BUYING AN AMERICAN TRUCK TO TOUR AUSTRALIA? WATCH THIS FIRST!! - American Truck Chat E01
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- BUYING AN AMERICAN TRUCK? WATCH THIS! We have teamed up with our mates @roamin_in_a_ram to create a new series called American Truck Chats, where Tyson and I (Grant) share our experiences building, running and touring Australia in our American Trucks.
In this episode we chat about:
0:00 Intro
1:20 - Why we travel with an American Truck in Australia
7:41 - What upgrades are required to tow a caravan with your American Truck
15:59 - What are the weak spots for touring australia with your American truck
21:52 - Getting roadside assistance and parts avalibility in remote areas of Australia
24:40 - Getting a mechanic for your American Truck in remote areas of Australia
31:05 - Comparing a Landcruiser 200 Series to an American Turck
37:32 - Coming up in the future episodes, weights, canopies, problems, car builders and more
WATCH TO FULL AMERICAN TRUCK CHATS PLAYLIST HERE👇:
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WHO ARE WE:
We're Grant and Bianca and we've been exploring and camping across Australia since 2017. Our dream was to caravan around Australia, and when Bianca was made redundant, we saw that as the perfect opportunity to pursue our dream.
In March 2021, we hit the road in our Ford F350 American 4x4 Truck, towing our 2003 Bushtracker Off-Road Caravan with our 2 Dogs Frank and Baxter.
After a year on the road, we realized that caravan life and road tripping were in our blood, and we decided to continue with our journey. We started this channel to document our travels and share the amazing places we've discovered, and the tips we've learned along the way, including the delicious meals we cook on the road, whether in the caravan or over a campfire.
Join us as we continue our journey through this incredible country and subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on our adventures and the joys of caravaning Australia!
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Good video guys gives everyone a point of view of what to get that suits their needs
Totally everyone has different needs and different circumstances 😀
Cheers mate 🤙
We towed a 20ft, 3.6t van around the east coast for nearly 12 months with a 2017 Ram 2500.
"that look" we got at almost every park by the pov-pack 79 owners and Y62 owners was priceless when they asked what we got per 100km (21lt for those playing at home), when most of them were getting 32-36lt.
The ram comes out of the factory with 4.7t GVM, leather, heated and cooled seats, etc, etc. And picking it up second hand for $130k, why would I bother looking at a 79, 200, 300, Y62 or any other little truck?
Your points are valid, but the amount of time we spent on our bums in that truck, feeling safe and stable was priceless for us.
100% mate! Safe and stable is the best part about these trucks!! Yess I love peoples faces when I say I’m 10.3 T 18.5m and use 18-22lph 😂😂😂
When looking for our tow vehicle we were fortunate enough to not worry about budget so much. The choice we made was a no brainer. We will stick with our 200 series and tow within our means. After watching this vid it confirmed it for us. What I got out of this vid is how many times you both have broken down and the issues you have had. In the 3 years we have owned the 200 we haven’t broken down once. In reality how much stuff do you really need to take. I watch a few CZcamsrs with American trucks and they all seem to have issues with them. So in answer to you question if money was no object we would and did go the 200 series
Absolutely go with a 200 if that’s the right choice for you, they are a great choice👍
I’ve never had an issue with my 2020 1500 Ram Express! I tow a 22ft off-road caravan with everything plus kids and dogs! with ease! Comfortable towing and better on the fuel than my mates on there 200 with same setup. But again that’s my 1500 express it’s very basic and guess it’s got less to go wrong, it’s got a full system and air intake with a towing tune. Absolute pleasure to drive long distances.
Had a 200, now have Chev 2500, loved the 200 and yes in three years the 200 never let us down, so we kinda miss it.
When we got the 2500, we just accepted that we’d be taking it a bit easier and not adding so much that we were at our limits and pushing our luck.
The power, safety, handling and braking of the 2500 just can’t be matched by our 200 and that matters when we’re on the road full time.
If we weren’t full time, we too would have stayed within the 200’s limits and kept it simple.
I have had my fair share of issues with my 200 travelling. If you watch the episodes of 4wd247 with 200s you'll see yes they do breakdown, it totally depends on how and where you drive them, I wouldn't have one of these american trucks simply because I would only go with the most popular brands whenever buying a vehicle, for reasons mentioned in this video.
That’s totally fine. We have only ever had 1 issue that has made us stationary which was probably my fault. All other issues have been maintenance on the road when you drive them as hard as we do and take them to places others don’t you have to expect things to wear quicker and have more maintenance. However that’s fine to stay with in your means
Great video guys, we recently towed a 20.6 van with a LC300 from Gold Coast to Perth. Passed, overtook and was passed by many triple road trains with no movement at all. In saying that there was no wind. Will be interesting to experience under different conditions..
Great start to the series guys. A great insight to why American vehicles are a popular option for those of us that are running setups above 4495kg and towing above 3.5t.
Also, up the F-trucks!😉 🍻
We’re seeing more and more on the roads, definitely a popular choice for touring 👍
@@Livin_Like_Kings_ GMSV moving over 350 units for March with RAm not far behind. I know a lot would be 1500s but more people a going American. And when you look at setting up a chopped 200 / 300 a 2500 works out a lots cheaper to set up. And you still end up with core running gear that was engineered to tow 3500 max!
Good video The American trucks have come quite popular The choice for me was the Y62 .
Good choice!👌
Thanks for watching 😁👍
I bought an Isuzu NPS to tow with about 6 years ago. What put me off buying an American Ute was lack of info on support and parts etc. all I ever heard were negative stories. In this regard I would say the Isuzu is on a par with Toyota in regional Australia, every council and mining company has one. However you are correct compared to the Isuzu an American truck is more comfortable, has more power and is generally more “civilised”
My mate has a RAM 2500 and he uses the same amount of fuel as I do and he tows a slightly larger van. The difference is I travel at 80 or 90 kph maximum and he goes at the speed limit - whatever that is.
You are right in saying the lack of info on support and parts, the was not that much 2 years ago when we bought ours. Now there seems to a lot more out there! I’ve found support and parts in WA, QLD, VIC AND NSW. It’s getting better every year because the popularity of these vehicles has gone through the roof!
The “Negative Nancies “ out there have either had a bad experience themselves or simply have never owned one and don’t know how they are talking about. I don’t mean to offend anyone, I was against these vehicles too until I opened my mind and started reading, talking to mechanics and people who have owned them. That’s what brought around to owning one.
I have nothing against the light truck, I too was going to buy an NPS as they’re the better truck from what I’ve seen and drove one for work. My back is not good, some days I can’t barely stand so comfort was a priority, I knew after driving the work truck I could only get it comfortable to a point but it’s still just a truck.
That being said, there are some bloody awesome looking NPS’s getting around that do make me wish I had a better back!
Cheers for watching 😁👍
It’s about the adventure. If you want comfort get a Beemer etc for home. Just explore!
The big problem coming is next year when the new emission standards come into effect. The penalty for selling these vehicles that are putting out way more emissions than is allowed will be passed on to the customer or the trucks will simply disappear from our shores, unless the manufacturers come up with some way of reducing the emissions which will cost and still make them a lot more expensive.
Great point! Yes that may well happen. I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
The crazy thing is, these trucks (in my view) aren’t as “dirty” as most modified 4wd’s I see getting around “rolling coal”! And what about the emissions generated by the manufacturing of our EV’s? Supposed to be “green”🤣
Bring the Hydrogen powered F350!
They DON’T put out more pollution due to the engines being Truck engines. Less fuel more torque and lower rpm.
They use less fuel.
Arn’t the upcoming Australian regulations the same as the existing American ones?
You guys are classic, you just said you don’t need to do any upgrades, next minute airbags, rims, gearbox tune, engine tune, etc,
@@stevethomas5766 yeah you dont need to… however we want these upgrades
just watched this programe ,we have a 2005 dodge ram 2500 here in nz ,we tow a 5 ton 5 th wheeler ,for parts we deal with a crowd in the usa called ROCK AUTOS ,they are awesome longest time was 8 days from time of order until it was on our doorstep ,just a awesome service when our local dealers have a 300 % mark up and a 6 week wait for their bulk order
Thanks for watching and for sharing!
I had not heard of Rock Autos, I’ll look into it!
Question, what’s it like towing a 5th wheel in NZ? I’ve never been, I was under the illusion would be too big for NZ roads?! Obviously not!🤷♂️
Who can afford issues. If i could afford the fuel and the cost of purchase, yeah i would have the big vehicle for our big country. I could then tow the van I want but I don't have the cash. Happy travels lads
Small bottle for those big glasses. Like your choice of refreshments 😊
Yeah, will definitely need a couple more bottles of Sheep Dog for the next one 👍😃
Agree!! Sheep dog needs to bring out a bigger bottle
Very interesting information. We have just recently changed over from a 200 series Landcruiser to a new Chev 2500 (oh my, that 6.6 litre Duramax is a torque monster of a engine - hill what hill!). The difference is night and day. Very comfortable, good fuel burn and effortless to tow our 3.5 tonne caravan. It's straight physics really, 4.5 tonne tow vehicle towing 3.5 no more tail wagging the dog! We had a instant recently where we had to do a evasive manoeuvre on the highway with the van at 100km/h. Big swerve and the van did a little bit of a dance behind the Chev but that was it(hydraulic disc brakes so no stability system on the van)! I know if we still had the Cruiser it would have been a different scenario! So for all the American truck knockers (which I was one of previously) they obviously have never driven or towed with one (2500 - 3/4 tonne or above). Oh and on the subject of Toyota reliability - they have their issues as well and you see plenty of them on the back of slide back recovery trucks. We run a fleet 70 series V8s at my work and we are constantly having broken down Toyotas (lots of issues with emission component related failures)! Hopefully now that they are getting more popular the after sales service and parts availability will improve. I think we will seen Ford Au bring back the big F trucks in time - they are losing out on sales and the 1500s just aren't in the same legume. Keep up the good work & sharing the info!
Well said mate!
I agree, Ford Au is missing out. I know the Aussie market would only equate to roughly 2% of total sales as the lions share is American domestic market, but do the they really want their competitors to succeed and dominate a market despite the size? Doesn’t sound very Ford Motor Company to me!
Either way I don’t think it’s a stretch to say these vehicles will one be almost or as common as Landcruisers in years to come, it’s also possible it won’t but the way these are becoming popular, seems likely!
Thanks for the comment 😁👍
Looking at doing the same thing (LC200 to Chev) what are you finding with the fuel useage comparison between the 2?
I follow both your chns, Can I say loved this episode. It’s so nice to see you boys getting along so well and chewing the cud. Good information for everyone. I have a ram 2500 planning to travel Australia for a few years on my own with a 23 foot caravan behind I would like to get a bull bar the same as the one you have on your Ram can you tell me what brand it is please, can’t wait for your next episode.
The bull bar on the Ram is a full guard TrailReady bullbar purchased from TruckNToys in Sydney.
Wow that’s exciting! Hopefully we’ll see you out on the road 😁🤞
Thanks for watching!
Very similar fuel burn but the chev has so much torque it just chugs along at very low rpm
Yes no we are happy to go without comfort with our Hino we are happy to have the extra weight much more stuff we can carry/ our truck is basically its own complete camping vehicle, takes our boat kitchen/ sleeping/ when our 24 caravan gets left behind and way way cheaper!
Love that your happy with your Hino, there’s a vehicle out there for everyone’s needs/wants 👍😀
I was shunned because I drive an Ldv T60 and never had an issue
Hey, no judgment here mate ! If it’s fit for your intended purpose then that’s all you can ask for😁👍
This was a actually hard to watch switched off after 15 mins
Thanks for your feedback 👍😀
Great vid - IF ya own an American TRUCK. They fit in shopping center carparks - Width but Length ??
Noice!
I fit width wise in a spot but have to reverse into a garden or nature strip where it won’t bother anyone
I’m skipping thru the video and landed on “I’ve broken down multiple times”. 😬
Only interested in the negatives aye?😉
The way the story came across was that for the increased towing performance these vehicles offer reliability sufferers a lot, too much in fact for me to be interested in one , which I was very much before watching this. Think I’ll stick with my old trusty 200.
Nice vid shame you couldn’t keep them stock just lose reliability tuning, suspension, tyres etc might aswell just do that to a 79 and save yourself a heap of coin
Please don’t say that’s the same bottle of sheep dog? 😂. Good to see you tackling a controversial subject. We just stuck with the small ute, less to wash 👍 Safe travels.
Uh… it might be a different bottle!?… some might say we have a problem 🤷♂️
Yeah the washing thing can be a pain🤣👍
Correct me if I am wrong but there is no other 4x4's that can tow above 3500kg. You can take a 200 series and gvm plus gcm upgrade but not tow above 3500kg.
Hi Guys, I have a 2018 RAM 2500 with now 150,000kms I had a accident and ordered parts on a Wednesday and they were delivered on the next Monday it was only $3000 worth but here the same parts cost $7000. I thought needed brake pads so I ordered a full set and they arrived in 4 days costing 1/4 the price of Just the rear pads from RAM. Parts are cheap for these Trucks and I have found I can have them in under 7 days.
I tow a 3.5tonne Van and I don't even know it's there.
That’s so quick 😃👍
What I’m interested to know is how you can afford to spend what I’m guessing is $250k++ on a truck and then $150k ++ on a van and then $$ on multiple breakdowns/repairs/accessory changes and still travel the country. Are you working while traveling?
Well, we sold a property and nothing we have is new! We bought our van 3rd hand for $50k just before COVID hit. We have worked on the road to afford living on it. And the issues we had with the truck has mostly covered by warranty we purchased when we bought the truck 2nd hand!
We were in a good financial state when we started and have worked twice while on the road.
On your f250 what would your rear axel weight be with a 450kg ball weight? Would it be over?
Our F350 has a rear axel weight of 3280kgs, I believe we sit about 3000kgs fully loaded with boat and caravan ball weight on rear axel.
Contradictions much
After watching this, would buy a Toyota any day.
Cool, I loved my Toyota 👍😀
Maybe you should see what’s going on in the USA with the new to Australia Toyota 3.4 litre V6 diesel fitted to the Tundra and Lexus!
Good comment below from tracismith7426 but do you tour your vehicle unrestricted? In other words these guys with the American trucks take them everywhere unrestricted. Are you going unrestricted also. Just to compare apples with apples
Yes we have been on some really gnarled heavily corrugated roads, beach camping etc. we are not extreme 4x4 but will go down the roads to all the great spots. We tow a 3.2t off-road van.
Quick question, how often does the boat get used?
Not as often as I’d like, bad weather and general life gets in the way but when we do use it, it makes up for being a roof ornament for so long!😁👍
Hi boys i had a US truck for a long time I get my parts out of US from Rockauto get them a go
I own a 2500 Silverado and for parts I just order them from the states it’s quicker and cheaper than a dealership
Great tip 👍😀
@@ourredaustralia3557 100% we never use the dealership
It all comes down to the availability of parts and the expensive American car parts.
I know how much it costs. i had a jk Jeep Wrangler 2018, and the parts for that car were expensive compared to a Toyota, triton,
As for towing a caravan or a boat, the bigger the car, the better but how much money you do want to spend .
Your buying form Jeep Australia you can get parts from the USA or Canada heaps cheaper even Service items are cheaper, I have bought Transmission Oil from O/S suppliers. Try Rock Auto
@@petermercer5968 any parts I buy come from the states not that expensive and normally take 5-9 days to get to Australia
What was your fuel consumption in the 200 series
The 200 fuel was between 22lts - 28lts/100. The Ftruck is between 19lts - 24lts/100. But more on that in the next episode 😃
@@Livin_Like_Kings_ Can you make sure you go in depth on the fuel use comparison as it is obviously a big factor for those of us tossing up buying one over the current LC.Can you also do a bit on your own personal pref of Ram V's F truck V's Chev etc .
I have always been a LC user & have just sold our business & will be early retired by end of year & will spend a few years traveling around Oz visiting friends & family so am looking at options at the moment.
This series has potential to be a great reference point to come back to ,keep up the good work.
@@dazr123no problem mate. For comparison the Ram’s fuel is 13-16lph at 5.8T with the boat and 18-22lph at 10.3T towing the van.
What is your economy on a HWY run?
We’ll answer that on another episode 😁👍
Spent 7 years full time traveling with 6 people and a old Prado GX, zero breakdowns, towing a 6 berth van, on and off road. My experience, I'll stick with the less is more way of thinking and tried and tested Toyota any day of the week.
👌
I think a lot depends on how big the van is, and how long you are travelling for. They all have pros and cons. Parts, insurance, and services are all to be considered. Time of the road waiting for repairs. The Quinn family( Lapin the Island) ended up going back to a 200 after drowning their Ford. Don't know how one that ended up. Looking forward to the next episode.
I believe they are still getting it back but it must be close to 18 months. Before they drowned it, it had aircon issues then a crushed diff as it was substandard on a new vehicle.
@traciesmith7436 I remember the diff problem the whole housing wasn't strong enough and cracked. Last thing I heard there was disputes over who would pay for the engine and fitting costs. Insurance problem. Love to get an update on how it went.
Theirs was a unfortunate story........plenty of Toyotas have been drowned as well. I think you will find that the 200 is a temp measure while they get their F truck repaired (which is another nightmare story)!
You can't drive by a bowser with those juice chewing things in Canada. How can Australians afford to purchase the fuel in Australia to drive the damned things, and ... how can anyone afford to pay the import tax. Those same trucks in North America sell for 100,000 to 120,000 Canadian dollars. Whereas here in Australia, those same trucks are priced at double or triple as North American or Canadian prices.
Let's not forget the high cost to switch the steering from left hand to right hand drive.
How do Australians do it?
Have you guys listened to yourselves and how much you contradict yourselves...my goodness
Yes incredible amount of blatant contradictions.
Just wondering, is it a need or a want?
Seems you're saying whatever you can to justify having one.
With the amount of trouble that you have had Grant, that would be enough to put most people off.
The new govt fuel regs are going to make these trucks obsolete.
You probably don't care, but a lot of people hate the size of them on the road and at camp spots.
Thanks for the insight anyway , it was interesting.
Cheers
Cheers Merv, I guess it’s all about wants, needs and compromise, everyone has different needs 😀
Didn’t seem like justification to me, just honest talk about using a vehicle appropriate for the task at hand. As for those who don’t like them at campsites or on the road, Boo hoo for them, jealousy is an ugly thing. Considering the other things you have to share the road with, if these things are a problem for people, they’re just being petty.
What the uneducated don’t understand is that these trucks already meet the emissions standards !!
America are Mack Kenworth
The 2025 RAM HD’s will have a 8 speed ZF Powerline transmission, the weak Chrysler 68 RFE will be no longer offered.
Yes that is true. Ram released that info a little while ago
Good to hear the comparisons. But if you want to experience people giving you crap about what you drive try doing it in a Jeep😂 Everyone (especially Toyota drivers) love ripping on them until we recover them 😂🤣
Fun fact, I too own a Jeep but keep that quiet 🤣👍
Not to worry, haters are gonna hate!
So keep driving forward with a smile on ur face
@@Livin_Like_Kings_ knew we liked you guys for a reason. Jeep owners and furry kids. Winning 👌😂
Oh dear ! 😂😂😂
If you want to upgrade your landcuiser to a more capable vehicle to carry more weight and tow bigger caravans then get a Hino 4x4 light truck its made by Toyota in Japan and has the reliability off a landcuiser 😊 the other thing is Americans are complaining that the new brands off 4x4 so called ute trucks over ther are crap then if they hate them why pay big $$ to buy one in Australia
We looked into these, not without some considerable limitations which is why we didn’t consider one for very long!
But no matter what the vehicle, there’s a market and application for all of them.
@@Livin_Like_Kings_ Toyota and truck Hino parts are always in Australia no delay getting parts
😁👍 great! Still not enough a reason for me to own one! People like them but not for me
Thanks for watching 😁👍
So which Americans are saying that the new f trucks, Silverados or rams are rubbish? I was not a fan of them but then I drove a friend's one and it was a step up from our 200 series. I work in a industry where we run big fleets with a lot of v8 landcruiser vehicles. They still break and have all sorts of issues and get parked up waiting for parts as well. V8 76/79 ride like a old tractor. Hino /Isuzu ride like a light truck without the comfort of air suspension! So every vehicle has its strengths and weaknesses! The people that knock the diesel American trucks have probably never driven or towed with them! Everyone makes their own choices.
@@jorobson1very very true
Seems as though you are good salesman for Toyota or any other reliable vehicle that have done their R&D here in Australia. This is gold comedy guys WTF
The F series ford trucks have been in Australia since the 50’s they are not new here
More electrics = more to go wrong?
Yes and no but that’s the way all vehicles are heading, you’ll get the good and the bad. So far (touch wood!) we have had any real issues, but I’ve heard of the occasional doozy
Yep in 20 years and the computer goes poo and you carnt find another one ya 4x4 is stuffed bloody usles 😢 and the whole car has to be scraped because off a little computer module in it 😮
@@davidmilledge221 unfortunately that the case with any car these days.
@@davidmilledge221 if in 20 years I still own it, then the wiring won’t be my only problem!
Besides, nothing build now is designed to last 20 years!
Wow. Not convinced at all. Lol. Id rather tow less
To each their own 👍😀
Once your over 4.5t GVM you need a LR license dont you....
You sure do 👍
Just need wider roads,stop using two parking spots in shopping carparks and not tearing up tracks
Get a grip on yourself 😂
These trucks are only 50mm wider so the parking is untrue.
They still meet all ADR requirements. There only 50mm wider then a 200series and tearing up the tracks that’s all the patrol and cruiser owns mate 😂 maybe true some true facts next time
That's nonsense. The American trucks are only 50mm wider than say a Ford Ranger.
Had to turn off the two of you are full of yourselves
Cool! Thank for the view!😜👍
Bye bye. Nobody will miss ya
@@jimmyriddle5246 😮💨
Jealousy makes little boys out of grown men. Bye.
@@TheTripleDubya true, BUT, I doubt that he's grown up
Who cares
👍😀