Well here goes again, another month done and dusted here in tropical Queensland (Townsville). It's been a month since the last update, really? Yep.
Shortly after the last update, time started to drag a little waiting for the Colorado to be in my hot little hands. Guess what? I've got it. There was a delay in getting the Bull Bar and Canopy as Townsville don't keep them in stock but they didn't tell me that in the beginning. Canopy had to come from Melbourne and Bull Bar from Brisbane so I got the car without those fitted and took back 2 weeks later to have them fitted. I had to keep on the salesman's back though.
I am very happy with both, however If anyone is getting a Colorado and want a bull bar I would suggest you get a ARB or TJM Bull Bar, The Holden one just had a little bit of plastic on the corners down the bottom and I was unaware of that, I was expecting a steel bull bar to be all steel, however it is only cosmetic as steel is under, no drama for me anyway. Even with that said I am still a very happy camper. Now not only that but as well even, guilty feeling Holden actually fully fitted the UHF Radio for me while they had the tug for the day. I had all the bits and bobs sitting on the floor and had already marked where the unit and mike were going. Happy about that too, spose I better give a good report in the survey now and I will.
When I got the Colorado from Holden and before paying I checked that the 6B&S cable from battery to Anderson plug at back was what I had asked for, no, no way, it was only 6mm and for those that don't know there is a difference, not only visual but in performance. I was a bit disappointed as that was done by TJM. No probs, so off both the salesman and I went to see TJM, boss and worker came out, inspected and agreed their mistake, paperwork clearly states 6B&S, so all sorted a couple of days later at a time to suit me.
I must say that the salesman was in shock when I crawled underneath then got down on the old knees armed with a multi meter to test voltage. I felt rather pleased with myself for catching them out too and thanks must go to the expert advice and knowledge I have learnt from fellow grey nomads and my mate back at base camp, they know who they are.
I have had the four side windows of the cabin area tinted as well, now Holden wanted $550 to do the job and Tint A Car wanted $180, guess who got the job and I might say did a great job too. I have also ordered roof racks so I can fix a Solar Panel to help charge a second battery I will fit in the closed in tub section over the next few months. I also want to rig up a Anderson plug and a double 12v socket in there as well, I just have to work out where to run the cable in. Spot lights have also been ordered and will find their way onto the front of the bull bar in the not too distant future. I found a supplier of rubber seal for around the tailgate so that is ordered also. Just a few 'little' DIY projects on the drawing board.
Now while I think of it the weather here in down town Townsville has cooled down during the evenings 14-18c and days are mostly great, mid to high 20c and none of that horrible humidity I arrived too a few moons back, so no complaints from this little black duck.
If anyone is thinking of heading this way you will find the crowds have arrived and caravan parks are busy busy busy as too are all the free and low cost camps. There are also heaps of people with all sorts of mobile accommodation behind or around them on the roads. Very busy now here in the tropics. I noticed "Bluewater" free camp, 30 mins north of Townsville had people lined up out front at 10.00am the other day waiting to see if they could sneak in as soon as someone came out.
Townsville has been hit with School Holidays, the Townsville Show, gigantic huge speed boat races and V8 Supercars, all within the next two weeks, who said Townsville is not busy?
I met up with Poppy Sore Eye, Paul and Hazel during this last week and very nice people too, after a few hours chatting, lunch and a drive around some of Townsville, well most of Townsville really, we went our own ways. Now did I say a few hours? Well isn't 10.30am - 5.30 pm a few?
What a great day had by all.
Well that's it for this update or I will be charged for loitering or something like that anyway. Sorry if I have bored you with all the tug news but it's been a very exciting month for me.
I have included a few pics of the new tug as promised.
_wombat_ said
09:07 AM Jun 29, 2014
keep e'm coming mate, now I can find time to read and look at the pics.
I see you did not fit the wombat scoop, I will let all my mates know that you now longer have it because it is all rusty now, so not worth fitting another one.
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Sunday 29th of June 2014 09:15:53 AM
Kendo said
09:16 AM Jun 29, 2014
Lookin' Good Dougwe.
_wombat_ said
10:03 AM Jun 29, 2014
Cruising Cruze said
10:18 AM Jun 29, 2014
That's no pink
Wombat most have the same problem as me: color blind
I'm missing that checker plate W scoop on the front
All jokes aside Doug
Smart looking truck mate very nice machine congratulations
you would not even know that you pulling your Avan I think
Cheers John
jules47 said
10:47 AM Jun 29, 2014
Looks great Doug - good on ya!!!! Love the colour - someone I know ill be jealous when he sees your driving lights - even though we don't often drive at night - but they do look "TOUGH"!!
Enjoy your time in the pleasant climate - better than Victoria at the moment!!!!!
Vic41 said
10:49 AM Jun 29, 2014
Very, very nice Doug, Congratulations.
I notice you have already been checking for Wombat holes on the foreshore.
Seeing as Wombat is colour blind, here is one of your girls in Red!
I notice you have already been checking for Wombat holes on the foreshore.
Seeing as Wombat is colour blind, here is one of your girls in Red!
My word - she has a beautiful heart.
PJK
aussie_paul said
11:09 AM Jun 29, 2014
Great Dougwe, nothing like a new project to add a little excitement in ones life. Well done, looking good.
Aussie Paul.
Jonathan said
11:09 AM Jun 29, 2014
Good for you Doug ..
It's great to see it's all over now and no doubt you'll thoroughly enjoy the times ahead ..
happy travels mate !
Bryan said
11:36 AM Jun 29, 2014
Nice Tug Doug
Friar Park said
02:43 PM Jun 29, 2014
Whilst i must admit it is a very fine looking tug you have got yourself Dougwe, there is one thing missing from all your words.
Everyone else seems to have hit the mark, but you have simpy refused to get to the true heart of the matter. Why?
Friar
Dougwe said
02:56 PM Jun 29, 2014
Thanks everyone. That is T1 in the pic that Vic put up by the way, how do I know? Well she has white finger nails, T2 has red ones. They do that at my request so I can tell them apart.nBet ya didn't notice that
Friar, the twins just love the new tug and can't wait till I start the next fase of the big plan, getting a new 'Den' to go on the back. I suggested I get a CV with bunks at one end for them but they laughed and asked why? Not sure why.
I reckon I have chosen well with the Colorado and I am extremely happy with it so far. All the home work looks like it has paid off. Plenty of get up and go and doesn't even notice hills, yet anyway and has heaps of room under that canopy for heaps of goodies and I could even sleep in there if needed. I here you asking, what about the twins? Yep room for them TOO.
Edits....Must have got excited sorry.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 29th of June 2014 02:57:27 PM
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 29th of June 2014 02:58:35 PM
I can't wait until you call back into our place Doug. Have already notified my mechanic and they are waiting for your return. They are starter motor specialists you know.Hahahahahahah. Mongrel..
Just joking mate .Looks very nice indeedeeee.
-- Edited by mongrel on Sunday 29th of June 2014 03:52:58 PM
Vic41 said
03:52 PM Jun 29, 2014
Dougwe wrote:
Snip........I suggested I get a CV with bunks at one end for them but they laughed and asked why? Not sure why......
I think they are suggesting a super king size bed in the new CV Doug, they must want plenty of room !
mongrel said
03:54 PM Jun 29, 2014
That way Vic he won't have to drop when off somewhere when he goes to visit.
Vic41 said
05:56 PM Jun 29, 2014
Greedy bugger with two of them Alan......it's ok.....I'm only jealous !!
Jamille said
06:27 PM Jun 29, 2014
Hey Doug, what a great looking tug, you really have thought of everything.
Thanks for the info from Townsville, I'm heading north on tuesday, was heading up the Bruce but now going inland ( lots more free camping)
The Ross River rally is on I think it finishes tomorrow so there will be at least another 400 MH and 5th wheelers back on the road from tomorrow, they will scatter for a few weeks then heading to Mareeba for the christmas in July 23/7 , so if free camping is tight now will be much worse over the next few weeks. I'll take my time and not land in townsville for at least 3 weeks, hopefully I'll have better options at finding a nice free camp to kick back for a week or so when I get there.
Congrats again, how exciting....
Cheers Jamille
Jamille said
06:34 PM Jun 29, 2014
Opps forgot to say ...Looking at twin 2 I think she has a very kind heart......oh to be 30 years younger, Cheers
GaryKelly said
06:40 PM Jun 29, 2014
Congrats on the tug, Doug... hug a tug... happy as a tug in a rug, Doug. Not a mug's tug, Doug. Nice color too.
_wombat_ said
06:48 PM Jun 29, 2014
GaryKelly wrote:
Congrats on the tug, Doug... hug a tug... happy as a tug in a rug, Doug. Not a mug's tug, Doug. Nice color too.
he wanted blue the twins wanted red, see who won
pugs said
06:51 PM Jun 29, 2014
Beautifullllllll rig mate, but Im not jelous, nope not me......sniff, sniff.Enjoy it.pugs
Gerty Dancer said
08:45 PM Jun 29, 2014
Fantastic, Doug! That new tug looks great, and a great story too.
Safe and happy travels in your new (dark pink?) Colorado.
Beth54 said
11:51 PM Jun 29, 2014
I just love it coz it's red!
wanderers said
05:42 AM Jun 30, 2014
Love the tug Doug , hope you will be as happy with yours as we are.
Glenelg said
05:43 AM Jun 30, 2014
goodonya Doug. looking great
Dougwe said
05:47 AM Jun 30, 2014
Thanks again everyone.
Gerty and Beth, sorry, you will have to excuse Vic and Wombat as they have put naughty pics in my thread, you should know that I wouldn't do things like that
I must say though that T2 got a bit jealous when T1 got her pic in the forum BUTT at the END of it they are now both happy. They both give thanks from their HEART.
Now to get the rest of the big plan in action.
_wombat_ said
07:35 AM Jun 30, 2014
I knew that T2 would be jealous so I put red nails on her pic that Vic posted first
ken thomas said
03:33 PM Jul 1, 2014
Great lookin tug Doug
Bloody cold here in ballarat, wish we were heading north
Ken
keep e'm coming mate, now I can find time to read and look at the pics.
I see you did not fit the wombat scoop, I will let all my mates know that you now longer have it because it is all rusty now, so not worth fitting another one.
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Sunday 29th of June 2014 09:15:53 AM
Lookin' Good Dougwe.
That's no pink
Wombat most have the same problem as me: color blind
I'm missing that checker plate W scoop on the front
All jokes aside Doug
Smart looking truck mate very nice machine congratulations
you would not even know that you pulling your Avan I think
Cheers John
Enjoy your time in the pleasant climate - better than Victoria at the moment!!!!!
Very, very nice Doug, Congratulations.
I notice you have already been checking for Wombat holes on the foreshore.
Seeing as Wombat is colour blind, here is one of your girls in Red!
My word - she has a beautiful heart.
PJK
Great Dougwe, nothing like a new project to add a little excitement in ones life. Well done, looking good.
Aussie Paul.
Good for you Doug ..
It's great to see it's all over now and no doubt you'll thoroughly enjoy the times ahead ..
happy travels mate !
Whilst i must admit it is a very fine looking tug you have got yourself Dougwe, there is one thing missing from all your words.
Everyone else seems to have hit the mark, but you have simpy refused to get to the true heart of the matter. Why?
Friar
Thanks everyone. That is T1 in the pic that Vic put up by the way, how do I know? Well she has white finger nails, T2 has red ones. They do that at my request so I can tell them apart.nBet ya didn't notice that
Friar, the twins just love the new tug and can't wait till I start the next fase of the big plan, getting a new 'Den' to go on the back. I suggested I get a CV with bunks at one end for them but they laughed and asked why? Not sure why.
I reckon I have chosen well with the Colorado and I am extremely happy with it so far. All the home work looks like it has paid off. Plenty of get up and go and doesn't even notice hills, yet anyway and has heaps of room under that canopy for heaps of goodies and I could even sleep in there if needed. I here you asking, what about the twins? Yep room for them TOO.
Edits....Must have got excited
sorry.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 29th of June 2014 02:57:27 PM
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 29th of June 2014 02:58:35 PM
Sorry Dougwe but that is twin 2
I can't wait until
you call back into our place Doug. Have already notified my mechanic and they are waiting for your return.
They are starter motor specialists you know.Hahahahahahah.
Mongrel..
Just joking mate .Looks very nice indeedeeee.
-- Edited by mongrel on Sunday 29th of June 2014 03:52:58 PM
I think they are suggesting a super king size bed in the new CV Doug, they must want plenty of room !
Greedy bugger with two of them Alan......it's ok.....I'm only jealous !!
Hey Doug, what a great looking tug, you really have thought of everything.
Thanks for the info from Townsville, I'm heading north on tuesday, was heading up the Bruce but now going inland ( lots more free camping)
The Ross River rally is on I think it finishes tomorrow so there will be at least another 400 MH and 5th wheelers back on the road from tomorrow, they will scatter for a few weeks then heading to Mareeba for the christmas in July 23/7 , so if free camping is tight now will be much worse over the next few weeks. I'll take my time and not land in townsville for at least 3 weeks, hopefully I'll have better options at finding a nice free camp to kick back for a week or so when I get there.
Congrats again, how exciting....
Cheers Jamille
Opps forgot to say ...Looking at twin 2 I think she has a very kind heart......oh to be 30 years younger, Cheers
he wanted blue the twins wanted red, see who won
Safe and happy travels in your new (dark pink?) Colorado.
I just love it coz it's red!
Love the tug Doug , hope you will be as happy with yours as we are.
goodonya Doug. looking great
Thanks again everyone.
Gerty and Beth, sorry, you will have to excuse Vic and Wombat as they have put naughty pics in my thread, you should know that I wouldn't do things like that
I must say though that T2 got a bit jealous when T1 got her pic in the forum BUTT at the END of it they are now both happy. They both give thanks from their HEART.
Now to get the rest of the big plan in action.
I knew that T2 would be jealous so I put red nails on her pic that Vic posted first
Bloody cold here in ballarat, wish we were heading north
Ken