RV FEATURE
Your dream is about to come true: that longed-
for lap around Australia is within reach. But
before you hit the dirt, there is planning to do.
Regardless of how much time you’ll have on
the road, the preparation you put in now will
allow you to take full advantage of that hard-
earned time and money.
CHOOSING A VEHICLE
Most important is your choice of vehicle. A
4WD with low range, high clearance, a snorkel
and a long-range fuel tank will allow you to
plunder any track along the way. Anything less
than that will limit where you can go; however,
that’s okay because there will still be plenty of
places to visit and explore. Of course, you will
also have to choose a vehicle capable of towing
your chosen, fully loaded RV, with ease. Don’t
forget that the payload weight on a vehicle
reduces its towing capacity. Some careful
adding and subtracting will be required.
A diesel 4WD will give you greater towing
torque, better fuel economy and access to
fuel everywhere. Petrol may not be available at
roadhouses in Aboriginal communities. LPG is
hard or impossible to find in remote areas.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
If you are a beginner or you are not comfortable
with your 4WD skills, take a 4WD course from
a registered training organisation. Pick a course
that covers driving through various types of terrain
(mud, sand, corrugation, etc.), controlling a skid
on an unsealed road, and the use of high and low
range. Other courses will cover safe winching,
the use of recovery equipment, basic navigation,
how to use a radio and other skills.
CHOOSING LIVING SPACE
The key is to match a caravan or camper trailer to
your tow vehicle. Know the towing capacity, the
ground clearance and the suspension capabilities
of your 4WD and choose something that will
follow along happily to the destinations you most
want to see.
A day spent at a large caravan show is the best
place to start. Don’t just look inside though; look
underneath to see what you need to protect since
exposed PVC plumbing and wiring won’t survive
rough or unsealed tracks!
Caravans offer the most comfort, but no matter
how sturdy the van, its size and weight will dictate
where you can take it and your freedom to roam
will be restricted. If you do want a caravan that
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