Howdy all,
Just got back from a quick blast down to
Melbourne in the Patrol. Although not offroad, thought I'd give you a basic report.
Left
Brisbane 3.30am 25 November. Travelled down the coast road. Plenty of
toilets on the way down (handy in between servos when the missus is making coffee etc). They have put 'truck stops' in with
toilets, and picnic tables the majority of the way down. Allow for time through
Sydney, if I was traveling with others, I would have shot off down the newell from
Newcastle.
Newcastle to
Sydney to Woolongong was the longest part of the trip. Took almost 2 hours just to get through
Sydney. Continued on to Eden (beautiful as usual) but not one motel or caravan
park answered the night bell at 11.00pm. We ended up crashing in car in microsleep stop till 4.00am. Cranked on to
Melbourne and arrived at around 11.00am. G.P.S reported total traveling (moving) time at about 23 hours and was 1,996 k's. Stuffed.
Left Sunday 9.00am, travelled up Hume then Newell. Went through locust plague coupla hundred k's south of
Parkes. Front of car, radiator, cross member, diff, tyres,
snorkel, tyres all look like burial grounds. In my years of traveling, I have never come across such a large amount of locusts, and they were unfortunately still airborne. Talked to someone in a truckstop who stated that they had been around for a week. The recent rain had apparently caused the females to land and lay more eggs. They expect another plague after December...poor buggers.
Stopped in at Dubbo and arrived at 7.30pm. Stayed at Formule 21 for the night, for $49 you get bed, ensuite and T.V. Reckon that's great value. Left Dubbo around 5.00am, travelled through remaining towns at 38 degree heat with aircon cranking. Dubbo expect 42 degrees tomorrow. Arrived home 4.18pm. G.P.S reported total moving/traveling time at 19 hours and 1,729 k's. Again stuffed.
In my opinion, if you have time, take the ocean road. If you need to get down ASAP, take the newell hume into
Melbourne (very hot and boring).
Now, I've just gotta go and clean the truck. As for truck performance, towed down 7x5 deep side offroad trailer (not the camper) and have to say that the truck performed brilliantly. Sat comfortably on 100-110 and overtook with ease. I can tell this 4.2 is wearing in nicely and I think the best way to wear one of these beasts in is to run them for long periods at 100. Average economy 7.8k's/L. Serviced 2 weeks ago by Nissan, due again this week. Wouldn't go anywhere without the lightforce 240's. 15,000 on the MTRs, reckon they are worn about 15-20%.
Cheers!
Sleepy Chris.