Chris

Recently Darryl told Val that he had placed his inverter in the front boot (successfully). This really appealed to us (especially me, because I hate boxes and cords running everywhere) so Val has got busy and followed suit. The inverter is now in the van boot and to use the computer or TV we just plug it in as you would normally. I am looking forward to the new Top Ender with its installed inverter... Chris PS Thanks Darryl

Shane and Elle, where are you off to? Heading southwards? Wouldn't it be great if we could catch up in a few weeks? We are heading slowly from the Coorong to the Great Ocean Road and then up the coast toward QLD. Currently parked in a magic national park site on the Coorong; view of the lake (Lake Alexandrina or Albert?) lots of natural bushes, trees and flowers around, and so far all on our own. The spot is called Parnka Point. Beautiful! Chris

Hmmm, it's probably deficient power cords and sullage hoses. Someone needs to tell Kedron to get better ones (like those faulty washing machines they are installing - they shrink all our clothes!). Chris :laugh:

David (cvtripper) We have now travelled with the new controller, and it is very smooth. A huge improvement on the old one. We appreciate the readout too. Chris

Jody, The brand is still uncertain at this stage. I think Suburban is the one recommended by Stan at Kedron. Based on advice by others (including Lynda and Len) we think the Suburban with both gas and electric heating is the go. We will ask for it anyway. Chris

Gary and Judy, like you I was concerned about moving from the gas/electric Truma, but have been assured that there is "chalk and cheese" comparison between them. Apparently the anode doesn't need to be replaced very often, and the tank can be emptied or cleaned out easily (allowing all that muck which collects inside to be emptied). I gather the Truma has a propensity to cracks. I hope Kimbo sees this discussion so he can comment here. I wonder if you can start another thread with this issue as the topic? I would like to see other's comments too. Chris

Well, we have finally made the decision to buy a new Top Ender! We have decided to stay with Kedron, as we have a deep appreciation of the brand's structural integrity and their presentation in vans. Briefly we considered other brands, but as Kedron have impressed us so much in the past not only with the product but also the after sales service, we are staying with the known product. I think the Galls are wonderful people who are an asset to the industry. Why a new van? Primarily, we will be able to go up a foot in size from our present 18 foot internal to 19 foot. This will enable us to have a washing machine installed and also a filing cabinet for work files. Also, we can have special inbuilt cupboards for the DVD recorder and the satellite decoder. In addition, since our last van was made nearly four years ago, technology has advanced in some areas. For example, Kedron are now using a different hot water system. Our present Truma developed a crack on a frosty night in remote QLD twelve months ago, meaning no hot showers until it was fixed a week later! The new van will have more space in the kitchen. Also we are moving from the present 'L' shaped lounge to a club lounge, to save space. We will be able to position additional powerpoints, as well as choose both analogue and LED lights at strategic spots. A major feature is the installation of an 1800 watt inverter, instead of the present unit which sits on our bench. We have learnt a lot in our nearly three years living in the van, and all of those learnings will be put into the building of the new unit. We now know what works for us and what doesn't. One of the appealing aspects of Kedron is their encouragement of people to visit the factory during construction phase, and to tweak the plans if necessary. We did this the first time round too. The new van will be completed in February 2009, and you will hear a lot more from me closer to that time about the project! And I will be asking lots of questions from time to time to guide some of our decisions. I am infinitely grateful to people like Webby, Dazmit and Kimbo who have shared their time and expertise so generously. And a whole new host of fellow Kedronners who have been wonderfully collegiate in their sharing of knowledge of what works for them! We met a few of these kind folk in Brisbane last night over a dinner. Other Kedronning friends are equally valued. Actually, a lot of the decision to buy a new van is indirectly Elle and Shane's fault - I liked their kitchen so much I wanted the same features in mine! Chris Chris

We use 16 - 20l /100km towing and generally sit on 95 - 100km/h also. Not towing we get around 10 - 12l/100km. Our van is an 18 foot (internal) ATV with 5 water tanks - they are usually only about a third full of water unless we are going bush for a while. TD 100 series chipped (very chipped, from the Oodbadatta Track and Gibb River Road - just joking LOL) :clown: Chris and Val

The box says its the 90185, designed for up to 4 axles. Is that any help? Chris

Val has just this morning installed the new Prodigy brake controller. I will report on its progress when we actually get to hitch the van and move (another week?). Chris

One of the things I really like about this forum is the sharing of information! I never cease to be amazed at everyone's technical knowledge - especially Darryl's. I can see the 6th gear matter is a non-issue. Eric and Jody - wow, you are really covering some distance! We are still at Nuriootpa, where this morning it is 14 degrees in the van! Chris

Kimbo, I have heard that the new 200 series is having trouble with not changing into 6th gear until reaching speeds of about 100 to 110 kms per hour. Will this affect its pulling power with our big rigs? Chris PS Yes, I am jealous too. Not only a nice Top Ender but also a new car!!

Graham and Sue, welcome to our group! I am so pleased you made a decision to join the Kedron owners family. We have a now three year old ATV and absolutely love the van and the lifestyle it offers. And the Galls are wonderful people to deal with also - after sales service is superb. I look forward to meeting you face to face one day soon. Chris

Hi Neil and Judy. Good to hear from you both. The problem with the bigger genny is that the size of the hatch in our van was designed around the smaller Honda. We would need to upgrade to a Top Ender if we decided to go down your path...what a shame that would be! Having to upgrade to a Top Ender!! Chris and Val PS where are you both now?

Unfortunately, we had the same issues, and have not yet found a solution. The Honda handbook says the unit won't operate in anything more than 40 degrees. It says the maximum ambient operating temperature is 40 degrees. We think there is a switch in the unit which cuts the unit off at this temperature. Some suggestions which people on a variety of forums made include: lifting the genny off the hot ground, up onto a box or some other structure. maybe some damp hessian over the unit to keep it cool keep it in the shade. Kimbo and Darryl are spot on also about turning off all other appliances, including the fridge, so keeping the fridge running from the batteries. One witty person suggested keeping it inside the van in the airconditioning to keep it cool! Chris

Greg and Judy, further to your questions relating to the suspension and bushes, Val says (he's the technical part of this relationship) that we haven't yet had any problems with the bushes. And that's after three years of the van having "a very hard life" as Dave Gall put it. We have travelled some very rough places and roads... And re the cupboard knob/latches are very sturdy. We have the "marine" ones, which cost more when the van was being built. They push in to secure them while travelling. Perhaps all new Kedrons have them now. Chris PS yes, we would love to meet up with you on the road sometime!

Brian and Lis, I will call you and arrange a time to catch up - which will be wonderful! Eric and Jody, as we just missed you last year at brunswick Heads, and we too will be moving to Nuriootpa on 5 January (closer to my dentist) we will try to get up there and see you between 28 Dec and 2 Jan. How delicious; catching up with Kedron people is among my favourite things. Chris

Fantastic shots thanks Dazmit. By gosh, it looks cold? You southern state residents have a lot of changeable weather to cope with...in the NT you know what you'll be getting (generally). At this time of year it's bloody hot and humid. Adelaide? Well, one day we had the aircon on, and the next several days have had the heater on. Go figure. :confused1: You guys sound like you had a great time. Chris

Hi everyone. We have left the Top End of Australia, and are back on the road again. Val flew out of Nganmarriyanga on Friday 14 December, picked up the car and van and headed for Alice Springs. He picked me up on Saturday evening (my, he can travel!) and we poked on until just north of Coober Pedy, when we pulled off the road for the night at a gravel pit. Nice cool breeze and a delightful night's sleep back in Okie, the offroad Kedron. We are now in Adelaide for Christmas, staying at the Beachfront cp at Semaphore. It has been cold and wet but surely will heat up. I think we will be here for about 6 weeks or so while I have some dental work done, then planning to head over to Victoria, and up to NSW, travelling slowly, while staying at as many national parks and bush sites as possible. I am sharpening the pens for the latest assault on a trip report... (metaphorically speaking). Cheers to you all, and a very Merry Christmas to everyone. May the festive season be everything you want it to be. Chris and Val

Kimbo, that sounds like a wonderful trip! Can you write up a trip report (even if only brief) and post it here? If you have GPS co-ordinates that ewould be icing on the cake.... We hope to be over that way in about two months. Cheers Chris and Val

Greg and Judy, On the Gibb River Road last year we met up with (and travelled with) another couple in a van, who had the bed configuation requiring the male partner to climb over his female counterpart when he got out of bed. She said it was the highlight of each day when he got out of bed... Just some light humour. Chris

Garry and Judy We are delighted with the srength and 'usability' of the 18 foot ATV we bought 3 years ago. As we usually live in Darwin (when not travelling with this great van)we can comment about mould. Mould can be a terrible problem in houses in te NT but have never seen any in the shower/toilet cubicle. We did have problems with a drawer which came out and warped its runners, but as Kimbo obseved, that was our own fault for not properly latching it. The Galls are absolutely wonderful people to deal with. I am not sure if BT is any dearer - about the same I would have thought-but we preferred Kedron for many reasons. Chris and Val (living in the van for the last two years and another two to go).