Having heavily modified our Patrol, to suit our needs both on and off- road, it was difficult to admit that she didn’t quite cut it as a tow vehicle. When we originally purchased her, towing was not a consideration, and as a capable off-road vehicle with camping in mind, she was perfect.

The decision to let her go was a difficult one, but probably long overdue. We had been extremely unlucky with the initial turbo failure and the subsequent rebuild stripped her of all of the power enhancing modifications that had been made. This was in part to maintain the new warranty but also, by going back to stock specifications, an attempt to make her more reliable.

This was the only car that we have owned that was purchased purely for recreation, and over the years, we have had some amazing adventures in her. From the canyons of Exmouth to the north, to the spectacular coast at Esperance in the south, the countless trips to the Goldfields, and not least, the epic adventure this year, across the Red Centre.

As I sit here now, recovering from my second dose of COVID, the front drive is empty, the Patrol has been sold. Someone else will be enjoying her. But that is ok, she has been built to be out in the bush and the way we have set her up, she is in for many more adventures, as long as they don’t ask her to tow a caravan.

So, what next? Mobi is sitting out there, feeling all alone with no tow vehicle.