Barry and Gay continue to perfect their nearly perfect rig
The grey nomad world is full of travellers who say their biggest regret is that they didn’t hit the road years earlier …. and Barry and Gay Eaton were determined not to make the same mistake.
It’s why three years ago, when they were both in their mid 50s, they made the decision to resign from their jobs in the hospital system and swap the rat race for the Big Lap. “We wanted to ‘retire’ while we were in good health,” said Gay. “We had rented for the past 15 years and, once our renewal was coming around, we just did it!”
However, the couple actually wanted to do a lot more than just do it … they wanted to do it their way. And that meant setting themselves up for serious free camping where they could get totally off grid.
Barry, who is a clinical Registered Nurse and Gay, who is a medical secretary, had plenty of camping experience but knew an endless journey would require a very special set-up. The Pajero 4WD and camper trailer they had taken on previous trips were quickly sold and their dream rig soon emerged. The tug is now a single-cabin Suzuki automatic truck (NP 45/155 diesel).
The couple added a second canopy to the vehicle. Barry also went to work on the battery and wiring set up, and the couple already had two 130amp deep cycle batteries and 720amp of solar panels.
“We also ordered a 300-litre diesel pump through eBay for $1500,” said Gay. “The truck has a 100-litre bowser, and we did not want to worry about Jerry cans.”
The new camper trailer is a six-berth Lincoln LX, Eze Trailer with slide-out sink and stove. Barry also bought a Webasto diesel heater and mounted a 20-litre diesel container on the front. He also added some extras to the inside scuff boards, 12volt/USB hubs and a power board.
As Gay was wanted to carry on doing private medical typing on the road, they also bought a satellite dish, giving them TV and internet access in the bush, and a satellite phone. Their ‘perfect rig’ has enabled the couple to do exactly what they planned to … get off – and stay off – the beaten track.
They’ve already been everywhere from Cunnamulla to Cameron Corner and from Lake Benanee to Broken Hill, and the north of Western Australia now beckons. And, as for that ‘perfect rig’, it turns out it wasn’t quite perfect, after all. After camping in 48 degree temperatures, the couple recently bought an airconditioner from eBay, and they then snapped up a 3.5 KW generator to make sure they could run it.
Yet more ‘improvements’ are no doubt imminent. The best part of the whole adventure, of course, is that having started travelling so early, Barry and Gay have all the time in the world to learn, to refine … and to enjoy.
But they probably still wish they’d started years earlier!
Good on you two for doing it i wish i could convince my husband ti do the same as we now have our old motor home nearly ready to di the same.Hooe to see you on the road before it is too late!!
Just do it. No regrets!!
This sounds like my husband and I but 1 year to wait to be able to hit the road and I’m 42 years old and hoping to work my husband’s is in his 50s and really just wont to keep going. We also have set ourselves up to live off the grid with our caravan and 4×4. Our biggest part of our planning is reading other peoples issues and learning from them before we go and taking our caravan out on little test runs.
There are many opportunities to work around Australia. Caretakers for caravan parks, maintenance work etcetera.
Battery, solar and wind generator. We do not caravan park it. We are fully self reliant. The reason even now is police are now blitzing 4×4 and caravans as many ate overweight. For us the truck was something we did not know could be driven with a car licence up to a specific ton. We have a 300 litre diesel Houser on board. Canopies in the front have deep drawers for storage and the list goes on. Yes plenty of planning is to be had. We talked about tbis for a couple of years and on holidays nothing seemed to be different for us.
Sorry to prick your bubble but the truth is you will get old and then where will you go? My wife and myself have seen this outcome too many time in our extensive caravanning travels, people stuck in caravan parks for years because one or both have got ill and requires continuing medical treatment. Sure sell the big house but buy something smaller as a back stop. Unless you want to be wandering off to the public toilet at 80.
Good point totally agree always have a back up investment and/ or home base to return to.
My husband and I are saving money but not selling our 2 property’s we have long year tenants and have our place rented with inturn is a income for the road. If anyone becomes unwell you go home again.
The article said they were renting, so they can’t sell or downsize. All they can do is find somewhere cheap to rent if they can’t travel any more.
Who wants meals on wheels at home when you get old and lonely “hay Graham ,sorry but I’m for being out their living the nomad life any day without all the exspences of interest to the bank manager and associated bills that come with it …
I agree whole with your comments Michael
We had our van built 4 years ago. Everythig to make it comfortable. We love it but so far we have had one 6 night trip away because we cannot sell our business. We are 72 and 77 and just want to get on the road. Good luck to all those travelling.
We have been on the road a week and Love it!! 52 and 48, you do have to do it while you can.. who knows what’s around the corner..
I drive from sydney to melbourne often i just wish the GN would pull over and let cars pass.I was on the Black Spur in feb this year and folliwed a caravan doing 40ks.he would not pull over even tho signs and areas available.I dont like them and find them really rude to us cars.I am by the way 72.
I pull over regularly but there are circumstances that you cannot do so with a large rig.
Please everyone, be understanding of other road users and do what you can to make everyones journey pleasant.
What strikes me is the amount of ‘necessary’ tethering we do regardless of how far and wide we seek to roam. We tether to banks, investments and family and possibly health facilities.
In our case it’s hitting the road, but staying on-grid in order to find the ideal place to settle post-retirement. We are sick to death of endless traffic and traffic noise.
It may take a while, but we think we’ll know it when we see it.
Exactly Ray. Working in the hospital systems we see it all the time. When I retire I will do this and that. Yes sickness can struck at any time. How long is a piece of string?? Even colleagues who are in their 70s can not reduce their living means and lifestyle and have gone back to work! You simply can not do this lifestyle with a house in suburbia. We are totally off grid. No rates, no electricity bills, no traffic, no alarm clock. Just peace and tranquility!!