Episode 4 - Birdsville - Big Red Bash - Part 2

[@celiairving6673]

Thanks for your video. I was really interested to see how your motorhome went on the dirt roads, as we have considered driving out to Birdsville in our FA25-1. In your reply to a comment you mention covering the pipes underneath. What did you use for that and how did you do it?

[@passynby]

We went to Birdsville from Windorah and the roads were very well graded. At that time, we did not lower the type pressure. We averaged between 60 kms to 90 kms. But we took it easy and drove to the conditions. And it was very noisy (just think of the sound of rocks being thrown at a 44 galloon drum!!). It was great for the first 100 kms but then the rain started and the road got churned up pretty quickly. I would also recommend a UHF radio - it was the best thing to have e.g. we had about six other travellers behinds us so we did a call out to let them know we can see them and we're going to pull over so just to bear with us as we slow down due to the soft edges. Lots of thank yous back :) Would we do it again? Absolutely but we'd do a few days to travel that distance next time. We used plumbing hose from Bunnings. See link below. The insulation comes in different sizes so be sure to get the right size. www.bunnings.com.au/k-flex-1m-elastomeric-pipe-insulation-9mm-wall-x-19mm-i-d-suits-3-4-pipe_p4920089 1. Measure the circumference of the piping underneath the motorhome. There are several different sizes of pipes. 2. Measure the length of the pipes. 3. Off to Bunnings you go to purchase insulation pipes and lots of long cable ties. 4. Use a sharp knife to cut through insulation foam on one side, and then wrap it up against the pipes under the moho, and secure with the cable ties. Also, cover the grey water tap too. It's fiddly but definitely worth it.

[@averymurphylife]

❤❤ Love this video ❤❤ Brings back so many memories.

[@passynby]

Thank you. And I'm sure we'll be making more memories together :)

[@vantripinoz369]

Great video. Thanks so much for sharing. Like you guys we have a small youtube channel vantripinoz. We've just done a trip to Cairns, the Daintree River etc and are planning our lap of the map. We have a small Jayco Rm 19. What's a bigger Jayco like to drive? How did it handle the dirt road? Do you have any plans for a lap of the map?

[@passynby]

Thanks guys. We like your videos too! Love the top end of Qld, we can't wait to get up there. We tested motorhome travel in the south island of New Zealand many moons ago and it was similar to your Jayco RM 19. We decided then that it's the best way to travel but in something a little bit bigger. We love the Jayco Conquest FA 25-3. It's really easy and smooth to drive and handles very well. So far (in a our few trips) we have not had any issues with parking, reversing, roundabouts or city driving. The seats are very comfortable too. The dirt road to Birdsville via Windorah was the only thing we worried about when we were going to the Big Red Bash. And we worried for nothing. Only the last 100kms of the 400 km stretch was corrugated due to the rain but we drove to the conditions (around 70 km/hr or less) and didn't even need to lower the tyre pressure. We watched the weather very closely and we made the decision to go on the dirt road after being advised by the organisers of the Big Red Bash as they were sending out alerts re weather and road conditions. However, it was noisy but the noise was mainly from the rocks hitting the extendable step (note to self - cover it up). Also, we covered all the piping underneath too. At this stage we're still part-time travellers. October next year is when we start being full-time in the moho. We're not doing a coastal lap but more like zig-zagging, going back/forth/up/down our way around Australia. Hope to see you guys on the road.