Setting up our D4 for touring, using the back seat and roof only!

[Russrobe]

Hey all,

So after doing Gordon's course on the weekend I have much more confidence in driving off road and am more keen than ever to get touring!

For us this means taking our Giant breed dog with us, who takes up the entire boots space, minus the small section directly behind the barrier which is loaded with compressor, jump starter, max trax and some water.

Which leaves me wondering where am i going to mount the CFX65 Waeco i just bought, a water tank(thinking foot wells for that), cooking gear(maybe a thick tub next to the fridge) and a couple of bags next to that.

Tent, mattress's and possibly a 2nd spare take up the roof racks.

Does anyone have a similar setup to this? I'm definitely thinking ditch the 3rd row seats..Maybe put the stove down there instead..

No clue how i'm going to mount this fridge. Considering either just loading up on top of the seats folded flat or removing the second row entirely also....

Any ideas, hints or concerns much appreciated to point me in the right direction.

Cheers

Russ


P.S DBS will be on it's way soon thanks to Tim but can't imagine that changes anything.

[Graeme]

I had my 40L Waeco strapped down on the folded left 2nd row seat.

[Grentarc]

Just be aware that removing seats can put you on the receiving end of a ticket or two as every seat belt must have a seat, and removal of seat belts means it is no longer has the number of seats it is registered as having. Having said this, lots of people are prepared to run that risk

[Russrobe]

I had my 40L Waeco strapped down on the folded left 2nd row seat.

Thanks Graeme, I might end up just doing the same. After all it's only 23kg dry so worst case scenario maybe 40kg full... Don't have any pics on how you secured it do you?

[Grentarc]

I have had my cfx-50 on the 2nd row seat, using a ratchet strap on an end handle to the seat base area (door end) and the other end I can't remember where I strapped it sorry.

[Russrobe]

I have had my cfx-50 on the 2nd row seat, using a ratchet strap on an end handle to the seat base area (door end) and the other end I can't remember where I strapped it sorry.

Thanks Glen, this might be much easier than i was imagining.

Now to think what else i'm missing...

Our first long trip isn't until xmas, for 9 days.

[Bytemrk]

If you have to restrict yourself to middle seats and roof...... just make sure you keep the heavy stuff off the roof to keep the centre of gravity low.

[Russrobe]

Hmmm what about the water bladder going where the 3rd row seats are? Would weigh about the same so shouldn't change COG much....

[Bytemrk]

Hmmm what about the water bladder going where the 3rd row seats are? Would weigh about the same so shouldn't change COG much....

Good thought....just keep in mind access to the spare wheel winch assuming your spare is still underneath.

I've never pulled my third row seats out.... but I think I remember Redback saying they weight around 75Kg.

[Russrobe]

Good thought....just keep in mind access to the spare wheel winch assuming your spare is still underneath.

I've never pulled my third row seats out.... but I think I remember Redback saying they weight around 75Kg.

Ah yep, that's going to have to go onto a RWC asap anyway as the 285s, being about 2 inches wider than a std tyre when flat keeps bottoming out on things. Think that ones getting added to the plan then.

[PerthDisco]

I've seen the middle back seat removed and the fridge strapped in there on the floor between the outside seats. Perfect if you have two kids and right next to console 12v. Easy access to the contents from the front seats.

[Ben_Vapid]

Depending on how far you plan on going a set of rear drawers will be one of the best things you can put in your car. Mine gives me access to jack, compressor, key camping and cooking gear, and has a fridge slide built into it; All will save your sanity and make life so much easier.

I also had a 60l potable water bladder made up by Fleximake ( FlexiMake (http://www.fleximake.com.au/) ) for the well underneath my folded rear seats. I've wired up a small 12v diaphragm pump from ebay to it to easily get water in and out.

[PerthDisco]

Some in For Sale section now

[Russrobe]

Would love rear drawers Ben but then the dog won't fit, he's 4 ft tall, nearly...=( Thought about trying to put them onto the back seats(folded flat) but would struggle to mount them. All good it's just the two of us anyway so if we void the back seats for the trip it's no big deal. See how bad my current setup is and that's without a fridge and just for one night!!! Packed to the roof. Was mostly because i didn't have a key to the roof racks though so couldn't move them to get the tent on the roof....

[LRD414]

I assume your dog lies down once your underway. So you may be able to build an elevated false floor that increases the storage capacity of the removed 3rd row cavity.

There's more vertical height once past the tailgate trim thanks to the stepped roof. Make best use of it while still giving the rear passenger plenty of space.

Also the 3rd row seats only weigh about 40kg on the scale.

And the middle seat area for the fridge is an excellent idea.

Cheers,
Scott

[Tombie]

Just be aware that removing seats can put you on the receiving end of a ticket or two as every seat belt must have a seat, and removal of seat belts means it is no longer has the number of seats it is registered as having. Having said this, lots of people are prepared to run that risk



No it can't. Not if its a *temporary* measure.

[Tombie]

Put dog in Harness and get seat covers.
He's family, put him on middle row with a seatbelt on...

Our Dogs are family - cargo rides in the back...

[Babs]

Would love rear drawers Ben but then the dog won't fit, he's 4 ft tall, nearly...=( Thought about trying to put them onto the back seats(folded flat) but would struggle to mount them. All good it's just the two of us anyway so if we void the back seats for the trip it's no big deal. See how bad my current setup is and that's without a fridge and just for one night!!! Packed to the roof. Was mostly because i didn't have a key to the roof racks though so couldn't move them to get the tent on the roof....

Ha ha ha :) Russ you need a trailer for that dog :p

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[Russrobe]

That's the other option with canvas covers. Would just have to drool proof the rest of the interior.

[Tombie]

We have Wetsuit covers. Completely drool proof :)
And the door panels just wipe down nicely.

[Russrobe]

Ha ha ha :) Russ you need a trailer for that dog [emoji14]

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That bibs not for show...

[Piddler]

Put dog in Harness and get seat covers.
He's family, put him on middle row with a seatbelt on...

Our Dogs are family - cargo rides in the back...

Yep, couldn't agree more.
Ours is always harnessed and secured. He only wears the harness in the car and knows exactly what it is for.

Cheers

[Grentarc]

No it can't. Not if its a *temporary* measure.

In QLD and Vic there seem to be allowance for temporary removal, but NSW does not seem to be as understanding.

[Russrobe]

Yep, couldn't agree more.
Ours is always harnessed and secured. He only wears the harness in the car and knows exactly what it is for.

Cheers
Only problem is we've already destroyed 2 cars interiors. The slobber acidity turns everything white and now how much you wipe it, itjust dries white. He also flooded the electric window switch once. Had to replace that... Will look into a way of covering the door trim entirely...

[TuffRR]

Could you get a trade in for a Jack Russell?

[carlschmid2002]

I had my 40L Waeco strapped down on the folded left 2nd row seat.

When travelling I find this is the perfect spot for the fridge. If I have the kids I can put one in the middle and one on the right side. Having the fridge there is perfect for access. If you put it in the middle it can be difficult to access. The hounds go in the back. When my back door catch broke I used to get them in and out from the right side with the seat folded forward. It was better for my fat beagle. He has to be lifted up on the tailgate.

[Tombie]

Could you get a trade in for a Jack Russell?



Hahaha. They would just eat the car!

[Tombie]

Only problem is we've already destroyed 2 cars interiors. The slobber acidity turns everything white and now how much you wipe it, itjust dries white. He also flooded the electric window switch once. Had to replace that... Will look into a way of covering the door trim entirely...



Interesting! You could harness him in the middle seat :)

[Grentarc]

When travelling I find this is the perfect spot for the fridge.
Yes, we found it great when doing longer drives to have the fridge within arms reach so we can access without stopping. Our toddler expects to get out of the car whenever we stop, so being able to get him some food without having to get him out and then back in (or dealing with the tantrum when we don't let him out) makes the drive so easy. He is a great traveller, as long as we don't stop the car and leave his seat belt on.

[AndyG]

A good 4WD box trailer not an option ?

[Russrobe]

Interesting! You could harness him in the middle seat :)
At 5 feet long Tombie even if you attached the harness in the middle it would need to be long enough for him to reach the side as he is as long as the car is wide. ..

The only material i can get away with showing is the plastic like in the rear as it doesn't absorb anything. Any sort f material including leather.... no go

[carlschmid2002]

Would love rear drawers Ben but then the dog won't fit, he's 4 ft tall, nearly...=( Thought about trying to put them onto the back seats(folded flat) but would struggle to mount them. All good it's just the two of us anyway so if we void the back seats for the trip it's no big deal. See how bad my current setup is and that's without a fridge and just for one night!!! Packed to the roof. Was mostly because i didn't have a key to the roof racks though so couldn't move them to get the tent on the roof....

That's a Yetti

[Babs]

This might work for him, I'm not sure if he will fit though :p

At least you can hose it out. :)



110782





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[SimmAus]

What about folding the second row seats down flat for dog? Seats will be protected (well, only carpet exposed).

Cargo in rear?

Nice dog btw...

[chuck]

Russrobe

We have one of those as well except brown & white

We could not get a car harness to fit her.

Best dog I have ever owned, but what a mess they make.

[chuck]

110792

[LandyAndy]

Russ.
There is also a member in Yanchep/TwoRocks with one of those big black dogs,the dog is called Ned,Andy_110 is the owner,they have a D3.
Andrew

[Bytemrk]

What about folding the second row seats down flat for dog? Seats will be protected (well, only carpet exposed).

Cargo in rear?

Nice dog btw...

Beautiful dog, but I reckon in the case of emergency braking....I'd rather have him/her the other side of a cargo barrier rather than wrapped around my ears :angel:

Better for both you and the hound...

[Russrobe]

110792
Nice one chuck! That must be one of the few brown and white Newfoundlands in the country! I've never seen one!

We're meant to use a ramp everytime to get him into/out the car... But we bought him one and it was too narrow for him. =( Needs to be about 400mm wide. Which is the problem with putting him on top of the back seats, he can't get in. Mind you i might try now with llams set to the bumps!

When we get the car back on Tuesday with a fully rebuilt transmission and torque converter =D=D Spoke to the shop today the transmission is nearly back together just waiting on the converter woot.

[Russrobe]

Thanks for all the great ideas. Think it's going to take some trial and error. I'll try a few setups mentioned!

[LandyAndy]

Have you fully lowered the second row as suggested???
They would be as high as the standard seat height in that setting.There are tether points on the back for baby capsules.Probably not strong enough for a 120kg slobbering mutt:(:(:(:(:(
Andrew

[Russrobe]

The biggest problem with the side doors is access to them to lift him rather than height. As where with the tailgate I can get right alongside and lift him in, with the extra gap between the door and the seat it will be much harder....

Might retry the ramp or even widen the ally one i have.