Mayzee

Merry Xmas everyone and we hope Santa is as good to you as he was to us. He got in a bit early and delivered a new 200 Series 60th Anniversary Landcruiser yesterday. Boy is it ever different from our 100 Series.

Thanks Everyone! It appears I have opened a real can of worms reguarding weights, legalities, etc. when all I really wanted to know was whether there is a need to add airbags or whatever to enable my van to be levelled while being towed. I put our van over the weighbridge at Yandinda fully loaded with everything for our trip to Lightning Ridge then Birdsville in May '09 and I had a van weight of 3,520 kg and a tow ball weight of 320kg. This included 30 bottles of Penfolds Cab Sav (40kg) so as you can see we are light weight travellers. Probably due to our having spent 4 years doing the rough stuff with an Odyssey offroad camper trailer. Anyway we have ordered a new 200 Series LE Anniversary Cruiser and will pick it up Tuesday. If the van doesn't ride level behind we will add Poly airbags as I don't want to change the original Toyota steering/suspension any more than I have to. Anyway thanks again everyone and have a great Xmas. We'll let you know how things go.

Thanks Everyone You have certainly given me plenty of food for thought. We are also considering the 60th Anniversary model which has the (I believe new) Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) so that complicates things just a bit more.

Hi All and Merry Xmas We are thinking of upgrading from our 100 Series to a new 200. With the 100 which is notoriously soft in the rear end we had to fit stonger shockies and airbags to enable us to level the van with the Hayman Reese WDH (21Ft ATV with 320kg ball weight). Can anyone advise what the story is with a new 200 Series eg. does the suspension need any beefing up? We have a Hyland hitch on the van.

Hi Gary Kaye We agree with Webby. We have a fantastic hatch at the front of our van and a four seasons at the back and have never had dust entering either. Apparently Kedron originally mounted them the opposite way around with the 4 seasons at the front where it did leak dust. Stan can fill you in on this.

Congratulations Gary & Kaye, You have made a great choice in Kedron. Sounds like we went through much the same process as you. During 2008 we were camped next to Kedron vans on many occasions in our Odyssey camper trailer and decided to order one and sell the trailer. We have been absolutely delighted with the van and after sales service. Sadly now comes the hard part for you...waiting for delivery.

Hi Reg & Fran, I forgot to mention that we were also able to have John Jamieson of Mobile Trailer Service coordinate with Kedron and service the brakes and bearings over the two days. Of course there was a charge from him as expected but it was all made so easy for us. I have recommended John in a previous post as he is the bloke who sets up these things on new vans.

Hi All Just thought I'd let you know we have just experienced that legendary Gall Boys service once again. On returning from a Darwin and top end trip we booked the van (new May 09) in to have a few relatively minor items fixed plus a cracked kitchen window. We also mentioned that while at Darwin an electrician who was installing a new transformer (dispatched immediately to us by Kedron) had short circuited the batteries while reinstalling them...smoke and fumes everywhere! This required some rewiring after removing a couple of side panels from the van. They also took the van to Dometic and convinced them to replace the window under warranty. Everything we had mentioned was fixed and when we asked how much? the answer was no charge. We were sent on our way after them having the van for 2days with a couple of new tee shirts, Kedron mugs, and stubby holders. How good is that?

Hi there Beejay, We have the same 21' ATV and had Kedron supply the sullage hoses. We have one hose with a tee piece for the sink and shower/wash basin and another separate hose for the washing machine which we don't use nearly as often. Regards

Thanks Zolle, We'll see how we go.

Thanks Rick & Lea Exploroz looks like a really good source of all types of info.

Hi Phil & Darlene, We know exactly what you mean. The only solution we found was a bottle of red before bed!

Hi Everyone, We are currently in Kakadu NP and in a few days hope to travel from Daly Waters to Cape Crawford then up to Borroloola. Then along the Savannah Way to Burketown and Normanton then up the Burke Developmental Road to Chillagoe and into Mareeba. Since leaving home on 20th June we have heard all sorts of stories about washouts etc on the Savannah Way and are wondering if anyone has travelled along there recently and can provide an up to date condition report.

Hi Julie, Yep we are looking forward to the trip. I forgot to mention earlier that we had 3 solar panel windows fitted and also a double zipped flap so that we can roll it up to clear the fridge vent. All the best

Hi John and Julie We have a 21' (external) ATV2 12 months old. We live on the coast with plenty of salt in the air and purchased a cover from the following. Our cover also has hail proofing built in and thus is quite heavy and comes in 2 pieces which you zip together. Sounds complicated I know but we manage it OK particularly with the help of our telescopic ladder we bought from Kedron with our van. We have had plenty of strong winds and there is no sign of any rubbing damage to the van. http://www.caravancovers.com.au/ Good luck

Thanks again Wal & Sharon We are sold on the Yammy

Thanks Wal & Sharon Sounds like that may well be the way to go. Can you run the aircon on high with the Yamaha 2.4 without turning off the battery charger as don't want to have to fiddle around. Just plug in the Genny and turn on the Dometic aircon

Thanks Lauri & Helen I will certainly check them out.

Hi All, Although we have had our ATV for almost 12 months and in our travels to Birdsville etc (We love the Outback) we have met numerous friendly KOGers this is our first post. Like many others we have found the Honda EU20i jenny wanting. In fairly cool weather at Lake Broadwater (a great place) we decided to try it with the airconditioner and after about 15 minutes it cut out (went into protect or whatever mode...no more aircon). At the KOG Xmas party the Rep from Springers said that the new Honda EU30iu would handle everything OK. As it's 14kg heavier and as we all seem to agree weight is an issue we would like to know if anyone has bought one and how it's performed. We are off to Darwin via Mareeba and the Savanah Way in mid June so we may be tempted to buy one at the Brisbane Camping Show in early June.