In July 2017 we had a brilliant 10 days in the Sapphire/Rubyvale but all good things had to come to an end, so homeward bound Sunday morning with Monday back at work to look forward to.
We were driving a Patrol (3l) and towing an MDC Cape York, about 100k south of Emerald we lost power so tried a bunch of tricks but all to no avail, something was wrong in the electronics department, but on a Sunday in the bush, there is about zero chance of finding anyone who could find out what was going on, so 800km and many long hours later we crawled into bed for about 1hrs kip before work.
During that long trip a decision was made: No Computers in our next vehicle!!
We'd been discussing the round Aus trip we want to do and at Anakie had met a couple who had been nomads for 7 yrs and were loving it, dreams were forming, but what Tug to get?
2 months later the decision was made and I flew to Melbourne then up to Mansfield and bought a tow truck! Yep, it had a crane, 6 wheels on the black top and NO Computer!
Then came an edifying trip home with a few diversions, a hardware store for ear plugs followed by a wrong turn in front of a very confused Highway Patrol Officer, he turned out to be amused, fascinated and helpful, then a couple of nights in Holbrook with a leaking injector pipe, repairs in Wagga then finally the long road home to the Gold Coast to be greeted by some very confused neighbors.
Now the fun started, first job was to strip the back of the crane, chests etc. Gumtree saw the tool chests go, but the jib, just a bunch of tyre kickers! Eventually some horse trading with another Perentie nut saw the jib go with one winch, (kept the second) and scored jerry can holders, rear steps, free wheeling hubs and a few other bits and pieces.
From here priority one was sound proofing.
We were driving a Patrol (3l) and towing an MDC Cape York, about 100k south of Emerald we lost power so tried a bunch of tricks but all to no avail, something was wrong in the electronics department, but on a Sunday in the bush, there is about zero chance of finding anyone who could find out what was going on, so 800km and many long hours later we crawled into bed for about 1hrs kip before work.
During that long trip a decision was made: No Computers in our next vehicle!!
We'd been discussing the round Aus trip we want to do and at Anakie had met a couple who had been nomads for 7 yrs and were loving it, dreams were forming, but what Tug to get?
2 months later the decision was made and I flew to Melbourne then up to Mansfield and bought a tow truck! Yep, it had a crane, 6 wheels on the black top and NO Computer!
Then came an edifying trip home with a few diversions, a hardware store for ear plugs followed by a wrong turn in front of a very confused Highway Patrol Officer, he turned out to be amused, fascinated and helpful, then a couple of nights in Holbrook with a leaking injector pipe, repairs in Wagga then finally the long road home to the Gold Coast to be greeted by some very confused neighbors.
Now the fun started, first job was to strip the back of the crane, chests etc. Gumtree saw the tool chests go, but the jib, just a bunch of tyre kickers! Eventually some horse trading with another Perentie nut saw the jib go with one winch, (kept the second) and scored jerry can holders, rear steps, free wheeling hubs and a few other bits and pieces.
From here priority one was sound proofing.