Expanda weaknesses in rough and remote country (think Birdsville track)

Bluey

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Mar 31, 2014
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Thanks all. I guess the reality is that i bought a Jayco as i wanted something light weight as I live on the east coast and towing over and along the GDR is par for the course. we also hit the beach so lightweight is ideal. I considered something like a Bushtracker in great detail but opted for the Jayco for weight and the fact i did not expect to take it too far from home.

Of course, now that the family has been introduced and love it, we are looking to spread our wings more and are coming up on the limits of what the Jayco was designed to do and was purchased for.

Given i don't really have the time to reinforce the van, we might limit the van driving to the blacktop and just use the vehicle to access more remote places. We can always stay in pubs etc o'night if we want to get some range away for the van...
Dont get me started on weight take yours over a weighbridge and see if it matches the plate my moneys on it dosnt
They tow very well and dont be shy drag it anywhere you think is safe dirt or not i think mines very robust and so far has taken all i have draged it through very well for that i give it 5 stars out of 5
 

Crusty181

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Feb 7, 2010
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I have an article (that Ive hidden from myself very well) that was written by a guy who lived in one of the Indigenous communities on the longest shortcut. The road there develops the typically similar corrugations that the other well known tracks develop. Whilst living there he did a series of controlled experiments with a series of runs at varying speeds and tyre pressures. There isnt a lot else to do out there apparently. He monitored the effects of the corrugations on the vehicle using some high tech vibration gadget and the result were interesting, and not consistent with the advice Ive generally found elsewhere. Ill try to find the article and add it.

http://www.yourtripright.com/driving-corrugated-roads.html
 
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Crusty181

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Feb 7, 2010
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Thanks, thats a pretty interesting analysis

Thinking about it myself, i am guessing tyre diameter would also make a material difference. My cruiser has 33's but the caravan's are closer to 31's so what i feel in the truck would, i think, be very different to the van as well.
Spot on, very different in deed. Youll never know how the vans actually travelling unless your sitting in it and I can assure you from experience that sitting in it is a real eye opener. The van has completely different dynamics, weight, tyres, axel spacing, shock action, spring compression blaa blaa blaa. With the van its always going to be nothing more than the very best guess'timate, and blindly hope your closer to the perfect sweet spot than further away.
 
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achjimmy

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Jan 24, 2011
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I’ve fitted stonestompers sealed the van etc but hanging a rubber curtain near the front of the van has been very effective. Seems to stop the rocks that just keep richoeting under the van .
 
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Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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Have to be carefull with those curtains across the van or back of tug, wrong position and they will cause more rocks hurtling everywhere if you hit a dip.
 

Crusty181

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Feb 7, 2010
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Hi crusty. That link doesn't work now - does anyone have it on file? Very interested in tyre pressures on corrugated roads as intending to take my 18ft OB on the GRR next year, as far as Kalumburu
I did copy it, but where I put it ?? Ill see if I can find it for you