2021 RAM 1500
3 years ago we decided to pack up and hit the road full time. This took a lot of planning and getting our finances in order. Getting a new car was never in the grand plan. At the time we had a 2004 Nissan Patrol…. with a new engine and figured this would do the job as it was already set up for touring. Note: this was our second patrol and both have blown motors…. Shame on us.
In Feb 2020 we purchased our 2018 Jayco Journey Outback. So we had the caravan and the car…. Until we did a trip to Coral bay. Our patrol was struggling…. Foot to the floor in 3rd gear and we couldn’t even get up to 70kmph. Anyone that knows me know that I am a budget man and a new car was not in the budget!!
Needless to say we needed a new vehicle as the Patrol was not going to cut it. With just over a year until our departure we had to get creative. I was looking at everything Landcruiser 200 series, F-trucks, RAM’s, Silverado’s GMC’s, Nissan Patrol Y62. If we were to upgrade I wanted something we would be compliant weight wise and is designed to tow. This is why I was looking at the American trucks. The later 2500 and 3500’s we way out o our price range for both used and new…. Thanks COVID.
In the end we settled for a brand new RAM 1500 Express Crew Cab with the 5.7L V8 Petrol Hemi. Total cost $98,000. This is drive away, including government chargers and 12 months rego. We chose the RAM 1500 because it has ample space, it is easy to tow with and we did not need to modify anything to tow our caravan. The RAM comes standard with an inbuilt electric brake controller, tow bar, 12pin trailer plug and tow/ haul mode function.
Spec’s
| Year: 2021 | Tow Capacity (braked): 4500kg |
| Model: Express, Crew Cab | Transmission: 8 Speed Auto |
| Tare: 2540kg | Engine; 5.7L Petrol V8 Hemi |
| Kerb Weight: 2620kg | Power: 291kW |
| GVM: 3450kg | Torque: 556Nm |
| Payload: 830kg | Average fuel consumption: 15L/ 100km |
| GCM: 7237kg | Average fuel consumption (towing): 20-24L/ 100km |
Features & Extras
Under Body & Chassis
| ARB Summit Bull bar | $4,500 | |
| Standard RAM R20 rims | $0 | |
| BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrains (305/55 R20) | $2,000 | |
| Runva 13XP | $998 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| KINGS – 9” Lethal LED Spotlights | $188 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Brown Davies 120L 2nd fuel tank | $2500 |
Suspension
| 50mm Raised Heavy Duty King Springs & Tough Dog Shocks | $2000 | |
| Airbag Man Airbags to rear springs | $450 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
Electrical
| ATEC battery charger with duel input | $280 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| ATEC 1500W Inverter | $220 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Centurian 100a AGM battery | $400 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Adventure Kings Battery Box | $80 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Cel-Fi Reception Booster | $900 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
Extras
| Uniden UH9060 UHF Radio | $490 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Kings 2 x 3m Awning | $130 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Rhino Vortex Black Bar Roof Rails | $375 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Rola Titan MK3 Roof Tray 1500 x 1200 | $520 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| MAXTRAX MK2 x 4 | $500 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| MAXTRAX MK2 Mounting Pins | $40 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Rhino Cargo Boxes 1200 x 55mm | $570 | Bunnings |
| Hi-Lift Jack | $0 | GET LATEST PRICE HERE |
Total cost of Extras
Total cost of RAM plus Extras
$17,141
$115,141
Jayco Journey Outback 19.61.3ft Double Bunk 2018
We purchased our caravan second hand in Feb of 2020 for $55,000. Jayco came in as the best value for money. We like to keep things simple, minimal and cheap whilst being able to still enjoy the same comforts of being in a house.
There are many standard features that come with the Jayco’s but the below is what were added by the previous owners.
Additional features that came with our Jayco Journey Outback
| Upgraded J21 Independent Suspension (can carry an extra 300kg) |
| Bike rack mounted to the rear of the caravan |
| Safety ESC – AL-KO Electronic Stability Control |
| 3kg washing machine |
| Outdoor shower |
| Sphere reverse camera |
| Stone guard |
| Rear Bike Rack |
The only extra we added is a 200A Enerdrive Lithium off-grid system to our van to power the air-con and 240v appliances.
Total Set Up Cost:
$177,203