The hard stuff.

Ours has done that and more. That's why we purchased the toughest one. Ours is an 11 year old model, and a lot of things are different on the new ones.

Motherhen

Ha Ha, can't stop laughing, post that question on http://www.bushtrackerownersforum.com/index.php and see if you get a bite, Love it, some would not.

Hello, We certainly have done the"hard stuff", we have recently returned from a trip to the Cape in the company of Birchy, another BT owner.
That was a "piece of cake" but on the way back we travelled on the way back through Pormpuraaw and down to Kowanyama. It was a narrow track, rivers crossings over the Mitchell and Alice, lots of wash aways, sand, rocks, trees, the lot. Not ideal for a 22' van. Birchy put his chainsaw to good use but we still ended up with scratched windows but that was all, no other damage.
To go 14k's it took 3 hours, 130 k's took 2 days but we enjoyed it immensely.
Our main concern was the dodgey Ford R4100 transmission which came through without any problems.
Both BT's came through with no damage at all, couldn't be happier with our BT's.
Both vans are 2005 build.
This track is a fairly isolated track but one morning out of the scrub appeared 2 Germans in an old Landcruiser totally lost. Couldn't believe their eyes when they saw us having breakfast on the banks of the Alice.
They were 200k's from where they thought they were, running low on fuel
and getting extremely worried. You can see how tragedies happen.
They stayed on our tail for 2 days!!!!

Regards,

Wilburys

Alan,
Our van is 8 years old and has done lots of the type of travel that you are describing and like the previous post is still going fine apart from some scratches on the windows and damage to the awning where we hit a tree. Ours has travelled 175,000km and most people who see it think that it is a year or 2 old because of worn striping across the front and rock hits from passing vehicles.


Brian

WEll,why I am only (thinking )about becomeing a fiancial member is, I feel it a bit rich, at $50. and second I felt that given a small bit of time to build up trust I can get some BT owners onto better turf.Your web site needs to be updated as I was going too join at $30 as on one part of this Web page suggested but opon getting application it said $50, So 30 you got me 50 you don,t..But if you teach me how to send photo,s on this site I will show a thing or too in my own backyard before I start THE TRIP, Most of you go past it apon leaving BT on purchase heading South West.But once the secrets out,Shxt happens.S.E. Qld their is more here than meets the eye,thank god the TV show works on money for promotion.I am lucky that after selling my business and waiting 18 mnths for my BT. I got a past time job delivering to all sorts of farmers (including forestry lease hold). I personnally have used this too my addvantage, and the only thing I can say is that when I am satisfied that a BT owner that is interested in visiting these off the route locations and am confident they will not leave so much as a cigarete butt behind I will share it .Also border Ranges of NSW.And a few shooting properties, and maybe one gold prospecting, But I will see how i go with the later before disclosing. 2yrs on the other forum I have too ask,,do you have smiley"s on this forum. I do not no where you are based at but I might concider to be a free S.E Qld (As worked as a contractor for 3 local councils)of some locations in between the coast and the first range.But most take physical walking to get too and a good bush fire helps.Why I am suggesting my spot is that as I only pick up my BT next week, but have befriended some W.A. BT new owners and have found out you should take it back to them after about 1000ks.Well this first spot will be about 100ks away from Bt and is strait UP and as you have full insurance and is with nothing available at dry times but is still close too (lets say 20 ks too major town). High forestry,Deer, Birds(feather type)Ekidners,if your lucky,Peace on week days but my delivery place with locked gates,(Maybe unlocked for BT owners,I will try) some Bikie traffic very rare, and some (domestic campers in the Know) and quiet trafic from bush lovers,and maybe the occasional gun shot so I here, (some spots on the way up you will feel you have gone back in time 1000yrs if you look).On the trip up to the top on 1 LANE up you will see some stop off points to see over all of the upper lockyer.Again $30 yes $50 no!!!! your call.Al. PS. to all readers that own a Maktec 18 volt drill that has burnt out,disconect head (drill bit end)solder a festoon 12 volt bulb and have a great light, I brought a $2.00 CRAZY CLARK TORCH AND STUCK REFLECTOR TO DRILL CASING FIRST,Have 2 good 18V batteries and charger and a great torch I can,t seem to break. The last week too PICK UP sorry for raving on but I feel you all know what I am going through.Al.

$100,000 plus for a van and lousy $50.00 to join the best group is too rich..
I will leave further comments to your imagination.

Bob

Hi Alan and Linda

You have had the benifit of using the open part of our website free of charge like we did initially, and like you we found/find members very willing to help all who post here.
Once we had placed our order for a BT we were more than happy to pay to support this very friendly and informative website.
This year the Committee had suggested a smaller increase of the fees, but members were the ones who suggested and voted for a greater increase to the current fee of $50. Like Bob we feel that this is not too much to pay to belong to a website that not only provides information, but great comraderie amongst BT owners.

Perhaps you missed reading the "Who we are" info on the tab above which includes -

"The Bushtracker Owners Group is entirely a member owned entity.

We operate as a not-for-profit organisation and the members of the Committee are volunteers. They do not receive any financial compensation for the time that they commit to their duties on behalf of the Association.

Our charter records the fact that we are a not-for-profit organisation and goes further to explain that, from time to time, the Committee will determine that any funds deemed to be in excess of the requirements for operation of the Association will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, an organisation which we believe offers a service which is of vital importance to our members. In 2006, we made our first donation to the RFDS of $5,000.

Our website and activities are paid for by member subscriptions, sponsor assistance and fund raising activities. "


CD&JW

The BOG forum is totally invaluable when considering maintenance or problems with the van.

While the BTI site is about getting a van and "current" or "future" equipment etc this site is more helpful once you have the van and want infomation about your equipment and maintenance thereof. BTI staff are very helpful but why have one lot of info if you can have two lots of info.

There is a wealth of knowledge to be had here and the confidence it gives to tackle maintenance issues and there is absolutely no conflict of interest , commercial interest, or bias against other equipment. Owners tend to give very honest and open opinions about their experiences with equipment good and bad.

I look at the BTI site and I still find the BOG site value for money (internet sites cost money). I went to my first Muster recently and it was great to meet names I had seen on the forums and the information picked up from fellow travellers. Even if the information aligns with your own thoughts it helps to reinforce confidence in handling an expensive van.

Don't junk the BOG until you try it!!!

Alan

Alan,

cough up mate.

The downloads available on this site are worth fifty bucks by themselves.

We are in Glen Innes at the moment and then heading to Inverell.

Cheers

Stephen & Robyn

Alan & Linda

We enjoy both forums (love Steves forum), however we joined this one particularly because most of the members are regularly on the road and putting the product to the test. Also there is a huge amount of experience and information amongst the members much of which is recorded for your perusal. Not the least are generally a few good laughs. I particularly observed that the members put good use to any left over monies - i.e. they direct excess finances to charitable and worth while community organisations. Also by virtue of the things the group organise they assist communities that are struggling - have a look at their latest muster and how it assisted that little town - but then again mate you'll have to extract the cash from the old wallop (er that should read wallet) if you want to find out about all that. I understand we are not all made of money and like most you have undoubtedly worked very hard for it - Claire and I still need to keep working before we can make any great foray into the never never but I assure you - I will keep paying my membership to be with this mob.

Cheers Mate and hope all goes well for you both in your travelling future

Damian & Claire - (by the way - we have a 18 footer built in 2003 and its as tough as nails - its been tested - and it still looks brand new)

What's with 'runt of the litter'? Are you into self deprecation as well as deprecating everything else. Keep your $50 runt.