ULYSSES 'in person' -

[ULYSSES]

Well, what do you think ? James Baroud RTT and James Baroud Awning, 80W solar panel connected to dual battery system with relay cut-out. An Autofridge 'Eutectic' 41ltr fridge on dropslide, drawer system housing recovery gear and a 40ltr water tank on board ...UHF / CB Radio and a WARN 9000lb winch rounded off with a pair of Lightforce spots linked to the 'hi beam' switch on the steering column...there is also a Hayman Reece 'brake controller' installed.

..ULYSSES 'feels' top heavy when I'm cornering so I'm getting to grips with understanding the best speed for different situations. I'm looking to participate in a 'beginners' event soon to learn more about off-roading, learn how/when to use the hi/lo range properly, learn about the capability of the car and myself (if I'm honest) so I'm excited about the leg of the journey (if anyone knows when the next event is near Sydney let me know) ? Hopefully in the not too distant future myself and ULYSSES will be off exploring wonderful Oz. One thing that surprised me is the amount of interest from young people in the Defender 110 and how much they'd love to experience a trip in it ...they all think its 'cool' ...do other owners experience this ?

[Don 130]

Could I suggest you join the Sydney Land Rover Owners club. There are trips organised for most weekends, technical workshops, and driver training. A great bunch of people to help and advise you on all matters Land Rover.

Land Rover Owners' Club - Sydney - Australia

Don.

[Summiitt]

A loaded Landy means adventure, looks great. A loaded roof rack will change your driving style and obviously the handling.. I'd get use to the vehicle off road without the rack,people will normally bail out before a defender will roll on a side slope off road, then you will know how to handle it with a load on the roof.

[weeds]

You could probably loose the car ramps.....

Enjoy the adventures.....

[MrLandy]

As summitt says, keep the weight low down. Can't see if you have one, but a cargo barrier is a better investment than a roof rack, the more gear in the vehicle the better, for stability and safety. Your rooftop tent is all that should be up there IMO.

There's no way I'd carry big heavy steel car ramps on my roof rack and if I saw you coming with them tied on like that I'd steer well clear! Anything on your roof rack is a potential missile.

[ULYSSES]

Thanks MrLandy...I'll leave just the RTT up there ...the solar panel is fixed but doesn't weigh much. Feedback is great I appreciate it. I'll be touching base too with the Sydney LR as mentioned to learn how to better handle this vehicle.

[lump_a_charcoal]

Just get out and drive it. There is no substitute for seat time.
There are groups on Facebook that do many day trips, weekend trips, etc.
Start small, and gradually push your limits.

Have fun too!

[Rig110]

When I first got mine it "felt" top heavy too and that was without even a roof rack. Took it away for the weekend and I felt the damn thing was going to tip over around every corner!
Now I normally have a full length front runner rack up top with an awning and when we go away the tent and bedding go up there along with anything else that's too long to fit.
You get used to it, though as others have said, keep the roof weight down to the minimum.

[n plus one]

Truck looks good.

Deefers have a lot of body roll which takes a bit to get used to.

That said, if you plan on doing rough corrugated tracks I'd consider ditching the full length rack and mounting the RTT and awning to 3 cross bars - that save your roof a lot of stress.

And yes, Deefers are v popular!

[MLD]

You could probably loose the car ramps.....

Wow, that's the first time I've seen car ramps on the roof. That's believing that the defender is a breakdown waiting to happen, taken to a new level.

Areas like Menai are close to home and you can get as adventurous as your tolerance permits. Lithgow and surrounds are a good day out. Like Menai, plenty for all risk tolerances. I recommend tagging along with an AULRO gathering or the LRO Syndey mob as suggested. Meet lots of weirdy beardies.

If you hang around Mulgo's workshop you will meet all sorts of like minded souls and get some great touring ideas.

MLD