Mrs Lynn Astill

Hi Beejay, We use the separate hose for the washing machine as Kedron have suggested. Apparently, if all connected and the hose gets blocked, the washer will pump all the water into the path of least resistence which would be the sink or the shower tray. Regards Chris

Hi Ian, Graham told us to switch to 240 while travelling as Gazza said, the bonus being you leave your lights on so that if you pull up in the dark, a quick switch to 12v will turn the lights back on that were left on. Regards Chris

Hi Sunday, We have an ARB Deluxe bar on our 200GXL. ARB also fitted for us our Tigerz 11 winch at the same time. In fact they drilled the appropriate holes in the bar to match the winch before the bar was painted to ensure a good finish. I had mine done at ARB Nundah in Brisbane. The blokes that assisted me were Michael Giles and Dave Probin? who were very helpful. Regards Chris.

hi all, while on the subject, we pick ours up on monday....... sooo looking forward to it. planning to take it out st george way for a week as a shakedown trip in 2 weeks. sure is hard to concentrate on work at the moment. a lot of little things to sort before we go. can't wait. regards chris & lynn

Hi Robert & Jane I recently requested a quote from MHIA for our van. They sent me the quote and full particulars of SOME OTHER PEOPLE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. I assume these people also got my full details. Extremely unprofessional these days of identity theft. When I approached MHIA about this, they werent particularly concerned.... Needless to say, we are now with CIL. No too many agencies out there will insure a caravan over 100,000 bucks, so it's a limited field. Regards Chris

Chris and I are off to ACDC on Saturday night whoooohoooo should be a blast :thumbsup:

Hi all, Please don't misunderstand me, I have only ever had excellent dealings with the RACQ and would recommend membership to anyone. I have no intention off cancelling my membership as a result of this disclosure. I have only put this item on the forum so that people are aware that there are restrictions and that it may be necessary to have ather arrangements in place should the need arise. Regards Chris.

Hi all, I have had the following discussions (and attachments) with the RACQ in relation to towing/recovery restrictions for certain sized vehicles and caravans. You may well already be aware of this, but I wasn't. It's best to know these things before expecting service I think so other arrangements can be made. (Sorry about the length...........) Regards Chris > > -----Original Message----- > > > > From: *********@hotmail.com > > > > Sent: Tuesday, 16 February 2010 3:32 PM > > > > To: racq > > > > Subject: WEBSITE CONTACT FORM - *********@hotmail.com > > > > COMMENTS > > > > To: Membership and/or Product Manager > > > > My partner and I are nearing retirement age and we are purchasing a large Kedron caravan (19'int)and Landcruiser 200 series for touring this great country of ours. Imagine my shock when I find that the RACQ that I have been a member of for 37 years will not cover my private vehicle and/or caravan for towing or recovery because they exceed your carefully guarded arbitrary weight limits. These limits I would think would prevent most touring caravanners from accessing the services that their club is purporting to provide(unless you read the fine print that is). > > > > It seems to me and many others in the same situation (and probably blissfully unaware)that you are discriminating against the very people that have supported you all these years. I only happened onto this situation when reading a caravanning forum. Needless to say your response will be noted there and on many other appropriate forums accordingly. > > > > For your reference, our vehicle has a tare weight of 2700kg and a gvm of 3580kg. Our van has a tare weight of 2850kg and an atm of 3500kg. This is hardly rare!!!. > > > > I eagerly await your reply. > > > > Kind regards > >*************** ________________________________ From: Membership@racq.com.au > > To: *********@hotmail.com > > CC: csmembership@racq.com.au > > Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:52:34 +1000 > > Subject: RE: RACQ Contact Form > > > > Hello Mr ******, > > > > Thank you for your message and the opportunity to respond. > > > > As you have identified in your correspondence, the RACQ does place restrictions on the dimensions of vehicles for the delivery of roadside assistance. Our ability to provide roadside assistance - especially towing and recovery services - to large vehicles and caravans is physically limited by the size of our tow trucks and recovery vehicles. > > > > We are currently investigating new research and development options that will allow us to provide enhanced services to larger vehicles and caravans as we recognise that many models exceed our current limits. > > > > Your vehicle with GVM of 3580kg is still eligible to receive roadside assistance under your Ultra Care membership, however some limitations would apply. In addition, as an Ultra Care member, you can access special towing benefits up to $250pa that could be used should you require towing. > > > > I hope that this information has been of use to you. If you would like further details or clarification on any of the points above, I encourage you to contact us on 13 1905 (24 hours), by return email or by visiting one of our branches (see the following link for your closest location: http://www.racq.com.au/about_us/contact_us/service_locator). > > > > We thank you for your support of the organisation and wish you happy motoring in the future. > > > > Kind regards > > > > RACQ Membership Team > > > > > > The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland > > > > PO Box 4 Springwood QLD 4127 > > All Inquiries: 13 1905 > > Road Service: 13 1111 > > Email: membership@racq.com.au<mailto:membership@racq.com.au From: ***************@hotmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:10 AM > To: Membership > Subject: RE: RACQ Contact Form > Hi, > > Thank you for your timely reply, although I must admit I was a little disappointed that you chose to remain anonymous.... not very good manners or confidence building. > > Would there be any advantage in the given circumstances for me to upgrade to your "Ultimate Care" membership? If so, what would they be? > > What is the anticipated time frame for a decision of increasing the towing limitations that apply to your care packages? I ask this as I am in the process of renewing my annual membersip and I would like to make sure I select the package most suitable for me. > > Kind regards > > ********** > From: Membership@racq.com.au > To: ***********@hotmail.com > Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:01:48 +1000 > Subject: RE: RACQ Contact Form > > Hello Mr ******, > > Thank you again for your correspondence received regarding your RACQ roadside assistance. > > My apologies if the anonymity of the last message was interpreted as 'bad manners', however we have a team of people who respond to our members through this mailbox. It is often preferable not to include names in case we are not the next person that you will deal with via this channel. If it provides your with additional confidence, I can confirm that my name is Jenny and I am the Product Coordinator in RACQ's Membership Department. > > RACQ Ultimate was launched in June 2009 as our new top-level roadside assistance product. It shares similar features to your current Ultra Care membership in that it provides benefits to you personally as the RACQ member, and also to any driver of your nominated vehicle. Free attendance to a breakdown site is provided up to 200km (100km under Ultra Care), with 100km free towing in any direction (50km under Ultra Care) or 200km to the nearest available RACQ Contracted Service Provider (120km under Ultra). The annual limit on benefits that can be provided under RACQ Ultimate are $7000, whereas this is limited to $3300 with Ultra Care. > > For your reference, I will note now that similar limitations apply on vehicle dimensions for this product. > > If you like, I can send you some product brochures that more fully explain the product entitlements and restrictions. Alternatively, you may wish to speak further with one of our Consultants over the phone at 13 1905 or by visiting one of our branches. > > I am unable to provide a certain time frame for amending the restrictions placed on vehicle dimensions for our roadside assistance memberships, however I can confirm that this will not take place before your subscription renewal. > > I hope that this information has been of use to you, again I would encourage you to speak with one of our Consultants to seek further details on your roadside assistance options if required. > > Kind regards *******, Product Coordinator > RACQ Membership Team > > The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland > PO Box 4 Springwood QLD 4127 > All Inquiries: 13 1905 > Road Service: 13 1111 > Email: membership@racq.com.au<mailto:membership@racq.com.au> > ________________________________ ________________________________ From: ******************@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, 18 February 2010 8:59 AM To: Membership Subject: RE: RACQ Contact Form Hi ******, Thank you for your reply. I really do appreciate your taking the time to answer my enquiry personally. It's good to know that you are dealing with a real person in these days of computer generated letters/emails. Is it possible that you could provide me with the exact weight restrictions (in kgs) that currently apply to towing, and/or recovery of vehicles and/or caravans under the Ultra and Ultimate care products? Do either of these care products provide a level of reimbursement for the cost of towing etc should your service provider be unable to tow and/or recover the relevant vehicle and/or caravan? It would be interesting to know how many of your members with similar "heavy" vehicles are aware of the restrictions placed on their membership services. Perhaps it would be useful to for you to publish this information more readily or even advise the member at the time of their vehicle "change" of these restrictions in order to avoid these misunderstandings. Kind regards ********* Hello Mr ******, Thank you for your reply. As requested, please find below a table that details the benefits and restrictions for our Ultra Care and RACQ Ultimate products: Limitations Ultra Care RACQ Ultimate Provision of roadside assistance and towing of vehicles 4000kg (4T) GVM 4000kg (4T) GVM Provision of roadside assistance and towing of caravans 4000kg (4T) GVM 7.0m (23ft) long including drawbar Excludes fifth-wheelers 4000kg (4T) GVM 7.0m (23ft) long including drawbar Excludes fifth-wheelers Recovery 5.5m (18ft) long 2.3m (7.5ft) wide 2.0m (6.5ft) high 2500kg (2.5T) GVM Please note that Ultra Care does not provide for caravan recovery, only vehicle recovery. 5.5m (18ft) long 2.3m (7.5ft) wide 2.0m (6.5ft) high 3000kg (3T) GVM RACQ Ultimate provides for both caravan and vehicle recovery. Reimbursement options $165pa for special towing $250pa for special towing Notes Definition of special towing: where towing services cannot be provided due to the inaccessibility of your vehicle or the need for special equipment that exceeds the free entitlement under Club Care membership, Ultra Care or RACQ Ultimate will pay a maximum annual entitlement for these additional services. Unit of measurement: RACQ uses GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) to measure the weight of vehicles. This is the legal fully loaded weight of the vehicle. If you are unsure of your vehicle’s GVM, you can check your vehicle handbook that would have been provided at sale, look it up online or it may be displayed on your vehicle’s registration sticker. Difference between towing and recovery: towing is where we would load the vehicle onto the tray of a tow truck for transport, where recovery would normally require the vehicle to be loaded onto a car carrier. The best option would be discussed with you and arranged by the RACQ Consultant assisting you in that specific situation. I've also attached a fact sheet that is available at our braches that demonstrates what service can be provided to caravans / trailers under RACQ Ultimate. This tool is useful in explaining the sort of service that RACQ can provide where a member's vehicle or caravn may exceed limits. As previously stated, our ability to provide roadside assistance - especially towing and recovery services - to large vehicles and caravans is physically limited by the size of our tow trucks and recovery vehicles. We recognise that as caravans and vehicles grow in size we are not able to provide all aspects of roadside assistance to these large vehicles. I'd like to thank you for providing this feedback and would like to keep these comments on file as we continue to develop our roadside assistance capabilities. We are committed to providing the best service possible to our members and this is definitely an area where we can focus our efforts in future. Again, please let me know if you require further information or would like copies of our product brochures posted out to you. Alternatively, you may wish to contact us on 13 1905 (24 hours), by return email or by visiting one of our branches (see the following link for your closest location: http://www.racq.com.au/about_us/contact_us/service_locator). Kind regards ****** RACQ Membership Team The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland PO Box 4 Springwood QLD 4127 All Inquiries: 13 1905 Road Service: 13 1111 Email: membership@racq.com.au<mailto:membership@racq.com.au Ultimate_Caravan___Trailer_Assistance_July_09_1_.pdf

Hi George, Not 100% sure about diesel, but definitely illegal to carry petrol at the back. I believe water is Ok also. Regards Chris

Hi Artie & Marina, No experience there but I think Jan at the Kedron yard knows a bloke who does these conversions. Might be worth a phone call.... Regards Chris

Hi John, I'm afraid that I dont know the answer, but I suggest that your join the LCOOL website and ask the question there in the 200 series forum. Fantastic Landcruiser forum. We have just ordered a 200 series so I hope it isn't an issue with them all. Please let us know how you get on. Regards Chris

Thats what you call divine justice.................. :thumbsup: cheers Lynn

Hi all, After exhaustive research and your very helpful advice, It seems that a 100 series with a 3.5 t van in tow can only carry 2 occupants and a bit of barwork. We just had ours weighed on a weighbridge and it was 2940 kg. That was us (170 kg), no 3rd row seats, Toyota alloy bar and spotties, ECB roofrack and a full tank of diesel ( which is included in the kerb weight of 2680kg anyway), cargo barrier and no tools. It is apparent that a 100 series cannot have a boat on the roof if towing a van over about 2 t, and that would be without any goodies on the vehicle. A 200 series is marginally better by about 50 kg if the gvm upgrade is not done. A 200 series with the gvm upgrade will just scrape (if careful) in with the boat and a bit of gear etc if the van is no more than about 3.3 t ........... It seems there are a lot of illegal vehicles out there. Apparently insurance companies don't necessarily accept the fact that water tanks are empty when travelling either as they may be easy to empty after the accident.. So, not sure where to go from here, as a 200 series is a bit outside of the financial range at present. Regards Chris

Thank you all for your replies folks. When you do the figures, it seems even the 200 series with upgraded GVM would be struggling to be legal. Makes you wonder how the Gall boys did it in the movies (legally). I really dont want to go to the F250, who would want to drive that around daily?? Starting to look like the boat might have to stay home ............... Regards Chris

Hi everyone. Lynn and I are new members and hope to take possession of an 18'6" (int) Top Ender in April this year. Very exciting !!!! My question is, will our 2004 100 series T/D (with rapid chip and 3" exhaust) be able to tow the 3.5 tonne van with a 100 kg boat and loader on its roof and all the usual trimmings inside??? I assume we will be inside the carrying capacity specs for the vehicle etc. On paper, the truck is now purported to have 201KW of power, can't remember the torque figures. Looking forward to your responses. Kind regards Chis

Hi Pete, We have a 2004 100 series TD with rapid chip and 3" exhaust. We are also waiting for a 20 foot topender to be built early next year. I am also interested in seeing how the cruiser will tow a 3.5 ton van. The other thing is we are not sure if we can get a van of this size into our yard (battle axe block). We live on the northside of brizzie also. Perhaps you would be interested in bringing your van over so we can do some trials beneficial to us both. Please respond via email, youngharry52@hotmail.com. Kind regards Chris.