Weight of the 4by....what to leave behind? :-)

Gday Willem!! Just leave half the booze at home! :)) Michael

Willem.

I think the 140kgs would be a good outcome.
I would hate to think by how much most (if not all) 4wd are over their limit when they leave the caravan park in Birdsville for a trip across the SD.

Not easy to follow the rules when you play our game.

regards

Take a trailer and spread the out. LOL

Easy Willem

Here is how to save 150kg up front.


first 160lt of diesel is about 115kg not 192kg and plastic jerries are 2kg , metal 4kg.

Dump the fridge or buy a little 23lt one like ours which fits between the front seats.
The problem with fridges is that they encourage bad food & habits when really all you need is a bit of cold milk and a few drinks etc.


Dump the gas bottle and take cannisters - much more reliable to.

And lastly , dump the trolley jack , a standard nissan wind up unit and some small blocks of wood will save the rest.

Send consultancy fees to Royal flying doctor

I'd have to agree with Robin - ditch the trolley jack first (not sure it would be much good in really remote travel - where are to going to find a sealed surface to roll it over?!).

As was also noted, the calculation on the weight of the fuel doesn't seem right so you might not have to shed as much as you think.

Personally, I'd also ditch the portapotti and make do with the shovel that you're already carrying.

It might also depend what you're carrying in the "3 boxes of tools and stuff" - I always found that one tool box was more than adequate to fit all the tools I ever needed to bring (and plenty more besides), including assortments of wire, bolts, nuts, etc. but then again, I don't drive a ... no, I won't even go there! :-)

Now, if you want to get into "competition cyclist" weight saving techniques, you'll start by ripping out the carpet, the ceiling lining, door linings/trims, the passenger side wiper & washer and of course: the valve stem caps. You could also use "aircraft" techniques and drill large holes in the MDF at places that won't adversely affect strength but remove material and therefore weight...

PS. I also note you haven't allowed any weight for a driver and/or passengers - I think industry standard allowance is around 68kg per person (some obviously need to adjust this to suit individual circumstances/circumferences)

Attach helium balloon where trailer used to be?????

Don't fill up the long range consumables until the last minute, and they'll be gone soon anyway - I wouldn't stress as long as the bus isn't sagging out.

remember you will lose about 20-30kgs a day in fuel, food and water usage :)

Your heaviest day is the first day!

OMG Willie,

I have no trailer- yippee- got rid of it years ago.
- in theory, freed the capital up. In practice spent it on more modification's !
- my wife will now give me a spell at the wheel as long as there is no trailer.
- saves rego & insurance
- improves fuel economy
- saves having to find somewhere at home to store it - currently a real dilemma.

Don't tell anyone, but

On Mile End weighbridge on 26.3.08 : 3340 kg

includes 45 L water
Roof rack
190 L fuel
tools & parts & tyre gear
all camping & cooking gear
self

need to add 3 x swags = 21kg
2nd & 3rd bodies = 200 kg
more water= 20 kg
tucker = 30 kg

heaviest duty springs & shocks fitted - Ride Pro brand -effective 65 mm lift.

HOWEVER

I can now exist, with 3 people on board, away in the sticks until the water/fuel expires, so that is a good time away from 'civilisation'. When I did the CSR, I needed another 80 L fuel, which got me to Kunawaratji OK & thence to Wiluna OK. So that's another 80 kg on the roof rack.
As others have noted, that weight disappears fairly quickly.
In other words I am not driving an extremely heavy vehicle all the time. Phew......

I drive, steer & brake accordingly.

So gross total, with 3 x pax can = 3700kg

Shhhhhhhhh


Cheers

G'day young Willem,you aint got nothin' to worry about my rig weighed in at

5.25T heading out on my last advenure earlier this yr to the Cape. :))

Heading out again in a couple of weeks to Pine Creek for a couple of months,so won't even bother to weigh it again,i will try & shed some of though.

Cheers,


Bob.

goodday guys
i find it easier not to look to hard at the scales as i have frightened myself enough this year
BUT the 20l diesel and 20l water stay on the rack no matter what because you just never never know

steve

ps 3350kg last weigh in with out the van

G'day all,
#2 Distilate [road transport diesel] Sg =8.23 @15c ex self's point depot [Hobart] 10-09.


Tassie.

G-day Willem,

If you're serious about weight reduction consider;

no trailer = no need for a towbar.
(my Landcruiser towbar must weigh close to 20kg.)

Peter

**Have to shed 140kgs!!!!! But where?**


Hiya Willie


Emty the Portapotti ......lol



I'm with Robin mate 8 Jerry Cans-go the plastic fantastic..Although your Tanami would not fit them but the new Tanami one does..

All the best

Gday Willem,
I can make some suggestions and I'm pretty sure you'll disagree :-))

Get rid of the winch, snatch block and chains - should save at least 60kgs. Don't need a winch in the desert. I know plenty of people who don't bother with a bullbar either. Don't need an axe. Bowsaw is fine.

Get rid of the split rims and MRF. Fit some Navara rims with 235/85R16 tubeless tyres (not "America's most trusted"). I'd guess you'll save 5-6kgs a rim. They'll also get over the sandhills a bit better. I don't carry a beadbreaker - a jack will do fine for those tubeless rims.

Retain the jerries with a steel mesh rack bolted to the floor where the middle seats were. Make up a false floor in the back with 9mm ply, and use plastic boxes.

But really, getting under 3000kgs is pretty good already. But with a normally aspirated diesel, the weight reduction is worth it.

Have fun!
Phil

I always say start with ones self and work outwards

And don't forget to shorten the handle of your toothbrush..will save gms !!

Hi Willem,
have you taken out the rear seats. i did that on my last trip and saved at least 60kg.
carpet (as mentioned before) would be 10kg although you wouldn't get much heat protection with the carpet gone.

alloy roof rack.
alloy bull bar instead of steel.

agree with everyone else, get rid of the trolley jack. i would much rather be under a screw Nissan jack with wood for extension than a hydraulic trolley jack by it self.
plastic disposable pates and cutlery instead of steel.

i hate to say it, hand winch instead of electric.

that should get you your 160Kg

Willem

I'd leave the bull bar and winch off for a start. 80 kg

No need for trolley jack - wheels get bogged in sand anyway. 17 kg

3 boxes tools and stuff? I bet they weigh 10 kg each. A set of sockets, spanners, a few screw drivers, pliers and some SS wire is all you need. save 20 kg

Slow down a bit and you won't need the welder :-) 15 kg

Change to alloy wheels. 6 by 10 = 60 kg

Rear seat in Disco weighs a ton and is now ensconced in the shed. 40 kg

Sound deadening in back of vehicle 20 kg

Thats 252kg saved with no pain at all.

Seems all that left then Willem is.......circumcision....but then again :-)))