2 plus 2 going round Australia

A-O · Member

2 plus 2 going round Australia

A-O · Member

We h, I should also add, we are going right round our great country and there is no timeframe to get back. So we will be going to as many place as possible on road and off. we are planning to drop the van and tent it when we need to get to those secluded beaches and way way out there places in the desert.

A-O · Member

Oh yeah, another forgotten thing. We live in Albany WA and we have loved camping & fishing on our south coast beaches. So we love living off the grid free camping, so our traveling is going to be a combination of caravan parks, free camping, house sitting and if the opportunity arises, maybe even manage a caravan park. All while we are learning everything we can of each location as Australia is going to become the kids classroom. Im so jealous I didnt get that opportunity at their age.

Tony Bev · Guru

May I be one of the first to welcome you, and your family to the forum, A-O

Unfortunately I can not offer any input on your vehicle, as I have never had that type

As not many people come to this part of the forum, it may pay to ask your questions on the General forum

I agree with you that this is a great forum for information/advice, as I have also learned plenty from this forum

Hope that everything works out for your family

Cadpete · Guru

G'day A-O and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. Sounds like your getting well organised. I havn't had exposure to either your van or tug so will alo refrain from comment..

Pete and Marion

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang A-O, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I have met some really nice families travelling this great land called OZ. All the kids, well younger ones anyway, have been very polite and seem very smart kids. Some have told me things I didn't know but I didn't let them know that biggrin I came across one family up in QLD in a road side stop that had broken down and dad and his 10 year old son were heads under the bonnet with spanners on the go. The son was just as clever as his dad.

So well done 'getting out there' with the kids. I'm sure they will be better off than in a crowded class room. Learn 'real' stuff as well.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

A-O · Member

Thanks all for welcoming us. We told the kids our plan for next year and they almost jumped out of their skins. We are so glad they are onboard.they are going to learn things no school can teach them, as will I, its going to be awesome.

Ive only just started exploring the forum Cadpete, but Im sure Ill check out those suggestions.

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome A-O,
To get the best low-down on campsites get yourself logged on to WikiCamps www.wikicamps.com.au for a $10 once only payment you get information on all camping areas and caravan parks directly on your tablet or phone anywhere in Australia.
You can get additional information from Camps Book www.campsaustraliawide.com/
Don't forget to get all the other random and free technical information from Caravan Council of Australia www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Take care out there,
Possum

Woody n Sue · Guru

And its welcome from us two 2 A-O that sound like a fantastic trip you have planned there Im sure the kids will learn much more on the road about life and people than any class room will ever do .
Good luck and enjoy

Woody n sue

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Welcome . Your family will learn living experiences big time . Vehicle ?? It all depends on the particular vehicle ? The 4.2 is way less stressed . It could have semi blocked fuel filters and the only thing thatâll happen is itâll be sluggish . While possibly on single rail engines ., This could cause engine damage ?? Bad or contaminated fuel is another . Latter model diesels seem to do the job easy . If you ease up on hills changing down on hills or head wind and taking it easy ., As they seem to be geared for economy . Happy camping .

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Welcome to the gang A-O. I own a 100 series cruiser and love it. When I bought my cruiser, I got a mechanic friend to start at the nudge bar and finish at the towbar - Cost $3500 but money well spent. I have also had a 2013 Prado GXL as a tow rig, with no trouble from either vehicle. I only went to the 100 series because we upgraded to a larger van, requiring the larger towing capacity. I still miss my Prado, but am pleased I went to the 100 series. I also have dual batteries and an ARB compressor under the bonnet, which gives peace of mind.

You and your wife are champions for electing to travel with your two children. I have a granddaughter with ASD, so understand some of the challenges. I take my hat off to both of you. You'll do well, and the children will grow from the experience. It's great that the children are so excited, as I'm sure both of you are too.

A-O · Member

Dave1952 wrote:
Welcome to the gang A-O. I own a 100 series cruiser and love it. When I bought my cruiser, I got a mechanic friend to start at the nudge bar and finish at the towbar - Cost $3500 but money well spent. I have also had a 2013 Prado GXL as a tow rig, with no trouble from either vehicle. I only went to the 100 series because we upgraded to a larger van, requiring the larger towing capacity. I still miss my Prado, but am pleased I went to the 100 series. I also have dual batteries and an ARB compressor under the bonnet, which gives peace of mind.

You and your wife are champions for electing to travel with your two children. I have a granddaughter with ASD, so understand some of the challenges. I take my hat off to both of you. You'll do well, and the children will grow from the experience. It's great that the children are so excited, as I'm sure both of you are too.

Cheers everyone for the warm welcome.

Dave, was your old Prado a D4D? And what fuel economy are you getting with the 100 series and what was the Prado like economy wise as well? Thanks Chris

Dave1952 · Senior Member

Hi Chris,
Yes, my Prado was a D4D and I was towing a poptop with it. My last major trip with that van was to the Central Qld Gemfields from where we were based on the Gold Coast. On the return, I fuelled in Emerald, drove to Springsure and out to a gemfield there and back before proceeding on to the Gold Coast. I refuelled in Kingaroy after having travelled about 740 km - 73 litres so economy was excellent. I consistently got well over 1000 km to a 90 litre tank, so economy was great.

The 100 Series gives me 820 km + on a 90 litre tank not towing and around the 600 km towing a 2.8 tonne caravan. I use a product called Roil, which can only be obtained from the Australian Distributor in Brisbane. There is a diesel treatment, engine flush and metal conditioner and using these in combination increased my economy from 600 km not towing and 450 towing the 2.8 tonne van to the above figures.

I have checked and rechecked the figures and they have been consistent throughout. The only time I find a decrease is when I am towing the van from Brisbane to the New England area of Northern NSW, which is all uphill (Cunninghams Gap, Braeside between Warwick and Stanthorpe, Stanthorpe to Wallangarra and then Bolivia Hill between Tenterfield and Glen Innes). Then my economy drops to about 500 km towing. I recently towed the van to my last contract job before I retired and the distance was 280 km - fuel usage towing including the Toowomba Range was 33.5 litres.

I hope all this helps. I'm afraid that I am not much use with the kilometres per litre, as I'm quite old school with that and still use miles per gallon.
Regards
Dave

Dave1952 · Senior Member

As well, Chris, We are a Toyota family too. I have the 100 series, my wife drives a Rav 4, one son drives a Hilux and his wife a Tarago! The other son departed from Toyotas because of the purchase cost - he simply couldn't afford one.