I would suggest 4x4 due to heavier build, Gibb Rd very tough at times and can rattle your boots off in the car.
If not towing a large load the Triton is a good option as they are reasonably strong and the price is not too bad new or 2nd hand, not the greatest in the real heavy going but a good car for the price.
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In relation to Gibb River road bit of the trip ...
First thing to do is to read the post on here a few days ago "Poorly Prepared drivers ....... "
Then become a member of Brigit Badke's Kimberlies Newsletters, & get a copy of her guides.
Lots of Camper Trailers out there with an extensive mind boggling range of fit outs & prices. Both new & used. You'll need to be very clear on just what you want & what you can afford before you dip your toe in that mire.
The same applies to 4WDs.
Unless you are experienced in both 4WDriving & using campertrailers, the GRR is a perhaps risky first trip traveling alone with a new (to you) vehicle & trailer.
If it were me I'd be looking to get up a lot of experience with my set up before heading off road, with all the idiots (apparently) on the GRR.
Oh & don't forget to look at Premium tow/recovery/roadside assistance cover from your preferred motoring club. (RACQ et al)
The most important investment will be in time .. you'll be best advised to have lots of it so that you can just mope along & enjoy the adventure rather than racing to meet a time line .. & destroy your rig (& self?) in the process.
Back to the question ..
I would start by looking at a fully fitted out new Mon Con camper trailer (Why .. because that's the only one that I have looked closely at) and a BT50 to pull it (why .. because I like Mazdas & once again that's the only one that I have had a close look at).
Then use them as a base to compare others against.
6 mths later I may have made a decision ready to have lots of test runs in time for the best time of year to head north on the great adventure.
In any case, best of luck whatever you decide. Age 60 is a good time to start.
Have you considered something like a Toyota Troopy fitted out as a camper? That vehicle will go just about anywhere and alleviates towing issues.
Can sometimes pick up used and/or ex-rental (get a thorough inspection!) at reasonable price.
Have a look on the CMCA website - the Members Market section. You do not have to be a member to look at the used vehicles advertised there.
Then just maybe ill just stick to bitumin with new canper trailer plenty of places to fish ( i hope) perth to Kakadu via main highway and little detours,,,if anyone has comments please reply and i will have no time limit
Nothing wrong with the GRR,if you have a good well prepared vehicle.Take your time,so many great things to see.Don't be put off by negative comments by those who haven't been there.
If you have a reasonably reliable 4WD - albeit used - and a camper trailer that is built to handle dirt roads, there is no reason to restrict yourself to the sealed roads.
By the time you make your way to the Kimberley region, you should have a bit of a feel for how your rig handles. There are plenty of places you can visit on the way north, to see how it all goes. Look at some of the coastal station and camping spots north of Carnarvon. There is Peron Nat Park, near Monkey Mia, and Tamala Station near there - fishing! They will give you dirt road practice.
Explore Karijini NP for the scenery.
Between Port Hedland and Broome there is Cape Karaudren, Eighty Mile Beach, Barn Hill - all involve short unsealed road access and good fishing if conditions right. Consider driving up the Dampier Peninsula from Broome - sme unsealed road, and several indigenous run camp areas to stay, like Middle Lagoon. Should get in fishing there.
For fishing, consider detouring north from the Gibb River Road, up to Honeymoon Beach and/or McGowans Island, out of Kalumburu. The Kalumburu road usually opens later than the Gibb, and is later to be graded, so can be a bit rougher than the Gibb, but no big deal. Lots of off road caravans go to those two places.
We did the GRR from Derby to Kununurra late May last year in our Nissan Navara with slide-on Wedgetail camper. We didnt even get to some spots such as Tunnel Creek & Bells Gorge due to the road being washed out early in the season but we did get to Mount Hart and Mornington - amazing trip with no vehicle issues. At Home Valley Station we met a Swiss couple (in a hired 4WD with rooftop tent) who had had two flat tyres just driving from El Questro to Home Valley Station - they had not let their tyres down at all. You just need to drive within your comfort zone and to the conditions and ignore the odd hoon tearing past you at 80-90 kmh - you will probably see them in some sort of strife a few kms further along.
We cant wait to go and do the GRR again to see the places we missed - in Derby CP we met a German lady, probably in her 40s who had just done the GRR from north to south on a push bike - and for the second time!!! Also agree with Cupie that 60 is a great time to do the GRR
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