Thread: Second D2 for Cross Oz Trip

Originally Posted by Ralph1Malph

Hi all,
I want to plan a lazy sight seeing drive across the country to Perth via the Centre etc etc when my parents retire in 12-18 months.
I want my parents to drive with us in their own car and my thoughts are that for them to also drive a TD5 D2 would economise on spares as well interchangeability of tyres, racks etc. Thing is, they don't have a disco!

Anyways, I have had this wild thought that I could acquire a second 'doer upper' disco and spend the next 12-18 mths getting it tripworthy for M&D to drive.

Does this sound too radical? Anyone ever done it?

My thoughts are that my beast would be set up properly as per normal, whilst the second would really just be a taxi and pack horse for M&D, splitting the stores, spares etc.

Thoughts?

Tips?

Ralph

When you say "across the cetre".Which way are you going? that dictates what you have to take.
John.

Yeh, details a bit shallow I accept
Not sure yet, but more 'touring' than '4wding'.
Sightseeing is the goal, so I suspect a less travelled but sedate route from Bris, ending up at Alice and the rock, perhaps then across to Kal and on to Perth.
I really haven't researched a route, just scoping feasability.
Can't avoid blacktop but less travelled would be great.

Ralph

If you loan your parents your D2 for a week, will they then be inclined to buy their own? With the assurance that you'd set it up and service it for them?

Splitting into two cars is a good idea. I drove to the Pilbara and Ningaloo last year with 5 mates, we took the Tdi 110 as the prepped car and my wifes TD5 D2a as a passenger car.

I found that the TD5 outran the Tdi, which made me push the 110 a little harder and get worse fuel economy (11/100 fully loaded @ 105+kph). I think driving at 100kph will deliver better economy than slip streaming the D2 @ 110kph. In your case, having two cars equally paced should make it easier.

I'd recommend a fridge in each car. I ran two in the 110, as I had 3 batteries, and the D2 had one. But on the trip home, the D2 took a fridge as I stayed in Perth with the family (who'd flown over) for a couple of weeks.

EAS (air suspension) can be troublesome, but air springs are less than $100ea (ex-UK), are light to pack and take 15min to change over. If they go for EAS with SLS (self leveling), than you don't need to spend money on having the right suspension for the trip. A set of Bilsteins from the US should see all the suspension sorted.

I'm not sure what tyres you run, but having the same size (as already suggested) and that size being 16" would also reduce costs and risk of damage.

Are your parents keen? or are you trying to talk them into it?

Michael2, thanks for the comment.
I am more gunna 'tell them they're going'.
It's a big undertaking for them (in their late 60's) and won't do it without me.
I see it as the last opportunity to really see the country with them as their health is getting worse.
I forgot to mention, that it would be a return trip as we have to get back (unless other arrangements can me made re freight).
I realise my plan isn't so much a plan, more a concept at this stage, but they all start out that way.

I have HD coils, 2" Lift, Bar and UHF in my rig, plus the normal mods - silicon hoses, EGR removal etc on my rig. I also already have 4 spare wheels / tires so that's ticked off.

Single battery only at this stage but will take the camper which has dual deep cycles.

I might throw together a concept itinery and to do list for comment and tips.

Cheers
Ralph

Your M&D are gunna love you,,

What a top idea. Have you spoken to them about this at all, or is it (at this point) just your idea? As suggested, they might be happy to actually buy their own and have you organise to set it up. Getting Dad involved in that could also help out on the road too.
Having come from a close family myself, this is something I'd have loved to have had both the money and the time to do. Afterall, they did get me started on traveling Australia. They let me go on an Ayers Rock trip, and a Snow trip with the school, and we did alot of "Sunday drives".
I hope which ever way you go, you can make it happen, and have a blast doing it.