Thread: Too old for remote touring? 500K km 110 V8

Originally Posted by Phil B

Hi
Great to hear your LR is still strong after 1/2million km's!!!
When you say "remote" what does that mean?
Having a major break down halfway between say Sydney and Broken Hill is a completely different prospect to a major breakdown in the middle of the Simpson
I suppose what I am saying is could the lets face it "old" drive train put you and your family in a life threatening situation if it failed and left you stranded?

If you are sensible, you won't be facing a life threatening situation because of a catastrophic mechanical failure anywhere in Australia. You should always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Pack an HF radio or sat phone and have enough food and water in reserve to last a week. So long as you don't leave the vehicle, you will survive. The same rule applies to a brand new vehicle.

Having said that, if you need to be rescued, you may have to leave the vehicle behind. If you can accept that this is a risk, go for it. If not, stay on the tarmac.

It's a bit like any kind of travel - never take anything you can't stand to lose.

Originally Posted by Phil B

Hi
Great to hear your LR is still strong after 1/2million km's!!!
When you say "remote" what does that mean?
Having a major break down halfway between say Sydney and Broken Hill is a completely different prospect to a major breakdown in the middle of the Simpson
I suppose what I am saying is could the lets face it "old" drive train put you and your family in a life threatening situation if it failed and left you stranded?

With a wife and two young ones I will be sensible with the areas I go, and I will always travel with at least one other vehicle. I wouldn't put my family in a life threatening position. I guess the main reason why I want a reliable truck is simply to make the trip as comfortable and enjoyable for my family as possible. Less breakdowns = less stress, less changes to schedules, etc. I don't want mechanical failures to rob me of my little time off work with the family, especially with all the planning and cost of doing a big trip.

Edward

X2 for both of the above
I have been in a life threatening situation in the dessert (caused by my stupidity) and it's not something you want to happen to you.
Simple things like partner vehicles, sat phones, enough water and fuel and above all good planning are essential. It's not so much fun being stranded with no back up planning, believe me.
I wasn't for one minute saying you would put your family in danger. Just sharing my thoughts, that's all.
Regards

Originally Posted by Phil B

X2 for both of the above
I have been in a life threatening situation in the dessert (caused by my stupidity) and it's not something you want to happen to you.
Simple things like partner vehicles, sat phones, enough water and fuel and above all good planning are essential. It's not so much fun being stranded with no back up planning, believe me.
I wasn't for one minute saying you would put your family in danger. Just sharing my thoughts, that's all.
Regards

No worries Phil, I know what you meant and I agree Travelling solo into truly remote areas with a young family would probably be too stressful for me - would defeat the purpose of the trip.

Good to hear everything worked out out well in the end (well I assume it did anyway!)

Edward