21000 MILE TRIP IN OUR COMMER VAN.

November 2013 update.

21000 MILE TRIP IN OUR COMMER VAN

DSLH=21120Miles

The adventure has now come to an end and we are safely back where we started from last December.  Our crossing of the 1200klm Nullarbor Plain took 3 days to complete.  This was our second crossing during the trip and one of the final legs on the journey that clocked up just over 21000Miles/33800Klm in 11 months.  

Although heavily loaded and towing a heavy trailer the Commer's original 43 year old 1.7L motor performed beautifully not missing a beat as we traversed 2750klm in the last week of our journey.  After arriving in Norseman and a nights rest we traveled another 475klm to spend a night in Merriden and then another 410klm to Mandurah to spent a few days with Amanda's Parents.  Finally we returned to my family in Nannup where we had departed on this trip last December.

Here we go, 1200klm of desert lay ahead of us as we make our way back to our home state WA.

Camp site Great Aust Bite.

Although there is not a lot to see on the Nullarbor, you often see some unusual things such as these brave seniors running around Aust to raise money for cancer research.

www,runningrawaroundaustralia,com

Eagle enjoying roadkill breakfast.  100 klm to WA Boarder

                                                                   Rooey ll greats you at the boarder WA/SA

Roadhouse distance sign Madura

            Abandoned cars are a common sight and this car transporter was a hard one to miss.  The truck blew a tyre and then caught fire, driver escaped ok.
The owners of the vehicles had chosen to fly and truck their cars over.  Wouldn't want to be the one to inform them.

Made it to the boarder, still 700klm to the nearest populated town.

Doing her share of the driving.

Finally roll into Norseman.

OK, THE TRIP STATS

Travelling time - 11 months
 Fuel Consumed - 5007 Liters premium unleaded
Most expensive fuel - $2.20L
Least expensive fuel - $1.59L
Cruising speed - 78kph/47mph
   Parts replaced- Starting motor, Distributor, Manifold Gaskets, Heater tap, Suspension link pin, Tyre x 4.
Minor break downs- 1, fuel system blockage due to additives in modern fuel eating away tank lining
 "Snake skin".
Major Break Downs- 1, suspension failure, broken link pin due to metal fatigue and lack of lubrication.

Hottest travelling day- 46'C/114.8'F
Coolest travelling day - minus 8'C/17.6'F

Best part about the trip- The three of us being together.
Worst part of trip- none.

We have been so lucky to be able to undertake this adventure with Amelia before she starts school.  We have many wonderful memory's that i think none of us will ever forget.
Now it is time to find somewhere to live and to return to what is considered to be a normal life.
The Commers days as a camper are now over and she will be re-converted back into a bus and used to ferry us and passengers to and from car events and shows.

21000 miles in a Commer Van, some highlights

Thank you for reading our blog.  We hope you enjoyed being with us on our adventure.

What a time was had.

Click here to see the Commers current location

DSLH= 21120


On Commers

Did you know?.

The Beatles often traveled in this Commer bus,