A landcruiser will do the job, but I don't think your wife will get far on a washing machine
Have you thought of a motorhome?
You must get a copy of Camps 6 from newsagents or camping shops, you will find it very usuful.
what FF & CG says it may pay to just arrive and look around for a unit to suit your trip, you have plenty of time to do that if you are here for 1-3 years.
Have a safe trip and I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves.
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 04:01:43 PM
Earl F said
08:51 PM Feb 21, 2012
We are planning to arrive this April, buy a tow rig and a caravan and spend two to three years traveling around Australia. We want a used diesel tow rig and a caravan that can handle the off-bitumen (but we won't be doing the extreme 4x4 towing I've seen is some of the videos).
So far we are looking at a Land Cruiser and a caravan 19-21 feet long. Self contained, and wife wants a washing machine.
Any advice?
Thanks
Earl
Blue Orchid said
08:58 PM Feb 21, 2012
Welcome Earl F. I agree with all the comments that are relavent to you initial post, please forgive the frivolity when we get off topic.
Like Firefly, we get around in a diesel 4x4 truck (Ford ranger) hauling a 21ft Jurgens caravan. No rough terrain work, but Ma has bent the "Oh Sh1t" hand grip a few times when traversing some wet and muddy swamp grounds. The tug and tow both handle "off the bitumen" quite well and we have covered many kilometers of corrigated dirt road without a problem, not even a broken bottle of wine. But I would not take it rough roading with the van attached.
I guess it all depends on the interpretation of "off-roading".
There are many options and this is just my two cents worth, hope you enjoy this great land.
Edit> Watch out, our beer has both more flavour AND alcohol
-- Edited by Blue Orchid on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 09:09:35 PM
Firefly said
09:27 PM Feb 21, 2012
Hi Earl and welcome.
It comes down to individual choice at the end of the day.
We have a Windsor Rapid Outback model, 17'6" and extends to 24', which lets you go a few places a lower van wouldn't go. Our tow vehicle is a Toyota Hilux TD and it does the job ok.
The Landcruisers are the ants pants for sure, most on here would agree with that.
We also have solar but only the smaller portable type which works well for us. No washing machine, we use the old bucket and lid set up.
So many on this forum have been travelling for a long while and know so much. You won't be short of help thats for sure.
Cruising Granny said
10:27 PM Feb 21, 2012
Hi and welcome to Australia and The Grey Nomads forum Earl F. There a several off-road caravan options available here. There's Bushtracker, Kedron, Phoenix, Millard makes an off-road model, Jayco also do an off-road model. These vary in quality and price. A true and effective off-road caravan needs to be very strong - chassis, axles, construction to begin with, and it will need to have suitable tyre(tires) to cope with the verious conditions and surfaces of unsealed, bush roads. Some of these are very sandy while others have sharp rocks, or small rocks which behave like marbles under the wheels, and require patience and skill to manage a vehicle and caravan. The best way to learn about requirement and availability check out the numerous informative resources on the internet. By "Googling" off-road caravan Australia or similar topics you will find very helpful information based on the experience of many travellers who have done it before. A Toyota Landcruiser 100 Series or the V8 turbo diesel model will be a suitable vehicle for the terrain and towing. Many on this forum have done what you're planning to do, and I'm sure you'll be offered lots of hints, tips and advice. Safe and happy travels.
Gerty Dancer said
11:45 PM Feb 21, 2012
Hi Earl, and welcome to the forum. As a "dirt-road" Jayco owner, we cant really recommend them for long distances of dirt road which is usually corrugated. They are fine for the tracks into National Parks and some camp-grounds as they have a nice high clearance. But, along with that "stronger" chassis, theres the usual Jayco standard of cupboards etc, and drawers come off their runners or wont stay shut etc. Our microwave even came off its mounting! Jayco are good about repairs but thats no good to you if you are in a remote location. The toughest rig for off-road work would be a 4WD camper-trailer, butonly for dirt-roads you should be able to find something suitable.
Vic said
01:34 AM Feb 22, 2012
Welcome Earl (not the TV Earl I hope), like Cruising Granny said a couple to consider (among the others mentioned by her) are Kedron and Bushtracker, built to take the knocks but are fairly heavy I believe, someone might like to correct me on that, but all worth looking at making sure the tow vehicle is up to the hauling weight etc.
_wombat_ said
03:32 AM Feb 22, 2012
Vic wrote:
Welcome Earl (not the TV Earl I hope), like Cruising Granny said a couple to consider (among the others mentioned by her) are Kedron and Bushtracker, built to take the knocks but are fairly heavy I believe, someone might like to correct me on that, but all worth looking at making sure the tow vehicle is up to the hauling weight etc.
see you have gone back to your self portriat, and boy by the look of your av there is a lot to haul
Blue Orchid said
04:23 AM Feb 22, 2012
_wombat_ wrote:
Vic wrote:
Welcome Earl (not the TV Earl I hope), like Cruising Granny said a couple to consider (among the others mentioned by her) are Kedron and Bushtracker, built to take the knocks but are fairly heavy I believe, someone might like to correct me on that, but all worth looking at making sure the tow vehicle is up to the hauling weight etc.
see you have gone back to your self portriat, and boy by the look of your av there is a lot to haul
At least he has the sturdy undercarriage to carry all that excess weight, but I'd hate to be near when he falls, would cause an earthquake.
dropbear68 said
04:43 AM Feb 22, 2012
Yep drive on the right side of the road lol, if you see a sign on a river that says crocodiles dont swim or camp anywhere near them, in the Northern areas you can never carry enough water, the locals will be happy to help you if you ask,
03_troopy said
07:01 PM Feb 23, 2012
dropbear68 wrote:
Yep drive on the right side of the road lol, if you see a sign on a river that says crocodiles dont swim or camp anywhere near them, in the Northern areas you can never carry enough water, the locals will be happy to help you if you ask,
Noooo, drive on the left side.. that's the right side over here.. not the right side... the right side is the wrong side.
JRH said
08:29 PM Feb 23, 2012
03_troopy wrote:
dropbear68 wrote:
Yep drive on the right side of the road lol, if you see a sign on a river that says crocodiles dont swim or camp anywhere near them, in the Northern areas you can never carry enough water, the locals will be happy to help you if you ask,
Noooo, drive on the left side.. that's the right side over here.. not the right side... the right side is the wrong side.
A landcruiser will do the job, but I don't think your wife will get far on a washing machine
Have you thought of a motorhome?
You must get a copy of Camps 6 from newsagents or camping shops, you will find it very usuful.
what FF & CG says it may pay to just arrive and look around for a unit to suit your trip, you have plenty of time to do that if you are here for 1-3 years.
Have a safe trip and I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves.
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 04:01:43 PM
We are planning to arrive this April, buy a tow rig and a caravan and spend two to three years traveling around Australia. We want a used diesel tow rig and a caravan that can handle the off-bitumen (but we won't be doing the extreme 4x4 towing I've seen is some of the videos).
So far we are looking at a Land Cruiser and a caravan 19-21 feet long. Self contained, and wife wants a washing machine.
Any advice?
Thanks
Earl
Welcome Earl F. I agree with all the comments that are relavent to you initial post, please forgive the frivolity when we get off topic.
Like Firefly, we get around in a diesel 4x4 truck (Ford ranger) hauling a 21ft Jurgens caravan. No rough terrain work, but Ma has bent the "Oh Sh1t" hand grip a few times when traversing some wet and muddy swamp grounds. The tug and tow both handle "off the bitumen" quite well and we have covered many kilometers of corrigated dirt road without a problem, not even a broken bottle of wine. But I would not take it rough roading with the van attached.
I guess it all depends on the interpretation of "off-roading".
There are many options and this is just my two cents worth, hope you enjoy this great land.
Edit> Watch out, our beer has both more flavour AND alcohol
-- Edited by Blue Orchid on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 09:09:35 PM
Hi Earl and welcome.
It comes down to individual choice at the end of the day.
We have a Windsor Rapid Outback model, 17'6" and extends to 24', which lets you go a few places a lower van wouldn't go. Our tow vehicle is a Toyota Hilux TD and it does the job ok.
The Landcruisers are the ants pants for sure, most on here would agree with that.
We also have solar but only the smaller portable type which works well for us. No washing machine, we use the old bucket and lid set up.
So many on this forum have been travelling for a long while and know so much. You won't be short of help thats for sure.
There a several off-road caravan options available here. There's Bushtracker, Kedron, Phoenix, Millard makes an off-road model, Jayco also do an off-road model.
These vary in quality and price.
A true and effective off-road caravan needs to be very strong - chassis, axles, construction to begin with, and it will need to have suitable tyre(tires) to cope with the verious conditions and surfaces of unsealed, bush roads. Some of these are very sandy while others have sharp rocks, or small rocks which behave like marbles under the wheels, and require patience and skill to manage a vehicle and caravan.
The best way to learn about requirement and availability check out the numerous informative resources on the internet.
By "Googling" off-road caravan Australia or similar topics you will find very helpful information based on the experience of many travellers who have done it before.
A Toyota Landcruiser 100 Series or the V8 turbo diesel model will be a suitable vehicle for the terrain and towing.
Many on this forum have done what you're planning to do, and I'm sure you'll be offered lots of hints, tips and advice.
Safe and happy travels.
As a "dirt-road" Jayco owner, we cant really recommend them for long distances of dirt road which is usually corrugated. They are fine for the tracks into National Parks and some camp-grounds as they have a nice high clearance. But, along with that "stronger" chassis, theres the usual Jayco standard of cupboards etc, and drawers come off their runners or wont stay shut etc. Our microwave even came off its mounting! Jayco are good about repairs but thats no good to you if you are in a remote location.
The toughest rig for off-road work would be a 4WD camper-trailer, butonly for dirt-roads you should be able to find something suitable.
Welcome Earl (not the TV Earl I hope), like Cruising Granny said a couple to consider (among the others mentioned by her) are Kedron and Bushtracker, built to take the knocks but are fairly heavy I believe, someone might like to correct me on that, but all worth looking at making sure the tow vehicle is up to the hauling weight etc.
see you have gone back to your self portriat, and boy by the look of your av there is a lot to haul
At least he has the sturdy undercarriage to carry all that excess weight, but I'd hate to be near when he falls, would cause an earthquake.
Yep drive on the right side of the road lol, if you see a sign on a river that says crocodiles dont swim or camp anywhere near them, in the Northern areas you can never carry enough water, the locals will be happy to help you if you ask,
Noooo, drive on the left side.. that's the right side over here.. not the right side... the right side is the wrong side.
Hey Dropbear Crocodiles swim very well pal.
