1st Fraser Island Trip

[DarkHorse Member Find all posts View Profile Close DarkHorse]

G'Day Crew,

Finally got my brand new Prado, as has my mate from Sydney.

Anyhow off to Fraser Island for 4 days this Friday. Have never been before.

Also have never been offroad/sand before.

I have purchased a recovery strap, bow shackles, shovel, compressor and tyre gauge. Will get a block of wood for the jack. Is it worth buying some maxtrax?

Also I didnt get the car rust proofed when i purchased it. I was thinking of using this underneath:



I anticipate only keeping the car for 3-4 years and then renewing for a new vehicle. Is it worth getting the electronic rust system fitted before we go to Fraser?

So may questions. look forward to your reply.

BTW my prado is stock standard, Grandcraps and all. Mate has BFG's, lift and snorkel with bullbar etc.

Staying at Dundubura with 2 children.

Regards,


Rob

[Pedro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pedro]

Darkhorse,
First thing I would do would be to get the dealer you bought vehicle from to ring and get your Prado booked into get it rustproofed.

Also try Downey Street Lube they have been in the business for years.
Not sure about the electronic rust proofing .
Rang the RACQ about this a few years ago and they were noncommital.

You will have fun at Fraser, just approach the creeks with some caution and watch for washouts.


Pedro

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Gidday Darkhorse...
Enjoy Fraser and as Wengnuts said take lots of pics and be sure to post a trip report

I haven't been to Fraser but make sure you drop tyre pressure before you hit the sand, and at fraser that means when you leave the carpark at Inskip Point if that's the way you're going.

I know you mentioned you have a tyre gauge but for too long I used a stick or keys to deflate... a couple of months ago I bought an ARB E-Z Deflator and sheez it makes life so much easier

Don't know about rust proofing appart from there has been heaps of talk on various forums already. Try searching here or even over at Overlander forum.

Enjoy the getaway

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Rob, i have sent you a PM.

Robert

[Camo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Camo]

G day DarkHorse
That Penetrol stuff is great for freeing up rusted bolts but i dont know how is goes for protection.

Personaly i always use the old fish old in a spary pack (best to buy the non-oder versons)

Only down side is it doesnt last for long maybe a week before i do it again and you got to wash the car down well before hand.

Cheers Camo

[GeoffM Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GeoffM]

RE: ELECTRONIC rustproofing ................

"a fool and his money are soon parted"

'nuf said ...... Geoff

[DarkHorse Member Find all posts View Profile Close DarkHorse]

Thanks for the replies guys. Will probably go the lanotec for now and wash her down well after the trip.

Chemical rust proofing from toyota dealership costs a mint, and cant go on the beach for 3 weeks!

Will see what happens I suppose.

Hutch, didnt get your PM!

Regards,


Rob

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Thanks for the replies guys. Will probably go the lanotec for now and wash her down well after the trip.

Chemical rust proofing from toyota dealership costs a mint, and cant go on the beach for 3 weeks!

Will see what happens I suppose.

Hutch, didnt get your PM!

Regards,


Rob

Sorry Mate, give me a call tomorrow 0404 822047, i happy to pass on my fraser experiences, it is like been in another world.

[Indy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Indy]

Hey Hutch,

I am going on my first Fraser Island trip at the beginning of September. Mind if I give you call at some stage to get some insights from you?

Indy

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Hey Hutch,

I am going on my first Fraser Island trip at the beginning of September. Mind if I give you call at some stage to get some insights from you?

Indy

No worries at all, we are goin on the 16th of Spetember. Can't wait.

[Indy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Indy]

Many thanks Hutch - will give you a call.

We get there on 3 September (a Monday) and leave following Saturday morning - to say I am looking forward to it would be a big understatement (Can't come quick enough)

[dirttracker Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dirttracker]

Fraser

Dear Darkhorse,
Fraser is great. We went last year, our first big trip in our Prado, although not the first outback as we had gone around Oz across the top in a Tribute. We found the Prado went very well in the sand. I have a auto diesel and so did not have the problem of choosing the wrong gear. I took deflaters and used them before I hit the sand. 20 lbs for the whole time we were on the sand. Be careful that you dont heat the tyres too much on the hard sand. We took all the basic recovery gear but did not need it. If we did it is much easier to ask someone to pull you out using your strap.

As to rust, I have electronic protection and it's good for me, but I did WD40 the car before hand as I could not find Lanotec. I have done since. When you get off there are under car car wash outlets so put in some time there.

Be prepared to remove the front bash guard and do some panel beating and repainting if you are at standard height as I was when we went. I have since lifted the prado and put on 265/70x17 Coopers.

I look forward to going again but after we get back from Birdsville and "the track".

Good luck.

[Blokeman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Blokeman]

I wouldn't bother with any rustproofing stuff, just give it a really thorough hose underneath and park it on the sprinkler when you get home. The factory rustproofing these days is pretty good.

Yes deflate your tyres, if it's soft go down to 16ish, 10 if you get stuck.

Spend your money on a good tyre gauge, and a middle priced compressor, the more litres/minute the better.

Oh and have fun, if you get stuck don't panic!

[Ba77hy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ba77hy]

I didn't bother with the rust proofing from the dealers either, I just went to a local rust proofer who did the under body of the car for $150.00. Apart from that I will just give it a good wash under neath, will use a sprinkler, but hey, Prados are low enough to the ground, just lie down with a cold XXXX Gold and the hose in the other hand and pump the water in everywhere, especially, in the channels of the chassis supports, there are numerous access holes and plenty of sand gets in, The other spot I found in around both the fuel tanks.

By doing this at least you can see when the sand stops, and have a good look at all the hard to get places!!!

The next best thing is give the car a good clean and wax before you go!!, nothing beats paintwork protection like wax!!!

Hey I see a few of you are heading up to Fraser in September, way kewl, I am heading up there around the 19th of Sep!!! Might catch up for a yarn or two!!!

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

We head up their on the 16th, look out for two prado's one black, one blue a blue patrol, and a black vitara.

Were are you staying.