TonyH
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Posts posted by TonyH
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Hi Rod,
I like Peter's thinking above......although somewhat expensive (guessing not much change out of 10k)....ALL comes down to how often you use the van and your style of camping.
Your van you say is 5 years old, if you are still on your original AGM's (not jinxing you) will be due for replacement 'soonish'.
So Peters option above could be considered.....
My thoughts are you cannot have enough solar on the roof, in the last 5 years there has been great advancement in panel design & manufacture.
Your van probably/possibly has Polycrystalline panels, .....(newer) Monocrystalline panels are slightly more efficient and compatible with the 'polys'. If you are serious about increasing your solar capacity, can I respectively suggest you do some further research on quality panels. (you don't have to replace the existing panels) Not knowing.... your capabilities & resources, panel installation is not that difficult.
I have found that Springers Solar to be very good @ Lawnton 07 3889 8898 speak to Matt or Eddie both guru's and won't give you a bum steer!
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Ha ha .....an oldie but a good one!
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Hi Paul,
After owning Toyota's for 26 years, the last three Toyotas were 200 series diesels.......I decided to go to the 'dark side' and purchase 2016 GMC Sierra (from Performax).
My ATV just getting heavier, having a bride that wants to carry more & more, I knew even without weighing the combination, I was overweight.
The Toyota is/was a fantastic tug and reasonable on fuel consumption as you'd be aware, the only negatives are quick/emergency stops with a fully loaded van wondering if your going to stop. I did not go with a GVM upgrade, but being a mechanic and service my own vehicles I did carry out a brake 'upgrade' slotted, dimpled rotors & performance/heavy duty pads......this did improve braking......at one stage I was considering fitting Tundra calipers front and rear but the cost was prohibitive.
The time had come to upgrade.....
After driving the F truck, RAM & Chev/GMC I decided on the GMC.
I believe I have made the correct choice, fuel consumption (towing) is less than the Toyota (towing).The GMC is my daily drive, yes you have to be aware of its physical size but it doesn't take long to get the feel for its size and it constantly amazes my passengers where I can park/put it.
I do miss some of the Toyota creature comforts......keyless entry, rain sensing wipers,Toyotas superior A/cond (Chev/GMG don't have air outlets for the rear passengers)
When towing, that is when the American trucks 'shine' seemingly endless torque & KW's to spare, when in 'tow haul' mode the effect of the exhaust brakes is nothing short of mindblowing .....you have total control of the rig.
Parts & accessories are readily available from an seemingly endless number of suppliers in the US, (freight can be costly though) delivery of ordered parts depending on freight option is about a week.
Fast moving parts for vehicles are (my experience) are easily sourced here in Oz.
Am I happy that I went to the dark side......YES!
Travel safe
PM me if you'd like to have a yarn
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Hi David,
Welcome to the group!
I do believe that the 'only show' that Kedron attend regularly is the Brisbane Caravan & Camping show https://www.caravanqld.com.au/queensland-caravan-shows/ (every June) although they did attend Aquip @ Gunnedah last year and the Country Music Awards in Tamworth, both in conjunction with Toyota. A quick phone call to Leisa @ the Kedron 'Factory' 07 38813383, and your questions will be answered.
Travel safe.
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On 13/01/2019 at 9:03 AM, the crow and i said:
Hi
I do like your coupling and I will do the same.
Where did you purchase the bits and pieces?
Happy Days
Bryan
G'day Bryan,
A good place for all the required bits & pieces is Couplemate in Brisbane.
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Hi Macca,
Hi tensile/high sheer load chain used in a GVM upgrade CANNOT be welded as it weakens/lowers the chains ratings.
The chain on your van is probably welded on your draw bar (as was mine). The std welded chain is only good enough up to 3500kg's.
Have a read of the post 'GVM upgrades' on this forum.
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Hi Rod,
Until recently we lived in 'The Hunter', but alas I cant suggest a suitable 'repairer' for your Victron.
Bearing in mind the cost of labour, transport to and from the repairer and the overall cost of a new charger........it may be more economical to purchase a new charger.
My original charger was a Victron 12v/40amp unit......it went 'to god' after about four years. I now have an Enerdrive 12v/60amp charger and I couldn't be more happy with its performance, being able to 'pump out' 60amps instead of 40amps it charges a lot quicker and when occasionally the (unit) cooling fan comes on it is SO much quieter than the previous unit!
Don't know if your aware, but Kedron are using Enerdrive charging equipment exclusively on their new vans.
http://www.enerdrive.com.au/products/
Hope this helps
Cheers
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For those who own a late model 2.2 Honda generator this may be of interest........... (thanking Ann Lynch)
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** Be aware **
We ordered a Chinese takeaway from a local place (I won't name them) just been to pick it up and as I was driving home, I heard the bags rustling and moving!!WTF??!!!
I thought what the hell is that. Has something got in the bag, I thought I could see a little pair of eyes peering out at me. I was driving so I leaned forward, picked up the bag, put it on the passenger seat and there it was again, more rustling and little eyes looking out behind the prawn crackers, I thought its got to be a rat or a mouse or something, so I carefully pulled the bag down ...
And there it was ...
... A Peeking Duck!!!
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You may remember at our last AGM we made a donation to Jandowae Lions Club’s Drought Appeal.
Please see attached photo, it is a letter of appreciation to Norma Curd (Lions Club President) from a local recipient of monies donated.
Great work guys!
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NOTE & SAVE THESE DATES!!
2019 Christmas Gathering & AGM
November 7th - 10th November 2019
Will be held again at Kilkivan Bush and Caravan Park, Rossmore Rd Kilkivan.
Last year we had fourty two vans attend with over a hundred people attending this great event, why can’t it be bigger this year?
Save the dates in your diary’s or calendars.
More info coming in a couple of months, registrations will open about mid August .
Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Hi Bryan,
I ended up ordering a set of Bilstein 5100 series front and rear from The Dmax store www.dmaxstore.com
Very quick delivery and easy to deal with ......AND they work well!
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Hi Annie & I would like to wish you all the safest and happiest Christmas.
May the New Year bring you puncture free miles & miles of smiles.
Stay safe✅✅
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Looks like a top spot.....one for the list.
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Thank you all,
We (the committee) did work hard for you the members for this years AGM and Christmas gathering, we would like to say thank you all for your very kind words of appreciation and encouragement.
I believe the gathering was the success it was because of the great attendance, great attitude of attendees, great presenters, great venue and of course the great hosts.
I would also like to thank again...... Sandra & Clive also Nev & Penny for their assistance and enthusiasm!
Now.......all we have to do is make next years BIGGER!
Cheers
Tony
PS Ideas please on presenters you’d like to hear from......first thought Telstra (remote communications)
more suggestions please.........
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Hi Steve,
Great idea, I have just passed the baton to Webmistress Karen and she is running with it.......consider it done
Thanks for the input
Tony
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Hi all,
There was discussion at the AGM about the member stopover ‘thread’ on this site.
It is located in the financial members section under Trip Reports ......near the bottom of the second page.
Looks like some time since it has been updated......so check in adavance, re availability
Travel safe
Tony
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Hi, and thanks for the link....will check it out!
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Hi,
Considering upgrading my current Thetford C200 (plastic bowl) to a Thetford C263 (ceramic bowl)
Suppose I'm looking for feedback from people who done this and also looking for feedback from people who already have a C263 fitted from new.
I am aware that the exterior access door can be reused, but has to be turned 90 degrees (hinge down) which will leave some side panel modification work to be done.....would really like to see some 'after' photos.
Interior wise I have been told a C263 will fit,....the unit is approx 60mm wider and 10kg's heavier which I can accept.
Any feedback appreciated....thanking you.
https://www.thetford-europe.com/au/product-category/toilets-au/cassette-toilets-toilets-au/
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Welcome Barry & Ruth.....to the Kedron 'family'
Are we going to meet you both at Kilkivan??
Cheers and safe travels
Tony H
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Two aliens landed in the Arizona desert near a gas station that was closed for the night. They approached one of the gas pumps and the younger alien addressed it saying . . ."Greetings, Earthling . . . we come in peace . . . . Take us to your leader"
The gas pump of course didn't respond.
The younger alien became angry at the lack of response. The older alien said, “I’d calm down if I was you"
The younger alien ignored the warning and repeated his greeting, again there was no response . . .
Miffed at the pumps haughty attitude, he drew his ray gun and said gruffly "Greeting Earthling . . . We come in peace . . . Take us to your leader or I will fire"
The older alien again warned his comrade saying, "You probably don't want to do that, I think it will make him mad"
"Rubbish", replied the cocky young alien
He aimed his weapon and opened fire . . . . There was a huge explosion.
A massive fire-ball roared towards him and blew the younger alien off his feet and threw him in a burnt smoking mass about 200 yards away into a cactus patch.
Half an hour passed . . . .
When he finally regained consciousness, he refocused his three eyes, straightened his antenna, and looked dazedly at the older, wiser alien who was standing over him shaking his big green head . . . .
"What a ferocious creature!" exclaimed the young fried alien . . ."He damn near killed me!" "How did you know he was so dangerous?"
The older alien leaned over, placed a friendly feeler on his crispy friend and replied . . ."If there is one thing I've learned during my intergalactic travels, you never mess with a guy who can loop his manhood over his shoulder twice and then stick it in his ear!-
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Hi all,
Arrived here this afternoon, made to feel very welcome in this friendly town.
There are thirty plus van and motor homes here, well set up area here at the showground.
Lyn Astill is here in her motorhome, she is trying to get to Kilkivan if the planets align.
A couple that Clive & Sandra Saunders meet on their recent WA trip John & Karen Siddle are here also in their TE, working on them to join, unfortunately due to geographic difficulties they won’t be able to attend Kilkivan this year.
The organisers here have done a great job, barefoot bowls this arvo and dinner at the local bowls club, a local farm tour tomorrow, rodeo tomorrow night. Sunday local touring, entertainment at the pub on Sunday before the footy final and a camp oven dinner ?
The local area is very dry......maybe not as dry as some of the country Annie and I have seen in the last fortnight.....but believe me these people are doing it tough.
Funds raised this weekend are being distributed to those in need by the local Lions Club.
Photos of amazing trash, treasure, collectables, antiques and some really amazing rare stuff worth LOTS at this local property we visited this morning.....four shed’s of it and so much outside, lovely welcoming family.
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Karen & Paul are a lovely couple, with their local knowledge they will make your down time less frustrating.
Just don’t get Paul to help Val with the spring replacements....he won’t know which end of the spanner to hold....sorry Paul!
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Hi Jaap,
Any ‘new’ vehicle is always going to be daunting, wether it be size, handling, braking......with time comes experience and confidence in your new ride!
I have no qualms driving my GMC through peak hour city traffic.......but being truthful the turning circle is certainly greater than a 200 or similar....but with experience & familiarity with the vehicle it will become second nature!
My vehicle is now in its third year of ownership (from new) I had a couple of conversion related issues (minor) fixed at the first service.
Since then I’ve had two exhaust temp sensors ‘fail’ and they have been replaced under warranty....no dramas!
Would I purchase another Chev/GMC yes in a heartbeat, BUT I do miss some of the creature comforts of Toyota, that sadly the yanks don’t fit as standard.
Our vehicle now is approaching 70k in just over two years.....no unusual traits or funny things happening.
But when you go bush in a jap vehicle, I maybe had a false sense of security knowing that you could by parts at the local chemist (almost) if you had a problem with the yank truck (regardless of brand) that feeling of security sadly isn’t there....for me anyway.
Being a qualified mechanic, I can service and repair my vehicle with NO warranty implications, Not that would know what dealers are charging for servicing....that’s one cost (@retail) I don’t have to worry about.
Can I respectfully suggest you during your research on your proposed purchase, consider getting quotes on insurance comprehensive and third party and other ON costs just to compare with what you are paying for your current vehicle.......remembering your really a jumping into another class of tow vehicle.
Towing my Kedron, I REALLY am getting better overall fuel consumption figures than what I was getting in my 200....we are at Chinchilla at the moment (heading west) dash display showing 17.2 lts per 100k’s......around town figures are slightly higher than the 200.
Go ahead....take the plunge, you won’t be sorry!
Cheers
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Battery charger / inverter
in Public Forum
Posted
Here you go......dont know anything about this actual product, but if Merv uses them I would think he has done some research!
https://itechworld.com.au/collections/lithium-batteries