Chris

Terry, thank you for this detailed post. I have no problem with mould but I suspect the information is generally useful. If I ever get mould this will be invaluable.

And here is my previous post on this topic. http://www.kedronownersgroup.com/forum/index.php?s=5009e310b7e735dc5a74940416eb800f&showtopic=2370

Now isn't that strange... I thought I had put this topic up here, at Peter's request (as well as others). Now I can't find it. But in the meantime Rod has posted it as well, which is great.

A couple of members have contacted me regarding a recall by the NSW Department of Fair Trading of those portable butane cookers which we all know and love. See http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Consumers/Product_and_service_safety/Lunchbox_cookers.page I know a lot of the forums are discussing the issue, and I make no comment regarding the merits of using the units or not. But be aware that there have been incidents involving the units and it seems their safety is an issue. Chris

How interesting; no one on the forum has been on the Gary Junction Road or camped near Marble Bar. Or they are not willing to disclose it if they have! I have put a similar request on a couple of other gorums and sites and received a wealth of feedback which has been wonderful. In June we will embark on this track, setting out from our camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges, and a few weeks later head back to the Stuart Highway on the Gibb River Road. I will provide a trip report once we have finished each stage lf the trip, so future KOGGERS can be better informed about the region and this Track. Chris

Later this year we are travelling on the Gary Junction Road (GJR) from Alice Springs and on to Marble Bar in WA. I know a few Kedronners have been on this track and would value any comments or advice. We will be in a small convoy of three vans and heading out from Redbank Gorge (in the West MacDonnell Ranges up to Papunya and then Westwards. Has anyone recently travelled on that short (61 kms) stretch from the bitumen end of Namatjira Dve to Papunya, and in the process going past Haasts Bluff? The GJR properly encompasses this stretch of track. As we will be camping out in the West Macs anyway, that is the way we would like to go. My planning includes having contact with each community we will be accessing fuel at, and so I have been focussing on getting correct phone numbers and opening hours for Papunya, Kintore, Kiwirrkurra and Kunawarritji. When we get to Marble Bar we plan to camp at Carawine Gorge and understand it is lovely there. I also understand if you go into the wrong spots you can get bogged by pesky and deceptive little river rocks. So any comments or advice adding to our planning will be most welcome. The three areas we would like advice on are: the Namatjira Drive to Papunya Track the GJR itself Marble Bar/Carawine Gorge I look forward to your comments! Chris

Yes, I have read that trip report, and a very good one too.

Together with two other vans we are planning a trip on the Gary Junction Road in about June this year. The trip is heading out from Alice Springs and travelling West to Marble Bar. If anyone has done this trip in the recent past it would be good to have your impressions of the trip and of the road. I do know road conditions can change from day to day depending on traffic and weather.... At this stage it is our intent to camp out in the West MacDonnells and go up to Papunyah via the Haasts Bluff track. Has anyone done that small track before? I have been told it is suitable for an offroader of Kedron capability.

It was good to hear your recent trip was such a success, Michael. You certainly covered a lot of territory and some interesting places. We look forward to the next edition! Chris

Greg, that is really useful information re the factory now having a relationship with an installer of Lithium. Are you able to provide more detail? If so, it might be an idea to start a new thread on the topic. I know the factory doesn't re-open until 19 January so they won't be available for comment before then.

I am speaking with a personal voice here as a Kedron owner and forumite. The Caravaners Forum referred to above will not allow you to post anything critical of any brand due to possible litigation. They have a lot of posts and a lot of members and it takes some effort, but they will ruthlessly remove anything that is critical. Indeed they have a No Naming or Shaming policy prominent on their forum. We too should have serious regard for the possibility of litigation if an aggrieved party disagreed with a post or criticism of the brand. It is unlikely but possible. It was because of the possibility of legal action that this group became incorporated - to provide better protection to the forum and its members. As a member I prefer to see critical material confined to a more private arena. But I accept that this does stifle debate and in particular does not allow all folk with an interest to have a say.

MODERATOR COMMENT I know there has been comment requesting a recent thread be moved from the more public arena and other comments asking for it to stay. After consulting the other committee members I have moved it to the Members section where discussion can be kept more private. I know there will often be disagreement with actions of forum administrators and although we try to do the best we can, we will not always satisfy everybody. But we do listen to criticism and take it on board. Chris

Ann, thank you for this advice. I would not have thought of a freezing method of removal....now to get a tin of the appropriate spray! Chris

No problems Tassie, you have nicely clarified your position. I agree with others on this thread. It would be wonderful if we could all be simply offroad vanners rather than brand-specific. I know in the past there has been rivalry (not created by our brand) but we all know so many friends who travel in the same way we do, off the beaten track and away from the madding crowds, that we should joinn forces where possible.

While I know nothing, I usually find the ExploreOz forum to be a fount of knowledge on all things remote. Have a look over there. See http://m.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/108253/Halls_Creek_to_Wolfe_Creek_Crater-Tanami_Road_conditions.aspx

Thanks Peter!

Yes, I got the information from Facebook. So Peter, are the new premises quite close to the old ones? Have they retained the old spot?

I have just been told by Glen Gall that the Kedron factory has new (and larger) premises. The factory is at 10 Deakin Street Brendale, and the service division is at 5 Moonbi St Brendale. Apparently the factory now has dual street access and the new move has opened up their service side to have separate street access. So we have to change our GPS!

You are perfectly right Merv. No problems with any posts on here so far. My earlier post was just a reminder.

This is a reminder to folk that we do not want posts denigrating other brands. The Kedron brand is sufficiently strong and robust that all we need to do is promote the good qualities of the brand. It is heartening to hear that so many others have had the same positive dealings with the Kedron factory which we experienced. And that when we have a problem with our van it is dealt with professionally and with courtesy. I am so glad we bought Kedron!

It would be interesting to know what factors influenced you to buy a Kedron? I know this topic is one which comes up around the campfire at times and it is always interesting to hear the varying reasons why people chose the brand. If fellow Koggers are willing to nominate the factors behind their choice it could assist others trying to make a decision, as well as make interesting reading! Now I do know that in some cases the decision might be due to a bad experience at another sales yard or with the product, but if that is the case, please don't name the builder or give any identifying features of the other brand. This forum is not into denigrating other brands. It is always preferable to say what we liked about our brand rather than what we dislike about another brand. In our case, we searched long and hard before making the decision to get a Kedron but in the end it was a mixture of the van being structurally very sound, and how well we were treated at the factory. We initially bought an ATV for its stronger chassis and we travelled around some of Australia's roughest roads for four years before buying a second Kedron (a Top Ender). In summary the factors which influenced us are: * the strength of the chassis and A frame rails * the courtesy of the Gall boys and factory staff * the ability to tailor the van to our design (where possible within the strength and stability parameters) It will be good to hear others' experiences in making the choice to go with the Kedron brand.

Goodness! What a dreadful thing to happen. Thank you for sharing it with us. Chris

Last hear at this time we had our trip up the Oodnadatta similarly halted by rain, and were stuck at Coward Springs for three days. Then we pressed on to William Creek where we were able to assess the condition of the roads from a more informed base. Frustrating when it rains at unseasonal times. Thanks for the information about the Cooper, it is helpful. I hope you have sunny and dry weather!

Tolley, how much water was in the Cooper? Was the road to Ccongie Lakes open ? We are seriously considering going home that way (following our route from two years ago) in July. Chris

Hi Doug and Lis. How exciting for you! A nice new Kedron. You are choosing the very best van on the market. And from my hometown Darwin too!