richard sheppard

Thanks John, I will give you a call when getting closer should be around the end of October early November. Leaving Townsville Sunday morning hopping to be in Birdsville Thursday afternoon.Regards Richard.

Thanks all, for the suggestions and advice.

Hi Tony.I had to drill out the bottom to holes in the doors. Took it to TJM here in Townsville to get them fitted they done a great job. Have not had the van on the back as yet but I think by just looking at them they will be fine. They look good no vibration and I will let you know after our 14 week trip south. Once again thanks for your service with clearview mirrors.Richard.

Hi all.We are heading off on a 14 week trip.Leaving Townsville on the 1st of September across to Boulia down to Bedourie into Birdsville for the races, down the Birdsville track to Maree across to Coober Pedy then to the flinders rangers, Hope to do most of S.A then into Victoria, Jindabyne,and back up the East coast back to Townsville. Any suggestion what to see, where not to go, places to visit.Richard.

Hi Sue what is the polish that you used on the checherplate.Was it shower power alone.I have used the diggers rust and stain remover on the chassis but game to use it on the aluminium. Richard.

Hi Barry and Shirley, congratution on your new van. We have a 21foot topender and we tow it with a 79 series 2011 model gxl ute. I'm more than happy with it's performance and it's fuel cosumption.In September last year we did a trip from Townsville, Burktown, Savannha way out to Gapuwiyak in Arnhem land across the Gibb river road to Broome back to Borroloola king fisher camp lawn hill and back to Townsville -11000kms. We averaged 18.6 litres per 100 kms over all. At Easter time we towed it up to Atherton on the tablelands and averaged 18.2 litre per 100 kms. We tow the van to the road conditions and on the highway I try to tow it around 95/100 kms per hour so we don't hold up the traffic. I love the power and the talk that it has. My ute is stock standard motor wise and has a set of polly air bags at the back. Our van weighs in around 3600 kgs and my ute comes in around 2900kgs when we are doing a long trip. Good luck with your new van and safe travels. Richard.

Hi Rob, sounds like you have weighed it right but like Danny I would be surprised if you only have 220 kg on your tow ball. I put mine over the weigh bridge every time we do a long trip and my tow ball weight is around 320kg give or take 10 kg either way. Rob, when I weigh mine I always separate and weigh the van on it's own and it comes in at around 3620kg with three water tanks full.Have a safe trip down and back. Richard.

Thanks John for that info. Richard

Hi John. I have been looking around to see what is out there. I have been told that tyredog were not suitable for dust and corrigation. Is this brand suitable for traverling on these kinds of roads. Could you let me know the cost of them and does the monitor needs to be hard wired to the vehicle. Thanks Richard

Thanks Ian & Carol for your reply. I have been looking at them here at TJM Townsville but they did not know if new holes had to be drilled into the door. Ian are the standard mirrors hole covered my by the clearview mirrors.How hard are they to fit? Thanks Richard.

Hi Tony.My LC79 series built date was 09/2011.And I'm interested in the chrome. I was wondering if Clearview mirror had a template or the measurments that they could send to check against the mirror that came standard on my Toyota Landcruiser ute, Once again thanks for your help.Richard.

Hi all. I was looking at fitting clear view mirrors to to 79 series Toyota Landcruiser.When I look at clearview Mirrors web site they are saying that I might have to drill new holes in to suit these mirror. I would like to ask the question if anyone out there with a new Toyota Landcruiser ute has fitted these mirrors to their vehicle and did they have to drill new holes to accommadate. Thanks Richard.

Hi John, We have just completed the Savannha way and the Gibb river road in September. I had read that it is recommended to remove the weight distribution hitches when driving off road. The only time that we removed ours was when traveling over broken creek crossing and steep gullies that realy made a pitch point bewteen my ute and the van. Driving on formed dirt roads such as the GRR and the Savannah way made no differance when towing if they were connected or not, but I was alway mindfull of where I was putting our van when towing in these condition.Richard.

Hi JK. If you go to the speical orders desk at Bunnings and ask them they should be able to order some in. I got mine in the painting / outdors cleaning area it was in the section for cleaning down timber and cement here in Townsville. Richard.

Hi Reece. We have just completed the Savannha way and the Gibb river road in September. Luckly we had no rain at all but the red dust stain was all over the van. Tried the pressure cleaner but it would not remove all of it. Was reluctant in using the Diggers rust and stain remover as it has oxalic acid in it. Tried a little on the chassis with a small scrumbing brush and very little effort made it come back like new. I used plenty of water to wash it off. A 2kg bottle bought from Bunnings $29.95.I think I mixed 100grams to 1 litre of water and sprayed it on. I asked the people on the forum about the red stains around the windows and someone suggested toothpaste. I have not tried this as yet, let me know if the toothpaste works.I used truck wash, a toothbush and a lot of elbow grease on the outside of the van to bring it back to new again and aluminium polish on the checker plate. Hope this helps. Richard.

Hi Chanty. I carry 2 x 20 litre jerry cans on our draw bar for our generator. Our son made me up a lid that slides over the top of the jerry can holders supplied by kedron, he made them out of the same material 1.6 mm checkerplate ally. We removed the chain and welded a small piece of right angle ally to each side of the jerry can holder. This stops stones from wedging down between the jerry can and the holder also stops people from taking fuel or putting stuff into your fuel. Also when traveling thru aborignal land unleaded fuel can not be seen. A small paddock secures it together.Richard

Thanks Chris I will try with the tooth paste. [any kind?] I have tried the sugar soap and small brush with very little luck, did not want to try something that would damage the paint work on the van. Once again thanks Richard.

Hi all. Just completed the Savannha way and Gibb river road back in September. Tried every thing to remove that red dust stain with no luck until I tried Diggers rust and stain remover on the chassie. It works well and brought it back to new. My question is this -has anyone used it on thier paint work around the seal of their windows where the red dust has penertrated the seal around the windows? I am reluctant to use it on the paint work as I am not sure if it will do any damage. Has anyone tried it?? Would appreciate some feed back. Thanks Richard

Hi Bill we have just purchased a 79 series v8 ute and I tow a 21 foot topender just finished doing the Savannha way and the gibb river road in September we fitted polly air bags to the back. Had no problems with the back sagging just pump them up to around 40psi when the van is on the back and drop them back to around 10 psi when not towing.Richard.