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Thread: Ideas for your Expedition Defender

  1. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chucaro View Post
    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




  2. #22
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    Dec 2007
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    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

  3. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chucaro View Post
    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 View Post
    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 View Post
    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.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    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

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    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!




  6. #26
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    That sounds good, got any more info on this???


    Quote Originally Posted by lardy View Post
    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

  7. #27
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  8. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by slt View Post
    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

    Mulgo Pty Ltd
    Expedition vehicles & equipment
    69 Anderson Road, Mortdale NSW 2223
    p 0438 183 507 / www.mulgo.com.au

    Purchase your 4wd gear online:
    www.expeditioncentre.com.au

    follow us on facebook:
    facebook.com/expeditioncentre



  9. #29
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Jannali - NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by jerryd View Post
    This is quite a nice rig, I tried to look at their website but it's in chinese

    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

    Mulgo Pty Ltd
    Expedition vehicles & equipment
    69 Anderson Road, Mortdale NSW 2223
    p 0438 183 507 / www.mulgo.com.au

    Purchase your 4wd gear online:
    www.expeditioncentre.com.au

    follow us on facebook:
    facebook.com/expeditioncentre



  10. #30
    rafiki Guest
    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.


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