Quick summary of our Outback trip and some observations for those interested.

The Trip: Brisbane-Roma-Longreach-Boulia-Tobermorey Station-Gemtree (Donahue and Plenty Highways); Alice Springs - Yulara-Alice-Tennant Creek-Barclay Homestead-Mt Isa-Winton-Blackall-Roma-Brisbane.

Total Distance: 7235km's. Vogue Trip computer "B" said 18.8l/100km.s My beancounter calcs said 20.1l/100km via receipts. I'll have to work out how to use my GAP IID tool to correct the trip computer!

The Car: MY12 SDV8, 50K on clock; Has a few basic mods (bash plates, 285/50/20 Coopers and UHF, DBS and fridge etc). We had two spares on the roof (wheel well empty) and the Van has two spares on the front. the car Performed flawlessly. We had one brief moment of "pause" as we approached the last 50km's of the Plenty which was horrendously corrugated and had us at 25-45km/hr for ages. Suddenly we had a few faults (park brake, no air cond then "charge fault"). We stopped at Gemtree and as I suspected discovered one lead to the battery too loose. Tightened and all faults disappeared. That was the extent of any issues on the trip.

Gearbox: We ended up doing a lot of the return trip cruising at 95-100 in 6th as the car seemed most happy at that speed and gear. I was also tired of every 200 series LC owner telling me to tow in 6th (4th in a LC). I don't know what our gearbox temps were - would have been interested to know. We experimented with 6th, 7th and 8th at various times. Used 7th a lot on the way there and we had one long period with a tail wind to Yulara from Alice Springs where we sat on 1250rpm in 8th effortlessly (17l/100). But most of the time it was labouring in 8th at 100 and we stuck with 7th and then later 6th (Winton-home).

Fuel Economy - as above - 20.1/100 for 7000km. I am guessing van at 3300-3500kg depending on water tanks (2650kg TARE weight, so this is a Heavy, dedicated off road caravan). An extra 40 litres of fuel tank capacity would have been nice - but we coped fine without as our route took us past many fuel stations and the cattle stations we stayed at had fuel. Needed to stop regularly anyway with kids so just filled up at 1/4 left - no shortage of towns - easy.

Suspension: No issues. CVD's fine - no sign of leaks. We were acutely conscious of Greg's experience in northern WA in 2013 (Member, see post in "Australia" section). We checked the CVD's regularly on the Plenty which was really bad (rough, extremely corrugated) at times.

The ride was very comfortable, the car towed perfectly, despite no weight distribution hitch, no steering lightness, perfectly level. Around 250-280kg on the ball per scales I used when we left and mid trip (emptied front water tank to reduce it). Yes, this is high...(!)

Bit of dust ingress around rear tailgate, which started to stick shut by end of trip. All good now after some liberal use of WD40.

Tyres: - brand new Coopers 285/50/20 on rear; Near new on front; two spares. Pressures: 38 front 44 rear at full weight; Off road: experimented a bit: 30-34 front and 35-38 rear at various times. Used a 8 tyres TPMS (brand is a "Tyre Dog") and found pressure and temp monitoring very useful. Temps never exceeded 40 degrees (usually only the right rear, below the car fridge) No punctures. Definite wear on rears in particular but not much chipping.

The Van: As I'd hoped from a Bushtracker - one of Australia's best off road caravans - (21 foot, fully independent suspension - it was faultless too. It really feels like 2 things: 1. it will outlast the car and most vans by about 20 years. 2. Its really, really heavy. No wonder you see F250's and Chevies towing them in the outback. But I cant fault it. It did everything we asked of it and was super comfortable and easy to tow. I'd like a bit more solar power so will add a couple more panels in due course and its simply too heavy to use all 6 (yes, six) water tanks given they are 90 litres each. I have no doubt we were at GVM and gross train weight at times early on until we got across the Plenty and relied on caravan park water and kept tanks very low. We bought it 2nd hand and spent a bit on it at the factory to bring it from 2004 to 2015 spec, at half new van cost. So, many more happy trips to come I hope.

In conclusion, a long planned trip was a tremendous success with no breakdowns, punctures or any accidents, health issues etc. We were lucky no doubt - esp re tyres- but we were very sensible and careful and drove to the conditions. Very happy family who all loved the trip - and Mrs M did note that "her" car was perfectly behaved.

Highlights: 1. Too many to list - Uluru (again, and climbed it this time), Tobermorey Station (for its remoteness and a magic evenings / camp fires, the Starlit Nights! and seclusion etc); ditto Middleton Hotel and Boulia; and I always love Alice and the Mcdonnell Ranges!
2. Thanks to 260kw plus and 800 plus NM (our car has ECU remap and twin 3 inch exhaust) overtaking a triple road train with (relative) ease.

Lowlights: seeing a D3 and camper on back of truck coming back to BNE from Mt Isa; Oh dear
Lack of L322's in the Outback. We saw two both pulling big Vans

Hope the above is of some interest! feel free to ask questions!


Cheers

Sounds like a bloody great trip!

Do you have any pictures of your trip and Bushtracker? (none are showing on my work computer if you did post them) Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Great write up.

Puts my imminent trip to Cornwall to shame.

Photos added! 2017 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 (with e-diff)
2012 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Luxury (SOLD)
2010 Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey (SOLD)
2006 Land Rover Discovery 3 SE 2.7TDV6 Black, G4 Challenge Copy (gone)

Absolutely brilliant mate !!!! MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Sounds like a very good trip. Something I'd love to do.

Can I ask though.....

BlackPerth wrote:

Around 250-280kg on the ball per scales I used when we left and mid trip (emptied front water tank to reduce it).

Excellent point. LR recommend a downward force of 250Kg in Oz on the ball assuming you haven't loaded up the luggage compartment (ours was empty and yes, I accept we had two wheels on the roof - none in the spare wheel well and two kids.)

The actual tow hitch itself (plated by the manufacturer) is rated to 350kg downward force and 3500kg pulling weight). So, I suspect LR have decided that for whatever reason they'd prefer 250kg on the ball and not 350kg like every other LR (Def, D3,D4, Sport etc). They also don't like winches on the front of the TDV8 - but one guy here in Oz has one on his and has done more than me with 240K on the odometer, much offroad.

So, we exceeded the 250kg unquestionably - but def not the 350kg. We didn't note any difference in steering, suspension height etc. BUT we were undoubtedly testing the limits of the car. I wouldn't do this trip "yearly" that's for sure....it would have put a lot of strain on all drive train and suspension components.

Interestingly the L405 is now 350kg ball weight and 3500kg tow weight per (in Australia) the LR handbook....

cheers 2017 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 (with e-diff)
2012 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Luxury (SOLD)
2010 Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey (SOLD)
2006 Land Rover Discovery 3 SE 2.7TDV6 Black, G4 Challenge Copy (gone)

an epic adventure indeed chris..  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Superbe! thank you very much for sharing  l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

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Great write up and photos. Thanks.

Rather shocked at the fuel consumption for a diesel, but you were pulling rather a lot.

Fantastic write up Chris and great to hear that you had a faultless trip. Your rig is superb, and possibly the best combo in Oz. a FFRR and Bushtracker is something to envy. I've been following your reports on Aulro, and have thoroughly enjoyed the read and the pics.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with us. It feels like we've experienced every corrugation with you!

BlackPerth wrote:

Excellent point. LR recommend a downward force of 250Kg in Oz on the ball assuming you haven't loaded up the luggage compartment (ours was empty and yes, I accept we had two wheels on the roof - none in the spare wheel well and two kids.)

The actual tow hitch itself (plated by the manufacturer) is rated to 350kg downward force and 3500kg pulling weight). So, I suspect LR have decided that for whatever reason they'd prefer 250kg on the ball and not 350kg like every other LR (Def, D3,D4, Sport etc). They also don't like winches on the front of the TDV8 - but one guy here in Oz has one on his and has done more than me with 240K on the odometer, much offroad.

I hadn't seen this report Chris. I like it.

For non-Aussies, a "station" is a large ** land-holding used for grazing cattle or sheep.

** Large

Tobermorey Station: 5,994 square kilometres (2,314 sq mi),[3] it is approximately 180 kilometres (112 mi) in length and 40 kilometres (25 mi) wide. Roughly the size of Devon or a bit bigger than Delaware but not as big as Anna Creek Station: Anna 23,677 sq km (9,140 sq miles) - think New Hampshire or Wales and Cornwall combined. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Last edited by p38arover on 12th Nov 2017 10:29am. Edited 1 time in total

good write up

Drove some of these routes last year albeit in a LandCruiser. Awesome country!