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Post by kiwijim on Nov 15, 2009 14:35:41 GMT 10
G'day Gang, Started to sort out what we want to take on our "Around the block" trip, Soon realised that a roof rack was a must, I have been pricing them in the paper and could see that there was nothing under $450.00 any good around, so....... Went hunting and here's the result...........   the whole rack is made of light steel and only weighs around 40kg. I'm pretty happy with the out-come, the rack is big enough to carry the spare for the Thomson and the fuel cans plus the extra bottle of gas. Another step closer to departure, and the heat is building already. kiwijim  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2009 18:42:48 GMT 10
Hey Jim, You could put the cheese and kisses up there if ya GPS goes belly up on ya.  Carl |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 15, 2009 19:15:45 GMT 10
Message for you Kiwicarl, From the Cheese and Spice.......... "Ha Ha" very funny (Whack Whack ) "OUCH" it wasn't me dear. Thanks Mate, ;D ;D ;D kiwijim |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 21, 2009 15:44:20 GMT 10
Howdy Gang, Finally got the roof rack onto the Nissan today, Along with a pole carrier, just the right length for all the collapsed poles for the annexe and the shower screen.  I intend to carry the spare tires and the gas plus spare fuel aloft, under cover of course, I made the mistake of carrying fuel in the boot of the car last trip, the fumes still managed to enter the cab, didn't dare light a smoke until we had a whistle stop. I've got the Nissan booked in for a major service and Pre-trip examination next week, It had better be a good going-over the quote is $360.00 |
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Post by groundedgypsy on Nov 21, 2009 16:24:01 GMT 10
Just curious kiwijim, when you mentioned shower screen, what sort of set up do you have for the shower side of things. I''m curious as to what's out there in that regard when a poor ol' person like me doesn't have a shower set up inside :-)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2009 18:14:35 GMT 10
;D, Hmm, that roof rack sure looks good on the Nissan Jim. Now all you need is one of my specially designed aerodynamic roof rack fairings to go over it. Guaranteed to save at least 10% on fuel consumption.  I can also through special top secret contacts sell you the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Actually, while I was off work with my broken ankle I sat down and drew up a design for such a device, and found when I measured it up it fitted both the Lexcen and Niva to a tee. You could even fit your poles inside it as it would be longer than the rack. There's another 1% fuel saving. Roll up, roll up, get your super fuel saver/luggage racks here. Only while they last (or till I can knock up the next batch). ;D Cheers, Ross. |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 22, 2009 6:43:00 GMT 10
Hi MillieNme, I hope this rough sketch gives you some idea what sort of shower screen I have that attaches to the off-side of our Thomson,,,,,,,,  |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 22, 2009 6:57:26 GMT 10
Howdy Ross, "Yep" I could do with another shower screen frame, So I'll buy that Harbour Bridge off Ya, As for that "OL Opre" House.........Hmmmm I suppose it could be used for a Camp stove ! ! ;D As far as the fuel reducer goes, could be interested in one of them, I will have to :"Sus" it out, if we should run into each other, while on our trot around the Block. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2009 10:02:33 GMT 10
Geez Jim, You would have to be one of the most resourceful men that I know mate, are you sure your'e not related to that Mac Iver bloke on TV that can escape being held captive on a drug cartells private island with nothing but a pen knife, a piece of string and a party balloon are ya. Because old mate you sure can make a whole lot outta bug-ger all and still make it look better than those that are commercially available too boot.  Matey I know that the cheese and yourself are looking forward to doin' the block and I want to wish you both absolutely all the best for your trip and hope that every corner brings about a new and memorable experience for you both. I can see that you have carefully planned this adventure and allowed for every possible eventuality and if you havent thought of it you will sure as h*ll be able to take it in your stride as would (Mac Iver). Oh by the way did I mention that I am seethingly jealous and I wish that I was coming with you both as a tag-a-long tourist and to get the chance to meet all the wonderful people that you will meet including some of the slightly deranged folk from this forum that we have here. If you should need any assistance at any stage mate please dont hesitate to call me and if I can help in any way you've got it. So stay in touch take heaps of photos ( and back them up to disc regularly ) and videos etc and I will see you next either when you decide to return to WA or if the wife and I decide to catch up with you out there somewhere. Don't forget to say gidday to all of our fellow classic caravanners for me when you do run into them personally. Ya Lucky Bug gers Carl |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 22, 2009 17:33:10 GMT 10
Howdy kiwicarl,
Thanks for the complements Mate,
Yes it would be great if there was a mob of us setting off from Perth at the same time,
I can just picture a circle of Classic Caravans around a camp fire in the twilight of a warm evening, under a crystal clear, star filled sky, a few coldies on hand and a B.B.Q sizzling away, some-one picking at a guitar, a few bottles of good wine for the ladies, and good conversation among friends. ( hint Hint ) ;D ;D ;D
I recently have been having Garage Sales at home and meet a number of people who have vans and plan to make an exit from Perth at the same time as us across the sand patch to the East, funny enough, there are a number who plan to go to Tassie as well,
So with a bit of luck there may-be a convoy of vans (unfortunately not Classics) all heading the same way early in Jan.
Thanks for the offer of assistance kiwicarl,
Hopefully we will have an un-eventful trip, but its good to know that there is some-one who I can call on if strife should hit.
Things don't look to good over East at the moment, what with the already high temperatures and the Bush Fires ( plus Tassie)
I wish we could have taken off months ago, but things have to be put in order first and that has taken longer than I thought.
Any-way, we're almost there, and there will be plenty of pictures you can count on that, I bought a memory stick ( 5GB ) for the lap-top and all the down-loaded pictures, that should keep them safe until full, then I'll grab another one.
Catch Ya Mate. kiwijim
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2009 21:17:48 GMT 10
Gday Jim I can't agree more what a ripper job you have done on the rack and how green with envy I am that your ready to hit the road and I cant  Make sure you pack your little black address book and don't be shy about dropping in should you and Missus find yourself up the Mountain with time for a cuppa or a coldy or two ;D ;D Cheers Bazz |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 23, 2009 4:00:34 GMT 10
Howdy Bazz,
Thanks for the invite Mate,
We sure will come a knockin when we float through your area,
I visited the Blue Mountains many years ago when I first arrived in Aussie, way back in 67, I thought then......what a beaut place to live, clear fresh air and some very nice small towns to stay a while.
We're definitely looking forward to seeing your area again and will let you know when we are getting close........I will get a G.P.S. bearing at that stage.
Catch Ya then Bazz.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2009 13:28:00 GMT 10
Re: More for the Nissan....
« Reply #11 Today at 2:00am »
You havin' trubbl sleepin', Jim?
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Post by groundedgypsy on Nov 23, 2009 13:40:51 GMT 10
Hi kiwijim, thanks for the hint on the shower screen, looks like something I could do myself and it wouldn't take forever to put up and down. Wonderful!!!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday and if you pass via Deni, give a yell or message if you feel like a cuppa. Hmmmm now wondering if there is any cold things in the fridge left over from my family's visit....lol
Cheers
Chez
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 23, 2009 16:07:06 GMT 10
Howdy Gang, ROLLY......... Sleep ? whats that ? I'm always up at this time, It's the only time of the day that this old computer gets any speed up, and there's a hundred things to think about and plan, only a month to go and a hell of a lot to do. ;D CHEZ, ..........I hope the sketch of the shower screen gives you some ideas, if you were down the road you could have had all the poles you wanted, I have a heap of them from my caravan repairing days, Thanks for the invite for a cuppa, we will take you up on that when in your area. Cheers kiwijim |
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Post by bobt on Nov 25, 2009 20:01:25 GMT 10
;D ;D ;D***** SHOWER SCREEN ***** ;D ;D ;D Now hang on there kiwijim.... if ya in a caravan park ya would use the local 'facilities' if ya in the wild... like tassie... you would just go out in the open. who would see ya? I like what you have done to that roof rack. Nice job. Now did you think of putting a wind deflector on the front of it. Remember those things people use to put on the roof or their cars to reduce fuel consumption. Back in the days when modern cars had gutters. Helps keep the insects off the front of the van too.. So how long before you are really Off? bobt |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 25, 2009 20:59:22 GMT 10
Howdy Bobt, So you reckon go wild in the wild parts of Tassie !!! "Nup", tried that once while camping way up North, we picked a Beaut site beside a creek about 10km off the highway, set up the shower rose on the side of the van and got the pump working, the Cheese & Spice had just ducked under the shower when a car load of Hoons came screaming down the track and decided to have a whistle stop and fool around in the creek, they were a couple of hundred metres away and we were hidden by some bush but we could hear them acting the fool as plain as day, The poor old Cheese & Spice got a hell of a shock and did the couple of metres to the caravan door in record time, Last I heard was "You buy a Bl*#Y screen tomorrow " Now a wind deflector for the roof rack is a good idea and I have been working on a design, I can't do much about it at the moment as the Nissan is still in the Work-shop getting $$$$$$$$ spent on it. I had it in for a pre-trip examination and there was a stack of work to be done on it before I will be happy with it........ Fuel injector pump has to be re-coned, Fuel injectors to be re-coned, Front bearings require to be removed and inspected then repacked or replaced, Top and Bottom hoses are swollen and have to be replaced, same with the fan belts, Well thats a few things out of a great list........ The quote.......no change out of $2.500 to $3.000 I hope it's all worth it in the end "Sigh " cheers kiwijim |
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Post by bobt on Nov 26, 2009 20:06:29 GMT 10
Hi kiwjim Best to get it right now then to get stuck somewhere remote where it costs you an arm and a leg.... don't forget to carry spare hoses, belts, hose clamps and oil...... it must be getting real close now... has the count down started? bobt |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 26, 2009 23:25:48 GMT 10
Howdy Bobt, "Yep" the count down is well under way, The Cheese & Spice tells me that we have 40 days to go, The one hold-up being the kids threatened to stick us in the "Oldies Home" if we tried to leave before New-Years Eve, and one other little problem is that the Nissan's License is due just after Xmas,so we have to hang on and as soon as that is done it's....... Good Bye Perth. ;D ;D ;D I had another good buy for the Nissan today, I saw this C.D. player in a letter box drop last week, on special for $99.00 down from $169.00,  I raced into the shop....toooo late Mate sold out in 5 min. asking if they were getting any more in, they said "Yep" but not before the special price finished........"Aw Poo " I said thats sucks, I was then informed that if I payed a deposit I could have it at the special price.... "Done" I said, payed a little cash and off I went home feeling pretty happy with the deal. "Yer" Happy was right ....until I got home and found another flyer in the letter box from another Auto Company advertising the exact same C.D. for $85.00. Soooooo..... jumped into the car and raced back to the first shop today (4 days after paying the deposit) "Yep" the C.D.'s had arrived, I then asked if they would match any advertised price as was shown on the flyer which I shoved under the Guys nose, The guy said Hummmmm , Hav-ta see the manager, They're off special now Ya know, Here we go I think, a couple of minutes go by then, to my surprise out comes the Big Cahoot all smiles and "Yep" the deal is done, $85.00 and its all mine. ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by bobt on Nov 27, 2009 21:39:58 GMT 10
crafty little fella you are.... Must be one hell of a mark up on that item if they can drop it that much. Now your challenge sir........... is to get a collection of CD's together to play whilst driving those looong lonely roads... We have copies in our car, protect the genuine ones from heat , theft, wife's rough handling,.. about 20 odd. It seems funny that after being away for a couple of weeks and playing CD's while driving when ya look at the CD you think.. no not that one again. 20 odd.. is simply not enough... So do you have the drink cooler for the car too? |
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Post by kiwijim on Nov 27, 2009 22:06:36 GMT 10
Howdy Bobt, You've got one up on me, I hadn't given a thought to copying the C.D.'s for the trip, That's a brain-wave, "Good on Ya Sunshine" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D There's no shortage of C.D.'s around here, the "Dear one" has tons of them, stuff like Foster & Alan, "Yep" guaranteed to put any-one to sleep in the first couple of Clicks. "Yep", I have a can cooler for the Nissan, although I don't know if we will take it or not, I've only got the one Cig lighter in the wagon at the moment and that's reserved for the G.P.S I reckon we will be stopping every couple of hours for the Cheese & Spice to have a Whistle Stop, So when she leaves the Business Dept in the van, She can dip her Pinkies in the fridge on the way out. ;D ;D ;D I know what you mean by having to listen to the same songs over and over again, We took a stack of Cassettes with us last year on our Wild-flower Tour, I think I knew every work for every song by the time we got home. I was glad to turn the gadget off in the end. kiwijim |
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Post by bobt on Nov 28, 2009 19:20:38 GMT 10
hi Kiwijim
Yep we too use to have tapes... until they melted... took a lota doing to copy them.
We carry water in the car for that little swig as we cruise along.
Usually stop for morning tea.. then lunch. sometimes afternoon tea.. but normally we are parked for the night by that time.
Then of course I have the compulsory whistle stop 45 minutes after we first start in the morning... sure can use that to check the watch....... ;D
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Post by wbski007 on Dec 18, 2009 3:23:30 GMT 10
Howdy Jim, here your going on a little trek, so I want to jump in there and wish you and the miss's and safe trip and lots of fun  , I'm going on one myself this coming spring, can't wait, going to tour the western US and Mexico. The roof rack looks great, you sure are a handy fella, lots of happy trails mate, ;D Cheers,Wayne |
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Post by kiwijim on Dec 18, 2009 18:52:42 GMT 10
Howdy Wayne, Thanks for the best wishers, Yes we certainly are going on what we hope will be a trip of a life-time, and with no time limit. We will be leaving Perth in app 8 days time and heading East across the Nullabour Desert, (commonly called "the sand patch") that's just about all thats out there for a couple of days driving in almost a straight line, nothing but sand, millions of flies and a few Road-houses. The temperature at night on the desert can be freezing and during the day (like last trip) reached 53deg. On the last trip we say birds dropping from the sky with heat exhaustion, I sure hope it's not that bad this trip. I got the Nissan back from the shop yesterday after having the windows tinted with the darkest legal tint available..........  The cost was an even $300.00, but with the extreme heat almost upon us, I think the money will be well spent. If I don't get time to write again before our departure, We wish you and your family all the very best for Christmas and the new year, also with your pending tip, have a happy and safe one also. Cheers and  |
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Post by bobt on Dec 18, 2009 20:40:16 GMT 10
Hey kiwijim
Tint looks kool. Glad your continuing to obtain suitable discounts..
Is that a rocket launcher you have mounted on the side there???
;D ;D
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I can also through special top secret contacts sell you the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. 
Actually, while I was off work with my broken ankle I sat down and drew up a design for such a device, and found when I measured it up it fitted both the Lexcen and Niva to a tee. You could even fit your poles inside it as it would be longer than the rack. There's another 1% fuel saving. Roll up, roll up, get your super fuel saver/luggage racks here. Only while they last (or till I can knock up the next batch). ;D
, I'm going on one myself this coming spring, can't wait, going to tour the western US and Mexico. The roof rack looks great, you sure are a handy fella, lots of happy trails mate, ;D