Water Crossing

If the water is flowing too fast, don't cross.

Topend

Never been in that situation but I THINK I would have put the winch control in place and had it in the cab with me and let out about 10mtrs cable coiled up and had it ready to just feed out,

All theory as i say...but thats what I THINK I would have done. :-)

Kiwiangler's hit the nail on the head. Have the winch set up before crossing esp. to help with exit. If you were with others a linked winch crossing is possible with cables connected back and front of each vehicle (crossing one at a time), this is time consuming but at least you don't getv washed off course.

First thing you do when crossing running wter, is allow for current, and head in slightly upstream, allowing for water pressure to push you back to where you wish to be to exit.

I would of dropped the blind [if you think its needed] down the front of the radiator, not over the front of the bullbar, and I always reel some cable out and hook it to the top of the bullbar when 4wding alone, so if i end up nose into somewhere I can still get to the cable.

While the car is running, may as well back up a bit, and drive out where the exit is, because if the water pushed you downstream, you would be driving nose into the current, with less water pressure on the car, the door seals etc do a good job of holding out water, while the car is moving, but not while its parked normally.

Have been there a few times......but like most responses about I concur in being prepared before crossing. Alternatively sit and wait for the water and the current to subside a bit. Boil the billy or have a few cold ones.

Modern vehicles are pain with all their electronics. Thirty years ago we drove through the swollen Finnis River with ten blokes hanging on to the Suzuki. The missus and I were sitting chest deep in water inside the cabin. We got across. But the CB Radio went under. Wrapped it in a towel and put it in the oven when we got home and warmed it up. Worked even better then.

On another occasion I could not cross a raging creek in a Suzuki ute when a bloke in a Tojo came along and offered a tow. Halfway across Tumbling Waters Creek the towrope came loose and we started to drift downstream. My mate and I opened the doors and sank the little truck and held on to the bullbar to stop it from drifting away until we could get the rope back on again. All electrics survived. No computers in those days.

Probably had another ten sinkings over the years. Now that I am older and wiser(methinks) I tend to be more cautious.

Cheers

900 mm of water with current is too deep to attempt a crossing. Once water is deeper than the floorpan of the vehicle it is not a vehicle any more it is a boat. The golden rules 1.Do I really need to go there 2. Does the need justify the risk 3. Can I go and return safely 4.If in doubt , don't. You would not believe how many vehicles get washed away by current up here. A guy sees his mate drive through deep water with current in a drop side ute and he assumes he can do the same thing in a wagon with twice the water bearing area. Goooone Cheers Rob