Tolley

That's undersize.....throw it back!

Hi Eric, Thanks for the update and all I can say is that it is a pity. Its a great spot except for the sandflies. Until I hear differently I will cross it off my list of weekend destinations. Regards Colin

Hello Eric and Jodie, If you are asking is it difficult to get your van in and out of Elim Beach than the answer ois NO, it is not difficult. My 100 Series pulled the TE out of there no problem a bit ocver 12 months ago. The road/ track was very sandy as I recall but it was not a problem. Regards Colin

Hi Russ, Your blog is great. Our blog is my first experience with blogging but I have found it easy. The time consuming part is selecting and ten uploading photographs. We treat the blog as a personal record which we are happy to share with others. Keep up the great job you and sue are doing in Cossack. It's a lovely place, Regards Colin

Hello Koggers, Gayleen and I (and the two poodles,f course)have been travelling clockwise around Oz since mid April. Unfortunately, we are almost back home at Clifton Beach just north of Cairns. Thyroughout the trip I have been publishing a blog which, from the feedback I have had, some people emjoy. It has lots of photos. We have travelled through many of the iconic parts of this magnificent country. There are reports on the Gibb River Road and soon the Savannah Way. We have encountered a good number of our Kedron owners which we have thoroughly enjoyed. The Top Ender has performed extremely well. Wherever we go people want to talk to us about our Kedron. They have a great reputation. The link to the blog is at http://travellingtolls.blogspot.com Regards to all

Hello, And I thought I would add my bit as well. I monitor the flashing green light in the boot. When it goes solid it meand the batteries are full so I go into the van and do a sync to have the monitor showing 100%. We are about to leave Kununurra having crossed the Gibb. Great trip. Headed up to Darwin before folowing the Savannah Way back to home in Cairns. Regards to all Colin

Hi Tony, Single beds are the go for all the reasons that those before me have given. Visiting rights remain! You get more space, more stroage and a better sleep with single beds. Gayleen and I would NEVER go back to a queen dopuble! Regards

Russ, thank you for the advice. I have just looked at Cossack on Google Earth so now I know where you are. We will call in and say hello! Off to Monkey Mia today. Regards

Thanks Gary,that is a good web site. It takes you through to WA Main Roads and the report there is as follows: GIBB RIVER ROAD. • Derby – Lennard River - OPEN TO ALL VEHICLES • Lennard River - Imintji - CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES OVER 15T • Imintji - Mt Barnett - CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES OVER 15T • Mt Barnett – Kalumburu turnoff - CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES OVER 15T Flood damage repairs in progress from Kalumburu turnoff to MT Barnett CAUTION: Traffic Management in place, soft edges and losts of scouring at creek crossings • Kalumburu turnoff to Pentecost River - CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES OVER 15T (Durack River @ 450mm 10/06/2011) - OPEN TO HIGH CLEARANCE 4WD VEHICLES ONLY (Pentecost River @ 450mm on 10/06/2011 - Caution: Tidal influences effects river heights) •• Pentecost River – Wyndham turnoff - OPEN TO ALL VEHICLES CAUTION: 130-160kms along western end of the Gibb River Road there has been minor damage to floodways and road. My experience with the Qld Main Road web site and road conditions is that they are generally out of date and hence, inaccurate. That is why I am fishing for first hand info from someone who is out there. It sure is a great country and Gayleen and I are having a ball. Don't delay as every day the Nanny State imposes more restrictions on our freedoms. For example, as of a few months ago you cannot buy a WA rock lobster from the boats anymore!! The controls are so onerous that most shops have also stopped selling them! There are plenty more examples of the Nanny State encroachment. Kind regards

Hi Everyone, I am in Kalbarri WA headed north hoping to traverse the GRR in the next few weeks. Yesterday I was told by a fellow traveller that the GRR is closed to all traffic due to the heavy and late wet season. This morning I checked on the WA Main Roads web site and it gives a fairly horrible description of the road with most of it being open to vehicles under 15 tonne but severe cautions about some areas. Does anyone have first hand or better advice than that which I am getting? Regards to all

Hello John and welcome to thr Kedron world. You have a great trip planned. Gayleen and I wish you many k's of thorough enjoyment in the XC. Regards

Sue and Steve, It's fixed! But I do not know how! I turned all the power sources off and then went through every fuse, removing, inspecting and replacing. They were all fine, including the three under the battery cover! Having found nothing untoward, I turned all the power sources back on and BINGO! all was working! At least is forced me to stick my head into the electrics and have a good look around, something I have not done before. In future, the hint of the radio not working will alert me to a problem greater than just a malfunctioning radio which is what I thought it was. Thanks once again guys! Off to explore Margaret River. Cheers

Steve, You have just given both of us a good laugh! I'm getting out there before she does! Regards

Hello and thanks Sue. Thankfully we have a 40L Engel in the back of the Landcruiser and an ice box for the wine and beer! After breakfast I will start the process of fuse elimination! Rather be at cellar doors! The olive pesto suggestion sounds just great. When in the Barossa we stocked up on Maggie Beer goodies and they now need replenishment! Regards Colin

Hello Guys, My fridge has stopped working. Arrived in Margaret River yesterday arvo. It is a public holiday long weekend in WA. Not, incidentally, Queen's Birthday but rather Foundation Day on Monday. Awoke this morning to find the fridge stopped working and defrosted during the night. I am not sure as to what to check and am seeking advice from anyone who has a suggestion. Does anyone know antything about fuses and which on does what? It may be co-incidental but last evening I found that the car radio in the van would not turn on. No lights on the radion, just nothing. These things always happen on long weekends and on days when the Kedron factory is closed!! Any clues would be appreciated. Kind regards

Glen and Debbie, For what it is worth, I think it is great! I really like the format on my iPhone as well. Great job and thanks. Regards Colin

Hi Deb, There is only one CP and it is smack on the beach and beautiful bay. That is exactly where I am now having my morning coffee. Off to Cactus Beach west of Ceduna today! Regards

Kerry and Mal, We have stayed there and it is one of Gayleen's favourite places. A CP, yes, but not CP style. The facilities are excellent and the owner manager people were great. We were there about 18 months ago. Just be a bit aware of the height of your van as you climb up and around to your camp spot The trees are a bit close in parts. We visited the cellar doors in the area, ate well and had a good time. You will enjoy your time. Talking of good food. We are sitting in Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsular enjoying oysters and great fish. Off to beyound Ceduna tomottow. Regards

Hi Rod and Mavis, I had the problem fixed, for a price, in Port Lincoln. I went to the caravan workshop there (having called the prevuious day) to find the maintenance foreman had just been rushed away due to being hit by a burst od ammonia!! Poor bugger. At their suggestion I went to a plumber and gas fitter a couple of streets away. My problems were being caused by the rubber? O Ring in the female fitting. They removed the old one but the only replacement they could find in PL was one in a gas fitting they had in store. So, $107 later, I owned a domestic 90 degree female gas fitting from which we extracted a two bob rubber O ring and fitted it to my van!! At least it works and has solved the problem. On the bright side, I found a carwash that takes vans so the TE and LC are clean again after the mud from the Flinders ranges. Further, we are tonight in Coffin Bay and, let me tell you, we have just had a great feed of natural oysters and whiting accompanied by a bottle, or two, of Polish Hill riesling fronm the Clare Valley. Who cares about the $107 gas fitting...... Gayleen and the two poodles are well!! Regards Colin

Hello Everyone, We are sitting on a cold and windy Eyre Peninsular but enjoying good seafood. Has anyone else had a problem with their BBQ bayonet fitting? Mine is a Bromic which I imagine is standard for Kedron. The problem is getting the bayonet to go in and if by chance, and a lot of effort, I am successful the problem is then to get it out! I think the problem is the rubber O ring inside the scabbard. I would really appreciate any advice and suggestions as to a fix. Regards to all Colin

Brian and Liz, We arrived in the Barossa today and plan on spending a couple of days in each of the Barossa and Clare before heading for the Flinders Ranges and hopefully a flight over Lake Eyre. You last post is very interesting to us. Do you have any advice for us given that wqe will head into the Flinders next weekend? We are very unfamiliar with this country. Regards

Hi Russ, Sorry I have not responded sooner but I have been on the road. We are now up in the Dandenong Ranges near Emerald where it is cold! This morning, Melbourne had its coldest May morning for three years! It was -3 in Emerald. Sheesh! Russ, I was not offended by your initial posting. Far from it. I absiolutely agree with your comments on preventive maintenance and the accumulative effect described by you and Greg. I have a long background with complicated equipment in my working life and I am both a private pilot and off-shore yacht skipper. All these pursuits are hinged upon preventative maintenance and attention to detail. My comments to you were just to emphasise that I am a bit fanatical about looking after my LC and Van. The incident that occured was not the result of a lack of effort by me. In the words of Tony Abbott, "s#*t happens". It was the accumulative theory in action. We have not met but I look forward to that happening one day. Regards

Hello Paul, That is interesting. The Tumut Toyota dealer said he had not seen that before. I suspect that the circlip may have been reused when I had the CV joints serviced/repaired but, remember, I am not a mechanic and may well be off the mark. Your advice is noted and appreciated. Russ, This incident did not occur due to a lack of maintenance. I do not spare a cent on looking after the LC and the van. In fact I have the vehicle serviced far more often than the 10K schedule and before this trip I had two separate mechanics give the LC the once over. Also, living in Cairns I frequently haul the van up the Kuranda Range which, in my opinion, is steeper albeit shorter than the Talbingo climb. Regards to all

Hello Everyone, I thought that this incident might be of interest to those who tow with a LC100. Ours is the 4.2TD. Last Sunday we were driving up the mountains on the Snowy Mountain Highway. We were above Talbingo (east of Tumut NSW) headed for Kiandra. This road is steep and curvy, We were doing it easy in high range 3rd and occasionally 2nd when there was a loud and expensive sounding BANG from the LC and everything stopped dead. The motor was still running but there was no drive. We were in a precarious position on a blind corner and double lines. It was a bit scary, believe me. To cut to the chase. I thought we had blown a diff, a gearbox or a clutch. This was also the first opinion of the NRMA as well. I began telling myself that the likey repair cost of two to seven thousand was all a part of the adventure! We had it all recovered to Tumut. The LC to Toyota and the van to the CP. The NRMA recovered the LC but I paid $300 to have the Kedron recovered. I went to the Toyota dealer at 9 o'clock the next morning, with cheque book at the ready, to be told I could take the LC as it had been fixed and I owed them $120. Sheeesh!! I am not a mechanic so this is what they told me. A circlip had come off allowing a CV rod to pop out. They reinserted it and replaced the circlip and some oil. They said that they had not seen that happen to a LC before. When it happened I immediately tried low range to no effect. If, however, I had engaged the diff locks I could have moved the rig to a safer place. It is all a part of the adventure but I am glad that is behid us. .

The only connection I have with McHitch is on the back of my 100 Series.