of a 4WD camper for when he feels adventurous, with the bonus of the caravan’s full kitchen, bathroom facilities and lots of living space when he returns from the wilderness.

Kim has only recently purchased his camper and I’ve asked him to send me some stories of his adventures – I’ll be sure to include these in my future columns. He is just one of a growing number of RV enthusiasts I speak to who see their vehicle as much more than just a campervan. The good thing about campervans and motorhomes is that having the versatility of a cab and living arrangements in the same space offers a huge amount of flexibility. Over the years I’ve come across many novel uses for a campervan or motorhome. Here are some of my favourites.

The family car – I can’t think of a better combination than a vehicle that doubles as a family wagon during the day, and on weekends morphs into a getaway vehicle. The iconic VW Combi was a good example of this, and KEA now sells an offshoot of it – the KEA Traveller. This VW automatic van with 4 seatbelts is perfect for the school run or grocery shopping during the day, and has a large bed down below and another bed in the flip-top that’s ideal for kids. One of the founders of KEA owned one of these vans, and I’ve never seen a vehicle put to so many different uses – it masqueraded as his company car, campervan for family holidays, school bus for the kids and it even made a very serviceable utility vehicle, with the space to carry a huge amount of materials and hardware during his DIY episodes.

The second home - In previous columns I’ve mentioned my friends (and proud owners of a KEA Endeavour) Ian and Cheryl. They’re using their 6 berth motorhome not just as a holiday campervan, but as a second home while they build their new house. With all the mod cons they need, as well as the flexibility to visit the building site when they need to, their motorhome gives them the best of both worlds. They have the advantage of having a different view every day, and there’s no need to pay rent on another house while waiting for their dream home to be built.

The mobile office - Several of our customers have purchased a motorhome to use as mobile business premises. Motorhomes are a great option if you’re on the road a lot for work. You can save on motel costs and living expenses by sleeping and having your meals in the vehicle. Motorhomes have plenty of space for storing samples and brochures, as well as hanging space for keeping your work clothes nice and although I have yet to hear of anyone who travels with an ironing board in their motorhome, I’m sure it can be done! A motorhome is perfect as a mobile meeting room. My rentals colleagues often treat their travel agent clients by taking them out of the office for a lovely morning tea by the sea. And I can tell you without a doubt that a motorhome’s exterior is fantastic as a mobile billboard for advertising your business.

The home extension - I often laugh at how many of my customers get the best use of their motorhome when it’s actually parked at home! One gentleman I know (who shall remain nameless) has nicknamed his motorhome ‘the Doghouse’ – it’s where he gets sent when his wife’s had enough of him! I know a family who use their motorhome for their kids’ birthday parties – they park it safely in their yard, pile a bunch of pre-teenagers, many sugary snacks and a bunch of DVDs inside, and the kids have a ball (and the parents keep their sanity inside the house).

The dressing room – We all know movie stars love their ‘trailers’ and here at KEA we often field requests from film companies and TV stations wanting to rent or buy a motorhome to use as a ‘dressing room’ for their presenters. Speaking of famous RV’ers – did you know that Jamie Oliver, Dolly Parton and actors Martin Clunes, Matthew McConaughey, Jeff Daniels and Robert DeNiro are just some of the many celebrities who own an RV?

Our KEA Club is now up and running and if you’re lucky enough to be a KEA owner, you should by now have received your membership card entitling you to some great benefits and special deals from the KEA Group and our suppliers. We’re planning some special events for KEA Club members for early next year, and look forward to seeing many familiar faces and to encouraging our KEA owners to get to know each other.

The team and I will be at the Penrith Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo from 9-11 September and the Melbourne Leisurefest from 6-9 October. If you’re in either neighbourhood, drop in to the KEA stand and say gidday.

Safe travels,

Norman

The Proof - Campers Really Are Happy!

Lynn Briggs — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:27:26 GMT

This month I’d like to acknowledge the Camping and Caravanning Club of the UK for providing the inspiration for this column. The May 2011 issue of their Camping & Caravanning magazine contains a fascinating article following research the Club commissioned into whether campers really are happier than non-campers. The results reveal that “campers are fundamentally happier, more satisfied, less lonely and less stressed” than non-campers. But those of you reading this column, as members of the CMCA, no doubt already knew that!

I encourage you to go to www.realrichness.co.uk and read the article for yourselves – but to highlight some of the statistics I found most interesting:

67% of campers say they are happy and 76% of campers say they’re satisfied, compared to 58 and 59% of non-campers respectively;

Only 6% of campers say they’re lonely (compared to 20% of non-campers) and 21% say they’re stressed (compared to 33% of non-campers);

Well over 80% of campers think camping can make you healthier, relieve stress, bring you closer together as a family and expand your horizons.

Speaking of happy campers, I heard recently that friend of KEA and long-time RV aficionado Malcolm Gray passed away. I have fond memories of Malcolm at the Horsham rally, where he stood in for me at one of my seminars as I was on my own there. He was very involved in the RV industry and wrote a regular column ‘Travels with the Beast’ and articles for a number of RV magazines. He and his wife Jill purchased their KEA Ford Transit motorhome from me in July 2004. Jill told me “Malcolm was passionate about his precious motorhome and the lifestyle it allowed us to lead. Unfortunately we didn't quite make it to the planned big trip around Australia. But we did have many years of huge enjoyment together in our lovely motorhome. I promised him I would keep it and use it for as long as I could. And I am doing that!” I’d like to thank Malcolm for his contribution to the industry, acknowledge him for being a great guy, and wish Jill all the best in her RV travels around Australia.

Now, one more statistic for you - 87% of kids who camp (out of the 1000 kids surveyed, half of whom are campers) say being in the countryside with their parents makes them happy. With that in mind, I’ve been spending some quality with my daughter in the great outdoors over the past few weeks. It’s reassuring to know that in this age of technology, when teenagers always seem to be plugged into some gadget or other, they can still enjoy the simple things in life. Nothing says ‘quality family time’ like a few days spent together travelling around the country, just enjoying the view, appreciating the company and slowing down a little. After all, that’s what camping’s all about.

I’d love to hear your feedback about this column, or your own ‘happy camping’ stories – you can email me at normanroe@keacampers.com.

And if you’re thinking about travelling to the UK to expand your RV horizons, make sure you join the Camping and Caravanning Club. You can find out all about them, including their contact details, by visiting their website: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.

Safe travels,

Norman

Buying an RV - Where do you Start?!

Lynn Briggs — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:33:16 GMT

My travels around the country have continued over the past month, as I’ve escaped the Sydney winter to head north to the Brisbane and Cairns RV shows. I always enjoy catching up with those remarkably resilient and enterprising Queenslanders, and was dumbstruck by some of the stories I heard about the natural disasters that have befallen the state in the early parts of this year.

I find that at the shows, around half the people I talk to are existing RV’ers, and the other half are there to research before they make a decision about buying their first motorhome. Our customer survey results show that over 60% of our customers are first motorhome-buyers – and as I mentioned last month, they take between 1 and 6 months to make a decision to purchase. Understandably, a huge amount of research takes place before people actually decide to buy – the purchase of an RV is, after all, a big investment and you want to be sure you’ve made the right choice. I’d encourage anyone in the market for a new campervan or motorhome (or caravan, if you’re that way inclined) to do your homework and check out all the options. Here are a few tips on how to go about it.

Word of mouth is the most important research tool of all when buying an RV. Talk to other campervan and motorhome owners and you’ll soon learn which brands of motorhome have a good reputation, and which to steer clear of. Try virtually any camping ground in Australia and you’ll find an array of friendly, helpful RV’ers more than happy to offer their opinions on the various options available.

Caravan and camping shows are another great option – it’s not all about hard selling, they’re a great place to start to get an idea of what’s around, and have an informal chat to people who know the industry and are only too happy to share stories and advice.

RV magazines - The Wanderer and other RV magazines are a must for any serious RV researcher. Many of these publications offer a mixture of vehicle reviews, general motorhoming articles and industry news, and some also offer a classified sales section where you can get an idea not only of price ranges for various models, but also resale values - you’ll be surprised how these vary between brands.

The internet – If you have an internet connection (and our wonderful surveys show us that these days most people do), a wealth of information is available online to assist you in deciding which RV is right for you. Google ‘RV forum Australia’ for a list of online forums and discussion groups relating to motorhoming. You can also find a variety of camping and caravanning enthusiasts’ groups on Facebook (KEA even has our own page – if you’re on Facebook, just search for KEA Campers and be sure to ‘like’ us!).

Dealer visits – once you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, visit the sales yard/dealers. Not only will this give you the chance to have a good look around their range of vehicles for sale, the presentation of the vehicles will give you an idea of the credibility of the company you’re buying from, and an opportunity to observe the staff and the level of service they offer.

Try before you buy – it’s a great idea to take a motorhome away for not just a test drive, but a test trip. After all, motorhoming is just as much (if not more) a living experience as it is a driving experience. KEA offers a ‘try before you buy’ service – where you can take a motorhome (or several, if you’re trying to decide between models) for a rental, and if you purchase within 3 months, we’ll refund up to 50% of the rental cost. Further information is available on www.keasales.com.au.

My travels will take me to the Sydney Retirement Expo from 22 – 24 July – hope to see you there. Your feedback on this column is always welcome – drop me an email at normanroe@keacampers.com.

Safe travels,

Norman

Around the World in a KEA Conqueror!

Graham Brooke — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:00:09 GMT

Graham and Marjool Brooke are travelling around the world in their KEA Conqueror 4WD camper and they're writing a blog about their adventures. Check out their blog here.

The best of both worlds

NZMCA — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:55:05 GMT

Graham Bastow has the best of both worlds. His KEA motorhome is a familly favourite for holidays but also doubles as Graham's pits and accommodation when he's at the track for his motorbike racing adrenaline rush.

Read the full article, from the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association's Motor Caravanner magazine, here. (Thanks to the NZMCA for allowing us to share this article).

End of Financial Year Dreamtime Special

Lynn Briggs — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

KEA offers free 3 year mechanical warranty for Dreamtime motorhomes purchased before 30 June

JUNE 2011: KEA Campers is offering purchasers a free 3 year mechanical warranty with every KEA Dreamtime motorhome purchased before 30 June 2011.

The KEA Care mechanical warranty includes comprehensive coverage on parts and labour, unlimited kilometres, no limit on the number of claims and easy phone claims. The free 3 year warranty will be included with the purchase of any Dreamtime motorhome bought directly from KEA or from any of the range of KEA dealers across Australia, and is valid from the moment purchasers collect their motorhome from KEA.

“The 4-5 berth Dreamtime motorhome is KEA’s flagship vehicle”, said Norman Roe, National Vehicle Sales Manager for KEA. “With a massive living/entertaining area, flexible bedding arrangements, shower and toilet, full kitchen and rear panoramic windows to enjoy the view, this motorhome is perfect for couples wanting a little extra space and luxury. To mark the end of the financial year and to make way for new stock, we’re extending that luxury to include the 3 year KEA Care warranty.”

In addition to the 3 year mechanical warranty, purchasers receive an unconditional 3 month unlimited kilometer warranty on the motorhome construction. A 3 year warranty is also available for other KEA campervan and motorhome models, for an extra cost. Visit our warranty page for more information.

Designed specifically for Australian conditions and manufactured in KEA’s own facilities in Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand, KEA’s range of recreational vehicles are among the most robust, reliable, comfortable and environmentally-conscious on the market. All drivable under a C-Class license, the range includes several campervans – including the pioneering V8 turbo-charged Conqueror 4WD camper – and four- and six-berth motorhomes.

KEA is available in Sydney, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Tasmania to offer servicing, parts, support and friendly advice to all KEA campervan and motorhome owners.

New Dreamtime from KEA

Lynn Briggs — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:36:58 GMT

The KEA Dreamtime motorhome receives an upgrade

MAY 2011: KEA has updated the design of its flagship KEA Dreamtime motorhome, adding a number of extra features and design enhancements based on market feedback.

The 4-5 berth Dreamtime now features an L-shaped lounge, a huge extra storage bin underneath the vehicle, diesel air heater, integrated reversing camera and GPS, a range of fabric options for cushions and curtains, sturdy stair-ladder and a rear bed which takes just seconds to convert.

“At KEA we are always looking for new ways to improve our vehicle design”, said KEA’s National Vehicle Sales Manager, Norman Roe. “The changes we’ve introduced are based on suggestions from the market. Having our own state-of-the-art manufacturing plant gives us the ability to introduce changes such as these quickly and easily.

“The new lounge design offers even more comfort to the spacious rear living area, providing the perfect retreat to relax and enjoy the view from the KEA signature panoramic windows. By adding the ability to choose from a range of fabric options for soft furnishings, you can truly make this your home away from home.”

The addition of a mechanism which quickly converts the lounge into a rear bed adds to the versatility of the motorhome (which also features a large double bed in the luton), while the integrated reversing camera and GPS and the KEA-designed stair-ladder improve user safety and add value.

The new features are now available on all brand new KEA Dreamtime motorhomes. Ex-rental KEA Dreamtime motorhomes are also available to purchase. For information on the KEA Dreamtime and other KEA campervans and motorhomes for sale, visit the KEA website: www.keasales.com.au.

Why Campervans are Better!

Lynn Briggs — Sun, 01 May 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Over the past month I’ve been busy with the Sydney and Hunter Valley Caravan and Camping shows. In my travels to various RV shows around the country, I am constantly amazed by the huge variety of camping and recreational vehicles of every description on display. How does someone new to RVs ever make a decision about what to buy?

Our customer surveys show that it takes the majority of KEA buyers between 1 and 6 months from when they first start thinking about buying a campervan or motorhome until the day they purchase. I find this remarkable given the array of products on offer. Not only are there a whole range of campervans and motorhomes available, there is a daunting range of camping trailers and caravans (among other things) on the market.

I caught up with a couple of KEA owners down in Coledale recently, where we enjoyed a very pleasant cuppa in their motorhome (I must digress for a moment to extol the virtues of the Coledale Camping Reserve – located right on the beach, it’s a gorgeous coastal location, only an hour or so south of Sydney – visit www.coledalebeach.com.au for more information). Within two minutes of arriving at the campsite, they had the kettle on and had switched into Holiday Mode. It got me thinking – motorhoming really is the good life. One of the main benefits of a motorhome is being able to arrive at a destination, set up and start enjoying yourself in a matter of seconds. I said as much to my companions, who replied (gleefully) that they were off that evening on an adventure with friends who owned a camping trailer. One of the things they were looking forward to the most was pulling up, uncorking the wine and spending the next hour watching ‘the show’ of their friends setting up all their gear!

Upon my return to my (slightly less scenic) office, I googled ‘caravan versus campervan’ to see what I could find on the subject of which is better. There really wasn’t much information available. So, I thought I’d put together some of my own thoughts, to help anyone out there who may be considering buying one or the other. I’d love to hear your comments about anything I’ve missed:

Why Campervans are better than Caravans

You don’t have to get out of the vehicle to set up – an advantage particularly if you arrive at your campsite in the dark or in bad weather.
Manoeuvring around the campsite and finding the perfect spot is so much easier.
Quick stops are a breeze – simply pull up, and put the kettle on!
Getting away quickly is not a problem.
Insulation and off-the-ground living means no nasty damp or creepy-crawlies.
If you like your toys, it’s easy to carry or tow a boat or bike on or behind a motorhome.
Campervans take up less space on the road and when turning corners, and are generally held in higher regard by fellow road users than caravans.
Motor homing is more economical on fuel, averaging 10-12L per 100 km compared to towing which uses anywhere between 15-20L per 100 km.
Being fully self contained, motorhomes are more suitable for free camping than many camping trailers and caravans.

If you’re heading to an RV show to check out all the options for yourself, you’ll find KEA at the Cairns Home Show & Caravan, Camping & Boating Expo from 3-5 June, or the Brisbane Caravan & Camping Show from 8-14 June. Our Cairns and Brisbane depots also have Open Days in June – see our website for details. I’d love to receive your feedback or suggestions about this column, or about the shows – you can email me at normanroe@keacampers.com.

Safe travels,

Norman