Thread: Too tight on GVM

Do you really need the winch and rock sliders?

I'm in a similar boat, steel tuff ants with 18's, Rock sliders, small dual Battery, roof rack to hold solar and a shovel. I scratch my head. It's the modern day worry I think.

I'm going to remove the seats and put in a single drawer, I've got a 40l fridge and a water bladder that's hangs off the cargo barrier. The trouble is I am about to put on a bar and winch.

I am heading off to Fraser soon. So as not to be to heavy on the rear axle and just bog, I'm trying to get only light and fluffy pantry items and pillows etc in the rear and put everything in boxes under the bed of the camper trailer to get the ball weight to something reasonable.

To answer your question. I've never needed the extra tank. Always wanted one.
Plus for the tank I'd need the rear bar which I've never wanted. They look great but are not practical for us and the way we use the car.

When I'm away in always towing something so I'll throw a Jerry on that, my 2c worth

I wouldn't do any very difficult offroading without genuine sill protection. I have never had a winch but make sure I can self recover without it. I have never needed winching even at Cape York but saying that now I am bound to need one next time I go out . Depends to how much solo offroading you do. If I did a lot solo I would likely fit one. Cheers

For me,i would leave the bar,take a hand winch if you want,probably fit in the camper?
I know they are not as convenient,and heavy,but probably lighter than one fitted in the bar.
How often would you actually use one,as others have said?
Although i did use ours a few times,and it did get us out of the trouble,but i only take it on some trips?

Its nice to have a large fuel tank,(dont know if i could live without one any more),but you do want to lose weight,so i would get rid of that and the rear bar.That is a heap of weight gone.

We didnt tow,but loaded,touring,we were often right on the weight limit,but i never worried about it.

You’ll find that the winch and bulbar will act as a counterweight on the rear axle load. A friend went through this recently when they decided to do full time touring. He sold his steel rims and bought aluminium runs from Tuff and due to the weight savings.

Do you actually need the tire carrier and long range fuel tank? When I go remote I normally have the camper and it holds 2 Jerry cans that I use a portable electric pump to fill the car with (saves my back), and I have 1 Jerry can in the car. A lot of people suggest just carrying a tire carcass on the roof rack. Most farms will have the changing apparatus, and that way you don’t have to wait days for the tyre fitter to get one in.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Do you really need the winch and rock sliders?

The rock sliders, I reckon yes. I think they're more likely to save my bacon offroading in Tassie than a bull bar.

The winch? I dunno. I think so. It's easy to get stuck here in Tassie, and when we're on tour we're alone, and it gives me confidence that I'd be able to get unstuck way more easily with it than without it.

Thanks for the other input so far

Originally Posted by Poida4x4

I posted a while ago discussing the idea of removing my auxiliary tank and swing away wheel carrier to reduce weight. The thread was pretty unanimous that this wasn't a great idea because having the extra fuel is really handy, and I agree. The other day though I went to the weigh bridge and as at 2.9t. That was with me and my 4yo and less than 1/4 tank of fuel. Maybe 10L of water in a tank. Some recovery gear. Otherwise empty. It doesn't take much to make up that spare 300kg with a full regular tank, my wife, my 6yo, and the ball weight of the camper trailer, so I have to do something.

My accessory list is;

• Bull bar with Runva 11XP winch and spotties
• 2nd battery
• ARB compressor in the engine bay
• LR snorkel
• Rock sliders
• 50L water tank behind the middle row seats
• Cargo barrier
• Rear seats removed
• Frontrunner auxiliary fuel tank
• Swing away wheel carrier
• Ladder
• Mitch Hitch

I reckon removing the auxiliary tank and rear wheel carrier and going back to stock would be my best bang for buck. I can carry 40L of fuel easily on the camper trailer. I know it's more of a pain to use but I won't use it much. And not having to swing the wheel out of the way to get into the boot would be excellent.

I'm also really tempted to get rid of the bull bar. It is really comforting cruising along at night with it there, but I reckon I can accept the risk of not having it for the driving I do. I've driven all over WA with and without a bull bar and never had any trouble. The wildlife here in Tassie certainly isn't a bother. It's prolific, but small (and I've managed to miss it all). If I removed the bull bar, I'd get a cradle and fit a hidden winch.

Being well under GVM is pretty appealing for just general loading up, and maybe vehicle handling too. I know it seems strange to remove accessories like these, but I bought this car for it's service history and condition, not its accessories.

How does this all sound to you?

Agree 100% with your logic Our first D4 had all that gear and more, current D4 has only snorkel, CB, side steps, twin batteries and a pair of LR surf racks and manages perfectly well. Only have to think a little more about fuel stops when pulling the 3.5T brick in isolated areas.

I agree, I don't go anywhere as much as I should. I feel that with the self recovery option I'll try a bit more