St George Gathering 2009

Mick O commented:

Hi Steve,

Cape York remains one of the places I've got to do. I'd probably try the forum with this question as well. Cheers Mick

Member - Coyote (QLD) commented:

Doing a trip like that in a soft roader, I highly recommend you look at 1, upgrading your suspension or, 2. plan to replace it when you get back (or on the way) the main Peninsula Development road is notoriously corrugated and some parts worse than others and some times worse than others.. it is truly a 'luck of the draw' situation that will make a big difference to how the car goes.. at worst we have had military vehicles destroy their heavy duty suspension, at best the x trail could do just fine. It all depends on what you cop along the way really.. personally just be aware that you may be up for at least new suspension and take it easy and you'll have a great trip..the down side of owning a comfortable town 4WD is that it can't do what the serious 4WDs do.. keep that in mind and watch out for snapping hand bags.. have a blast

Member - Coyote (QLD) commented:

P.S Re yor spotties and anything else that is 'bolted' on.. if you don't plan to use them I suggest you take them off or you may just 'rattle' them off.. really very little use for them up there unless you plan to drive at night. and in that case.. expect to smash them against a roo sooner or later.. or have a passing truck. car throw rocks into them...

Out of here commented:

Steve. Yes a bit more fun to do it with others. Cape york these days has quite a lot of vehicles passing through so you can get away without a lot of bulky recovery gear, just take the basics. If you do the telegraph section there are bypass tracks to most of the harder 4 x 4 areas. When you start out 4 x 4ing it is best to select low range 2nd gear on most obstacles, pick a line you are going to take and keep a steady constant speed, you learn to vary this control with experience. This is the same for water crossings, keep a steady walking pace to create a bow wave that will build out front but lower the water in the engine bay area, some say to use a tarp over the front of the grill, I have found it is not needed these days with the viscous fans.
I suggest Cairns to Cooktown Via the Coast Road or the Creb track, Cooktown to lakefield National Park via the Normbandy and up to Musgrave for the first part of the trip. If you get a chance go into Iron Range and Chilli Beach. Have Fun. Cheers Tony

Member - Mark G Gulmarrad commented:

hey mate.....good to see you will be there at st george