After towing with a GU Nissan Patrol 4.5 Litre petrol engine running on gas, we have changed over to a series three GU Nissan Patrol  3.0 Litre turbo charged intercooled diesel. We find that the diesel is more suited to towing the loads that we are asking to be towed when we hitch up our 21 foot Jayco Heritage caravan.

We did our first Big One trip with our first Patrol on gas and were very pleased with it and for those who currently have Patrols running on auto gas, our experiences tells us you have a good tow vehicle. As there are some places that we would like to visit, both with the caravan hitched up and without it, we have changed over to diesel for the convenience of the longer range between fuel stops. With this we pick up the extra power and reliability that goes with a diesel engine.

Below are some photos of our current tow vehicle.
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Our 2003 3.0 Litre turbo diesel GU Nissan Patrol.

 

We have had a second battery fitted to our Patrol to keep us in power when free camping. The 3.0 litre Patrols have the ideal location on the passengers side of the engine bay for the fitting of a second battery. The battery supplies power not only to the caravan, but also to our 40 litre engle fridge when it is onboard with us.

 

 

To enable us to free camp for longer periods of time without draining the second battery fitted to the Patrol, we use a portable 80 watt Solar Panel which is monitored by a volt gauge mounted inside of our caravan. While the system is not huge, it should be enough to keep us in power for lights of an evening and to run the 12 volt water pump for showers. See some battery voltage statistics that we collected over one of our weekends away.

 

 

To prevent any voltage drop at the caravan when running on 12 volts, we have had an Anderson plug system fitted to our Patrol and caravan.

 

 

When we have the need to take our Engle fridge, which is most of the time, we have a removable fridge slide which easily bolts into the back of the Patrol and this secures the fridge in the upright position when going over rough tracks. When the fridge slides out, it is high to gain access to the top of it, but it is manageable.

 

 

Most of the time when we bush camp we have the need to take our own firewood and to enable this to happen, we fit our Rhino Bars and roof top basket. On the odd occasion that we camp without the caravan, the basket also stores our sleeping gear in a water proof canvas roof top bag.

 

 

Although not a cheap item to purchase, these drawers from ARB have proven to be worth every dollar that they have cost us. It enables us to safely carry loose items securely. As well as this it also gives us a level floor area with the back of the rear seats when the seats are folded to the down position.

 

 

When traveling on the road with the caravan on the back, we monitor channel 18 on our UHF radio with signs on the back of our caravan to indicate that we are on channel 18. It is amazing how many trips that we do where people call and ask where are we going or where have we been.

 

 

To prevent the drivers side caravan mirror slamming against the drivers window when a truck comes from the opposite direction, we use what is called the mirror Anti Slammer. The photo to the left shows the unit in place and the photo on the right shows the arm folded up when not required.