We are looking at selling our Jayco Silverline 24.75 and buying a Longreach, what do people think?
we are setting up for retirement so we can pull behind a car and a boat, but need to find the right trailer.
whenever I go away I am always overweight on the back axle of the RAM.
The ute itself inside is amazing and large but the weight on the back axle is deficient
Oh, by the way, they have an issue with back axles, mine went at 100,000km as there is only 1 bearing on each axle which runs directly onto the axle shaft, with no inner race, this is a terrible engineering design flaw.
2016 Longreach with Vitara 50,000 km on it, what's your thoughts?
Advantages for and against both.
What I think really doesn't matter, it is what suits you best.
Here is a suggestion right outside the box.
Why not look at replacing the complete rear axle assembly on your Ram to something stronger.
Large Ford rear ends are well known for their robustness and are often bolted into various vehicles. It maybe cheaper than swapping out your whole rig.
Yeah thanks, Greg, I already had to do this when the axle and bearings went as nothing in Australia for 3 months, getting the upgrade legal is the next issue.
Also, the RAM is not bad on fuel when nothing behind it, but, put the van on it and I go to a min of 25lt per 100km, with a worst case at 38lt per 100km.
Hi Bushie,
At the end of the journey its totally up to you as to what suits you better. Ive seen quite a few RAMs out there towing vans and many share your experience, especially the fuel consumption. Its a real drain on finances. Rear axle problems are not welcome either. I towed a van around the country and loved it, my next setup was a mid sized motorhome, I carried a KTM motorcycle on a towbar mounted rack, which was a great setup, except I tended to be right on my weight limit. That when I looked at a Longreach. In short, its excellent. The Isuzu is reliable, strong and my fuel consumption varies between 18 & 20 litres per 100ks. I tow a trailer with a Suzuki 4x4 and a motorcycle across the front. The roof of the trailer is made up of 12 solar panels so I have 2.4kw of solar on my trailer and 600w on the Longreach. Totally self sufficient. I can last three weeks with water and travel ~1300ks on a tank of fuel. Obviously the Longreach does not venture off the bitumen so thats when the Suzuki or bike are great. It is a big rig to manoeuvre but you soon adjust. If I am thinking of the Longreach and Vitara you have your eye on in Port Macquarie it looks like a great set up. I would opt for a trailer as opposed to flat tow but each to their own. Not being into fishing allows me to have solar on the trailer, but what you are suggesting is quite common out there. I couldnt recommend the Longreach highly enough. Theyre excellent and buy one second hand means all the bugs have been ironed out. Hope this information helps. Safe travels whatever you decide to do. Cheers
Thanks for the info, well i went ahead and bought the Longreach Vitara and boat, I am now looking to buy a car trailer and add a lowerable top deck to it as these trailers are very hard to find, the weight will be okay.
The Longreach is amazing to drive with the airbags in the front and the storage and room.
Very disappointed in the bloke who sold it to me as he told me all was good no water leaks nothing wrong, well I found shower leaks but now sorted, leaking through the tap handle back into the wall not sure how but it did, power point 12v for tv were faulty found the problem the plug back had got hot and pushed out intermittent touching.
The roof TV aerial is buggered but it is easily replaced one day, just is not a good feeling when you trust someone to sell you a good product and issues pop up, even if small.
Anyway so far I would recommend the Avida Longreach as it is an amazing vehicle, the Isuzu is doing around 21lt per 100km so it is very good as well, definitely a bitumen truck but not really that keen on the heavy 4x4 stuff.
I believe the rubber roof also is fantastic and does not leak which is good as everyone said they leak.
I got pricing from the company that is associated with the CCMA and they were so expensive and over the top, $6000.00 was my excess for water damage nothing with CIL. Saved at least a $1000.00 on the insurance.
Good on you Bushie, it is certainly disappointing when people are not upfront with the facts. I totally understand your delight with the Longreach. The people at Avida are quite good to deal with and Customer Service at Emu Plains are quite helpful. There are a few dealerships I would not return to although I recommend Roberts RV in Melbourne if Stuart is still their Service Manager, hes great. Weve had a few little teething issues with our Longreach but overall its the best setup weve had. The problems youve highlighted are certainly manageable, being capable of doing the repairs yourself means you know itll be done properly. I think a trailer with the lower able top deck is a good idea as Ive seen lots of them and the weight is no problem for the Isuzu. I have found CIL to be the most reasonable although fortunately Ive not made any claims.
Safe travels mate.
Hi, we tow a tandem tilta trailer with 1900 kg vehicle on. Have seen a boat frame added to the trailer which would be easy to do. Get 23 litre per 100 at 10500 kg all up. 2008 model
Well having a good run so far and thanks all for info, we are loving it at present, just a shame i am working around full time so not much site seeing.
I must admit tho it helps for when i want to go, we know where not go.
Loved Queensland but my god the roads are terrible.
