multiLuke
2nd July 2014, 09:34 PM
Hi all,
Just thought I would share my experience with my first serious off roading trip to Beachport a few weeks back. We have a 2011 SD4 HSE with, unfortunately, 19 wheels. The car was fitted with a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy P3) and also had the computer reset after the terrain response played up a little last time it was on the tracks around Angelsea. The local LR specialist, Hunter Cuthill, did a fantastic job. The brake controller worked perfectly and the computer didnt cause any troubles over the weekend. They said it had many faults and did a software reset. The car felt very different after that with regards to transmission shift points and engine. It has returned to normal now though. It seems like the transmission just had to learn our driving style again.
We towed a camper trailer to Beachport which weighs about 850kg with some gear in it. A practise run for our trip to north QLD in August. I drove it very easy, sitting between 90 and 95 most of the time and manually took control going over hills so it didnt kick itself in the guts trying to maintain a cruise control speed. I was pleased to see that the economy was 9.5L/100km (measured and reading the dash readout). Considering I normally get 8.3 around town, I was pretty happy. We got 10 onthe way back, but believe we picked up some crappy fuel in Millicent as there were black specs all over the back of the car when we got home.
Our group had 3 Landrovers (2 D4's), 2 Prados, a tricked up 76 series and a lonely Izuzu D-max. Needless to say it was Landrover vs Toyota in our group which made for some fun. The first day was pretty tame south of Beachport except for a very, very soft Beach. We were all in a line and had nowhere to go except forward to the next get out point. The 76 series got stuck and he cleared himself in 5mins. One of the D4's stopped to help but got stuck and took 30mins to get moving, even with the fancy height adjustment so he wasnt bellied on the sand. My FL2 was last in line and we just stayed in the other wheeltracks and had not troubles except on exit, where being lat meant some pretty big ruts by now as some heavy right foot was required to get up and out. We nearly made it but clearance stopped us. A quick 3m snatch out and we were off again.
The main things I learnt from the first day was the suspension is not very good (seemed to top put far too much, even at relatively low speeds), it has loads of speed when you need it, is fantastic on the sand and it needs a little more clearance. Perhaps the shocks are not very good.
We headed North of Beachport the second day to some usual hill challenge spots, which were not a challenge at all. In fact I made it with so much peed I had to brake heavy at the top to avoid going over an edge. See photo.
We then continued along the main route and came across a Prado having allot of trouble climbing a short section of track. He messed it up allot and left big holes where he was spinning. The 76 went first followed by the 2 Discos and then me. I gave it some beans, which wasnt the problem. It was the big bumps that caused loss of traction. I would have liked to have a few more goes and try different techniques but time was getting on so after the second attempt, which was almost successful, I was snatched over the top. See video links below.
To my disappointment, the 2 Prados had no trouble. :(
The day drew to a close with the obligatory beach drag towards Nora Criena, which the FL2 won easily, even after I played with the 76 series and Prado.
Again, similar to the first day, the car just needs a touch more clearance and some better shocks (IMO). The best part of the whole 3 days was to come though. On the Monday, we decided to do the beach run from Beachport to Southend. Last year this was treacherous, with one Toyota stuck early on for a while and then a forced bailout 2/3rds down as the tide was just too high and it was too risky. Only a brave local in his beaten up SWB Maverick was game enough. He did it by the way. Anyhow, to our surprise, there was a fairly new Prado stuck early on. The rest of our group gunned the high side and made it through but they advised us not to due to the size of the ruts. I walked the low side to the stuck Prado and it seemed pretty hard, so I gave it a go. We did it really easy and then I backed up to the stuck Prado, chucked the snatch on him and got him out. All this while the 76 series watched after his failed attempt. Pure gold! Since the stuck Prado had no recovery gear at all, he gave us a bottle of wine for our assistance. After all that, my wife didnt get the photo as she didnt want to embarrass him anymore. She is far, far too nice sometimes.
The rest of the Beach was a blast as it got pretty tricky further down and I had to keep it pinned in 2nd. It made for a pretty fun and wild ride but we got through. I must say I was fairly relieved and very impressed with the car at the same time. By the way, the result of the last beach sprint was FL2 1st, D4 SDV6 2nd and then the rest. Exactly as the paper figures say it should happen. If that D4 was only a few hundred kilo lighter.
I will attached some links below of the video I took once its uploaded to Youtube.
Hopefully the images work as its the first time I have posted with them. I even attached the one taken by a Toyota driver. My car was well and truly not sitting on its wheels anymore in the last image.
I came home wanting a little more lift, 30mm would be nice. 10mm from tyres and 20 from those custom spacers would be perfect. Also a tank guard, that will arrive this week. As for the 19" wheels. I know 17's would be a better option but for the few times it goes of road, some AT 19's will have to be good enough. Maybe some General Grabber AT's. And some better shocks. Anyone know of any good ones to put on?
cheers, Luke
PS-I will post some video links once the uploads have finished.
Just thought I would share my experience with my first serious off roading trip to Beachport a few weeks back. We have a 2011 SD4 HSE with, unfortunately, 19 wheels. The car was fitted with a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy P3) and also had the computer reset after the terrain response played up a little last time it was on the tracks around Angelsea. The local LR specialist, Hunter Cuthill, did a fantastic job. The brake controller worked perfectly and the computer didnt cause any troubles over the weekend. They said it had many faults and did a software reset. The car felt very different after that with regards to transmission shift points and engine. It has returned to normal now though. It seems like the transmission just had to learn our driving style again.
We towed a camper trailer to Beachport which weighs about 850kg with some gear in it. A practise run for our trip to north QLD in August. I drove it very easy, sitting between 90 and 95 most of the time and manually took control going over hills so it didnt kick itself in the guts trying to maintain a cruise control speed. I was pleased to see that the economy was 9.5L/100km (measured and reading the dash readout). Considering I normally get 8.3 around town, I was pretty happy. We got 10 onthe way back, but believe we picked up some crappy fuel in Millicent as there were black specs all over the back of the car when we got home.
Our group had 3 Landrovers (2 D4's), 2 Prados, a tricked up 76 series and a lonely Izuzu D-max. Needless to say it was Landrover vs Toyota in our group which made for some fun. The first day was pretty tame south of Beachport except for a very, very soft Beach. We were all in a line and had nowhere to go except forward to the next get out point. The 76 series got stuck and he cleared himself in 5mins. One of the D4's stopped to help but got stuck and took 30mins to get moving, even with the fancy height adjustment so he wasnt bellied on the sand. My FL2 was last in line and we just stayed in the other wheeltracks and had not troubles except on exit, where being lat meant some pretty big ruts by now as some heavy right foot was required to get up and out. We nearly made it but clearance stopped us. A quick 3m snatch out and we were off again.
The main things I learnt from the first day was the suspension is not very good (seemed to top put far too much, even at relatively low speeds), it has loads of speed when you need it, is fantastic on the sand and it needs a little more clearance. Perhaps the shocks are not very good.
We headed North of Beachport the second day to some usual hill challenge spots, which were not a challenge at all. In fact I made it with so much peed I had to brake heavy at the top to avoid going over an edge. See photo.
We then continued along the main route and came across a Prado having allot of trouble climbing a short section of track. He messed it up allot and left big holes where he was spinning. The 76 went first followed by the 2 Discos and then me. I gave it some beans, which wasnt the problem. It was the big bumps that caused loss of traction. I would have liked to have a few more goes and try different techniques but time was getting on so after the second attempt, which was almost successful, I was snatched over the top. See video links below.
To my disappointment, the 2 Prados had no trouble. :(
The day drew to a close with the obligatory beach drag towards Nora Criena, which the FL2 won easily, even after I played with the 76 series and Prado.
Again, similar to the first day, the car just needs a touch more clearance and some better shocks (IMO). The best part of the whole 3 days was to come though. On the Monday, we decided to do the beach run from Beachport to Southend. Last year this was treacherous, with one Toyota stuck early on for a while and then a forced bailout 2/3rds down as the tide was just too high and it was too risky. Only a brave local in his beaten up SWB Maverick was game enough. He did it by the way. Anyhow, to our surprise, there was a fairly new Prado stuck early on. The rest of our group gunned the high side and made it through but they advised us not to due to the size of the ruts. I walked the low side to the stuck Prado and it seemed pretty hard, so I gave it a go. We did it really easy and then I backed up to the stuck Prado, chucked the snatch on him and got him out. All this while the 76 series watched after his failed attempt. Pure gold! Since the stuck Prado had no recovery gear at all, he gave us a bottle of wine for our assistance. After all that, my wife didnt get the photo as she didnt want to embarrass him anymore. She is far, far too nice sometimes.
The rest of the Beach was a blast as it got pretty tricky further down and I had to keep it pinned in 2nd. It made for a pretty fun and wild ride but we got through. I must say I was fairly relieved and very impressed with the car at the same time. By the way, the result of the last beach sprint was FL2 1st, D4 SDV6 2nd and then the rest. Exactly as the paper figures say it should happen. If that D4 was only a few hundred kilo lighter.
I will attached some links below of the video I took once its uploaded to Youtube.
Hopefully the images work as its the first time I have posted with them. I even attached the one taken by a Toyota driver. My car was well and truly not sitting on its wheels anymore in the last image.
I came home wanting a little more lift, 30mm would be nice. 10mm from tyres and 20 from those custom spacers would be perfect. Also a tank guard, that will arrive this week. As for the 19" wheels. I know 17's would be a better option but for the few times it goes of road, some AT 19's will have to be good enough. Maybe some General Grabber AT's. And some better shocks. Anyone know of any good ones to put on?
cheers, Luke
PS-I will post some video links once the uploads have finished.