Ideas for your Expedition Defender

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

25th August 2009, 07:35 PM
slt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucaro

It will be good if can post some of the gear to you think it is is a must on your setup and which you think that you can do with out it.

To be honest, I'm not sure yet, since I've only had it for a few weeks now ... so only time will tell.

Maybe I should briefly let you know what my plan was/is. I love my landscape photography and I'm always in search of the perfect light ;) I find that (apart from leave days) I'm usually limited by accomodation costs as to how long I can stay somewhere to take photos. So I needed something that will get me to all those special places in Oz and then allow me to stay there for however long I wanted to. Offroad and weight-carrying ability eventually settled me on the 130, and a compromise on practicality, comfort and (relative) simplicity on the Trayon.

The mod on the Puma that I find essential is long range fuel (155 litres now ... and damn LRA and their warranty issues). Not shown in the photos is a half-width Rhino alloy tray for two spare wheels (nowhere else to put them except on the roof unfortunately) and a Thule Hullavator to carry my kayak.

The camper is 2250mm long, so it makes for a faily long tray on the 130DC, but well within the legal limit. Departure angle is only marginally less (which in the 130 isn't crash hot to start with of course ... so no tight rutted bush tracks for me).

The Trayon is a Deluxe 1830. Difference to the standard model, from memory, is a gas hot water system, 240V, tent fly and potty (none essential, just convenient). I've opted for a 2nd 55Ah battery (and will probably get a 3rd). I'm currently shopping for solar panels (looking for 240W or so). I think solar power is essential if you want to camp somewhere for more than 2 days, and I don't want to carry a genny.

One more thing about the length/weight. The empty Trayon is 390kg. With 120l of water and all the other stuff it weighs more like 600 when ready to go. Visually it didn't make much difference, but it's loading down the rear springs by about 4cm (down from 1.04m). Not much you'd think, but it's a little ligther on the steering as a result, and I'm picking up some vibration (really noticeable on concrete motorways, but potentially an issue on corrugations). I've talked to one of the shops here in Sydney and they reckon next size-up springs and dual-shocks in the rear should fix it. On my to-do list...

Cheers
slt

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/645.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/646.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/647.jpg
25th August 2009, 07:46 PM
Chucaro

Thank you for your reply.
It is interesting that we share the same interest in nature photography. I am active member of naturescapes and also sell my photos through the net.
I sold my disco tdi 300 and got the Defender to reach remote areas with comfort and be able to have more payload capacity.
Regading the suspension in the 130, did you read THIS article?
I am not sure yet if I am going to go solar or purchasing one of the Honda DC generator with the Bosh alternator to charge the batteries.
In my Mazda motorhome I have 2 80 watts panels but they are taken to much room on the roof of the Defe.
Cheers
25th August 2009, 08:11 PM
slt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Thank you for your reply.
It is interesting that we share the same interest in nature photography. I am active member of naturescapes and also sell my photos through the net.

I did notice, in the Camera Corner :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Regading the suspension in the 130, did you read THIS article?

Yes I did, but thank you for reminding me. The shop I talked to did mention air bags were another option. In two minds about them. Friend of mine (very experienced in remote off-roading) said they're more trouble than they worth. But still a possibility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucaro

I am not sure yet if I am going to go solar or purchasing one of the Honda DC generator with the Bosh alternator to charge the batteries. In my Mazda motorhome I have 2 80 watts panels but they are taken to much room on the roof of the Defe.
Cheers

I thought long and hard about this. Yes, there's not much roof space on the truck once the roof rack is on (in fact none). But I do have a spare rail on the camper roof, which could mount one panel while the camper is closed (enough to trickle, while I'm off walking etc.). You will notice the people from the Tsongololo link I posted earlier use portable panels, 1) they stop in one place for a long time (weeks) 2) you actually want to park the camper in the shade when possible. I can't remember the exact numbers, but they use something like 320W in panels and 240Ah of battery storage, enough to keep them going for long periods using fridge, lighting, laptop, stereo and TV even.
25th August 2009, 11:11 PM
lardy

Quote:

Originally Posted by juddy

These are ok for kit too...

Nene Overland 4x4, Land Rover Defender 90, 110, 130, Discovery, Freelander, Range Rover Sales, Service, Parts, Hire and Preparation

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/629.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/630.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/631.jpg

Patriot Roof Racks - Home

juddy know a fabricator who could do a top body for your 130 for 3k in w.a. he is doing some work for me may have quoted just under that price i believe regards andy
26th August 2009, 06:25 AM
Chucaro

If ideas of what to do with the canopy at the back of the 130 is what you are looking for then the page of Adrian's Tomcat with photos of the King Trojan are is a good place for inspiration
The page is HERE

And this are some of the pics on it!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...010/08/887.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/08/627.jpg
26th August 2009, 06:49 AM
juddy

That sounds good, got any more info on this???

Quote:

Originally Posted by lardy

juddy know a fabricator who could do a top body for your 130 for 3k in w.a. he is doing some work for me may have quoted just under that price i believe regards andy
26th August 2009, 06:51 AM
juddy

good place..

Daams 4x4 Products Daams4x4products
26th August 2009, 07:07 AM
Mulgo

Quote:

Originally Posted by slt

One more thing about the length/weight. The empty Trayon is 390kg. With 120l of water and all the other stuff it weighs more like 600 when ready to go. Visually it didn't make much difference, but it's loading down the rear springs by about 4cm (down from 1.04m). Not much you'd think, but it's a little ligther on the steering as a result, and I'm picking up some vibration (really noticeable on concrete motorways, but potentially an issue on corrugations). I've talked to one of the shops here in Sydney and they reckon next size-up springs and dual-shocks in the rear should fix it. On my to-do list...

Hello Sit,

Talk to Ken from http://www.ultimatesuspension.com.au before you do anything to your suspension. He fixed my fathers and the 130" is now handling perfectly.

Cheers,
Daniel
26th August 2009, 07:11 AM
Mulgo

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryd

This is quite a nice rig, I tried to look at their website but it's in chinese :eek:

I nearly brought a trayon camper when I had my dual cab, I think they are really good.

Don't know by that looks like a Landrover conversions by Foley Specialist Vehicles conversion to me.

Cheers,
Daniel
26th August 2009, 07:44 AM
rafiki

Already posted this in 'Members Rides' but thought it more appropriate here. Our 110/Maggiolina/Oztent R4/Sankey trailer rig. Photo taken at a campsite in southern Spain near Cádiz.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...o/IMAG0033.jpg

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page