Best 4WD for police duties in Alpine/Bush area???

[Alan Loy]

Seems to me that you need to change the "no mods" rule.

Keep the patrols but fit portal axels http://www.marks4wd.com/products/gearmaster/Gearmaster-portal-Nissan-GQ-GU.htm

You could swap them to new vehicles as they come on lease.

These & decent tyres and a snorkel would get you everywhere.

[DX grunt]

G'day Tim,

I'd only consider a Nissan Patrol or a Toyota Landcruiser.

What ever you decide, it should be DIESEL.

I did a lot of homework before I got my Patrol.  I considered:
Parts, servicing, mechanics knowledge, local repairs and dealership locations.

I'd suggest you give Telstra a ring and find out how they kit their 4by's out.  I"ve got a 'pre loved' ex Telstra, Nissan Patrol 4.2 TDi.  It came with all the fruit, as it was set up for remote travelling for a single operator.  It is very OSH friendly.  An excellent selling point.

It came with winch, spotties (IPF900), 2 spare tyres, dual batteries, long range tanks (1 x 90 and 1 x 80lt), fresh water tank, rear steps,   8lt hot.cold Handiwash, Reece towball hitch/tongue - so you can insert a proper, rear, rated recovery point - and not snatch from the towball (big NO, NO).

You need rated front and rear recovery points, a decent recovery kit and a set or two of Maxtrax - all of which can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle.  Make sure everything is 'rated".  With my front recovery points, I have 2 - one on each side - so that when I am recovered, or recover somebody, the weight is evenly distributed.

One big factor in your vehicle selection consideration will be resale value.  From what I've seen, Toyotas and Nissans hold their value pretty good. 

Mention the words OSH, Duty of Care, diesel and resale value in your report, and I think you're onto a winner.  lol

Please, ring Telstra, Police in other states in OZ, and a few other big companies, even mining companies, and speak to the Vehicle Fleet Manager, and see how they set their work vehicles up.  If you use a bit from each, give me a call and I'll seriously consider setting mine up that way, too.  lol.

I've also got a HF Codan AR NGT radio, CB and a Telstra mobile phone with an external aerial.

All the best.

Take care out there.

Rossco

[Tim - Stratford]

G'day Rossco,

Thanks for your reply, there may be too much common sense in there! 

It's a bit of a loaded question re vehicles for the stated purpose - as we don't like getting stuck ourselves or putting our off-siders in danger/risk of injury - we'd love a fully kitted vehicle. Me personally, I'd go for the 200 series, front/rear bars, winch, recovery kit, tyres, snorkel etc, etc.....

The problem we have is Vicpol have to supply safe vehicles - so they go to the manufacturers and Monash University to tell them what is safe. All manufacturers say their vehicles are safe up to a level set by Aus Designs etc, Monash University then test for a variety of factors, including propensity for rollover in slide & tilt among other things.

Vicpol then decide on a 'safe' vehicle and approach a lease company who supply the vehicle. Between Vicpol/Manufacturer/Lease Company - we are currently unable to fit aggressive tyres or aftermarket third party company equipment - ie ARB, Safari, Kaymar etc... There have been a few exceptions in recent times - such as rear Kaymar bars as they were cheaper than replacing OEM bumpers each fortnight.

Some local lads to my area are currently assessing different vehicles and have the support of local command - we'll just have to wait and see. It is definitely a balancing act as these 'super off-road weapons'  are still used 90% of the time on a highway and are expected to hit the brakes, u-turn, catch-up to and intercept a speeding motorist....sort of knocks out the defender...a bit 

The guys initiating change have similar stories to Jase, Patrols getting stuck only to have Parks/DSE pass them with a toot-toot!

Time will tell.


Tim

[DX grunt]

Sounds like a few people might need to chisel themselves away from their desks, go for a trip up your way and have some 'hands on experiences' and get their hands dirty - before they make their decisions.

Let 'em get bogged up to the axles in smelly mud, and tell them to 'fix it'.  Make sure they have plenty of supplies for an overnighter or two, a change of clothes, good communications, a first aid kit, shovel and a couple of dunny rolls.

Enough said.

My apologies if I've offended anyone.

Take care out there.

Rossco

[achjimmy]

It is definitely a balancing act as these 'super off-road weapons'  are still used 90% of the time on a highway and are expected to hit the brakes, u-turn, catch-up to and intercept a speeding motorist....sort of knocks out the defender...a bit 

Couldn't  see a 3litre Patrol running down to many speeding motorist either!

[JU5T1N]

[xcvator]

Can I have your name and address please officer ? 

[Jason B]

Tim

Here are a couple of pic of our current fleet as kitted out. The Patrol and 76 series Cab chassis are kitted out very similar, as described above, these ar actually Obieco Telstra boxes made for us. Bar, winch, 3700kg GVM upgrade, full electrics in the rear, cookers, water, Spotties IPF's, 6 wheels and tyres, etc etc.

The Patrol wagon is the spec I was thinking for you guys. Patrol wagon ST (ABS and some other safety features) 2 inch OME lift with castor correction, off road tyres, Bar, Winch and roof rack. This is the spec we ran in the snowys also and it was a good compromise.

Regards

Jas

[Jason B]

Here is the Patrol wagon in the spec we use.

[Tim - Stratford]

Jas,

The wagon seems to be spec'ed just right. The main problem we have is the independent testing for rollover etc - they only test factory and anything else is 'bad'. There has been a bit of progress last week with a submission to test 200 series and 70 series.....hopefully it gets through.

The guys that are initiating this are slowly getting accross that they need a better off-road vehicle, but as previously mentioned it is always going to be a compromise.

......funny how Government Departments can be so different....

Tim

[jimc1]

You lads deserve a bit of comfort...ask for a Lexus LX570.

You will get heated seats....ready for those crisp days!

[speewa158]

Tim   If roll overs are the problem them why not speck up as required then mount a lifting devise on both sides . Over it goes , push a button to inflate the side external air bag . Replace the mirror you broke when the truck fell on it  then on your way . It will buff out