Time to start a list

[goldey]

Okay everyone, inputs please.

We have decided to head off on a 4 mth long camping holiday starting June next year with the three tin lids, wifey and our trusty camper trailer, and our 98 tdi Disco.

Now that I have permission from work to go for 4mths long service leave, I feel I need to focus on what I need to do to get the car ready.

The camper trailer is about a ton fully loaded. The car will be packed as well as the roof rack. I have a rebuilt ZF auto (with a third gear lock up) and a larger than normal auto cooler up front.

I will be replacing the shocks and getting new tyres (most likely 265/75R16's All Terrains) and start stockpiling a few spares like cooling hoses, both belts, filters, set of wheel bearings (maybe 2?).

The biggest issue I have is that we'd really like to take on the Simpson (from west to east) with the camper trailer and I find myself thinking it may be better if we sold the Disco and bought a :eek: Landcruiser :eek: to do it with?

I must confess I have had a love / hate relationship with my Disco over the past 3 yrs (love the way it drives and that it's different to the Jap line up and hate the amount of money we've spent on it, now totalling close to $8k on top of original purchase).

Disregarding my Landcruiser comment, what do I need to do in preparation for tackling the likes of the Simpson, Victorian High Country and the thousands of kilometers from Newy across to Ayers Rock area via Flinders and back home again via lots of scenic spots?

This is going to be an awesome trip with the family and the last thing I want is for us to be stranded somewhere with a busted vehicle.

Thanks for your help all.

Goldey

[subasurf]

the last thing I want is for us to be stranded somewhere with a busted vehicle.



Then buy a Toyota.;)

[bblaze]

Ok, I guessing maybe 10000km, maybe a few more, general service at half way point. So at the end of the day you are traving no more that a couple of services. If you disco is well mintained you wont have any worries. Pre trip
Check things like all hoses, bearings (wheel and idlers), timing belt (when was it replaced). I aways think of what will stop me being towed as the worse case senorio. Take spare hoses, set of bearings including an idler tension bearing, couple of spare tyres, repair kit. enjoy your trip
cheers
blaze

[Slunnie]

Just get in it and go! Stop worrying about it.

[Michael2]

Spares wise, maybe carry a vacuum pump for the 300Tdi as well.

Trailer wise, I did the Simpson East - West in a SIII in 2006 and we came across a Troopy towing a good quality trailer West - East. He'd already done the Simpson about 8 times without a trailer. He said he'd never do it again with a trailer. Going was slow.

Having said that, I caught up with a friend I hadn't seen for awhile the other week, and he did the Simpson East - West towing a cheaper quality trailer with his Playdo. It only took 3 days, but the trailer spring hangers did break off soon after that and needed to be welded back on.

If you must take a trailer, maybe invest in some good quality shocks for it.

[JDNSW]

Main suggestion I would make is to do everything you can think of to minimise the weight carried - but carry plenty of fuel and water on Desert sections.

In the Desert be prepared to lower tyre pressures and take it easy. In fact, take it easy everywhere - as a general rule, the faster you go the worse damage you do to the car (and trailer), although this does not necessarily apply to corrugations.

Although it has been done successfully, if you need to have the trailer, I would look at changing plans to do the Simpson west to east rather than east to west. I doubt that the brand of vehicle would make much difference.

John

[Redback]

One thing I would suggest is don't go with the 265/75s, these will drag too much power out of the car, when touring you don't need the bigger tyres, go with 245/70s or 255/70s, you'll save money on fuel and it will tow the camper better.

Baz.

[crash]

If doing a solo dessert trip I would consider taking along a set of sand ladders.

[goldey]

Thanks guys

Our Disco has got just over 140,000k's on it which is not much for a 98 model. It has been regularly maintained over the last 30,000k's (since we've had it, can't comment on the 110,000ks before we had it), and also in that time we've had to:

Replace the auto gearbox :toilet:(due to a gutful of muddy water and foreign bodies :eek:);
Replaced the original 3 row auto cooler with a 10 row auto cooler;
Replace black coolant tank with opaque one;
Install low water coolant alarm;
Replace power steering pump (pulley shifted forward and was advised that it will fail soon);
Replace timing belt & pulleys (20,000k's ago) & timing belt cover as bearing was cactus;
Radiator was removed and rodded / cleaned (about 10,000k's ago);
New wheel bearings all round (about 10,000k's ago);
New water pump, P gasket & belt tensioner and new drive belts (about 5,000k's ago);
Vacuum pump pulled apart and resealed lid (was starting to leak oil badly);
80 series and 100 series coils (still running old Rancho 2" lift shocks that will be replaced with something :confused: before the trip, will need new steering damper as well);
Installed airbags in the rear coils to stop the bum drag when the trailer is on;
New steering arms (heavy duty buggers from Paddocks).

Aside from these more major bits and pieces, the oil & oil filter changes on the dot of 5,000k's and air and oil filters every 10,000k's.

In the process now of working out how to mount one of those flip down dvd players on the roof to keep the 7, 6 and 2 yr olds happy in the back seat for those loooooong stretches. Also upgrading the stereo so dad (that's me :BigThumb:) can listen to some good music whilst on the way to and from work every day.

Given that the 300tdi is not a startling performer with the trailer on the back :burnrubber: and given that we have had an overheating scare before :no2::no2:, I am merely trying to cover bases before starting prep work for the big trip :D.

Thanks again for your input guys.

I will definitely look into some shocks for the trailer as well. Oh, and I thought the easiest way to traverse the Simpson was west to east? Yet most of you guys are talking about east to west?

Talk soon

Cheers

Goldey

[goldey]

Thks Redback

I was toying with the idea of doing the 4.11's in the front and rear diffs as the 245/75s have already affected the towing ability and with wanting (not needing to) to go to the slightly bigger tyres, the 4.11 R&Ps would at least take me back to (or close to) how the car would respond with the standard diameter tyres on.

Just another expense (albeit worthwhile I think, just got to convince the missus maybe??).

Cheers

Goldey

[Redback]

Thanks guys

Our Disco has got just over 140,000k's on it which is not much for a 98 model. It has been regularly maintained over the last 30,000k's (since we've had it, can't comment on the 110,000ks before we had it), and also in that time we've had to:

Replace the auto gearbox :toilet:(due to a gutful of muddy water and foreign bodies :eek:);
Replaced the original 3 row auto cooler with a 10 row auto cooler;
Replace black coolant tank with opaque one;
Install low water coolant alarm;
Replace power steering pump (pulley shifted forward and was advised that it will fail soon);
Replace timing belt & pulleys (20,000k's ago) & timing belt cover as bearing was cactus;
Radiator was removed and rodded / cleaned (about 10,000k's ago);
New wheel bearings all round (about 10,000k's ago);
New water pump, P gasket & belt tensioner and new drive belts (about 5,000k's ago);
Vacuum pump pulled apart and resealed lid (was starting to leak oil badly);
80 series and 100 series coils (still running old Rancho 2" lift shocks that will be replaced with something :confused: before the trip, will need new steering damper as well);
Installed airbags in the rear coils to stop the bum drag when the trailer is on;
New steering arms (heavy duty buggers from Paddocks).

Aside from these more major bits and pieces, the oil & oil filter changes on the dot of 5,000k's and air and oil filters every 10,000k's.

In the process now of working out how to mount one of those flip down dvd players on the roof to keep the 7, 6 and 2 yr olds happy in the back seat for those loooooong stretches. Also upgrading the stereo so dad (that's me :BigThumb:) can listen to some good music whilst on the way to and from work every day.

Given that the 300tdi is not a startling performer with the trailer on the back :burnrubber: and given that we have had an overheating scare before :no2::no2:, I am merely trying to cover bases before starting prep work for the big trip :D.

Thanks again for your input guys.

I will definitely look into some shocks for the trailer as well. Oh, and I thought the easiest way to traverse the Simpson was west to east? Yet most of you guys are talking about east to west?

Talk soon

Cheers

Goldey

We did east to west with our camper, best thing to do is ask just before you go when you get your desert pass, then decide on which way to go then.

It would be better to tag along with someone though, seeing as your taking your camper, we did and glad we did as we got stuck in one sand hole.

Baz.

[isuzutoo-eh]

In the process now of working out how to mount one of those flip down dvd players on the roof to keep the 7, 6 and 2 yr olds happy in the back seat for those loooooong stretches.


Do kids really need DVDs and childminding gadgets like that? When I were a kid (couple of weeks ago :D) we looked out the window or read books or played games like spotto and count the road sign, us kids had our own maps so we could guess where we were headed and what we would see along the way, and sang along to Feathers Fur & Fins, Irish Rovers, Pioneers, John Waters, listening books etc on the County's cassette deck and had a great time on 6 week long touring trips.

But never wanted to see a movie till we were back at home.

[subasurf]

Get the audio book for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, unabridged :D
That will keep the kids occupied for a LOOOONG time and wont fry their brains.

[nice1guv]

Sounds like an awesome trip.

I'd put in a new viscous fan coupling before I left and carry the used one as a spare (you'll need a thin 32mm spanner).

I'd also be taking a spare fuel lift pump, some fuel hose, and a water pump.

[Psimpson7]

East - West on the french line is the hard way. I would say that you wouldn't be able to take a trailer that way. The other roads should be easier, but it probably changes every year. I would say that last year when we did it, (East West) I wouldn't have been able to pull a trailer across. (And that was in a twin locked car)

We met a load of people going the other way (West-East) with trailers where we were nearly out and they had destroyed the track quality, all to prove that they could do it.

The hardest bit was the 53km before Colson Junction from memory. Some of the dunes in there were pretty big!

[Cap]

Goldey, you mention spending loads on the tdi, yet the list you have really covers standard maintenance (plus a few extra goodies), so I think you have done a top job maintaining that Disco.

I have spent money on mine too, P38 trans cooler was one of the latest changes. For parts, ill be also taking at least 1 universal as well, seeing that you will be towing a tonne and on top of that on soft sand. You dont want to be in a position where on of the unis go and your forced to 2 wheel drive.

For gearing on 265x75's, Justin Cooper recommended to me that I change the high range transfer gear box to that of a Defender to get the reduction. I currently run 245x75's and find towing OK, but 265's will (as mentioned) zap the power moreso.

This is a trip ill be looking at doing in a few years time, so mi personally interested in comments posted here too. :cool:

[austastar]

Hi,
the deserts are on our agenda too, albeit without the lids.
We are looking at travelling with minimal weight, not taking the slide-on, and just using a tent.
The flat tray will make it easier to adapt a canopy or something to carry dust proof containers for food, fuel, water and clothing, but keeping the load off the vehicle is one of my main considerations in the planning in the desert sections.
It looks like you have started a maintenance schedule for the vehicle, have you done similar for the trailer? Can you get some one experienced to check it for you. From what I read, the deserts claim a reasonable number of trailers that have not been built to a rugged enough standard, and some just should not have been used for the task.
Allow time for gentle travel, it is a long way from anywhere out there and recoveries are expensive. Get up early and travel while the air is cooler and the sands are firmer, you will be driving into the rising sun on the way back, but it should be easier.
Try it and see, you can adapt your days to what suits you best.
You may be able to team up with other vehicles for mutual support on more remote sections, a note stuck to the door of a caravan park toilet is a good way of contacting a lot of people easily to find an interested party.
You will of course have to take lots of pics, and post up a trip report :-) !
cheers