Towing up to Fraser ?

[Black_Rat]

Wasn't sure wear to post this because it's a bit of everything at this stage boating, 4wd, camping and going fishing. However my main query is in relation to towing up the beach at this stage.

I have always thought about fishing the Toyota fishing competiton for quite a few years now and it is on my list of "Things to do". I had a call on Thursday night from a mate to say he has a crew heading up with four 4wds, two of which will be towing 5m boats and has asked if I wanted to tow my 5.2m Formosa up and fish the comp?

After thinking about it for a couple of days and watching ET today and some footage from last years comp i'm keen as mustard to do it !

My main query after all that is what mods I might need to make to the trailer to tow on the sand easier? It is a stock Dunbier trailer that came with the boat.

It has stock 13inch wheels/tyres and was wondering will wider tyres make a difference? I know tyre pressure is important but with wider tyres will it make it easier to tow on sand?

I have read that the "underhang" from the roller and skid post supports should be cut off were they hang below the trailer because they are likey to drag through the sand and might get snagged on tree roots on inland tracks. Given the trailer will be heading over rough terrain i'm also looking at welding the adjustable supports to the trailer frame?

Any advise would be appreciated on what to do and not ?

I know JB did a post a year or so ago about the same thing but I havn't been able to find the thread

[insideout]

gday black rat,
in my experiance, all these things help,ie letting tyres down, but i believe the bigger the footprint( tyre) the less likely you are to sink in soft sand ,and the easier it is to retrieve your boat when you come back in from fishing. I know a lot of people think that narrow tyres are just as good, but after towing a boat through indian head ,they usually change their minds..quickly. Not to say that you will not get bogged with bigger tyres, it is just not as likely.And if you have never been to fraser island fishing comp, you dont know what your missing! Every year we go across and have a blast! On the first few years we overpacked , but have been streamlining it ever since. If you need to know more , pm me and i will be able to help more.
insideout

[Poodroo]

G'day Damo, I towed a fully loaded box trailer there last August and I had the same question. A lot of the advice was to reduce the tyre pressure but on this occasion I didn't do it as I found that the trailer followed behind in the vehicle tracks nicely with no problems at all. Just make sure your car has the right tyre pressures would be the main thing. Those Coopers will go fine in the sand.

Regards,

Poodroo

[Black_Rat]

Cheers inside out, will no doubt be in contact with you, i've been to fraser a few times and will definately pick your brain for the finer points

Poodroo, yeah i've heard that if the trailer track is the same width of your veichle it does make it easier to tow. I'm sure the Cooper ATRs will go well it's just the person operating the power to them that is the issue which reminds me I must be up for the first tyre rotate

[RCG008]

This Fraser Island comp sounds pretty big. Might be in it for next year. Do they have a web page? From being on Fraser and watching boats go through Indian head I think the key is to travel in a luttle group and you shouldnt get into to much trouble. Have seen cars snatch other cars all the way through and it seems to work ok. Have fun guys.

[NormC]

Damo, I haven't towed a boat on Fraser, but I regularly tow my 1,500 KG camper trailer.

If you are going across from Inskip Point, the only rough roads you should encounter will be North of Indian Head (assume you will be going up to Waddy Point?). Indian Head is likely to be your only area of concern for getting bogged. If you have any concerns at Indian Head (like others are getting stuck), lower your vehicle tyres a lot further for that bit. I've been as low as 12 lb on one occasion when it was extremely dry and churned up. In those circumstances, I also use low range (2nd or 3rd gear) and hit the soft sand at about 3,000 revs. This is only necessary on the way in if really dry and towing.

Biggger wheels on the trailer would be most helpful to get a bit more clearnace. With 13 inch wheels, you might be dragging the trailer axle through the soft sand like a plow. My trailer has 31 inch tyres (same as vehicle).

[murf]

This Fraser Island comp sounds pretty big. Might be in it for next year. Do they have a web page? From being on Fraser and watching boats go through Indian head I think the key is to travel in a luttle group and you shouldnt get into to much trouble. Have seen cars snatch other cars all the way through and it seems to work ok. Have fun guys.

Richard Mate where is your PMs? my 8yo daughter beet your score and i can't stir you?
I am booked in for Fraser and will be leaving Corindi Sat 12th May

Cheers Murf