Potter

Heading off towing and touring for 5 months and am at the replacing tyres of a long list of to do jobs. I will be travelling on sealed roads and some dirt [Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy via Marree, around Alice and Lawn Hill area], can anyone point me in a good direction for tyres. It has been suggested off road touring tyres or do I just replace for same standard model. Have a 2008 automatic cv, just had air bags fitted and a WDH to the little van. regards

Thanks for the reply, I have checked out my distances and just want to be sure as am planning to travel from Qld leaving early May, down to Flinders Ranges then up to Darwin via Lake Eyre, William Creek, Coober Pedy; across to Qld via Lawn Hill, Normanton, Cape Trib, then back down the coast, 5 months of adventure. Some on dirt roads, towing a 09 Jayco Starcraft rear door, little pop top called N,Eddy. I too was thinking of 20 litres extra, maybe carried on roof rack with extra spare. It's a bit daunting as the male partner is staying home and the female of this household is doing all of the extra add ons. Have just had a WDH fitted to the van, feels a lot better to tow. The installer suggested heavier duty rear springs and am checking that out on Monday. Being an artist the $'s are not that consistant as most folks, but the urge to become a silver gypsey is too strong to ignore. Hope your trip is fabulous, watch out for the head winds on the Nullarbor, stay safe and have fun. John Lennon wrote "Life is what happens to you whilst you are busy making other plans" Regards Potter

Thankyou for the response. I visited suggested site, was great to see how loved their RAV is and that it managed the trip towing without dramas. My main query was do people add an extra fuel tank at large cost or just carry extra fuel externally. And is there a preferred roof carry system that works well on the RAV. Regards

I am heading off towing a 2009 Jayco Starcraft small rear door van for 5 months and would like to take extra fuel as the 60 litre tank could leave me a bit short in a few places. I do intend to not pass a bowser without topping up but am still concerned for a few spots. Has anyone any ideas re extra tank fitted or other ideas. Cannot carry fuel on van A frame as have 2 gas cylinders and a spare. Also any help re roof rack to carry 2nd spare for RAV and 2nd spare for van and maybe 2 x 10 litre containers of fuel. All answers a help, women travelling alone, leaving men at home.

I am very interested in this topic as I have just purchased a 2009 Jayco Starcraft Pop Top 12'6 rear door van with underslung carraige, ATM 1300, and am towing it with my 2008 RAV4 automatic. The RAV manual says on page 230, in the towing section, "In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use fifth gear [manual] or "D" [automatic]. I read this after our first small trip away, had no trouble towing using D, only once needing to drop down to 3. I am planning a wrong way round trip from Gold Coast down through Flinders Ranges , up the centre then across to Atherton, in part via the Savannah Way and Cape Tribulation, then down the Qld coast. Can anyone offer help re the do not drive in D or other wise insights. For most of this trip I will be travelling alone, am a 60 year old female with character, intelligence and a well developed sense of humour.