T6F Australia

[AussieMick]

Hi @Wern , I can give you my experiences but they may be of no help to you. I am an Australian member and have had my van for just over 4 years. It is a TDI340 6 speed manual 2WD LWB van with a euro 5 engine. Done 52000 kms. It has a full camper conversion so always weighs at least 2400kgs to 2900+kgs.
I have done quite a few long trips in it ( Adelaide to Cairns, Adelaide to Central Australia etc) and its been great and gets pretty good economy and is comfortable on long drives and has coped with hot summer conditions. ie Oil temp didnt climb much higher than normal.

The engine is quite good for power and driveability and the only time I wish for a bigger engine is when pulling my trailer up decent hills or mountainous areas. It still gets there ok but Im working the gears a lot but when not towing I dont have a problem. After all it is a campervan.

Nearly all my trips in the van are longish as I rarely use it around town as a run around vehicle.
I dont have 4motion but I have raised suspension so have been able to go to a few rough places but have to look out for sand, mud etc.
I realize that I dont have a 6.1euro, 4motion so this will be of limited help but is just my impression of my van.
Try to test drive both engines to see what suits you , and whatever you get as @VanDamMan says enjoy it.

 

[DaveD]

Hi @Wern ...Diesel engines where never really designed for stop/start short journeys and in many cases it’s how you drive and take care of the vehicle that matters..

The engines themselves are fine, it's the emissions control "extras" bolted to the engines that are not suited to short journeys and stop / start driving.
I had diesel cars / vans from the 1980's onwards and used them for short journeys with no issues.
Diesel engines were at least as reliable as petrol engines until the introduction of EGR systems and DPF's. Even looking at threads on here it is clear that most of the engine related reliability issues are caused by the EGR and DPF systems introduced in the last 15 odd years.
Reducing pollution is a no brainer, it's just a shame that manufacturers haven't found a way to do it that doesn't make diesel vehicles less reliable.

 

[Broadside]

found this in relation to the above. Seems like the Revision D - EGR cooler solves the issues with the Biturbo engines. 180 Hp Bi-turbo T6. ( Australian Spec).

It may be different in Aus but those problematic EGR coolers were phased out in the UK with the demise of the T5. If you’re buying a T6.1 the EGR cooler revision is not a concern as it used to be.

That’s not to say you might have another EGR problem but the old corroding EGR cooler that then wrecked the engine was phased out over 6 years ago.

 

[FREDO]

Hi New to the VW transporter. I have just ordered a 6.1 TDI450 4 motion LWB in Australia.

 

[mr_ed]

G'day from Australia's Sunshine Coast!

He's been on order since October ... and on Friday I finally picked up my shiny new T6.1!

There's a very long shopping list of stuff to do to get him ready for beach trips and outback cruising, but for now he's a pretty standard LWB 4Motion Comfortline. With a few options ticked; LED lights, diff-lock, hill descent, second battery, fog lights, tints, tow hitch, trailer brake controller, and a very expensive table (for some reason).

Hoping to benefit from all your combined wisdom here. So, thanks for having me!

 

[macaha]

Very nice Mr Ed I pick up my Caravelle next week from the Gold Coast

 

[NorthernJoy]

G'day from Australia's Sunshine Coast!

He's been on order since October ... and on Friday I finally picked up my shiny new T6.1!

There's a very long shopping list of stuff to do to get him ready for beach trips and outback cruising, but for now he's a pretty standard LWB 4Motion Comfortline. With a few options ticked; LED lights, diff-lock, hill descent, second battery, fog lights, tints, tow hitch, trailer brake controller, and a very expensive table (for some reason).

Hoping to benefit from all your combined wisdom here. So, thanks for having me!

View attachment 113686

Wow love this colour, when we ordered ours it was between this colour, pure grey or Bayleaf green. Ended up going Bayleaf green whenever it turns up sometime in the next 5 years.

 

[John P. Hosking]

Hi Everyone,
This is John and Janice in the state of Victoria, Australia. We've recently purchased a T6 Camper and are very happy with it. It's had a good conversion and we're looking forward to exploring our amazing country. In the meantime I hope to install an awning - already purchased - and a flat solar panel on the roof. I'll give you all a running account of the process if any of you are thinking of doing the same.
However, first things first. I'm about to fit the brackets for the awning and have found the blanking bolts for same in the roof rail under the pop top. I began to unscrew one of the hex bolts and, being the cautious chap I am, and feeling it a little loose before I completely removed the bolt, and fearing that the thread might drop off the end of the bolt and into the cavity, I screwed it up again. Was my fear well-placed - I think not - or is there something I don't know? Can I safely unscrew the bolts without losing some threaded component inside the cavity?
Thanks for any replies, and stay posted as I share anything else in future. Cheers, John

 

[Socopoc]

Hi Everyone,
This is John and Janice in the state of Victoria, Australia. We've recently purchased a T6 Camper and are very happy with it. It's had a good conversion and we're looking forward to exploring our amazing country. In the meantime I hope to install an awning - already purchased - and a flat solar panel on the roof. I'll give you all a running account of the process if any of you are thinking of doing the same.
However, first things first. I'm about to fit the brackets for the awning and have found the blanking bolts for same in the roof rail under the pop top. I began to unscrew one of the hex bolts and, being the cautious chap I am, and feeling it a little loose before I completely removed the bolt, and fearing that the thread might drop off the end of the bolt and into the cavity, I screwed it up again. Was my fear well-placed - I think not - or is there something I don't know? Can I safely unscrew the bolts without losing some threaded component inside the cavity?
Thanks for any replies, and stay posted as I share anything else in future. Cheers, John

Hey hiya Gratz on your purchase, also if you mean the plastic bolts in the roof gulley i took mine out to attach roof rails and yes they just come out no nut underneath, so just unscrew them

 

[mrpete]

G'day all, thought I'd best sign up as forum links keep coming up when I'm searching for things regarding my new to me crewvan. Nice to virtually meet you all!

 

[Ricardo T]

G'day mate...welcome to the Forum. Got any pics of your crewvan? Where abouts in Oz are you?

 

[mrpete]

G'day mate...welcome to the Forum. Got any pics of your crewvan? Where abouts in Oz are you?

I haven't taken any pics yet, got put straight to work carting stuff around. I'll get onto that soon, promise

Am a couple hours north of Sydney, supposed to be fine tomorrow so maybe I'll get some pics then

 

[Trakkadu]

G’day everyone. We’re from Brisbane Aus and have owned our T6 Trakkadu AT (www.trakka.com.au) since November ‘19. We’d previously owned a large off-road caravan towed with TTV8 Toyota Land Cruiser. We’ve traversed Oz several times, both around the perimeter on bitumen and through the centre on gravel/sand/bull dust. Whilst we’ve obviously sacrificed some creature comforts, we love our camper. We recently did an off-road course specific to our Trakkadu AT’s and are confident this version with 4Motion, diff-locker and Seikel suspension lift will take us anywhere we want to go. Trakka have been converting VW’s since 1973 so really know their stuff.

 

[Pete C]

Would love to see some pictures of your van.

Pete

 

[Dellmassive]

Pics. Pics. Pics... please.

 

[Qnapper]

Welcome, would also like to see some photo's, please.

 

[Trakkadu]

Trakkadu takes in Sundown NP, Qld.

 

[Ricardo T]

Nice....looks busy!

 

[Trakkadu]

big crowd that day

 

[jedistar]

Hello everyone. Introducing myself from Brisbane, Australia. Ordered a T6.1 July last year expecting it to arrive November. It showed up in May this year and is now with a conversion shop at Coolum on our Sunshine Coast. Three weeks away from Vanlife for us. Am publishing progress Our VW Transporter T6.1 camper conversion - LiteKamper and will be seeking some wheel advice. Regards Paul