Fraser Island In The Suzuki Grand Vitara

**YOOT** · 17-09-2009, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Im loving all this. Dont worry Yuut I always carry a snatch strap and rated shackles in the Disco to help soft roaders....and I like subies so I stop for them

Subies go fine on the beach - they are a far cry from the CRV's etc, but towing is a different story. I expressed some concern initially at the post given he was towing - and repeated those above recently. But he gave it a go which is sweet.

Cheers

You should never have to, I almost always go with someone else, like I've said I don't force the issue and get the car so bogged it needs snatching (haven't done it yet anyway!), but I have pushed it out a few times, because I knew I wasn't going to make it.

I carry all my own gear, Bridle and 2 Shackles for front, Hayman Reece for rear, snatch, shovel, Stauns deflators, Compressor. All I want is some Maxtrax and I should be self sufficient on the beach.

I never mentioned through all this I still run 17" low profile tyres too at 17psi.

This is worth looking at, this page sums up my experiences with SUVs, and Fraser is the perfect place to take them. Lets just not tow anything.

http://www.bushranger.com.au/bushran..._checklist.php

Here's the opening quote "It may be a little known fact but Compact SUV's have the ability to travel through most terrain. In our own adventures, we have taken a Kia Sportage through the Flinders Ranges and the Simpson Desert without the need for major modifications or heavy duty recovery gear. As a matter of fact, the only modification we did was a 2 inch lift in the suspension and that was only to accomodate some more aggresive tyres."

EDIT: Funny enough, here's the actual media event on cardavice.com.au http://www.caradvice.com.au/19205/bu...ous-with-suvs/ Not a bad little read, except its a plug for bushranger.

Funny the only vehicle they show stuck is Suzuki, and guess whats pulling it out...

**BenDover** · 17-09-2009, 07:36 AM

I think the problem here is that we are all talking about different things. A flat beach or flat sand climb/hill/dune = power to weight, grip (tyre footprint size) and clearance. It makes no difference at all if you have lockers or not in sand (I like to think it does, but tests have proven otherwise) Well. Technically thats a lie if your running airlockers, as it negates your lsd into an open centre (Rear).

But, We are talking about ALL the things we have seen on a beach/inland track that your car just cant get through. Nothing personal. If you stick to your same old tracks and beach runs, you'll be fine.

Say your going along a narrow inland track and come across a big sandy 600mm hole on your passenger side at the bottom or midway up a hill. The hill will elliminate any momentum you have. You are not going to make it. And if your get pulled through your are probably going to sustain some front damage. I would go as far as to say you wouldnt make it if the hole was 400mm deep. Seen it many times before. The inland tracks arent always soft sand/mud and rut out.

Now imagine it was a narrow track (1 car wide and 1 way). The guy infront of you is long gone and there are heaps of cars pilling up behind you. What are you going to do then. Thats the part that pisses me off.. And makes me passionate about my posts and advice. IM SURE ALOT OF GUYS WILL AGREE..

Im not proud to say I end up having to go bush and knock a few trees down just to get infront of the guy and drag him through. Then I see a tear in his eye as the front gaurd is cracked and he has some how felt bullied. But unfortunately if he cant pull to the side there is only 1 way out.

Everyone who wants to go 4x4ing should go out to there local tracks and area's and test them. Find their limits and make their adjustments. I cant stand idiots who buy a 4x4 and then go out untested, inwich the above happens. Not fun for anyone.

But thats why we have 4x4 clubs, and this forum and meet and greets... To have fun and learn safely..

**finding_time** · 17-09-2009, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by YOOT

Here's the opening quote "It may be a little known fact but Compact SUV's have the ability to travel through most terrain. In our own adventures, we have taken a Kia Sportage through the Flinders Ranges and the Simpson Desert without the need for major modifications or heavy duty recovery gear. As a matter of fact, the only modification we did was a 2 inch lift in the suspension and that was only to accomodate some more aggresive tyres."

...

Well i can assure you that there would be no way you could cross the Simpson at the moment in a soft roader

There is a 20 km section that is terribly chewed up the dunes average 15m tall and the track at the approch to many had really been worked over with 20 to 40 m of wombat holes as the track starts to get steep ( caused by many vehicles getting stuck while towing trailers) approching the climbs with any speed wil end up in doing damage to your vehicle as it pitches when you enter these sections! A new hilux with modifyied TJM suspension had snapped the end right off his front left shock absorber collapsing that whole front corner on that side, a few vehicles we saw ( including a new 200 series LC)had damaged there moulded front and rear bumpers extensively. It would be a bad trip in any vehicle with low ground clearance !

Ian

**YOOT** · 17-09-2009, 08:40 AM