Advice for taking a Caravan onto fraser Island

We were on Fraser in October 08 adn there were vans all over the place.

So I don't think the van will be a problem. However, I saw more bogged Prado's than all other 4x4's combined. This is not so much a criticisim of the Prado as it is of those who buy one and don't learn how to drive it. For many people Fraser is the first off road trip and while it is not difficult it can very quickly bring you undone.

Your set up seems OK so I am guessing you have had it off road before. If you have not had it in soft sand I recommend you do a practice run or two before you go. You don't want to get bogged half off the ferry.

Let your tyres down. Let the tyres on the van down to match. I would recommend 18 psi or lower. Obviously avoid the beach at high tide. Going to Big 4 make sure you get a ferry that drops you off before low tide.

The track into the Big 4 is pretty good but it is soft. I towed the Trak Shak up there in low range 2nd with about mid range revs on and had no problems. Where you turn off the beach it does get chopped up and uneven so take it easy and watch for people walking the track.

Finally avoid the temptation to drive too fast on the beach. 1 it is usually quite busy, 2 it is not always as flat as it looks and 3 there is a speed limit.

It is a great place, take it easy and you will have a great time.
Duncs

Hi Jason,
We towed our 15' Windsor Rapid onto Fraser Island with a Pajero.
We went from Inskip Point, then drove around to the main Beach and then drove upto near Eli Creek where we found a good campspot just behind the dunes. We did not risk taking the van on any other tracks. To big and heavy.
Tyre pressures on the car were around 12 and on the van 10. When we were there the sand was incredibly soft and many 4wds were getting bogged before they even got to the ferry. When we turned up everyone sat back and waited for us to join them but i had quite a bit of sand experience, tyre pressures critical and plenty of momentum. It was a real buzz, my heart rate is just about normal now, 2.5 years later. Ha!

Regards from Col.

Fraser Island just South of Dundaburra.



not hard to do IMHO, we have done it often.
time your run to hit the island about 2 hours before lowtide if you are going via Inskip Point. let you tyres down in your vehicle, i usually go at 20 psi, but if it's really dry then consider lower. i don't let my vans tyres down as i tow a little 13ft Millard behind a turboed Landcruiser, a mate did with his 17ft Jayco Expanda and found it wandered when he hit the hard sand on the island, we stopped and pumped the tyres on the van back up and he had no more dramas.
i tow my van on the hard sand in 2wd without a problem, just shift on the go into 4wd when looks like soft sand approaching, my mate with the bigger van chooses to tow his in 4wd all the way up the island...your call.

anymore questions just ask..
cheers

hi Jason,
we have taken or 20ft dual axle van to Fraser twice in the last 4 years and have had no dramas. If your going from Inskip point, let all the tyres down to at least 12 psiwhile your in the carpark. Its soft getting to the barge so just get some momentum up and keep going. Disconnect the power to the van before you head on to the sand if the van has electric brakes so the van doesnt bog itself if you touch the brakes.
Both times we have taken the van , we have gone up to Dundaburra camp ground, about 70ks up the beach.
cheers,
Geoff

If I remember correctly there are usually king tides in early Jan so you will have to plan for that. Whilst there are low lows as well as high highs these tides can play havoc with the beach.