Just joined GN and glad to be here. Planning a round Australia trip next year and thinking about the right towing vehicle to buy. Only towing an MDC camper trailer so don't need anything too hefty but want a 4x4 diesel twin cab. I'm thinking Isuzu Dmax and wondering what others think about them. Would be buying the 2012 update model second hand as budget is only around $25000.
Our plan is to start from Brisbane and drive to Uluru then Darwin and down the west coast, returning via Adelaide and Victoria over 9 weeks. Planning mostly 2-3 day stops. Ambitious but that's all the time we have as retirement is still a couple of years off.
Dougwe said
01:21 PM Jan 8, 2015
Welcome to the gang TG, enjoy here and out in the playground.
As to a Tug, the Dmax is a good one but I decided on a 2014 Twin Cab Ute Colorado with a canopy. Got a much better deal with the collie than I could with the Dmax.
Tows great, handles great, Infact it's a great Tug. It's all personal choice really with what you have explained though.
robo24 said
02:14 PM Jan 8, 2015
G'day TG.Don't know about the tug but i would seriously rethink your trip.We left NQ mid Sept and are still only 3000k away.Too much to see and do.We will travel through Vic,SA the Alice,Darwin. West Coast etc but are thinking at LEAST 12 MONTH.It all depends on what you want to achieve,around the world in 80 days,OR go sightseeing.Whichever you choose,have a great time.
TechnoGypsy said
12:42 PM Jan 10, 2015
Howdy TG,
Welcome and good thoughts about truck choice.
I do have to echo Robo's suggestion = that's a lot of travelling and country to see in 9 weeks. My rough calculation was 14, 463 klms and that will cut at least 14 - 15 days off your time (and you'll still be tearing around like a banshee to do it)
Better to halve the distance and cruise and enjoy the journey as well as the destinations. Do the big run in two trips ? cheers and "Safe Travels"
Travelling_Gilberries said
12:43 PM Jan 12, 2015
Thanks for the tips. I agree that it's pushing quite hard. My challenge is that the boss wants to see Uluru and the West Coast. I may be able to talk her into two trips to achieve that (Uluru next year and WA when we retire), but not sure.
If we were to take 8-9 weeks just to see Uluru, where else would we go? I like the idea of Daly Waters Pub, Wycliffe Well and visiting Darwin again, but I lived in Darwin for 5 years and we did Kakadu a few years ago.
I have to say I was thinking we'd put in some 8-10 hour days on the road (not always, but often). However, having set up and packed up the trailer this weekend I can't see myself doing that at the end of a long day's driving! Only the second time we've used it (MDC-01) and it's a lot harder than it should be!! I'm inclined now to put a 4 hour limit on the driving between camps.
robo24 said
03:21 PM Jan 12, 2015
Last time i visited the Rock i paid for three days (compulsory ).Kings canyon is worth a look too.Both the Rock's lookout and the Olgas show a brilliant sunset,weather permitting.There may also still be a tour around the Rock itself.Whatever,enjoy.
As to a Tug, the Dmax is a good one but I decided on a 2014 Twin Cab Ute Colorado with a canopy. Got a much better deal with the collie than I could with the Dmax.
Tows great, handles great, Infact it's a great Tug. It's all personal choice really with what you have explained though.
G'day TG.Don't know about the tug but i would seriously rethink your trip.We left NQ mid Sept and are still only 3000k away.Too much to see and do.We will travel through Vic,SA the Alice,Darwin. West Coast etc but are thinking at LEAST 12 MONTH.It all depends on what you want to achieve,around the world in 80 days,OR go sightseeing.Whichever you choose,have a great time.
Howdy TG,
Welcome and good thoughts about truck choice.
I do have to echo Robo's suggestion = that's a lot of travelling and country to see in 9 weeks. My rough calculation was 14, 463 klms and that will cut at least 14 - 15 days off your time (and you'll still be tearing around like a banshee to do it)
Better to halve the distance and cruise and enjoy the journey as well as the destinations. Do the big run in two trips ? cheers and "Safe Travels"
If we were to take 8-9 weeks just to see Uluru, where else would we go? I like the idea of Daly Waters Pub, Wycliffe Well and visiting Darwin again, but I lived in Darwin for 5 years and we did Kakadu a few years ago.
I have to say I was thinking we'd put in some 8-10 hour days on the road (not always, but often). However, having set up and packed up the trailer this weekend I can't see myself doing that at the end of a long day's driving! Only the second time we've used it (MDC-01) and it's a lot harder than it should be!! I'm inclined now to put a 4 hour limit on the driving between camps.
Last time i visited the Rock i paid for three days (compulsory ).Kings canyon is worth a look too.Both the Rock's lookout and the Olgas show a brilliant sunset,weather permitting.There may also still be a tour around the Rock itself.Whatever,enjoy.