[RUNNERBUN]

Originally Posted by ODFever

Runnerbun - I discovered your thread through a search. I just bought my first A 3 weeks ago. I appreciate the details you outlined with each step of your journey. Thanks for keeping it up to date with each stop. I'm truly impressed by the number of miles you covered, and by the lack of mechanical troubles you experienced!! :-) You are valuable resource to me, and I would like to learn from your epic experience.

What steps did you take in planning and preparing for the trip?

Did you have communication between the 3 vehicles? If so, what did you use?

What did you do each morning to ensure your car was ready for the day's mileage?

What type of engine oil did you bring with you? How often did you change the oil?

What type of gear oil did you run in your transmission? How often did you check the level?

What kind of tires do you have on your A - bias or radials? Did the tires hold up well to all the miles, or are they in rough shape?

What tire pressure did you keep your tires set at?

Did you check the rear differential fluid at any point on your journey?

What spares did you bring? If you have a list, could you please post it here?

What is your trailer made out of - an old pickup truck bed? What kind of hitch do you have on your A? What are the dimensions? How much does it weigh empty? How much did it weigh full? (I can convert from kg to lbs.)

Was your tent a part of the trailer? Could you please take pictures of both and post more information?

What camping supplies did you bring? If you have a list, could you please post it?

Did you cook any meals on the engine while you drove? If so, what did you cook and how did it taste?

Conquering that many km in an A taught you some valuable lessons. Could you please post what you learned from the trip about your car, about travelling long distance, about any bits of wisdom you gained along the way?

If you could run through that whole trip again, what would you do differently?

Thank you! :-)

Hello ODFever, you have given me a comprehensive list of questions, I'll endevour to address each as best I can.

1a Planning Our travelling is done on a four day cycle. 3 days of driving of approx 350 km per day give or take the nearest convenient place to stop (we usually stop at a caravan park) but have also done some bush camping. The forth day is a rest day, rest days means routine maintenance ar required, domestic duties such as laundry and grocery supplies for the next four days and generaly relaxing and sight seeing.
1b Preparation This will depend on the history of your particular vehicle. When was it rebuilt? how many miles has it done since it was rebuilt? Our big runs normally happen each two years and I would normally pull the engine if the run is in excess of around 5000km and do a thorough check of Bearings (big-end and mains) Valves, Valve seat, Valve Lifters Rings Transmission & Clutch, Timing Gear. In this particular instance I replaced the very tired transmission with a new Mitchell Syncro Transmission.
Other important things to consider is Tyres (are they going to last the distance)
2 Communication between Cars This is one area I will not compromise, rule is all travelling in the group must carry a cell phone and install a UHF two-way Radio. These are essential to stay connected to each other and maintain harmony in the group and staying connected with other road users (Heavy Transporters) for safety reasons.
3 Daily Checks Coolant Check, Oil Check and visual check of tyres.
4 Engine oil Type and Frequency We often don't have a choice due to the isolated area we are in. and I also subscribe to the theory that any oil today is far better than was used in 1928. I usually select a multigrade detergent oil from one of the major producers. Oil changes are done at approx 3500 km. I also like to fill to a point above the full mark and have not experienced any ill effects from doing so.
5 transmission oil Transmission oil is as is recommended by Mitchell, any 90SAE weight oil with a API GL5 rating. I used one by Valvoline.
6 Tyres I use Excelsior 450 -475 X21 on standard Model A rims. They probably don't give quite the same mileage as the Firestones but on a cost per km basis they seem to work out about the same. I like them because on my car they seem to give the best handling. The only problem I have experienced in the past was a bead pinching problem where the tubes are pinced all around where the tyre meets the rim. This problem was solved by using the full width (6") rim liners instead of the normal standard narrow type. I can't say if the problem was caused by the tubes or the tyres.
7 Tyre pressure Tyre presure was kept at 35 psi
8 Differential I never pulled the plug on the differential to check the oil level once we left home. Just did a regular visual check for oil leaks. I figured if there was no obvious oil leak it's got to be still in there.
9 Spares Major items carried were Water Pump, Alternator, Carb, Distributor, A couple of Connecting rods, numerous small items such as Gaskets for Head, Manifold, Carb, Water Pump, Pan, Water pump Gland Packing, Assort small bolts Nuts & Washers, Bendix Spring, Fan Belt, couple of wheel lug nuts, Tubes, Puncher repair kit, 12 volt compressor, Coolant, Top up Oil, Cable Ties, Insulation Tape, Heat shrink tube, Gasket Cement, Manifold Clamp, 1 valve, Valve Spring Valve Guide and valve spring retainer, Small amount of electrical cable, Asst crimp Terminals, Light bulbs and fuses, and probably a few other small items I havn't remembered. All I got to use was the Bendix Spring and Fan Belt.
10 The Trailer The trailer is similar to your standard garden variety box trailer which I built myself using the lightest material I thought would be suffient to do the job. The axle was made from heavy wall steem pipe to which I added Model A front stub axles and hubs. I used the same wheels as on the car so as not to have to carry another spare wheel. To the top of the trailer I fitted an aluminium tray which became the base of our bed with a 6" foam Matteras. Beneath the tray was a storage area. The tent part is fixed to the tray and is held up by bows similar in function to the Hood Bows on a Pheaton. They fold up and down and extend out to the side of the trailer giving us an enclosed area (Dressing Room) of approx 6'6"" x 8'6" in addition to our bed on the trailer. Weight empty approx 140kg and estimate fully loaded 380-400 kg. For the trailer hitch/towbar on the car I went to the local wrecking yard and found a towbar which I could modify by cutting off the original mounting bracket and custom fit brackets that I could mount to the rear bumper brackets of the Ford.
The canvas work for the tent section was also all made by myself. It has a removable zip-on Awning on the side. In the Tailgate of the trailer I built a small Kitchenette with an LPG/Propane gas cooker with two burners and a sink for dish washing.
11 The Tent Yes, the tent is integral with the trailer, see attached pics.
12 Camping Supplies Aluminium folding Table and two chairs, both the table and chairs are carried on the trailer draw bar. Light weight plates and utensils, LED Lighting, A 40 lt Waeco fridge (12v/240v) which is carried on the rear floor of the car. Food supplies were replenised every four days.
13 Cooking No manifold cooker, all cooking was done on the built-in cooker. Meals were normal home cooked style and yes they were very tasty. (Have to say that just in case my wife reads this post) she is actually a great cook.
14 Lessons I have now done in excess of 63000 km on 9 major trips ( car has done 82855 miles/133,340 km since restoration) all but one of our major trips has been with the camper trailer in tow, From my first trip with the camper I choose to adopt the 3 days driving and 1 day off as a rest day system and I wouldn't do it any other way. There have been times where we do take more than one day off as a rest day for extra sight seeing but certainly do not like driving for mor that 3 days straight. It would take the fun out of it for me.
If travelling with others in a group I prefer to keep the group to no more than 4 vehicles. This encourages better communications within the group. I feel a bigger group will tend to splinter into small groups and maintaining good communication will become more difficult.
There are six things vital to a good trip, Preparation, Preparation, Preperation, Communication, Communication, and communication. Good preparation is obvious. Travelling with others for 8 weeks can and will throw up some challenges. Good communication Before & During the trip is essential. One thing that has always concerned me is that we choose to do these trips with the company of good friends. I like to think we return home as even better friends. If disagreements arise, be prepared to compromise a solution.
Do not underestimate the potential high cost if something goes seriousely wrong with the car as recovery costs can be huge if you far from home. Always carry insurance for towing and tilt tray recovery.
One more thing, always remember to be courteous and considerate to other road users. You may have all day to get to where you are going but others are on the road earning a living. They have things to do, places to be and schedules to keep to, they will appreciate your consideration.

All the views I have expressed above are from my personal point of view. others may think differently, that does not make either of us right or wrong. just different.
I have done my best to address all your questions. All the best if and when you hit the road. Stay safe.
Runnerbun