Chris
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Posts posted by Chris
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Hi there.
I'm in a bit of a hurry tonight so can't post too much. We spent some time in and around the West Macdonnells a few years ago and loved several areas. I am mindful of the dog situation so am going to suggest a couple of places: 2 mile camp on the Finke River, and a spot on the way out there that is a bush camp which would be suitable.
I don't seem to have the actual GPS details handy; I know I sent them to Dazmit about 18 months ago. Dazmit, can you help? Otherwise, in a few days when I get back from a weekend trip away, I will chase it all up and send the details (if I can find them!). Dazmit keeps everything, so I should be safe...
Chris
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Thanks Sue and David. We may get one of the CGear...
Chris
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Hmmm, but Sue, yours was quite heavy as I recall. I wonder if David's CGear is lighter? Weight is becoming more of an issue to us now with a heavier van on order :biggrin: and a front loader washing machine inside it.
But I do like the sound of the CGear. I also liked the look of yours (and Peter's).
And thanks David for this nice additional detail!
Chris
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David,
I have just noticed this message. A bit tardy at this end...
What do these mats look like? Is the same as Webby and Jacky Jacky have? And Peter Flynn? If so, they look great, but I recall they do weigh a bit.
What persuaded you to get one?
Chris
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As many of you know, we recently were headed for Gregory and Keep River NP's, in the Top End. On the day before we departed, I rang the rangers at the parks, and she said it was as busy as hell out there, and we would be lucky to get a spot with an 18 foot (internal) sized van. She also said they had bollarded the areas so that only small rigs can fit. AND they were fining people who just pulled over into the bush. We had a long hard thought (doesn't take long in my case) and decided, nope, that's not my idea of fun.
So we went to a billabong on the Jim Jim instead, out in Kakadu. Lovely spot, nice weather, not too crowded. And then disaster - the fridge started losing temperature. So we left and went down to Katherine to get it fixed. The mechanic said it simply needed re-gassing. He did that. Back to Kakadu - we are sticklers for a good camping experience! Two days later, the same problem again - fridge getting warm.
At that point we gave up. Came back to Peppimenarti, the community where we will be living for the next six months.
Val has taken the fridge out of the van, on advice of someone he spoke to on the phone, to see if he can find the gas leak (if that is indeed the problem). He can't see anything obvious.
I think we will have to buy a new fridge, and they are quoting us $2,400.00. Plus freight. Sigh.
The other thing is there appears to be no one in Darwin with expertise in these things and we will have to take it back to Katherine to a mechanic we know there.
Chris
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We head off tomorrow with the van, down the Stuart Highway, and then the Victoria Hwy, and across to Keep River NP first, then to Gregory NP. Keep River is the top priority as we haven't been there before.
This will be our last trip out bush before we head out to the Aboriginal community at Peppimenarti, where Val will be a teaching principal for 6 months.
So we are looking forward to the trip. I will do a trip report, naturally.
Chris
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John and Julie,
your plans look very similar to our 19 foot Top Ender which we will pick up early next year. Good taste!
Chris
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David,
Our trip diary says we were there on 16 and 17 July! How about that!
Chris
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Have a wonderful trip! And I expect not only a trip report but photos to match, now that Glen is becoming a digital photography whizz-kid.
I agree with kimbo's recommendation of the Chinchilla Weir. It is a nice spot, not far from town, on bitumen, and for those who get there early enough, free power! There are toilets but no showers.
We were there in July last year (or was it August?). Not too crowded at that time, but boy was it cold at night! Lucky we had the Webasto heater at that time.
Chris and Val
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Thanks everyone. I will give a trip report on our return.
Chris
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Thanks for that Di and Bob.
We have always been impressed with the courtesy and helpfulness of the Kedron team when we have needed them. Ash is a miracle worker in my opinion. Once he cleared the decks for our van on one day's notice, as we had a leaking hot water unit (Truma!) and fixed it for us. And he went over to Truma and cajoled out of the firm a replacement unit for us at no cost to us.
Obviously a week's notice would be better of course.
Chris
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Yes! In the mailbox this morning was the magazine, with the Kedron on the cover - and an article with Keep River no doubt (haven't read it yet).
Thanks for that!
Chris
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I haven't got that edition yet. I'm off to Darwin for the day tomorrow and will pick one up. Many thanks
Chris
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Keep River NP.
Has anyone been there lately? We are thinking of heading over there from Darwin in about three weeks time, with our ATV (18 foot internal size). And we will be going into Gregory NP too. We have been to Gregory NP in the past and the road was absolutely fine then so assume it is now too. Well worth seeing that area.
But we've never been to Keep River and it would be good to hear from others (especially those who have been there recently) what is there and what its like.
Chris
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I agree with Shane completely. The price of diesel at the Barkly Homestaed is terrible - Camooweal on one side and the Three Ways on the other side charge much less, although they are all equally as isolated.
Highway Robbery indeed.
Chris
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How good of you both to post this inspiring message for us! I can so remember the day we picked our new baby up! The terror of towing such a big beast for the first time, and backing it into a park site that night. And the bottle of obligatory champagne....
I can't wait until our new van is ready early next year.
Chris
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I would so love to get to a caravan show...next year perhaps! We had planned on being at this one but other things intruded.
What I would like someone who went to the show to comment on is:
What innovations are coming in with new vans?
What vans were outstanding and why?
Were there more of the smaller lighter vans, and less of the bigger heavier ones?
Was there anything new in the way of accessories?
Were there any major developments in the Kedron vans?
I really look forward to your responses to these questions.
Chris
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How wonderful to hear from you on the site, guys.
I am sure you will be deluged with information, but I am more than happy to give you our experiences.
We have an (internal) 18' ATV, now four years old. Normally we live in Darwin, but have been trvelling with the van for the past three years. At present however, we are at a remote Aboriginal community in the NT (Peppimenarti) until the end of the year.
We did the Gibb River Road (GRR) in June 2006, with the van, and had not a single problem with it. Apart from a vicious little jar of chutney which shed its lid and contents all over the pantry...
We did pack the van for the trip - wedged foam between DVD and cupboard, foam between microwave and cupboard; lined fridge shelves with thin foam before putting contents back in door shelves, foam on top of cutlery drawer etc.
There were no problems with the trip whatsoever. Of course, we didn't go up to the Mitchell Falls...that would be suicidal!
I am presently interstate for a couple of weeks and using a travel computer, so I don't have a copy of my trip report for the GRR. But if you email me privately I will send it on to you in a few days time.
I am also more than happy to talk to you about other spots on the trip that you might call into (eg Gregory NP and Flora Reserve, on the Victoria Highway out from Katherine. Once you email me I will respond with my contact details.
Chris
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For those who are wondering, Val is the other half of ChirsVal7. But I am currently in SA visiting our daughter and he is in the NT.
Kimbo has been really helpful with this topic (as usual) and sent us some photos which we handed on to SciFleet Toyota Dealership. SciFleet have taken it on board and will investigate installing as per Kimbo's photos - which were excellently crisp and clear. Thanks Kimbo!
Chris
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Kimbo,
a photo would be great! I look forward to seeing it too.
Chris
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Thanks for this information Kimbo. This is one of the great benefits of the forum - sharing of information. We have been seeking information on a bullbar to go with the new 200 series, and you gave valuable advice to the effect that the Toyota bull bar is not necessarily as good as some others.
Chris
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Hi Arthur.
I can endorse Jacky Jacky and Dazmit's experience; we put a chip in our 100 series TD LC and noticed about a 10% increase in fuel economy, as well as much improved pulling power. Especially useful for overtaking and going up steep hills with a 3.5 tonne van on back!
BUT in Melbourne recently we had some trouble with the vehicle (wouldn't start one day - not a peep out of it when you turned the key). Turned out to be the chip had become faulty and interfered with the electronics. It took a Toyota deler about 4 days to discover the source of the problem. Uninstalled the chip and all was well. But this cost us $500 for the exercise.
Now we are running without the chip as we will be selling the van and vehicle in near future (upgrading to another Kedron and a 200 series) but gosh! I miss the chip.
Chris
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I agree wholeheartedly with Dazmit.
When we ordered our ATV 5 years ago (it is now 4 years old) we had a much loved Prado. The Galls said the vehicle wouldn't cut the mustard and suggested we trade it in on a LC. I think it was a bit stronger than 'suggested'...
They were absolutely correct. The LC has much more towing Nm power and this is not only handy when towing uphill, but safer. The fuel economy is that much greater too when you're not struggling to carry too heavy a weight. We had a diatronic chip installed which improved the power and fuel economy even more again. We are very happy with the combination of van-vehicle.
And yes, I can well understand the "I want one too!". That's how I now feel about the new Top Ender. :laugh:
Chris
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Well Dazmit, you succeeded in making me soooo envious! What a spot. I am going to insist you accompany us out there for a trip early next year. Definitely. And I want a marshmallow too.
Is the spot hard to get to? Much beach driving, which needs local tidal knowledge?
Chris
West Macdonald Ranges
in Public Forum
Posted
Hi again.
I am now back from the weekend escape and have time to search out the details needed. I have prepared a very detailed message for you and will forward it on once I have your email address. I have sent a private email putting this in train.
The information relates to a couple of separate bushcamping sites which are not known to the general public, out in the West macs. I have GPS locations and photos. This area is absolutely stunning and we love it around the West Macdonnells.
We don't want to put the information on the open forum....we will keep it within the Kedron site. After all, that's what another offroad forum does!
Any Kedronner who wants the details can just ask, and I will forward the same information on.
Chris