fraser island, sand driving, need a few tips on gear..

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

hi all,
I'm off to fraser island, 1st time, in July and am after a little feed back on preperation. I am heading out to my local sand dune area, boat harbour near Cronulla for a little practice. Am trying to organise a mate who does a bit of sand driving to come along.
I have a 2005 VX petrol. It is fitted with a sover. bullbar and towbar.
I have a bash plate between radiator and bullbar and also made a cover for the air vents on the sump gaurd to stop sand etc getting in.
Question:
what is the minimal gear i should carry, considering I'm not going to do any extreme 4wd but also don't want to rely on other people's gear, should i get stuck. The only thing i have is a good air compressor to re-inflate tyres, other than that I have no gear at all.
So I'm after a list of essentials to carry.
I'm thinking a snatch strap? tow rope? shovel? shackles? etc??
any tips and ideas, would be appreciated.
cheers, Rod

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

what you have for your essentials is pretty good, dont forget the tyre pressure gauge and some shackles for attaching ya snatch strap min 3.2 tonne bow shackles, the key to sand driving is tyre pressures and momentum, not break neck speeds but enough to get you on top of the sand and a speed you feel comfortable with. you will love fraser ive been 3 times and going back again as soon as a get a chance. cheers samo

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

:arrow: basics------, air compressor and pressure gauge, Snatch strap, shackles, shovel, 18PSI to start with but be prepared to go lower if its neccesary, ..
:arrow: A bit extra------, air jack, Max traks.
:arrow: A top of the line self sufficient list would also include----, winch and sand anchors..

:idea: but fraser is fairly well populated from all accounts so probably go with the basics list.

So it sounds like your almost there, A good compressor would be the most expensive item on the basic list..

Jeff.

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

Hi Roddy,

You're going to love it! Fraser is a favourite destination.

Also do some searches for "recovery" and "Fraser", others have posted similar questions - and it's nice to keep all the info in one place. You will be bound to get a list of minimal equipment.
My 2c, I agree ropes are essential. If you want to go one step further, the gentlest way to get yourself unstuck in sand is with the MaxTrax and you don't need to rely on anyone else coming by to rescue you. If you sink to the sills, then The "Air Jack" (http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=2597) will put your wheels back on top.

LFaR.

[Mick Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mick]

Fraser.... mmmm I wish!

My mates nearly got a bit wetter than they intended cos the tide came in pretty quick and almost trapped them from getting back to camp!! (Idoit 80 series driver's) :lol:
Local knowledge and forward planning type of preparation goes a long way too!
If you're going alone, a good sand anchor and hand winch may also be appropriate, but nothing is easier than a second 4WD to snatch you out if one is travelling with you (my personal preference!)
You probly don't want to take the whole damn garage with you though :lol:

Have fun when you get there and enjoy.

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

Oh and I should add..... rated recovery points.

Jeff.

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

Re: fraser island, sand driving, need a few tips on gear..

hi all,
I'm off to fraser island, 1st time, in July and am after a little feed back on preperation. I am heading out to my local sand dune area, boat harbour near Cronulla for a little practice. Am trying to organise a mate who does a bit of sand driving to come along.
I have a 2005 VX petrol. It is fitted with a sover. bullbar and towbar.
I have a bash plate between radiator and bullbar and also made a cover for the air vents on the sump gaurd to stop sand etc getting in.
Question:
what is the minimal gear i should carry, considering I'm not going to do any extreme 4wd but also don't want to rely on other people's gear, should i get stuck. The only thing i have is a good air compressor to re-inflate tyres, other than that I have no gear at all.
So I'm after a list of essentials to carry.
I'm thinking a snatch strap? tow rope? shovel? shackles? etc??
any tips and ideas, would be appreciated.
cheers, Rod

Roddy, you pretty much have it covered, as someone said some rated recovery hooks up front, you have a towbar at the back (use the pin through the strap if needed) and the tyre gauge, also i would suggest that a sand driving course can be money well spent as they show you the little things that can sometimes make a difference.

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

thanks guys.
on rated recovery points.... is the std prado front tow hook not up to the job.. is it ok for towing but not strong enough for snatching??

So i am out to buy:
-3.2 tonne shackles,
-a snatch strap.. is there any brands better than others or can i simply go to, say supercheap auto and buy one from them..is there anything i need look out for?? Am i better to have a tow rope.. maybe both?
-tyre pressure gauge, i have a good one of them.
-folding shovels, all pretty much the same in qualtiy. I notice theres a few on ebay.
-i am looking at doing to sand driving course up around Newcastle

thanks again, cheers, Rod

thanks again

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

Roddy, most people bag the supercheap stuff but 69.99 snatch strap was number one in a test in one of the mags a few years ago.

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Rod

Everything everyone else said plus:
:arrow: Every last drop of fuel you can fit in the tanks.
:arrow: As much beer as you think you can drink plus an extra carton just to be sure
:arrow: A spare couple of hours to spend at Indian Head (with beer of course) and watch everyone else get stuck
:arrow: If you have been contemplating a suspension upgrade & lift, go and get it done before you go.



Cheers - Byrnsie

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

if you have a roof rack take a proper long handled shovel rather than a folding one.

leachy

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

hutch,
ok... interesting. I think i might pay them a visit. I was looking at places
like ARB etc.... wow do they know how to charge. Reminds me of when i had a boat- anything with the word 'marine' in it, you can add 40%..

Byrnsie,
mmm, beer. thats a definite !

cheers guys.

Roddy, most people bag the supercheap stuff but 69.99 snatch strap was number one in a test in one of the mags a few years ago.

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

Pretty much all been said except ... tide guide .... and knowing how to read (apply) it :!: Tides are a lot bigger up there than Cronulla

Jim

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

Throw in a pair of jump cables too..

not many people carry them, and ive had flat batteries on the beach before (not in the prado tho.. but still)


if you still have the dunlops on there i wouldnt put them under 20psi.. Many of the inland tracks have exposed roots that can stake a tyre.. Also, there is plenty of beach that u have to cover sometimes, so if you go too low with the tyre pressure, you cant happily sit on 80kph as you cruise down the beach.

also get a map.. the one that you get with your permit is useless.

and as its been said - shackles (rated bow shackles). Snatch strap, tyre guage, shovel.

i have a trip report here http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=1926

i covered most of the lakes and sights so check it out and get an idea on where you want to go (its a BIG island!!)

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

Hi Roddy,
One more very important thing "A Tide Chart" if you are hanging around any beach spots.