Thread: Vehicle setup advice

Hi all, we are preparing for a trip around Australia in July and am considering a few changes to the vehicle. We are a family of 5 (eldest 7 and youngest 6 months) and have a 2015 3.0 D4 HSE (83,000 kms) towing a 21 foot 2017 regent discoverer van.

We intend to go off road but only a little and this will be limited to sand and dirt driving so nothing too extreme as we will be on our own, have a baby with us and while our van is robust it’s not fully off road with only leaf spring suspension.

I’ve been trawling through various posts as there is a lot of information on the forum. I’ve found it really helpful but a bit overwhelming so I’m hoping for some feedback.

Firstly changes I definitely want to make:
- tyres. I have 19” alloys and understand the issue with tyre choice. I’d been set on purchasing some 18”inch alloys from tuffant and off-road tyres to go with them but then started seeing some folk have fitted 19” goodyear wranglers duratrac. I’m just weighing up cost v benefit - any opinion? Tuffants are either gonna cost $1200-$2500 depending on steelies or alloys then a set a tyres on top that I guess will be around $1500. We don’t intend on doing any serious 4wding as the 3 kids keep us busy enough running them around when we are at home
- Side mirrors for towing. Probably just go with the clearviews but are there any others worth considering? I already own milenco grand aeros but would prefer proper mirrors given the length of time we will be on the road
- Roof tray - we already have crossbars but generally only use it to tie down the surfboards. Thinking a tray would help with storage particularly for our wet gear

Changes I’m considering in order or priority:
- Rock tamers or some other form of protection to reduce rocks flying up into the van or back onto the rear of the car
- Side awning - think this would be good particularly for day trips
- Rear fridge slide and storage trays - again think this would be good for day trips
- If doing the fridge slide then move the spare to the rear of the van and probably remove the 3rd row seats to reduce weight
- Underbody protection
- Dual battery setup - thinking about taking a portable battery in a battery box instead and hooking up to a solar blanket instead of attaching a fixed panel to the roof
- UHF radio - thinking about getting a portable set instead of fitting one to the vehicle. We can then use it to communicate when reversing the van
- bull bar - really not sure about this one. Given we have a baby with us we are not going to be travelling early morning or at dusk so this reduces the chance of running into animals. Just don’t think it’s completely necessary

Also I live in Sydney and am wondering if anyone recommends a specific business that specialises in LR and can offer some advice. Seems as though Davis performance landys out at Windsor have a good reputation. Anyone else?

Our route is likely to lead us straight to port Augusta, then north through the centre, explore NT then make our way down the west coast, back into SA then home. Any recommended mechanics to have the car serviced along the way that you’ve had a good experience with?

Any help would be appreciated…

Cheers
Scott

Hi Muzz

I have a 2010 TDV6 and tow a 2.5t Jayco Sterling anywhere and everywhere.

Basically, with this, and my previous D3 I've towed many thousands of ks over many types of roads and tracks. Been to Cape York, Lithchfield, Kakadu, Roper Bar (worst dirt road ever!) and many more.

With regard to tyres.

My car came with 20" wheels and Cooper LTZ. Had no problems, and at the time 19" tyres were few and far between. Luckily a set of 18" Compomotives came up for sale, complete with my preferred tyre Bridgestone D697. Haven't looked back.

These days, I don't know if I'd bother changing from 19" as there are plenty of tyre options available. Plenty of posts on here regarding this issue.

Side mirrors.
I've used the Milencos for years now and wouldn't bother spending money on anything else. I'm sure the Clearviews or MSAs are good, but I've left my Milencos on for many months at a time with no ill effects.

Roof Tray
I'm sure to get a bit of flack over this one, but, I use roof bars an the last two spots with an ALDI alloy basket bolted on and it has performed faultlessly. Cost $89 nearly 4 years ago and has been to all the above locations. Mounted back there it is almost silent too!

Rock tamers
Forget them. The only stone guard that actually works is the StoneStomper. It also cuts down the dust ingress to the van as it forces much of the dust under the van instead of down the sides and in through the door.

Side awning
I just purchased one recently. Put an additional roof bar on the front spot and made 3 mounts. Its a Kings unit, I've used it once and it was great.

Fridge slide/ trays
I removed the 3rd row seats and built a false floor on the drivers side. This gives a huge amount of storage under and still allows access to the spare wheel winder. A fridge slide is on the passenger side, at almost floor level ( it has to be a little bit raised to allow the fridge to slide over the tailgate).

Dual battery
Traxide is my preference and I put a 100ah AGM in the space behind the passenger 2nd row. Fits great.

Underbody protection
The D4 has great protection from factory. The only damage I have ever sustained is to the exhaust pipes as they go around the spare. They ended up being very oval! $200 to an exhaust guy and they were replaced with round.
I do have a suspension compressor guard that was on the D3 and will fit that when I get a 'round tuit'.

UHF
Bite the bullet. Buy a remote unit. Put the main box under the passenger seat and Mic can sit in the cupholders. Get or make an antenna mount for the bonnet/guard. Again plenty of posts for this. Then buy a portable unit for reversing. Also, great trick for reversing caravan. Put the car into low range. More control!

Bullbar
Had one on the D3 complete with winch. Winch only got used to pull van into storage position when home, bullbar was used to hold lightbar only.
No bullbar, or winch, on the D4. Do have a lightbar integrated into the grille and LEDs in high beam unit. Night into day.

Also, we carry a quickup tent, stretchers and sleeping bags so that we can leave the van for few days and get into those spots that would otherwise be missed. Best of both worlds.


We're going the same way at about the same time, If WA ever open. Keep in contact we might be able to catch up.

Regards
Trevor

Narooma NSW