Thread: preparing for the big lap

Do it.

Look at EAS struts too. Some good advice above.

We took our 2007 RRV on a 4000km trip from Qld to Victoria last Dec. It now has 271000km. An absolute pleasure to drive. No dramas. But good preparation. I replaced my front EAS struts at 10 yrs before they failed, and glad I did.

I have just done the lap with my son and his family. We took plenty of spares but didn't use any of them. I have a D4 towing

a 17' Outback Discovery Pop Top,

my son a 2006 2.7L D3 towing a 20' Jayco Expanda
Problems we had with two Disco's and two Jayco vans:
A tyre punctured through the sidewall -
Fridge not working due to poor electrics, dropped out through voltage drop below 11v - ran a pair of wires from the front under the Disco, we didn't have dual batteries.
Tyre wear especially LH Front on both vehicle and Caravan, swap them around.
Broken windscreen - ordered one ahead and had it fitted in Darwin- Sat phone came in handy
Hole in the Compressor cover by a stick on Fraser Island - bought a cover plate in Brisbane after that.
Gearbox shudder in the D3 - changed the oil in a caravan park.
Stripped the thread on a wheel nut putting the wheel on. Couldn't buy another - used a file to fix it.
Punctured my Zodiac when a catfish struggled and put a barb through the tube.
Cupboard door fell off on Gravel road, new screws fixed it.
Drawers in Van came off the slide, longer screws.
Hit by lightning and had to replace SETEC unit.
My son only had a small solar panel, we added an Anderson plug and wired it in parallel to the solar regulator with an external solar blanket. (get one bloody good and light)
We took a 1kva and a 2 KVA generator, used them twice. You only need 1kva but take a 15Amp or better battery charger.
Shower screen falls off on gravel roads, take it off if the road is rough.
Get a Visitor's pass in Brisbane and Sydney so you don't have to fret about tolls.
When you stop for comfort stop fill your tank, no need to have long range tanks just a spare jerry and some way of filling the car (with a filter).
Have fun, we did.

I forgot to mention we took far too many clothes, you tend to wash every few days and use the same ones. Take a rain jacket and jumper as the weather is unpredictable.
We used Caravan park or town laundries, and added Canesten Laundry rinse for Hygiene.
The grandkids had intentions of home schooling but that quickly fell away, you might have better luck.
It is always windy! be prepared for wind and rain as well as sun.
We cooked outside most of the time, if you don't have a slide bbq consider a propane burner, easy and light.
Water can be a problem, think about how you manage that.

Originally Posted by Chops

It sounds like you’ve got it pretty well sorted anyway as far as general “touring” goes.
If your going to be on dirt roads, you may want to consider an air compressor,, ie; if it’s wet, you may want a little more traction by lowering tyre pressures, or it might be really rough or rocky, also good to lower, and of course, sand.
Have a gander at some of the build threads regarding D3/4’s and see what they do with their machines,, this will give you a good idea of how people have set up their rigs etc.

You’d best be getting some experience in too Just sayin’ Should organise a couple of trips with others on here. It’s an extremely capable car out of the box, but there’s nothing like doing a couple of trips with others to instil full confidence
As for the motor,,, if it’s all been done properly through the right channels etc, I wouldn’t stress about it at all.

Hope this helps.

Tanks so much for your reply.

I do have a compressor and my dad is signing us up to the Landrover club in Sydney so we can do some driver training courses, so hopefully this will instill some confidence in ourselves and the car. Also my dad has done numerous trips across the Simpson desert in his defender so hopefully he can tag along for a little bit
Work was completed by a 4wd place in Kotara so it was done thought the correct channels

Originally Posted by BobD

Before getting drawers and other heavy stuff check the D3 weight on a weighbridge and add the caravan draw bar weight. With three kids and their stuff you may be over weight without even adding a roof rack and drawers. You need to travel as light as possible and you don't need a lot of stuff at all. Make sure everything you take is actually essential or don't take it!

we were looking at an Aluminum draw set from MSA and we will definitley check weight thanks heaps.
Do you think roof racks are essential?

Originally Posted by LRD414

Confidence can be elusive but with good preparation there's no reason not to go for it.
You seem well setup already but one thing I'd recommend is reading other threads on here where people have prep'd for similar trips.
I've linked to a few that I found useful below.

I would get the lightest van you feel comfortable living in and with.
My view is the less weight you tow the less stress on the vehicle and less fuel consumed.
Less stress on the vehicle should reduce the likelihood of failures.

The suspension would be worth making sure is in good condition given the vehicle age.

Cheers,
Scott

Thread Links:
Setting up a D4 for a 2.5t Caravan
Help me build up my D4 for touring!
Advice wanted - D3 mods for trip around Aus
Who's taken their d4 to the cape? What mods are must have/ should have?

I am pretty sure suspension was replaced not to long ago but ill have to check. Yes we want to be as light as possible

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Yeah, as others have said, keep it light and prepare with thorough maintenance before you go.
For example, fit new hoses and belts and carry some of the old ones as spares.
Suspension, brakes, tyres and the cooling system are essentials.
Replace all fluids before you leave.
Get bearings done.
Bushes should be inspected and replaced if worn.
You don't need a monster truck, just a well-prepared vehicle.
D3s are excellent vehicles, if maintained.
No matter what vehicle we own, if a major part fails no dealer is likely to have it in stock, so it will have to be flown in. That includes Toyota's, so don't swallow the Toyota propaganda. LRs can be very reliable.
Finally, don't rush. Stop and poke around. Enjoy.

I am pretty sure they have been changed when motor was redone. but they will definitely be checked before we leave.

Originally Posted by Ean Austral

Most importantly get yourself a code reader of some kind. There are a few options but you will be able to clear faults if / when they arise and even if you don't know how to fix them it will give others on this forum a good idea what the fault is to help out.

You will find it 1 of the most important tools you can carry , proberly the most important tool with these cars.

there is a Essential Spares thread in the Stickys at the top of the D3/D4 home page , have a read thru that and then apply it to your trip.

Cheers Ean

ok great , where do i get one haha

thanks so much