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  1. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
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    1,268

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    Chris, this is a link to a test in Australia some time ago.

    http://www.outbacktravelaustralia.co...z-sprinter-4x4

    Currently I am in the little fishing village of Prerow in far northen Germany, the local council has one Unimog that I've seen and at least one Sprinter with low range and other such stuff went past yesterday.

    It looks a bit different to the ones I have seen in Oz underneath, but then again my memory isn't that good on these matters.

    In answer to the orginal question, the shorteer the package, the better you will be able to get into places others cannot.

    Our unit is a smidge under 6m in length, the only real issue we have is height, as in overhanging tree branches.

    As for living space requirements, well, one takes what one can get with the limitations of each different configuration of camper, motorhome, fifth wheeler, caravan or sleeping on or under the back of a ute.

    Our slide-on unit is 4m long and includes virtually all requirements for bopping along tracks and is designed to be completely self sufficient with regard to electrical power; we have solar and all things are powered by 12V; we even have a 12V direct power supply for the computer.

    It is smallish, yet perfectly good for two people, so far, after nearly 5 years, we have not been trying to get home to a good bed or what have you even after a few months on the road in one hit.

    We don't have any television, but basically, we don't go bush to watch television.

    Mick.

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  3. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
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    I saw that test but the references in it say that the vans are yet to reach Oz for retail sale.

    Quote...We'll evaluate these safety initiatives when equipped vehicles arrive Down Under.


    I can't find any reference to a 4wd van on the MB website.




    CHRIS

  4. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
    Posts
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    Chris, I agree you will not find any reference from Mercedes Benz Australia, however Daimler is the manufacturer, (I think) and this is a reference to the PDF available to Australia from Daimler Trucks in Adelaide.

    http://daimlertrucksadelaide.com.au/...ure_2013-1.pdf

    I could do some more research, but I'm off to evening dinner shortly while you should be going to bed as it's around 0200 hours in Melbourne as I write this.

    Mick

  5. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
    Age
    72
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    3,612

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    Thanks everyone for your input. After much thought and discussion with my wife we've decided to go with a Landcruiser and caravan setup.
    We're going dip the toe in with a few short trips (4 -6 weeks) with the existing 15 footer before investing in a larger van for the big lap. No point setting up for a year on the road if the lifestyle doesn't suit you. I've already fitted an Anderson plug and Tekonsha P2 electric brake control to the Toyota.
    Once again, thanks for all the input
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.

  6. #20
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,612

    Default Decision made

    We finally settled on a 100 Series Landcruiser and 17' Royal Flair Discovery combo (both 2nd. hand).
    Spent a few months and quite a few dollars getting things sorted to suit us and what we would like to do.
    This includes, but not limited to:
    Fitting Anderson Plug to Landcruiser
    Fitting recovery points to Landcruiser
    Fitting Tekonsha P3 electric brake controller to Landcruiser
    Purchase of Engal 40 Ltr. fridge
    New tyres for Cruiser
    Trailer Mate jack/jockey wheel for van
    New tyres for van
    Generator


    The setup in use.

    Mamanga Campsite 54.jpg

    Relaxing By The 'Bidgie.jpg



    Mods required to fit generator into front toolbox.

    Caravan Mods 02.jpg

    Caravan Mods 01.jpg

    Caravan Mods 04.jpg

    Caravan Mods 03.jpg


    There was a spare anode for the HWS in one of the drawers so I thought "what the hell", let's see if it needs replacing. Whadya reckon??? Makes you think twice about using hot water for cooking or making a cuppa .
    Caravan Mods 05.JPG
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.

  7. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    12,746

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    Good setup. Can't go wrong with a Cruiser.

    So, isn't that the anode doing its job?

    Did you put an isolator or relay in the charging circuit?
    Cheers, Ern

  8. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
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    G'day Ern, I was thinking of you this morning. We must catch up sometime soon.
    Yes, the anode is definitely doing its job and, yes we have an isolator in the circuit.

    Check out my photo's from Mungo.
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.

  9. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
    Age
    71
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    12,746

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    Yeah, that'd be good. I've just upgraded to a 'proper' 4WD and new camper trailer as it happens and will be off for a week on Monday for the shake-down cruise. Will get in touch afterwards.

    4WDs are just a container to pour money into if you want to travel don't you find? Remember the old woodturning expense ratio? For every dollar on the lathe x dollars on the rest. For my wagon mods and accessories have hit 15% of its price

    The Mungo shots are great. That shed is a wonder of bush carpentry. If you're back up that way take a look at the shearing shed in Kinchega NP (Menindie lakes). There's still some bits of the low tech wet grinder lying around that they used for the shears. Was probably faster than a Tormek
    Cheers, Ern

  10. #24
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
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    Quote Originally Posted by rsser View Post
    Yeah, that'd be good. I've just upgraded to a 'proper' 4WD and new camper trailer as it happens and will be off for a week on Monday for the shake-down cruise. Will get in touch afterwards.

    4WDs are just a container to pour money into if you want to travel don't you find? Remember the old woodturning expense ratio? For every dollar on the lathe x dollars on the rest. For my wagon mods and accessories have hit 15% of its price

    The Mungo shots are great. That shed is a wonder of bush carpentry. If you're back up that way take a look at the shearing shed in Kinchega NP (Menindie lakes). There's still some bits of the low tech wet grinder lying around that they used for the shears. Was probably faster than a Tormek
    I was up at Kinchega in June, will put some photo's of the woolshed in my Broken Hill thread.
    Where are you going on the "shakedown" cruise?
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.

  11. #25
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
    Age
    71
    Posts
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    Will do a loop round the Snowy in Vic. Up the West side, McKillops Bridge, down the East side. The easy to medium bits of this: http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/iconic4wd/snowyriver.html
    Cheers, Ern

  12. #26
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    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
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    Noice.
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.

  13. #27
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
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    Cross fingers. The rig's more capable than the driver at this stage. I've signed up for a 4WD course in a few weeks.
    Cheers, Ern

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