Mon 7 Jun 2021

Some background on what had has led Noeleene and I to this point as we prepare to leave for QLD on what we hope will be one of many caravanning adventures.

We had been considering joining the grey nomad set for a few years, and with our retirement in Dec 2020, the international travel restrictions due to COVID, we decided to bite the bullet and order a new van.

We were overwhelmed with the choices and options and after 6 months research decided on a 20.6 semi off-road Red Centre Kimberly built by a small family business operating out of Albury and Yarrawonga. We were told that it would take 6 months, so plenty of time to organise a new tow vehicle as well. Maybe not... We originally ordered a new model Isuzu DMAX which we were expecting by Dec 2020, but delays in manufacturing due to COVID, and uncertainty around availability up until Dec, forced us to choose an alternative vehicle. A much more expensive 2021 Ford Wildtrak was decided. The vehicle was finally delivered on 21 Jan 2021.

That left us a little more than a week to run it in the necessary 3,000km before we had to drive to Albury to collect our new van which was also slightly delayed. Picking up the van was a little daunting having never towed almost 3 tonne before. Fortunately, we only had to drive as far as Gundagai on the way back to Canberra, where we met Mick and Rosa and friends Mark and Lorna, (also new Red Centre caravan owners), for a 3 night stay to learn the ropes. It rained the whole time, but it nevertheless proved a great opportunity to get a good run down on everything. Driving back from Gundagai to Canberra near Yass, we had a moment of realisation that the Wildtrak suspension was simply not up to towing the van. It felt soft and floaty and very uncomfortable.

Wanting to test ourselves and to gain more experience on our own, our next trip was free camping alone at Jones Bridge on the Tumut River for two nights, then back into Tunut for three nights in the Tunut caravan park - raining again for the last two days. It was a lovely time and great to consolidate some of our learning. While our towing was uneventful, I was still not comfortable towing with the current setup.

Hence, the decision to upgrade the suspension - an additional $3,100 for a complete new Old Man Emu (ARB) suspension upgrade. This included a increase front suspension capacity tp 100kg (to accomodate the weight of the bull bar which proved heavier than I was led to believe would be) and 300-500 rear spring enhancement. The suspension upgrade was done on Mon 10 May, and on Tue 11 May tested the new suspension towing the van back to Albury for some minor warranty issues. I had some initial concerns that the suspension now lifted the front of the van too high, but it ended up towing nicely, much improved, and far less stressful. On the way back to Canberra (after a few days in a motel at Rutherglen while the van was being sorted) we stopped at Gundagai for some more testing and practise - in the rain.

We feel we are getting much closer to being comfortable enough to set off on our planned 3 month + journey to QLD.