June Long Weekend SA Getaway

[WOZCLEAN Member Find all posts View Profile Close WOZCLEAN]

Although we’ve had our Prado for 4yrs in Sep this year, the most we’ve done in it is an Eyre Peninsula Camping (Not 4WDing) Trip in 2009 whereby we went around the Westall Way Loop and literally to the edge of Australia. Since then all we’ve had the opportunity of doing is driving on a dirt road every weekend to go to swimming for the kids.

In saying that we’re most definitely not afraid to use our Prado for what it was intended, however, lacking the experience we’ve naturally been cautious to say the least to do much 4WDing on our own.

As such, before we embark on the 2012 GTG we’d like the opportunity to meet some of the SA PP Gang (and anyone else who might be around) and gain a little experience so we were wondering if anyone would like to be a part of a short getaway in June.

The dates we’re proposing are:

Sat 9th June to Mon 11th June

with Thu 7th June and Fri 8th June optional

We’ve suggested the Thu & Fri though not essential because our school has these days off as Student Free Days although the lovely teachers will be there for more on the Australian Curriculum.

As novices we’d appreciate input into where to go that isn’t too difficult but fun and inexpensive as we’re on a limited budget and wouldn’t have heaps of 4WD gear just yet as this is a work in progress to meet the MVRs for the GTG.

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

Wozclean - if that is the long weekend, we may be doing a Recce for the GTG around then. Some of us may not be available because of this. However, depending on numbers etc, there have been some trips where non committee members have tagged along. Last year in June we did Bendleby Ranges. Google it. It is a great place to go with the kids and there's plenty of tracks to keep the 4x4 busy.

[WOZCLEAN Member Find all posts View Profile Close WOZCLEAN]

Have read the GTG posts and would not be confident to do Bendleby Ranges without enough gear (we're working on it for the GTG) or other experienced travellers with us (and if enough were to respond to my post to say they'd like to or would go then we'd be up for Bendleby).

Something fairly basic would be good to begin with though would not have a problem going to GTG with all the experienced PP members that are planning to go from across the country.

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

The committee is planning on going to Bendleby for that long weekend. We can guide you through and help out where nescessary. You can opt out at any time if it gets a bit tough for you, but with some guidance you should be fine. If you are still a bit short on gear we can also help out with compressor and recovery gear (that we shouldn't need) even a handheld UHF if you don't have in car unit yet. Recovery points are probably the only thing you would "need" for the trip. I have a coup;le of sets of recovery points that I made, the original set of my Prado and a set I made for some one else that never paid me for them, so he never got them. PM if you are interested.

BTW, thanks for the comments in my Madigans report, but I don't have a Grande like MLC, I have a working mans Prado; a GXL which came with climate control in 2009.



Cheers Andrew

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

The committee is planning on going to Bendleby for that long weekend. We can guide you through and help out where nescessary. You can opt out at any time if it gets a bit tough for you, but with some guidance you should be fine. If you are still a bit short on gear we can also help out with compressor and recovery gear (that we shouldn't need) even a handheld UHF if you don't have in car unit yet. Recovery points are probably the only thing you would "need" for the trip. I have a coup;le of sets of recovery points that I made, the original set of my Prado and a set I made for some one else that never paid me for them, so he never got them. PM if you are interested.

BTW, thanks for the comments in my Madigans report, but I don't have a Grande like MLC, I have a working mans Prado; a GXL which came with climate control in 2009.



Cheers Andrew

We were? Sounds good to me.

Actually now I think about it, I do remember being keen for it.

[big-trev Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close big-trev]

Dave you have been working too hard.We discussed this at Beachport.And to Wozclean this would be a good introduction to PradoPoint gtg.Do you have a camper trailer to camp in at all.

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

Dave you have been working too hard.

sounds unlikely.

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

Woz.

Ditto what AJ said. I have done the hardest things Bendleby has to offer with a standard Prado GXL in our company. All good. Besides, there is a fair bit of experience amongst the group and it is a small group so a good environment for you to cut your teeth and Bendleby offers a good variety of tracks. I would only change this opinion if it rains, (which is unlikely given the annual rainfall for that area)

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

and i'll be able to show off my 4" lift

[WOZCLEAN Member Find all posts View Profile Close WOZCLEAN]

And to Wozclean this would be a good introduction to PradoPoint gtg.Do you have a camper trailer to camp in at all.

We have a camper trailer....... on our wish list. So, we would be tenting it until the purchase of a camper trailer is realised and hence if cold we would clearly be rugging up and using a few thick good quality polar fleece blankets.

The committee is planning on going to Bendleby for that long weekend. We can guide you through and help out where nescessary. You can opt out at any time if it gets a bit tough for you, but with some guidance you should be fine. If you are still a bit short on gear we can also help out with compressor and recovery gear (that we shouldn't need) even a handheld UHF if you don't have in car unit yet. Recovery points are probably the only thing you would "need" for the trip. I have a coup;le of sets of recovery points that I made, the original set of my Prado and a set I made for some one else that never paid me for them, so he never got them. PM if you are interested.

Tough? Opt out? We don't give up very easily so opting out would only be in an extreme situation. We're in this for all the good challenges.

We already have a pair of UHF Handhelds that have a 10km range (direct line of sight of course). However, DH is pretty adamant about buying the Uniden UHF CB we want within the next couple of weeks (tonight if he has his way).

As for Recovery Points we've been looking on evilBay as we have a Toyota Genuine Sovereign Bullbar and our local TJM & ARB agents don't sell anything suitable. Thanks for the offer and will PM to discuss if required.

Again the compressor and recovery gear is something we are closely watching on evilBay as it appears cheaper compared to local agents incl Repco, Autopro, etc but just as good a quality. Your offer (and on behalf of everyone else) is muchly appreciated.

BTW, thanks for the comments in my Madigans report, but I don't have a Grande like MLC, I have a working mans Prado; a GXL which came with climate control in 2009.

Now, I'm just freaking jealous! Not only does a 2009 model come out in a 6 speed manual but with climate control too (DH's reply was "I coulda told you that"). So, my wish list now includes a 2009 GXL Prado 6-speed manual ?petrol/diesel.