SA: Bendleby Ranges June Long Weekend 11-13th

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

Showing some pretty good flex in the 90 there Torrie.


Bendleby is truely an awesome playground and comments that I've read about hard tracks being only caonquored with lockers is garbage. I can't think of any track that can not be done without lockers, even the tough bits. Just need to learn how to drive a 4wd rather than click the button!

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

Showing some pretty good flex in the 90 there Torrie.


Bendleby is truely an awesome playground and comments that I've read about hard tracks being only caonquored with lockers is garbage. I can't think of any track that can not be done without lockers, even the tough bits. Just need to learn how to drive a 4wd rather than click the button!

Schaffer, while I agree with you on most things and value your learned experience, I must disagree or at least qualify the statement. The hard tracks can all be done without lockers yes and there is usually a way "round" an obstacle such as a fresh wash out cutting diagonally before a steep incline however, there was NO WAY any Prado was going to do some of the paths I chose within some tracks which only lockers allowed me too. Guess I prefer the harder option when it presents itself

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

MLC, we were there the same weekend and did every track in the Hungry Ranges, all the good trails at Bendleby - bar the long green trails to the west and all the training track on a standard Hyundai Terrican and Nissan Patrol, the Mitz Pajero and mine had suspension done. This included the Ridge trail and every dodgy washout we came across. Agreed that the Terrican needed a bit of momentum in a couple of places (ridge track and fence track) but all vehicles drove all trails pretty easily and with no mentionable damage.... a few scuffed side steps and bent trailer plugs.
Both Prado and Paj had traction control, Terrican and Patrol had "working" LDS'd.

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

I don't know of any comments in this thread or border thread etc that have come anywhere near suggesting that some tracks are not passable without lockers? I'm confused.... I can state 100% that there have been lines that we've sent MLC through that are not passable without lockers. Can you get past these by picking a different line? Yes.

Nick - you seem to beat up on lockers a lot. Do you secretly desire them but are just to proud to admit it? As AJ120 has said before, lockers aren't necessarily about going places others can't, but more so about doing it comfortably without wheel spins etc and smashing your diff!!

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

I'd love a set of lockers... Might even give the install a shot... I mean, how hard could it be, right?

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

Nick - you seem to beat up on lockers a lot. Do you secretly desire them but are just to proud to admit it? As AJ120 has said before, lockers aren't necessarily about going places others can't, but more so about doing it comfortably without wheel spins etc and smashing your diff!!

Ian, I don't have a dislike of lockers but I also don't have a desire for a locker as there have been very few places that I've been to so far where I can justify having a set but I haven't done done Cape York and Coffs Harbor and there are a few others where lockers would be an advantage. Im a believer that you should learn how to drive your vehicle properly without the aid of some magic button that solves all your problems, after all what would you do in the case that the electronics fail and you are stuck somewhere and due to not learning how to drive. I also believe that if you know how to drive your vehicle properly then you should be able to achieve a comparable end result more or less, comfortably and without wheel spin, damage to your vehicle or the track and still be able to tackle Rob's "Harder Option" without going around an obsticle.

I guess we have to agree to disagree here Rob. Without actually being there on the day it is hard for me to comment but I've been there a few times before and did all of the tracks (save one or two of the almost flat tracks) and took that "hard option" and didn't have any real dramas. The only spot that I needed to have a second go was the washout at the bottom of the hill heading into Quarry Springs Gorge. There is another washout heading up to Dinner Time Springs as you start the ascent which again shouldn't provide too many challanges taking either right or left approach provided you know how to drive.

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

This thread is starting to run down the line of becoming personally insulting, Nick. Lockers have never been a required accessory on anything that we have done on trips. You seem to imply that Rob flicks the locker switch every time we come across something!

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Lets not ruin the trip report boys...

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

Sorry guys. That is not what I meant. Appologies to Rob and all for my comments being read that way. i can see that it could easily be read along those lines. I wasn't there so best I shut up.

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

This thread is starting to run down the line of becoming personally insulting, Nick. Lockers have never been a required accessory on anything that we have done on trips. You seem to imply that Rob flicks the locker switch every time we come across something!

It is a pretty array of blue switches that mesmorise me.

As I have unofficially "officially quit smoking" I will be looking for more distractions so I expect the prurdy blue lights will be flicked on more and more to drive over slow drivers, shopping trolleys, 6 foot fences, semi trailers, trains, pedestrians, cross walk attendants, nursing homes, flats, gorges, police cars, and anytrhing else that just happens to be in my way until such time as the "smoking urge" passes. Probably a good idea for any South Australian PPers to take that interstate holiday now coz I really NEED a cigarette right now dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Couple of pics from the boys that were in my car:

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

Some more:

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

more:

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

and a few of the camper: