We are in the early stages of planning a trip fraser and morton island we currently have a camper trailer but it is only a 7x4 box trailer with a camper tent on top. Would this be ok to take on the islands or would it just be too much for the trailer? Would love to hear peoples experiences and suggestions. Cheers in advance
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Fraser/Morton Island
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I believe it would be fine. Fraser is more punishing to a trailer than Moreton with the terrain on offer depending how much of the island you plan to tow it across. Moreton is both soft and firm for the beach driving with soft inland tracks. Your car will have no probs powering on through with a trailer in tow though. Just hit the tracks leading off the beach with a bit of punch or you can be spending sometime recovering and trying again, and again, and again.
Fraser is a bit more diverse than Moreron with terrain and track types on offer. Best to time your arrival to Fraser at low tide so you can avoid towing your poor trailer across up to 18km of punishing rough corrugations at the southern end of the island. Take the eastern beach as an alternative at all costs. You can only drive the corrugated track at a top speed of 50km/h due to tight turns and some peoples inability to handle a rented 4wd. This capped speed limit means your car cannot go fast enough to smooth out the corrugations and you'll shake the living crap out of everything including your teeth, gums and brain.
It may be challenging towing it up to Central Station from Eurong which becomes a sand bog magnet at times and the ever impatient audience that pulls up behind you can be testing at times if there's some younger blokes with big arrogant unfiltered mouths among the groups.
The eastern beach a few hours either side of low tide is a sinch to drive on. Drive close to the water's edge as this sand is firmest. If heading north, move to the left to allow south bound cars to hug the water's edge. Staying close to the water also means that washouts will be at their most level. Higher upon the beach means softer sand that will slow you right down, and also potentially high walls on the sides of washouts (1 to 2 feet vertical drop).
If you're camping at Waddy Point Top camp or somewhere north of Indian Head, then be prepared to negotiate the boggy bypass here. It's slightly uphill, rough and boggy with tyre tracks leading into and out of it everywhere.
One rule, hit it hard and fast in low range and keep a straight line. Don't turn the wheels. If you have a power on tap petrol, then nothing in the world should stop you when you're in low range at speed. If you have a diesel, or a manual diesel, good luck. It will require a bit more luck and finess to get it through in one hit unscathed. I went with a mate a few months ago who was towing a 7x4 with his manual Challenger and he stuggled. I towed his ass in and out of everything over the 4 days that we were there. You've e got a Prado though, you should be right. A 2 inch lift goes a long way when driving on this island. And keep your pressures down to help keep from bogging. Pressures depend on weight but I typically hit the island with 18 psi in mine and I rarely lose momentum on the bypasses. If you get stuck stop accelerating immediately as you'll only bog yourself down further and it will take longer to free your car and trailer. Hope you have a recovery point on the back of your trailer as it will be very handy.Last edited by Brett1979; 19-10-2016, 10:32 PM.2005 120 series V6 Grande, 2 inch susp lift (King/EFS combo), 32 inch MT’s, Safari Snorkel, rear diff lock, breathers, Light Force spotlights, UHF, dual batteries.
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Originally posted by Rdae1981 View PostWe are in the early stages of planning a trip fraser and morton island we currently have a camper trailer but it is only a 7x4 box trailer with a camper tent on top. Would this be ok to take on the islands or would it just be too much for the trailer? Would love to hear peoples experiences and suggestions. Cheers in advance
Perfect for Fraser and Moreton...not to heavy, good to sleep on a proper mattress....have done Fraser Isl and Moreton Isl and stradbroke Isl and Bribie Isl etc etc...with Prado and "tent" Trailer...yes indeed.
Try and plan your beach travel around the tides, so that you travelling along beaches around low tide...or more to the point, not within an hour and half (or thereabouts) ..either side of high tide.
I have taken a "tent" trailer (converted box trailer), with a car full of people with a 1 month old Prado to Fraser Island...perfect...stock tires, stock suspension, the secret is to drive along firm sand on the beach, and lower tire pressures on the car and trailer.....enjoy the trip!SE Qld: GX 150GD Auto, (Feb'16 build): TJM T15 steel b bar, 9,500lb TORQ winch, TJM s steps, Rhino Pioneer Platform (42102B 1928X1236mm), front recovery points, Wynnum towbar, P3 brake controller, TNN Underbody guards, UHF, TREKtable & LED striplight, Custom Fridge & Drawers, Waeco CFX50, 9inch illuminator 160W LED spots, 40mm lifted Dobinson Suspension (Zordo's), ScanguageII, 30 Sec Wing Awning
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Thanks very much for your insight Brett and Brogers we are only in the early stages so plenty of time for modifications if needed just wasnt sure if l should even attempt with the trailer, but was thinking like you broggers that the fact that its only a lighter box trailer may lend itself to being ok on the beach and if l need help we are looking at going with 2 other 4wd's.
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Originally posted by Brett1979 View PostIt may be challenging towing it up to Central Station from Eurong which becomes a sand bog magnet at times and the ever impatient audience that pulls up behind you can be testing at times if there's some younger blokes with big arrogant unfiltered mouths among the groups.
The eastern beach a few hours either side of low tide is a sinch to drive on. Drive close to the water's edge as this sand is firmest. If heading north, move to the left to allow south bound cars to hug the water's edge. Staying close to the water also means that washouts will be at their most level. Higher upon the beach means softer sand that will slow you right down, and also potentially high walls on the sides of washouts (1 to 2 feet vertical drop).
Am I being to sooky? I have never towed in sand before, but have done Straddie main beach and the Simpson (dead easy a few weeks after 300mm rain) wthout a trailer. If my plan is good, can anyone recommend a relatively shelted beach section in case it is windy?
Thanks!
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