Cape York or bust May 2012

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Thanks Derek for the write up and video. When I finally get up there all the information that you and other PP'ers who have gone before will hopefully assist us in negating the some of the risks - maybe. Good luck mate with your next 150.

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

Ouch... did you have any traction at all when you stopped or did the prado just float? Or did it stop at that point because the electrics spat the dummy?

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

Sad to watch mate, good luck with the next one.

[geograzza Member Find all posts View Profile Close geograzza]

Sorry about your mishap. It's got me thinking though - that water didn't seem overly deep. It's only just up to the base of the snorkel, so it's probably only a few inches deeper than the maximum that could be done without a snorkel. It looks like on the 150, your wading depth is not limited so much by the risk of sucking water, but by the risk of water damaging the electrics. Almost makes me wonder if there is any point in getting a snorkel at all. Or maybe a snorkel installation should be accompanied with a bilge pump down near the ECU's.

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

When the car is moving u have a bow wave and an air pocket generally under the bonnet, when u stop, all over red rover, water will fill every hole possible.
Snorkel still very cheap insurance.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[Dusty74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty74]

A little off topic, but a snorkel isn't just about water crossings. i.e. better/ cleaner source of intake air.

Cheers,
Dusty

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

I was at the Lions Den the other night for the State of Origin. Saw your message Derek up on the new message board. I got a photo of it.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

I was at the Lions Den the other night for the State of Origin. Saw your message Derek up on the new message board. I got a photo of it.

Hi PLAYDOH, that got put up there on the night of the first State of Origin, great pub the Lions Den.

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

My observations from being up at Nolans over the June/July school holidays. No we didn't do the crossing as two of 4 had no snorkel but we did all the rest of the track.

The most successful crossings were those who went slow and maintained a steady pace through the water. Those that hit that first big hole with speed lost most momentum and very quickly. We observed a 120 series smash his way in and he was at snails pace from 50% of the crossing to the other side.

Many had a snatch strap sitting on the bonnet ready to be hooked up to a vehicle waiting on the other side so bystanders could be attching a shackle as soon as it looked like trouble, others had a strap connected before they entered the water to a vehilce on the other side and both moved in tandem but had enough slack so a crossing was still being attempted.

A water blind of some sort was mandatory, I am sure I saw canvas from a deck chair being used by one group.

A snorkel also but that doesn't turn you into a submarine.

The tips we got was drop tyres to 12-15psi, wait 20+ minutes between crossings (allow sand to settle over the soft mud) and MT's are best to keep you moving

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

I'll be leaving for the Cape on Saturday 4th August & will post a trip report when I get back. Can't wait. This trip was planned for 2 years. We were originally planning to go this time last year but had to wait another whole year because my wife just started a new job 12 months ago and couldn't spring it on her boss that she needed 4 weeks off with no notice. Although I would've been more than happy to write her boss a letter pleading for his sympathy to my needs.

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

Very jealous of your pending trip Brett. I did it this time last year and was the best trip of my life. I tell my friends that it was on my bucket list and it's still on it.....
If you want any tips or info from our trip, drop me a pm. Happy to share anything that you may find useful.

Cheers


Paul

I'll be leaving for the Cape on Saturday 4th August & will post a trip report when I get back. Can't wait. This trip was planned for 2 years. We were originally planning to go this time last year but had to wait another whole year because my wife just started a new job 12 months ago and couldn't spring it on her boss that she needed 4 weeks off with no notice. Although I would've been more than happy to write her boss a letter pleading for his sympathy to my needs.

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

Derek,

I have read through your post, looked at every utube video on the crossing and can only feel your pain. I have been to the Cape twice and both times up and down the OTT and thankfully managed to get through. Must say back in 1988 the only electronic gadget in the car was...well nothing actually just an old 2.2 oil burner under the hood lol. Looking back I cant believe I actually made it not to mention towing a trailer as well witch did end up breaking free and rolling on the endless corrugation. Thankfully a bit of handy work and we where off again in a few hours.

In 1992 in the 4Runner 2.8 diesel I did manage to get stuck at the gunshot for three and a half hours digging the nose out of the almost sheer drop we fell in, no recovery gear at all or assistance just 3.5 hours in mud up to my waist and the cars bottle jack to get us out. Must 'dig out' (excuse the pun) the old video (yes video remember them) and put it on utube some day.

Well happy to hear the story is going to end well for you. A new set of wheels and few accessories before you know it you will have that 'O What a Feeling' again.

Good luck with it all.

Hazza

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

Derek, you're famous, mate. You've rated a mention on the Patrol forum a few times, a "GOFAST" (Grumpy Old Farts And Sons Tour) Cape York trip report, and a mechanic near Redcliffe who fitted my diff breathers mentioned your Prado getting drowned in Nolan's recently. He described your 150 series so either read it in a forum, saw it on Youtube.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

End of financial year sales on now so hopefully soon will have a new Prado to dull the pain

If this happens too often, you can bet the insurance companies will start lobbying the state government to "de-gazette" the old Tele track - then they won't have to pay out a cent, as it wouldn't be a public road then...

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

If this happens too often, you can bet the insurance companies will start lobbying the state government to "de-gazette" the old Tele track - then they won't have to pay out a cent, as it wouldn't be a public road then...

Choose you insurer carefully. I go through a broker and he covers me anywhere in the country be it on a 'gazetted' road or not. I'm covered anywhere in the country. Also covered for flood. Real peace of mind.

Hazza