Trip to the cape, am I going overboard?

[Gas_Guzzler4800]

Hey guys and sorry for another "going to the cape" thread but.....

I am planning on heading to the cape in June 2014. Giving myself plenty of time to get my truck up to scratch. I have compiled a list of "must-do's" and "if money permits" but I am wondering if I am going overboard. Some say the cape is far easier than what alot of people say it is etc. But I have always been one to over-prepare.

I will be taking the 4.8 GU patrol with an offroad camper trailer that I guess would weigh about 600kg's fully loaded. I am a little frightened of how much fuel I am going to use. Has anyone done the trip in a similar setup? We will probably head straight up the development road as I will be travelling with a 105 cruiser towing a jayco offroad camper. So we will probably avoid the OTT on the way up. But maybe set up a base camp close by and tackle the track without the campers. I have worked out that at the worst the 4.8 will use 30l/100. So 135litre fuel tank at 30l/100 gives a range of 450k's per tank. approximately 5500k's from brisbane and back will see me need 12 tanks of fuel? Does this sound about right?

Currently my truck has
3" lift
bullbar
spotties
12000lbs winch
285/75/16 KM2 mud tyres
UHF
GPS

The Must do list I have compiled is
Roof Racks
Cargo Barrier
Rear Drawers
Fridge
Dual Battery system
Rock Sliders - getting these anyway
Snorkel
Extra Spare wheel for both Patrol and Camper
spares including wheel bearings, oil, belts, hoses etc etc

The if money permits list is...
Front locker
Replace big end bearings - precautionary measure

[Lewy]

Sorry I have no info for you about the cape yet.. But Bloody hell 30l to the 100 Man it be cheaper to sell it buy a 4.2 and start again LOL

Good luck on your trip!!! We will be doing it next year Hopefully...

Lewy

[Gas_Guzzler4800]

haha I just came from a 4.2 turbo coil cab and couldnt go back :P
I highly doubt it will use 30l/100 but I would rather over-budget than get caught out. Also not knowing the tracks etc, soft sand/mud low range towing is going to suck the juice regadless of what engine it has.

[Finly Owner]

I believe a Sat Phone could be handy. Check all the front end is as new, don't want to be stranded with broken front end. Check all uni joints, don't need a weak point if you need a little pit of power on. Remember to keep trailer wiring high up to avoid dragging/snagging.

Remember to deflate trailer tyres whenever you deflate 4WD tyres.



Tim

[Ammon]

hey mate,
every track and crossing up here along the tele track has an easy way out so you can have a lot of fun, ive driven the tele track a few times at different times of the year and its never as bad as most people make out it is.

fuel is pretty expensive up here too so make sure you budget for it, were paying $1.80/L in weipa at the moment and further up north like bamaga, seisia are alot more expensive $2.00+/L .

definitely get duel battery's for your fridge, and side rails for those sticks and other things that come flying up and smash your door seals. snorkel for sure as well. and chuck in some good recovery gear so you can have that little bit of extra fun and not have to worry.

Ammon

[HammerBuilder]

Hey guys and sorry for another "going to the cape" thread but.....

I will be taking the 4.8 GU patrol with an offroad camper trailer that I guess would weigh about 600kg's fully loaded. I am a little frightened of how much fuel I am going to use. I have worked out that at the worst the 4.8 will use 30l/100. So 135litre fuel tank at 30l/100 gives a range of 450k's per tank. approximately 5500k's from brisbane and back will see me need 12 tanks of fuel? Does this sound about right?

A mate of mine traded his 02 TI 4.8ltr couple of months after he took it to chiptorque, chip retuned his from using 29ltrs/100k with trailer down to a staggering 19ltr/100k but they also said his cam must of jumped a cog or 2 as they couldn't fully get the timing back to where it should be & if he got this done they should be able to better that by another couple of ltrs, but up popped a turbo 4.2 diesel & he traded it. Only cost him $210 for them to do this & he saved at least that in fuel the few months after he got it retuned.
Just thought you may like to get yours checked as he also picked up quite a few more pony's for the effort too.

[Gas_Guzzler4800]

Thanks mate. Would it be possible to find out what chip he had installed? I have also contacted Chiptorque for their recommendations

[Xtreme 4x4 Sport]

Sorry I have no info for you about the cape yet.. But Bloody hell 30l to the 100 Man it be cheaper to sell it buy a 4.2 and start again LOL

Good luck on your trip!!! We will be doing it next year Hopefully...

Lewy

After you own & drive a 4.8 you would never go back to a 4.2. Yes fuel is an issue, but that is the down fall when towing.

Cheers
David

[Xtreme 4x4 Sport]

Hey guys and sorry for another "going to the cape" thread but.....



3" lift
bullbar
spotties
12000lbs winch
285/75/16 KM2 mud tyres
UHF
GPS

The Must do list I have compiled is
Roof Racks
Cargo Barrier
Rear Drawers
Fridge
Dual Battery system
Rock Sliders - getting these anyway
Snorkel
Extra Spare wheel for both Patrol and Camper
spares including wheel bearings, oil, belts, hoses etc etc

The if money permits list is...
Front locker
Replace big end bearings - precautionary measure

The musts are :- Snorkel, Cargo Barrier, dual battery system, extra spare wheel.

And as stated a full service and check all the suspension & bearings.

Have done the trip several times and it is no big deal if you travel in the dry and take your time.

30lt to the 100 is about normal, we were towing my catering trailer that comes in at 1200+kgs when fully loaded. It went everywhere we went, that included the Telegraph Track.

And as stated, tyre pressure is a big thing, we were running at around 26psi all the way, but keep in mind I only run 28/30 normally.

Cheers
David

[1MadEngineer]

welding rods or a chassis brace! choice is yours.... hahaha