Well done, you seem to be very tired and maybe a little nervous. Stay safe, stay strong and keep doing what you do best, because you give so many a great deal of enjoyment. Thank you.
I was tired and nervous... a few people had mentioned that it's not an easy road with a caravan and I'd had a bad sleep the night before. But really glad you're enjoying the videos!
Well done with the drive Karen. You do the right thing by getting as much travel info as you can and double checking when possible. Take care...........Andy 👍
Great video Karen. I'm liking the laid-back soundtrack of the recent ones. I drive these roads for work all the time, often with a caravan or boat. It's one of the best things about my job. You did well with the big drive. It's a road that demands concentration. I'm going over the pass today again, and the rata should be staying to flower. I was staying in Arthur's Pass when that rain hit and washed the bridge out. We had 160mm of rain in 30 hours. That lots but I've seen a lot worse. Thanks!
Glad you like the soundtracks... trying for ones that are very subtle. So I'm curious, why are there signs saying no towing vehicles? haha. Yes, I was thinking of your trapped experience while driving over. Can't believe how quickly they fixed the bridge!
Next time you get a service done , get them to change coolant put 50/50 mix in. That will give you a higher boiling point 136 dec . You also have to think your auto gearbox is being cooled by the radiator , so have everything has to be in good working order. An oil cooler on the gearbox is the way to go for towing on hills in NZ. I have been using penrite 20w/60 oils for 30 years in diesel and petrol engines under very heavy towing with great results . You get what you pay for. Happy travels and look forward to your next clips
Sounds like you know your stuff! I had my mechanic give the car a good going over after my trip to the Coromandel a year ago and it's much better now. Is penrite the brand name?
Hi Karen , yes Penrite the brand name, you sould be able to at supercheap . Cost a little more, i have to top the oil between services. Some oil is a blend of recycled and new oil. Its cheaper to better products for a car that can be put under a heavy load at time. The heater does work to help cooling , but the better coolant you won,t have this problem if radiator and water pump working as it should be. Love to be in NZ today as it was 45 in the shade. Happy travels
Thanks for yet another great video :) But I honestly don't envy you for the weather, and I am so, so glad I left North Queensland just in time before all the rain came. But my caravan leaks badly, that doesn't help... Just a tip for your ever falling basket: Just put it onto the floor right at the front for driving. It's the safest place for it and it can't fall anywhere. Put it back onto shelf when you're camped. You can even put a door mat or just a towel underneath to keep it from scratching the floor should it move. You're welcome 😊😊😊
Oh a leaking caravan would encourage you to move to the drying spots! I have finally started to put it on the floor for driving. A simple solution 😜Good tip with the mat underneath!
I remember driving the Otira Gorge Road, but the other direction. The bridge at 6.42 was very nerve wracking - it’s so high and driving down the hills in a motorhome, was difficult to get down to the required speed! 😬 We stopped in the lodge in the Arthur’s Pass, in front of a lovely open fire - it was winter 😍
K, I notice that whenever you show a side view of you car and trailer connected, that the nose of the caravan seems to slope down. I was wondering if you have the taller/raised ball fitted or the low type. If you have the lower type an upgrade to the tall one will more likely level the caravan for those stops when you don't disconnect. It may also make towing easier. Love the vlogs. Keep them coming :)
A useful tip if ya vechile is getting a tad hot, and ya have no space to pull over.......is to put ya heater on hot and turn the fan on high. Helps get some of the heat away from ya engine. Does get hot in ya vechile though......but heck put ya windows down.
That was my fave drive when I was down South stunning place I did Otira gorge from east to west heavy rain I was nervy as hell but it was fine great episode mate enjoy chch
Hubby and I are full-timers in a motorhome in Canada and this totally reminded me of our rainy trips thru the Canadian Rockies. Do you keep a logbook of your travels so that you can remember all these ins and outs of where you are allowed to travel and not?
Travelling K there are so many places Sabie - merry pebbles, there is bourkes luck potholes and gods window and the Kruger national park... In Cape Town there are a few good spots we have route 62 - my fave spot is Montagu caravan park, there is also the baths in citrusdal. tities baai caravan park also. Look at coffee bay too.. there are so many spots... loads of driving tho lol
Hi Karen I took my caravan over the pass just before xmas and was worried about the signage too. The signs say towing vehicles not recommended for otira pass. I certainly wouldn't attempt it in a smaller vehicle but like you have a 4x4.
I filmed my response a couple of days ago... but the video will be a while before I share it! Overall, it's an easy product to use and it does kill off all lichen, but felt like I needed to wait a month then scrub the roof to really get it all off.
It's been a particularly wet summer so far! Last summer was hot and dryer. But the west coast of the south island and inland around the mountains do tend to get all the rain🌧️
So, Karen...tell me those birds near the beginning are not Kiwis. I've been to Arizona many times but have never seen a roadrunner. Could they be Roadrunners?
Arthur Dudley Dobson was a surveyor employed by the Government who in 1864 mapped out the route as one option for a road to the West Coast. Of all routes found, it was deemed that "Arthur's pass was the best".
Hi Karen, you shouldn't need to feel unsafe because of a few "Idiot Racers', who can't drive for crap anyway, and just got their drivers licence last week, shows what idiots they are, doing their stupid antics in full view of you and your neighbours, no respect. If i was there and they started doing that, i would have been straight on the phone to the cops. Take care. Bob.
@@TravellingK Do you anticipate staying in the Wellington region on your return? If so, i can linkup with you at the Wgtn Ferry Terminal and guide you to the TOP 10 Motor Camp at Lower Hutt, provided, its not late at night. Its no problem.? Bob.
@@TravellingK Did some checking, unpowered site $35, powered site $40 per night, includes use of amenities. Its only about 10 minutes drive from the Wgtn Ferry Terminal, to Lower Hutt. And you can book online should you decide. Cheers, Bob & Lina.
@@TravellingK Evans bay marina is a freedom camping spot in wellington. highly recommended, about 10 minutes drive from the ferry terminal into wellington.
U REALY NEED AN MONOXIDE AND GAS DETECTOR. WITHOUT THAT THING I ALMOST DIED IN MY CARAVAN ONE MONTH AGO. AND NOW HE IS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL. SO PLEASE BUY ONE KAREN.
@@TravellingK THE GAS IS ANOTHER THING. BECOSE U CAN SMEEL IT. THE MONOXIDE IS DANGEROUS BECOSE HAS NO ODOR. S THE RESULT OF BURNING GAS IN FACT. BUT DONT MAKE THE CONFUSION BETWIN GAS MONOXIDE DETECTOR. WITH SMOKE DETECTOR. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AT ALL. MONOXIDE DETECTOR CAN DETECT EAVEN GAS.
@@TravellingK FIRST I ALMOST DIED BECOSE OF MONOXIDE. I WAS IN COMA FOR 8 HOURS IN HOSPITAL. BUT NOW WITH THE DETECTOR I FEEL SAFE. I MADE SOME TESTS ALLREADY AND IS VERY PRACTICAL FOR GOOD SLEEP WITHOUT FEARS OF NO AWAKING ANYIMORE
I'm enjoying watching your old videos again ❤
Awesome again. My best friend had a 2.7 diesel terrano and she often used it to pull a trailer with two 700kg horses trough the mud :)
Wow, she's need a car with some power for that! That's reassuring 😀
Well done, you seem to be very tired and maybe a little nervous. Stay safe, stay strong and keep doing what you do best, because you give so many a great deal of enjoyment. Thank you.
I was tired and nervous... a few people had mentioned that it's not an easy road with a caravan and I'd had a bad sleep the night before. But really glad you're enjoying the videos!
You are now in my old stomping ground! Even though it was raining, the drive over Arthur’s Pass was dramatically beautiful.
Oh nice! The weather just made it more moody and dramatic, haha
Well done with the drive Karen. You do the right thing by getting as much travel info as you can and double checking when possible.
Take care...........Andy 👍
Thank you Andy. It was reassuring to ring and check.
What a fabulous country New Zealand looks , dramatic senery so interesting thank you
keep the good work up .
Thank you Chris! It's very dramatic isn't it!
Great video Karen. I'm liking the laid-back soundtrack of the recent ones. I drive these roads for work all the time, often with a caravan or boat. It's one of the best things about my job. You did well with the big drive. It's a road that demands concentration. I'm going over the pass today again, and the rata should be staying to flower. I was staying in Arthur's Pass when that rain hit and washed the bridge out. We had 160mm of rain in 30 hours. That lots but I've seen a lot worse. Thanks!
Glad you like the soundtracks... trying for ones that are very subtle. So I'm curious, why are there signs saying no towing vehicles? haha. Yes, I was thinking of your trapped experience while driving over. Can't believe how quickly they fixed the bridge!
Next time you get a service done , get them to change coolant put 50/50 mix in. That will give you a higher boiling point 136 dec . You also have to think your auto gearbox is being cooled by the radiator , so have everything has to be in good working order. An oil cooler on the gearbox is the way to go for towing on hills in NZ. I have been using penrite 20w/60 oils for 30 years in diesel and petrol engines under very heavy towing with great results . You get what you pay for. Happy travels and look forward to your next clips
Sounds like you know your stuff! I had my mechanic give the car a good going over after my trip to the Coromandel a year ago and it's much better now. Is penrite the brand name?
Hi Karen , yes Penrite the brand name, you sould be able to at supercheap . Cost a little more, i have to top the oil between services. Some oil is a blend of recycled and new oil. Its cheaper to better products for a car that can be put under a heavy load at time. The heater does work to help cooling , but the better coolant you won,t have this problem if radiator and water pump working as it should be. Love to be in NZ today as it was 45 in the shade. Happy travels
Hi karen from G B. We enjoy your videos, Wife says you are a very brave girl to do all you do on your own. Keep it up.
☺️Glad you're enjoying the videos and I don't feel brave! Just doing what I want to do.
Hi Karen enjoyed your journey at least the roads were nice and clear .
Yes, at least the road was open!
More rain then here.. but it looks beautiful there. Thumbs up 👍👍 miss K
Oh plenty of rain! haha. But it's still beautiful anyway.
well presented that girl enjoyed watching your trip blessings
It is lovely scenery through there. Haven't done that trip for years... need to do it again.
So empty and wild 😀
Thanks for yet another great video :) But I honestly don't envy you for the weather, and I am so, so glad I left North Queensland just in time before all the rain came. But my caravan leaks badly, that doesn't help...
Just a tip for your ever falling basket: Just put it onto the floor right at the front for driving. It's the safest place for it and it can't fall anywhere. Put it back onto shelf when you're camped. You can even put a door mat or just a towel underneath to keep it from scratching the floor should it move. You're welcome 😊😊😊
Oh a leaking caravan would encourage you to move to the drying spots! I have finally started to put it on the floor for driving. A simple solution 😜Good tip with the mat underneath!
Beautiful scenery! Do so admire what you’re doing.
It's so wild in that part of NZ 😀
I remember driving the Otira Gorge Road, but the other direction. The bridge at 6.42 was very nerve wracking - it’s so high and driving down the hills in a motorhome, was difficult to get down to the required speed! 😬 We stopped in the lodge in the Arthur’s Pass, in front of a lovely open fire - it was winter 😍
K, I notice that whenever you show a side view of you car and trailer connected, that the nose of the caravan seems to slope down. I was wondering if you have the taller/raised ball fitted or the low type. If you have the lower type an upgrade to the tall one will more likely level the caravan for those stops when you don't disconnect. It may also make towing easier.
Love the vlogs. Keep them coming :)
Hmmm this is REALLY good to know. There have been the odd times when keeping connected would have been handy.
You really need to address that gas issue... few years ago a camper exploded and put the couple in the hospital! It could have been deadly
Amazing scenery..
It’s a dramatic area!
A useful tip if ya vechile is getting a tad hot, and ya have no space to pull over.......is to put ya heater on hot and turn the fan on high. Helps get some of the heat away from ya engine. Does get hot in ya vechile though......but heck put ya windows down.
A great tip, thank you! I've had a scare with the engine starting to steam before, but luckily didn't get that bad on this trip.
Beautiful country side!
It's a wild area!
That was my fave drive when I was down South stunning place I did Otira gorge from east to west heavy rain I was nervy as hell but it was fine great episode mate enjoy chch
Glad I wasn't the only nervous driver😜It's definitely a dramatic drive!
Stunning scenery :-)
It's such a dramatic scenic route!
Hubby and I are full-timers in a motorhome in Canada and this totally reminded me of our rainy trips thru the Canadian Rockies. Do you keep a logbook of your travels so that you can remember all these ins and outs of where you are allowed to travel and not?
Ah glad it bought back travel memories for you... even if they were also challenging 🤣 I use my own videos as a logbook / travel diary
Thank you for another amazing vid!!! Oh bought new tyres for van 😍 Yeay now just the spare and the water leak 🙈
Glad you enjoyed the video 😀Good move having new tyres on your van! Water leak? Oh oh
I know there is wood rot too 🙈🙈🙈🙈 ah will sort it slowly - hey maybe u come out to SA n do some caravanning here too 😋 have some awesome spots here
Ahh, that sounds painful! But good plan taking it slow. I am daydreaming about caravanning overseas.... where do you recommend in SA?
Travelling K there are so many places Sabie - merry pebbles, there is bourkes luck potholes and gods window and the Kruger national park...
In Cape Town there are a few good spots we have route 62 - my fave spot is Montagu caravan park, there is also the baths in citrusdal. tities baai caravan park also. Look at coffee bay too.. there are so many spots... loads of driving tho lol
Gosh those names make the places sound awesome!! I imagine it would take a little longer to drive there than in NZ, haha
Hi Karen I took my caravan over the pass just before xmas and was worried about the signage too. The signs say towing vehicles not recommended for otira pass. I certainly wouldn't attempt it in a smaller vehicle but like you have a 4x4.
I wonder why they have all that signage? Take it people have got in trouble before??
Thanks Karen for another good vidéo 😉
Glad you enjoyed!
@@TravellingK
You still haven't showed us your cleaned Roof of your caravan. I juste want to know if you are happy with the product.😉
I filmed my response a couple of days ago... but the video will be a while before I share it! Overall, it's an easy product to use and it does kill off all lichen, but felt like I needed to wait a month then scrub the roof to really get it all off.
@@TravellingK
Thanks Karen for answering my question. merci ☺ merci beaucoup
sounds good m8, stay safe, vertical an well eh!
Not the nicest weather but it's still so beautiful.
Luckily it improved and I managed to get properly sunburnt, haha
Beautiful area!!
The wild area of NZ😀
@@TravellingK Its Amazing!! ...heard it was nice ...but WoW!! : )
The Gorge Bridge is where the viaduct is, before that it was a very steep, steep winding road down to the river
Hmmm such a crazy road...
If the temperature rises, turn the heating on . And the windows open if you want.
I've heard about that... it's a great tip.
Great video - great advert for NZ! Scenery stunning, your down to earth approach appreciated by a couple of Brits planning a trip
Oh glad you are liking the scenery! Arthurs Pass on a sunny day is amazing.
is the weather always like this around this time? How's the weather like? be careful from those crazy drivers.
It's been a particularly wet summer so far! Last summer was hot and dryer. But the west coast of the south island and inland around the mountains do tend to get all the rain🌧️
Oteera gorge (Otira) is how it is pronounced not Otara!!! The road was far more exhilarating before the new Gorge Bridge.
hehe thought I was saying it wrong! Then keep pronouncing it multiple times. What part was the gorge bridge? With the waterfall?
I am waiting for the last Land video
LOL no truma has a built in safety feature where it wont run more than 120 seconds with the cover on but im sure you know that now.
Good on Truma for having these clever safety features!
Dan Gore 👍❤️
Hello hello!
So, Karen...tell me those birds near the beginning are not Kiwis. I've been to Arizona many times but have never seen a roadrunner. Could they be Roadrunners?
They are ducks
Yes, they are ducks... honestly not sure if they are native ducks?
Travelling K It appears that you have your ducks in a row.
😂😂😂😂I wish I really did!
Jim Duce those were DUCKS! CHERIO, from NJ,USA
no internet there if i remember rightly at klondike
There was only a little at Arthur's Pass Town I think?
amazing road tho,but it always rains there
Guess that's why it's so empty! A tough landscape to live in.
Who is Arthur?
Arthur Dudley Dobson was a surveyor employed by the Government who in 1864 mapped out the route as one option for a road to the West Coast. Of all routes found, it was deemed that "Arthur's pass was the best".
Funny
I have no idea!
Hi Karen, you shouldn't need to feel unsafe because of a few "Idiot Racers', who can't drive for crap anyway, and just got their drivers licence last week, shows what idiots they are, doing
their stupid antics in full view of you and your neighbours, no respect. If i was there and they started doing that, i would have been straight on the phone to the cops. Take care. Bob.
I'm guessing they are bored teenagers? That's what I find is a down side to freedom camping... I've come across this before.
@@TravellingK Do you anticipate staying in the Wellington region on your return? If so, i can linkup with you at the Wgtn Ferry Terminal and guide you to the TOP 10 Motor Camp at Lower Hutt, provided, its not late at night. Its no problem.? Bob.
I haven't stayed at the Top 10 in wellington yet... isn't it expensive?
@@TravellingK Did some checking, unpowered site $35, powered site $40 per night, includes use of amenities.
Its only about 10 minutes drive from the Wgtn Ferry Terminal, to Lower Hutt. And you can book online should you decide. Cheers, Bob & Lina.
@@TravellingK Evans bay marina is a freedom camping spot in wellington. highly recommended, about 10 minutes drive from the ferry terminal into wellington.
when are you coming through chch again? I think thinking bout organising a youtuber BBQ
I like the sound of that! Maybe the 23rd-27th-ish of Jan?
Its pronounced "or-tea-ra"
Thank you! I suspected I was saying it wrong😂
Do you really go away on your own
A lot of the time!
Your Weather is just as bad as the UK at the moment.
I have managed to drive to all the parts with rain! It's been a wet start to summer.
U REALY NEED AN MONOXIDE AND GAS DETECTOR. WITHOUT THAT THING I ALMOST DIED IN MY CARAVAN ONE MONTH AGO. AND NOW HE IS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL. SO PLEASE BUY ONE KAREN.
I've now got a Monoxide detector. I've been told you should be able to see the gas? Glad the alarm saved your life!
@@TravellingK THE GAS IS ANOTHER THING. BECOSE U CAN SMEEL IT. THE MONOXIDE IS DANGEROUS BECOSE HAS NO ODOR. S THE RESULT OF BURNING GAS IN FACT. BUT DONT MAKE THE CONFUSION BETWIN GAS MONOXIDE DETECTOR. WITH SMOKE DETECTOR. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AT ALL. MONOXIDE DETECTOR CAN DETECT EAVEN GAS.
@@TravellingK FIRST I ALMOST DIED BECOSE OF MONOXIDE. I WAS IN COMA FOR 8 HOURS IN HOSPITAL. BUT NOW WITH THE DETECTOR I FEEL SAFE. I MADE SOME TESTS ALLREADY AND IS VERY PRACTICAL FOR GOOD SLEEP WITHOUT FEARS OF NO AWAKING ANYIMORE
Yikes! Sounds like you are very lucky to be alive! I'm glad I finally have that alarm now.
@@TravellingK ME 2