Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 10:48
I'm a wrap for Brown Davis stuff as
well. They have provided excellent service to me dealing with issues on other manufacturers products. Their tanks actually have extra reinforcing on key edges and corners that others don't.
I've used three manufacturers tanks over the years including LRA and had all of them fail at some stage. Two cracked and leaked (LRA & Lone
Ranger), on another (B/D) the mount broke (the
tank retained its integrity though). Considering the type of travelling I do, I have some pretty specific thoughts on accessories and in particular, long range tanks. I've covered this quite a few times on the
forum and in
blogs. LRA provide an excellent product and excellent service in my experience, as do Brown Davis. I would recommend either over some of the alternatives such as Long
Ranger (ARB). Many who have had to deal with ARB's after sales service will know what I mean. I’m also one for providing personal based experiences and not anecdotal “someone told me about it” evidence when referring to products and manufacturers.
It's been my personal experience that a cheap option is not always the best option. Your specific travel needs should help influence your choice. If you going to be towing a van down bitumen roads with an occasional drive on a dirt road or track, you may never have an issue with a cheapy (foreign made) alternative. If you are at all serious about travelling the iconic outback roads and tracks, then I'd not harp about the additional cost of buying a quality Australian made product that has been developed to suit Australian conditions, is supported locally and has been improved by feedback from the people who use them
If you are in
Melbourne, then Brown Davis, ARB and LRA are all within the same geographical areas and can easily be visited on a Saturday morning. Other cheaper alternatives are available at local 4x4 outlets in the Bayswater area. Go and have a look and compare the quality of the units and the manufacturing process. I know Kevin at Brown Davis and Roger at LRA are always happy to walk a customer through the manufacturing processes. Look at edge banding, internal baffling, corner and edge reinforcing (Use of “pacmen” on pivotal corners and stress points) and mounting brackets in particular.
The old adage “You get what you pay for” is not what you want ringing in your ears 400 km into the Canning with your motion lotion draining into the sand before your eyes!
My thoughts, Mick.
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