Trip around Oz-Prado overload

I'd recommend getting a full-length roof rack (ie. one-piece ARB rack rather than Rhino bars and separate basket) which should have enough space for plenty of sleeping gear and clothing for 4 as well as a spare tyre.

I carried a second spare without the rim and I just stored it inside the vehicle (on top of the jerries, just behind the cargo barrier which was just behind the front seats). I wasn't travelling with 2 kids though and you might struggle to fit a tyre inside the vehicle with everything else you'll need/want.

In my earlier days, we tied a tyre (again with no rim) to the bullbar but this wrecked the finish on the bullbar. You could possibly tie a tyre to the spare wheel already mounted on the rear door but you could have issues with the strength of the door, particularly over endless corrugations.

Tim
The first question is, do you intend to do some serious off-roading? If not the second spare is really an unnecessary luxury. What does "all the usual gear" entail? Do you mean spares and recovery gear? Or are you talking about camping gear? Tables, chairs, mattresses, pillows etc. I can't imagine 4 people and all their gear, plus the necessary spares and recovery gear for a genuine lengthy off road trip fitting into and onto a Prado. I have a 90 series Prado and have to remove the second row of seats when the two of us are going on a lengthy off road trip. Even then I don't have room to carry a second spare. The roof basket has the tent, chairs, gas bottle and Jerry cans. BTW I only carry fuel in them when absolutely necessary, and empty them ASAP. Do you have a cargo barrier? I think they are a necessity. Not only for the safety that they give you, but also because you can stack and pack things against them right to roof height.I would suggest that you do a trial pack and see how much room you do have. Don't forget you will have to carry water and it is very bulky. And make sure that the cook puts in EVERYthing that she intends to take!!!
Good luck with it.

teege

I would ask the question: are you really going to remote country where you will need the 2nd spare?
My guess is probably not. Depending on where you going, having 2 *unrepairable* flats might just be an inconvenience rather than life-threatening.

Thanks for the different views. We are intending to go to the Flinders, Birdsville, Innamincka, Gibb River Rd, and to as many bush camps as possible. It is possible we may go to Cape York but we would review our gear prior to that. We have brand new Bridgestone 694 LT. I had intended to take some basic recovery gear but no winch. The other thing I didn't mention we aint got a heap of money.
If we could get away without a spare that would be great- maybe the tyre plug kits a reasonable option.
Cheers
Tim

Tim

If the third row of seats in the Prado aren't needed I'd certainly remove them for the trip.

Bob

Hi Tim.

Congratulations for deciding to travel around Australia, it will be an awesome trip. you have got plenty of great advise from fellow forum members.

Just thought I would mention some trips that we have done so you can get an idea of what is possible and may help you decide how to travel.
we also had a false floor which was very useful.

We have done several 6 week trips with 2 adults and 3 kids in a Patrol with a full length roof rack and found that it worked well.

I know that this is not going as far as you went but we had to be pretty much self sufficient as we did plenty of bush camping, there small supermarkets in most towns so you can stock up on basic food items and other essentials.
Our first big trip in 2000 (6 weeks) was driving from Victoria to the Centre, Darwin and back down through outback QLD and NSW. 10,000kms

Next trip was in 2003 we drove to The Kimberley via Alice and the Tanami Track(never again) and went to Broome, cape leveque, around the Gibb, across to katherine and down south to home, also 10,000kms.

Enjoy your travels around Oz,
Cheers Tina