Roof rack or rear wheel/jerry can holder

Where are you going to be needing all that.

We have been travelling with similar sized van and found that too much stuff made the weight of both vehicles illegal and we had to revise things and leave stuff behind.

None of it has been missed and we could have left more.

I took two jerry cans for fuel and two for water.

Have only filled them where we thought we would need them as carrying them full means you will need them sooner if you get what I mean.

Always keep a jerry of water when sightseeing without van just in case.

We have used the genny ONCE in 10 months. A Honda will run all day on about 2 litres so a 5 litre one for petrol is all I have.

A Kaymar wheel carrier is much lighter and cheaper by a long way than an ARB full bar. And a b****dy sight easier to get a spare wheel on and off They weigh at least 41kg depending on the tyres.

Also a Steel ARB roof rack weighs 41kg.

I have a trolley jack in the drawers and in 30,000 havent had a puncture in the car.

Just remember your cruiser loaded and including the ball weight is 3260kg MAX

And the CGVM of both vehicles is 6680 kg Not spreadable over the two either

We removed all but the front two seats and put a floor in behind for the fridge and washing machine.
Behind that on top of the drawers we have filters and oil for servicing, our annexe and shade cloth walls and floor.
Have spare electrical stuff and tools in the drawers plus snatch strap and shackles etc.
Have two cargo barriers to keep stuff where it should be.

Unless you are going bush a lot a hilift is heavy

On my old van we spread the gas bottles on the A frame and welded a jerry holder between them.

I woul only fill them if absolutely necessary.

Just remember overload and insurance may get nasty if you have a prang your fault or not.

On the roof will effect stability off road and add wind resistance plus reduce fuel economy (may not matter towing the van). Personally I would recommend the rear bar. We had the spare on the back and a jerry can with water in it with a tap on it. When I went fishing used to wash hands or out on a day trip wash up after lunch, very handy.

Josh

You may also like to consider if you really do want a hi-lift jack. They are heavy, not very useful for touring and can be very dangerous.

KK

Thanks for the replys guys. i was not to keen on a roof rack as a mate who is a panel beater said they put a lot of stress of the roof of the car.

Do you think i would still need two spares for the car?

My line thought was that a rear bar was as expensive as a roof rack and had limited use's apart from it's specific task.
Roof rack's can be used for other things as well as what you have mentioned, but can also come in handy from time to time .
Shane

It might cost a bit but putting the same wheels on the caravan as on the car would mean more flexibilty and one less spare wheel. It might mean switching hubs on the caravan.

I agree Hi Lift jack is a waste of space.

Same for generator and its jerry of fuel.

180L of water sounds like a lot to me.

It depends on where you are going but the extra jerry of diesel sounds unnecessary.

So then you need neither roof rack nor rear swing bar.

If I've learnt one thing it is 'travel light'. Overloading is the major cause of grief.

Bob

Seems to me there are two questions here: what would I like to take, and what can I take. Witha big trip like you are planning, I for one would not want to set off with an illegal rig, so here are my thoughts:

Here is my attempt at a checklist for the constant problem of “how much can we take”:
1. What is the caravan Tare weight?
2. What does the caravan weigh with the spares fitted; tanks full; the gas bottle(s) full and fitted; the caravan battery fitted; awning/annex etc; but before you start loading food, utensils, clothes, BBQ, genny, other stuff in the boot of the caravan?
You’ll probably find that (1) is a lot less than (2)
3. What is the caravan ATM?
Now work out (3) minus (2)
This gives you the absolute maximum you have available to add to the van, including all your food and clothing, cooking stuff, everything in the front boot and in the toolbox on the back bumper; and don’t even mention the outboard motor; the collapsible trailer etc. Let’s call this:
4. the available caravan load

Now let’s turn to the tow vehicle.
5. What is the GVM of the tow vehicle?
6. What does the vehicle weigh with fuel, passengers, normal stuff like spares, jack, but before you start packing for the trip?

Now subtract (6) from (5), and take off the ball weight of the caravan: this will give you:
7. The available capacity of the tow vehicle for things like extra spares; roof rack; rear wheel carrier and jerry cans; high lift jack; extra water or fuel; (let’s not mention the tinny on the roof!)

Finally, let’s add (3) and (5) together, and make sure they do not exceed the GCM.

By the way, have you thought about the chairs and tables? the tent and other gear for vehicle-only trips while you are away? Doesn’t your tow vehicle carry everyone’s stuff, like First Aid, cameras, various personal stuff. Even the dog weighs something!! It all adds up.

Yes, OK, this is getting heavy, but I really think that is what we have to face.
All the best with your planning.

Again thanks for the help,

So far the van has weighed in with water tanks, gas bottles and all the crap and we are under by 52kgs the total weight which is 2350kgs if going off the plate. That was taking into account everything i used on last holday including tools etc, the water tanks are only filled prior going into low water areas or i am going to free camp and may need it.

The only other thing i was thinking for the van was a water purify filter system?

The car is a different story, it already has a winch and steel bullbar fitted and a set of rear storage draws and cargo barrier. Thats as far as i have got, i havent weighed anything yet, i am looking at taking my 60ltr engel which is 33kgs empty, recovery gear and a jack most probably going back to a bottle jack, i am going to do a fair bit of black top travelling but i am going to ditch the van where we can to go 4wding and camping. So the spare tyre under the car was going to be moved most probably to a rear bar, only taking one spare each for the van and caravan and taking tubes for each and a plug kit.

The caravan has a strong rear bar mounted which was where i was thinking of taking a second spare for the landcruiser if i was to take a second. The main reason was i want to do a fair bit of travelling in the NT and North WA. so with my 4 four old on board i was just trying to be careful not to get caught out, i would be happier to sleep under the stars but you need a bit more stuff with a wife and kids..HAHA .The generator will stay on board as i want to free camp when we get up the north if we can a bit.