My second home-on-wheels -- a Trailblazers slide-on campervan

Once I decided I needed a new van, and couldn't find a suitable second hand van, I decided to get a brand new slide-on campervan. There are a number of slide-on manufacturers in Australia and after significant investigations I decided that the best option for me was a Trailblazers slide-on. I preferred the layout of the Trailblazers and it was an advantage that they were located in Melbourne.

Details of my new van are as follows:

• Dimensions (all sizes in metres):
  • Length:
    • Base 2.85
    • Full length: 4.85
  • Width: 2.35
  • Height:
    • External: 2.1
    • Base to cab-over: 1.13
    • Internal (floor to ceiling): 1.98
  • Full dimensions with van on the truck:
    • Length: 6.5
    • Width (with mirrors): 2.4
    • Height: 3.3
• Construction and external items:
  • Hardwood frame.
  • Fibreglass exterior.
  • Foam insulation.
  • Vinyl floor covering.
  • Sliding windows with fly screens.
  • Venetian blinds.
  • Side entry with security door.
  • Folding scissor steps.
  • Omnisol awning 3.6m.
  • Happijac electric jacks.
  • External cupboards.
  • Lots of internal cupboards and drawers, including two wardrobes.
  • Queen size bed with foam mattress.
• Living:
  • Very comfortable recliner/rocker.
  • Cafe seating with storage underneath.
  • Adjustable table.
  • JVC AM/FM radio/CD/DVD/MP3 player with speakers and aerial.
  • Majestic 15", 12-volt, LCD TV.
  • Wind-up Winegard antenna.
  • Dometic reverse-cycle air conditioner.
  • Ceiling vent.
• Cooking:
  • Smev gas stove with 3 burners, griller, oven.
  • LG microwave oven.
  • Vitrifrigo 2-door, 2-way (12/240-volt), 150-litre refrigerator/freezer.
  • Pantry.
  • Jensen range hood with 12-volt light and fan.
  • Stainless steel sink.
• Water:
  • 110-litre water tank.
  • Town water connection.
  • Suburban 22.6-litre gas water heater.
  • 12-volt water pump.
  • Bathroom:
    • Shower.
    • Hand basin.
    • Vanity.
    • Thetford cassette-toilet.
    • Ceiling vent with 12-volt fan.
  • External shower.
• Safety:
  • Smoke detector.
  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Gas detector.
  • Escape hatch over bed.
• Power:
  • Two 9kg gas bottles.
  • Electrical system: 240-volt, 12-volt, solar.

As with anything new it needed a few adjustments:

• Wire pull-out shelves installed in the pantry.
• Shower door replaced.
• New cupboards built for my printer and scanner.
• A variety of power supply problems.
• I eventually replaced the foam mattress with an inner-spring one with a latex layer on top. This was a lot thicker, meaning the space between the bed and the roof is significantly smaller, making it difficult to get into and out of bed!

To carry the van I also needed a new truck.