Well let's just say that we have started offloading a lot of our stuff. We have talked on and off over the years about travelling more, but this time I think its going to happen, for an indefinite period, and an indefinite direction
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The camper and Defender need a few mods to get them up to scratch.
The trailer I have is a robust unit but needs some work. The camper top is an import job which leaks a little in heavy rain and will be replaced one day but the tarp takes care of any drama's. On the trailer I have already ripped the old tailgate kitchen off and am planning on getting a Drifta pullout with matching storage box. The ply of the bedbase has bowed at the rear due to there being no horizontal top bar at the rear of the trailer, it looks like it has been cut off for some reason, as a result the tailgate doesnt seal too well, so I need to put in a top bar, maybe a new bed base, and put in some rubber seals. I am replumbing the water tank, removing the 12 volt pump and going to a hand pump on the Drifta. The electricals need re-doing. I am changing the hubs over to match the Defender and installing electric brakes. The tent needs some new bows to replace a couple of bent and dodgy ones. And basically a bit of a spruce up. Oh yeah and the side door of the trailer will be welded up as it was a bit of bodgy job by the PO and lets in a heap of dust, it will no longer be needed with the Drifta set up. I considered getting a new camper top but think we might just make do with this one for now maybe... The springs are only slipper springs but they seem like good quality heavy duty ones, which have served us well so far, they may be replaced with better offroad springs before we go though.
The Defender is a 130 HCPU which is the dual cab with tub, which has served us well and which I love. I recently bought a rack with solid roof for the tub off a guy off AULRO which has a sub-rack built just under the roof which is very handy, and our local canvas guy is doing his thing on it this Monday. The tub will also be getting some Drifta draws to keep everything tidy, and give a nice flat platform for the dog and fridge. I need to install a UHF and snorkel, sound proofing (its a defender remember) and that should be about it, though I know there will be more and yes I know
We are in no hurry so will take our time getting ready and then make a decision when we go with our two young kids and dog.