Tolley

Roamer, Thanks for bringing the Facebook page to my/our attention. I have had a look and asked to join. While it seems to be all Bushtracker members at the moment the content is not brand biased. If it stays that way it will be a useful site. I am not into brand bashing. While I know that Kedron is the top brand, there are other good vans out there and BT is one of them. The main thing is that we all share a common interest, that is, off-road caravanning, irrespective of your preferred brand. Regards Colin

OK

Jacky Jacky, A timely reminder. They seem extra bad this season. On Tuesday our little Dotti came down with a paralysis tick. Tuesday night it was touch and go if she would survive - thankfully she did. Now back home being nursed and kept quiet. Our neighbour's dog had five paralysis ticks late last week and spent five days in intensive care on oxygen. The old timers around here say they are bad because we have not had any rain. Regards to both of you! Colin

Hello, For those who may be interested in the big American trucks for towing the link below will be of some interest. It is a US comparison of the Dodge Ram, Ford 350 and GMC Denial. Remember, the only difference between the GMC and the Silverado is the grille and hood. />http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/10/2015-heavy-duty-truck-comparison.html If you don't want to read the article the clear winner is the GMC followed by Ford and Dodge last. Phew! Regards Colin

Hello Tony and thank you for your good advice. If I lived anywhere near you I would be asking if you would look after the vehicle as its personalised mechanic!! I have to say Tony that I greatly respect your knowledge and experience. Also, having watched and listened to you during our recent trip together I admire the way you impart your knowledge to others. I have been around instructors of technical things a great deal in my life and I can recognise a gifted instructor when I see one. I am sure others on our trip would endorse my words including the Bushtracker owner we met at Parachilna! I will keep my ear to the ground for a good non dealership service techo. Funnily enough, I do know a good Toyota man here in Cairns that now works for himself. The Duramax engine in the Silverado is actually an Isuzu engine made in a joint venture in Ohio USA between Isuzu and GM. So, the knowledge out there is widespread. Regards Colin

Hello, In the discussion in this thread the legitimate concern was raised about where and how a Silverado would be serviced. Today, I have had the Silverado serviced at the Cairns Holden Dealer. They have no problem, didn't 't even blink when I booked it in. Today I spoke to the Service Manager there. He said, no problem we have all the details in our systems and that there are a few of them around. Similarly, when I had the false alarm in Wellington the Dubbo Holden Dealer had a similar attitude. So, if servicing is a stalling factor for you, forget it. It is just another GM vehicle. Regards Colin

Oooops! I mean 3950 kg....... Thanks Merv. I have edited my post. Colin

The final Chapter. Last Monday I visited the Cairns QT centre as instructed by Joy of QT the week before. Joy told me I had to take the van there but, given my recent experience, I decided to go sans van. That was fortunate because the people in Cairns said that they did not want to see the van and I had to take it to an authorised roadworthy inspector qualified to inspect trailers. I asked if they had a list of such inspectors in Cairns. No, they did not. After calling a number of places I eventually found one and booked in. On Wednesday I presented the van to the inspector. All was good except that the Breaksafe battery was dead and had to be replaced. Boy, that is a job and a half! Late in the day I had replaced the dead battery and the van passed the test. I asked for the roadworthy certificate and he disappeared into the office to emerge a few minutes later saying "oh! I forgot - you need a gas inspection certificates". I said that QT only required his certificate as gas certificates are only required for new vans and on change of ownership. He refused to sign off until I had a gas certificate. The next day I had the gas inspection completed and subsequently my roadworthy was in my hands. On Friday I fronted the QT people and presented the paperwork. I asked if the gas certificate I presented was necessary. "Only on change of ownership......don't get one next year". Well, the van is now registered and has a GVM of 3950 kg. Sheeeeesh! Colin

AdBlue $26.95 for 20 L at my local Coles Express. Colin

Hello, I did write on this thread some time ago that I would give a "warts and all" review at the conclusion of our first Silverado trip. We are now home. 6,500 km was the distance we travelled with the van attached. We had our issues in Wellington that turned out to be less than first thought. Thank goodness. In driving comfort and towing capability there is absolutely NO comparison. It's Tiger Moth to F18 comparison remembering my Tiger Moth was a 2005 issue 100 Series 4.2 TD, manual transmission. Economy? The Chev is marginally more economical that the Tiger Moth. Typically 20.5 L per 100 in the Chev compared to 23 L/100 in the Tiger Moth. Vehicle Management. The Chev is a modern vehicle with all the computers and environmental characteristics. As such it is a more involved management issue than the LC. But all modern vehicles are the same. Size? A little bigger than the LC but now the LC seems cramped. I drove the LC today. Parking? Not an issue. I have not had a problem to date and that include shopping mall car parks in Brisbane. So, that is about it. There is NO WAY that I would revert to towing my Top Ender with a LC, be it a 200 series or whatever. Dirt roads. Have not been there extensively yet. So, no comment. The little I have done did not cause any alarms. So, there you go. Regards Colin

Yes, I know I was ripped off in this particular BPnstation in Maryborough. But, at the time I needed it, it was late and I was tired. Regards Colin

Hello Danny and Sue, AdBlue is readily accessible from BP stations especially those that have a bit od truck traffic. It is also often available from its own bowser. I purchased 20 L a day ago in Maryborough for $70 and I think that was more expensive than normal. The AdBlue tank holds 21 L . If it gets low it sends you a message via the instrument panel when it gets to 1,600 km remaining and, if you ignore it it keeps sending the message. Being the sophisticated vehicle that they are there is a totally new management method to master. It is quite different to managing my 100 Series. I reckon we should start a Chev & GMC and Dodge and F Truck forum on this site. Then we could all share information. And, I reckon there will be a lot more Kedron owners with these vehicles in th Eyecare ahead. Regards Colin

Mayzee, this is all about the van, not the Chevy. Incidentally, I am absolutely converted due to the relaxed towing experience the Silverado provides. On the matter of bum steers from Qld Transport. About a week ago I persevered on the telephone to QT and eventually spoke to Susie in the Compliance section. She categorically advised that all that was required was an inspection of the van essentially looking at the new plate and no further annual inspections. Yesterday, I was the first customer in the queue at Maryborough QT Service Centre. I explained the whole situation again to the lady behind the counter and she advised me the same. A quick look by them at the plate, fill in a form, no charges involved and no requirement for annual inspections. The Supervisor of the Customer Service section then accompanied me outside to the van. She did the inspection. Gayleen and I then stood there with her and told her the whole story. She categorically stated that there was no need for annual inspections, that she would go back inside and enter the change of details on the van and from then on everything would be normal, ie., annual issue of registration renewal,no stickers and no annual inspections. So, off I went. A happy Chappy. Then our company accountant called (the van is owned by our company) saying she had received a call from QT saying the van was unregistered. She gave me a QT number to call urgently. I did call and spoke to Joy who gave me a totally different story. Annual inspections etc. she organised an extension for me to the end of next week to allow me to legally take the van on the road to get home and then to have it inspected in Cairns next week. I must say that despite the annoying confusion in QT the people have been very friendly and helpful. I just wish they all sang from the same song sheet. So, there you go. As someone wrote in this thread "very confusingly" and that is true. However, the confusion is generated by QT. Regards Colin

SuperCheap sells Valvoline Super Diesel 15W-40 that exceeds the API CH-4/SJ performance specification according to what is written on the container. Colin

Hold on!!! Dept Transport have contacted me and now the story is different. They, their Finance Dept, are saying and inspection IS needed. Sheesh!! Having been told that's that is not the case by two of their staff, another staff member says something different. I really am sick of being stuffed around with this. All I want to do is to get the van registered and legal. Colin

Whoopee! All done. No inspection and no annual inspection. 4.5 tonnes is the cut off. So, there you go. Colin

Hello Everyone,, Well, it is confusing. My information came from a Qld Transport official who works in this area. So, I believed her to be correct. Tomorrow, Monday, I will be at a Qld Transport inspection facility and I will discover what their interpretation makes of it. I will advise the result on this site. Regards Colin

G'day Greg and Cathy, No, it has nothing to do with FNQ. In fact, I am in NSW and advised that I would be in Qld by Monday. Hence they gave me, at my request, Maryborough as a convienient place to have the one off inspection done next Monday. My contact at Qld Transport, Susie, is not known to me but she was full bottle on the subject. Incidentally, before calling them I had done a thorough search on their website and had come to the same conclusions as Susie advised me this afternoon. I have her name and ID number if you want to talk to her. Nowhere on theor website that I could find does it say that an annual inspection is necessary for vehicles under 4500 kg GVM. If you can find contrary info please let me know. Kindest regards, colin

Hello, I had a conversation with a very knowledgeable lady from Queensland Transport. Here are the facts as they relate to Queensland. 1. A heavy vehicle is a vehicle of 4500kg GVM or greater. 2. Heavy vehicles require and annual inspection. 3. My caravan has been replated at 3950kg. It is therefore not classed as a heavy vehicle and therefore is does not require annual inspections. 4. If a vehicle, any vehicle, has a change of particulars, such as replating with an increased GVM but not exceeding 4500 kg GVM, it is required to be inspected once by the department to confirm it is safe. Once inspected and accepted, there are no further inspections. Regards Colin

Hello Andrew, At least for a while we will still,own our businesses in Cairns and Townsville. The business own our vehicles and the caravan. Therefore they remain registered in the Statecthat wins the vast majority of State of Origin matches. LOL. Colin

More info. Drove from Narrabri nsw to Grafton today. On leaving Glen Innis I zeroed the trip economy computer to see what fuel consumption I would get up and over the mountains. Anyone who has driven this road would know it is a roll-a-coaster with some serious ups and downs. Averaged 18.4 L,per 100 km in the Silverado and that is with 300 L of water in the belly. Another thing. Before the Silverado I have not had any experience with exhaust brakes. The trip down from the mountains to Grafton is long and steep. Due to the exhaust brakes I hardly used my brakes; just set it up on the exhaust beakes and down it came. Fantastic! Camped on a beautiful grassed bank of the Clarence River. How good is this life. Colin

Hello, LMy caravan is registered in Queensland, the State that wins a vast majority of State of Origin games! As I am now towing with a Chev Silverado I asked Kedron to upgrade the van GVM to 3950 kg just to give me a greater weight margin and hence remain legal. The van has been re-plated to 3950 kg. The TOp Ender suspension is rated for a 4000 kg trailer. As a consequence, there is now a need to have the caravan inspected annually for registration purposes. This surprises me as I thougt that caravans under 4000 kg GVM were exempt from such inspections. Does anyone have further knowledge on this matter? Regards Colin

Hello Koggers, Well, all warts are off! The blown head gasket turned out to be a severed heater hose. Two hoses were rubbing on one another and one was severed and hence started spilling coolant everywhere. The people who looked at it in Wellington and did a pressure test missed the real cause and stated that it was a blown head gasket. They were wrong. In any case, It had to be taken to the nearest GM dealer and that was in Dubbo. They determined what the real cause was and rectified it. Cost $181 instead of several thousand. Phew! So now we have our wonderful Chevy back we are very please with that. All is well that ends well as someone once said. While the Chev was stabled in Dubbo over the long weekend, We have been to Canberra and back and completed all our business there. From that point of view, nothing is lost. BTW, the country side here and in NSW in general is looking spectacular.......emerald green everywhere and really healthy looking stock and crops on the farms. Just beautiful. Regards Colin

Hi Tony, I'll send you an email. Colin

Well, I did say I would report "warts and all". Here is the first wart! Blew a head gasket in Wellington NSW enroute to Canberra. So, today has been one of those days. The Silverado is off to Dubbo on the back of a truck where repairs can start on Tuesday. With a bit of luck we will be motoring again in a week, next Friday. These things always seem to happen on the Friday of a long weekend in NSW! We have a good spot overloking the river in Wellington. Rent a car, from Dubbo, as they don't have such things in Wellington, which we will use to travel to Canberra to complete our mission. Having a cold beer and both of us have retained our senses of humour! As they say, most problems are solved with the application of time and money! BTW, the support from American Motors in Taralgon where the conversion was done has been excellent. Time for another beer! Colin