Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1283
Our Pyrenees Trip 18 July to 2 August 2013
My wife and I decided to go camping and off roading in the Pyrenees for 2 weeks. So after months of planning, vehicle preparations/modifications, discussions and shakedown runs on Salisbury Plain, in Wales and Yorkshire, we finally left on the 18th of July on our 4x4 expedition through the Pyrenees mountains on the French and Spanish boarders.
Vehicle modifications:-
RAI
Roof Rack
Front Spot Lights
Devon 4x4 front bumper
Warrior 12,000 lbs winch with plasma rope
Devon 4x4 front wishbone protectors
Devon 4x4 Fuel tank guard
Devon 4x4 Transmission guard
Devon 4x4 Steering guard
Rock/tree sliders
Yellow Top Auxiliary Battery
National Luna Split Charger
National Luna Battery Monitor
National Luna 50L fridge freezer
CB radio
EGR’s removed
I was worried about the front wheel bearings and alternator being a 56 plate and never been changed. So I took a spare alternator and 2 new front wheel bearings, and all my tools, which is quite extensive in order to do the job if need be. This included my torque wrenches which one is a 500nm. I also had my MSV2, Toughbook, Multimeter etc. onboard.
I can hear some people saying that all the vehicle preparation for this trip was not necessary, and they would be correct. But this is just the start for us, as we have plans to do a lot more. The vehicle preparation is protection for further adventures, and I wanted to see how it would cope with all the gear on board for when we decide to do more remote trips.
Our route took us from home in West Sussex to the port of Calais in France, and then onto Poitiers for our first night stop over. From here we made for Sunbilla in Spain for the second night, as this was our starting point. From here we drove due East all through the Pyrenees mountains visiting Anso, Hecko and Andorra and camping as we went, ending on the beach around Colera in Spain, on the Mediterranean coast 2 weeks later for a swim. From here we drove via Millau in France to see the Viaduct, and camped here for the night. We woke on Saturday morning, and decided to make a straight run home to West Sussex. It was an epic drive with my wife and I sharing the driving. We left Millau at 9:30am French Time, and got home to West Sussex at 12:30am Sunday morning UK time. We took it slowly, as we were in convoy with a D2 and Defender, so cruised at no more the 70mph.
Our D3 was fully laden as can be seen in the below pictures, and we averaged 30MPG on the open road at 70mph. Off road was a slightly different matter dropping to 23mpg. This was calculated between diesel fill ups, and not taken from the on board computer. Although this did show around 32MPG on the open road. In the end the D3 ran flawlessly, with no issues at all. It never skipped a beat, and took all the off roading in its stride. Comments from the Defender drivers, was that it looked to do some of the off roading so effortlessly.
We did catch the under body protection on a few rocks, and used the rock/tree slider to slide over a large tree stump that could not be avoided. We were the only D3 there, so all the Defenders could slip past, but we were too wide. All the protection did its job.
We have hundreds of photo's so this is just a small selection. So without further ado, here are some photo’s of our trip. Enjoy. Cheers John
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13th Aug 2013 11:31 am
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6400
looks like the area in Pyrenees I never been to
got any gpx track points from the trip you can share?
Looks like a most excellent trip - D3 looks 8) 8)
Would also be interested in any GPS tracks you plotted or used
Discovery 3/4 & RRS keys cut and programmed at your home or work
Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto retro fit - see it here
BAS Remaps/ EGR Blanking
Software updates/ enabling
Mobile Servicing & Repairs
13th Aug 2013 1:58 pm
John P
Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1283
We went with a company called "One Life Adventure", so just followed. Therefore I don't have any GPS or trace points.
I can highly recommend them, as not only did they do a fantastic job with the tracks driven, but also selected very nice remote campsites.
Regards
John
13th Aug 2013 2:08 pm
jobster
Member Since: 08 Jul 2012
Location: Hilversum
Posts: 591
I see some familiair places!! On some of the really tough tracks I hit 17mpg (fully laden 5 pers.), as per Roadtrip app. I used Vibraction Roadbooks this summer, excellent trip.RLD Sump Guard
GVIF & rear camera
New FBH via Dan
BAS Remap with IIDTool
13th Aug 2013 2:27 pm
Berty
Member Since: 23 May 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 191
brill photos, I know where I am going next year
Excellent photos and description. I too have been looking at one life and also waypoint tours. Not sure which to choose. Taking my eldest boy (8) next year for some adventure - give him a couple of weeks off you tube and xbox
your car looks mint and I am very jealous, the winch, underbody protection, light guards and better tyres are all mods I intend to make before the trip. Thats the thing with all discos - there is always something else to buy for it. Likewise, I intend to do more trips in the future including Alps, Norway, Morocco and most of all Iceland.
cheers
bertyD3 Java Black 57 Plate SE, Night Breakers, Grabber ATs, Sidelight LEDs and best of all - Narpy torch. loads more to buy.
Member Since: 26 Jan 2014
Location: suffolk
Posts: 13
That looks like so much fun.
Is it some where you need to go on a lead tour or can you go solo or is it not safe to do so?
Just do not like the rush that a lot of these lead tour work at, as i have 3 boys and want to stop and look around the country side.
26th Jan 2014 7:13 pm
John P
Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1283
There is absolutely no rush with Paul (One Life Adventure). As he says, we're on holiday, and this is exactly what it is. We could stop and take in the view to take photo's etc.
You could do it on your own, but would advise you did do it with someone else, as it can be a bit remote and if anything did go wrong, at least you have a backup.
Cheers
John
26th Jan 2014 7:34 pm
Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3464
CDS wrote:
D3 looks 8) 8)
Yep - I've seen John's D3 and it really does look 8) 8) 8)
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26th Jan 2014 7:37 pm
s.p.i.d.e.r
Member Since: 26 Jan 2014
Location: suffolk
Posts: 13
Yes I do agree that is a nice looking D3.
I do like the winch mount/bumper what make is it?
Our idea (Me and the boys) of taking in the country side is chilling by that river in the of the pictures with the Kayaks off the roof rack and in the water. Nice P&H in have a Necky Chatham for the sea and a Pyranha z one for surf and fresh water.
26th Jan 2014 8:45 pm
John P
Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1283
I have a D44 front bumper and full underbody kit.
If you want to spend time by a river exploring then yes, a tour is probably not the way to go.
Some other pictures of some rivers we came across....
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