Iain_U1250
Explorer
We are currently on a six week shake down trip in the Mog, I've updated my blog Iain and Trish's Unimog Adventures with all the latest details and will keep that update as we go.
I fitted a second set of brake callipers to the rear axle, and with some re-plumbing of the brake lines, we were able to get a GVM upgrade to 8000kg. We were close to 7500kg when fully loaded, and with two passengers, and some extra kit, we would have been over the limit. We should be fine with the extra 500kg though.
The truck is working great, and we are having a fantastic time. We can cruise on the freeways around 90-95kph quick comfortable, and I've taken it up to 125kph with my foot flat to the floor. Way to fast for a Unimog I think. We struggle a bit up the steep hills, down to around 60kph, but then so are the other trucks. Having the extra horsepower is great, can't think how bad it would be with only 125hp when we are fully loaded.
In the tighter twisty roads, I sit around 85-90kph. We drove around 20km up a dirt road this morning, I thought it was not too bad and was doing around 60kph , but we were catching up the other cars and 4wd on the road, and they all pulled over to let us through - must be the scary sight in the rear view mirror of a big Unimog catching them, probably the only time that is going to happen :smiley_drive:
So far the truck has proven to be watertight, we have been through some big storms, and have been rained in for to days. It was great to just be sitting or lying reading, warm and dry whilst all the other people in the camp ground have been cold, wet and miserable.
Things that I will be fixing when we get back:
1. Second Alternator - it does not charge more the 20A at idle, and less at higher engine speeds. Something must be wrong, but not sure what. I can still charge the house batteries from the main alternator with the flick of a switch, so no real hassle, just an irritation.
2. More batteries. I got my GVM upgrade to 8000kg, and we have found that 300AH is just not enough for more than three days of camping with overcast/shade. I have a spare Optima 31T, so might buy another one and take out battery storage up to 450AH.
3. Storage bag for the back of the truck. We have a rack to hold various things, and the lower storage pods at the rear are currently full of lightweight ground sheets and tarps. They are bulky items and always dirty, but will easily fit in a bag on the rear rack. Then some of the heavier stuff can go down low.
4. ARB Air Twin compressor - the relays on the compressor have died - going to put a 100A solid state relay in place of the crappy 40A ones ARB fitted - and the compressors draw 38A each, so no wonder the relays died, running at maximum load all the time. I only use it for a quick get-away, so I don't have to idle the truck for too long as the air system goes down to around 5PSI after 3 days or so, just can't seem to find the air leak.
5. Rear winch tray and gas bottle storage. I'll finish the rear winch tray and add some brackets to store the gas bottles on the back of the truck, I can carry them in the lower storage pods, the are properly ventilated according to Australian Standard safety regulations, but it make more sense to have them outside.
We are also going to get a couple of extra solar panels that we can move around, so many times we have been a few metres away from full sun, as most camp ground seen to have shade over the sites. A couple of 130W panels, and 10m of wire and we could be charging up the batteries a lot quicker, and since we use a lot of power with the bread maker, Nespresso machine and the big 27" computer monitor, we can do with the extra power.
This trip we are determined to keep fit, and Trish has packed the TRX straps and we do a workout every second day. It is great way to stay in shape on the road, and the strap take up next to no space. Mog's roof rack makes an ideal support.
All in all we are having a great time, visiting some special places
meeting some of the locals, some more friendlier than others
We are really looking forward to the end of school holidays then the camp grounds will empty a lot, and all the screaming kids and babies will hopefully go home,. I am typing this to the tune of a screaming toddler whose parents don't seem to care that their brat is disturbing the entire camp ground for the past hour. Luckily I can just close the window and the noise will be greatly reduced, but I feel sorry for those in tents.
In general it has been good, and we are relaxing and taking load of photos
and having a really awesome time
I fitted a second set of brake callipers to the rear axle, and with some re-plumbing of the brake lines, we were able to get a GVM upgrade to 8000kg. We were close to 7500kg when fully loaded, and with two passengers, and some extra kit, we would have been over the limit. We should be fine with the extra 500kg though.
The truck is working great, and we are having a fantastic time. We can cruise on the freeways around 90-95kph quick comfortable, and I've taken it up to 125kph with my foot flat to the floor. Way to fast for a Unimog I think. We struggle a bit up the steep hills, down to around 60kph, but then so are the other trucks. Having the extra horsepower is great, can't think how bad it would be with only 125hp when we are fully loaded.
In the tighter twisty roads, I sit around 85-90kph. We drove around 20km up a dirt road this morning, I thought it was not too bad and was doing around 60kph , but we were catching up the other cars and 4wd on the road, and they all pulled over to let us through - must be the scary sight in the rear view mirror of a big Unimog catching them, probably the only time that is going to happen :smiley_drive:
So far the truck has proven to be watertight, we have been through some big storms, and have been rained in for to days. It was great to just be sitting or lying reading, warm and dry whilst all the other people in the camp ground have been cold, wet and miserable.
Things that I will be fixing when we get back:
1. Second Alternator - it does not charge more the 20A at idle, and less at higher engine speeds. Something must be wrong, but not sure what. I can still charge the house batteries from the main alternator with the flick of a switch, so no real hassle, just an irritation.
2. More batteries. I got my GVM upgrade to 8000kg, and we have found that 300AH is just not enough for more than three days of camping with overcast/shade. I have a spare Optima 31T, so might buy another one and take out battery storage up to 450AH.
3. Storage bag for the back of the truck. We have a rack to hold various things, and the lower storage pods at the rear are currently full of lightweight ground sheets and tarps. They are bulky items and always dirty, but will easily fit in a bag on the rear rack. Then some of the heavier stuff can go down low.
4. ARB Air Twin compressor - the relays on the compressor have died - going to put a 100A solid state relay in place of the crappy 40A ones ARB fitted - and the compressors draw 38A each, so no wonder the relays died, running at maximum load all the time. I only use it for a quick get-away, so I don't have to idle the truck for too long as the air system goes down to around 5PSI after 3 days or so, just can't seem to find the air leak.
5. Rear winch tray and gas bottle storage. I'll finish the rear winch tray and add some brackets to store the gas bottles on the back of the truck, I can carry them in the lower storage pods, the are properly ventilated according to Australian Standard safety regulations, but it make more sense to have them outside.
We are also going to get a couple of extra solar panels that we can move around, so many times we have been a few metres away from full sun, as most camp ground seen to have shade over the sites. A couple of 130W panels, and 10m of wire and we could be charging up the batteries a lot quicker, and since we use a lot of power with the bread maker, Nespresso machine and the big 27" computer monitor, we can do with the extra power.
This trip we are determined to keep fit, and Trish has packed the TRX straps and we do a workout every second day. It is great way to stay in shape on the road, and the strap take up next to no space. Mog's roof rack makes an ideal support.
All in all we are having a great time, visiting some special places
meeting some of the locals, some more friendlier than others
We are really looking forward to the end of school holidays then the camp grounds will empty a lot, and all the screaming kids and babies will hopefully go home,. I am typing this to the tune of a screaming toddler whose parents don't seem to care that their brat is disturbing the entire camp ground for the past hour. Luckily I can just close the window and the noise will be greatly reduced, but I feel sorry for those in tents.
In general it has been good, and we are relaxing and taking load of photos
and having a really awesome time
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