First Trip

Submitted: Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 17:41

ThreadID: 59270 Views:4156 Replies:6 FollowUps:3

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baldman

Hi all,

We are planning to do the Border Track in October as our first real trip.

Before we finalise everything and commit I would love some advice and feedback on how our setup would handle it.

There are 3 vehicles with two occupants in each vehicle, no one will be towing.

Vehicle 1 is a 4 runner with a 2" suspension lift, and running BF Goodrich AT tyres, with a possibility of upgrading to 32" Mickey Thompson tyres.

Vehicle 2 is a Hilux dual cab with a 2" suspension lift and running Cooper STtyres

Vehicle 3 is a Landcruiser with a 2" suspension and running 33" BF Goodrich MT tyres.

The cruiser is fitted with an electric winch, and we will also have a hand winch with us. No doubt the snatch straps will be taken along with shovels and a set of Max Trax. We will also have a 4 tonne exhaust jack with us.

Each vehicle will be carrying 2 spares and puncture repair kitas as well as having compressors on board.

We are currently in the process on manufacturing sand flags for the trip as well.

Each vehicle will have a UHF radio and we may hire a satphone for the trip. We will be using both paper maps and GPS.

A range of belts, spare shockers and parts will also be carried as part of out tool kits along with spare fuel.

All vehicles are being serviced and checked prior to departure.

As mentioned before it would be great if some of the more experienced travellers would provide us with feedback to our setup.

Hope this is the first of many trips

baldman

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Reply By: baldman - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 17:51

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 17:51

I should also mention that we have reviewed the trek notes on the site, and that we have been practising our sand driving at Robe on past trips.

AnswerID: 312585

Reply By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 17:59

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 17:59

Baldman

What you're proposing is generally fine. If anything you are overprepared - i.e. carrying more equipment and weight than you need. Amongst that lot, for the BorderTrack, I wouldnt bother with handwinch given you're with others.

Ive been up Centre Track and down Border Track and back to Pertendi Bore in a day (comfortably), so it's not a massive trip either. Great place to start - very enjoyable - had my first trip there also. My first trip was with one spare and on 4 ply tyres - not real smart but its been fairly gentle on the tyres for me.

enjoy JD

AnswerID: 312590

Follow Up By: baldman - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 18:04

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 18:04

Thanks for the advice, we were debating whether to take the handwinch.

Is there really a way of being over prepared, weight wise I don't think we are that bad as the hilux will be carying all the tyres and fuel whilst the rest of the gear will be split between the other 2 vehicles.

once again many thanks

FollowupID: 578557

Reply By: Garbutt - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 18:18

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 18:18

You shouldn't have any trouble with those set ups, the sat phone is prob overkill, especially if you have to hire it. It is fairly well used up to the start of the fire ban season in November.

GB

AnswerID: 312600

Follow Up By: baldman - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 18:24

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 18:24

thanks GB,

the sat phone is an option, it is amazing that until you try to prepare for a trip that you realise how much springs to mind to bring.

Prior to posting we had deleted so much stuff from our lists, we could have been self sufficient for about 2 years out there (lol)

it good to see that we are generally on the money with our list.

I did forget to mention that we will have fire extinguishers and a first aid kit before any one takes us to task.

FollowupID: 578564

Reply By: Crackles - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 19:19

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 19:19

Your set up baldman has ticked all the box's & then some.
The Border track is of an easy medium standard quite capable by unmodified lighter duty 4x4's. Winches are generally not much use as if you are seriously stuck you'll probably just rip the trees out of the ground. Snatching by another vehicle, digging out or reducing tyre pressures are the most common recoveries in that area. Sand flags although a good idea for the Simpson are not required as the low overhanging trees will just rip them off.
On over 15 trips to the area our groups have never bothered with a 2nd spare particually with towns offering repairs close by.

Have fun it's a great area.....Cheers Craig.

AnswerID: 312617

Follow Up By: baldman - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 19:36

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 19:36

Thanks Craig,

by the looks of it, we are getting lighter all the time, looks like the hand winch, and the extra spares will be staying home.

As I said earlier without advice from more experienced travellers we would have dragged everything we owned out there to cover every contingency.

cheers

FollowupID: 578578

Reply By: Member - Robin M (VIC) - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 20:05

Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 20:05

Hello Baldman,
For your first trip it's not going to be a 'hair raiser" ! As has been noted, The Border Track is fairly easy unless you are reckless on the larger sandhills. I have driven a heavily laden standard Landcruiser down The Track and most of the baggage got out and walked up the harder, softer hills. October will be a great time to visit.

If you are from Victoria, NSW or Qld and plan going into SA to access the Track, beware the carriage of fruit and vegetables. A GPS could help you access the Track from a back road out of Murrayville.

A cuppla good diversions: The Pink Lakes north of Linga for its relics of salt mining, a circuit of Lake Albacutya (more sand driving) and Wyperfeld NP for lots of wildlife, especially malleefowl. Each place has bush camping facilities.

Must sees: Try Kaniva for its collection of Holdens and Toranas and its farming museum. Drive around Rainbow to see its fantastic murals.

Have fun,
Robin

AnswerID: 312627

Reply By: DesF - Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 at 19:27

Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 at 19:27

Hi, have done that trip in 2 1985 Subaru's , they had only lift kits and road tyres, we did the actual original border fence track it was pretty easy only had a bit of trouble on Mt Doughboy and we even took the ladies , went from the Renmark to Pinnaroo the first day & then down to Bordertown by 4.00pm, we could not get a bed so went on to Naracoorte.
All in all a pretty easy drive, good fun.
went in May after the first rains, also have done it on a trail bike, went from Renmark to Bordertown in one day, harder than the car,
Cheers Des.

AnswerID: 312760