Sorry - this will cause a debate but need help - which 4WD

Or read thread 85891

As you are inexperience, go do a course, the more you know about how to 4WD, the easier it gets to chose a 4WD for what you want to do with it.

Always worries me when I see, 'inexperience', 'first trip', '5 months'..

Your skills will be more important than the vehicle you choice, if you know your limitation, you are half way there.

One bad choice will blow away the whole experience.

I agree with the above comments. You have a vehicle already that will give you access to a great deal of Australia so get your initial experience with what you have and then decide what you need. Much better to reach your own decisions that ask forum members. Talk to fellow travellers about their 4WDs and hear what they say while face to face. You will come home an expert and will probably be fairly well decided about your next vehicle.
My experience is similar to yours. I did my first trip to west and north towing an 18ft pop top with a V6 Commodore. No regrets. We had a great trip but came back knowing what we were missing by not being able to get off the beaten track. We moved into the smaller, and older, end of the genuine 4WD range but if we has owned a vehicle like yours we probably would not have changed.
Best wishes with your decision making.
Kevin

Hi,

I agree with the above comments as well. You can see a lot of wonderful places without going off the bitumen or good gravel roads eg around Alice Springs, Uluru and the Olgas, some of the Kimberley and Pilbara, SW WA, much of Victoria and the east coast and Tasmania. That alone could fill up a year or two. If the road from Coober Pedy to William Creek is in good condition you could do that too and do flight over Lake Eyre.

Certainly you wont be able to get into the more out of the way places but by your own admission you are novices so you should be building your experience up before you attempt to do that anyway. eg as a novice you would not want to be attempting to do the Canning Stock Route.

Get your new trailer and do some appropriate training in the vehicle that you are familiar with. That way you will get to know your vehicles capabilities and limitations, and some of the do's and dont's for the kind of travel that you want to do. Also perhaps get some training in towing as well.

Then do a few trial runs before you set out on your big trip so that you have a chance to correct any problems that arise - as they inevitably will. It is much easier to do this based at home than when you are on the road, possibly miles from anywhere.

That way you will have the skill and confidence to have a great time, and some $$$ in reserve for when something unexpected (either good or not so good) pops up.

Cheers,

Val.

Tony V

That is probably some of the best information for ‘newbies’ I have read and so succinctly put.

Cheers, The Landy

Surely you are kidding that 400k on the speedo is OK. There may be SOME around that are OK but they won't be the ones for sale.

As with any vehicle........Caveat Emptor = Buyer beware

No, not kidding. Well maintained vehicles such as mentioned above can be found and will go for a lot longer. Both Nissan and Toyota diesels are well capable of mileage in excess of 700,000km. Chances are you can pick one up around the 250km mark.

Rob is spot on. I dont think someone who is just getting into the touring bit needs anything more than his "know history" Tribute. He certainly doesnt need to start off with a big mileage vehicle with unknow history. After he gets back he'll know if he into it and needs something bigger.
Capt.

There are some 80 series out there with much less mileage than 350 K.

I have seen several on ebay and other online sale points which had around 250 K.
They are about.
Cheers Bruce.

Yep, the first vehicle to drive to the tip of Cape York was a 1927? Austin seven.
But glad I wasn't driving it!

Just be aware that the respondent owns a Toyota, so do I !!!!

Handle is correct SNOOPYONE has no credence likes to stir!!!

Just enjoy sort the wheat from the chaff (SNOOPYONE)

Go for it have a great trip may see you on the road? :-)

Cheers,
John

I severely resent that inference as I am not stirring.
It has been well documented about the brakes on these and in a 4WD Monthly test Roothy commented on them as well

I also own a VW so am not totally brand one eyed

This from a Ford Escape Forum

I own a 2005 Ford Escape here in Ontario, Canada. I bought it as a lease return with 11,000 kilometres on it(Aug. 16/2005). I have had nothing but problems with the brakes pretty much a year from the exact date of purchase. At 32,000 kilometres, the front brake pads, both rotors because they are corroded, and brake calipers all seized and needed to be replaced(Aug. 15/2006). Since the replacement was under warranty, I had the Ford dealership replace the entire front end brake system. However, they tried to stick with the bill for the brake pads, but I argued it and won! They paid for everything!

Jan 2007- the rear braking system let go. I had to have the brakes replaced as well!

April 24, 2008- I am now just over 56, 500 kilometres, and again the front brakes have seized yet again! I am now out of warranty!!! I have to have the front left caliper replaced, brake pads on both front sides, and the rotors are corroded again!!!! I have gone into Ford with many complaints about the brakes when I brought this SUV in for service and while under warranty I was always told THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BRAKES!!! Funny how now that I am out of warranty, all of these brake problems have once again surfaced after my many attempts to have them replaced while still under warranty. I had to meet with the service manager at the Ford dealership and express my outmost frustration with their services up to now! They were making me pay for the entire brake system replacement! I have now gone to Ford Canada, who only covers their brakes until 20, 000 kilometres... I am at a lost for words now!!!!!!

If there is anyone else out there, that is having the same poor luck with theirs.. I would appreciate some input... thanks again

Jill
Thunder Bay, ON, Canada


Reply

#20 of 100 Re: brake noise [markiesmark45] by jrobblee

Apr 24, 2008 (9:33 pm)

Replying to: markiesmark45 (Jul 21, 2007 2:35 pm)

Hi Mark,

I had the same problem with my 2005 Ford Escape Limited 4x4.... I was told by the dealership that this was totally normal.. haha.. I have had nothing but problems with my brakes. They squeal, pulsate and grind when I begin to start braking! Obviously, there is something wrong with the service tehnicians when they tell me this!!!

Look at my post above..and you will see the problems I have had! Apparently, FORD will not do anything for this!

And here for the Mazda


http://www.lemonlawclaims.com/mazda_tribute_brake_and_steering.htm

i live in Australia not Canada

Cheers,
John

PS: I can go on the internet and find faults with any vehicle including our Toyotas worldwide and I suppose if ROOTHY said it is TRUE boy are you gullible he is a journalist!!!

I was trying to warn the OP of a potential problem which may affect them on their trip.

At least I was making a contribution to the thread unlike you who seems to just bag someone for what they say.

I am well aware what Roothy is and take what is in that mag with a grain of salt.
If you have nothing to contribute dont criticize me thank you.

Snoopyone,


"At least I was making a contribution to the thread unlike you who seems to just bag someone for what they say".

This is a Losers reply. LOL

Cheers,
John

PS Why don't you become a member and be game enough not to hide.

Why bother, to get bagged some more and pay for the privilege

What a cop out can give for it free but cannot take it

I have nothing to hide if you become a member you can see my profile

lots of love

Cheers,
John

Snoopy just ignore John I think he may be baiting you

Yep I realise that and thats the very reason one would not bother to become a member if some members have this attitude.

Snoopy - just adding a bit of an observation here.

In Canada and the US as well they salt the roads to stop ice formation. This has lead to a lot of corrosion issues, things such as entire cross members corroding through.

I'm not saying this is the case in your example but it's food for thought which could lead to those brake rotor issues.


As others have said, you can't take overseas problems and make blanket statements without some context.

They were the only ones I could find at the time but it has been mentioned about Australian versions as well that they cut them out early.

I dont care really I was trying to offer some advice so as to help the OP if they didnt know.

Better to find out before they go rather than in the middle of nowhere.

That was all, nothing malicious or derogatory in that was there?????.

If theirs are fine all well and good but a heads up doesnt hurt.

I dont think I deserved the rubbishing I got for just mentioning that.

So here is a link to an Australian Ford Forum with exaxtly what I was posting about

Ford and Mazda rotor problems

Hopefully that will satisfy the doubters

A good set of all terrain tyres on the Mazda would be a good idea. If you do any of the dirt roads you can easily damage highway tyres and thats no fun. It's a good idea to carry an extra spare tyre (use one of your current tyres) without the rim and don't forget the trailer as well. Cheers Mike

Another good investment and essential bit of planning and travelling kit is a good roads atlas and individual maps (eg Hema) for particular areas. Learn how to use them by using the key/legend and you will soon know what roads are sealed, major minor roads etc. We are currently using the Australia Road and 4WD Atlas available from the EO shop.

Welcome to this forum, it will provide you with heaps of information. It is usually a pretty friendly place, despite the little tiff in your thread. Most people use a handle or name of some sort so those who respond can feel as though they are talking to a real person.

Be sure to check out the many blogs of places where you would like to go. They will give you some idea of the conditions that you are likely to encounter. There is much more to travelling than the vehicle you go in (though getting that right is pretty important) but you also need to be well prepared for camping, with the right clothes and footwear for the conditions, adequate water and so on - the list is very long. There are a couple of blogs that list all the gear that people take - worth a look.

Remember that you may be travelling long distances into remote and often harsh country that should never be taken for granted. Be well prepared and you will have a wonderful time.

Cheers,

Val.

Congratulations Kathy,

Your approach should be commended and I personally wish you and yours, the best experience you can wish for.

This first big one will tease you and you will start to plan for all the places you will want to visit next time.

Good luck and run a blog on here....

And then you'll want a 'Landy' ...

Enjoy your trip...

Cheers, The Landy

Hi Katie,

With your camping experience to build on you have a head start. Have a great trip and many more to follow. Hope to see you around on this forum.

Cheers,

Val