We wanted a dual cab with performance and the Navara with its 3 litre V6 diesel 170 kilowatt, 550 nm of torque mixed together with a 7 speed auto, had that but came with a price tag,
We opted for a ARB aluminum bull bar, ARB canopy, ARB long range tank and a sliding tray for inside the ute tub. I recyled the driving lights, dual battery system, CB radio from previous vehicle.
We had the suspension up graded with new springs and shockers for comfort, safety and making the vehicle a better tow vehicle. Its awesome now.
The Concept Vision was purchased second hand is proving to be a great touring caravan. We added 340 watts of solar, now 2 batterys and a new vin plate giving us a nice working gross caravan weight of 2750kgs. I needed to move a few things around to get the tow bar weight to 275 done by moving the gas bottles closer to the caravan, pole carrier to the back and not putting much in the front boot.
The second hand caravan had a slide out bbq and a washing machine fitted 2 items which I was going to pull out thinking why carry this weight but using both items on our first 2 month tour I guess they will be staying.
When we weigh bridge the unit it comes in around 5 500kgs gross combination weight.
Impressive Radar the interior colour scheme is similar to ours we thought that the predominately white ceiling and walls would gave it a feeling of being roomier (and it does). I also like your BBQ set up we were a little restricted on what we could have at the front when we opted for single beds - enjoy.
Nice Radar, looks like its sitting good too. Standard suspension on Nissan?
Hi Stetch.
Suspension had been upgraded to suit our needs by Fulcum with constant 300kgs load rated springs and Bilstein shocker adsorbers.
The springs did raise the car slightly by 42 mil. My wife being a bit short dose not notice getting in the car but slides out noticing the extra height..
I did have some communications problems with the suspension people, most were selling upgades to suit 4 wheel driving where Fulcum listen to my needs come up with the 300 constant load upgrade.
I wanted the suspension primary for road comfort then towing, yes we do a small amount of 4 wheel driving but we do a lot of unsealed road driving and this is where this suspension really is good. We are road tourers, doing 2 to 3 months at a time away from home, sitting for few days before moving a little further down the road. A reason trip was near 3000ks to attend event 90% of that was towing our 2750kgs caravan
In all we both are enjoying the suspension upgrade even with the cost.
As the old saying goes."Standard cars just don't cut the mustard".
Nice bit of gear there. Well done on the selections.
In the second photo, there are two items that concern me, though.
First, I think I see a power cord extension. It is not weather protected. Not a good idea. Also, there should not be an extension. A 10A-15A adapter is ok if needed, but they come with a weatherproof housing.
Second, I might be being tricked by the sun angle, but the power leads are not showing up as orange. The orange ones are required for outdoor use. They withstand UV better and have thicker covering for physical protection. They do come in various power carrying ratings.
For a caravan you should have a heavy duty 15A lead. There is a maximum length permissable for vans. Most carry one at that length, or near it, plus a shorter one for when near the supply.
Nice bit of gear there. Well done on the selections.
In the second photo, there are two items that concern me, though.
First, I think I see a power cord extension. It is not weather protected. Not a good idea. Also, there should not be an extension. A 10A-15A adapter is ok if needed, but they come with a weatherproof housing.
Second, I might be being tricked by the sun angle, but the power leads are not showing up as orange. The orange ones are required for outdoor use. They withstand UV better and have thicker covering for physical protection. They do come in various power carrying ratings.
For a caravan you should have a heavy duty 15A lead. There is a maximum length permissible for vans. Most carry one at that length, or near it, plus a shorter one for when near the supply.
But then again, your regulations may differ.
A few things there that I do not accept as correct.
But then again, your regulations may differ. The regulations are consistent Australia wide.
Also, there should not be an extension. Correct. It is not legal to join extension leads, anywhere, not just for caravans.
The orange ones are required for outdoor use. I do not believe there is any restriction on colour.
They withstand UV better I do not believe that is true.
have thicker covering for physical protection.That may or may not be true.
There is a maximum length permissible for vans. I do not believe that is true. There is a maximum length for each conductor size. From memory, for 15A, it is 40M for 2.5mm2 conductors, and you could have one of those if you wished, but it would be very heavy and very expensive. There is a minimum length for caravans. I can't recall if it is 15 or 20m and if it is only a recommendation to suit caravan park design requirements.
Cheers,
Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Saturday 27th of July 2024 12:05:41 AM
a few things have happen since I posted the photos of our Nissan and Concept.
At some stage back a piece, we removed the 65 kg siding draw from the Nissan as we were heavy on the drive axle 1780 kgs. We have a maximum of 1720 kgs
Then the old 30 kgs of 25 year old Engel refrigerator broke, not to be replaced and the need for a second battery in the Nissan was not needed so that 34 kgs was moved to the caravan which was under weight.
A couple of years ago now I put a sticker on the 28 kgs of slide out bbq, 15 months of non use, it now lives in the garage.
things I have removed from the Nissan for a weight saving of approx. 240 kgs.
sliding draws, Engel frig, 110 amp battery and rack, 80 kgs of canopy.
Down side is we are carrying more fire wood.
The Concept with weight to spare or just.
things removed
t, The pipe for the extra long things, siding door for the en suite, television, steel framed queen bed now aluminum double, slide out bbq.
I did install a diesel heater and added the 110 amp battery.
but in April 2024 removed the 68 kgs of agm batteries and have now 14 kgs of 120 amps lithium LIPO4.
At my last weighbridge check in November 2023 with the combination, we were 5 250 kgs.
We are still very much satisfied with our set up and could be around us a bit longer yet.
