Time to start a list

[goldey]

Okay everyone, inputs please.

We have decided to head off on a 4 mth long camping holiday starting June next year with the three tin lids, wifey and our trusty camper trailer, and our 98 tdi Disco.

Now that I have permission from work to go for 4mths long service leave, I feel I need to focus on what I need to do to get the car ready.

The camper trailer is about a ton fully loaded. The car will be packed as well as the roof rack. I have a rebuilt ZF auto (with a third gear lock up) and a larger than normal auto cooler up front.

I will be replacing the shocks and getting new tyres (most likely 265/75R16's All Terrains) and start stockpiling a few spares like cooling hoses, both belts, filters, set of wheel bearings (maybe 2?).

The biggest issue I have is that we'd really like to take on the Simpson (from west to east) with the camper trailer and I find myself thinking it may be better if we sold the Disco and bought a Landcruiser to do it with?

I must confess I have had a love / hate relationship with my Disco over the past 3 yrs (love the way it drives and that it's different to the Jap line up and hate the amount of money we've spent on it, now totalling close to $8k on top of original purchase).

Disregarding my Landcruiser comment, what do I need to do in preparation for tackling the likes of the Simpson, Victorian High Country and the thousands of kilometers from Newy across to Ayers Rock area via Flinders and back home again via lots of scenic spots?

This is going to be an awesome trip with the family and the last thing I want is for us to be stranded somewhere with a busted vehicle.

Thanks for your help all.

Goldey

[subasurf]

the last thing I want is for us to be stranded somewhere with a busted vehicle.

Then buy a Toyota.

[bblaze]

Ok, I guessing maybe 10000km, maybe a few more, general service at half way point. So at the end of the day you are traving no more that a couple of services. If you disco is well mintained you wont have any worries. Pre trip
Check things like all hoses, bearings (wheel and idlers), timing belt (when was it replaced). I aways think of what will stop me being towed as the worse case senorio. Take spare hoses, set of bearings including an idler tension bearing, couple of spare tyres, repair kit. enjoy your trip
cheers
blaze

[Slunnie]

Just get in it and go! Stop worrying about it.

[Michael2]

Spares wise, maybe carry a vacuum pump for the 300Tdi as well.

Trailer wise, I did the Simpson East - West in a SIII in 2006 and we came across a Troopy towing a good quality trailer West - East. He'd already done the Simpson about 8 times without a trailer. He said he'd never do it again with a trailer. Going was slow.

Having said that, I caught up with a friend I hadn't seen for awhile the other week, and he did the Simpson East - West towing a cheaper quality trailer with his Playdo. It only took 3 days, but the trailer spring hangers did break off soon after that and needed to be welded back on.

If you must take a trailer, maybe invest in some good quality shocks for it.

[JDNSW]

Main suggestion I would make is to do everything you can think of to minimise the weight carried - but carry plenty of fuel and water on Desert sections.

In the Desert be prepared to lower tyre pressures and take it easy. In fact, take it easy everywhere - as a general rule, the faster you go the worse damage you do to the car (and trailer), although this does not necessarily apply to corrugations.

Although it has been done successfully, if you need to have the trailer, I would look at changing plans to do the Simpson west to east rather than east to west. I doubt that the brand of vehicle would make much difference.

John

[Redback]

One thing I would suggest is don't go with the 265/75s, these will drag too much power out of the car, when touring you don't need the bigger tyres, go with 245/70s or 255/70s, you'll save money on fuel and it will tow the camper better.

Baz.

[crash]

If doing a solo dessert trip I would consider taking along a set of sand ladders.

[goldey]

Thanks guys

Our Disco has got just over 140,000k's on it which is not much for a 98 model. It has been regularly maintained over the last 30,000k's (since we've had it, can't comment on the 110,000ks before we had it), and also in that time we've had to:

Replace the auto gearbox (due to a gutful of muddy water and foreign bodies );
Replaced the original 3 row auto cooler with a 10 row auto cooler;
Replace black coolant tank with opaque one;
Install low water coolant alarm;
Replace power steering pump (pulley shifted forward and was advised that it will fail soon);
Replace timing belt & pulleys (20,000k's ago) & timing belt cover as bearing was cactus;
Radiator was removed and rodded / cleaned (about 10,000k's ago);
New wheel bearings all round (about 10,000k's ago);
New water pump, P gasket & belt tensioner and new drive belts (about 5,000k's ago);
Vacuum pump pulled apart and resealed lid (was starting to leak oil badly);
80 series and 100 series coils (still running old Rancho 2" lift shocks that will be replaced with something before the trip, will need new steering damper as well);
Installed airbags in the rear coils to stop the bum drag when the trailer is on;
New steering arms (heavy duty buggers from Paddocks).

Aside from these more major bits and pieces, the oil & oil filter changes on the dot of 5,000k's and air and oil filters every 10,000k's.

In the process now of working out how to mount one of those flip down dvd players on the roof to keep the 7, 6 and 2 yr olds happy in the back seat for those loooooong stretches. Also upgrading the stereo so dad (that's me ) can listen to some good music whilst on the way to and from work every day.

Given that the 300tdi is not a startling performer with the trailer on the back and given that we have had an overheating scare before , I am merely trying to cover bases before starting prep work for the big trip .

Thanks again for your input guys.

I will definitely look into some shocks for the trailer as well. Oh, and I thought the easiest way to traverse the Simpson was west to east? Yet most of you guys are talking about east to west?

Talk soon

Cheers

Goldey

[goldey]

Thks Redback

I was toying with the idea of doing the 4.11's in the front and rear diffs as the 245/75s have already affected the towing ability and with wanting (not needing to) to go to the slightly bigger tyres, the 4.11 R&Ps would at least take me back to (or close to) how the car would respond with the standard diameter tyres on.

Just another expense (albeit worthwhile I think, just got to convince the missus maybe??).

Cheers

Goldey