Thread: Gone to the Dark Side: Thanks and Goodbye

Originally Posted by TerryO

Are you 100% sure about this?

I know the 79 series or what ever number they gave the latest V8 ute / Wagon has different wheel tracks with the rear diff being narrower then the front but I don't think this is at all correct for the 200 series.

cheers,
Terry

Terry,


You are right. It is another furphy. The tracks are almost identical.
Cheers,

Terry

Just a quick update on our experience so far with the LC200 for anyone interested.

We have just done our first test run with the caravan on the back. The van is a dirt road van (higher than normal) and weighs around 2.7 tonnes loaded. First leg was Canberra to Eden, via Brown Mountain and Candello, a climb of around 1,500 ft followed by a descent of 3,500 ft over a total of around 350 km, all into a howling head wind of at least 40 and possibly as high as 60 kph. Fuel consumption was 17.6 litres per 100 km. Speed was 100 kph wherever possible.

On the return trip, via Imlay Road and Bombala, a climb of 3,500 ft followed by a descent of around 1,500 ft over 350 km, and also into a strong headwind at times, and still travelling at 100 kph wherever possible, fuel consumption was 25.2 LHK.

Average fuel consumption with the van, over just the 700 km, mostly in the mountains, was 21.3 LHK.

Average overall fuel consumption since new (with and without the van) has been 14.5 LHK.

The vehicle used almost half a litre of oil in the first 1,500 km from new, and in the past 2,200 km has used virtually none, despite working hard in the mountains with the van in tow.

I am still getting used to how stable the rig is compared with the D2. One could almost forget that the van was on behind. It never showed the slightest sign of tenderness regardless of wind, direction changes, road surface or other traffic etc.

We did a fair bit of nosing around in the hinterland along the Towamba River valley on various "roads", tracks and fire trails, and it handled it all beautifully. The extra bulk is noticable when getting round obstacles like fallen trees and washaways etc, but the ride is quite good and it is very sure footed. There has been a lot of damage in the valley where they had 250 mm of rain last week. Lots of cattle were drowned and washed out to sea along with huge trees and the remains of farming ventures on the flood plains. It is hard to grasp the force of the flood with thousands of trees over 100 ft high flattened, and flood debris lodged in structures way up the sides of the valleys.

All in all I am very impressed with the 200, but it is not as much fun to drive as the D2 was (without the van), it isn't as easy to get into and out of as the D2, and I miss the D2's rear door and all the great storage places in the D2. I don't miss the D2's fuel bill however!!!!

Cheers,

Terry