The Marshians 17.56.2 OB

Smergen

Smergen

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OK, thought after my initial intro thread and the thread to find a tow vehicle it was time to start a thread to detail the adventures of our little crew in our first venture into the caravan world.

Hopefully detail some mods and "adjustments" and any info I can glean along the way. Truth be told, it will mostly be things I nick from here... :p

Actually managed to hook the van up to the Pajero for the first time which was pretty exciting. Took a little bit of fiddling and airport paddle waving from Mrs Smergs... (maybe a reverse camera towbar mod I saw on here somewhere...) but eventually we dropped it on. The ALKO stands went up, the jockey wheel was taken off and down she went on. Truth be told... I reckon it sat pretty well on the back of the Paj. It's basically empty, so should be well within the Paj's capabilities, but when you buy everything secondhand, when it comes to the moment of truth... it's nice to see that the back end of the Paj didn't smash to the ground... (touchwood!).

We had some people coming around soon after the pics so I didn't take it out for a spin, but that's the plan tomorrow. It's still be chaotically windy and wet still so we're just trying to wait out the apocalypse before we roll out into the big bad world!

I did load up the kids into the back and spin up the dirt track on the hill behind our joint in 4WD mode which they thought was awesome fun as they bounced around .Truth be told a commodore could have gotten up there, but sssh... don't tell them.
 

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DRW

DRW

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Make sure you straighten up the steering before you go tearing out of the gate bahahaha. It looks to be sitting okay those Pajero's are tougher than they get credit for.
 
dagree

dagree

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Looking good @Smergen :encouragement: ... Keep the write-ups coming.
Things don't get "nicked" from here... We just "borrow" ideas :p
 
Smergen

Smergen

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Interestingly, went down to the local tyre specialist in town to ask him about the tyres on the Paj (Bridgestone Duellers). Wanted to know his recommendation for pressures both for everyday use and during tow conditions.

Turns out 36psi is fine for "around town" but the "air up" to 40psi on the front and 50psi on the back when the van's on! Geez... I thought... Never put that much pressure in a tyre, but he assured me they were light commercial tyres and good for 65psi.

He said they were pretty good shoes for the rig and purpose and plenty of life left in them. So that's a bonus! :bounce:
 
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dagree

dagree

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Got duellers on the Prado also... Very happy with them.
Was told 40 for around town for ours but pump rears up to 45 when towing... Just trial and error I guess.
 
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Smergen

Smergen

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DRW said:
Make sure you straighten up the steering before you go tearing out of the gate bahahaha. It looks to be sitting okay those Pajero's are tougher than they get credit for.
Click to expand...

Ha ha... yep... that's half the reason I didn't take it out! The bloke did such a good job reversing it through them, I didn't want do an Austin Powers back and forth trying to put it back. But I'm going to have to get good at it eventually, so tomorrow here we come! And whilst the ground wasn't square where it was sitting, it looked pretty good to me. Has a full tank of diesel in there as well there's a fair bit of weight on the back end.

dagree said:
Looking good @Smergen :encouragement: ... Keep the write-ups coming.
Things don't get "nicked" from here... We just "borrow" ideas :p
Click to expand...

Will do mate...
 
Smergen

Smergen

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Pace said:
Yeah, it crossed my mind also to go play in mud. Went to Vic C/ship league bball instead.
I think it wouldve been warmer in car playing in mud, in hindsight!!!
Click to expand...

Having played a bit of rep basketball in my time, I hear your pain on a freezing cold basketball stadium. Often warmer outside than in somehow...
 
Smergen

Smergen

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Out at O'Neills Crossing today. Was too wet to unpack the van still so I decided to take #2 out for a spin on some dirt roads and check out a free camping site a few minutes up the road.

A great spot, but not suitable for caravans and campers as they've got bollards preventing vehicle access from the waterfront areas. I suppose you could set up a van or two where I parked, but I think they're more car park spots...

Still, great fun to put the truck into 4x4 mode and go chuck it through some mud. Very stable and capable vehicle, and whilst it wasn't "mud running" it's like getting some dirt on some new work boots...
 

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Smergen

Smergen

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Pace said:
Yep thats us,bball full on. Check out my bball half court lve posted on here that weve put in,gives idea how into it we are. Cheers Pace.
Click to expand...

I'll have a search, but do you have a link handy? The little fella is getting into his hoops at the moment, so I may just return to the ice boxes yet...
 
Smergen

Smergen

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OK... finally cracked the sh!ts with the weather and decided to pop the top and fold a bed down today, despite the risk of rain (which did come). Was great to have it popped up and stand full height in the van without hitting my head. Regardless of the weather I'm also taking it for a tow tomorrow. I don't care if it snows, hails, cyclone.... whatever. I'm going to enjoy these toys whatever...

Whilst in the van I noticed the air con on the top wouldn't come on. Not sure if it's a fuse or something else. Will need to investigate. Wouldn't mind running the gas through in to fire up the stove and possibly try igniting the fridge.

Just want to open all the ends and windows up and give it a good airing.

The clear up for the landscaping of the crushed rock pad has commenced. That'll be a few weeks worth of work I imagine.

I've got the van booked in with Jayco for its 12 month service which should give it a bit of a "health check". Tug getting a once over as well. We're thinking of camping in a CP in the 'rat the night before just for fun (and because the kids will be with the Grandparent)! :cheer2:

The list of desired mods has also started but will depend on budget, including:
  1. Caravan cover (will buy one off ebay I think... anyone got any recommended links?)
  2. LED lights (something like this I think looks like a good set: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261264963822?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
  3. I think I'll invest in a set of @crustt window blinds... people seem to rave about them, and spoken to the man himself via PM, just need to confirm the budgets
  4. Bed ends - I love the Holiday Annexe ones, out of our immediate budget but I'm hoping to at least make/acquire a cheap set in the interim and pick up the HA ones later.
  5. Install an outdoor table
  6. Work out a bike rack solution
  7. Stone stomper/deflector
Then add into the "mods"" to the Paj....
  1. Airbags
  2. Bullbar and some nice spotties
  3. WDH (if I need one)
And so on... and on... and on... Gotta love it!
 
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dagree

dagree

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And they say BOAT stands for "Bring Out Another Thousand!!!" :D

Definately recommend the set of @crustt ' clears for the poptop :encouragement:
 
Smergen

Smergen

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We went for a tow! :dance:

IMG_0974.JPG

Got a bit of a sag once we were out on some level ground. So it's definitely confirmed my thoughts on airbags, and possibly some new springs... just for the sake of it! :)

I was pretty impressed with the power of the Paj, had no issues with getting off the line. And pulled it along quite nicely, although I didn't take it out on the highway. Just down to the local 7-11... Baby steps and all!

I was actually thinking given there was absolutely no weight in the van, it was probably a little heavier at the front. Does that make sense?

Also went an picked up some wing mirrors and other gadgets, all part of the fun caravan bits!
 
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dagree

dagree

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Looks good @Smergen and good to see you got it out for a test run....
Have you considered a set of WDH Bars to get it sitting level?
 
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