Destination unknown
Submitted: Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 17:11
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Gallifrey
Hello Campers,
We are picking up our new Freespirit Van (can hardly wait) mid- end November. We are looking to head off for a shakedown trip starting out from
Maroochydore. We are fully self sufficient and serious off road. Any ideas for
places to go this time of year?Any feedback greatly appreciated.
Reply By: Member - Julie P (VIC) - Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 20:10
Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 20:10
North, South, or West? Bush, Beach, Outback? How long?
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Follow Up By: Gallifrey - Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 20:43
Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 20:43
Hi Julie,
Up to two weeks. Doesn't matter which way! I was thinking up the coast but the weather may not be good at that time of year (tropical). Thanks
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Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 22:12
Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 22:12
i think the only thing that will dictate your travels is the weather from now on, the rain up here seems to have gone for a bit but give it a week and it will be back ....
Pick a direction and then start asking and checking....
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434210
Follow Up By: Member - Julie P (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 09:26
Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 09:26
Cania Gorge - side trip to Kroombit Tops to see Beautiful Betsy - Kenilworth area -
Elliott Heads - south through
Condamine Gorge - 14
creek crossings - Bigriggin - Flanagans - possibilities are limited only by your map reading ability - pick a direction and start heading there - go wherever the whim takes you.
Enjoy - wish it was me
jules
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705299
Reply By: newbies - Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 23:07
Monday, Oct 25, 2010 at 23:07
Hi fellow Free Spirit owners! You are one of a rare breed - so far. We believe we bought the first Free Spirit ever made (was delivered to the original owners in April 2009, I think), and certainly the first one to reside in WA (
Perth). Ours is a 20 footer approx, but with a steel chassis and heavy duty Simplicity independent
suspension, a la Bushtracker style (apart from no swept up rear end). Tare weight 2.5 tonnes, AGM 3.5 tonnes. We understand Ralf, one of the company's owners, worked with Bushtracker for a while before setting up his own company. We presume there may never be another steel chassis Free Spirit, as the 'signature' of the company now is light weight aluminium from bottom to top. However, we are very pleased with the one we bought from the original French owners in July this year. Actually, we also bought their Landcruiser 200 Series turbo diesel auto - awesome machine! You will have seen lots of photos of the combination in the Free Spirit brochure and website, inside and outside shots. We may even have see your van at an early stage of its construction in the factory in
Maroochydore in June. We hope to set off on an around Oz odyssey in Q1 2011, so are gradually 'customising' our van and getting things the way we want. Are seriously considering installing a diesel heater (Webasto or Dometic) for winter comfort - would be interested to hear if you have one, and what you think of it after a few shakedown trips. Please stay in touch, and we can form the foundation members of the Free Spirit owners group! Cheers, Mike and Helen
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Follow Up By: Gallifrey - Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 10:16
Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 10:16
Hi Mike and Helen,
Great to hear from you! We know your van and what a beauty she is! We are soooo excited and can't wait to pick ours up. After 3 years of research (we had a TVan prior to this so we wanted something that would take the off road as
well). Ralf and Vernon have done a brilliant job in getting us what we wanted.We love that it is light weight and extremely strong (we obviously like Bushtrackers and Gemhunters also but they are just too heavy) Ours is an 18ft with separate
toilet and shower. We have the airbag
suspension and the new fibreglass walls. We are also installing a Webasto Diesel heater (you will have to speak to the 'other half' for technical reasons, but he says it's the best! Have thought about starting a FSOG (Freespirit Owners Group) and already have at least one or two other contenders! We will definitely keep in touch, and hopefully even set up a rendezvous! Speak soon Cheers, Mandy and Paul
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Follow Up By: newbies - Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 00:07
Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 00:07
Hi Mandy and Paul,
I spoke to Vernon a couple of months ago and he said the company was interested in setting up an Owners Group - like Bushtracker, Kedron, Phoenix, etc. However, I also understand the company is very busy building new vans, which must take priority. We should aim to stay in touch. Are particularly interested in the Webasto diesel heater - Is Free Spirit installing it or someone else?
Mike & Helen
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Follow Up By: Gallifrey - Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 08:17
Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 08:17
Hi Mike and Helen,
yes, they are flat out at Freespirit. There's an open day this Saturday, no doubt they will be run off their feet as they have been on previous open days! I think I mentioned to Ralf at some stage that I would start a group (FOGS) so I'll see how that goes in the next couple of weeks. We will definitely let you know how we go with the Webasto diesel heater (not that we will be needing it for the next few months!) We saw one in action at the recent 'Pre- Christmas Caravan and
Camping Sale' at the showgrounds. It was pretty good. Freespirit will be installing it.Chat soon, Cheers, Mandy and Paul
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Reply By: Gallifrey - Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 10:21
Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 10:21
Thanks Julie and Joe n Mel!
Great advice, I think we will just 'point and go' and let the weather decide as you said. There is just too much to choose from, but I guess we've got a lifetime to discover it all!
Cheers
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