Hi to all the well weathered nomads out there. I'm new to this and, come hell or high water, my wife and I are about to jaunt our way around the west coast and then back down the centre and home to Melb. Three months and we want to do some limited off roading/beaches. Kit is a 2023 Nissan Xtrail and a 1995 Jayco Swift Outback. The more I read, the more I consider chucking the whole kit in and starting again but I think we'll give it a go - would appreciate any positive observations/constructive criticism based on experience. Thanks Andrew and Linda
Perhaps a few short trips might be the go before you tackle a big one. But perhaps you have already done that.
I have no comment about the suitability of your rig. There are many more on the forum that are more qualified and I expect that they will wade into the discussion.
It seems to me that the trip you have outlined is far to long for 3 months. More like 6 to 12 months. Pretty expensive too. Perhaps you should look at a series of much shorter trips to get a feel for how far you & your rig can comfortably handle & still enjoy.
In any case once again welcome.
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 30th of April 2024 07:48:20 AM
Welcome to the Forum Andrew and Linda, The combination you have seems, to me, a good enough combination to do your planned expedition.
Although, I agree with Cupie in the idea that the planned trip is ambitious time wise, but you will certainly see enough to want to keep on travelling.
Check out the "Caravan Council of Australia" website for ideas and checklists to assist your planning - The main tip is to travel light, use a simple "tin" fire box (we use a Webber Traveller) for most cooking outside of van, using little sticks for fuel (or heat beads in inclement weather). LPG gas can be scarce and expensive in remote areas.
Don't carry full cutlery and dish sets - there are two of you, any visitors will have their own gear if you have a get together or happy hour - plastic and melamine are serviceable and light.
Cast iron fire tools and pots should be left at home - if you can't live without a camp oven, get a spun steel one.
Don't carry boxes of dry goods, use plastic fruit jars for storage containers.
Always carry a puncture plug kit, half a meter of soft drawn (fence) wire, and a small 12V compressor (even a cheapie from Repco or Super Cheap).
UHF fitted to tug is always handy (or use a handheld) - we have a small pair of Oricon handhelds for use when sight seeing. Carry a whistle and small mirror in glove box.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Thanks Cupie for your advice - if it takes longer, then so be it, we just get home later and the expense be hanged. Thanks also to Possum - some great leads here to follow up. I am intrigued as to why you might carry 'half a metre of soft drawn (fence) wire - is that for bogs? By the way, does anyone have any opinions on the product "Bog Out"? Cheers, Andrew and Linda
The basic concept of Bog Out is simple: you have a stuck 4X4, so you use Bog Outs to create a loop around one or two of the wheels, fix them in place with small connector straps, start driving and the Bog Outs wind around the wheels, pulling the vehicle out. All you need is a functioning vehicle and a suitably positioned anchor point. Never seen it done, but no reason why it won't work. I have a 4M fabric "Tape" with clevis hooks each end tow rope.
Fencing wire will fix just about anything, hold it together until proper repairs can be achieved. In the past I have used "overland telegraph" wire to hold leaf springs functioning when collapsed. Should have added fabric "Gaffer tape" to list. Duct tape is also handy sometimes.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I have been caravanning and 4WDriving for years ....and I still learned something here to-day.
The fencing wire is a good one ...already carry that ...but so are zip ties ....all sizes and lengths in a strong bag...and they can be shoved anywhere too. But I didnt know about cloth gaffer tape still holding while it is wet....so I guess never to old to learn hey.
Cheers Keith
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Nuthin is ever the same once I have owned it ......
I beg to differ with you there, Possum. I may have not had much experience with camping etc but I have had a lot of experience with Gaffa tape, using it inside and outside, setting up stages and film sets and it may be water resistant but it inevitably peels off in the rain.
Fabric gaffer tape held bull bar on Paddock basher for two and a half years out in all weather conditions including snow. Note gaffer tape not duct tape.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
