UK to OZ - Children and Security

Planning to visit much along the route to Singapore before shipping vehicle to OZ by sea (in case your wondering if we're going to need a huge snorkel in between!). Without wanting to spend a fortune - wondered about tinting windows in some cheap but removeable way to hide children from site of onlookers while travelling/sleeping in vehicle. Thought about making curtains even. Anyone any tips or ideas?

Does anyone have a view on use of external roll bars - particularly while travelling with young children. Although overlanding, don't envisage 'off-roading' as such but can't be 100% certain won't get daring at times dependant on reward or scenery/experience. Necessary/waste of time - any views?

Imagine vehicle will be prone to alot of exposure - alloy wheels, roofrack, equipment - overall CSW a nice looking beast - don't think will be always able to hide from obvious site of wannabe petty theives etc. But want to do whatever possible/sensible. Have immobiliser already, thinking about steering lock - have heard about being able to lock pedals somehow - would be glad to hear more on security.

We are virtually decided on changing bench seats behind front to high back for children's comfort for security - still using child car seats (children will be aged 9 and 6.5 at time of travel) - if anything to give them more height to see out and better grounding from travel sickness. But any other tips/ideas welcomed before we go and buy and fit.

Sorry so muc/many questions - have been storing up - lots to ask!

Tinting will be better than curtains as it reflects a lot of the heat, dont go for a dark tint go for the more platinum looking lint, and make the decision based on the spec not the colour. You will want the tint to stay on in OZ as it gets pretty warm out there. Have you got aircon? In view of travelling with children, also when replacing the second row seats just put in the outer two so gap in middle. Good location for engel (fridge) Sleeping inside vehicle is going to be problematic . The security thing is more likel;y to be pilfering rather than taking vehicle. Window grills etc
Where are you based?

How do I arrange tinting? Is this an application which can be applied to existing windows and where do I go? LR centre? Mechanic?
Wasn't planning to sleep in vehicle persay - just for those odd moments - more if children asleep while en-route or making stops in busy places. But thanks.
Aircon was at the top of my list except recently someone advised that kills vehicle efficiency. View is that aircon will be more important but have become a bit hesitant.
Removing the middle seat sounds like it will work a treat - as much for separating fighting kids as for the fridge. Thanks for that. Am based in St Neots, Cambs - are you in the trade or speaking from experience or both?

it is a film that is cut to shape and stuck to the window glass with a water base solvent. I reccomend ray ban as a brand from personal experience. Once its on its quite a job to remove so its good to get it right first time land rovers usually have a tinted (sundym) glass so you dont want to go to dark as this may create licensing probs in Oz.look in yellow pages, and see what you get quoted and for what film they are using, poor quality film will be cheaper but it bubbles as it gets older and fades. If you have any prestige car dealers, eg aston martin etc near you ask them who they use.
As for aircon, when its hot it doesnot matter how eficient your vehicle is being you will want respite from the heat esp the kids
Modern aircon is not that much of a drag on the vehicle mine did not have it from new but i fitted a commercial roof top unit as it does not put heat into the radiator air stream.

re your questions 1 used to be
2 yes

Tacr2man, agree re: aircon - don't think us adults would be able to cope - never mind the kids - glad you helped clear up my hesitance on this - definately not something we can afford to compromise on. I didn't realise I could fit a roof top unit though - can you tell me where/how I can find out more information? Would be much appreicated.

Air con I run roof top unit like this Red Dot's Product Line

Several reasons for this unit not cheap but can elaborate later
You can use split units as well
Both of these perform well (better than standard fitment) easier to retrofit as well. reddotcorp.com site will show you possibles.

Tac2man, will have a look over next few days - and return with a rake of questions. Feeling relieved at the ability to introduce aircon afterall.
Many thanks.

Hi,

Can personally recommend tint, ensure it's quality type, very easy to fit yourself, cool in hot weather, harder to break a window, and keeps those prying eyes away.

Have a great journey!

Land Rovers and Wine - Home

Onelife/T2Man - am investigating both tint and aircon - much appreciated. In addition, am looking at internal window security grilles and grill behind second row seats. Cheers.