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Alltrac 4WD
305 South Rd Mile End SA 5031
Hi and welcome to Alltrac 4WD’s August 2009 email newsletter. It’s a long time between newsletters this time partially because I had a couple of months long service leave. I hope you have all been well and had the opportunity to get out and about and not stagnating at home too much. Whilst I was away we were extremely busy especially leading up to the school holidays. Brad, Ash and John assisted by Scott at times have done a fantastic job, maybe I should get away a bit more.
Regards Peter Young
Trip Report, Caravans to the Cape [ Almost] - part 1
We were away 7 weeks it is impossible to condense the trip report so will break it up over a few issues.
The aim of this trip was to spend a leisurely couple of months exploring north east QLD finding some spots to spend a week or so relaxing and exploring. If time permitted we would also leave the vans and head up to the tip of Cape York. As it panned out without a fair bit of rush we couldn’t get to the Cape.
We all got together at Innaminka, 4 couples had already spent a week here working as members of the “ Friends of Innaminka Parks” group we joined them after the work was completed and headed north via Napa Merrie, Windorah, Longreach, Julia Creek to Normanton and Karumba.
Five rigs in total, a new Prado CRD Grande with 1976 14’x7’ Quest Van, GU 4.5L Patrol petrol/gas with boat on top and 18‘x7‘6” modified 1984 Dario Van, Toyota 80 diesel with Aussie Swag Camper Trailer and our Toyota 100 TD with Boat on top and 18’ x8’ modified 1985 viscount van.
Took our time getting to Karumba, can’t rush these things stopping for 2 nights every day or two on pleasant waterholes or rivers. Had a fiftieth weeding anniversary for one of the couples along the way [ yes that’s right fiftieth !!] Then into the van park at Karumba for a weeks fishing, shopping and playing dominoes. Got plenty of fish but very few big enough to keep.
Now the adventure started, up the Bourke Development Road following the Mitchell River with pleasant camps at Drumduff Crossing [ Impassable] and Bulldog Yard crossing approx 15k North of Highbury station . The last one was a bit of challenge. Loose rocks on top of sand, low range and low tyre pressures got us in there spent a couple of days here amongst the shady trees along the bank. Can’t swim here because of the potential croc problems but we could body surface at the concrete low level road crossing. [ Had to have look out up the bank to watch out for road trains]. After getting out of camp here I spoke to one of the Road Train Drivers who had been moving cattle from the area and he said “ You guys did a good job getting out of there we didn’t think you could get out with caravans“. I said “I recon we did a damm good job getting in there in the first place.”
That’s it for this issue, more next time.
Get the vehicle right well before your big trip.
Over the last six months we have had several clients getting ready for their big trip. They have been out and checked out the bits they want on their vehicle, had them all fitted up, THEN a week before departure booked in for a service and received a few nasty shocks.
Recently one client, had fitted out his older vehicle with all the goodies, dual batteries, drawer system, roof top tent, awning , spare wheel carrier, etc, etc. Probably all done within the budget. Then 5 days before departure, in to Alltrac 4WD for a service and pre trip inspection. As well as the major service it required, brake and suspension work, differential overhaul, cooling system repairs, universal joints etc. Almost $5000.00 worth. While he seemed happy to pay for what needed to be done it did come as a bit of a shock and probably required some re arrangement of the budget for a while.
We have had some clients in similar circumstances who would have reconsidered the whole exercise if they had found problems early. One admitted he would have changed vehicles but having spent over $6000.00 on accessories and being 10 days before departure he had little choice but to carry out repairs.
Some people seem happy to have local repairers or dealers service their vehicles, or don’t service them at all then bring the vehicle to Alltrac 4WD for a major service or pre-trip inspection. This is quite often when they can get the nasty surprises. Many people service vehicles by changing the oil and filter and think this enough. The oil and filter change is really the minor part of servicing, the major part is inspecting the whole vehicle on a regular basis so that repairs are foreseen and carried out in a planned manner well ahead of time.
If we regularly service your vehicle it is always ready for that big trip or we have notified you of impending problems.
Do your service people test, batteries, compressors, winches etc at each service -- Alltrac 4WD definitely do, because you need the whole vehicle serviced, including the added bits.
So in summary think well ahead and get the vehicle checked out early.
VIP Rewards Scheme
Our VIP Reward scheme has just got better. How it works. For every dollar you spend on servicing and repairs at Alltrac 4WD we give you one Reward Point, these points accumulate on your VIP Card [ Haven’t got one ? See us next service ]. Points are redeemable towards services. For Example 1500 points give you a $75.00 discount off your next service, 2000 points is a $200.00 discount etc etc. Points last for two years and you must not loose your card. The scheme does not apply to account or Barter clients.
The new OKA is here.
At last the new NT OKA is available. Describe by one magazine as Australia’s only Indigenous [ Australian Made] 4WD. The NT is 200mm longer than the previous model , runs a 185hp Cummins engine [up 85HP from the old one] and has an optional 6 speed Allison Automatic transmission. We are delivering our first one into the mining industry next week. So do you want an extremely capable off roader able to carry up to 3ton and tow 4.5ton give us a call.
Alltrac 4WD - Professional 4WD Service, Repairs, Modifications, Wheel Alignment,
Suspension Systems, OKA Motor Vehicles.
