[tweety]

Hi all,

We are set to leave in 2 weeks. House sitter now sorted.

We will be driving our i30 now with 304,000km on the clock. We will tow our new 600kg loaded caravan (home made). We will be keeping a close look a the fuel economy of the little diesel. I'm aware we get around 9.5 L/100km towing the van but that is using 4th only not 5th gear. Having read here that 5th isn't a true overdrive we should be able to use 5th on the flat roads especially tailwinds.

We will be followed by our friends in a Toyota Coaster that usually cruises at 95kph.

We have toilet/shower, 88 litres water under the van.

I've changed our oil and oil filter today, gearbox oil was changed for the first time at 280,000 km, clutch is original from new !!! hope it doesn't wear too much, handbrake was adjusted, accessory belt replaced at 280,000 kms and  new tyres.

We expect and have planned for 9.5L/100kms. We have dogs so wont be venturing too far from our van  eg National Parks. We expect to travel around 20,000km. Victoria to Sunshine coast via Sydney to Darwin to Broome to Albany along the coast, Port Lincoln Mildura back to Euroa. About 1900 litres @ average $1.40 per litre = $2660 + engine oil and filter change at Albany. We will be seeking premium diesel fuel. We will take our time to refuel and fill it to the brim each time.

Will keep you all posted.

 

[Doggie 1]

I am  with envy.   
I hope you have a great trip.

[tweety]

Sorry to the moderators placing this in the wrong section. Still getting used to the site

Tony

[Shambles]

Not a problem    Probably fits better where it is now

[Dazzler]

I am  with envy.   
I hope you have a great trip.

 

How long are you allowing (about 3 months?)

[tweety]

yep, reckon 14 weeks but flexible. Retired...

[FatBoy]

yep, reckon 14 weeks but flexible. Retired...

That's a fairly quick trip.  Have fun!!  I am very envious of people that have a lot of time on their hands (by choice).

[Phil №❶]

Drive carefully and have fun , don't forget the pics here as you tour.

[Dazzler]

yep, reckon 14 weeks but flexible. Retired...

I'm retired, but stepdaughter and her kids can't go more than 15 days without my Wife waiting on them hand and foot...

[Phil №❶]

 

[tweety]

Wasn't a choice to be retired. Health issues. (60yo) but gotta admit even so, it is still better than working. spent most of my life in RAAF, Prison officer Pentridge, Security and 18 years in my own business in private investigations. 12 hours shift work, travelling at night in roo infested areas and total burnout with depression etc. So need this rest alright. Pics will come. We've tested the van a few times and we are more than pleased. Last trip we had our solar camping shower bladder inside a basket on the drawbar. Arrived at site, emptied hot water into bucket, placed bucket on top of porta-potti and had enough for a hot shower for both of us- great!

14 weeks seems a long time to me. Where ever tourists congregate we wont be there. We like simple touring not tourist sites. The ladies do want to attend the Monkey Mia dolphin feeding but am told they only select a few to feed them, a shame.

[Doggie 1]

Wasn't a choice to be retired. Health issues. (60yo) but gotta admit even so, it is still better than working. spent most of my life in RAAF, Prison officer Pentridge, Security and 18 years in my own business in private investigations. 12 hours shift work, travelling at night in roo infested areas and total burnout with depression etc. So need this rest alright.

I relate.   

[FatBoy]

Wasn't a choice to be retired. Health issues. (60yo) but gotta admit even so, it is still better than working. spent most of my life in RAAF, Prison officer Pentridge, Security and 18 years in my own business in private investigations. 12 hours shift work, travelling at night in roo infested areas and total burnout with depression etc. So need this rest alright.

I relate.   

From what I can recall, Doggie, you were never in the RAAF; and you were a "guest" at Pentridge, not a Prison Officer.  Apart from those, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

[Doggie 1]

Wasn't a choice to be retired. Health issues. (60yo) but gotta admit even so, it is still better than working. spent most of my life in RAAF, Prison officer Pentridge, Security and 18 years in my own business in private investigations. 12 hours shift work, travelling at night in roo infested areas and total burnout with depression etc. So need this rest alright.

I relate.   

From what I can recall, Doggie, you were never in the RAAF; and you were a "guest" at Pentridge, not a Prison Officer.  Apart from those, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Yeah, but the rest......

[elantraelite]

Enjoy your trip! Keep us posted

Interested to hear how the i30 goes tackling the outback

I think you should be fine using 5th gear. We can even climb most hills still in 5th at 100km

We did a trip from Melbourne to Bateman's Bay in Jan and climbed most hills using 4th and 5th with only the occasional use of 3rd and that is towing well over a tonne behind our wagon.

We have been saying we would love a bigger camper, but can't part with my i30 while she's been such a good car. Still love driving the diesel

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[eye30]

Enjoy the trip and post pics as you go along.

[Dazzler]

Enjoy the trip and post pics as you go along.

What's the magic word?

Looking forward to your stories and pix (please)

[Lester]

Safe travels Tweety.

[Surferdude]

I'm on the Sunshine Coast.

Just sayin'

[Doggie 1]

I'm on the west coast.

Just sayin'.

[Phil №❶]

I'm on the south coast.

Just sayin'.

[FatBoy]

You can add those three to the list "places to avoid". 

Just sayin'.   

[Doggie 1]

You can add those three to the list "places to avoid". 

Just sayin'.   

 

 

[Surferdude]

You can add those three to the list "places to avoid". 

Just sayin'.   

NOW I know why you weren't at home when I wanted to call in for coffee. 

[FatBoy]

 

 

[Surferdude]

I can just imagine he domestic scene when Tony tells his wife they're going to visit a whole bunch of guys he's met on the internet. 

[FatBoy]

 

Exactly Trev.  Although, of all of the members that I've met from this forum, I've yet to meet one that I didn't like.  It was unfortunate that the timing of your visit to our little town didn't allow me to catch up.  However, I will be moving closer to you in about a week, maybe I could pop by for a cuppa?

[Surferdude]

Exactly Trev.  Although, of all of the members that I've met from this forum, I've yet to meet one that I didn't like.  It was unfortunate that the timing of your visit to our little town didn't allow me to catch up.  However, I will be moving closer to you in about a week, maybe I could pop by for a cuppa?

Anytime, mate. Come for dinner.
I'll tell my wife a guy I met on the internet is coming to visit.   

[Asterix]

Enjoy your trip. Our annual summer vacation trip to Croatia is 3500 km, suddenly seems like a walk in the park... 

[eye30]

Exactly Trev.  Although, of all of the members that I've met from this forum, I've yet to meet one that I didn't like.  It was unfortunate that the timing of your visit to our little town didn't allow me to catch up.  However, I will be moving closer to you in about a week, maybe I could pop by for a cuppa?

Anytime, mate. Come for dinner.
I'll tell my wife a guy I met on the internet is coming to visit. 

Be careful,

Protection is the buzz word