Welcome. Yep, welcome to Spring. Winter is now behind us all, although I had a reasonably warm winter thanks to the freedom of this GN lifestyle I lead these days. But as this is the August update, read on.
August started a little cooler as a cold snap rolled in, down low to mid-teens overnight and only around mid to high 20's during the day with cool winds at times.
I mentioned in my June update I think it was, that the water level in the local Dam that supplies Townsville's town water is way down and they have been on level 2 restrictions since my arrival back in May, well they went to level 3 on August 8, making things for the locals a lot harder. Me doing a lot of free/alternative camping wasn't affected much at all as I am used to conserving water anyway, also I have been in level 5 water restrictions not all that many moons back really and for some time, so 3 is easy to cope with. I do feel for the locals though as it is hard to adjust at first.
To add to all that there was a little illness in the house as my daughter got ill so Poppy's taxi service was in full swing for a few days and I even had to get out of bed earlier than usual to fire up the 'Truck'
as my grandson calls the tug. Now due to the problem being medical I was not really working out of GN working hours so no need to be sent to the naughty room, phew!
Not a positive start to August really was it!?
Moving along from all that and the rest of the month was really just relaxing and doing a couple of odd jobs on the van and re-arranging how I carry things in the back of the Colorado. That got me wanting to weigh the Collie to see how the weight is going so I don't travel over weight as the authorities aren't too happy if you do. There could be other problems as well. As a few of you might know I went on the search for a 'Public Weighbridge' but found it difficult finding one in Townsville. I finally contacted the local Council Office and they sent me to their Council Waste Transfer Station. All good, got the Collie weighed then just the rear axle. All underweight but needed to do it again when fully loaded. I just wanted to get an idea how things were going before I loaded up to leave.
I decided to fully load up the Collie then I went back to the weighbridge and still all underweight but a little heavier than I would have liked so went about seeing what I could get rid of to reduce the weight in the Collie and even the front of the van to reduce the ball weight down onto the car when connected. It makes it a little difficult being a full time GN as there are things I really want to keep on board as everything has been and will be, used at some stage. I didn't want to reduce the ball weight by much though as I still wanted some good down weight onto the tow ball. As I said, my set up is all under but I would be happier if a little more under.
I had an extra leaf put both sides of the rear springs prior to getting the van so rang Pedders who did the job and they said the work done added 200kg to the carrying weight on the rear axle. Even though that helped big time it is not classed as legal weight if checked on scales by the authorities unless I have it all checked and a certificate supplied by an Engineer and Vic Roads records changed.
As I am 'Legally' underweight I now know I am safe to carry what I have in the back and even when the van is hooked up. I was more concerned about the safety side of things and not over working the rear axle.
I must say, I reckon a lot of people towing vans out in the playground are way over weight as they have boats on top of the tow vehicle and the back all loaded up. Their vans have things hanging of the back of the van and the front Aframe has got stuff piled up there as well. Not only is their towing vehicle working extremely hard and risk future problems they also risk getting hefty fines and if involved in an accident risk their insurance company not paying out.
I left the Collie loaded as the time had come to make a move on, so I said my goodbyes to a few people and my family then hit the highways and byways with Townsville in my mirror. A great few months had in the tropics yet again and met a few people as well so all good. Townsville starts to get too hot for me from now on so go I have. Thankyou Townsville and a big thankyou to my daughter and her neighbours for putting up with me and the van in the driveway.
Gee, this would have to be the shortest 'Update' you have ever seen from me :)
I heard that!
Some pics from around Townsville below. The high view of Townsville is a Panorama shot from the Mount Stuart lookout. I found a Panorama feature on my phone camera and tried it out.
Finally, some Bananas
The Strand at night
Looking over at Magnetic Island
Looking in on the Strand
What was the Flinders St Mall, now drive through
The Panorama shot looking over Townsville
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 1st of September 2016 07:15:05 PM
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Doug, Glad you enjoyed your visit to Townsville and have a safe and enjoyable trip. Unfortunately I have hit a pot hole in the highway of life and will not hit the road this year for an extended trip. I will however catch up with you next year down south or when we are back in Townsville for the winter months. Nice to have met a true gentleman.
Glad the month finished up better that it started for you and daughter Doug.
On the road again hey travel safe
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Great update as usual, Doug, also fantastic pics. I'm heading north from Brisbane at the end of next week after the surgery on my head and also for the bus, still yearning for more warmth after being stuck in Echuca for two months. Safe travels to your southern 'residence'!
Cheers
Joe
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Hino Rainbow motorhome conversion towing a Daihatsu Terios
Nice update Doug. Its good to see when one tries to vary or alter ones weight in the tug so as to comply and yet still carry all the goodies one wants, I also agree with you on the subject of other folk that clearly seem to overload tugs and vans in a way that is somewhat questionable to say the least.I visit the weighbridge in Moama regularly with my rig as it is very cheap and it is peace of mind whilst travelling .Hope to catch up when you arrive at greens ! Cheers
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Hey. Tinny on top is fine. as long as you regulate the other gear.
We had 3ltr Patrol. usual Bull bar/winch etc for 14 yrs.
3.75tinny. 15hp Yammy,genny and incidentals inside with the Waeco.tools cat/tray and missus. Normally kept to 3.1/3.2ton over scales with full tanks. Van kept to 2.7/8 ton max.
Most people have problems with the vans, or more so. The loads they carry in them.
Though 50 odd yrs ago you'd have died with what we did. Series 1 LANDY 1500cc side valve. (real powerhouse)
22ft very solid caravan. early '50's build. with full household incl coal fire. stove. twin tub washer. full house fridge. None then one then two kids and all incidentals.
The bloody van itself was probably 4 ton on a single axle, rag tyre. Only time it hit 30mph was in Angel going downhill in Wales.
But safe as. we mostly travelled around 20 ish MPH, on the flat. Often even reaching 10mph or so going up. a lot less on most hills.
(When you look at today's world and the brain set of must do the speed. It makes you wonder. me included).
Hah. Then I bought a series 2 Petrol. Later a 2a Diesel 2 ltr. Rocket powered. brrrrrrum.
funnily enuff though. they didn't go all that much faster on those Welsh and scottish mountains. It's ALL in the gearing.
BUT I and most others kept our rigs well balanced to start with. In those days (low speeds). we normally kept them that you could just lift drawbar onto ball. Probably 100ish lbs. Most of us were semi/float drivers when not on Machinery so driving experience was there to start with..
Nowadays. none of my Roadstars were within the 350kg lmits on ball weight.
What I'm saying. Is it's primarily the speeds we do nowadays, that cause most of the problems with these rigs. That. combined with inexperience.
Once that sorted. very few rigs will be badly loaded or overloaded so much. as people will be realising just how detrimental to everything it is and the roads for vanners. Will be a much safer place.
Which is why I push the driver\towing classes so much. Just one days instruction, and retention of between the ears. will improve all drivers.
Me included. we ALL pick up bad habits. I do an advanced truck driving instructors test every 10 yrs to keep myself in line. best $60+ and 1 hr of your time anybody can ever spend. Don't think I'll get to do another one though. chuckle.
It's a different lifestyle nowadays. but still same roads. same types of vehicles (tug and trailer)and same though increased velocity's, Gravity reactions.
One day....
PS.
When you looking at the lake by Target. (Garbutt)
I partially dug that out in early '90's with a 140 ton excavator.
and son laid the pavers on the Strand in town.
-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 2nd of September 2016 10:59:00 AM
Thanks for reading everyone, always good to know someone is reading them. A few seem to think I'm heading to Greens lake, nope, sorry. I'm actually now in NSW and heading to central NSW. The part time Cane toad is now a co..roach.
I heard that! No I'm not still a pest, well sort off I spose.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi and thanks Doug,
we ended up buying a D-max and are in the process of sorting our weights. It's a balancing trick for sure to be legal so good on you for the report. Must be difficult full time on the road and not overloading.
God bless, froggos
Hi Doug, good read & good photos, I have a photo of Magnetic Island taken from nearly the same spot on The Strand in 2014, I'm in roach country also following the border back to Northern NSW.
Gday Doug yeah I just got back from that part of the country and as always it's awesome. Glad you are heading outback, I look forward to your next installment of the mighty Darling River if you happen to go out that far. On your way Sth, Mildura is a place to spend a few weeks. I'm heading up there in a few weeks to sit and fish at Lock 11.....
Slight change in plans has found me not central NSW but in Young NSW. I travelled down the Bruce and Pacific. Left Tuesday, changed mind at Rockhampton and kept in a southerly direction. Things change like that with me. I was trying to beat some not nice looking weather and it worked. Beat all the nasty stuff. The cold is a bit of a shock though after all the tropical weather for so long. No problem though. Temps will get better soon. Looks a lovely area through here so looking forward to exploring.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I can relate to the cold . Most winter in northern WA and NT . Then traveled through centre faster ( Stuart) than I thought to Victor Harbour SA . Hell cold and when rain sets in . It sure does . Yes I try to travel with minimum water storage due to weight when traveling . My weight is 6.8 ton so I'm fine . But no point moving extra weight . Surprised there was water shortage up there ? Nearly every where else in Aust has had rain . Even SA desert !! Rained while I was there !! Safe travels ..
Great info re Townsville, I will certainly make it a destination on my first GN trip next year, cannot suffer another Vic winter, Look forward to reading your updates. cheers movin
