CUT LUNCH AND A COMPASS: GREY NOMADS TOW WITH ISUZU

With such a beautiful expanse at our doorstep road trips are an iconic part of Australian leisure, and in recent times they have also become an aspirational goal of Australian retirement.

Kicking back, putting your feet up by a campfire and having the creature comforts of a modern caravan is part and parcel of the ‘grey nomad’ experience. Helen and Greg Gault were no strangers to the value of caravan parks and motels across Australia, both having a background in managing them, but once the duo retired, they invested in a 2022 NPR 45-155 Tradepack to tow their New Age Big Red 22-foot caravan and carry everything they need to operate self-sufficiently on the road.

“We try and get behind the wheel between six and seven in the morning, pulling up to have a cup of coffee somewhere on the road after a couple of hours,” said Helen Gault.

“We like to kick back and enjoy the coffee break and then we might get driving until around lunch time, and then we pull up stumps. We don't like to travel too much distance in one day because we savour the journey.

“A couple of hundred kilometres a day is enough for us.”

MOTEL EXPERIENCE

Helen and Greg have experience managing motels and caravan parks. Motels are a staple right across the country and incredibly valuable to truck drivers, travellers and business trippers, as well as the towns in which they are located as they bring revenue to the local economy.

“In 2020 when Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Premier of Queensland, announced border closures because of the pandemic, we decided we needed to get home to Queensland ASAP. We were in a town called Burra in South Australia and we didn't know anybody down there.

“We didn't know how long the borders were going to be closed for. We were planning to road trip up into the Northern Territory, but that trip was cut short due to the pandemic,” said Helen.

The couple worked in Rathdowney and the Scenic Rim in Queensland managing motels and caravan parks in the area, until finally deciding on retirement and life on the road when the post lockdown borders began to open.

TOWING SOLUTION

Brisbane Isuzu Archerfield solved a massive dilemma for Helen and Greg.

The couple wanted a new vehicle to tow their caravan but after considering a range of 4WDs, Greg became concerned about the Gross Combined Mass (GCM) and towing over the limit. Weight restrictions are something everyone towing a load needs to be aware of. It's not just an issue for ute drivers. Caravan owners are now becoming aware of the risks of towing over the limit.

Thinking it through, Greg decided the best course of action was to enquire with Brisbane Isuzu about purchasing a light truck. With fantastic service from Michael McPherson, the Brisbane Isuzu Archerfield team recommended an NPR 45-155 Tradepack for the task, putting the worry of exceeding weight limits into the rear-view mirror. With a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4,500 kg along with the unit’s 5.2L four-cylinder 16 valve 4HK1-TCN engine, the NPR has all the power required in towing the considerable weight of the deluxe caravan and all the impressive extras the couple have added.

THE ISUZU EXPERIENCE

“Brisbane Isuzu actually told us when our NPR was on the wharf in Japan and when it arrived in Australia, keeping us informed of wait times and the delivery schedule,” Greg Gault happily stated.

“I was really excited when they were telling us, I thought that was so good - keeping us in the loop during the whole process.”

Helen and Greg have enjoyed quite a few jaunts on the road in their NPR since collecting it in early 2022, including trips to Sydney, Melbourne and a stop-off at Phillip Island. “When you're going along the highways, you don't even know the van is behind it sometimes,” Greg said.

“The NPR has been the best towing vehicle I've ever used.”

CUSTOMISED COMFORT

Modifications were made to the NPR so that it resembled Helen and Greg’s dream vehicle with all the mod cons needed for life on the road.

“We got a solar panel put on the truck and we've wired it up for 12 volts, so it will run our fridge,” said Helen. “We've just put a 200-litre tank on it so if we happen to find cheap fuel somewhere, we can fill it up. Not to forget the airsafe tow hitch which stops any damage to the caravan while towing.”

The couple have also ventured out west to Yowah in Queensland, a town known for its opals. “When the NPR is on the bitumen and you're driving it up the highway, it just purrs along,” said Greg.

“The truck has been able to handle all kinds of weather, no issues driving in wet conditions or into the wind.”

At this stage the duo with their beloved NPR have travelled 12,000 kilometres and there are plans in the works for longer trips and more sightseeing.

Greg who has a bit of experience driving trucks has had no complaints. “I really like it, I've driven a few trucks in my time as I did some years in the fire brigade. Helen drives it as well, and neither of use needed a heavy vehicle license as the NPR can be driven with your standard car licence,” said Greg.

HAPPY CAMPERS

From the renowned visibility, the height of the cab and the storage for food, clothing, tools and knickknacks, Helen and Greg have been over the moon about upgrading from a 4WD to an NPR 45-155 Tradepack. Even the couple’s Cavoodle pup enjoys going along for the ride.

“Isuzu stand by the product they sell,” said Helen.

“That reliability and guarantee of quality and service keep us feeling safe and sound on the road no matter where we are in beautiful Australia.”