Ford Ranger And Zone Off Road Caravan Setup 12 Month Review | What We've Learned In 1 Year Of Travel

[@jacksonno2]

The information and reviews you provide are so refreshingly honest and useful, thank you. Love your videos.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad you like them!

[@placestosea]

thanks for posting, great to hear the comments about saving weight and not having things that you don't really need.👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers. We like to keep it simple

[@leealdous4609]

Thanks again for a very informative honest vid. We also use a connected hose on the outdoor tap. It's great to have travellers and reviews without all the big yank tanks and $200k vans makes it more real for an everyday traveller like us and many others out there. See you guys Sunday 🍻

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Lee. Less is more sometimes.

[@aw3215]

Hi guys, discovered your channel about a week ago because a mate and his wife are looking at a Zone. Love your no-nonsense approach and the fact that you're doing all this as a young family. Enjoying the Gibb River series: brings back great memories when I took ten month-long school trips though the Kimberley, Pilbara and Western Deserts between 2000 and 2013, nine kids a time in two LandCruisers; life changing opportunities. Go well.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks so much, and welcome. What incredible memories you must have!

[@martinkuhn623]

Great advice on what is really necessary, and by omission, what isn’t! Also loved the extremely practical tips you made with respect to external shower versus external tap &hose. Plus deletion of the external kitchen (stove n sink) in favour of bbq n induction plate n washing up inside. Overall, one of the most practical, cost wise set ups I’ve seen in a video in ages. Very well thought out/considered set up. Cheers

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

So glad to hear that, Martin! Thanks for the feedback.

[@rainneygirl]

Agreed! These practical tips will help me trim away a lot of excess before we even start shopping for our first purchase so thanks heaps guys! Also, will you consider or have you done meet and greets at motor home/off grid living shows?

[@Buzzos111]

First time watching you guys. Great wrap up, straight to the point and no bias. Fantastic. Thank you.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Great to hear. Plenty more vids for you to catch up on! 😉😂

[@cherylrayes8015]

That was really interesting and Im not even thinking of a van. Nice skip over the composting toilet lol. Yours was actually the first time Id heard of them in a van, so it was good to hear that it works well. See you next Sunday 😍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Cheryl. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@shrekkers907]

I know I’m a bit late but really good video. Honest as all get out which is bloody refreshing. Keep it going.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Better late than never 😉 Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@paulnsteph]

Another great video guys. Love the down to earth and honest presentation 🤠

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback

[@Deacon_biscuits]

We did 70,000km with a Ranger pulling a 21ft van, same as you no issues but same as you we had the attitude that some things are going to rattle loose, we monitor and tighten as necessary, great attitude mate you've got a sub here.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Bob. Welcome!

[@antoninosolano7667]

Great minamal setup mate factory suspension great to see using standard gear makes it alot more affordable

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Absolutely. Cheers

[@allanframks5627]

Yet another great episode today. They just get better and better

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Allan. Appreciate the feedback. 🍻

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Great feedback. Thank you. I've subscribed and will dive into your videos to learn more. We've recently sold our camper trailer and have purchased an off-road van so am very grateful to learn from you guys. Stay safe.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Awesome. Welcome aboard! Really glad to hear you're enjoying the videos. 🍻

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Excellent rundown guys:D It was great to hear you didnt have a clothes washer, they just drain the vans power and water. Thank you for putting the work in to bring us some trip knowledge. Looking forward to future travels. Be safe

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Our pleasure!

[@tonynudl3105]

Outdoor shower is great idea at the dealers when buying a van. Had our van 4 years never used it

[@2crowdedhours]

Glad I found your Vid. Looking to do a lap within the next 12 months. Interestingly the vehicle and van you have are two of which I have short listed for the 'job'. Good to see your channel is commercial free. Keep up the good work.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, and best of luck!

[@guydraper]

Thanks Simon and Liz, great video, that was good and punchy as you mentioned……tips for us:-van wheel alignment, hose and trigger nozzle for front, smaller holders for shower……excellent. We get our zone next month….very exciting…… Did they give you extra door catches or did you buy from them or elsewhere? I did ask Zone about coconut coir for compost toilet, whether it came set up ready to go and I loved the response…….”No, but you can buy a brick from us, it’s $5.00 😂😂😂”. You gotta laugh

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Guy! We picked up a couple of spare catches for a 'project' when we were at Zone. It came in handy but not something I would expect to need often.

[@clu51]

ZN330 - as always great content, well done folks

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Much appreciated!

[@ianrobertson952]

HI, Only just started watching your videos today. Love the way they are presented. From the two clips I have seen so far, I am finding them very informative as we are heading off in late July this year for aur big lap. Can not wait to watch and learn more. Please keep the videos coming. Cheers

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Ian. Glad it's helpful mate. Enjoy your travels!

[@beverleydryland1146]

Thanks agian very informative x cheers from Bunbury western Australia

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad to hear it. Thanks!

[@dylanm8774]

Great vid guys! Our new Zone base is due in ~4weeks and virtually same spec as yours…. Very glad you’re so happy with it :-) Good call on the ‘No 💩 review’ too 🤣🤣

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Nice one! Enjoy your Zone!

[@hanskanis7526]

Simo, what happened to your nose mate, is Liz involved hahaha. Great video again, we were planning on getting a zone base next year but unfortunately not anymore. Looking forward to some new bush videos. Cheers mate

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

😂 It's a long story mate. It's a scar from long ago that one. As much as Liz might like to take credit, it's not one of hers 😂

[@hanskanis7526]

@@TheLifestylePioneers thanks for the reply mate, i was worried i might have offended you a little with that comment so I’m glad you didn’t take it the wrong way, stay safe with your family and we love what you’re doing.

[@treelover7566]

Great video, thanks so much for compost toilet tip

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Our pleasure!

[@colinoliver4061]

Great video, thank you for that. I think a review of the composting toilet would be a good idea, love to know how it works.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

We'll see. Not keen though 😂

[@neilocoop]

Great run down. Love that it’s honest and not trying to sell something or recommend with a discount. It’s real and you use it cause it good or if you don’t you say so. 👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

I appreciate that! We do our very best to stay balanced and genuine. If we can't do it with integrity, we don't do it! 👍

[@tonyzonneveldt1936]

Great commentary really enjoyed it 💕😊👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tony. 👊

[@snoordman04]

Was waiting for this one guys so big thanks!! Cheers 🤙🏼

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@4x4xplore41]

Great video and really looking forward to the video on the composting toilet! :-)

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks 👍😂

[@4x4xplore41]

One question: what do you use in terms of camera gear, video storage and editing tools? In particular, since you are off grid quite often, what do you use to back up your recording?

[@janinehilton6539]

Such a great and honest review.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Janine.

[@scottsingline805]

What a great video very honest and informative, thanks for the tip with the hot water as far as the " boost" setting l will be doing that from now on. Also l noticed some screws around the fridge, we have had rivets break off, is this your fix and how has it worked for you.👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Scott. Yes, some of the rivets popped (I forgot to mention it in the video) so I replaced them with screws until it gets back to Zone for a more permanent fix. 👍

[@brunosrun8202]

Another great vid, we have a similiar rig and about to head off on a big trip so loving all the tips

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@johnpitt2742]

i really appreciate your vids

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers John. Glad to hear 🙏

[@damienbakker5878]

Awesome info. Great work.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for watching!

[@darrindouglas1]

I've found the boost function on the water doesn't heat the whole amount. We have ours set at 60, and it comes on and goes off as needed. The water stays plenty hot enough for washing up and only takes a couple of minutes if you want a scalding hot shower. We got the upgrade cabinet door locks, and for the most part they do the job. Quick question.....have you got 3 screws top and bottom on the pantry door where it's attached to the slide?? we have 1 top and bottom......another rectification job needed......easy as....the latch needs to spaced down a couple of mm's so the latch engages fully..... As a Ford man, despite driving a Y62 Patrol ( might get a new Everest if the numbers are right ), it's good to see the Ranger is up to the job.... I am over the winding jockey leg, and going for an electric one very soon. Like you, we are very happy with our Zone purchase.... Cheers and happy travels.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for sharing, Darrin. That's interesting, we haven't had that problem with the boost function on the Truma. We used to use it on 60 but kept forgetting to turn it off and wasting gas. Not sure on the pantry door screws, I'd have to check. I love the wind up jockey, I use a battery drill which basically makes it an electric jack.

[@robertarmbruster5650]

I am new to your site, we really like your content and style. Thanks for the many hours of entertainment, all the valuable information and equipment run through. Is the Bushman fridge 3 way or a 12V compressor fridge?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Awesome, thank you! The fridge is 12/240V 👍

[@JustcruznRob-AlanaBuick]

Thnx for the update Simon & Liz, bloody brilliant. In October we pick up ZB427, being towed by a Wildtrak X, can’t wait. We have ordered the composting toilet too. Safe travels guys, luv the content. Interested to see the electrical rundown, do you need to MTTP regulator? Cheers Rob

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks so much for the feedback, Rob. Keep an eye out for the electrical video in the coming weeks!

[@ducfatsvideos.6293]

Good run down and a terrific setup. I’m curious what size wheels/tyres on the Ranger?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! They're 265/65R17 👍

[@Carpo74]

Love your vids guys!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Tracey!

[@maxherbert6622]

Great vid! Without a lot of BASE Zone RV content out there it’s been great. Watching this video we noticed some of the interior panelling looked a little yellowish? Was this simply odd lighting? Have you ever popped off the pictures to see if there is any difference in colour?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad you enjoyed it! It must've just been the lighting in some of the footage. The interior is as white as the day we bought it. It's the same material as the outside so it's UV stable.

[@maxherbert6622]

Thanks for that.

[@johnpitt2742]

have not rotated my tires and have not for my last 3 vehicles, the front tires wear slightly less than the rear but very similar, i put the new tires on the back if only replacing two

[@cathbp4089]

Good one guys!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers, Cath!

[@patrickwhite8926]

Another great video thank you

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad you enjoyed it, Patrick!

[@davidkondraciuk3991]

Very interesting episode. How did the standard suspension on Ranger handle the Gibb River Rd

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, David. The Ranger went really well.

[@steveberens9593]

Great informative vid. What rims are you running on the ranger?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Steve. They're 17" Speedy Outlaws

[@bazradventures]

Great vid guys. Thanks for the info. Does the toilet ever smell?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks guys. It only smells when Liz is in there 😂 But seriously, it only smells if the 'mix' is too wet in our experience.

[@loukors]

Great video. What type pressures do you run

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It varies a lot depending on where we are and what we're doing. Generally front axle of the Ranger and the caravan are the same, around 42psi on the bitumen and 50% less or lower when off road depending on the surface. The rear axle of the Ranger normally around 10psi more. We've been as low as 10psi in some places where there's soft sand.

[@loukors]

@@TheLifestylePioneers thanks so much. I’m towing 2.5t on my ranger - but rear wheels are the same as the front. I had a feeling I may need to give them some more air

[@jewfishable]

Hey bud! Love the set up, have a new ranger on the way with a 22 footer in tow and with similar weights as to what u are running. I was thinking of a suspension upgrade? After hearing that u are runnig stock suspension should i give the stock suspension a bit of a run first before upgrading?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

I would yeah. My advice would be to get the van and car professionally weighed so you know where you're at then upgrade if and when it's needed.

[@1989cranston]

Hey guys! Just thought I would give you a different option for your water heating since you have the power for it. We have 340Ah of lithium and 1.1KW of solar on our van. We have been on the road for 4 months and I have actually never heated the hot water off gas. We heat our water off electricity instead. we typically use about 15-20% of our battery capacity before switching it off which provides more than enough hotwater for us 2 adults/2 kids for showers aswell as hotwater for dishwashing. I installed the system because we wanted to be as green as possible and rely less on fossil fuels or gas as much as possible.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Nick. Electric is somthing we've considered. Our Truma unit isn't connected to the inverter so it would take some re-wiring and we've heard running hot water unit's off inverters isn't a good idea? Do you know much about this? We'd also have to upgrade our solar to be able to heat off the batteries consistently.

[@1989cranston]

@@TheLifestylePioneers hey mate, there is no problem running your hotwater off your inverter as long as it is powerful enough and your battery bank is large enough, it is the same as having solar and batteries at your house to storage the energy, no problem using it for all your household appliances. You have more usable energy than I do in your 400Ah, like I stated earlier, if we haven't had ours on throughout the day to heat when the sun is out, turning it on for only 15% of our battery capacity is enough hotwater for our showers and dishes. So if we are at 100% when the sun goes down, we just turn the hotwater off at 85% state of charge. Leaves us with ample power for the night and saves on gas, essentially heating the hotwater for free. If heating through the day, once it gets to temp the unit should turn off and on automatically to maintain the temp, so when it is off, you will be charging, and when it cycles on, it will only be for a slight period of time.

[@ianbailey4114]

Great info.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rolling_Zone]

Simon & Liz, I enjoyed this video. I’m interested in all things Zone. Just waiting to collect ZN757 in a few months. Very interested in more information concerning your window protection film. A must in my view but I didn’t realise it was a “thing”. What is it called? Who installed it and cost pls. Thx

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Bill. Not sure it is a thing, just an idea we had. It works well. We bought it from a company in Brisbane, Slick Azz Protective films and installed it ourselvers. Not sure on the cost as it was some time ago now but they're a really friendly and helpful team there. 👍

[@adamplummer7369]

Hi Simon, I'm new to the channel, was just wondering what Dust reduction system you are running ?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Welcome, Adam! Zone caravans are sealed against dust ingress and don't need a dust reduction system.

[@paultabone2010]

We will be traveling soon, I what to get a D,MAX , Ranger, or a Hilux. But I don’t what to put a canopy on it , so I was wondering is that a good thing or would you prefer a canopy after a year of training. This was a great episode 🇦🇺😎🍻🍻🦘🦘🦘

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Paul. We've had a canopy before and they have some advantages and some disadvantages. This setup has worked well over the last 12 months and suits our style of travel. We don't miss the canopy.

[@paultabone2010]

@@TheLifestylePioneers thank you for getting back to me 👍😎 I will have the same setup like you, take care on the road and I am looking forward to seeing your next adventure 🦘🦘🇦🇺🍻🍻

[@martingould841]

Mate good vid. We have a base with similar power set up. The exception being the extra solar controller. That means we can charge from solar when the van is hooked up, only from the DC2DC. It hasn’t caused a problem yet.Did you get that put in later and has it been worth it, cheers Martin

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Martin. We added it at the first service. It's a tough call. We really like having it as we often don't do long drive days and it helps pump in maximum power on those drives. I think it depends how you travel.

[@TP2158Alkimos]

Great video I’m currently looking at buying a Ford Ranger 2012 PX XLT model to tow my caravan my caravan is a 2013 Jayco StarCraft weighing 2.7 Tonnes and has 2 single beds, shower, toilet, kitchen, cafe dinette seating, awning, pole carrier, Solar panels , 2 x 60 litre water tanks and 2 x 9 kg gas bottles on it and the Ranger I’m currently looking at getting is a dual cab Ute and I will be fitting a Bullbar, Snorkel, Roof Rack, Awning, UHF, ClearView Towing Mirrors and a Canopy on it and I will be transporting a 20 l water tank, a swag and 2 x maxtrax on the roof rack and 1 x 25 litre water tank and dog food in the canopy and will The Ranger and caravan be over weight along with 2 people, 1 boarder collie and 80 litres of fuel in it aswell.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

You will need to be very careful with your extras to make sure you stay under your weight limits. That's quite a lot of gear to carry. Make sure you weigh it all to ensure you're legal. If you want more information on weights and weight limits I did a seperate video all about it here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXmVfIuCrNmah5Y

[@jorjimaco5331]

I honestly thought your transmission would’ve cooked half way round, maybe keep your left eye on it. 🍻👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

We're pretty careful with it and drive with mechanical sympathy. We had the transmission serviced recently and all is well. I guess you never know but it is going well so far.

[@PeterMcDadeArtist]

What's the velcro thing for the pictures and pot plants?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

They're 3M picture hanging stick on things. Bunnings etc sell them.

[@duaneredden2504]

Thanks for the run down. you mentioned that the wheels are inter changeable between van and car. did you change the ZN wheels to 17" to achieve this ?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yes I did. We went down from 18"to 17"on the Ranger and up from 16" to 17" on the caravan

[@duaneredden2504]

Did zone change pre delivery or did you do after receiving the van? We are picking up ZB329 in oct and have next gen ranger on order thanks in advance

[@neilzantuck197]

Simon, ZB133 do you guys have the original jockey wheel?? Mine has died, twice

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Hey, Neil. We're still using the original one. We haven't had problems with it so far.

[@Robbo1956]

Hi we are about to buy our first van, and also have a ranger. Would you mind telling me the weight of your van pls.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

G'day Graham. Our van Tare is 2520kg. I go through all our weights in another video if you search our channel 👍

[@rainneygirl]

Do the wheels on the Ranger and caravan have the same stud pattern?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

They do, but the centre bore size and offsets are different.

[@melhill7159]

Hey guys😁 If you are thinking of going to an even smaller grey water tank 40L what do you mean by this, what will you do with all your grey water from showers etc? Cheers

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Hi Mel. 99% of the time our grey water valve stays open and empties onto the ground. There are very few places where you need to retain your grey water.

[@brentonl2631]

Looking at upgrade towing vehicle and would like to know the comfort of long trip with the Ranger, I'm not looking at off road I just need tow capacity.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

We find it great. They're a great option for long distance touring.

[@Jogngood]

Just noticed you said there is nothing you can do for scratched Perspex. Not true. Just use a bit of toothpaste on a cloth. Guaranteed it will be like new. Did on a second hand van of ours and brought the windows up like new!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

There you go. Not sure how it would go with deeper scratches caused by scraping branches though?

[@Jogngood]

@@TheLifestylePioneers I'd say highly comparable to the advantages of your coating. Both would fail with deep scratches.

[@markclift8375]

Hi just like to know what ZB number you are mark

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Hi Mark, ours is ZB054 👍

[@tyzon00800]

😴😴😴😴

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Glad you found it so relaxing 😂

[@Lee-in-oz]

Grey water is one of the biggest scams.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Not sure about scam but it's uneccessary in our view to have such large holding tanks.