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ATV42

Honorary Life Member
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Everything posted by ATV42

  1. Hi Chris We had 2 plain black ones made in 2012. We used a company in WA called 'rusty gate' or similar name. They just needed the tyre size etc. Made of UV resistant stuff. They also do/ did custom designs. Cheers. Peter
  2. Hi Chris Glad to hear you guys had a good trip, and you're safe and well. Peter
  3. Well...... I probably should add to my previous post on this topic. We first purchased a second hand camper trailer from Kedron, just as they were getting their caravan manufacturing business off the ground. Back in those days I had to pay it off. Dave stored the trailer out at the fledging factory in Brendale. I would go out there each Friday afternoon and pay a bit more off. One afternoon I asked Dave if I could paint it a bit by bit. Anyway, the next Friday afternoon I went there, armed with a few tins of spray pack paint. What a surprise, our camper trailer had been painted. Dave had got one of his guys to rub it back and had it painted. Over the next few weeks, I payed off our camper trailer. The paint job cost me nothing, Dave said it was part of the painters job application!!!!!! Several years later, that second hand camper trailer was a part trade-in for our 1st Kedron caravan. In essence, our association with Kedron goes back 15 years or so. Probably longer than anyone else on this forum!!!!!!!! And yes, we are still happy customers. Peter
  4. Well...... We took delivery of our 1st Kedron in early 2003, and our current Kedron in 2012. In over 13 years of owning a Kedron Caravan and travelling over 200,000 km with them in all conditions, we have had no major problems. With both vans we had minor teething problems, and these were fixed without any hassle. In a couple of instances, what we thought was a problem actually wasn't, it was us not understanding how something works or where to turn it on!!!!!!!! Even now, if something breaks eg a draw latch etc, I take it out to Kedron and they fix it or they send me the part anywhere in Australia, no problems. Fabulous after sales service. But, as with any business/ customer relationship where is no good ranting and raving if something is not quite right; an honest and mature discussion usually solves problems in that business/ customer relationship. So yes.... Having over 13 years experience with product and the staff, we are happy with our Kedron, and yes, given the opportunity we would purchase another one. Peter
  5. Hi Grant and Carol We have several ways of doing this, and what we do works for us. Items such as cerial boxes etc we keep close together on the upper shelves in the pantry. Generally pack things close together so they can't fall over. As items get heavier they move to lower shelves. Items that can spill eg long live milk etc we put in a plastic container with non-slip on the bottom. If the original packing leaks, the spillage is contained within the plastic container. Items with a screw top or twist top eg spices we put a rubber band around the top and bottom and the elasticity of the rubber band prevents them from opening. For items in the fridge we follow the same procedure. We have lined all our storage cupboards and shelves in the fridge with non-slip. Even the plates and bowls are separated by that non-slip material. We have followed this procedure since 2003 and only had one spillage because we didn't put a rubber band around a Keens Curry tin; lesson learnt there!!!!! Hope this helps you. Peter
  6. Hi Chris and Lynn Have you checked the fuse box for your solar panels, just a thought. Cheers Peter
  7. Hi there Steve Yes, welcome to the Group. Caravanning is a wonderful lifestyle, particularly with a Kedron. Peter
  8. Hi there Strettman Congratulations in ordering your LC200 series. My reply will not answer your question, but it is about towing in general. My advice is to do some research on a Scangauge 2 and buy one. I have fitted one, and with a bit of programming I can monitor the transmission fluid temperature. The transmission is a sealed unit, you can't even check the fluid level. I tow in S4. If towing in D the transmission fluid temperature is usually around 95-100C, when in S4 it drops to about 65-70C. That's got to be good for the transmission; I wouldn't be without one. When in S4, it locks the torque converter, thus preventing any slippage and associated build up of heat. There is plenty of research on scangauges on the LCool Forum. Enjoy your new Landcruiser. Cheers Peter
  9. Hi Merv Sorry for the layout of my reply to you. It went all "wonky" and despite several attempts I can't get it to look the way it should. Cheers mate. Peter
  10. Hi Merv Thank you for your thoughts on this ever evolving subject. This discussion will probably go on until the 200 series is replaced by Toyota. Prior to having the Lovell GVM upgrade to our 2011 Landcruiser, I too did a lot of research. From my perspective, the Lovell GVM upgrade does not reduce the towing capacity, it remains at 3500kg. Nowhere in Lovell's paperwork and their Department of Transport approval does it mention decreasing the towing capacity. My installation was signed off by a Queensland Transport authorised automotive engineer, who was also approved by Lovell's, and he issued a new plate reflecting the new GVM. When I took the vehicle to Queensland Transport to have to have registration details changed to reflect the increased GVM, I had to have it inspected by their inspection department to validate the installation against the Lovell's paperwork, and to insure the modification plate was installed correctly. In addition, the early 200 series did not have a specific published GCM, only the newer do. Nowhere on my vehicle, it's paperwork or the registration is a specific GCM stated. During the Queensland Transport inspection, I asked the Senior Inspector if he could put all this in writing, and he said there was no need, because my vehicle complied with the Law and Regulations. He said that if, in the initial Federal Transport Department approval process, a reduction in towing capacity resulted, the paperwork would reflect this and an information placard would be part of the approved modification process. Lovell's have Federal Transport approval for the GVM upgrade, a process they are seeking for the towing capacity upgrade. In my case, I had the upgrade done after registration, and approved in Queensland. This means, I can drive the vehicle anywhere in Australia, but can only sell it in Queensland. If I were sell it interstate I would have to have the upgrade approved in that state. I've even had the GVM upgrade and caravan ATM noted on our insurance, no problems However, all this may not be the same for other GVM upgrades, it depends how it was "engineered" and how it was approved. So, as you can see, it's a complicated process. But from our point of view, we have done everything to comply with the Law and its Regulations. Cheers mate. Peter
  11. Hi John Sadley the 100 series Landcruiser is not in this equation. Being a 200 series owner, with a Lovell's GVM upgrade, I can hardly wait for the towing capacity to be upgraded. I don't want to tow 4000kg, I just want the buffer zone of 100 or so. I also realise that I'll have to get the Kedron re-plated to 4000kg ATM, and have an annual inspection, but I'm happy to do that. It's that little safety margin I want. Cheers Peter
  12. Hi Chris We are going to have another crack at Cape York in July. We tried in 2014 but the weather was not kind to us. We got to the Hann River Roadhouse and turned back; it was just too muddy and the conditions were dangerous, despite being told by the 'experts' along the track the road was all good. Pete
  13. Hi Chris Hope you both have a great trip, and we look forward to reading your trip reports. Travel safe out there and enjoy the journey. Pete
  14. Hi Kakabarra We use a trail-mate jack, but only with the base plate. We remove the jack from the A frame when not in use and store it in the boot. By storing the jack in the boot, it keeps it safe, away from prying eyes that might want it, and it also keeps it clean and dry. I have a piece of alloy pipe that fits into jack position on the A frame when the jack is removed and this prevents the fitting from rattling around. I concluded years ago that by removing the jack when not in use, it prevents someone from knocking it off, then what do you do !!!!!!!!! Cheers Peter
  15. Hi Jabob I agree with Bas here. Many of us put a lot of time and effort to respond to requests for assistance, but we need to know what the specific problems are. If your friends have a 2002 Kedron (14 years old), it might be difficult find someone with that historical knowledge. Hence, the need for specific problems so we can put our thinking caps on. Cheers Peter
  16. Hi Kylie Satellite TV is a subject that some people have written books on. However, Google and contact a few dealers in your area, and seek their advice to find a system that suits you. Try SatPlus at Maroochydore, or Solar Express at Caboulture. Both these places sell complete kits, including a dish that folds in half (good for storing an 85cm dish). However, you may find someone closer to you. Be sure to get an LNB that is compatable to Foxtel and VAST. VAST meaning Viewer Assisted Satellite Television, is another system you could use, the dealers will explain what this is and what channels you get. But, whatever is decoder box in system you use, you will only get the channels you subscribe too on Foxtel or allocated on VAST. For example, if you are in WA somewhere, you can only watch what you subscribe to in Brisbane at the Brisbane time. eg if the Footy starts at 3pm in Brisbane or Sydney, you start watching it a 1pm Perth time. If possible hook up the van and take it to them. Don't leave until it is completely hooked up and running, and you are confident in doing it yourself. This is one area where you get that you pay for!!!!!!!! From our experience, we had a manual system, like you are considering, for about 7 years, then we moved to a fully automatic roof mounted system about 6 years ago. Each system has there good and bad points, but we prefer the automatic system. Hope this helps in some way. Peter
  17. Hullo John Welcome to the forum. Noisy water pumps are a problem for many Caravaners, not just Kedron owners. I think most manufactures use the same pumps!!!!!! There can be numerous causes ( eg. vibrating water hoses, the way the pump is mounted, accumulators etc) but the remedy is largely a trial and error process. I don't want to put you off here, but I also don't want to rewrite what many others have written on this subject over the years. Could I suggest you (or get someone to help you) do a search on "noisy water pumps" on this forum, and others if necessary. I'm pretty sure you will find an answer that suits your particular water pump problem. The search icon on this forum is the little magnifying glass thing on the top right hand corner on the same page of your initial post. All the best with this. Peter
  18. Hi Rob Having read your post, it is almost the same as another post on the Caravaners Forum !!!!!!!! We have a Waeco 120 watt panel purchased from Anaconda, we purchased it to supplement our roof mounted solar panels on the van. Works well for us. Peter
  19. Hi Linda and Stephen Welcome to the forum and life outside the ADF. There is a lot of information on this forum about Kedron Caravans and experience of their owners, so ask lots of questions and talk to Kedron owners you may come across. From our perspective, we are on our 2nd Kedron, the first served us well for about 9 years and our second is now just over 4 years old. They build great vans, and their after sales service is excellent. If you are looking to purchase a new one in the next few years, it may not be the same van as you see today. Kedron are continually improving their vans, fit outs, inclusions and designs. In the meantime why not consider a 2nd hand Kedron to experience it while you finalise you own plans; that way you can get out in the bush in style. Cheers Peter
  20. Hi Chris Great planning. When at Marble Bar, why not take a side trip to the old secret WW2 airbase about 70km south of town. It's an interesting place in the middle of nowhere and where a thousand or so men were based during WW2. When at Carawine Gorge watch out for a couple of unhappy Bulls!!!! And yes, watch out for the gravel areas on the creek bank, it's very soft underneath. The soft gravel impeded our progress to extract our Kedron and Landcruiser from the scene of 2 head butting bulls a few metres from us when we were camped there in 2010. Cheers Peter
  21. Hi Rob I suggest you call Paul at the Kedron Sales Office and talk to him. The sales office re-opens today. Paul used to work in the production area, so he knows how Kedrons are put together. Cheers Peter
  22. Hi Ian. I would call Plasmatronics and ask them. Just google them for contact details. We were thinking of doing the same conversion, but decided to wait until our current batteries have had it. When I contacted Plasmatronics to see if my PL60 was OK to use with Lithiums, they said it was and to use program 0. But I would check with them first to confirm. Hope this helps. Peter
  23. Hi Sam and Fee. Welcome to the forum. Buying a caravan such as a Kedron can be expensive, so do plenty of 'homework' during your decision making process, including what you are going to tow it with. Deciding what you want is the hard part, but be prepared to compromise in the not so perfect world of caravans. For example, weight is a big issue, particularly when choosing the model, inclusions and extras. As an option, some people purchase a second hand Kedron first, then use it while they make up their mind before getting one built and taking delivery. Bear in mind there is usually about a 12 month wait from placing an order to delivery, so purchasing a good second hand Kedron that you can use straight away may be a good option in the short term. You might be able to sell it for what you paid for it!!!!! Many of us are on our second Kedron or more. Each one being the top of the line when we purchased it new, only to find Kedron might bring out new features or inclusions within a few months of delivery. For example, Lithium batteries are now an option, where as they weren't this time last year. Kedron continue to be innovative and they build good caravans. Finally, scout around the caravan parks etc, if you see someone with a Kedron, go and ask them. Many people have done this to us over the past 12 years or so. All the best in your decision making. Peter.
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