The Kimberley experience

Interesting to see others coming to a similar conclusion that led me to buy the 130 after our first two Kimberley expeditions. I built a camper trailer for our first trip but decided I did not like towing on those big outings. The space and load capacity of the 130 is great for two people on an extended trip. Only real down-side with mine is that the box on the back is not removable (easily); a tray with a removeable camping box would make a more versatile vehicle for all-around use.
We have a rooftop tent for a bedroom, one side of the back is the kitchen, the other side is the 'shed', with the back seats removed there's a massive amount of storage space and we sling a clothesline between the C-pillars to dry our washing on the move! We've explored some of the most remote places up there and the Defender is more than capable.
Heading towards the age where a rooftop is a bit awkward though. Still plenty of room in the 'shed' for a nice ground tent.

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Originally Posted by Samblers

Travelling on your own or with others?

I think a 110 or Disco would be fine for individuals or couples travelling, but I reckon a single or dual cab ute with a well-designed box on the back would be the better set up, giving more storage space and therefore more options for extended travel - which leads to the 130 (or Landcruiser equivalents).

Most seem to have reached similar conclusions - the ute+box being the most common touring setup we saw. Very practical and convenient

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Just dont weigh most of them [bigwhistle]

Quite a few people need to get smarter with the materials they use in those tray sheds...
And carry a lot less superfluous gear [thumbsupbig]

I'm stunned by how "tail down" a lot of them are around here...

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Just dont weigh most of them [bigwhistle]

Quite a few people need to get smarter with the materials they use in those tray sheds...
And carry a lot less superfluous gear [thumbsupbig]

I'm stunned by how "tail down" a lot of them are around here...

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I often weigh my 130, it always gives me a warm fuzy feeling to know I have hundreds of kg of spare payload.
Tony

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Originally Posted by TonyC

I often weigh my 130, it always gives me a warm fuzy feeling to know I have hundreds of kg of spare payload.
Tony

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Yeah, unlike most of the Jap ones that are loaded well over GVM.

If you go to YouTube and search 'Grizzly and Bear' you should find over 160 videos by a bloke from Perth and his French wife who have been travelling the world for 4 years in a 130 with a pop top camper on the back.
If you search their vids there are several about lessons they have learned in developing their setup over the years.
It's an interesting series.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

If you go to YouTube and search 'Grizzly and Bear' you should find over 160 videos by a bloke from Perth and his French wife who have been travelling the world for 4 years in a 130 with a pop top camper on the back.
If you search their vids there are several about lessons they have learned in developing their setup over the years.
It's an interesting series.

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And they are back in Perth now!

Yes, watched that one today. Their 130 is still in a container on a ship. Hope it survives undamaged.

Thank you Sam for this post. And timely. I have travelled many 1000s of ks for work with UN in inhospitable places from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia etc etc. And never thought of crossing this amazing country of ours just for fun. I do like sailing the Med where we have worked and lived for some years. But being back home and with C19 I've had second thoughts and am thinking to go from Vic to Lake Fromme, the Birdsville track....Tanami Rd to Kimberleys. Would I want to return? Probably not, maybe ship the Def back or do a trip due East to the Whitsundays.

My 110 would like that, but only with me and my wife I think. A friends couple would like to come and maybe it is viable to have them fly up and come with us for a couple of weeks on the outside. I feel funny saying that for reasons of comfort as I had a Series 2 SWB and 4 of us went on a rather long trip in the mid 80s. Top speed 80k on a good day, a rifle rack behind the front seats, no fridge and food was what we found or bought along the way. We still travel light, without roof rack and trailer but fridge and decent camping gear.

'But I am left wondering where all the Defenders were...?' Actually, the other week I was driving through Fitzroy and Carlton and there are lots of very nice 90s and 110s parked by the side of the road. Folks probably have little time to drive far on account of work. We're outnumbered by Toyota and Rangers etc anyway. My Tanami Tdi was noisy even after what I did to it. The current Td5 is much quieter, plus has a fair bit of sound absorption. My darling humors me in saying 'it's ok, I know you love the thing and nice that it is Tonka yellow.

Anyways, I am serious and we will go in 2022. Maybe we should start a '2022 Kimberley Defender meet' thread? I will do that if I get a +1 on that idea.

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Originally Posted by Fattima

Sounds like a great trip.

We are struggling with vehicle choice at the moment. In about 18 months I plan to semi retire and hope to take off on an extended trip. We planned to take the Disco with a trailer but have since decided we don't want to tow.
A defender 130 makes the most sense to me for its load carrying, practicality and ability. I've got a spreadsheet comparing different vehicles GVM, cost etc. While not always the cheapest option I keep coming back to the 130.

Decisions, Decisions....

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a couple people I know went the OKA for tourers, deano-H is ripping up WA and NT as we speak. [bigwhistle]

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Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

a couple people I know went the OKA for tourers, deano-H is ripping up WA and NT as we speak. [bigwhistle]

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I just paid a deposit on one, Mario. Trouble is, it's in NSW so who knows when I'll be able to get it.

A 130 with a Mulgo conversion would have been my second choice.