Our new 4WD and camping setup
We’ve had a few different 4WD and camping arrangements now, and have recently ‘completed’ our newest setup. I say ‘completed’ because you never really finish a 4WD build. It’s done in terms of the major changes, and there is some tidying and cosmetic work that will be done when we get back from our 3 month Northern Territory/Kimberley trip.
The 4WD
Our new 4WD is a 2016 Isuzu Dmax dual cab running the 3.0L turbo diesel motor and 5 speed automatic gearbox. It’s got a huge number of modifications. If you want to see the full build, have a read of this – Our Isuzu Dmax build for touring Australia.
The camper trailer
EDIT: We’ve moved to a Reconn R2 Hybrid, and have been using it for a number of years now!
Our camper trailer is a 2011 Outback Expedition Deluxe soft floor, made locally here in Western Australia. It has the 12ft tent, 135L of drinking water, 400W of fixed solar panels, 270aH of deep cycle batteries, an Evakool 55L freezer and a whole lot of space.
If you want to know more about the electrical side of the camper trailer, check this out – Camper trailer electrical upgrade.
Both vehicles are running genuine Isuzu Alloy rims, with 265/75/16″ Toyo AT2 tyres.
Power and water
Between both units above, we have 185L of drinking water, and 790W of panels. This allows us to live extensively off the grid. The power system takes care of itself, and we only need to go into civilisation to get more gas and water.
Everything is a compromise
I realised a long time ago that there is no perfect setup. Regardless of what you travel in, you will have to compromise in one way or another. The Dmax has a fantastic reputation, but when the tracks really get hard its not going to compete with something like a 79 series Land Cruiser.
Our camper trailer, whilst fairly cheap and has a heap of room is not the easiest or quickest thing to setup. However, we live with it for now as it allows us to have a freezer, lots of storage room and heaps of spare payload for loading it up.
Lets see what 3 months of travel brings
In a few months time, I’ll be able to give you a proper review of how things are – we will have spent about 81 nights in the camper trailer and Dmax, all over WA and the Northern Territory.
