Trev Sanders
Grey Nomad Correspondent
Based in On the road (last seen: Karumba, QLD)
Trev and his wife Denise have been doing laps of the country since he hung up the boots. He knows which pubs let you camp out the back, which servo has the good pies, and which showground is worth the donation. He writes the way he yarns — slowly, and with a tangent.
24 published articles · most recent September 30, 2026
Trev and his wife Denise have been doing laps of the country since he hung up the boots. He knows which pubs let you camp out the back, which servo has the good pies, and which showground is worth the donation. He writes the way he yarns — slowly, and with a tangent.
Articles by Trev Sanders
- Safety chains and breakaway cables: the bit everyone forgets to checkSafety chains and the breakaway cable are the last line of defence if your hitch fails. Here's how to rig them right, and why so many rigs get it wrong.
- Jumper leads, tow ropes and snatch straps: what's actually in date in your kitHalf the recovery gear in most tourers' tubs is either the wrong tool or past its use-by. Here's what Denise and I actually check before every lap.
- Reading a council noticeboard: the free camp rules hiding in plain sightMost rest area rules are pinned to a board most tourers walk straight past. Here's how to actually read one before you set up.
- Water crossings towing a van: when to have a crack and when to walk it firstWater crossings with a caravan on the back are a different game to a solo 4WD. Here's how Trev reads a crossing before committing the rig.
- Genset habits: running two fridges, a CPAP and the telly without going deaf or brokeHow to size and run a caravan generator sensibly for two fridges, a CPAP and the telly, and why most grey nomads carry a bigger genset than they need.
- The Mid North of South Australia: a lap most tourers skip on the way to somewhere elseMost rigs blow through the Mid North of SA on the way to the Flinders or Oodnadatta. Here's why Denise and I keep pulling over instead.
- Reading a dump point before you use it: the checks most tourers skipNot every dump point is built the same. Here's how Trev Sanders reads one before he commits his cassette, and the mistakes that get free camps closed.
- Grandkids on the video call: keeping family close on a long lapDenise and I have been away from the grandkids for years at a stretch. Here's what actually works for staying part of their lives from the road.
- Second-hand off-road van or ex-demo: where the real bargains (and traps) areEx-demo or genuinely used off-road van? Trev breaks down where the real savings sit, and where a "near-new" deal can bite you later.
- Low-range basics: when to actually use it and why your rig needs it workingLow-range gearing is the most misunderstood button in the cab. Here's what it actually does, when to use it, and how to tell if yours still works.
- Servicing intervals for a caravan on the road: what actually needs doing, and whenDenise reckons I service the van more than the car. Here's the actual schedule we run for bearings, brakes, tyres and the annual once-over.
- Running two fridges, a CPAP and the telly: sizing your genset habit downWhen solar and lithium fall short, a generator fills the gap. Trev on picking the right size, running it politely, and knowing when you actually need one.
- Showground camping: the overnight stops the grey nomad grapevine swears byShowground camping can save your Big Lap budget and your sanity. Here's how to find them, what they cost, and the etiquette that keeps them open to travellers.
- The Savannah Way in the shoulder season: our pick for the crossingWhen to actually do the Savannah Way from Cairns to the Kimberley — the shoulder season windows that beat both the crowds and the wet.
- Reversing a caravan without an audience: a method that actually worksA proper method for reversing a caravan solo, without needing Denise waving her arms about or a crowd at the boat ramp watching you jackknife.
- Independent suspension vs leaf springs: what actually matters on corrugationsIndependent suspension or leaf springs for your off-road van? Trev breaks down what actually holds up on corrugations, and what's just brochure talk.
- UHF radio channels explained: what to actually use them forA plain-English guide to UHF radio channels for caravanners, from the truckie channel to the convoy channel, and why channel 40 isn't a chat line.
- The Eyre Peninsula loop: a lap worth doing before Streaky Bay gets discoveredA practical Eyre Peninsula caravan loop from Port Augusta to Ceduna and back, with real distances, servo tips and the towns worth two nights, not one.
- Slow travel: why rushing the Big Lap is the biggest mistake you can makeSix years into the Big Lap, Trev Sanders reckons the best thing he did was stop counting kilometres. Here's how to actually slow down on the road.
- Hybrid caravan or full van: which setup actually suits a long trip?Torn between a hybrid camper and a full off-road van for your big trip? Trev breaks down what actually matters — weight, access, comfort and cost.
- What a Lap of Australia Actually CostsAn honest breakdown of big lap costs: fuel, caravan sites vs free camps, food, rego and insurance, and repairs, with real ranges to build your own budget.
- Keeping Warm in the Van: What Actually WorksDiesel heaters, condensation, thermals and ground insulation: what really keeps a caravan warm in cold-weather camping, from six winters on the road.
- Beach Fishing Spots You Can Camp Right BehindThe best beach fishing spots you can camp right behind, from K'gari's 75 Mile Beach to the Coorong, with permits, tides and tyre pressure tips.
- Our Favourite Fishing Spots to Base a Caravan Trip AroundThe best fishing spots to base a caravan trip around, from Streaky Bay whiting to Karumba barra, with tides, licences and croc-safe advice.
