Wilbinga 30/11/14

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

Prado of course. Silver 2004 diesel towing a Free Spirit 16ft off-road van

[sunchaser Member Find all posts View Profile Close sunchaser]

Hey Matt,
Sounds funny saying I can't wait to retire, but its true!! Just wish the growing old bit wasnt in the equation.
Any way while I'm waiting for my kids to grow up and I can start travelling proper all's I can do to pass the time is research, and Freespirit vans have to be one of the best I've seen.
I'm probably not the only one here who would love to hear (from your general conversations with your parents ) what they think of it, good or bad. And what they think of the structural integrity of the ali chassis is like.
Have to start saving my pennies now so I can afford one later!
Cheers Gaz

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Another toy to add to the collection Gaz. Or will you sell the camper and caravan you already have? Haha
When you ready for another camp?


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[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

Wilbinga 30/11/14

Hi Gaz, well in regards to the chassis I don't think they can complain. Although the worst their van will go off-road will be the Gibb river road . As far as the light chassis us concerned I think this has been compensated by all the extras they have added like satellite,A/C , diesel heating , etc. I'm sure there are a lot of positives for this van but after a couple of months the outside started to bubble which was repaired with no dramas. Before extras were added the total weight was quoted at 1600kg & when delivered was about 2.2t empty on single axle without the 2 water tanks being filled . Empty the ball weight was 220kg so when one of the water tanks was filled which was in front if the axle the ball weight was over spec and therefore void of insurance. I believe since their van was built they have had an experienced supervisor oversee things in the factory but these problems I don't believe should have arisen as the manufacturers were fully aware of the tow vehicle and spoke on their website how the tow vehicle would not need to be upgraded as the ally frame would improve towing performance . I don't know how a new custom van can be so close to 2.5t & 250kg ball weight and sold to a customer when they legally couldn't drive it when loaded . Anyway finally it's a very tidy van and they are very happy , but as you might know this does not come cheap. Again I'm sure there are some good vans around , just a little disappointing to have these problems from a brand new van . Free spirit didn't know how much it weighed . Dad had to go and pick it up and take it to the weigh bridge them drop it back

[sunchaser Member Find all posts View Profile Close sunchaser]

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the detailed reply, some great food for thought there I wouldn't have thought a 16ft van would have come in at 2.2t even with any extras.
I certainly hope they sort out the van weight vs car tow capacity, 'cause paying premium price for a new van and having to get it weighed your self and then finding out it is too heavy after it has been made is not on.
Mmmm interesting, thanks again Gaz

[sunchaser Member Find all posts View Profile Close sunchaser]

Hey Blake,
Ttthhhbbbbttt! to you! What's one more toy?
But yeah I think I'll have to sell the van had it a while now, time for a change.....

Looks like you had a great day on Sat. We nearly went up over that weekend for a quick camp but every thing seemed to conspire against us and it just wasn't meant to be. But myself and a mate are penciled in for Tues 12th just to go up in the morning for a dive if your interested. We'll probably go for a snorkel along flat rocks and see if there's dinner swimming around happy to be speared.

[baders Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close baders]

Another nice getaway Blake. One of these days we must catch up !! I wanna give the blower a good workout

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

Likewise, haven't been up to Wilbinga. Might have to make a day if it next time you head up there.
Give the Beaudesert exhaust a workout

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Any time you guys wanna go then let me know. I'm always keen.
Might even go up this weekend. It's gonna be hot so it will be great for a swim


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[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

This 150 got stuck two weeks ago. Beach was real soft and he hadn't let his tyres down bugger all.
His mate in the 70 wanted to test out his new toy so winched him out of the hole instead of a snatch. I offered the use of my Maxtrax but they said no. Was pretty funny to watch. Took them ages to get it into the correct position and sand was flying everywhere but the noise the 70 made was awesome. Love that V8.



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[Andrew119 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew119]

might have to come in off wanneroo rd soon, lots of talk about closing derrs track next year !!

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Yeah it's pretty bad on Dame Pattie drive. When we were up there on Sunday the air down area was full and there were cars parked all over people's front lawns. Not cool at all.
Wonder what they would all say if it was their house?


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[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Yeah it's pretty bad on Dame Pattie drive.

I remember going in off Dame Pattie Drive years ago and the residents coming out en mass and writing down rego numbers to give to the council, ever since then I've gone in off Wanneroo Road

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

It's quicker to go in at Dame Pattie but it's very busy. Easier to go in off Wanneroo rd and go north once you hit the beach. It's quieter and you can get away from all the yobbos


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[Andrew119 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew119]

I always seem to get lost when I head in off wanneroo rd !!