Camping

1

Went camping last week end, no 4WDing, but a fun trip away (Lake Cootharaba)

Also a good excuse introduce the bus ("Goldie" as named by the kids).

Richard

2
Nice Bus Richard.

Looks like a Caravelle GL syncro with the rare option of the ambulance step.

I used to have a bay with the same 9 seat configuration as shown in your photo but it was plated as a factory 9 seater so no issues with rego. It was great for small people to sit and good spot for a Maccas drink holder which I used the seat belt to hold in place.

I only removed it to re-cover it.

Sad to say I sold it last year - but my syncro benefited from it!

By the way - is your spare on the roof a full tyre/rim or just a tyre?

Its a big roof rack - you could set up camp up there in croc infested areas!

Cheers,

Skot


On 27/01/2015 2:08 AM, cathrich1@yahoo.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Went camping last week end, no 4WDing, but a fun trip away (Lake Cootharaba)

Also a good excuse introduce the bus ("Goldie" as named by the kids).

Richard


3
WE webt Camping as well, up in port Stephens. On our way there the main cooling pipe to the radiator popped of and had me drained in 5 seconds.... Lucky that I noticed it as I was standing at the lights and was able to switch the engine off when saw the little "eval" light start flickering at the water temp!!!
Quick fix because I was able to filled up and tighten all clamps again....

Does anyone have a busser installed to the red light? For added safety!


Despite the little inconveniences we had a lovely 550km round trip,

Cheers,
Jens
4

Jens,

Every vehicle should have one because it is possible to kill an engine when this happens at highway speeds.  The whole system can be dumped in seconds!  The standard temp gauge actually goes down when catastrophic loss occurs and is thus useless in this situation.  The best warning devices have both a dash warning light AND a loud piezo.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: 27 January 2015 11:04
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Camping [1 Attachment]

WE webt Camping as well, up in port Stephens. On our way there the main cooling pipe to the radiator popped of and had me drained in 5 seconds.... Lucky that I noticed it as I was standing at the lights and was able to switch the engine off when saw the little "eval" light start flickering at the water temp!!!
Quick fix because I was able to filled up and tighten all clamps again....
Does anyone have a busser installed to the red light? For added safety!
Despite the little inconveniences we had a lovely 550km round trip,
Cheers,

5

Thanks Skot, yes I looked for ages then decided to hold out for a GL and very glad I did. Factory fitted step is a bonus for the little un's (and the parents and inlaws).

I'm re-thinking our setup, the T2 was perfect when we were just two, but now with 5 the Syncro needs to be a little different. Have tried camper trailers and the like, but not keen on them as it limits where you can go and hard to store when home (plus extra rego), and the bus (old and new) struggle in the hills towing.

The roof rack on the old bus was used extensively, I found this old rack and modified it to suit the Syncro, not exactly what I want, but something I can use for now and modify easily. It easily carries all the camping gear, tent etc.

The spare is complete, it just doesn't quiet fit in the factory holder. I normally throw it in the back, and on the rack when camping. This will do until I get a rear carrier like on the T2. Looking around, I might end up making my own, the one on the T2 mounts to a solid bar behind the bumper, then attaches to the roof rack for a little extra support. It is very solid and requires no holes in the body, the spare doubled as my "ladder"


I could sell the T2 ( and all my air cooled VW's) and the Syncro would benefit, but can't bring myself to do it :)


Richard

6

I think some one was making a kit for this (can't find it again on a quick search), but would not be hard to fit your own with a relay off the warning light.

When a hose perished on mine recently I thought about other warning devices, but figured the factory system works fine. The buzzer would be a nice addition to alert you quicker.


Interestingly my bus came with a buzzer on the vacuum tank, and has a second tank fitted also (about 1.5 times the size of the stock one)!! No idea on why they thought it needed that.


Richard

7
Hi Richard,

I am interested in your rear spare tyre carrier.  I haven't seen one like that before.  Can you still open the tailgate?  Do the tyres swing away?
I have been meaning to build one for a while but haven't gotten around to it.  It looks like you are running larger than stock tyres on it too.
I also have a T2 Microbus, 1979 and also can't bring myself to sell it which I need to do before I can justify buying a Syncro.  It's a frustrating situation!

Neil.

 
From: "cathrich1@yahoo.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, 27 January 2015, 14:05
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Camping [3 Attachments]

 
Thanks Skot, yes I looked for ages then decided to hold out for a GL and very glad I did. Factory fitted step is a bonus for the little un's (and the parents and inlaws).
I'm re-thinking our setup, the T2 was perfect when we were just two, but now with 5 the Syncro needs to be a little different. Have tried camper trailers and the like, but not keen on them as it limits where you can go and hard to store when home (plus extra rego), and the bus (old and new) struggle in the hills towing.
The roof rack on the old bus was used extensively, I found this old rack and modified it to suit the Syncro, not exactly what I want, but something I can use for now and modify easily. It easily carries all the camping gear, tent etc.
The spare is complete, it just doesn't quiet fit in the factory holder. I normally throw it in the back, and on the rack when camping. This will do until I get a rear carrier like on the T2. Looking around, I might end up making my own, the one on the T2 mounts to a solid bar behind the bumper, then attaches to the roof rack for a little extra support. It is very solid and requires no holes in the body, the spare doubled as my "ladder"

I could sell the T2 ( and all my air cooled VW's) and the Syncro would benefit, but can't bring myself to do it :)

Richard