Hey Guys,
All going to plan, and no reason why it shouldnt, ill be picking up my 5spd '92 MU Friday or next Monday and im going to start planning a trip up to fraser for the Easter Long weekend.
Anyway because ive only driven 2 commodores in my time, before i get ahead of myself i wanted to ask you guys who obviously have plenty of knowledge etc. What things i need to know, do, take with me (for the car..beer is a given) and pretty much what to expect.....i think you will know what i mean. I dont wanna get in over my head or am i wrong in my assumption and it is pretty straight forward?.
Hope ive explained what im looking for but cheers anyway
Kurt.
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Planing 1st 4x4 Trip..Things to know/Your Experiences pleas
Moderators: toaddog, TWISTY, V8Patrol, Moderators
ive never been to fraser, but i didnt find sand driving all that hard the first time i went on it. just keep the momentum up they told me......and let your tyres down...
and an offshoot to your Q. the MU, thats one of those isuzus right. ive seen one with a sticker on it saying Mysterious Utility. is that really what that stands for??
and an offshoot to your Q. the MU, thats one of those isuzus right. ive seen one with a sticker on it saying Mysterious Utility. is that really what that stands for??
Get yourself a tide times pamphlet that can be picked up at most servo's/bait shops, it's a big help knowing when the tides coming or going so you can get out on that firm sand.... saves petrol that way as your not pushing through dry sand. Take a short shovel too.... it's handy around the campsite, and invaluable if you get stuck in the sand. I doubt you'll get into too much trouble if your not fully equiped with all the saftey/recovery/camping gear you need as there will be enough people over there at easter to help you out if you need it. I'd take a pen and paper to write down all the things you think of when your there that you need and have left behind..
1st rule of 4x4
Have another vehicle with you.
Or you could sit around waiting for someone for a while if you get stuck.
I was lucky and only had to wait 2 hours.
http://www.itglowz.com/stuck1.jpg
http://www.itglowz.com/stuck2.jpg
http://www.itglowz.com/stuck3.jpg
Or be equipped to self recover with both gear and knowledge.
do a driver training course perhaps?
If i missed anything below please add to the list.
Equipment wise,
Compressor, First Aid kit and the knowledge to use it, a base plate for your jack (30cm x 30cm steel plate) so you have a sturdy place to jack on if needed. Recovery kit (snatch strap, RATED shackles, Riggers Gloves, long handle shovel) Also if possible, winch extension strap, tree trunk protector, drag chain.
Winch, either hand or powered, is almost essential if you plan on going by yourself.
Saying all that, i dont know how your truck is equipped, what your abilities are, and what fraser island is like (i dont even know what state it is in). Being an Island there will obviously be beach driving so get a tide timetable so you dont get caught.
Oh yeah, and the MOST IMPORTANT THING is to enjoy yourself and stay safe.
Matt
Have another vehicle with you.
Or you could sit around waiting for someone for a while if you get stuck.
I was lucky and only had to wait 2 hours.
http://www.itglowz.com/stuck1.jpg
http://www.itglowz.com/stuck2.jpg
http://www.itglowz.com/stuck3.jpg
Or be equipped to self recover with both gear and knowledge.
do a driver training course perhaps?
If i missed anything below please add to the list.
Equipment wise,
Compressor, First Aid kit and the knowledge to use it, a base plate for your jack (30cm x 30cm steel plate) so you have a sturdy place to jack on if needed. Recovery kit (snatch strap, RATED shackles, Riggers Gloves, long handle shovel) Also if possible, winch extension strap, tree trunk protector, drag chain.
Winch, either hand or powered, is almost essential if you plan on going by yourself.
Saying all that, i dont know how your truck is equipped, what your abilities are, and what fraser island is like (i dont even know what state it is in). Being an Island there will obviously be beach driving so get a tide timetable so you dont get caught.
Oh yeah, and the MOST IMPORTANT THING is to enjoy yourself and stay safe.
Matt
2000 GU ST Patrol 4.2 turbo oiler not so bog stock anymore
"EVILGU"
"EVILGU"
I'm sure you are aware of this, but just in case, make sure you get all required camping/vehicle permits. There are a fair few rangers over there now, and 2 cops are now posted full time on the Island so don't risk it. A map of Fraser is great to have in the glove box if its your first time, but I think you'll get one of these with your permits. Tide time pamphlets are really handy like Emkate said, but usually the daily high/low tide times are posted on signs at Eurong and most of the other stops up the beach.
The fresh water creeks running down to the beach can change deapth/direction heaps, probably not in the few days you'll be there but but even over 1-2 weeks Eli creek can be very different from the 1st time you crossed it. and don't park in a flowing fresh water creek to wash salt off your car, I've seen a few cars that needed a snatch to get out after parking in a creek and sinking into the sand because of the current. Most importantly have fun, it's a great place to 4wdrive.
The fresh water creeks running down to the beach can change deapth/direction heaps, probably not in the few days you'll be there but but even over 1-2 weeks Eli creek can be very different from the 1st time you crossed it. and don't park in a flowing fresh water creek to wash salt off your car, I've seen a few cars that needed a snatch to get out after parking in a creek and sinking into the sand because of the current. Most importantly have fun, it's a great place to 4wdrive.
92 Sierra
Toyota 4AGE
2 inch body lift
2 in Dobinson springs
31 Bfg's A/T
Rear ARB locker
Sliders
Toyota 4AGE
2 inch body lift
2 in Dobinson springs
31 Bfg's A/T
Rear ARB locker
Sliders
Go to a good fishing tackle shop and grab a good insect repelent and you will enjoy your holiday.
Just a snatch strap and shackles will do. There are lots of people on fraser at easter.
Try not to drive at night or to far from camp.
Large tarps for extra shade. Good lighting.Toilet paper.Shovel.Compfy seating.If you have the room a rolled up mattress at least 10cm thick.
Just a snatch strap and shackles will do. There are lots of people on fraser at easter.
Try not to drive at night or to far from camp.
Large tarps for extra shade. Good lighting.Toilet paper.Shovel.Compfy seating.If you have the room a rolled up mattress at least 10cm thick.
Cris's 4 X 4 Accessories & Suspension 0404 736 325 Rock Sliders From $499
One more thing and it's probaly the most important!! Be aware of back-packers and overseas tourists in hired 4wdrives. They are usually in old army coloured LWB landrovers or Cruiser troopies. There have been quite a few single and multi car accidents up here (I live 1/2 hour away from barge landing) both on the Island, and on the River Heads road leading to the Barge(won't apply to you if you come via Rainbow Beach) caused by these people, they have no idea how to drive the vehicles, I believe the hire opperaters make them watch a 30min video about beach driving and just let them on their way! Be extra aware around them and give them plenty of room. also indicate to an omcoming car which side of the beach you intend to drive, as it isn't always possible to be on the left side like on sealed roads.
92 Sierra
Toyota 4AGE
2 inch body lift
2 in Dobinson springs
31 Bfg's A/T
Rear ARB locker
Sliders
Toyota 4AGE
2 inch body lift
2 in Dobinson springs
31 Bfg's A/T
Rear ARB locker
Sliders
Thanks for the replies guys.....already i think i can start making a list of things i hadnt thought of. This will be my first time driving a 4WD in 4WD.....and 1st time driving on sand etc. I thought about a driving course but if i can pick it up myself then i would rather do that. As for the compressor excuse my being naive but what is it used for(im assuming to pump up tyres if need be?) and where can i accquire one. Also another question i had regarding tyre pressures. its 20psi or there abouts which you are supposed to use when riding on sand isnt it?
Whitey, thanks for the tips re. permits. Was the first thing i went to check up on after organising a trip to North Straddie somewhere accessible by car hehe. In regards to departing from Tin Can Bay where can information be found on this. All i found on the internet was departing Hervey Bay.....coming form the gold coast tin can bay be a tad closer dont ya rekon.
Cheers again.
Kurt.
Whitey, thanks for the tips re. permits. Was the first thing i went to check up on after organising a trip to North Straddie somewhere accessible by car hehe. In regards to departing from Tin Can Bay where can information be found on this. All i found on the internet was departing Hervey Bay.....coming form the gold coast tin can bay be a tad closer dont ya rekon.
Cheers again.
Kurt.
i reckon once you THINK have yourself sorted for fraser, go for a overnighter at bribie with all your gear, kit. It'll give you a better idea of what to expect both driving on sand, managin the tides, campsite/permits, selection, rigging, packing, cooking, everything..
on the weekends theres usually a steady stream of people so if you do need help its not far away..
after you've done a night at bribie you should at least be a bit better prepared for fraser.
fraser has long beaches which you can get some speed on but you need to keep a constant eye out for washouts.. these suckers can hurt at speed.
if you happen upon a bogged 75 troopy with 15 backpackers who are franticly trying to dig it out even though high tide was an hr ago.. the first thing you do is get tell them to lower their tyres.. if they dont do that, dont waste your time... we were forced to stop after the vehicle infront of us stopped (at high tide you dont get a lot of choice with which ruts your stuck in)
anyway.. both of us told em that their tyres were too hard they sed the rental agency wouldn't let them deflate them, etc, etc.. and we even suggested they re-inflate them after they got back to the mainland but they were still refusing to air down. when the 3rd dude rocked up and said the same thing i knew we where wasting out time.. the only good thing about that was there was like 2 guys and 13 chicks.. unfortunately, when checking the the hubs where locked and it was in 4wd, a chick jumped in and proceeded to demostrate 4wd was engaged by digging it in further..
on fraser you'll need to be dingo aware, rangers will visit and re-iterate, lockable food storage/garbage, etc..as the dingos will probably visit a few times during the night..
maps are good and its a big place so you'll need to monitor fuel usage..
dont forget the bait n tackle!
on the weekends theres usually a steady stream of people so if you do need help its not far away..
after you've done a night at bribie you should at least be a bit better prepared for fraser.
fraser has long beaches which you can get some speed on but you need to keep a constant eye out for washouts.. these suckers can hurt at speed.
if you happen upon a bogged 75 troopy with 15 backpackers who are franticly trying to dig it out even though high tide was an hr ago.. the first thing you do is get tell them to lower their tyres.. if they dont do that, dont waste your time... we were forced to stop after the vehicle infront of us stopped (at high tide you dont get a lot of choice with which ruts your stuck in)
anyway.. both of us told em that their tyres were too hard they sed the rental agency wouldn't let them deflate them, etc, etc.. and we even suggested they re-inflate them after they got back to the mainland but they were still refusing to air down. when the 3rd dude rocked up and said the same thing i knew we where wasting out time.. the only good thing about that was there was like 2 guys and 13 chicks.. unfortunately, when checking the the hubs where locked and it was in 4wd, a chick jumped in and proceeded to demostrate 4wd was engaged by digging it in further..
on fraser you'll need to be dingo aware, rangers will visit and re-iterate, lockable food storage/garbage, etc..as the dingos will probably visit a few times during the night..
maps are good and its a big place so you'll need to monitor fuel usage..
dont forget the bait n tackle!
Re: Planing 1st 4x4 Trip..Things to know/Your Experiences pl
Gobbles wrote:Hey Guys,
All going to plan, and no reason why it shouldnt, ill be picking up my 5spd '92 MU Friday or next Monday and im going to start planning a trip up to fraser for the Easter Long weekend.
Anyway because ive only driven 2 commodores in my time, before i get ahead of myself i wanted to ask you guys who obviously have plenty of knowledge etc. What things i need to know, do, take with me (for the car..beer is a given) and pretty much what to expect.....i think you will know what i mean. I dont wanna get in over my head or am i wrong in my assumption and it is pretty straight forward?.
Hope ive explained what im looking for but cheers anyway
Kurt.
ever thought of asking if anyone on this board will be going up there when u are
i am sure if they are they would be more than happy to show u round !!!!
post it in trips and tracks tiger
just a little left of insanity :)
If you're going thru Rainbow Beach then there is a Rangers Station there that will sell you all your necessary permits.
Fraser is busy as all hell during Easter which means you will either get lots of help or lots of abuse when you get stuck. Probably a bit of both.
Take a trip to Cooloola beforehand if you want to practice beach driving. Bribie is okay but Cooloola is very similar to Fraser so you will know more of what to expect. (Cooloola usually referred to as Double Island Point).
A compressor is used for pumping up your tyres after you have had to let them down. You most likely won't need one as you let them down to 20ish at the start and then pump them back up at the servo. However sometimes it is beneficial to vary them during your trip depending on the conditions. If you do buy one then get one from a 4wd store as the kmart ones are not up to scratch. Expect to pay a minimum of $280.
Most important things to take for recovery would be a long handled shovel and a snatch strap. However unless you have roof racks on your MU then a shorter handle will work fine but it will just be more work. It is used for digging the sand out from under your diffs etc when you are well and truly bogged down.
Hope this helps.
Fraser is busy as all hell during Easter which means you will either get lots of help or lots of abuse when you get stuck. Probably a bit of both.
Take a trip to Cooloola beforehand if you want to practice beach driving. Bribie is okay but Cooloola is very similar to Fraser so you will know more of what to expect. (Cooloola usually referred to as Double Island Point).
A compressor is used for pumping up your tyres after you have had to let them down. You most likely won't need one as you let them down to 20ish at the start and then pump them back up at the servo. However sometimes it is beneficial to vary them during your trip depending on the conditions. If you do buy one then get one from a 4wd store as the kmart ones are not up to scratch. Expect to pay a minimum of $280.
Most important things to take for recovery would be a long handled shovel and a snatch strap. However unless you have roof racks on your MU then a shorter handle will work fine but it will just be more work. It is used for digging the sand out from under your diffs etc when you are well and truly bogged down.
Hope this helps.
Land Rover Discovery series 1 V8
just my two cents - i dont know about your type of car but if it has the spare wheel underneath the back of the car, have a good look to see if this is going to be a nuisance to clearance levels etc. when i first bought my patrol i never thought about that and got stuck 3 times before figuring out to move it to the inside of the car 
and if you're in major doo doo drop your tyres right down, ive dropped mine down to almost zilch when nothing else was working and it helped. and never underestimate the power of a good push when trying to get going!!!!
and if you're in major doo doo drop your tyres right down, ive dropped mine down to almost zilch when nothing else was working and it helped. and never underestimate the power of a good push when trying to get going!!!!
I know you'll continually be told to buy a compressor for over $300, but as an alternative if you don't mind taking a bit more time and you aren't going to be using it every weekend, Supercheap sell a compressor that goes on special regularly from about $130 down to about $90. I have one, and a mate of mine has one, and they are ok and last a while if you follow the directions. The maximum run time is about 40 minutes, then you need to leave it off for about 20 minutes. I have my own large 240v compressor at home, so my cheepy doesn't get a lot of use, so it suits me fine!
Cheers, Dean
Cheers, Dean
Tas_Dean wrote:Supercheap sell a compressor that goes on special regularly from about $130 down to about $90. I have one, and a mate of mine has one, and they are ok and last a while if you follow the directions. The maximum run time is about 40 minutes, then you need to leave it off for about 20 minutes.
Cheers, Dean
My friend has one of those and I agree it works well. I used it once to reseat a tyre and it worked fine. Was a bit slow to get up to pressure but I wasn't going anywhere anyway
Land Rover Discovery series 1 V8
Never underestimate the benefit of a decent 4wd course - join a large well-established club and attend theirs, as most of what you learn will be based on the experience of many people. I believe some of the lesser known "professional" courses are training based on one person's ideas, and they aren't always the best.
Consider travelling to Rainbow beach via Noosa North Shore - onto the beach at Noosa, then lots of sand driving before you hit the barge. Better to find out (if) you're ill-equipped before you hit the island.
Enjoy,
Scott
Consider travelling to Rainbow beach via Noosa North Shore - onto the beach at Noosa, then lots of sand driving before you hit the barge. Better to find out (if) you're ill-equipped before you hit the island.
Enjoy,
Scott
Cool, Thanks again. Few more questions based on some of the replys.
- Down here on the gold coast they dont allow driving on the beaches therefore im assuming it would be the same driving on the beach from Noosa North shore until Rainbow Bay? and can you even drive all the way from Noosa to Rainbow Beach on the actual Beach or did i read it the wrong way and you mean just go down there have a bash and get a taste for it?
- As for 4wd club courses......does anyone have any info on Clubs around the Gold Coast. Might be worth a look in the phone book.
Thanks again
Kurt.
- Down here on the gold coast they dont allow driving on the beaches therefore im assuming it would be the same driving on the beach from Noosa North shore until Rainbow Bay? and can you even drive all the way from Noosa to Rainbow Beach on the actual Beach or did i read it the wrong way and you mean just go down there have a bash and get a taste for it?
- As for 4wd club courses......does anyone have any info on Clubs around the Gold Coast. Might be worth a look in the phone book.
Thanks again
Kurt.
in tewantin - west of noosa turn down the road where shell is and cross over on barge past the stinking camels and onto beach...... gett bogged first cutting !!! approach esky getting a couple of coldies for the guys you hope to rescue you!!!!
tthen up teewah beach to cutting accross to rainbow try to change gear half way through cutting in high range with high tyre pressure and again proceed to the esky as guys in guy behind in fits of laughter have gotten thirsty since the last beer....
Move accross and head out the other side and welcome to rainbow beach sitting on 9000 revs and semi airborne...... and your half way their again boys behing by this stage shitting themselves...
just having a laugh mate...have a weeknd their for a warmup.... you'll be right regulars will understand what i mean...
Cheers
bingham
ps take a few burbon cans and ill pull you out if im there
tthen up teewah beach to cutting accross to rainbow try to change gear half way through cutting in high range with high tyre pressure and again proceed to the esky as guys in guy behind in fits of laughter have gotten thirsty since the last beer....
Move accross and head out the other side and welcome to rainbow beach sitting on 9000 revs and semi airborne...... and your half way their again boys behing by this stage shitting themselves...
just having a laugh mate...have a weeknd their for a warmup.... you'll be right regulars will understand what i mean...
Cheers
bingham
ps take a few burbon cans and ill pull you out if im there
2015 200 Series Gx TTD - ................ Fark 3L's -
NJ SWB wrote:Never underestimate the benefit of a decent 4wd course - join a large well-established club and attend theirs, as most of what you learn will be based on the experience of many people.
COULD NOT AGREE MORE..
You will not only be taught how to drive the conditions, you will be shown how to recover your truck SAFELY and CORRECTLY...
You can also pick people brains on things to do/see, and maybe even tag along with some others that have been there before and have an even better time.
The current gold edition of 4wd monthly is full of info about going on long trips such as fraser island. It's got things you should do to prepare for the trip, equipment that you should take and a heap of other usefull info.
You won't find it at all newsagencies, but it's worth looking around for.
You won't find it at all newsagencies, but it's worth looking around for.
** For Future Reference :finger: :armsup:**
[quote="Reddo"]
Pity my mrs is so young, i'd love kids![/quote]
[quote="Reddo"]
Pity my mrs is so young, i'd love kids![/quote]
Road Ranger
I don't want to step on peoples toes here or sound like I'm a know-it-all that can drive any track in Oz, cause I know I can't. But I kinda disagree with the idea of spending money on doing 4wdriving courses. Isn't it better to get out and gain your own experience. After all, isn't that what the instructors you are paying do many years back??
Now I don't mean if your new to 4wdriving treking up to the Cape in your new rig as your very first trip. Start small, a short weekend away in easy terrain to get to know your vehicle, and advance from there. Spend that hard earned cash on your rig, or camping/recovery gear, and learn from your own experiences and mistakes insted of paying someone else to explain all theirs to you. It worked for me and 1000's of other 4wdrivers before these "how-to-drive" courses came around.
Now I don't mean if your new to 4wdriving treking up to the Cape in your new rig as your very first trip. Start small, a short weekend away in easy terrain to get to know your vehicle, and advance from there. Spend that hard earned cash on your rig, or camping/recovery gear, and learn from your own experiences and mistakes insted of paying someone else to explain all theirs to you. It worked for me and 1000's of other 4wdrivers before these "how-to-drive" courses came around.
92 Sierra
Toyota 4AGE
2 inch body lift
2 in Dobinson springs
31 Bfg's A/T
Rear ARB locker
Sliders
Toyota 4AGE
2 inch body lift
2 in Dobinson springs
31 Bfg's A/T
Rear ARB locker
Sliders
I agree that just getting out there will give you great experience and I thought the same thing before I joined a club.
However after joining the club I soon realised there is always a lot more to learn. Clubs are great for lots of other reasons too. Like the fact I go 4x4ing so much more often now
Just getting lots of different perspectives from other members is great too. Although I wouldn't do a non-club 4x4 course but that is not saying they are worthless.
However after joining the club I soon realised there is always a lot more to learn. Clubs are great for lots of other reasons too. Like the fact I go 4x4ing so much more often now
Just getting lots of different perspectives from other members is great too. Although I wouldn't do a non-club 4x4 course but that is not saying they are worthless.
Land Rover Discovery series 1 V8
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