Kaymar Rear Bars

Roachie,

Thanks for the info
Have you had it out on the rough roads [i.e. corugations] and if so any problems
Thanks
Has a good one

Yes mate, we've had it up to Cape York, The Border Track thru Ngahkatt (spelling???) NP, SA; Gawler Ranges, etc. No problems over any of those extremely corrogated roads.
Another good feature is that each swing out arm has a short gas strut to assist with opening/closing. There is also a cut out on each side to accept a high lift jack' tongue.
If I had to cite one thing I'd like to see changed, it would be the "locking" mechanism which is needed to hold the wheel carrier open if you're on a side slope. I do think the Kaymar system of having a small pin which locks the carrier open is better (but prone to possibly being lost maybe).

Roachie,

Thanks for the feedback, it has helped in the direction to go which would be with the "Opposite Lock" unit

Have a Good One

Harris J
Go and have a good look at the difference between the Kaymar and the Opposite Lock.
I have seen several Opposite lock systems which have failed to hold up.
One was in the Flinders Ranges in January on a Nissan and the other was on a 100 series during the recent Explore Oz Little Desert get together.
The owner of that one had had repeated repairs done to it as it was not very well built and he was very interested in my Kaymar.

If you pay $1700 for the OL and later find you need to upgrade your system it has just cost you a whole lot more.
I was prepared to pay the extra in the begining and get the best product.
It's your money extra grand now or extra $2500 later to replace your OL bar. Up to you all I say is have a real good look at the difference.

Also one other consideration was the increase in rear end ground clearance due to the in built tow bar on the Kaymar.
On my Troopy it gave me about 8 inches extra clearance.
My original tow bar was forever grounding and getting me hung up thats why I started looking at other options.
The Kaymar is also designed to use their recovery point for snatching etc. A bloody good well made product, super strong.

Regards
John

G'day John,
Do you know if the failed Opp Lock ones were the full replacement, heavy duty bars? Opp Lock make (or used to??) a fairly flimsy caddy which bolted on to the existing rear bar of 60 and 80 series cruisers so the spare wheel could be moved out from underneath.
The heavy duty unit I've got is bloody heavy and I can't imagine it ever breaking. I agree with you about the towbar being a bit lower than the Kaymar unit, but it is still in it's original position. Not sure how you could gain 8" of clearance, but will take your word for it, of course.
Onya mate,
Cheers,
Roachie

Hi Roachie
The Toyota / Hayman Reece tow bar hung down a long way, The Kaymar bar use's a long bent Z style (with a straight vertical) goose neck I remove this when off road and not towing and have easily increased the rear end clearence by about 8" or 200mm.
Don't forget the Troopy has a fair degree of overhang behind the rear wheel probably more than the Nissan so maximising clearance for departure angle is pretty important.

The two OL carrier bars I saw were not very heavy duty in my book.
One is on the 100 series Toyota owned by Andrew & Jen from this site.
I was following Andrew down Border track and later when stopped remarked at how flimsy his carrier was, It was only a single wheel one and he remarked about it falling apart on his trip to Cape York and having to get it re welded whilst up there. He was not very happy with it.

The Nissan owner I did not speak to but one of the bars that support the wheel was cracked.
It may well have been a lighter model then what you seem to have, hence I said to Harris J to go and have a good look at both for himself.

Can't recall seeing one of OL units fitted to a 60 or 80 series so really can't comment.
As we say they are all a lot of money as is everything we do to our trucks.

Take care.

Regards
John