First Trip to Fraser. Do I need a Lift?

[Newiereef Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Newiereef]

Gday folks,
Well for ever wanted to go to Fraser. So this April I have the time off and we have organised two other families and are off. I have done a fair bit of sand driving but not in my new 2014 Prado.I had a GU before this. She is completely stock, and will be taking our camper trailer which is a Customline off road rig weighing about 800kg loaded. My question is , how will i go with clearance. We plan leaving the camper at the one site for the week , but I hear that some tracks are very deeply rutted. The other vehicles are another 150 prado and a Nissan with winch. We will have two sets of matrax between us also. Obviously tyre pressures will be 18ish off the barge, what do you guys reckon.?

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

First Trip to Fraser. Do I need a Lift?

Hi Newiereef , I think you will be fine . I have been over there recently towing a customline off-road deluxe and had no problems. The hardest part for me was the mad dash to the barge as we went at the top of a king tide and had to drive thru a bit of water with a sandy bottom. On the island depending on where you camp you may not even have to tow on the inland tracks which are the rutted ones . We camped on the beach so this wasn't an issue . In saying this the inland tracks aren't too bad and I'm sure you'll have no dramas as there has been plenty of rain to help driving conditions and there were plenty of less capable vehicles with no lifts driving these tracks. Have fun
Matt

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?t=34485
Here's my trip report

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

Gday folks,
Well for ever wanted to go to Fraser. So this April I have the time off and we have organised two other families and are off. I have done a fair bit of sand driving but not in my new 2014 Prado.I had a GU before this. She is completely stock, and will be taking our camper trailer which is a Customline off road rig weighing about 800kg loaded. My question is , how will i go with clearance. We plan leaving the camper at the one site for the week , but I hear that some tracks are very deeply rutted. The other vehicles are another 150 prado and a Nissan with winch. We will have two sets of matrax between us also. Obviously tyre pressures will be 18ish off the barge, what do you guys reckon.?

No lift need. Been there in a forester, and Prado and Patrol with trailers. No problems. It will drag in softer sand especially the prado. But it won't matter. Just let your tyres down and enjoy.


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

My first trip to Fraser was with an 80 series in std trim and hwy tyres. Especially of you're coming in from the Hervey Bay side. You'll be fine.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

My last trip was in a 120 Prado with 2"lift. No issues. Travelling companion had a stock Mazda Bravo. No issues.
Previous trip in a stock 60 series had no issues.

You'll be fine. Tire pressures are more important

[Micklow Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Micklow]

I've done Fraser a few times with and without a lift. You will be fine, even on the inland track into lake McKenzie. Just keep the tyre pressures low enough, 16-18psi.

Just watch for the wash aways on the run up the beach. If you hit one of those at speed with stock suspension you will bottom out the front end and perhaps bend the sump guard.

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

I've done Fraser a few times with and without a lift. You will be fine, even on the inland track into lake McKenzie. Just keep the tyre pressures low enough, 16-18psi.

Just watch for the wash aways on the run up the beach. If you hit one of those at speed with stock suspension you will bottom out the front end and perhaps bend the sump guard.

Did that three years ago in my bro in laws Hilux. Wheel tracks stopped and didn't restart until 6m further down the beach, doing 80kmh.

Tore the 80L Engel from the tray, and we never found the contents of all five cans we were holding. The toyota seats are super absorbent.


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[Shangus Find all posts View Profile Close Shangus]

Did that three years ago in my bro in laws Hilux. Wheel tracks stopped and didn't restart until 6m further down the beach, doing 80kmh.

Tore the 80L Engel from the tray, and we never found the contents of all five cans we were holding. The toyota seats are super absorbent.


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Same here in a bronco years ago, beer stains were still on the roof when it was sold

You won't need a lift, but you can always say you do, oh and yes dear we need a locker as well
Aftermarket recovery points on the front would be the first thing I'd be putting on.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Ours is stock height and been to Fraser and not a single issue. Never even got bogged either. We run about 18psi for most of the island, lower for the top end parts at times.

[Auscanclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auscanclan]

We did it I a standard height 120 with all the geart for 5 to camp for a week.
Had no issue, did do a bit of ploughing as the tide was in most of the driving days, so we were having to drive high on the beach on the moring runs.
Just collected 7 shovel fully of sand at the end of the driveway once I finished leaning it post trip.
You will be fine.

Am planning on being there in the school holidays again.
Can't wait!

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

I did Fraser in a bog standard Subaru Outback Limited. Factory Geolander tyres and all. We did lots of landscaping due to the front scoop, but after the first bogging incident I figured how to negotiate the ruts. The trick was to take it easy and not be all gung-ho. We had a great time. As mentioned by a few - tyre pressures are way more important as is staying out of the wash outs.

[Skinny666 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Skinny666]

Same here in a bronco years ago, beer stains were still on the roof when it was sold

You won't need a lift, but you can always say you do, oh and yes dear we need a locker as well
Aftermarket recovery points on the front would be the first thing I'd be putting on.

And a set of MAXTRAX per axle (Trailer as well dear)

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

+1 to the Maxtrax. I've got two pairs and a good shovel (Maxtrax suck as a shovel). Got bogged heading up the Ngkala Rocks bypass. The only place I felt even close to getting stuck. Anyway, with the Maxtrax I was out in less than 20 mins with nobody else helping me (they were laughing and taking pics - bastards). The tracks change from day to day depending on a number of factors. Weather, traffic, maintenance, etc. Go easy on the inland tracks as they get some serious corrugations. Make sure you've got a couple of snatch straps and maybe a tow strap too. May come in handy with the campers. Have fun! It's an awesome experience!