Hi all
Am proposing a trip along Gibb River Road
April 2019.
Looking at getting a new Triton and set up
with roof top tent etc, will be travelling from Perth via Karajini, Gibb River Road then onto Kakadu.
As this is my most affordable option,will be just one adult does anyone have any contributions as to suitability of Triton only the GLX base version dual cab.
Dont want to get used 4x4 am a bit wary of used vehicles.
Does anyone have any pros and cons please? .
Wouldnt be attempting Mitchell falls or Kalumbaroo.
I dont have a time frame so just a slow trip.
Many thanks in advance.
Brimhunter
Greg 1 said
04:30 PM Nov 11, 2018
Only not to overload it and do not fit airbags. Tritons as well as some other dual cabs have been known to break their chassis when driven over rough stuff with everything including the kitchen sink on board. Google broken ute chassis. There is quite a bit about it. Early Rangers an Navaras also. Current Ranger BT50 have much heavier chassis so not so prone but still should not be overloaded.
RosieW said
05:59 PM Nov 11, 2018
Yeah, Tritons (actually dual cabs generally) are notorious for chassis breaks. We have a 2015 single cab, and when we upped the suspension they also reinforced the chassis....
brimhunter said
07:16 PM Nov 11, 2018
Shant be towing anything just roof top tent n draws in back not heaps of weight
blaze said
09:03 PM Nov 11, 2018
I would go with a cab/chassis if you are solo. What ever load you carry can be carried either over the axle or forward of axle which is by so many factors better than a duel cab
cheers
blaze
Possum3 said
09:42 PM Nov 11, 2018
I'm not sure but I think The Triton have now starting to put CVT transmissions in their Automatics - If so avoid like the plague, particularly if doing outback touring.
rockylizard said
09:51 PM Nov 11, 2018
Gday...
The Triton runs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that, in Exceed spec, is mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission.
Kicking off the range is the GLX 4×2 single cab chassis, which is the only model to offer a petrol engine: a 2.4-litre coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. All other models, with the exception of the Exceed, 4×2 double cab pick-up and 4×4 GLX+ club-cab pick-up come with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel and six-speed manual, with the option of a five-speed auto. The Exceed and 4×2 GLX double cab pick-up and 4×4 GLX+ double cab pick-up are only available with an automatic transmission.
The Exceeds venerable Aisin five-speed is now the only automatic transmissionwith less than six speeds among its main competitors, but it doesnt noticeably hinder performance as the ratios are well spaced and the over-driven fifth gear provides good fuel economy at highway speeds.
We did from Kakadu the other way then back home across the Nullabor to Sydney this winter. We destroyed a tyre a 100 km in from the east end of Gibb River Road & saw 3 serious 4WDs replacing wheels, so with only one more spare returned. Back past Purnululu again! Went back in via Tunnel Creek & up to Bell Gorge. Bought TPMS in Broome & up to James Price Point. Karijini & out the west side via Hamersley Gorge through Millstream NP (Not the private road where you need a permit) The public road was not too bad but let your tyres down to 25 PSI, there are some sudden minor road roughness so don't go too fast.
Recommended parts list: Second spare wheel, TPMS, repair kit & compressor, "welding grade" jumper leads, minimum 40 litres spare fuel (it's a lot cheaper in town), water, proper GPS as little reception, HEMA WA map, mosquito enclosure for Kakadu (be inside by 5:30 pm), a black cloth (tee shirt) to put on the dashboard when driving into the sun on dirt roads, do not drive at night & pace yourself during the day, second battery for fridge & solar if staying put for a few days, awning. Repeat...... TPMS!
Everyone goes too fast on Gibb River Road so be careful, let your tyres downs to 25 PSI.
Keep weight down, don't take pointless things! Don't muck about, get a top quality dual compressor so you are not fiddling around & you will be inclined to let the tyres down.
Francois Peron NP is worth a visit, 20 PSI (there was a long queue for the two air hoses at the entrance so we used our own, which is probably quicker anyway)
Whenarewethere said
10:31 PM Nov 11, 2018
Get the smallest size rims you can, not any of the BS lower profile tyres & you will save your car, & even more so running at reduced pressure accordingly. The tyres look like they get eaten by rats out there on these roads.
brimhunter said
11:01 PM Nov 11, 2018
So a Triton not so good
How about a mitsubishi pajero sport the new model
Aus-Kiwi said
11:02 PM Nov 11, 2018
Yes high profile tyres are much better out there. If your sensible keep weight to minimum especially on rear of tray . Behind the axle .
. Youll be fine ..
erad said
06:28 AM Nov 12, 2018
Choice of type of tyres and pressure is critical. As said above, the higher the profile the better. Tyre nomenclature goes for example 265/65/17, where 265 is the width of the casing, 65 is the aspect ratio (height of the casing /casing width) and 17 is the rim size. Typically, the larger the rim size, the lower the aspect ratio, so use the smallest rim size that you can fit onto the vehicle because this give the tyre casing much more flexibility and hence a better ride and less likelihood of cutting the sidewalls.
As for choice of vehicle, pretty well any car can travel the Gibb River Road. 2WD or 4WD - what you need really is ground clearance. A 4WD will be better because typically they are built more rugged. Tritons have a reputation of bending the chassis, but chassis damage is not limited to tritons. I have seen Nsvaras and Izuzus with bent chassis as well. Typically they have been towing a trailer and have gone over a large hump at speed.The tug crests the hump and starts to go down the other side whilst the trailer is still coming up. Result is excessive download applied to the towbar and voila- bent chassis ensues. Easy way to avoid this - slow down. Tritons with camper bodies suffered bent chassis as well, because they camper body was well aft of the rear wheels, particularly the dual cab models which have minimal tray length. Similar cause - the front of the vehicle goes over a hump but the rear has not yet reached the crest. Easy solution - keep the speed down.
Bent chassis.s are more common with utility type vehicles - station wagon type bodies don't seem to suffer this fate, probably because the body goes the full length of the vehicle
The Belmont Bear said
07:34 AM Nov 12, 2018
brimhunter wrote:
So a Triton not so good How about a mitsubishi pajero sport the new model
Hi brimhunter, I owned a Pajero Sport prior to buying my current Jeep GC. It was an excellent vehicle to drive and had lots of creature comforts that the Triton didn't seem to get, I felt that the best value for money was the mid range version rather than the base model or the Exceed. The Sport has the same 2.4 turbo diesel motor as the Triton but is teamed up to to an 8 speed auto transmission and as a bonus you get a very capable 4WD. The rear suspension is coil not leaf so if you did happen to fit airbags (like I did to stiffen the suspension) the weight is carried in an area of the frame that is more suited to take the load unlike the leaf sprung ute. The only crticism I had (other than those horrible tail lights) was that the leg room for bigger drivers felt a little cramped due to the rather large center consul. I only replaced mine because I found that it was probably working too close to its limit pulling our 2.7T van and I needed something that would give me a little bit more leeway..
Cheers
BB
brimhunter said
11:15 AM Nov 12, 2018
Thanks BB
So Triton possibly not the way to go.
If i hot the Pajero would have to be the base model.
Do you know if that would be okay for GRR.
Wont be towing but will have roof top tent.
Just one adult, doing my big road trip to kakadu from perth n back.
I appreciate the input.
Thanks in advance
Brimhunter
Whenarewethere said
11:21 AM Nov 12, 2018
Have to agree the road is not that difficult. But I would thoroughly check road conditions as it could easily be still flooded in April. We were in Karijini in July and were told some of the roads were closed a few weeks earlier due to flooding, everything around there was very green. The east end of GRR is rough from the issue of nasty gravelly surface with corrugations. The road is not that rough but it is the combination of the "three" including speeding, that is not good, but adjusting tyres and driving slowly, which most people are NOT doing will get you through. People are trying to do the Gibb River Road in a day! There are a lot of Apollo hire cars on the GRR who are racing through!
We didn't have TPMS at that stage (bought it in Broome) and it would have saved us our first tyre which we replaced in Halls Creek. We had three more punctures on our trip around Australia and we repaired the remainder of them.
We almost got run off the road at the Derby end with some idiot screaming along on the one lane width bitumen with caravan in tow pretty much out of control. People are driving a bit fast in Kakadu as well with top heavy vehicles.
We took a back of the envelope count in Purnululu NP. 9 out of 10 cars don't let their tyres down and most are speeding 70 - 80 kph when they ask you to do 50. There is a sign at the entrance to let tyres down 10 PSI.
We slept in our car 9 out of 10 nights for the entire trip putting everything on the front seats including fridge and used window socks for ventilation.
We had 4 sand tracks, a couple of tow ropes, a full selection of ring & socket spanners. Had to do a roof rack repair in Exmouth. Spare oil and air filter, clamp meter, sand flag & a few extra tent poles, 65 litres of water, 3 litres of metho, and we had plenty of room in the car.
Things like Helinox sunset chairs to save weight and volume helps. Trangia metho stove. Thermarest sleeping mats. We also only steam or boil food and save the greasy stuff for when we are in town, saves carrying a whole lot of cleaning equipment, and cleaning! But we do hand grind our own coffee!
Thanks BB So Triton possibly not the way to go. If i hot the Pajero would have to be the base model. Do you know if that would be okay for GRR. Wont be towing but will have roof top tent. Just one adult, doing my big road trip to kakadu from perth n back. I appreciate the input. Thanks in advance Brimhunter
Brimhunter I just had a look at the base model on the Mitsubishi website it seems that they have added a few things since I bought mine. There is also a bonus at the moment $45k on road with $1000 free extras and a $2000 fuel card thrown in looks like pretty good deal to me. As far as being able to handle the GRR I dont see why it wouldnt as I said before they are a pretty capable 4WD. I would opt for the 5 seat version as it gives you a bit more room in the back for storage. I am not trying to flog Pajero Sports as Im sure that there are plenty of other very good vehicles in that class but for what you get as standard equipment you will find their price hard to beat the price.
Good luck
BB
Aus-Kiwi said
02:15 PM Nov 12, 2018
I had one as line inspection vehicle. I can say this now . The last 18 months I gave the Triton hell . The harder I tried to kill it . Motor,trans and more so suspension wise . It took a hell punishment!! 3 sets of brake rotors and pads in 40,000 klrs . I get 60,000+ out of my own vehicles. For the price you pay they are a TOP Vehicle . Any warranty claims is not an issue either !! If your using for PRIVATE ! Bloody great vehicle . I would fit after market shocks if over 60,000ks . But thats just me . Oh wide wheels at high -sh profile !! Again that is me . The wider , higher tyre the smoother the ride . Second hand ? It ALL comes down to servicing !
Aus-Kiwi said
06:37 PM Nov 12, 2018
Maybe not this treatment tho !! https://www.facebook.com/100013127913979/posts/555462871567972/
Desert Dweller said
03:52 PM Nov 14, 2018
Nothing wrong with a new 4x4 Triton, good ute, it's your preparation for the trip, the prevailing condition of the road & your driving style that's critical. Two spares are essential.
cheers
blaze
Gday...
The Triton runs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that, in Exceed spec, is mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission.
https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-reviews/2018-mitsubishi-triton-exceed-review/
Kicking off the range is the GLX 4×2 single cab chassis, which is the only model to offer a petrol engine: a 2.4-litre coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox.
All other models, with the exception of the Exceed, 4×2 double cab pick-up and 4×4 GLX+ club-cab pick-up come with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel and six-speed manual, with the option of a five-speed auto.
The Exceed and 4×2 GLX double cab pick-up and 4×4 GLX+ double cab pick-up are only available with an automatic transmission.
https://www.motoring.com.au/mitsubishi-triton-what-you-need-to-know-110667/
The Exceeds venerable Aisin five-speed is now the only automatic transmissionwith less than six speeds among its main competitors, but it doesnt noticeably hinder performance as the ratios are well spaced and the over-driven fifth gear provides good fuel economy at highway speeds.
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/mitsubishi-triton-68705
Cheers - John
We did from Kakadu the other way then back home across the Nullabor to Sydney this winter. We destroyed a tyre a 100 km in from the east end of Gibb River Road & saw 3 serious 4WDs replacing wheels, so with only one more spare returned. Back past Purnululu again! Went back in via Tunnel Creek & up to Bell Gorge. Bought TPMS in Broome & up to James Price Point. Karijini & out the west side via Hamersley Gorge through Millstream NP (Not the private road where you need a permit) The public road was not too bad but let your tyres down to 25 PSI, there are some sudden minor road roughness so don't go too fast.
Recommended parts list: Second spare wheel, TPMS, repair kit & compressor, "welding grade" jumper leads, minimum 40 litres spare fuel (it's a lot cheaper in town), water, proper GPS as little reception, HEMA WA map, mosquito enclosure for Kakadu (be inside by 5:30 pm), a black cloth (tee shirt) to put on the dashboard when driving into the sun on dirt roads, do not drive at night & pace yourself during the day, second battery for fridge & solar if staying put for a few days, awning. Repeat...... TPMS!
Everyone goes too fast on Gibb River Road so be careful, let your tyres downs to 25 PSI.
Keep weight down, don't take pointless things! Don't muck about, get a top quality dual compressor so you are not fiddling around & you will be inclined to let the tyres down.
Francois Peron NP is worth a visit, 20 PSI (there was a long queue for the two air hoses at the entrance so we used our own, which is probably quicker anyway)
How about a mitsubishi pajero sport the new model
As for choice of vehicle, pretty well any car can travel the Gibb River Road. 2WD or 4WD - what you need really is ground clearance. A 4WD will be better because typically they are built more rugged. Tritons have a reputation of bending the chassis, but chassis damage is not limited to tritons. I have seen Nsvaras and Izuzus with bent chassis as well. Typically they have been towing a trailer and have gone over a large hump at speed.The tug crests the hump and starts to go down the other side whilst the trailer is still coming up. Result is excessive download applied to the towbar and voila- bent chassis ensues. Easy way to avoid this - slow down. Tritons with camper bodies suffered bent chassis as well, because they camper body was well aft of the rear wheels, particularly the dual cab models which have minimal tray length. Similar cause - the front of the vehicle goes over a hump but the rear has not yet reached the crest. Easy solution - keep the speed down.
Bent chassis.s are more common with utility type vehicles - station wagon type bodies don't seem to suffer this fate, probably because the body goes the full length of the vehicle
Hi brimhunter, I owned a Pajero Sport prior to buying my current Jeep GC. It was an excellent vehicle to drive and had lots of creature comforts that the Triton didn't seem to get, I felt that the best value for money was the mid range version rather than the base model or the Exceed. The Sport has the same 2.4 turbo diesel motor as the Triton but is teamed up to to an 8 speed auto transmission and as a bonus you get a very capable 4WD. The rear suspension is coil not leaf so if you did happen to fit airbags (like I did to stiffen the suspension) the weight is carried in an area of the frame that is more suited to take the load unlike the leaf sprung ute. The only crticism I had (other than those horrible tail lights) was that the leg room for bigger drivers felt a little cramped due to the rather large center consul. I only replaced mine because I found that it was probably working too close to its limit pulling our 2.7T van and I needed something that would give me a little bit more leeway..
Cheers
BB
Have to agree the road is not that difficult. But I would thoroughly check road conditions as it could easily be still flooded in April. We were in Karijini in July and were told some of the roads were closed a few weeks earlier due to flooding, everything around there was very green. The east end of GRR is rough from the issue of nasty gravelly surface with corrugations. The road is not that rough but it is the combination of the "three" including speeding, that is not good, but adjusting tyres and driving slowly, which most people are NOT doing will get you through. People are trying to do the Gibb River Road in a day! There are a lot of Apollo hire cars on the GRR who are racing through!
We didn't have TPMS at that stage (bought it in Broome) and it would have saved us our first tyre which we replaced in Halls Creek. We had three more punctures on our trip around Australia and we repaired the remainder of them.
We almost got run off the road at the Derby end with some idiot screaming along on the one lane width bitumen with caravan in tow pretty much out of control. People are driving a bit fast in Kakadu as well with top heavy vehicles.
We took a back of the envelope count in Purnululu NP. 9 out of 10 cars don't let their tyres down and most are speeding 70 - 80 kph when they ask you to do 50. There is a sign at the entrance to let tyres down 10 PSI.
We slept in our car 9 out of 10 nights for the entire trip putting everything on the front seats including fridge and used window socks for ventilation.
We had 4 sand tracks, a couple of tow ropes, a full selection of ring & socket spanners. Had to do a roof rack repair in Exmouth. Spare oil and air filter, clamp meter, sand flag & a few extra tent poles, 65 litres of water, 3 litres of metho, and we had plenty of room in the car.
Things like Helinox sunset chairs to save weight and volume helps. Trangia metho stove. Thermarest sleeping mats. We also only steam or boil food and save the greasy stuff for when we are in town, saves carrying a whole lot of cleaning equipment, and cleaning! But we do hand grind our own coffee!
Brimhunter I just had a look at the base model on the Mitsubishi website it seems that they have added a few things since I bought mine. There is also a bonus at the moment $45k on road with $1000 free extras and a $2000 fuel card thrown in looks like pretty good deal to me. As far as being able to handle the GRR I dont see why it wouldnt as I said before they are a pretty capable 4WD. I would opt for the 5 seat version as it gives you a bit more room in the back for storage. I am not trying to flog Pajero Sports as Im sure that there are plenty of other very good vehicles in that class but for what you get as standard equipment you will find their price hard to beat the price.
Good luck
BB