2012 RRS Touring Build

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Originally Posted by simonmelb

If you really want to go remote and get away from the masses, why are you considering towing 3.5 tonnes?

I would be dropping at least 1 tonne and have the ability to go to more great places.

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We plan on being away as long as possible... This means at some stage we will probably pull up and do some work. It would be nice to do this and stay in the van hence needing something a little bigger. We are currently considering the Jayco Adventurer which has a GVM of 3.5t however most current owners we have spoken too have said they come in well under that, mostly around 3.1t-3.2t.

After all the suggestion to go for a D4, we have looked around for one and I do like one kitted out for sale in vic but it comes in at just over 3.0t not leaving much payload after a ball weight of 200kg.

Thanks for asking, my responses in red:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Hi Roscoe,

Before I post much more, can you answer a couple of questions please:

1) is the vehicle set in stone? no just a preference. 200 series cruisers are hard to find for sensible money. D4 is just ugly IMO
2) is the van choice set in stone? no - preference is a Jayco adventurer for dealer support network and offroad abilities
3) what sort of terrain are you looking to use it primarily on? Dirt roads, sandy trails, mostly bitumen? really can't say, the trip is about not having any boundaries. I would imagine after all is said and done, the majority will be close between bitumen and dirt roads with sand coming in 3rd and rough tracks 4th
4) have you done this type of thing before (towed heavy)? nope!
5) how long is a trip duration? Weeks, months etc? we have a 2.5y.o and we will probably want to settle for his school although this is not absolute, as we might enjoy the gypsie life, so foreseeably at least 2 years.

Just need to understand a bit more before I respond to your build.

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Originally Posted by rosscoPcoltrane

We plan on being away as long as possible... This means at some stage we will probably pull up and do some work. It would be nice to do this and stay in the van hence needing something a little bigger. We are currently considering the Jayco Adventurer which has a GVM of 3.5t however most current owners we have spoken too have said they come in well under that, mostly around 3.1t-3.2t.

After all the suggestion to go for a D4, we have looked around for one and I do like one kitted out for sale in vic but it comes in at just over 3.0t not leaving much payload after a ball weight of 200kg.

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That's the issue these days, weight. I took some engine oil to the tip recently in my D4 and didn't like the figures I seen. I was relatively empty. It was scary enough because it meant that every camp trip I do with the kids I'm over.
The problem is I've got a bull bar and winch to fit yet.

I was 2.94t with full fuel (std tank) tuff ant steels(heavy) 40L fridge full of beer, empty platform rack, pro speed UK side steps, compressor guard. Cargo barrier and 20l of water hanging off out. Second battery. Im 100kg. Only leaves 250 kg for two kids and gear without the bull bar

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Originally Posted by josh.huber

That's the issue these days, weight. I took some engine oil to the tip recently in my D4 and didn't like the figures I seen. I was relatively empty. It was scary enough because it meant that every camp trip I do with the kids I'm over.
The problem is I've got a bull bar and winch to fit yet.

I was 2.94t with full fuel (std tank) tuff ant steels(heavy) 40L fridge full of beer, empty platform rack, pro speed UK side steps, compressor guard. Cargo barrier and 20l of water hanging off out. Second battery. Im 100kg. Only leaves 250 kg for two kids and gear without the bull bar

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GVM upgrades..? Maybe time to start browsing the Disco forums! Lol

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Originally Posted by rosscoPcoltrane

GVM upgrades..? Maybe time to start browsing the Disco forums! Lol

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Well I camp, if your towing you can sort gear into the trailer, they are great towing vehicles that's for sure. I tow a 2T boat in summer. Dirt bike trailer in winter. Cruise control on.. That's it. Set and forget.

It has been mentioned before, but you may have missed - Throttle controller unnecessary as the RRS already varies throttle response with the traction control programmes, very sensitive in rock crawl for example.
Also reinforce Llams unit will recover height if ABS signal lost.
And like every other post, Weight, weight, weight.

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Originally Posted by simonmelb

If you really want to go remote and get away from the masses, why are you considering towing 3.5 tonnes?

I would be dropping at least 1 tonne and have the ability to go to more great places.

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I have to agree. I believe you are looking to put way too much gear onto your build. I have a D4 with a LoneRanger tank, bullbar , spare wheel carrier, cargo barrier sidesteps etc, and we carry a large National Luna 74lt fridge freezer. It's very heavy and awkward to move. ( I would like to swap out for something smaller, the other half wants to retain it...another story ) Our van runs at around the 2.7T mark when loaded. There is virtually nothing in the D4 apart from the fridge , 2 chairs, a table and us. We are right on the GVM. The roofrack and drawer system fitted are long gone. They had to go when we moved to the current van.

The long range fueltank is the single biggest weight penalty. ( and it will probably have to be custom made for an RRS along with the wheel carrier ) Sure it is great for convenience etc, but you are adding on around 180kg when full, including the spare wheel carrier now fitted to get the tank under the vehicle. That's a huge impost. I seriously think you need to look harder at your choices before locking yourself in. Yes the 200 series is even worse when you dig in to the figures, but the LR options are not without their limitations. IMO, if you are seriously looking at towing anything around 3.5T, you have to go big American. Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado or F truck. .....and you think the D4 is butt ugly!!

Just saw your post on the spare wheel on the roof. Add on the weight of a roofrack. I am shaking my head. All I can say is, get a spare tyre and rim and 3/4 mates and lift it onto a 4X4 roofrack, and then get it off without losing it, or injuring someone. Then think about you and the missus doing that by yourselves. Been there when younger and fitter. Still no good.

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Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

The long range fueltank is the single biggest weight penalty. ( and it will probably have to be custom made for an RRS along with the wheel carrier )

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Disco 3 gear all fits - the underpinnings are all the same in that area.

Thanks again everyone for adding your 2c. I agree with the general concern that GVM is going to be an issue with all the additions. We are currently looking at our budget and finding a lighter van and looking at a LC200 again. It all reality the LC200 will probably need to have a GVM upgrade. We are also considering exactly what we want to do with the van and vehicle, initially we wanted to be unrestricted, but we don’t have an unrestricted budget so this is just not going to be a reality if we want the comfort and ability to live in van for extended periods. The RRS hasn’t been ruled out yet though, this conversation has been a real help in understanding the reality of the idea to make it the horse too our cart.