Zolle
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Posts posted by Zolle
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Hi all,
We have had our gas heater through two winters now. It is vented through the side of the van and located under the stove. The first winter it seemed to work satisfactorily, but we were only doing short trips in cold times. Now having spent the last few weeks travelling through NSW, Victoria & now SA we are considering changing to a diesel heater. This may seem drastic, but this is for several reasons.
1. If run all night you are lucky to get four nights out of a nine kilo gas bottle. That can be quite expensive in some areas where you can pay $35+.
2. When it is down to zero outside it struggles to bring the temperature above 15 degrees and takes over 2 hours to achieve the 15 degrees.
3. We have had to replace our gas regulator twice in 12 months due to a drop in flow rates which causes the unit to fail.
4. There are only a limited number of service agents with any experience with these units at present. So trial and error is their method of repair.
Our van is only 18 ft internal so larger vans will struggle to warm even more. Sorry to put a dampener on your intended installations but I thought I should share our experience with the gas heater. If anyone wants to ask questions about anything I have written here please feel free to PM me. Our gas unit may be up for sale in the next couple of weeks. Although I don't think this was a good sales pitch for it.
My next question is do I go for Dometic or Webasto diesel heater?
Cheers,
Glen.
Hi Glen
Re your points
1. That is about right at the rated maximum use of 170g/hr - have your always run the unit at maximum?
2. If the gas unit is rated at 2.4kW what size diesel heater will you go for?
3. Why should a gas regulator fail because of the gas heater which must be using far less gas than a 4 burmer stove or a BBQ which would use far more gas?
4. There are about 70 heater service agents scattered around Australia in high population areas and I did wonder about the service problem but with respect to how reliable the 2 electronic boxes are as my guess would be these are none serviceable and have to be replaced to source problems.
I hope I have positioned our controller in a suitable position.
Cheers
John
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Hello John,
Funny you should put this posting on the forum today as we had a Truma E2400 gas heater installed today. We had asked Kedron to install one for us but they would only do diesel so this one was installed by Casey's RV's at Bundaberg Qld. It has been mounted on it's side above the mudguard along side the water heater tank and the exhaust/air inlet has been installed directly in the external side of the van. The inlet and the hot air outlet for internal use has been mounted in the cupboard door of the heater/pump box. The hose is quite long and flexiable to allow the cupboard door to be opened for access to water pumps etc. It is very neat fit. The control unit is mounted under the water tank guage on the side of the fridge. If you require photos let me know and I can send you some.
We lopok forward to using the heater when we go away next week.
Cherrs,
Clive
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Question to those who have a Truma E2400 Gas Heater where is it installed and where do your pipes run?
I am installing a Truma E2400 Gas Heater but have found the wall outlet fitting of the exhaust/air inlet is too short to be able to form a seal on the inner wall.
Does your exhaust/air inlet run through the the wall as required by Truma instructions?
Where and how has your exhaust/air inlet been installed?
I am intending to fit the heater inside the water heater/pump box where there is plenty of space as anywhere else under the beds would mean loosing significant space.
Kedron apparently have no knowledge about fitting gas heaters.
Cheers
John
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Hi
Reading these types of messages on batteries makes me wonder when ours are going to give up as they are 7 years old this year.
Cheers
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Pete and Margie
I think you will be trying to do what we did in 2007 when we bought our XC2 to suit the rated towing capabilities of a Terracan CRD.
The van was plated to suit the Terracan but when we put it on the weigh bridge it was 400kg over weight although the Terracan pulled it easily with terrific fuel economy of around 15l/100km.
We changed to a Patrol 3l CRD because of the legalities of the tow weight and the Terracan started showing signs of margin transmission strength in the clutch and diff.
Kedron provided a new plate to suit my weigh bridge weights without any hassles which was fitted at a vehicle inspection centre in WA.
In any negotiations with Kedron put it in writing what your towing capacity is for the Prado and insist Kedron provide a public weigh bridge certificate to prove the build weight suits your needs before you part with your money.
Also have close look at the standard electrical equipment fitted to the XC3 lightweights as you may not have any margin to add batteries, solar panels or water tanks.
We called in to Kedron last year after our trip to the tip of Cape York and looked at the XC3 which looked as though the coil spring suspension could be an improvement over the rock & roller on the XC2 and the internal build was typical Kedron.
However there was silence when I asked if I could take an XC3 where I have been with the XC2 but that could be because Kedron know all about our travels with the XC2.
I gathered that the intent of it was a lightweight bitumen and good dirt road van but I think it would do everything you want it to do.
As I said above your priority with whatever van you buy is that its actual weight is legal for the Prado.
Have fun
John
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Hi all, I need some help.
In June Errolyne and I will be taking off to Cape York from Gold Coast.
The planned route is via Longreach, Cloncurry, Lawn Hill, Burketown, Normanton, Cairns and all points north!
I've been doing a lot of research on the internet and some of the info there is really valuable. But nothing beats the lowdown from experienced Kedronners (is that a word?)who've done the trip recently.
I would really appreciate any advice on places not to be missed and good free camping spots along the way.
Travelling in LC200 and 19ft ATV. We are experienced travellers but have never done The Cape before.
Thanks in advance for your help!
DARYL
We went in the first week of June last year and must have timed it after the graders as it was an easy run to Weipa and up to Seisa.
On the run back the road was showing signs of corrugations increasing, was that due to people leaving the
Cape driving faster or normal deterioration?
Take care of any road signs they are there for a purpose and not to be ignored.
Side roads were still wet and rough with many areas still closed.
From our experience I would recommend going early in June.
Just go and enjoy whatever you find hoping the conditions suit.
Cheers
John
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Urgent Info Required
We have the van in at Kedron, and one of the jobs is to have a dust deflector fitted in front of the 4 season hatch on the roof.The 4 season hatch on out ATV2 is on the front and sloping end of the van. Does anyone out there have one fitted and does it work? And what sort of design is it?
Cheers
We have the air conditioner fitted very close to the front of the 4 seasons, is that why we do not have a dust problem from the 4 seasons?
Cheers
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Has or is anyone towing a X country van with a 3lt turbo diesel patrol.
Yes with a CRD, you should be able to search for a number of posts by me.
Our van is plated at 3100kg ATM but we probably run a bit lower than that.
Cheers
John
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Hi all, we are about 400kg over weight on our 21'6" TE with all tanks full (300l).
Over what weight?
When our van was that much over ATM I simply got another plate from Kedron and had it fitted.
Cheers
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Hi Everyone, I am a new member to the club based in Adelaide SA. We are travelling to Cape York in June this year with a group, but we are the only ones planning to tow our caravan. It is 2011 ATV2 Kedron (with the new independent suspension) - the van is a 21 ft. with an extended draw bar - its ATM is 2800 kgs
I plan to take the Development Rd predominantly, rather than tackle the Telegraph Tracks - I am not planning a Gall Boys adventure! However, there seems to be many parks that do not allow caravans. Does anyone have any recent information/experience with towing a van to the top and taking any side trips to Chilli Beach, Twin Falls, Edith Falls etc with or without the van?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Jabob
We are in Weipa and can assure you the PDR is generally in great shape having been recently graded and some road works still ongoing.
There are some nasty bits at some dips and creeks where a sign usually indicates a rough road but what is found in the bottom is a washaway filled with fairly large crushed rocks so take heed at all these signs. In other places there are what I call usual dirt road corrugations.
We were assured by a Bamaga local at Archer roadhouse that all roads heading north are in good condition.
The condition of the PDR is as good as we remember the GCR being in 2010.
If you intend camping in national parks then you will have to use the ePermit system as there is no self registraton on arrival.
Be careful of the booze restrictions in community areas.
Cheers
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[quote name='Tolley' We head south towards Charters Towers tomorrow morning.
Hi Colin
Our paths may cross as we expect to be in Richmond Sunday Night & Charters Towers on Monday.
Have fun on the GCR and Plenty which we decided to avoid after reports received in Alice as we expect a bit of a pounding on Cape York.
Cheers
John
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<br /><br /><br /><br />Hello,<br /><br />Further to the sunrise and sunset PDF I attached previously, you will note that there is two entries for Warakuna (Giles). Yesterday I spoke to the lady at the RH and confirmed that Central time is used there. On leaving Giles headed west it reverts to WA time. So, the entry in red is the go. This matter is important if one is looking to refuel etc.<br /><br />On the rain, they had little with about 40 mm at Warburton. On road conditions she said from Ayres Rock to them, rough, then to the west, OK.<br /><br />Regards<br />Colin<br />Hi Colin
HOPE & PRAY
We are in Alice having just completed the GCR and regret doing so as the degeneration of this road since we did it in 2010 was a shock.
You will enjoy about 800km of corrugations that are generally quite bad and I rate the road condition now worse than the Savannah Way and GRR in 2010 and the Oodnadatta Track and Tanami in 2011.
If there is much rain prior to your leaving Yulara the road to Docker river will be a badly corrugated mud bath.
The camp site at Docker is a mess no water or toilets but free.
Docker to Warburton is an average road with lots of corrugations and what I think is all weather crushed rock toppings sections that have formed narrow tracks leaving ridges of soft crushed rock for the van wheeels to drag through. My fuel consumption in the sections rose about 25%. The toppings were not only rough but also corrugated giving a very rough ride and there were many of these sections throughout the GCR.
Shortly after Warburton you will hir road works with rough side tracks and just hope thes has not been any serious rain.
You will the wonder what is in front of you, it is not a mirage but about 25km of bitumen, enjoy it whilst it lasts for then then road is generally currugated to alsorts of degrees until Cammp Paradise which is a gem of a place to stop, sunsets and sunrises are great in good weather.
Heading West from here you are immediately hit with the worst road conditions on the GCR 5-10km/hr crawl for several km. even the lead foot locals were slow over this section waving us down with prior warnings when we were heading East.
From Tjukayirla road house you will have almost continuos quite bad corrugation to the Laverton end.
You may find conditions have significantly changed as the reports I got and another camper and Camp Paradise were the 3-4 weeks ago the road was generally quite reasonable to drive.
Your group will also have a distinct advantage from me in the you intend to tkae it very easy so can run very low tyre pressures in youe 4WDs whereas I ran lower but safe handling tyre pressures that enabled me to cover the run from Menzies to Kings Creek in 3 days.
I ran the van at mid 30's tyre pressures and had no significant problems except for a door hinge braking and 2 external hatch doors deciding to let dust in one of which was the Thetford, everything in the fridge and kitchen was ok including the the crockery we carry without ant special packing precautions.
If you want an appetiser of what is coming then I suggest you do the Mereenie Loop.
Have fun
John
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Hi Everyone, I am a new member to the club based in Adelaide SA. We are travelling to Cape York in June this year with a group, but we are the only ones planning to tow our caravan. It is 2011 ATV2 Kedron (with the new independent suspension) - the van is a 21 ft. with an extended draw bar - its ATM is 2800 kgs
I plan to take the Development Rd predominantly, rather than tackle the Telegraph Tracks - I am not planning a Gall Boys adventure! However, there seems to be many parks that do not allow caravans. Does anyone have any recent information/experience with towing a van to the top and taking any side trips to Chilli Beach, Twin Falls, Edith Falls etc with or without the van?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Jabob
An ATV 21ft with an ATM of 2800kg ?????????????????
Are you sure it is not 3800kg?
Might see you on the Cape.
Cheers
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Hello everyone,
Thanks to everyone for their responses to my previous Cape York questions.
Hopefully I have just one more question. Is there any of Lakefield National Park accessible to a 19/20 foot offroad van? The National Parks website says the park is not suitable for caravans but I know Pandanus Park in Lakefield is accessible for the war veterans with offroad vans. I know some of the locations in the Park would be too small or the roads too narrow. What is the Kedron owners view on a suitable spot in the Park?
Cheers,
Fred1
Hi Fred1
The response I got from a representative on the Caravanning QLD stand at the Perth caravan show this year when I asked when would it be likely I cound take my van up the York Peninsula was NEVER.
He was adamant caravans should NEVER be taken to Cape York and obviously had some sort of grudge.
I have just returned form a short trip running in my new bearings and brakes and went to 3 DEC sites in SW WA all of which did not show suitability for use by caravans on their web site and printed publications but most campers on all of those sites were caravanners and motorhomes so I do not give much credence to suitabilty of use to any NP web site.
When I go shortly I will simply be asking questions locally.
Cheers
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- Didn't take enough close-up photo's during the build, particularly when it was all wired up and the external skin had not yet been fitted.
Enjoy the road, travel safe.
John
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Zolle
I was a bit intrigued as to what Eastern Marine's prices might be so had a look at their brake bits to do a compare with the same items I had purchased through Vehicle Components some time back.
Backing plates complete with linings etc etc from Eastern Marine are listed at $31.99 (VERY cheap) but the killer is the freight at $150, which puts them on par.
Lighter items may be competitive.
Barry
Bas
On current pricing Melbourne Trailers, who are Dexter distributors, are much lower priced than VC and interchangable ALKO assemblies can be bought for a lower price again.
Cheers
John
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For those who may be interested in seeking RV spare parts from USA I received the following message from http://www.easternmarine.com/ today.
"Hello, We just wanted to touch base and let you know we are now setup to ship directly to Australia, let us know if you have any questions. In the past when you contacted us were unable to do so.
Thanks for inquiring with us and have a great day!
Eastern Marine
1.800.453.7379"
Cheers
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Well what do you know?.....the thing works. I guess my answers won't be anonymous until someone else responds to the poll....lol.....
Cheers
Russ
Perhaps a poll on problem differences between front kitchens and rear might be interesting.
I recall seeing comments on a web site somewhere that rear kitchens suffer from more bounce at the back than the front.
Mine is front and we have few problems compared to what others are posting.
Cheers
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I can't recall what Kedrons recommendation was for tyre pressures, tarmac 45psi and gravel 35psi? Someone else might be able to help.
Chers
Merv
Those are what I recall and use with no tyre problems on the van
Cheers
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After travelling the Oodnadatta Track (and all accepted corrigatgions) we found the jet to our thetford toilet seemed to have disappeared. We had this repaired in Adelaide,did you ask what the problem was and what was done to repair it? but had since happened again when on another corrigated road off the Eyre Highway.
also have found top and second drawer hinges have come "unstuck" and catches are breaking. Any thoughts on these hinges on drawers?
Currently in Kalgoorlie
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Hello Fred1
Hope you don't mind my adding the following to your post.
Yesterday at the Perth caravan show I enquired at the Caravanning Qld stand about likely timing of access to Cape York this year towing my caravan.
To my surprise the man on the stand responded by virtually ridiculing any idea of taking my caravan up Cape York without even asking what type of van I had.
He told me the development road would be a muddy difficult mess until the end of June and after that would be a bull dust hazard and very busy with other traffic..
I was very surprised at the reaction I got and was left wondering if he was a radical type who wants to keep vanners out of remote areas.
Comments would be appreciated from those who have been up the Cape York peninsula.
Cheers
John
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Hi Ronnie
Be very careful when considering the size of a van and what weight you might be asking you vehicle to tow as sales weights can be a long way out from actual weigh bridge weights.
The only way to know what your vehicle is required to tow is to know the weight of a caravan and to get a weigh bridge ticket for the van at ex-works and that is not necessarily the plated tare weight then add your expected load which can be anywhere between 500kg at the lightest up to 800kg or more.
My 17ft XC2 was plated at 2250kg tare and 2750kg ATM and when loaded with 500kg load the weigh bridge showed just under 3100kg.
A same size ATV is likely to weigh in at 250 -300kg more and a TE another 100 -200 kg again all depending on your list of extras and the weight of a 21footer ask owners on this site who have dared to put their loaded van over a weigh bridge.
Please do not get carried away with the size until you have fully considered all aspects as others have advised.
Cheers
John
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Hi All,
It doesn't take a badly corrugated road and/or bad driving technique to make things come loose or move about. I've found that traveling on the highway or lightly corrugated roads can challenge the build of any van. We've found many a screw has worked it's way out even when not traveling on dirt. That happened to our van when new and our trial run Brisbane to Cairns and back.
.........................
John
I have found that instead of just tightening loose screws on internal fittings take them out add a spot of water proof PVA glue and then refit them, on external fittings cover the threads with mastic before refitting them, this has worked wonders for us.
Cheers
John
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Have you blokes looked at upgrading to elec/Hydraulic discs.No, $$$$$$$$$$$$$. A $280 overhaul at 50k suits me
can be seen at a glance without big time disassembly. I agree the 1 piece drums are a pain which is something Bushtracker overcame with 2 piece drums.
These are seriously good brakes with low on going maintenance costs and proven design performance.My brakes have been reliable, just an adjustment check every year at the same time as bearings & wheels
Cheers from the Kyd's.
P.S. You have to be careful with wheel size. Thanks for the reminder, I'd better check the Patrols 17" alloy wheels fitment against the 16" steels on the van
Cheers
John
XC breaking springs
in Public Forum
Posted
Hi Bob
If they still exist on this web site you may find posts describing the saga I had with springs on my 2007 XC2 and cracked chassis fitted with a rock & roller suspension.
The springs were actually Alko and sagged around 25mm allowing the tyres to punch the inner guards breaking the seals with the body and causing a hell of a dust problem.
Kedron(David) offered to do something if I took the van from WA to QLD.
In co-operation with David and the chassis manufacturer (Can't remember their name) I designed and made a block 50 x 50 mm shs to weld a new suspension bracket set to from Industrial Springs Adelaide. IHS I understand were the origin desiners of the rock & roller suspension.
This new suspension has been great covering many thousands of km on dirt roads with out any signs of sagging.
I would suggest you call Indsustrial Springs and see what they can offer, you also may find their prices are atractive.
/>http://www.industrialsprings.com.au/
Cheers
John