van feedback

aussietraveller · Guru

van feedback

gt1234 · Member

gday all this is my first time on this siteand i am in need of some guidance i am at the stage of planing our first trip as caravanners we havent travelled much but are hanging out to start i will try to outline our thoughts and would be grateful of any comments 1. our tow vechile is 09 hilux diesel so tow cap 2250 2.are starting out down south [gippsland] and would seek to go to the cape and continue on if alls well taking 3 to 4 months so stops might be4/5 days 3. with some limited research and being my first stop i looked at kimberley karavans eco suite 100k +does one need to spend that figure we dont plan on full offroad but dont want to be limited to the bitcumen is there other products we shoud resource 3. is there any reading material etc for advise on times to go /routes etc many thanks and regards

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Hi
Welcome to Grey Nomads
You say you want to go to the cape but don't want to go full off road, to me that doesn't compute, have I misunderstood you, as what you propose would seem to be a very serious undertaking for someone who is just starting out caravanning.
Cheers
David

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Re Cape York

Check out Cape York Forum for good information. http://www.capeyorkforums.com/forums/index.php?s=e76964a99aed74bfd75697d4fd35ef06

Also Ron and Viv Moon published a very good guide to Cape York.
http://www.guidebooks.com.au/cape.htm

gt1234 · Member

thanks for the replys aithough we havent towed vans i have some knowledge of the bush etc and done a fair amount of towing large items this is the type of info i am after as i may have underestimated the condition of the roads etc nth of cairnes thanks and regards

Cruising Granny · Guru

Ditto! What Aussie traveller said.
Having said that, I did meet a bloke from Vic in the Cairns van park who was washing down his standard Jayco van after completing the whole Cape trip with it. He started out inexperienced, but was much wiser as he washed that van.
He got away with minimal damage, but admits he wouldn't do it again.
Even camper trailers can sustain damage on those roads and river crossings.
Not for the inexperienced.
Apart from that, welcome to the Grey Nomads. I hope you enjoy your stay.

glassies · Guru

did the cape many years ago took a jayco camper with us ,boy the road was rough ,we used to do weipa every single year
but one of the years we decided to take the jayco all the way to the top,it had rained and the road was soft in places
a lot of people were bogged on the way up and back,we took our time and made it no hassles but it was stressful.

the road to weipa is now pretty good i am told but thats only what ive been told,it did get better every year and i havent
been for 11 years now, so i am imagining surely its got better as the years go on ,i too agree leave the van at lakeland
the road to there is sealed .

enjoy your trip and welcome to a fabulous forum full of fabulous people and lots of knowledge and some crazies too
yes you heard WOMBAT lol.

Jack Mac · Senior Member

gt1234 wrote:
gday all this is my first time on this siteand i am in need of some guidance i am at the stage of planing our first trip as caravanners we havent travelled much but are hanging out to start i will try to outline our thoughts and would be grateful of any comments 1. our tow vechile is 09 hilux diesel so tow cap 2250 2.are starting out down south [gippsland] and would seek to go to the cape and continue on if alls well taking 3 to 4 months so stops might be4/5 days 3. with some limited research and being my first stop i looked at kimberley karavans eco suite 100k +does one need to spend that figure we dont plan on full offroad but dont want to be limited to the bitcumen is there other products we shoud resource 3. is there any reading material etc for advise on times to go /routes etc many thanks and regards

Hi and welcome,

Not sure what your requirements are in a van but have just looked a a reasonably recent Caravan World magazine review of the Desert Sky, Desert Tracker offroad caravan.

It is not a large van i.e. no ensuite etc. but apparently is built for offroading. Tare - 1300kg, ATM - 1800kg

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Jack

Their web site is: www.desertsky.com.au

neilnruth · Guru

Welcome from us too gt1234. I'm sure you'll get lots of friendly advice.

gt1234 · Member

thanks for the replys i seem to have underestimated the size of task towing to the cape again thats the info i am chasing also any feedback on towing with a hilux would be appreciated again thanks and regards gt