Is the Border Track any place for a Nissan Xtrail?

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I will look out for you Jack! I am leading a group down the border track that weekend as well.

Yes lots of 4wdriving after Redbluff, a few more reasonable dunes, and then all the mud holes, most have bypasses so you can pick and choose what you tackle. Best to get off the the Border Track at Emu Flat Rd, if you try and go south from there it gets very tight, paint on the side of the Prado is an optional extra if you try and make it to Bordertown. It will take you half a day to get from Red bluff to Emu Flat rd anyway.

Cheers Andrew

[Aspiring Outback Jack Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Aspiring Outback Jack]

Thanks Andrew, will certainly keep an eye out for your rig. If your camping at the Bluff that night i'll have a cold beer for you!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Yes camping at Red Bluff, best keep the beer for yourself though, I am not a drinker! I should be easy enough to find on the track, given I am taking the camper trailer I will be the one winching over the big dunes.......... maybe

Cheers Andrew

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Yes camping at Red Bluff, best keep the beer for yourself though, I am not a drinker! I should be easy enough to find on the track, given I am taking the camper trailer I will be the one winching over the big dunes.......... maybe

Cheers Andrew

I'll have that beer for you, Andrew!

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I'll have that beer for you, Andrew!

No Dave
The 2012gtg committee has decided that unless you attend anger management classes you are NOT permitted to drink.

[yoda_123 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close yoda_123]

Not having done this run before, a mate and I have been talking about a boys weekend away taking in the sights, sounds and challenges of the Border Track. One of the blokes that would come along would need to get a Nissan X-trail down the border track. Not a great deal of clearance but he would be travelling with other vehicles including my 120 series and a 100 series cruiser. What do we all think?

Should be no problem at all. Just keep an eye on tyre pressures. Enjoy!

[Aspiring Outback Jack Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Aspiring Outback Jack]

Well Men the track has been run and throughly enjoyed by all. Got a late start from Scorpion Springs (around 11:30). The sand was dry and fairly soft and the x-trail had clearance issues very early on. The virgin recovery gear was bought out to pull him clear with the brightness of the yellow nylon on the brand new strap nearly blinding the driver!
The xtrail did take most of the chicken runs as the driver quickly became aware of what was and was not possible in his bus. I was concious in the Prado of tackling all the biggest runs in fear that I wouldnt earn my theoretical border track patch. After not seeing another vehicle all afternoon we caught up to the back of a 20 car traffic jam as a club of some sort tackled one of the larger dunes. We werent far out from Doggers campsite so the xtrail set off on teh chicken track while we waited our turn to take on the dune. The plan was to have the xtrail arrive at camp a little earlier for a better spot and to get the fire up and burning.
Our great plan quickly fell to pieces when we heard of an xtrail bogged a few kms up the track! Ends up they were recovered by another crew while we waited at the back of the 30 car traffic jam that the bogged xtrail had caused.
That night the crew around eh camp fire had plenty of laughs about the days happenings and with a roaring fire and good company we were quickly joined by some new friends from the Triton Club. Thanks for making room at the camp for us Jock!
Next day was a late start and I now know that getting from Doggers to Bordertown takes a lot longer than I had calculated. All and all had a fantastic time. A few extra scrathes on the Prado and a broken electrical connection on my tow bar where my only problems. Should just cost me a new plastic shroud and a tub of polish. Just waiting to hear back from the xtrail as to whether some of his new in car rattles are coming for a broken engine mount or a bent steering arm! Hopefully not too expensive for him. Great to enjoy our 4wd pass time but no one wants a big bill at the end of it!
We were well feed and watered during the trip and treated to some great (albeit) cool weather overnight. This was evident by the block of ice that greeted us in the morning that had once been our dishes bucket (frozen solid!). Got home just before 6pm but had a fun drive home from Bordertown cheering on the Crows as they spanked the blues. I cant wait to get out and about again. Hopefully its not too long between drinks.

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

Well done Dale
I bet you are glad you've got a Prado and not a X-Trail.
Any pictures of your adventures.
Cheers Troy

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

This has been a good read to gather information on the conditions for when we tackle the track as part of the GTG 2012.

Good to hear everyone had a good time and enjoyed it even though there was an X-Trail. You are only as fast as the slowest vehicle.

[Playdoh96 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Playdoh96]

well done!!!! We are headed down there in a few weeks and would love to see some happy snaps. Great job getting the datto though, wouldnt like to come across a half buried x-trail up some of those dunes!!!!!!! lol
See you on the tracks some time.

[Aspiring Outback Jack Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Aspiring Outback Jack]

Ease up a bit on the x-trail lads... It certainly wasn't my intention in my post to take shots at my mates bus! Main thing was that we hit the track, had a fun day out in the sticks, a thick steak (medium rare) and a couple of cold beers! Though we hadn't done the trip before and had no idea what to expect we thought the track was quite soft in some places and a few of the hills were a good challenge. We watched landcruisers, patrols and alike take numerous attempts to get up and over some of the climbs. I'm really thankful that these blokes were willing to tackle the challenge with me and I hope that we get the opportunity to hit the tracks again soon.

[4wd Supplies Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd Supplies]

Hey mate good write up there. It was good to meet you guy's and I reckon a couple of the triton boys have still got headaches from the grappa. haha.

Shows how good these forums are when your in the middle of nowhere you still bump into people who are on the same forums as you.

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

I had an Xtrail and in sand would sometimes be great and sometimes not...I found out when you put the 4x4 Dial to lock (centre lock and 4x4) it would work well BUT at 40kph go's back to 2wd so on a beach etc would be going fine then would start to get stuck not knowing why, Nissan couldn't even tell me how to use it BUT with the dial on auto it stayed constant 4x4 and never got bogged again. I put in taller lovells and taller A/T tyres it was a top bus..Even did the power lines in Perth.
Crappy photo but was a scary moment coming up a climb