Friday, Apr 03, 2015 at 09:45
Ah corrugations - god, I hate them! Recently did a section of the Anne Beadell and couldn't believe how corrugated it had become. Met a guy along it in a nice Pajero who complained viciously about how rough it was and then took great pride in telling me he had driven almost the whole stretch in 2WD, as if to somehow prove how good his vehicle was.
When I pointed out to him that he indeed did have a very competent 4WD but he was making the track much worse by not using it as such, it was like a revelation to him: he'd never associated corrugations with poor traction. This is not my first experience with this - I've quite a few of these conversations over the years - once halfway along the
Holland Track involving a convoy of about 8 vehicles, none of them in 4WD.
Which brings me to one of my bug bears: why don't the signs on bush tracks (the signs that ARE there) contain the simple message to engage 4WD now. If ignorance is the issue, and it seems to be, this has to help some.
No, not everyone is going to take notice and no, not every track has or will have a
sign, and yes slowing down and reducing tyre pressures are also all important, but if from now on, every time a
sign is put up on a track, let's just add the words "please look after the track - engage 4WD now" I can't help but think that we will make a difference eventually.
In fact I'm thinking of getting some made that can bolt onto a star picket and putting the up myself on tracks I come across.
If you've got a fourbie, engage it!
Cheers, Paul
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