I have made the decision finally

SnowT · Guru

I have made the decision finally

moblet · Senior Member

SnowT wrote:
Hey Colin..

duel Fuel is where I say No..
I have a BA on Gas and the cost of Gas at the moment is not good..
I saw it hit 95c in the country area's..

When I tow with it.. [43lt usable tank] I get about 200-220k's per tank..

By my calculations this puts LPG in the same ball park as diesel, except for the reduced range.

Let's accept that you only get 200km from a 43L tank. That's 21.5 l/100km. At 95c/L that's 20.4c/km in fuel costs.

Now let's assume that diesel is sold from the same outlet for $1.70/l and a diesel tug burns 12 l/100km. That also works out to 20.4c/km. So at those relative prices, 21.5 l/100km on LPG costs the same as 12 l/100km on diesel. Considering the lower purchase cost of the LPG vehicle, that makes LPG look pretty darn good. SnowT, what's the all-up weight of your rig? I would expect diesel to become more competitive as the rig gets heavier.

SnowT · Guru

The 2 trailer's I have is 1 - 7x5 open trailer..

The other which I have just sold was a 7x4 camper trailer.. I took that all the way to Newcastle and had to Fill up every 200+ K's.. Not a Lot of Fun.. could of ran on Petrol but that would of cost more..
It does not really matter which trailer I tow the fuel still goes thru the roof..

Personally, and I do mean Personally.. I think a Well Looked After Diesel is much better..

Next Major mode of traveling around shall be a Coaster Bus.. Towing the Trailer..

Juergen

jetj · Guru

I've had dual fuel and hated it. Extra servicing, rego checks more expensive and have to run petrol as well to stop it going stale. It used to have to be tuned to one or the other.

Colchap · Member

Ok the way I figure it now... Is if I'm only planning on travelling a couple of hundred KMs per week then in the big picture that's not a lot of money at all on fuel So even if I only get a straight petrol ford ute and it costs me let's say $100 a week in fuel.... It's still way cheaper than rent.
So I get a car I'm comfortable in, that will cost less than a deisel 4x4 that I really won't enjoy driving. And it will also allow me to spend a bit more on caravan.
I can understand all the different points of view that everyone had offered. In the end it all comes down to being comfortable. And at least a petrol vehicle is something that I am fairly confident in fixing if need be. Where with a deisel I know diddly squat about them.
Thanks to everyone for their input... I have learnt heaps.

Colin

Colchap · Member

Now if I had to tow this... I would be really worried

Rip and Rosie · Guru

We went to diesal because it is available everywhere, and unleaded and gas is often unavailable in more remote places. Every farmer in this land runs diesal equipment!

We also are happy that most outback mechanics can fix diesal engines!

In the same ilk, and because we don't go off road, we elected to do without the advantages of 4 x 4 because all 4 tyres usually need replacing together, unlike 2 x 4, and that impacts upon the annual budget.

In addition, I suggest that when buying your van, make sure that it had good accessible storage .... moving matresses to get into underbed storage isn't fun in older vans!

moblet · Senior Member

Going with what you know, what you know you'll like, and what you're happy to accept the failings of if it doesn't work brilliantly, has to be the best way to start out. As you say, if you don't drive the wheels off your rig there aren't massive sums of money at stake.

Colchap wrote:
Now if I had to tow this... I would be really worried

Oh, I don't know, you certainly wouldn't be worried about money. Reminds me of those lotteries where you can win a Gold Coast home or a gold-plated motorhome + a supercar. I'm wondering if the boat launching procedure is as spectacular as I'm imagining it to be...

Colchap · Member

Well I almost ready to start my new life.
I've have purchase my car (2003 Ford Ute) and caravan (1986 roadstar poptop)
Now all I have to do is my own fit out to each.

Hoping to hit the road about early April, starting with a trip to Eildon fishing with a couple of mates.
Then to Green Lake... For a week or month or..

WooHoo I am getting excited

And also looking at meeting some fellow Nomads

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Well done Col - sounds like you are getting organised - sounds like you might be at Greens around Easter - gets pretty busy, but so much to see - we have seen boats sink, be towed in, spectacular skiers, jet boats, guys who wear boots that are pwered by jetskis that send them into the air and they do aerobatics - great to watch. And heaps more - there are fish in the lake - so just enjoy!!!

Might see you on the road somewhere when you venture further afield.

moblet · Senior Member

Nice going Col. It doesn't sound like you're going to miss your old life too much, but if you do, you can always buy your fish instead of catching it yourself.

Camp or pause anywhere where there's other nomads and you're going to meet them. Have fun!