Mica tailored annex on show at the CARAVAN SALON DUSSELDORF, Germany 2025 — words and photos Alison Huth, Editor at Large

Camping takes up a lot of space in the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon. We saw some extraordinary set ups.

This isn’t exactly Camping , it’s an annex for your caravan that looks more like an extension from MICA. It the same length as the van and just about the same width. Then you add in the verandah shade along the full length. What a way to increase your living space.

It makes me wonder how big a site you would need to take this annex, your van and your vehicle. I need to check out some European Caravan parks to see how big the sites are.

Who would have thought that we would need to look at equipment to help us deal with Snow and Ice. But, there was a great idea from a German Company called Yachticon, a snow brush and scraper at the CARAVAN SALON DUSSELDORF 2025. It’s literally a two headed thing. One end has a brush to remove the Snow from your vehicle. The other end is a scrapper to get the ice off your windscreen and any other windows.

Who would have thought we could ever need anything like this, but this winter has shared the Snow and Ice around to other areas including our home in south east Queensland. It’s extendable to make it easier to get to high spots but a bit too awkward to get on the plane.

Yachticon Snow and ice Scraper

Modern off-grid power systems are changing what is possible for self-drive tourists, and the EcoFlow system stands at the forefront of this technological shift. For premium recreational vehicles, the goal is to achieve next-level luxury, and a robust power system is the key to truly unleashing that potential.

What is the EcoFlow Power Kit?

At the heart of this capability is the EcoFlow 10kW off-grid power solution. This substantial system is managed by an advanced EcoFlow battery management system, which offers convenient control through either a dedicated app or a digital display. It presides over a massive 10kW of lithium battery storage, providing the capacity needed to run numerous appliances for extended periods away from powered sites.

How a 10kWh System Delivers Off-Grid Luxury

This core system is part of a comprehensive energy solution. It integrates seamlessly on the Paradise Independence Platinum with a high-capacity 1140W solar array, ensuring the batteries are constantly being recharged by the sun. For situations where solar power is insufficient, a powerful 4000W inverter-generator provides reliable backup power, ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted energy supply. This combination of high-capacity storage, solar charging, and generator backup creates a truly self-sufficient touring experience.

Seeking a cooler to match your vibe at camp? New Aussie Brand Kodiak has just launched a range of beautiful heavy-duty hard camping coolers with optional matching cascade bottles and chug mugs in six fun campsite-friendly colours.

Style and Substance: 5-Day Ice Retention in Six Colours

Equipped with waterproof sealing, the rotomolded interior of a Kodiak hard cooler can retain ice for up to 5 days without creating mess at camp thanks to its leakproof design. While the smooth UV protected exterior–in a choice of orange, white, kharki, pastel mint and sand–ensures these coolers are easy to clean and retain their distinct look for years to come.

Other Stand Out Features

The sliding handle’s padded grip keeps cartage easy, with heavy-duty latches, tie-down slots and leakproof seal ensuring your happy hour snacks, sips and snags are well chilled and secure. There’s even an embedded bottle top opener to lighten your packing load.

Kodiak Coolers, available in Four Sizes

Kodiak coolers come in a choice of four sizes–15L, 22L, 32L and 42L–with the two ‘hero sizes’, the 22L retailing for $329.95 and the 32L available for $389.95.

Check out the full range of Kodiak coolers and insulated drinkware for more.

While the campfire may be king on a wintery day, few things beat predawn chills faster than the blast of a diesel-powered heater when camping up. At the Heathcote Queen Meadow Caravan Park we actually spotted one that’s locally made, the AU Focus 2kW MZ diesel heater, fitted to the Freebirds Dream Duo 20.6 that was perfect for our off-grid camp.

One of two AU Focus models available, the AU Focus MZ ‘Gen4’ features a 10-speed fan for fine-tuning air distribution and a responsive thermostat sensor that kicks in with a 2°C drop.

Fuel Gauge and Checker-Plate Cover

Freebirds fitted the AU Focus LCD panel with dial control bedside with the 5L stainless steel tank by the AU Focus checker-plate cover shielding on commute. It’s easy to keep track of the fuel reserve here, too, thanks to the large fuel gauge up top.

AU Focus has been supplying caravan manufacturers and DIY enthusiasts with diesel heaters for six years.

Check them out here if you want to know more.

Unleaded petrol is a class 3 flammable liquid but if you’re carrying small quantities to fuel a genie or top up the petrol-powered fourbie you don’t need a special licence. It must be loaded, secured, segregated, transported and unloaded safely though. To help you achieve this any portable container storing unleaded fuel must be considered fit for transferring dangerous goods, unaltered and in good condition, which is where the humble AS/NZS-approved jerry fits in.

The Importance of the AS/NZS 2906:2001 Standard

Jerry cans must withstand a lot. Thankfully, AS / NZS 2906:2001 Fuel Containers – Portable – Plastic and Metal really puts them through their paces. It is recognised in Australian legislation governing the safe storage and transport of fuel and is the only one covering the manufacture of plastic fuel jerries. Jerry cans meeting this standard are labelled by fuel type and include vital hazard and safety advice recognised globally.

How Jerry Cans Are Tested for Safety and Durability

To meet the standard, manufacturers subject samples to a testing regime, assessing their strength and handle integrity, ensuring they seal safely without tools, that they’re leak-proof under pressure or upside down, meet gasket design specifications, can withstand a fall and maintain their integrity for a certain period when exposed to flames. The standard also stipulates things like outlet dimensions and breather location for easier pouring.

Why Are Unleaded Petrol Jerry Cans Red?

Although AS / NZS 2906:2001 compliant jerry cans are designated by fuel types, some manufacturers also adopt colour-coded systems like the one created by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authority Council (AFAC) to help you identify the right jerry for your needs. For unleaded petrol jerries, that colour is usually red.

Best Practices for Storing and Transporting Jerry Cans

Travellers must transport unleaded fuel safely, but how that looks for camper trailers isn’t spelt out. You want to prevent fuel vapours from congregating, especially in a passenger-carrying cabin. So think separate and ventilate. Secure your jerry cans, on a tray if possible. A well-ventilated external storage locker away from ignition sources is also ideal. Just keep in mind your vehicle weights.

Rules and Safety Tips for Filling Jerry Cans at the Servo

Generally speaking, travellers carrying unleaded in portable containers for personal use can store up to 250L. In some states, that figure maybe higher, or may also include diesel as with Queensland. But there is a catch. Service station pumps cannot dispense unleaded into portable containers greater than 25L, which is different for diesel. Static electricity is the risk here, which is why we fuel jerry cans earthed on the ground. Holding the jerry can will reduce the risk further. There are limits to what you can store at home depending, too, on where you store it and what you store it with. For unleaded, in a garage attached to your house, that’s 25L. But that’s plenty for a long and cosy camp off-grid.