Jacky Jacky

Hi Lea & Rick, Hopefully June will see everything improve. Look at it another way, ...... Cannot get any worse now!

Hi Gini, We enjoyed Kakadu despite some people saying 'Kakadont'. A national park entry fee is $25 per person and depending on whether there has been late rains some places may not be accessible. However, there was a fair bit of walking involved to see rock art and waterfalls such as Gunlom falls and the views at Ubirr. The link is - http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ We slso did the Yellow Water Cruise which you should be able to manage - http://www.gagudju-dreaming.com/Cruises.aspx Maybe others may have some input. Enjoy your trip.

Great idea, John. We got tired of tripping over shoes and had a shoe cupboard built in the new van

An attempt at Verse 2 There was Flynnie, who made his pile when Kingston Town won the cup, The old man with his hair as white as snow; But few could follow behind him when his blood was fairly up -- He would go wherever the Kedron and 'Cruiser could go. And Tolley from the North came down to lend a hand, No better organiser ever held the reins; For never could a corrugated road throw him while the sockies would stand, He learnt to drive while serving on the plains. Apologies to Banjo

Quote - I am currently getting all my containers organised for pantry goods and Greg is going to look at the drawer and door locks as you have suggested. Cathy, a tip is to try to stick to square containers for easier storage but you may already know this. We like the 'Lock N Lock' plastic airtight containers which are also able to go in microwave. Maybe do up a few pre-prepared cooked meals like a curry and freeze for those days of long travel and you're too tired to cook. As the cutlery drawer can be quite heavy and the inertia build up over bad corregations can shake it loose or cause cutlery rub we put the drawer on the bed and pop it back in once we stop.

Ha ha ha. Good one Tony Ann

We have an ATV 2 built Jan 2012 and recently a spring in the brake assembly broke. The caravan repairer, who also owns a caravan, said to buy the 'off road' type because they were built for heavier van/ weight. Hope this makes sense. A suggestion would be to have one of these long springs, available from Vehicle Components as a spare as they are not readily available elsewhere.

Hi Colin, I have not stayed there myself but this link may help - http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/parks_w6.htm#lavcplav

Maybe on the Gwydir River at Bingara or Allawah 4WD & Camping ground around there?

Hello Fred1' welcome to the forum. We haven't been that way since 2009 when we did a 4WD (and tent) trip on the Old Telegraph Track. I would think you could get a van into Chilli Beach but the camp spots are not very big - we only saw camper trailers in the camping area See campspot review - http://www.lets-getaway.com/Review-Qld-Chili_Beach.htm Captain Billy Landing track was becoming narrow with vegetation on the sides pinstriping the side of the Cruiser. We were informed that the 4WD tour buses had ceased going in there and those buses had kept the growth back - http://www.lets-getaway.com/Review-Qld-Captain_Billy_Landing.htm Someone who has been up there more recently may be able to help you further. The link at the bottom after the photos should now be http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/jardine-river/index.html

Hi Muz. Welcome to the forum. We did the Gibb River Rd in May 2010 in our 2004 XC (with ATV suspension) and enjoyed the trip. It wasn't as bad as we thought it might be. The GRR can be closed at times due to heavy rain and we stayed in Kunurra BIg 4 until it opened. One tip is to tape up screw cap lids like that on a coffee jar as some corregations can unwind them and check D shackles from time to time. Bell Gorge is a 'must see'. We stayed at El Questro Station on the way as well as freedom camped. Broome is a holiday destination in the winter months so it is important to book. We stayed at Cable Beach Caravan Park and Roebuck Bay Caravan Park. We preferred Roebuck Bay. While you are up that way, you may want to do a trip to the Horizontal Falls. We took a plane flight from Derby and stayed overnight on a boat. A great experience. Good luck with your trip planning.

You may also want to read Answer ID No 470421 dated 19/11/11 on ExplorOz forum :- />http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/90173/Jerry_Cans_illegal.aspx Obviously a 'hot topic' with all 4WD and caravan enthusiasts.

I found the following, dated 3/4/09, on the Grey Nomads forum in response to a query about carry fuel in jerry cans: "This is the response to the question is it legal to carry diesel in Jerry cans attached to the rear of a vehicle; if you can make sense of it then perhaps you could explain it to me. Yet another example of beaureacratic hubris.... I guess it's a qualified "YES YOU CAN" Hi Trevor DECC has been asked this question before due I believe to our involvement with Dangerous Goods legislation and licensing. Diesel is not classed as a Dangerous Good and petrol (which is a Dangerous Good Class 3 and highly flammable) can be carried without a Dangerous Goods licence in amounts less than 250L. This is the only definitive advice DECC can provide as it is the only piece of legislation that refers to petrol and diesel. It is possible that there is an Australian Design Rule related to vehicle safety that may control where on a vehicle any such external contraptions are fixed however I was not able to access the ADRs to check. You could try contacting the federal Dept infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development as they have both the ADRs and Vehicle Safety legislation under their general control. They have NSW regional offices in Newcastle, Orange and Wollongong see http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/utilities/contact.aspx The NRMA may also be able to provide advice on this aspect. I do not believe it is illegal to fix a jerry can to the rear of a vehicle in NSW however there is always an element of risk when carrying fuel. It is not sensible to fix jerry cans to the rear of a vehicle due to the inherent danger of a rear ended collision and the greatly increased risk of fuel spill and fire in such circumstances, particularly with petrol. For caravans this is made somewhat easier by the potential to fix the jerry cans to the front of the caravan rather than the rear. For a 4WD roof racks or a trailer are a preferable place to stow jerry cans. If you are going to be carrying fuel a lot, it would be worth investigating the installation of long range tanks to avoid the issue altogether. Please note that any jerry can (plastic or steel) intended to be used for carrying fuel must comply with Australian Standard AS2906.2001. Wherever you decide to secure the jerry cans ensure they are well protected from impact and are secure. Some companies make special rigid holders for this purpose and I have seen some on the rear of 4WDs but you are likely to find that the makers will not generally endorse these rear door holders for carrying fuel cans and will likely say they are for carrying water cans or refer you to somewhere else to find out. Regards Linda Environment Line & Information Centre Department of Environment & Climate Change (NSW) info@environment.nsw.gov.au" AND this, dated 11/1/12, on the Australian Land Rover Owners forum: - "NSW does not have any rules that I can find and the epa sent this to some else who asked the same question Petrol is classified as a dangerous goods and is controlled by dangerous goods transport law. Diesel is not a dangerous goods and is not controlled. The Act controls all transport of dangerous goods and requires everyone to transport dangerous goods safely. . However, the dangerous goods Regulations for transport of all dangerous goods including flammable liquids (dangerous goods of class 3) do not control certain activities. These uncontrolled activities include the private transport of your own goods provided there are less than 250 litres of petrol or other flammable liquids in one or more drums or jerricans on your vehicle. This means, as far as DEC controls (and NSW law) are concerned, that you can carry jerricans of petrol in your car with no restrictions other than the general duty of care to do this safely. It is up to you to use 'safe' procedures. Please note that the dangerous goods transport laws are uniform throughout Australia. Please also note that most vehicle insurance policies require you to notify the insurance company if you transport dangerous goods, such as petrol and LP gas. Alan Ritchie Manager Dangerous Goods Department of Environment and Conservation NSW Australia Ph 02 9995 5411 (+ 612 9995 5411) Fx 02 9995 5918 (+ 612 9995 5918) Geoff "

I was talking to Kedron and they informed me that the jerry cans on the draw bar are for carrying water or diesel. Petrol, which ignites easier than say diesel, cannot be kept there as it is close to the gas bottles. It was mentioned it was illegal to carry petrol on the back of the van.

Hi Chanty, There was a couple of discussions about carrying diesel & fuel on the draw bar on the Caravaners Forum which may be of interest to you - />http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=32957&hilit=Jerry+can+holders />http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31737&hilit=Carrying+fuel I have tried to find "rules" or "standards" for carrying fuel but have been unable to find any. The only things I could find were that jerry can should be located where there is less likihood of "impact".

LOL Tony. You're a sick man !!

Bit of a discussion in this previous post :- />http://www.kedronownersgroup.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1231

This link may be of assistance- http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/getnewrego/interstatevehicles.html An indicator that an interstate registered vehicle is permanently garaged in NSW is the vehicle has been in NSW for more than three months.

Hi Zolle, We are with Ken Tame & Assoc (Allianz) being an associate member of CMCA with both Cruiser and van. Clause 7 Transportation Costs If your vehicle is stolen or cannot be safely driven home as a result of accidental loss or damage which is covered under the "Cover for accidental physical loss or damage to your vehicle" section, we will pay the reasonable costs of transport to you and your family travelling with you to your normal place of residence in Australia.. Clause 8 Travel costs to Collect Vehicle We will cover the reasonable costs for you to travel to the repairer's premises to collect your vehicle or the reasonable costs to deliver your vehicle to your residence following the theft and recovery or accidental loss or damage to your vehicle which is covered under the "Cover for accidental physical loss or damage to your vehicle" section. The other clauses you added have me stumped a bit as well! In the Allianz policy there is a large section on what they don't cover - some of which include, if you are no longer a current financial member of the CMCA or if vehicle is loaned to a non financial member, driver unlicensed or DUI, overloaded, unsafe or unroadworthy vehicle, carrying passengers for hire etc. They also cover medical emergency or transportation of vehicle in respect of unexpected death of the insured or an immediate relative but it is quite lengthy to type. You can go to Ken Tame's website or CMCA to have a look at the PDS. A covering letter states the policy covers repatriation home following, including that of the vehicle, to home following the inability to travel due to an unexpected medical emergency or injury. I couldn't see anything about animals in the time I had to look at our policy but there is cover for third party property damage up to $20m and personal liability you may incur as a result of an accident causing bodily injury or property damage to $20m.

Hi Rob, We did just that with our last van - that is, had the breakaway wired to the house batteries but we have yet to get it done to our new van (Qld rego). There was a discussion on the Caravaners Forum some time ago which stated the manufacturer, Redarc, did not recommend wiring it to a house battery but my feelings were that was because a lot of 'average' vans just have one battery and no solar. We tend to agree with you, that with more than one battery and solar panels to keep batteries charged there would be little risk to wiring it to the house batteries. I think in NSW they are required to have a light or signal in the tow vehicle cab to show the Breakaway is working to be able to pass registration requirements but I don't know how doing what you propose would affect that compliance.

Hi Richard & Celeste, I assume it is a Suburban HWS. There were a few of these HWS sold with a cowl (external cover) that had insufficient spaces for air to allow the gas to ignite. You could try opening the whole cover to allow more air in. We know of a few people who had a similar problem and had the cowl replaced with the 'newer' design. Vacuum out any dust from time to time. Other than that, check your gas supply - but you have probably done that.

This link my be of some help about definitions of GVM, GTM & GCM:- />http://www.towingguide.com/content/definitions.html

John, I see you have KDSS and Mayzee is looking at KDSS - I thought I read somewhere or heard that some LC200 owners with KDSS had upgraded their suspension only to find that the KDSS 'works against' any 'sway' or movement of the van thereby de-stabilising the tow vehicle and they have had to have further work done to stop this or replace the vehicle with one without KDSS. Do you know anything about this or can you provide me with a better understanding please. Regards

Hi John & Trina, We had the standard draw bar on the last van (XC 17'6" internal) and an extended draw bar on the new ATV2 (18'6" internal). Advantages Easier to reverse - see previous posts Can fit a storage box (store hoses, chocks etc) or wood on draw bar (be careful of ball weight) Easier to get in behind the stone guard to access the front boots. Disadvantages We are much longer overall and some caravan parks have small sites so we have to check whether we will fit (not that we go into CP's much) Very little gap between stone guard and front boots (with gerry can holders there as well) Would add extra weight Would add extra length and make turning/negotiating in the bush on tight tracks more difficult or prevent access

Hi Bondi & Jenny, We considered both when ordering our second Kedron (18' 6" internal) and decided on the ATV2 with an extended draw bar. We have a LC TD100 and did not want to change vehicles. The ATV is a strong build too and as Den & Col point out the weight will be the main issue depending on how much gear you want to take with you as well. Previously we had a 2004 XC with ATV axels and leaf suspension and we took it across the Gibb River Road, out to Tom Price, Sandstone, Leonora and a lot of dirt roads without any worries. The new XC3 is a bit different and lighter to the original XC so we went the ATV2 this time - with a heater and auto Sat TV. No complaints here.