3rd September 2026

The E5 Ranger has arrived at Hamer 4x4 for the next major stage of its touring preparation. Upgraded suspension and upper control arms are being fitted, while the front end has been stripped in preparation for the bull bar, underbody protection and driving lights.

With departure only days away, work is continuing quickly to have the Ranger ready for six days of touring and filming through South Australia with YOUR4X4.

4th September 2026

Just one day after going onto the hoist, the Ranger is back together and the Hamer 4x4 stage of the build is complete.

The Ranger now has upgraded suspension and upper control arms to better handle the touring setup, along with a new bull bar, underbody protection, recovery points and driving lights.

We’re really happy with how it has come together and appreciate the Hamer team completing everything within our tight schedule.

Next up: tyres.

7th September 2026

The Ranger is now running Yokohama Geolandar X-AT tyres, fitted and aligned by 2TUFF Wheels & Tyres in Thomastown. A myCOOLMAN upright fridge has also been installed in the canopy ready for the week away.

Representatives from Yokohama Geolandar and myCOOLMAN will be joining us in South Australia for six days of touring and filming with YOUR4X4.

Preparation continues tomorrow with the electrical work, followed by packing and the final vehicle checks before departure.

8th September 2026

With departure only a day away, the final electrical work on the Ranger was completed today.

Paul from Dynamic Wiring Solutions returned to help finish the setup, including an upgraded main cable, additional lighting, LED strips and the final checks needed before Daniel heads away. We appreciate Paul making the time to help us get everything finished at short notice.

Additional ECCO lighting has also been fitted externally and inside the canopy doors, while the LED Autolamps sequential tail lights already fitted to the tray will be featured throughout the trip. Rechargeable work torches supplied by ECCO have also been packed for the week away.

With the suspension, tyres, fridge and electrical work now sorted, the Ranger is ready to leave for South Australia tomorrow.

Ranger Packed and Ready for South Australia

After a busy lead-up, the Eureka Ranger is now fully loaded and ready to leave for South Australia tomorrow.

The canopy has been packed with the fridge, pantry, touring equipment and everything needed for the trip. The completed electrical and lighting setup is also ready to be put to use in real touring conditions.

Daniel will meet up with the YOUR4X4 and 4WDTV team ahead of filming for the upcoming series on 7Mate.

9th September 2026

The journey begins today, with Daniel hitting the road in the fully loaded Eureka Ranger for the 500-plus-kilometre drive from Melbourne to Robe, South Australia.

He’ll meet up with the YOUR4X4 team ahead of six days of touring and filming through the Coorong. With the preparation complete, it’s time to put the full tray, canopy, electrical and touring setup to use in real conditions.

10th September 2026

Filming began today, with Daniel and the Eureka Ranger joining the YOUR4X4 and 4WD TV crew, alongside teams from Renogy, Yokohama and myCOOLMAN, on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

Starting from Robe, the group covered approximately 35 kilometres of beach, dunes and uneven coastal terrain. Some particularly soft sections caught out a few vehicles along the way, including the Eureka Ranger, but after a quick dig it was back into the convoy.

The Yokohama Geolandar X-AT tyres performed strongly across the varied terrain, while the upgraded Hamer 4x4 suspension handled the uneven sections confidently. The Eureka tray and canopy completed the day without an issue, with not a speck of dust or sand making its way inside. The myCOOLMAN refrigeration, storage and electrical setup prepared with Dynamic Wiring Solutions also remained secure throughout the day.

11th September 2026

The second day began with more beach driving around Robe and Long Beach before the crew turned north towards the Coorong. Across approximately 125 kilometres including around 15 kilometres on the beach the convoy stopped at Kingston SE before continuing along Old Coorong Road to 28 Mile Crossing Campground.

Along the way, the group came across two tourists stuck on the beach in a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The Renogy team recovered the vehicle and towed it safely to the nearest boat ramp, adding an unexpected recovery to the day’s filming.

That evening marked the first night camping with the Eureka Ranger. The fridge, pantry, storage, electrical system and canopy lighting were all put to use at camp as the crew settled in for the night on the Coorong.

12th September 2026

The third day began at 28 Mile Crossing with a loop through the coastal dunes to the Southern Ocean. The crew travelled north along the beach before turning inland along Wreck Crossing Track and returning to camp.

One particularly soft dune approach didn’t go to plan, sending sand across the Ranger and showing how important momentum and approach are in changing conditions. Despite the sand covering the outside, the E-Series canopy remained sealed and clean inside.

After packing up, the convoy began the approximately 250 kilometer journey through the Coorong towards Goolwa. The route passed through Meningie and included crossing the Murray River aboard the Wellington ferry.

It was a full day of changing terrain, taking the fully loaded Eureka Ranger from remote sand and coastal tracks back onto the road, with a few beautiful South Australian towns visited along the way.

13th September 2026

The fourth day began with an early run along Goolwa Beach to the Murray River Mouth, where Australia’s longest river meets the Southern Ocean.

After returning to Goolwa, the YOUR4X4 and 4WD TV crew crossed to Hindmarsh Island for another view of the Murray Mouth before turning inland and continuing towards the Adelaide Hills.

The route combined approximately 15 kilometres of beach driving with coastal scenery and country roads. The fully loaded Eureka Ranger transitioned from soft sand back to sealed-road touring before finishing the day at the Adelaide Hills 4WD Park, ready for the next stage of filming.

14th September 2026

Filming continued with a full day inside the Adelaide Hills 4WD Park at Callington.

With steep climbs, deep ruts, water crossings and purpose-built obstacles, the park gave Daniel the opportunity to put the Eureka Ranger through a wide variety of terrain under controlled conditions.

It was another chance to demonstrate how the complete tray, canopy and touring setup performs when fully loaded and driven beyond normal road conditions.

The Ranger also picked up an extra badge on the canopy, marking Eureka Canopies’ time on the tracks with Simon Christie and the 4WDTV crew.

15th September 2026

The final day was used to complete participant interviews, capture any remaining track footage and pack the vehicles before the journey home.

Across the trip, the Eureka Ranger travelled from Melbourne to Robe, followed the coastline through the Coorong and Goolwa, and finished in the Adelaide Hills.

The tray, canopy, storage, electrical and touring setup was used throughout the journey in a wide range of real conditions. The adventure may be complete, but the footage will return in upcoming YOUR4X4 episodes on 7Mate.