around Oz trip in a soft roader

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 16:55
ThreadID: 67448 Views:3648 Replies:11 FollowUps:6
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Could a soft roader (explorer, challenger etc.) tour around Australia?

the areas of concern would be out to
Steep point WA
(seen several soft roaders on Stockton beach NSW, so shouldn't be much of an issue)
Central Australia (Geraldton to Uluru to Lake Eyre to Adelaide).
Cairns to Cape York? heard of these types of vehicles up there.


looking to use for a trip then occasional off roading sand/ areas like Newnes SF, NSW but also to tow other cars/buggies.

Thinking about a patrol/L-C but thought softroader (Independent Suspension) would be better for on the road.
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Reply By: Best Off Road - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 17:01

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 17:01
I can't comment on the Explorer, but I can assure you a Challenger is no Soft Roader. I've seen one tackle some pretty serious stuff and recover a Troopy.

Set up right it will pretty much do anything a Prado, Pajero, Jackaroo will do.

Much underestimated vehicle.

Cheers,

Jim.



AnswerID: 357693

Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 17:45

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 17:45
Just need to check tyre quality and fuel range.

Good luck with the venture

Alan
AnswerID: 357698

Reply By: DIO - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 18:01

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 18:01
Plenty of people 'do the tip' in Commodores and Falcons without any hassles. All depends on how far of the bitumen you intend to travel.
AnswerID: 357701

Reply By: Member - esarby (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 18:48

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 18:48
Brend0n. Go for it. I did it in 2007. Thee months, Anticlockwise. in a Jeep Patriot. 60 Lt petrol tank, no worries, 600 Ks per fill, 380 was the futhest between fills. Go for it!!!

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AnswerID: 357707

Reply By: OzTroopy - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 18:58

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 18:58
As long as the vehicles you are considering are as capable as an old VW Kombi .....

You should have no problems ...
AnswerID: 357708

Reply By: Member - Tony B (Malanda FNQ) - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 19:01

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 19:01
BrendOn Just consider what has been driven in these areas long ago back in the 50s,60s &70s and Question is answered!
I have driven a Suzuki 1ltr 4 x 4 & a Commer van in these areas and for extended trips. So no problems (UNLESS YOU ARE IN A COMMER VAN) :-) and have heaps of fun, there are great places to see in this land of ours. Cheers Tony
AnswerID: 357709

Reply By: Sigmund - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 19:55

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 19:55
See the Road conditions reports on this site for some guidance.

Eg., to Lake Eyre (off the O. track IIRC the route correctly) needs a proper 4by. Dunno how soft the Explorer is.
AnswerID: 357713

Reply By: kend88 - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 20:16

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 20:16
Travelled 16000km in our Challenger last year towing an 18ft van. Not much offroad but other Challenger owners assure me you can take them anywhere other 4wd's go. A few times we went pretty close to running out of fuel when fuel stops had no fuel. e.g. Larimah in NT. 400 kms towing into a head wind was about the limit. A jerry can or two of fuel should see you out of trouble anywhere in Oz

KenD
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AnswerID: 357721

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 08:55

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 08:55
Challenger OK, but explorer a bit of a concern.

Seen one bogged on Fraser Is in the sand.
Not enough ground clearance.
Also, the tow hook adaptor for a snatch strap for the explorer I understand is a Ford extra, so make sure you buy an explorer with the tow hook adaptor supplied.

Of the two on Fraser, only one had brought one along, had to keep swapping it over to get them over the stretches of soft sand.
AnswerID: 357799

Reply By: brend0n - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 09:47

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 09:47
Cheers Guys.

I guess I'l start hunting around to find a 4x4.

I guess it will come down to a price vs features.

Short list is:

GQ patrol/maverick
80 series L/C
GU patrol
Challenger

learning towards patrol cause of there cheapness per features & larger tow cap., but I like the idea of the newer 1s guess I'll see what pops up for sale.
AnswerID: 357815

Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 10:27

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 10:27
Brendon
_________________
Short list is:

GQ patrol/maverick
80 series L/C
GU patrol
Challenger

learning towards patrol cause of there cheapness per features & larger tow cap., but I like the idea of the newer 1s guess I'll see what pops up for sale.
-------------------------------

Good choices, but you should also consider,
Pajero which is larger than the Challenger,
Discovery, well I did say consider.
Explorer is ok but not one I would choose, thirsty, small fuel tank and hard to get parts.
GQ, GU and 80 are most common, reliable and spares if needed, easier to get.

You might get an early 100 for a reasonable price as well. :)
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FollowupID: 625927

Reply By: troopy 2005 - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 11:04

Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 11:04
You can travel around australia on the bitumen like most people in any car, fuel is plentyful and the most you would travel is 400 kms.
But if you what to do dirt roads and tracks you need a proper four wheel drive definetly not a challenger ,explorer,discovery,or any soft roader.It is iresponsible and not only is a danger to you but to ohters.
In any outback community there will be plenty of old &new landcruisers of all makes and model and generally a toyota dealership with a workshop not just a shopfront.
Ive travelled all over australia in the summer and winter,wet and dry.
Get a toyota.
AnswerID: 358160

Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 12:29

Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 12:29
Congratulations troopy that is one of the most ill informed and blatently biased comments I've seen in a long while.

Do Toyota pay you or something?

So now a Discovery is a soft roader ROFLMHO
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FollowupID: 626280

Follow Up By: troopy 2005 - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 13:21

Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 13:21
the guy wanted an opinion thats my opinion .unless you spend thousands of dollars on mods a discovery is a soft roader.try getting parts at warburton for a disco.
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FollowupID: 626291

Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 15:25

Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 15:25
Yes he wanted an opinion, but I suspect one based on some reasoning other than the ......duuuhhhhh Toyoda is best duuhhhh variety.

Ever heard of the Camel Trophy? I thought not.

Fact: a standard ex showroom Discovery will go everywhere a troopy will, it will just be a lot more comfortable and economical.

People go around Australia in safety in everything from an Audi to a ZIL. Often it's clowns in Toyotas who believe the ads that they can go anywhere that are the greatest menace to themselves and others.
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FollowupID: 626314

Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 18:57

Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 18:57
I had to read this twice, and it was the same both times.

A Discovery is a Soft Roader????

Words fail me.


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FollowupID: 626347

Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 22:29

Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 22:29
troopy 2005

OzTroopy asked me to type this after he made me duct tape his hands to the chairlegs so he cant reach the keyboard ... and cause major work for the moderators.


"Baaaahaaaahaaaaahaaaaa"


OzTroopys friend.
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FollowupID: 626375

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