A Relief from Quarantine, Our First Caravan Inspection, and the SwitchBot Smart Home Experiment
On our sixth morning in Australia, we allowed ourselves another slightly late start. We had originally scheduled our very first caravan inspection for 11:00 AM, but the owner messaged us asking to push it back to 1:00 PM instead. Since we had no other specific plans for the morning, we were completely fine with the change.
But the real highlight of our morning arrived before we even left our accommodation. We received an update from the Government Animal Quarantine Facility about our beloved cat, BELL.
The staff informed us that she had finally eaten some wet food!
It was most likely the Churu treats we had rushed to deliver the day before. Knowing that she was finally getting some food into her system brought a massive wave of relief that washed right through me. On top of that, the staff left a heart-melting comment saying,
“She is very friendly and looks so happy when we pet her.”
Hearing that everyone there was already loving her because she is such a sweet, good girl made us incredibly happy. While we are still naturally worried, being able to breathe a sigh of relief for the first time was everything.(Note: When I looked it up and consulted AI tools about it, they mentioned that weight loss is actually a very common reaction for cats going through this process, which made me think, “Ah, so it really is a frequent thing…”)
- Our Very First Caravan Inspection: Impressions of a Used Pop-Top
At 1:00 PM, we headed out for the caravan trailer inspection. Up until today, we had only looked at brand-new models at commercial dealerships, making this our very first time seeing a used pop-top caravan in person.
My initial impression was that it didn’t feel overwhelmingly massive. Seeing it hooked up, I confidently thought, “With this size, I could definitely tow it with our Pajero.”
However, looking at it closely, it was clear that the vehicle hadn’t been meticulously maintained. There were cobwebs scattered around, a thick layer of dust coating the surfaces, and out of the four stabilizing legs, one was missing the dangling plastic pad at the foot. Still, considering how caravan prices have skyrocketed recently, it was listed at a quite affordable price—around $15,000 AUD—so I wondered if this level of wear and tear was just the standard for the used market. Since it was our very first time evaluating a used one, it was hard to judge.
Unlike our split-second decision with the Pajero, we couldn’t bring ourselves to buy it on the spot.
- Turning Sci-Fi into Reality: Testing the SwitchBot Remote AC Setup
Even though the appearance was a bit rough, we had one crucial mission to execute during this inspection. I asked the owner if we could test out a gadget we had brought all the way from Japan: the SwitchBot Hub 2.
For us, an infrared remote-controlled air conditioner
was an absolute dealbreaker for the caravan. It wasn’t just a luxury for us; it was a life-saving necessity for traveling with our beloved cat. The SwitchBot Hub 2 is an incredible device that allows you to monitor conditions and completely control the air conditioner remotely via a smartphone app while you are out. Even better, it features an automated climate control system that can automatically turn the AC on to warm the cabin if it gets too cold, or cool it down if it gets too hot.
Our plan was to utilize this technology to ensure BELL would always stay at the absolute perfect, optimal temperature inside the caravan, no matter where we were parked.
We set it up and ran the test. To my absolute amazement, the command went through effortlessly via the app, and the AC responded perfectly!
Seeing our desktop theory transform into flawless, real-world reality filled us with immense confidence. It proved that we could truly create a safe, automated sanctuary to welcome BELL into.
Ultimately, though, we still held back from making a snap decision on this specific caravan. On paper, the specs were phenomenal—it came with a full storage cover, a massive television antenna, and a robust off-grid solar power setup. Yet, the slight grime on the exterior combined with the fact that it was about $3,000 AUD over our initial target budget made us pause.
We politely informed the owner that we wanted to explore a few more options before making a final decision, and we headed back.
- Filling Up the Calendar and a Job Lead We Must Approach Wisely
Our experience today made us realize we needed a baseline to judge used caravans properly. To determine just how rare or valuable today’s caravan actually was, we decided that tomorrow we would visit a commercial used caravan specialist: ECW Caravan dealership. If we happen to find the perfect match there, we are fully prepared to buy it on the spot.
Furthermore, for the day after tomorrow, we managed to find two promising caravans on Facebook Marketplace that fit perfectly within our budget and come equipped with infrared air conditioning. Incredibly, we were able to schedule inspections for both of them on the exact same day at different times!
These two listings are located in Dandenong, which is quite far from Deer Park where we are currently staying, as it sits on the opposite side of Melbourne’s CBD. However, we turned this long drive into a strategic opportunity. The mechanic workshop where the previous owner of our Pajero had all the major servicing done happens to be located over in that same general direction.
To be honest, the seller of the Pajero had promised multiple times to email us the digital service and repair history records, but despite our constant reminders, they still haven’t sent them. Having given up on the seller, we decided we would walk straight into the workshop ourselves during our trip out that way to confirm the vehicle’s maintenance history verbally.
Just like that, our schedule for tomorrow and the day after completely filled up with caravan hunting and logistics.
To add to the day’s developments, we received a message this evening from a farm work contractor simply asking, “Are you still looking for a job?” While it’s not a concrete job offer yet, it definitely feels like a step forward. However, knowing the risks of sketchy contractors in the agricultural sector, we need to be extremely cautious. I immediately sent a reply to check their specific terms, conditions, and locations, making sure to vet them thoroughly before taking things further.
With things moving forward, I also dove into resolving a technical issue I had been putting off: the installation of an Electric Brake Controller for towing. I had been heavily debating whether to install a trailer-mounted unit (which goes on the caravan side) or a vehicle-mounted unit (which goes inside the car).
- Caravan-mounted unit: A beginner can easily install it themselves in no time.
- Vehicle-mounted unit: Requires leaving the car at an auto electrician workshop for a professional installation.
I have been researching which option makes more financial sense and is more cost-effective, so I fired off an email to a local auto electrician to get a formal quote.
By the end of the day, the weather remained intensely hot because the rain never came. Melbourne’s weather is notorious for swinging drastically from scorching hot to freezing cold in the blink of an eye. Sitting in our room, I couldn’t help but think that anyone who struggles with extreme, sudden temperature shifts might find living here a bit of a challenge!
What’s Next?
Tomorrow, we plunge into the commercial market as we head to a used caravan dealership to expand our knowledge. The day after, we cross the city for a double-header of Marketplace inspections and a visit to the mechanic shop. How will we ultimately solve our caravan dilemma? Stay tuned for the next chapter of our journey!
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