Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 22:45
Hello Cape Travellers,
I took my Hilux DC with standard
suspension to
the tip of
Cape York and did The Telegraph Track and many of the creek crossings, including
Gunshot Creek. I even saw several modified fourbies tow their campers through the creeks.
Expect a wide variety of road surfaces, including stretches of severe corrugations. As always, driving sensibly is the key to avoiding problems/breakdowns. Simply, don't expect to go as fast as a vehicle with a modified
suspension. I found that I could only maintain 60-70kph over the very rough sections. The graded areas were good for 80-100 kph.
You are less likely to have problems if you have AT tyres on your vehicle and the trailer. I suggest you let some air out of your tyres to make travel over the rough gravel sections a more pleasant experience and to minimise tyre damage; even the AT tyres will get cut about, but then they are built to take it !
What are your struts and shock absorbers like ? Are they the originals ? If so, I suggest you have an assessment done on them by a professional
suspension shop.
What of the weight of the camper on your towball ? With a heavily-laden vehicle and trailer, your ground clearance might be compromised. Maybe take your vehicle to a
shop that specialises in setting up towing rigs. I've had a Pajero and Landcruiser with Polyairs installed in the rear springs to assist with carrying a load whilst towing.
Does your vehicle have a
snorkel fitted ? A
snorkel would give you great confidence if you decide to do some of the creek crossings. It also helps to combat some of the dust you'll experience.
Only take the bare essentials. I found that keeping the weight down was a great help; a standard
suspension is usually not up to easily carrying heavy loads over verrrrrrrrrry rough roads.
You don't need to carry much recovery gear if you don't plan to do the more-challenging tracks and crossings.
I carried one jerrycan of fuel, but I didn't have to use it since there are plenty of
places to buy fuel. I didn't carry much water as it's readily available from the rivers/creeks. I washed myself with a flannel until I arrived at a place with a shower.
Team up with some other travellers if you can as it's definitely easier, safer and more fun to travel in a group given the popularity of the trek and the remoteness of some of the
places you'll want to visit. I often travel to wayward
places in the company of a mechanic. We "ambush" other travellers in campgrounds to find out all sorts of information. From time to time we end up travelling some sections of our journey with them and in support of each other. Don't be afraid to ask !
As for the choice of a fridge, I bought an Engel 40-litre fridge after reading about its low current draw, its robust construction and its superb reliability. I paid a tad more for it than I would have for a similarly-featured Waeco. My suggestion: don't buy a big fridge. You can always "upsize" the fridge as your kids - and their appetites - grow.
Happy travels; it's a great trip to undertake !
Netnut
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