Bushtracker 16' purchased yesterday . Now a fairdinkum Grey Gnomad

Submitted: Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 15:44
ThreadID: 49706 Views:8022 Replies:12 FollowUps:14
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I flew up to Queensland yesterday to look at and consequently to purchase , a magnificent 16 footer . Awesome - what a beast ! Even got a shower and a delux crapper .

It's all five star from here on !

If you wanna pass , just give me a call on 15 or a big , big , loud toot cos now I'll be driving the Cruiser with the windows up , the aircon on full blast and the hearing aid off .

Willie .
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 15:47

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 15:47
Well done Willie.

Out of curiosity what does your van weigh incl water?
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 17:13

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 17:13
Mr Bush ,
I have absolutely no idea . Sorry .
Willie .
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Follow Up By:- Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 at 09:57

Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 at 09:57
G'Day All,

There is a 17'6" Bushtracker for sale near us.

Listed TARE on the draw bar is 2550kg

ATM over 3T

Way too heavy, and to expensive, for us. They are looking at $74K for a 2002 model

Regards

Rolande
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 at 12:53

Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 at 12:53
Now in submitting this post I'm definitely NOT trying to start an US and THEM style issue. I'm only just starting to become aware of how important weight and tow ratings are myself.

I have just brought a 16'6" Trakmaster home from Melbourne. Its tare weight was 2170KG dry, add 160 kg for 160 litres of water and our personal effects and I'm working on 2500kg loaded.

We saw several Bushtrackers out and about and they were all bigger than 16' and were all being towed by F trucks. I suspect that Bushtracker may not even offer anything shorter than 18' now (I'll stand corrected on that) so Willie I think you may have chosen, even if by accident, the best size to suit your tow vehicle.

Even tho Cruisers are rated at 3500kg towing capacity there has to be a reason why so many Bushtrackers are being towed by F trucks.

As I said, not trying to start an argument here, more a discussion on real world towing.

Maybe we will meet you in the bush one day Willie and we can congratulate each other on our vans.
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 at 18:20

Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 at 18:20
Mr Bush ,

The Bushtrackers are known to be very heavy , but they are also said to be the toughest .

There is no way I would have bought any bigger than 16' , in fact I was just about to order a 15' dual axle Phoenix Scorpion new , when this advert. appeared for the BT .

I wanted under 16' to keep the weight down and also to make it reasonably nippy on the WA goldfields tracks . It is all a trade-off and I do not expect to go places where my Trak Shak went . I will feel more secure when I camp alone on the side of the road though .

I was looking second hand for three brands - Phoenix Scorpion , Trakmaster and Bushtracker . I would have been happy with a smaller one of any of these .

How is the bed set up in yours ? My one has a yacht style double which is aligned east west . It saves a lot of room doing it like this , but it is harder to make the bed . Also , the bed is up about three feet high and there is a huge storage area under it . It has the same amount of room as an 18 ft BT which has a double bed mounted north south.

I do not need an indoor crapper - the whole idea turns me off . The shower will be handy though .

Yes , hopefully we will cross paths one day .

Cheers ,

Willie .
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 07:36

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 07:36
Willie, congratulations. You better change your name to Lard Arse Willie now though after your comments on my Kim. LOL
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:29

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:29
Norm ,
Yes , we both have the " heaviest in our class " I think .
Willie
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:32

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:32
Willie,

our bed is the same: orientated across the van. Makes for heaps of storage either thru external hatches or by lifting the bed.

Don't underestimate the handiness of the bed height. (nudge nudge).

Also the indoor crapper is something your wife will love and thank you for, and therefore, don't underestimate the handiness of the bed height.
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Reply By: Member - Royce- Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:03

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:03
lol.... Thought you were claiming to be a grey gonad! I think you got gnome and nomad mixed up.... :-]]

Enjoy your greyness and nomadness!

Cheers Royce
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:27

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:27
No I didn't . My wife insists I'm a grey gnomad .
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Reply By: Member - Borgy.. (SA) - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:05

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:05
Good onya Willie ...im jealous ..lol

Cheers.....Dave
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Reply By: Kev M (QLD Bound) - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:17

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:17
That would explain your absence yesterday.

Congrates to the new purchase.

Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:31

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:31
Kev ,
Yes , please accept my apologies . I saw the advert on Thursday and flew up Friday . I had to be quick as these things second hand , are as rare as flying fish feathers .
Willie .
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Follow Up By: Kev M (QLD Bound) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:42

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:42
It is all good Willie,

Richard sounds like he had a good weekend following the show as well.

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:20

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 16:20
Good on ya Bro. Another road turtle LOL

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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 17:30

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 17:30
So what's the damage on these things now if you don't mind my asking?
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Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 17:39

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 17:39
You lucky lucky ba-tard , "life of Brian"
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Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 18:37

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 18:37
Good on you Willie, Safe travelling & enjoy your new life style.
AnswerID: 262302

Reply By: TroopyTracker - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 20:39

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 20:39
Congratulations Willie,

Doubt you'll be dissapointed.

I know you've done some reading here-http://www.bushtrackerownersgroup.asn.au/Forum/Default.asp

But not sure if I've seen you over here-http://www.bushtrackerownersforum.com/index.php

Another few hours reading!

Cheers,

Matt
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:35

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:35
Jigalong has seen that "TroopyTracker" name somewhere else ! I will join the owners forum when I get the van back home .
Thanks Matt .
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Reply By: Willem - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 23:21

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 23:21
Bloody Hell. Sir Willie,...that's going overboard a bit, eh?

Congrats on becoming a Grey whatever.

Enjoy your luxury. Hope I get invited to camp nearby.

LOL

Cheers
AnswerID: 262356

Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 23:50

Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 at 23:50
Well done Willie. I'm glad your searching brought up the right van for you within your time frame. You won't regret it for one moment.

Motherhen
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Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Sep 17, 2007 at 22:49

Monday, Sep 17, 2007 at 22:49
Hi Willie, Just trawling around and came across this one.
Well done. Thought you had settled on getting a Phoenix built. Guess the advantage of the Bushtracker is you can hit the road now. No waiting.
Shower and toilet eh? Wife will be doing a few more trips with you now.
Hope it goes well for you.
Norm C
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 07:28

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 07:28
Hi Norm,
I was very lucky to get this one . I had only just got a quote on a dual axle 15 ft Phoenix "with everything" but it was seriously expensive , when I saw the advert during my morning check of all the sites .
It is a humdinger . I pick it up from just north of Brisbane on Friday morning . Do you live anywhere near there ?
Willie .
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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:08

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:08
PM sent Willie.
Norm C
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:48

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:48
Norm, that looks generous of you "Wife will be doing a few more trips with you now" I do presume your wfe, you weren't donating another? ;-)))))

Good liquid portfolio, Willie, eh. The SF I have isn't really liquid for unusual reasons.
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