We have now done about 6000 km of which 1300 km has been on dirt. We arrived in Boulia today. In summary: Brisbane west to Morven, north via Longreach, Winton, Mt Isa, Camooweal, Tennant Creek, Alice then west via the gorges to Kings Canyon, Yulara, Alice again then east to Trephina Gorge, Ambalindum, then the Pinnacle track to Gem Tree then east via the Plenty Hwy to Tobermory and today Boulia.

Isuzu: Ambles along hour after hour and seems at its best on dirt. Although to be fair most of the uncomfortable bits have been more to do with the state of some of the sealed roads in Qld. We adjusted the tyre pressures for the dirt and stuck to the suggested max speeds - frequently lower at times - certainly slower than everyone who passed us! So lots of dust and lots of corrugations - and no dust in the cabin to speak of. Inspected the air filter today and a bit of dust.   Will be interested to see how the fuel consumption fared although as previously noted, it is difficult to consistently fill the tank.

Hot Water System: our attempts to stop the dripping with an application of new plumbers tape were not successful. The dripping continues whenever we fire up the system but after watching over several uses is not any great loss of water - so will leave it until we get home.

Electric Steps: We went fossicking at Gem Tree - gem hunting in the Gemhunter - and the steps failed - fortunately in the closed position while we were at the dig site. Checked the fuse when we got back to camp and yes, the fuse had blown. Replaced the fuse - all fixed. The next day the fuse blew again when we stopped for lunch along the Plenty highway - this time the steps were locked down. Changed the fuse again and got them closed. Can't see anything obviously wrong but only had 2 fuses left so we have not been using the steps during the day just in case they fail in the down position somewhere along the road. It's a big step up and down! Probably won't get any attention until we get home and hope that replacement of fuses remains the answer.

Dust : no dust has made its way into the house over the dirt roads.

That's a funny noise! After fixing the steps the first time we set off again looking forward to another couple of hours of corrugations. A loud noise was suddenly reverberating through the truck cabin. Checked the door between the house and truck - no, properly closed and secure. Checked the rubber boot that joins the house to the truck - maybe it had somehow rattled loose. No - all good. Then we found that one of the actuators (that lift the roof) was loose and despite only a small amount of play on the pin the noise was being magnified through the rear wall of the truck cab. Sounded like something major was about to fall off! Deborah stopped the vibration (and the noise) with two strategically placed rubber bands. For some reason, this one has developed a lot of play around the washers near the securing pin at the bottom end. Hope they are good rubber bands.

MaxTrax : we strapped them underneath the rear bar as an afterthought - meaning we didn't design a place for them and didn't want them inside the rear locker. They were secured with two webbing straps and never showed any sign of the ratchets loosening. We had no cable so locked them on with a bicycle D clamp - which was readily at hand before we left home. Yesterday, we drove into Tobermory Homestead with them dragging on the ground. Both the straps had snapped sometime after lunch - more likely the vibration effectively cut both straps and the only thing that kept them attached was the bike lock at one end! We now have 4 MaxTrax with one end worn away but not enough to affect their use.

Airhead Composting Toilet - any smell? Still nothing although today after we set up at Boulia had a few moments when there was a suspicion of an aroma when we opened the house. Turned on the associated fan just in case - which we may not have done in the last day. Waited for a bit and still some vague suspicion of some smell - neither of us were sure. In the end we just had to know so Deborah opened the solids tank and gave it the direct sniff test - no smell even at that close quarter. We expected some trial error in managing the system, for example we don't know how often to put the fan on. The guidelines I think said put it on occasionally. We have now concluded in the absence of any other source, that it is most likely the semi stagnant waterhole in the creek bed immediately beside the camp site.

The maiden trip is a 7 week journey to the NT and SW QLD. We are now at the 4 week mark and have had no major issues.

Isuzu NPS - Having arrived in Alice at the end of week 1, we were concerned to find what appeared to be some form of leakage from one of the rear wheel hubs. Additionally, oil was weeping slowly from the rear diff. After some phone calls to ATW and Isuzu we found the Alice Isuzu dealer and deduced that the rear hub was just dust collection on some residue on the wheel but that the diff was leaking due to a poorly seated washer. This was fixed in about 2 mins by the local dealer "Airpower". We had to call on their services again when we returned to Alice 2 weeks later having lost the spare set of truck keys. Very nerve wracking knowing you only have one key to the truck. Anyway, all fixed again with a new key now cut and programmed. The truck itself is relatively quiet cruising along with most of the noise being wind noise from the large mirrors, quite loose windows and poorly sealed doors. Despite this there has been no problem so far with dust entering the cabin.

Fuel Economy - we left home weighing about 5400 kg. Travelling at abt 90 kph (2000 rpm) the fuel economy was about 17.5 L/100km. With the cylindrical tank it is very difficult to refill to a consistent point so have had to work this out over several fills. The fuel gauge does not read accurately - don't know if this was a result of the larger tank installation. Only with a very slow process of filling until I am able to see the fuel in the tank can I get the gauge to read anywhere near the full mark and fill to a consistent point. With a speed reduction to 80 kph (1800 rpm) the fuel consumption fell to 15.5 L/100 km. All in all very happy with both those figures as I was expecting worse and half the 4WD towing vans are doing worse.

The House - after 4 weeks we are very happy with the living space. The white interior makes it feel open and bright and there is enough room for two people to move around. So far we have had temperatures ranging from 0C to 33C. We only have thermometers inside so no technical comparisons inside/outside. Impressions are that the closed house (lid down) in full sun is never hotter than outside and maybe a bit cooler. At night I suspect that without any heating, body warmth and cooking will make the inside temperature anywhere up to 10C warmer than outside.

Condensation - in cold temperatures we get some condensation with all or most of the windows zipped up. In the cold mornings, there will be a light sheen of condensation on walls and ceiling, this is no problem. On the aluminium extrusions around the top of the walls condensation gets quite heavy to the point of droplets forming around the entire surface which sometimes have to be wiped down. I wonder whether this would be solved by the metal being covered with felt or some other material. My only concern about this is the possibility of dripping onto the bedding if we set off before this condensation has a chance to dry. Even sleeping with 2 windows open (with some other occupant resistence I might add in zero degree temperatures!) reduces but does not solve this issue.

Issues - We have had a few minor failures but nothing drastic: the bedside fan has stopped working, the stairway light worked for one day, and the hot water system has been intermittently leaking. Daniel did some tightening and application of new plumbers tape and hopefully that will have solved the issue. It never seemed to be losing a lot of water although we were concerned at the glycol levels.

The Airhead Composting Toilet - we made a decision that if there were reasonable facilities available, we would use them. The Airhead is a waterless toilet. Liquids and solids are separated - by the design - not by any action by the user! In practice, we (by which I mean not me) empty the liquids tank every 3 to 4 days. We have taken no action with regards to the solids tank other than turning on the fan every so often. We have followed the advice from the distributor's website and add a sugar mixture to the liquids tank whenever it is emptied and cleaned and have a spray bottle of vinegar and water mixture to spray into the bowl after any use. Over the 4 weeks so far, we have had temperatures above 30C mark and 0C mornings here in Alice. So far there has never been any suggestion of smell from the toilet. The additional bonus is that it is a chemical free system and we do not have to constantly seek out dump points to deal with the toilet waste responsibly. Not that many of those travelling seem to be troubled by this notion of responsible waste management.

Webasto Diesel Stove - very happy. Yes it takes some minutes to warm up, on the other hand you can turn it off minutes before you are finished cooking as the retained heat continues cooking for about 5 minutes after shut down. We just put a silicon mat over the top if we want to use the still warm surface. It is also very useful for drying the tea towel!

Webasto Diesel Hot Water - considering this is German made we find the instructions surprisingly sparse. On days when we drive for several hours there is enough hot water created by the heat exchange for 2 short showers and the dinner washing up without even starting the hot water system. In fact, in 4 weeks we have started the HWS only about 5 times and once was merely to get some hot air from the heater!

The Shower - works well. Merely fixing the shower curtain at the bottom with a piece of Velcro - as suggested by Diane - holds the curtain taut and keeps all the drips in the shower base. The slatted cedar shower base also works well. The shower area is a multi-use area storing dirty boots and other things out of the way while we are camped.

Cab access - don't use it for access on a daily basis mostly as we store so many items in the space behind and between the truck seats : cameras, coats, storage box, empty backpacks, cab window screens. It is a requirement of course to be registered as a motorhome and is very useful to quickly access the truck from the house but the smaller than normal access doorway is not a negative for us. It has also been good on occasion to be able to lock the house from the inside. Good to be able to close off the truck to help with heating the house and also to keep light out.

The Vinyl Roof Skirt - working well. This morning at 0C still folded down without any problem. Having sandwiched a layer of insulation between the vinyl sides means it is completely opaque unlike the amount of light that is visible through even double thickness vinyl on similar installations eg on pop top caravans. If you want to sleep in, you can.

Today we have had another practice loading of the cargo lockers - a place for everything & everything in it's place - and necessary padding applied.  We have used the fridge restraint buckles to allow quick tightening of the straps.

The alloy winch bullbar was fitted first thing by Custom Alloy.  While we have no intention to get a winch we decided to get a winch capable bar.  This bar also sits out a little from the front of the truck and has some shape to it.  The alternative was a flat bar.  The bar is powder coated in Antique Silver hammertone to match the rear bar.  Hopefully it will be  easier to clean as well.

Then we delivered the truck to Betta Car Electrics who fitted:

1.  20 LED compound light bar (combined flood and spot).
2. 2 x 12v accessory points added to the overhead trays - which are useless for anything else as stuff justs falls out of them.
3. replaced the cigarette lighter with a proper 24v accessory point.
4. 2 x Philips LED daytime running lights - pretty much the only 24v types readily available.
   
5. 2 x 1/2 amp LED  spot lights to each side of the house body to illuminate the side of the truck - activated from the drivers position.  The external wall lights would provide enough light to see obstacles if reversing at night but they are activated from switches in the stairwell of the house.
6. 1 x 24 volt Ansersen plug beside the house steps (powered from starter batteries) - to use with 24 volt compressor - when I get one!
7. GME 80 CH UHF - remote head in the smaller of the spoots in the dash - none of which were quite DIN size!
   

Having driven the truck for nearly 3000 km but only on the highway, the amount of suspension bounce was significant.  I know it's a truck but it was unliveable.  The slightest ripple in the road - of which we have many - would cause not merely the bounce as we passed over it but the rebound would continue for several cycles.  Actually hitting potholes etc was okay - a relatively muted jar.  The truck stays nicely on line regardless.

We took the truck back to ATW and they removed 1 leaf from the front springs and left rear as is.  This has made a significant improvement in the ride, meaning while there is still bounce - it doesn't go on and on.  While they were at it ATW decided to replace all the shock absorbers with the new type they are now using.  The ones originally fitted last December were adjustable by a simple wheel nut but apparently they had some failures.  The new ones are adjustable but not so simply and can be replaced at any Truckline rep around the country.  

Delivered the truck to the rust proofers at 7:30 am.  We had planned to have this done before the body building began but somehow didn't get around to it.  Would have made it easier I am sure for those who had to do the job.  Anyway, successfully done and underneath it looks so beautiful it's almost a shame to get it dirty. 

Having endured a drive it was obvious that we needed to get back to All Terrain Warriors to review the suspension setup.  As there was no real idea of how our custom body would turn out, the spring set up consisted of 4 leaves front and rear.  Having determined the split weights of our test load it is obvious that a spring leaf needs to be removed from the front.  The shock settings were also adjusted and the spring u-bolt torque settings checked.

We were also originally provided with an exhaustive table of tyre pressure settings for the Toyo tyres.  Our axle weights are so low that our truck doesn't fit in the prepared table!  A phone call to Toyo Australia obtained at least revised recommended pressures for highway use. We have been advised to email the company to get more complete guidance eg for corrugations, off-road and sand.

John raced to have the repairs done in time for the long weekend which we had planned to be our first trip away and had planned to meet near Kilcoy. We collected the truck at 6pm on Friday night, drove home and loaded it up with enough to use on the weekend and left on the Saturday morning. 

We arrived under mostly cloudy skies  . . . and then it rained all weekend - and not a drip.