Weekender

[ellicat]

Here's a good review/test of the Zones -

 

[Drop Bear]

On 17/06/2021 at 8:42 AM, Ed. said:

Hi Drop Bear, $850K

For 2 acres! Sounds like a bargain? Bribie is so expensive. Do you have a link?  

[Drop Bear]

On 20/06/2021 at 5:01 PM, ellicat said:

Here's a good review/test of the Zones -

Wow... that is the dream! 

[Drop Bear]

On 17/06/2021 at 10:40 PM, benno573 said:

What tow rig you looking at Robbie

We were thinking a Cruiser. Its a few years away so will wait and see. Perhaps the Tesla https://www.tesla.com/en_au/cybertruck

[Drop Bear]

On 19/06/2021 at 7:29 AM, Ed. said:

compliance plate

 

On 18/06/2021 at 3:48 AM, rayke1938 said:

Copied from FB site

 

On 17/06/2021 at 10:40 PM, benno573 said:

Make sure you consider GCM

Fantastic info thanks so much.

Some of the sales people at the caravan show suggested that we get an Amarok. Sounded like a good idea at the time although I would need a good canopy on the tray of the ute so we could lock up the boat motor etc. (did I mention we want to take a tinny on the roof of the tow vehicle?) 

Here are some specs for the Amarok;

• Towbar Capacity≠ Core V6 Manual Core V6 Sportline V6 Highline V6 Aventura V6
• Braked kg 3,000 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500
• Unbraked, kg 750 750 750 750 750
• Towball load limit, kg 300 300 300 300 300
• Weights Core V6 Manual Core V6 Sportline V6 Highline V6 Aventura V6
• Unladen Mass, kg 2,076 2,091 2,104 2,147 2,244
• Payload, kg ‡ 1,004 989 976 933 836
• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), kg 3,080 3,080 3,080 3,080 3,080
• Gross Combined Mass (GCM), kg 5,550 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000

This link is for the Off Road 18 foot zone

https://www.zonerv.com.au/off-road-series-2/#specifications

Zone 18.6 footer - ATM = 3,500 + Amarok GVM 3,080 = 6,580 that is over the GCM of 6,000

Have I got that right? It's pushing the limits to say the least. 

But look at this thing! 

I want one haha. 

13,000 LBS towing Capacity!!!!!!!!

500Miles. I wonder how long it would take to charge up with solar panels on the van? If you were not in a hurry you could travel for free forever! 

I'm sure that Billy at Tjs One Stop Shop in Borroloola would be fine to do any repairs... Either that or tell me to F#$% &FF. 

[Ed.]

1 hour ago, Drop Bear said:

For 2 acres! Sounds like a bargain? Bribie is so expensive. Do you have a link?  

PM sent.

[SuperHans]

Hi DB, our local library has subscriptions to lots of magazines including Caravan World so it may be worth checking yours out too. http://subscribe.caravanworld.com.au/

We are still a few years away from doing the big lap but have already started thinking about what we need. Its doubtful that we will be going off the beaten track. We are undecided whether to go for a  caravan+ powerful vehicle to tow it or campervan/motor home. I can see immediate pros and cons with each,( such as taking a motorhome to the shops for groceries and parking it V just unhitching the caravan). There are just so many variables to consider, that it gets a bit overwhelming.

Does anyone have a list of Pros V Cons for caravans and motorhomes?

I think once we decide on which way to go we can refine our search.

I am thinking 6 months-1 year for the round trip (any idea whether this is too long/short)? Ideally we would do Qld/NT/Nth WA in the winter months (a bonus if the fishing is good).

We have an old modest home and a neighbour recently knocked his down and rebuilt it in 6 months. It sold for an insane price. I figured that a road trip while a project manager oversaw a rebuild of our place would be better than living on a worksite for the duration. Anyone got ideas/advice on being absent for a project like that?

 

 

 

[Old Scaley]

5 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

 

 

Fantastic info thanks so much.

Some of the sales people at the caravan show suggested that we get an Amarok. Sounded like a good idea at the time although I would need a good canopy on the tray of the ute so we could lock up the boat motor etc. (did I mention we want to take a tinny on the roof of the tow vehicle?) 

Here are some specs for the Amarok;

• Towbar Capacity≠ Core V6 Manual Core V6 Sportline V6 Highline V6 Aventura V6
• Braked kg 3,000 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500
• Unbraked, kg 750 750 750 750 750
• Towball load limit, kg 300 300 300 300 300
• Weights Core V6 Manual Core V6 Sportline V6 Highline V6 Aventura V6
• Unladen Mass, kg 2,076 2,091 2,104 2,147 2,244
• Payload, kg ‡ 1,004 989 976 933 836
• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), kg 3,080 3,080 3,080 3,080 3,080
• Gross Combined Mass (GCM), kg 5,550 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000

This link is for the Off Road 18 foot zone

https://www.zonerv.com.au/off-road-series-2/#specifications

Zone 18.6 footer - ATM = 3,500 + Amarok GVM 3,080 = 6,580 that is over the GCM of 6,000

Have I got that right? It's pushing the limits to say the least. 

But look at this thing! 

I want one haha. 

13,000 LBS towing Capacity!!!!!!!!

500Miles. I wonder how long it would take to charge up with solar panels on the van? If you were not in a hurry you could travel for free forever! 

I'm sure that Billy at Tjs One Stop Shop in Borroloola would be fine to do any repairs... Either that or tell me to F#$% &FF. 

I guess if you have to ask how much that Tesla will be you can’t afford it, and if you have to ask how long it will be before they are available, you are already to old for it. Would be good to see the neighbours’ expressions when you are polishing your vehicle with a steelo pad.

[Drop Bear]

On 22/06/2021 at 12:09 PM, SuperHans said:

I am thinking 6 months-1 year for the round trip (any idea whether this is too long/short)?

We did a lap in 3 months. It was ok but short and we had to high tail it a few times. I think 6 months is a good amount of time. That way you can pull up stumps at some nice places for a week or two. 

[Drop Bear]

On 22/06/2021 at 12:09 PM, SuperHans said:

Anyone got ideas/advice on being absent for a project like that?

I have project managed all my renos so I am not too much help except. My sister had a builder/designer do her reno's. They planned it down to the tiles and paint colour before the project started. She wasn't aloud to visit the building site until it was all finished and despite her worrying it worked our really well. 

So yes if you go off the plan or have it fully ironed out and trust the builder its a great way to do it. 

[Drop Bear]

23 hours ago, Old Scaley said:

I guess if you have to ask how much that Tesla will be you can’t afford it, and if you have to ask how long it will be before they are available, you are already to old for it. Would be good to see the neighbours’ expressions when you are polishing your vehicle with a steelo pad.

Yep... I want one though haha. I think I will put the $150 (fully refundable) deposit down on one...

[Ed.]

On 22/06/2021 at 12:09 PM, SuperHans said:

Hi DB, our local library has subscriptions to lots of magazines including Caravan World so it may be worth checking yours out too. http://subscribe.caravanworld.com.au/

We are still a few years away from doing the big lap but have already started thinking about what we need. Its doubtful that we will be going off the beaten track. We are undecided whether to go for a  caravan+ powerful vehicle to tow it or campervan/motor home. I can see immediate pros and cons with each,( such as taking a motorhome to the shops for groceries and parking it V just unhitching the caravan). There are just so many variables to consider, that it gets a bit overwhelming.

Does anyone have a list of Pros V Cons for caravans and motorhomes?

I think once we decide on which way to go we can refine our search.

I am thinking 6 months-1 year for the round trip (any idea whether this is too long/short)? Ideally we would do Qld/NT/Nth WA in the winter months (a bonus if the fishing is good).

We have an old modest home and a neighbour recently knocked his down and rebuilt it in 6 months. It sold for an insane price. I figured that a road trip while a project manager oversaw a rebuild of our place would be better than living on a worksite for the duration. Anyone got ideas/advice on being absent for a project like that?

 

 

 

Everyone has different needs and requirements when doing the great Lap, my wife and I are thinking of spending several years at least.  Australia is a very, very big place even just to do the circumference and then you have all the interior to visit as well, I suppose it all depends on what you are interested in seeing and doing.  As for the Campervan idea, it will be easier to tow around, however you only will have a finite amount of space to live in and also carry all your stuff, plus it will take you some time to setup and pull down every time you stop, it will also get very hot and cold in it, as you will not have aircon/heater, not to mention noisy as well as there is no insulation on the sides/roof when staying in crowded caravan parks. You won't be able to just pull up somewhere to have a cuppa, a meal or even just to rest without setting it up and then to pull it all up when time to continue. Plus staying inside when it is storming outside will not be fun.

A Motor home for me  will be a problem for the reasons you mentioned regarding shopping for groceries and parking, if you are staying in a caravan park then you will have to take the lot every time you want to go sight seeing or visit a place, advantage is when you do want to stop on the side of the road for a cuppa, meal or rest  you can just climb into the back and everything is ready from the moment you step in. You need to be aware  that a tall heavy motorhome will not be able to go to the same places a 4WD can if you intend to do a lot of side trips, as I don't think that they are designed for a lot of off road and tight, beaten up  tracks.

A caravan for my wife and me  would suit us better as we should be able to take most of the stuff we need over an extended period, it will be insulated, so comfortable in the heat and cold, we can unhitch when we want to do side trips, and the 4WD we are towing it with will enable us to go pretty much everywhere we want.  The caravan would not be as manoeuvrable as a motor home or campervan, and you have to go back and pick it up again if you went on a side trip  and when time to do another section, they have good sound deadening, most of the comforts of home, TV, lounge, fridge/freezer, cooking facilities, washing machine and reasonable amount of storage, aircon/heater, shower and toilet so most of the creature comforts. Plus you can carry a decent amount of water with you subject to your load limits(caravan and tow vehicle). You won't be able to take a tinny with you unless you have a dual cab with  good rack support from the back and over the cabin but also subject to load limits.

These are just my thoughts and everyone will have different requirements,  so a 6-12 months trip may suit some, but some people won't enjoy the constant changes and driving whilst towing something big, but there is only one way to find out if suits you. If it doesn't, you can always shorten it,  or lengthen the trip if you like the lifestyle.

[SuperHans]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. As you say, it all depends on what we want to do. Since I dont think we will go off the beaten track I'll probably consider something like this with maybe a small vehicle (Suzuki) towed behind for day trips/shopping.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2017-mercedes-benz-sprinter-316cdi-lwb-manual/SSE-AD-7210324/?Cr=1

I imagine that plenty of people do the lap and then want to sell the vehicle after so there should be something suitable on the market when we are ready to go.