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posted on January 6th, 2006 at 11:41 PM
Road Tripping Australia
Hi everyone, new member here, first time I've actually been interested in VW's!
So my story is, my Dad bought me a really awesome car to learn how to drive in; a 1972 Beetle!!
So I'll be learning how to drive it this year. My friend was just chatting to me at the pub however, about his grand plans for road-tripping around
Australia. You see, we're both uni students, so the uni holidays would be one of the best chances we'd get to do it.
So I just have a sort of general question... Is this even possible in a 72' beetle? And if it is possible... How do I go about preparing the
car? Will it need new things, what parts should I focus on upgrading/replacing? What kind of things should I take with me in case it breaks down? What
happens if it does break down?
I would really love to do it, but I would love some honest opinions and some tips from people who know about doing the trip, of just general tips and
things I should know about making sure my beetle is reliable and safe.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, and hi everyone!
shaihulud
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posted on January 7th, 2006 at 06:34 AM
Firstly and obviously get the car completely checked by a competent VW mechanic who knows what you intend to do. Fix what is recommended.
Give the engine a complete tune up.
Buy a copy of How to Keep your Volkswagen Alive by John Muir. It's the best idiots guide to VWs and I never leave town without my copy. It's saved
me more than once.
Change the oil in the engine, gearbox and brakes.
Carry a good comprehensive tool kit.
Carry as spares a clutch cable, an accelerator cable, one each of front and rear brake hoses, light globes, a good used inspected fuel pump,
carburettor and distributor.
A 20 litre Jerry can of water and one of fuel. A 5 litre drum of engine oil.
A small spade, a small axe and a tomohawk for camp fires.
A shade/rain tarpaulin about 8x10 with lots of light nylon rope. No poles. Use trees. Make the tarp bright blue. If you get lost, lay out the tarp in
the open. It is the easiest colour for searching aeroplanes to see.
Fit adjustable coil over springs to the rear to get the car's back end up when it is fully loaded. The car will drive better when it is level.
Don't overload the car. Carry the absolute minimum of gear. Resist the temptation to have a roof rack unless you carry two spare tyres.
A small thin steel plough share, modified to fit the jack when the share is concave side down. This will make it possible to jack the car up in sand
and mud and it will make a great barbeque plate. A couple of short 4x2 blocks of soft wood to help with jacking the car up and chocking the wheels.
If you travel in the heat of summer in the outback, go easy on the car. Aircooled engines are like people, they like to have a bit of time off in the
hottest part of the day.
If when it's hot the engine ticks and clicks loudly when it's just been stopped, it's too hot.
Good tyres and a good spare. Strangely enough standard wheel and tyres will serve better than big fatties on mag wheels.
Don't remove the rear seat for extra space. Where will you put the girls you meet?
In dusty conditions check the air cleaner every day.
I've travelled form Canberra to Perth via Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide in the heat of summer in my VW dune buggy and also to Alice Springs up the
Great Central Road and back across the Nularbor. VWs keep on keeping on. If your car is in good condition and you accept that you must just chug
along, being passed by every other car, you will make it.
That'll do for now. Best of luck on your trip
LUFTMEISTER
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posted on January 7th, 2006 at 07:29 AM
good advice and do not forget to join your state motor assocation=racq/vac etc so if you do break down they will help you out. cheap insurance for
that type of trip. just remember slow and steady wins the race. do not forget to post some photos on here if you do the big lap.
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
shaihulud
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posted on January 7th, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I agree join the RACV and get the extra country travel insurance with the long tow, replacement car and accommodation option.
If you do the trip. U2U me and I'll tell you where I live in Perth. You can crash at my place for a couple of days.
