Cairns to Musgrave Roadhouse... what vehicle in October?

Alan
Why would a company rent 4x4 / off road vehicles if people can't take them off road "ie" sealed roads,
I've seen rentals in the SD

Doug

I was thinking of small 4WD etc as Wompoo said he didn't want a fullsize 4WD. Except for explicit 4WD rentals which are usually the large type, the fine print of most rental contracts forbids off bitumen.

Alan

I will warn you that any under body damage will be charged to you, full price and no insurance cover the same goes for broken windscreens so make sure you ask a lot of questions first.

We use alot of 4wd hire vehicles and all the damage costs come back to the hirer.

Have a good trip

Most hire car companies have 2 types of insurance, the first is the one with the normal excess $250/$500 if you damage it under normal conditions, then there is the excess if you damage it on a dirt road, and water Xings $7000.

Just on Saturday a young Italian couple lost their $7000 as they had an Advance rental Hilux at the Jim Jim falls Xing, They ploughed through and filled the engine with water, that was the end of their dream holiday.

I may be wrong, but if you are not confident on choosing the right car for the trip, how confident are you at driving it there???.

Steve.

Steve:

I dont want to sound arrogant here at all but perhaps I can help you with a clearer picture. Your quote: "if you are not confident on choosing the right car for the trip, how confident are you at driving it there???."

Having driven field vehicles in mud and snow conditions in Canada for over 17 years in some of the most horrific roads in the country I will suggest its not about being confident of driving on rough roads or even changing wet/dry conditions. For example in Canada, in that area of the world you will have the same road produce several different surfaces depending on what month you travel. At one point snow-covered but traversible, Snow deep and impassable, hard as a rock and frozen in morning, soft muck in afternoon when the sun gets to it another month. Flooded in April, corrugated and dusty in August etc.

So I think you missed the point entirely. Its about budgeting for a trip where I have never been and doing it safely. The difference being I grew up driving off road in Canada, however Australia is on the other side of the planet geographically with an area I have never driven off road. That is why I am asking the questions here. So its not at all about confidence. Its about lack of familiarity. Hopefully thats a bit clearer.

Cheers!

Don

Don, what are your choices ?

Toyota Corolla, Getz, Nissan Patrol

I guess what I am asking in not such a great way is this:
IF the rental agency is fine with me taking the car to Musgrave etc. is this doable in a two wheel drive car?

Thanks folks!

Don

Lots of people do it in a 2wd Car. October should still be fine. Storms are due mid to late October. 4X4 high clearance is best as there is quite a large stretch of rocky road surface north of Laura. Regards Tony

I'd take he Patrol. Especially if I had family with me. The other two might get you there, but I assume that you'd like to get back in 1 piece ?
There's no way known to man that I'd try it in a car, especially that late in the season. The tracks will probably be rocky and very corregated from the trafrfic, and even a bit of rain might see you in strife.
It would be cheaper to rent a car, but in the end it could prove to be false economy.

Okay if the rental company doesnt go ballistic about me traveling to Musgrave/Lakefield NP how about this vehicle?

Vehicle Name: Mitsubishi Outlander Awd Wagon (Or Similar) - Auto

Features: 5 Door Wagon AWD,

Again thanks for your impput


Don

ibwonet@yahoo.com

How has the year been so far? dry or wet? Any predictions for 1st Week of October? From what I can tell Patrol22 there are no major waterways to ford... Am I correct?

Thanks a million!

Don

The dry season is usually not a problem and the first week in Oct is still a month or so from he build up to the wet. The last time I was up there...late Sep 07 it was not a problem. And no, there are no water crossings to speak of really. You will cross some creeks but they should be dry and are solid underfoot.

Doug!! I want one... Michael

Many many years ago I remember a person who floated his landcruiser by encasing polystyrene foam blocks in light galvanized arc mesh then bolting it to the sides of his vehicle at about floor level. The foam ran the full length both sides of the cruiser and he had a 5 hp outboard to power the rig across calm rivers and lakes.

It looked insane but the foam fitted on the roof racks and weighed nothing and it made deep river crossings a breeze :-)

Not recommended for fast flowing water though :-(