Member - Blue (VIC) replied:

Don't know how helpful this reply will be but I'll stick it in anyway...

Mate with a TD Rodeo and Tambo camper(@800 odd kg) started in Dargo went through Wonanngatta(sp?) and made his way through the high country to Bright. Can't remember the tracks he took(which is the unhelpful bit) but he had no drama's at all. He was running 31/10.5-15 mud terrains on the tow vehicle and 31/10.5-15 HT's on the camper.

Fuel economy was pretty rude with a lot of low range work but if I remember correctly he only carried 20L of extra over the standard tank and didn't really come close to running out.

Redback replied:

QUOTE;
I did see someone advertising a Tag Along for campers on the Davies Plain Tk but they were going from Omeo to Tom Groggin South to North. The opposite way to me. That may be easier. I'm not sure. END QUOTE;

Yes much easier Dave, no long steep climbs, i should of said in the e-mail that it's not so much the steep climbs but rather if on these climbs you meet vehicles coming in the oppisite direction, this is where towing a camper is usually not recommended as reversing makes getting out of the way much harder, aspecially considering how narrow some of these tracks are.

One more thing Davies High Plain Tk might be closed around that time of year too, i'd ring Parks Victoria, cause i'm sure there were signs saying seasonal closure between April/May to October/November.

Baz.

Rosco - Qld replied:

G'day Dave

See my post 30373 for my opinions in this regard.

Cheers

Rosco

Member - Alan H (QLD) replied:

As you apparently know, many of the high country tracks are fairly narrow in places.

I take an Aussie Swag with a 80 series and mate has a softfloor trailer with a Hilux and we have been from Bluff hut over to Howitt Hut but drawbars dragged over the erosion gullies (goosebumps to our crew) Usually we stick to the tracks marked with a heavier line and have no problem and then make camp and just take vehicle from there.

I don't beive it is a matter of where a trailer can be dragged but how abourt passing other traffic on the narrow roads. We had the trailers when we went Woods Point down to Walhalla but I am sure glad we did not meet oncoming traffic through the narrow bits as I don't think we could pass.

The track from Talbotville - bulltown etc is another that while a great adventure in a single vehicle it would have been a nighmare to meet someone half way up the hill out of the river if we had our trailers.

With the increasing popularity of camper trailers we need to be careful that we don't cause traffic nighmare on narrow tracks. The high country is a great place and has plenty of tracks to allow base camps and circiuts without trailers.

Enjoy your trip wherever you go and whatever you take.

Member - Duncs replied:

Dave,

I've just spent hours looking through the archives for a post where I detailed this for someone else. Couldn't find it so here we go again.

I have a GU 4.2TD and tow a Trak Shak. At the time of this trip we had 5 people on board and gear for 8 weeks camping. All up about 4 tonne

We did the McFarlane Flat track from the Snowy River Rd via Mt Cobberas and the Playground Plain. It rained on this section of the trip and we had trouble with one climb on the Cobberas Trail. I reckon if it had been dry we would have had no trouble at all. We camped at Native Dog Flat.

The next day we went to Myrtleford and had lunch. We then went from Myrtleford to Mansfield via the Bennies, Wild Horse Gap Track, King Basin Track, Craigs Hut and Mt Stirling Track and the Circuit Rd out to Mt Buller Rd. We had no problems in this section. I know the Patrol is heavier and has a bigger motor than the Hilux.

One of the more difficult aspects of the trip is the steep downhill sections. Coming down off Mt Stirling for example the trailer wants to push you down the hill. Particularly on the hairpins when there is a steep drop and one or more of the car wheels gets a bit light. Still with careful wheel placement and a steady pace it all went well.

Anyone who says towing a trailer makes no difference is kidding themselves it does. But I have never backed away from a track because the trailer was hooked on. Take it easy give more time to thinking about it and you should go most places you will "touring" without the trailer.

geocacher (djcache) replied:

All good stuff so far thanks very much.

Two questions.

1. Is there anyone in Victoria running 4wd courses with a specific course on towing off road campers? Given the explosion of the numbers of these over the past few years there may be an untapped market for a training organisation.

2. Do diff locks become more important/desirable when towing off road?

Dunno whether to spend the money on a rear diff lock which is now available for the vehicle (ARB Air Locker) or save it toward the Patrol 18-24 months away.

Dave

Wayne (NSW) replied:

Dave,

One of the problems with towing a trailer is the over hang and the ball mount.

When ever we go into the Vic High Country we always ask the drivers to remove the ball mount. The reason is that they can get caught on the ball mount when going over those conservation mounds.

Having a ute is even worse because there is more over hang behind the back wheels. Add a trailer to this and you will be dragging the tail ever time a conservation mound is travelled. Now as you know that the Vic High Country is full of these things.

As far as having a diff lock in the back, IMO, save your money to wards the Patrol. You could get a good second hand Patrol for the price of diff locks.:-)

Wayne