Fraser - How hard?

[mitch92]

G'day

Have a bit of a question. How hard is fraser to do with a single vehicle? Now im not talking going everywhere on the island. Would probably want to go to coongal creek, central station, eli creek. Would also probably start at wangoolba creek and finish at moon point or vice versa.

No plans on cards as yet, just thinking of places.

Cheers
Mitch

[BenDover]

Its all pretty easy at the moment mate. But, thats depending on what vehickle, towing etc etc.

[insideout]

also after the rain, it helps the sand tracks pack down

[rockfisho]

Not that hard. I took my 80 series up when i first got it before the mods having skinny tyres and about 2 inches of sagging. Had no problems (its also a NA Diesel, so a bit gutless). Its just like any beaches, know how to drive in the conditions and you should be fine most of the time.

We passed lots of bogged cars in the indian head cutting.

Owen

[Lucky_Phill]

Done it plenty of times in single vehicle.

Get your preparation right...tides ... tyre pressures.... recovery kit.......

Remember that traveling inland the speed limit is 30kph, but you rarely get to go that fast. Takes a while to even cross from Wathumba Creek to Orchid Beach only 16 k's....... think it took us 45 minutes or more.

Good luck and have fun.


Cheers Phill
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[chisel]

No problems at all for a decent vehicle. Usually quite a few people around to lend a hand if needed.

[mcchaddy]

Hi Mitch,

What sort of vehicle are you taking. I am interested in this as well as I would like to go to fraser on my own. I have a 98 Turbo deisel rodeo single cab tray back. It is stock standard. I hope it would make it. It has been up to DI in the past.

Would be interested to here peoples opinion.

cheers

Michael.

[dec0guy]

I've got a D22 Navara and have never had any issues of either Moreton or Fraser Islands. Drop the tyres to 20psi and have never been bogged in the sand (touch wood)

[mitch92]

Hi Mitch,

What sort of vehicle are you taking. I am interested in this as well as I would like to go to fraser on my own. I have a 98 Turbo deisel rodeo single cab tray back. It is stock standard. I hope it would make it. It has been up to DI in the past.

Would be interested to here peoples opinion.

cheers

Michael.

Would be doing it in a 97 turbo diesel rodeo single cab tray back :cheesy:

I wouldn't be in any sort of hurry, never am to tell the truth, so speed is no issue at all. So far i have found about 16psi front and rear works fine in the rig, wouldn't be towing anything and only gear would be swag, esky's, fuel, rods.


What sort of recovery gear? obviously compressor, snatch strap, shackles, uhf, shovel. What else?

[BenDover]

Just be a bit careful hey, Did everyone see my sign post. According to some of the pro fishermen Ive spoken too last week. There are more and more crocs being sighted. And everyone is powerless to stop their numbers growing as they are protected...

[Lucky_Phill]

Snatch strap is very handy. If you have a bullbar, wrap it around that prior to hitting the beach. just makes it quicker and easier to use, should you get stuck.

It's not a law, but generally you are expected to carry your own snatch strap.... thing is, they can break and some folks that offer help are not prepared to use theirs for this reason. Having said that, most people will stop and assist.

UHF radio, I have found invaluable. You can call up the barge.. bugga, forgot the channel. Also when in trouble you can be in constant contact with your rescuers.


PSI.... tyre pressure. Straun deflaters are fantastic and save so much time. Personally..... 18psi all round, but if towing my big boat......... 15 psi even on trailer.

Compressor is handy as well. There may be times when you roll a tyre of the bead , particularly crossing the inland tracks.... here, drive very slowly over tree roots, these are the suckers that pinch the tyre and sometimes let sand into the bead, causing slow deflation.

Shovel...............mmmmmm again, personally I don't take one for the vehicle recovery aspect, but is a must for digging that deep hole to deposit last nights curry.....:rolleyes:

Careful Driving with commonsense is your best asset. Stick to or below speed limits, look out for humans on the beach as well as all manner of animals. Do not feed the dingoes. Offer assistance to anyone else you see in trouble, even if you are first timer, putting ya heads together and using commonsense will prevail.

I would not anticipate any issues though.

Cheers Phill
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[hakuna]

I tow a van up there yearly by myself, no problems, use basic sense.

Worst part of the middle is not the road but dodging the busses and unskilled tourist drivers (backpackers)

It may seem strange but it is a really good idea to take your boat epirb and flares. A flare normally gaines the attention of the local planes.

If you are involved in an incident/ or arrive to one you may not get phone contact and saves a long drive/ run if any person is injured, also saves lives. I think some of the roll overs have been well publicised, some not

Uhf, police moniter 16 , on memory 20 is the repeater at the top end

cheers

[Just_chips]

I have travelled all over the island sight seeing and exploring with the wife and kids in the car. Only ever got stuck good once and was easily snatched out by the next vehicle that came through.

I take my own snatch straps and shovel. I don't know what those plastic track things are like but they may be a handy recovery item for single veheicle travelling.

Travelling alone really should not be a problem if common sense is used before charging into the unknown. Western beaches see very little traffic, becareful if you intend to explore these areas as if you get stuck it may be a while before you see another car. Getting stuck on the tracks isn't a bad thing as often traffic needs to help you out before they can pass anyway. Getting bogged is not a bad thing, it will help you learn about the capabilities of yourself and your vehicle and is not something to be embarassed by.

Fraser is a great spot to learn if you do not have alot of experience, but like any off orad destination it can be unforgiving if you get it wrong. There is some good advise by others above also. There is plenty to see and do, the biggest issue is time restraints, but if you can get that sorted you will have a ball.

Kev

[BenDover]

Snatch strap is very handy. If you have a bullbar, wrap it around that prior to hitting the beach. just makes it quicker and easier to use, should you get stuck.

It's not a law, but generally you are expected to carry your own snatch strap.... thing is, they can break and some folks that offer help are not prepared to use theirs for this reason. Having said that, most people will stop and assist.

UHF radio, I have found invaluable. You can call up the barge.. bugga, forgot the channel. Also when in trouble you can be in constant contact with your rescuers.


PSI.... tyre pressure. Straun deflaters are fantastic and save so much time. Personally..... 18psi all round, but if towing my big boat......... 15 psi even on trailer.

Compressor is handy as well. There may be times when you roll a tyre of the bead , particularly crossing the inland tracks.... here, drive very slowly over tree roots, these are the suckers that pinch the tyre and sometimes let sand into the bead, causing slow deflation.

Shovel...............mmmmmm again, personally I don't take one for the vehicle recovery aspect, but is a must for digging that deep hole to deposit last nights curry.....:rolleyes:

Careful Driving with commonsense is your best asset. Stick to or below speed limits, look out for humans on the beach as well as all manner of animals. Do not feed the dingoes. Offer assistance to anyone else you see in trouble, even if you are first timer, putting ya heads together and using commonsense will prevail.

I would not anticipate any issues though.

Cheers Phill
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Your right there phill. Although the new km2's ive been raving about are fantastic. Because BFG in their wisdom decided to get rid of the rim protectors. I have a nice bit of fury tree root hanging out of my rim now. No delfation. I just think its there for good now because im lazy. :grin:

PS> Am I the only 1 here who cares that croc signs have gone up everywhere on fraser now???? I mean cmon, sharks I can handle, but man eating crocs F#&k THAT!!!!

[ozscott]

Im with you Ben...they walk on land and are very smart...and a lot more dangerous than the odd shark (although I wouldnt swim on the West Coast of Fraser given the PACKS of sharks that frenzy up at times.

Cheers