When we were first birdwatching seriously, we took the family (two
young kids) in a Peugeot 404 station wagon. This had high ground
clearance and a rear space long enough to sleep in if we folded the
back-seats. (3 year old on front seat, baby in a basket). Its upright
sides allowed us to pack an awful lot. We went to outback NSW towing a
lightweight folding van and had little trouble. Alas, none are made now,
and current Peugeots are far too close to the ground.
Note that a sump-guard should ALWAYS be fitted if you intend to
drive on dirt, rock or even ungraded gravel roads. You should try to
carry TWO spare wheels.
We have had a LandRover County 110 for about 18 years and still go
bush in it. Its extra height gives an excellent view for birdwatching.
We had a pop-up camping roof fitted, back in the days when we could
still climb up into the roofspace to sleep. The roof supplier also
fitted all-round milium curtains which if drawn on the sides do a very
good job in reducing the heat. A small sun-powered extractor fan does
wonders for this too. We have done extensive work patching the numerous
original holes in the floor to try to keep dust out. It still comes in
the doors though.
We had its fuse-box moved to an accessible position (wiring school
of Lucas, enough said).
It has been everywhere except north Queensland, including some very
rough tracks indeed, as we explore Victorian forests. The worst trouble
we had was a bent trackrod on the Gibb River Road (nasty boulder in a
patch of bulldust). Brian used our electric winch to pull it back into
shape, passing the cable round another 4WD's towball as anchor-point for
the snatch-block (i.e. a pulley into which a cable can be inserted from
the side without threading through from end). Some further adjustment
by lantern light at El Questro camping area that evening enabled us to
continue via Darwin, and eventually back to Alice Springs and qualified
repair. I understand there is not a LR parts supplier there these days
and parts have to be sent from Adelaide.
Our Landy is very useful for towing a caravan, and moving heavy
objects, but it's hell to take up the street shopping and being an
older diesel is not sprightly in traffic. Many parking areas are too low
in the ceiling for it to get in. Its worst fault is that the exhaust
runs under the co-driver's floor, and in warm weather cooks her feet,
together with heat from the gearbox.
Anthea Fleming
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