Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 09:13
Ruth
How do educate people ?
Doing it safely, or stupidly !
I choose ( luckily ) SAFETY
When I decided to buy a 4B, and head out into the deserts............
I meet this bloke that showed me some video of him backing up the dune before Big Red,, winding up his 60 series Cruiser across the flat towards Big Red,,
He must have been doing
well over 120kmph as a run up..
The video showed how his fully loaded Cruiser became airborn, at the first hump, by at least 600mm, and hit the sand at all funny angles, bouncing and digging in, only to " LUCKILY ", grind to a halt 10-15 mts from the top.. Failure !
To top it off,, he had another crack at it , only to achieve more speed..
Failed both times !
Imagine me sitting at the botton of Big Red some 5 - 6 years later, pooping my pants, with this video still entrenched in my tiny mind,,
WOW ! ,, ,I thought how am I gunna get up Big Red, from a standing start, no 1 km run up ???
Fortunately we had bumped into Roachie and the " Crew " from the
Yorke Peninsular 4X4 club,, listened to their instructions....and slipped up Big Red, ( on the second attempt ) with ease..
Low tyre pressures,and just a bit of momentum.
Have done it in the wet,, and the very dry in both trips to
Birdsville, and loved it,,
Have not ever caught up with that bloke again,, if I do I will tell him how to do it ..Safely
Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID:
304814
Follow Up By: Brian - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:24
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:24
Interesting read Bucky..... what range/gear were you in as a matter if curiosity?? I agree about the safety issues....
Cheers
Brian
FollowupID:
570880
Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 19:29
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 19:29
Bucky how nice to hear from you - and what a great report. Imagine running into Roachie, what a laugh/tragedy/experience!
Your report is one of the BEST I've read in a long time. Thank goodness you listened to Roachie and not he bloke with the video - now you may understand my reference to 'gung ho'!
Brian, suggest you use H2 or H4 if you have to. Low range is for mud. You should be able to cross the dunes with no digging or bogging - always provided you have your tyre pressure low enough. I also suggest you take the tents and thoroughly enjoy the two nights - I can make some other suggestions for the two night trip. Why not email me. The weather is stunning at the moment.
FollowupID:
570943
Follow Up By: Brian - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 20:08
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 20:08
Cheers Ruth,
I'll send an email right away!!
Many thanks for your help Ruth, we're SO looking forward to going out there!!!!
Cheers
Brian (
Gold Coast)
FollowupID:
570951
Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 03:38
Friday, May 23, 2008 at 03:38
Brian
We chose 2nd or 3rd in low range, on all the dunes, just waddling along fairly easy. but I must admit, when it's really dry out there, you do need a little more momentum.
Was using 1 & 2 in high range, but the "Navra" just couldn't do it at the right speed, too much bounce, or would die in the ass.
Pity I didn't find out about those engine management "chips" till later, I recon they would have made a difference.
Sorry I didn't answer your questions earlier,,,,Night Shift !,, first night off and I wake up 3:00 am,,, sort of a sleep in
Cheers
Bucky
FollowupID:
571376
Follow Up By: Brian - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 17:44
Friday, May 23, 2008 at 17:44
No worries Bucky, thanks for replying mate.
Cheers
Brian (
Gold Coast)
FollowupID:
571497