Prep for Fraser ?

[l00kin4]

Hi folks,

So I'm headed up to Fraser at Easter with my mate in his Defender.

New in my D4 - Christmas present I bought myself.:D I've had it out on Stockton, Nine Mile and Dunbogan beaches getting familiar with it on sand and experimenting with tyre pressures (on 19's). 18psi worked well on Nine Mile which seemed to be the finest and softest at the times we went.

Car recently serviced. Awning and shovel holder fitted on roof racks, Traxide DBS in, fridge on slide setup ready to go, all my camping gear sorted.

GOE rods on and should have the compressor protection plate on too before I go.

I've got my compressor, long handled spade, small spade, snatch and extension straps, shackles etc. and will probably grab a pair of Maxtrax and maybe a base plate for the jack. I'll take off the recovery point covers before I go (actually I already lost the front one in a mud puddle at Nine Mile!)

What else should I be thinking of to get sorted? Anything in particular I should grease, lube, spray, cover, take with me?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

David

[AnD3rew]

You have it more than covered. Have fun it's a great place.

Just be careful with washouts and don't turn quickly in soft sand at speed and remember to turn DSC off everytime you get into the car and you will be fine.

A good tyre gauge is a must. easy downs for your tyres and a good compressor are also nice to haves but not absolutely essential.

Really all you need is a tyre gauge and a snatch strap with rated shackles and a bit of sand driving practice and knowledge.

Don't forget to give it a good underbody wash when you get back and focus on all the panel gaps and nooks and crannies.

[Epic pooh]

You're more prepared that I would be. Trust the disco, all will be good !

The after Fraser wash is the most important bit !

[kingo]

Hi David

I will also be on Fraser Is the Tuesday before easter for 4 nights and have been planning for it a bit. Spoke to my brother earlier today, who is currently on the island in a Pajero with camper trailer and he said the driving has been easy, tyres at 20psi, was obviously harder with the camper on, but once removed has been smooth sailing. He has BFG AT's, so probably a good tyre for sand.

I'll will be in my black RRS with mud tyres, not sure if these are going to be good or not, however they are 17inch LT so should bag out quite well. Was thinking I would start around 20psi as well.

I will have with me a compressor, GOE rods, TREDS (similar to Maxtrax), 2 snatch straps and plenty of shackles and shovel of course. But from what my brother is telling me these may not be needed. Also currently the tide is high during the day, over easter it will be low tide during the day, so the going should be easier.

Have a great trip give me a wave if we pass.

Black RRS, with roof rack that has spots on the front and spare on top.

Cheers Andrew

[Scouse]

Have a look at a recent thread in this section:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/209550-checklist-fraser-trip.html

[Albert]

You should have no problems at all.
But beware about the roofrack rules.
NO gear on it at all, except for a boat. I saw cops over there checking under tinnys to see if life jackets were stashed up there. If so it was a ticket!
Not sure how they view rooftop tents, but assume they are ok.

[time2]

Sounds like you've got it all sorted.

If you intend to explore the tracks on the western side of the island, particularly in the north west, some form of scratch protection is advisable. Some of these tracks are not well frequented so can be a bit narrow in places:).

[l00kin4]

Andrew, thanks for that update - very helpful. I'll keep an eye out for you and will be sure to wave if we pass

Scouse, thanks for that

Andrew, compressor and tyre gauge sorted - thanks.

Albert, the way I read those roof load rules was that they only applied to hire 4wd's ??

time2 - re scratch protection I have read some of those threads on plasti dip etc. What do people think about the options?

David

[kingo]

Hi, I've never heard about roof rack rules. Have just googled and read the Fraser Island road rules and the mention of roof rack loads was under the heading for hire cars, i.e. no luggage on roofs, must be below the level of the roof.

Are they applying this to private cars, as I mentioned I will have a spare and TREDS on the roof, so not a big load and well within the vehicle's roof rating (RRS is 75kg all up)

My brother is there with others how have an ex army defender with roof top tent, keen to hear if they have any issues. Would expect over easter the boys in blue will be busy and out in force.

[l00kin4]

From Qld transport and main roads site: (Road rules for Fraser Island (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Driver-guide/New-road-rules-for-fraser-island.aspx))

All hire 4WDs used on Fraser Island must:

have all seats facing forward or rearward (not side-facing)
have a maximum of eight seats
have all items stored securely inside the vehicle ? below the top level of the door frame, and not the roof
So I think applies to hire vehicles only.

[999]

What are theses rules? I can only find a rule relating to hire cars. Road rules for Fraser Island (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Driver-guide/New-road-rules-for-fraser-island.aspx)

[BMKal]

See the bit highlighted in blue .................

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/03/1022.jpg

From ..................... Road rules for Fraser Island (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Driver-guide/New-road-rules-for-fraser-island.aspx)

[jon3950]

New in my D4 - Christmas present I bought myself.:D I've had it out on Stockton, Nine Mile and Dunbogan beaches getting familiar with it on sand and experimenting with tyre pressures (on 19's). 18psi worked well on Nine Mile which seemed to be the finest and softest at the times we went.

If you've done all that, Fraser will be a walk in the park. Sounds like you are well and truly prepared. I think the most important things to take are good food and wine as there is none on the island. ;)


I'll will be in my black RRS with mud tyres, not sure if these are going to be good or not, however they are 17inch LT so should bag out quite well. Was thinking I would start around 20psi as well.


They will be just fine. Really, the tread doesn't matter. What's important is the pressures. The only thing to be careful with on muddies is that if you stop moving forward, get off the gas quickly as they can dig in quickly.

Assuming there are still beaches up there after the cyclones, the sand should still be pretty damp by then so most of the tracks will be easy. Just take the usual precautions when travelling on the beach.

Probably stating the obvious, but just in case, there is a car wash at Rainbow Beach which should be your first stop when you get off the island.

Enjoy it.

Cheers,
Jon

[~Rich~]

One important item that no one as yet has mentioned:
Don't drive through salt water!
The water coming out from creeks via the inland is ok, just not the ocean water like you see on car ads ;)

I found muddies no problem on the sand if you deflate them the same as you would any other tyre, in fact I preferred BFG muddies to all terrains on the sand. The square edge of the all terrain was crap in the sand.

I would not bother with scratch protection on Frazer, the island tracks are so well used and open scratching will not be an issue.

Have fun.

[eddomak]

Hi folks,
...will probably grab a pair of Maxtrax and maybe a base plate for the jack.

In Seriously Bogged thread (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/216514-seriously-bogged.html) there seems to be some good experiences with the glass fibre waffle board recovery ramps/tracks. Those seem to be able to serve the purpose of tracks as well as a base plate. If you get the muputrax version (same price as MaxTrax, but twice the price of the others) it even comes with some legs and pads to make them into chairs/tables. It might or might not be your cup of tea, but it is an option you could throw into the mix.

If I had known about those I might have bought those, as I have a brand new set of Maxtrax that have not seen any use, and would have preferred a multi-use device. (Hint: Anyone want to buy the Maxtrax at $240? ;) )

[kingo]

Thanks Jon

Have had the muddies for a while now and used them on my D3 for a few years. Probably done about 2000kms on them to date. Mostly on trips to the high country and near Melb. So 4500kms to Qld, mainly highway might seem a bit silly, but the RRS has very road biased tyres and don't think they would bag out much. Have always been keen to see how others went on sand with muddies and at this rate, I'll probably never wear them out so need to use them where possible.

Keen do head across the Simpson one day, but must make the wife understand how 2 weeks away is beneficial to our overall family health, but that's a whole new story.

[jon3950]

Thanks Jon

Have had the muddies for a while now and used them on my D3 for a few years. Probably done about 2000kms on them to date. Mostly on trips to the high country and near Melb. So 4500kms to Qld, mainly highway might seem a bit silly, but the RRS has very road biased tyres and don't think they would bag out much. Have always been keen to see how others went on sand with muddies and at this rate, I'll probably never wear them out so need to use them where possible.

Keen do head across the Simpson one day, but must make the wife understand how 2 weeks away is beneficial to our overall family health, but that's a whole new story.

I've done Fraser on muddies with no problem. As for the highway miles, I ran KM2s on the D3 and while they were noisy, they were quite ok. I'm sure you've figured out by now whether you can live with that in the RRS.

Given your choice, I'd probably go with the muddies - assuming the road tyres are a lower profile. Road biased tyres aren't an issue in sand though, it's all about ground pressure not tread. Higher profile tyres have an advantage as you can get more surface area out of them as you deflate them, hence reducing ground pressure. Note too its not bagging out you are after as such, its lengthening the tread patch in contact with the ground. So while low profile tyres may not look like they are bagging out they are still increasing the tread patch as you deflate them.

Cheers,
Jon

[l00kin4]

In Seriously Bogged thread (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/216514-seriously-bogged.html) there seems to be some good experiences with the glass fibre waffle board recovery ramps/tracks. Those seem to be able to serve the purpose of tracks as well as a base plate. If you get the muputrax version (same price as MaxTrax, but twice the price of the others) it even comes with some legs and pads to make them into chairs/tables. It might or might not be your cup of tea, but it is an option you could throw into the mix.

If I had known about those I might have bought those, as I have a brand new set of Maxtrax that have not seen any use, and would have preferred a multi-use device. (Hint: Anyone want to buy the Maxtrax at $240? ;) )

I hadn't had a good look at those before- very versatile! I just found Maxtrax on special from supercheap on eBay this afternoon and bought them. Otherwise I might have bought yours :(

[AnD3rew]

One important item that no one as yet has mentioned:
Don't drive through salt water!
The water coming out from creeks via the inland is ok, just not the ocean water like you see on car ads ;)

I found muddies no problem on the sand if you deflate them the same as you would any other tyre, in fact I preferred BFG muddies to all terrains on the sand. The square edge of the all terrain was crap in the sand.

I would not bother with scratch protection on Frazer, the island tracks are so well used and open scratching will not be a problem

Have fun.

I agree it is better to avoid the salt, but it is pretty much impossible when it is busy to avoid it totally. Don't get too paranoid about it just keep the speed ask slow as you can if you do have to be in some salty stuff and give its a good wash.

Agree that on the main tracks scratch protectionis not a big issue, but there are plenty of less well travelled tracks for the adventurous where you can get scratched.

[isuzurover]

...

Probably stating the obvious, but just in case, there is a car wash at Rainbow Beach which should be your first stop when you get off the island.
...

I have heard they recycle their water quite a lot and it can get pretty salty. So if you wash the car there make sure you wash it again at home.

Also stock up on lanotec to use after the car is washed and dried post trip.

[benji]

Aren't you supposed to spray the lanotec on before you go away? That's what I always thought anyway, I've never used it but I've got a bottle for this trip.

We'll be on the island too from the 31st march till the 9th April. Well have a disco 1, defender and our p38.

I've been a bit nervous about the km2s too, but it sounds as though they'll be okay.

Have you downloaded the fraser Island condition report?

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[kingo]

Another tip, I've just paid for my island permit online, it commences just before we head onto the island. Also we are catching the ferry from River Heads, near Hervey Bay, need to collect keys to the rental house from there. This ferry takes bookings, unlike Inskip Point.

Thought this might be useful.

[sctsprin]

Soooo, if 20psi (Cold?) is good at the moment for fraser, and i've driven 4 hours to get to the ferry, should i be aiming for 24psi hot?
we'll be there the weekend of the 27th

[Celtoid]

I'd just like to ask the question ....


Where are you actually spraying this stuff .... and will it get to places in your car that water and sand (salty) won't? I seriously doubt it.


Have you crawled under your D4 ... have you washed the chassis rails (inside and out) with a hose, stuck that nozzle into the chassis rail holes, under the wheel arches and bumpers, etc.,?.... and still find sand months afterwards.


If there were corrosion issues, you wouldn't see them and I suggest that you'd never be able to get some chemical or product into these places where there might be corrosion anyway, short of dipping the car.


If you have seriously done this .... I suggest you'd be questioning how effective a spay would be.


On the flip side .... just give the car a good clean ... hose the rails and everywhere you can. I had a D4 for 5 years and it had been in salt spray and salt water and there was nothing in the way of corrosion to report.


Cheers,


Kev.

[isuzurover]

Aren't you supposed to spray the lanotec on before you go away? That's what I always thought anyway, I've never used it but I've got a bottle for this trip.

...

Only if you do it a long time before you go (at least a month).

I once made the mistake of spraying the landie with fish oil a week before going to Moreton.

By the time I came back the fish oil had set rock hard with sand stuck to it. Lanolin is probably not as bad, but still best to do it after you are back and have washed underneath and allowed it to dry.

[ScottD4]

I'd just like to ask the question ...

Have you crawled under your D4 ... have you washed the chassis rails (inside and out) with a hose, stuck that nozzle into the chassis rail holes, under the wheel arches and bumpers, etc.,?.... and still find sand months afterwards.

Kev.

I am always amazed after a day at the beach how long I have to hold the hose inside the chassis until sand stops coming out. It's like I come back with the entire beach underneath my D4!

[Canaussie]

[LIST]
We are heading up on the 3rd taking the camper trailer and crossing at Inskip! Look fed to swing other LR's out there!!! We went at xmas and loved and are so excited to be going back. I agree with giving the car a thorough bath when at home, I can't believe how much sand I got out even after the car wash at rainbow beach.91951

[kingo]

We are going to be on the island from the 31st till the 4th, so will keep an eye out. Have a great trip, caught up with my brother today who just spent 5 days on Fraser and had a ball, also towed a camper and only got a little stuck at Indian Head. I'm leaving Melb this friday, looking forward to a decent road trip, will be heading over to Fraser on the 31st/Users/andrewking/Desktop/IMG_2792.JPG

[kingo]

Ready to go

[Piddler]

Ready to go

I checked in an earlier post, you have 17" rims how did you get them on a RRS I thought 18's were the smallest you could fit from GOE?
What type and size are your tyres they look good?
Have a good trip.

Cheers

[l00kin4]

We are going to be on the island from the 31st till the 4th, so will keep an eye out. Have a great trip, caught up with my brother today who just spent 5 days on Fraser and had a ball, also towed a camper and only got a little stuck at Indian Head. I'm leaving Melb this friday, looking forward to a decent road trip, will be heading over to Fraser on the 31st/Users/andrewking/Desktop/IMG_2792.JPG

We're arriving on the 4th about lunchtime ( just before the low tide) so I'll keep an eye out for you too. I'll have a black roof pod, a gazebo and Maxtrax on my racks.

Enjoy your trip.

David

[kingo]

I checked in an earlier post, you have 17" rims how did you get them on a RRS I thought 18's were the smallest you could fit from GOE?
What type and size are your tyres they look good?
Have a good trip.

Cheers
My RRS is the last of the 2.7 TDV6's, same as the D3, wheels are BMW X5 from the older model BMW and tyres are Maxxis Bighorns, 265/70/17, a snug fit but haven't had them rub anywhere. A bit noisy, but nothing too bad. Also I've got the 3 hole GOE rods and currently have them set to the middle hole.
Cheers
Andrew

[l00kin4]

Back home now after 8 days on Fraser - fantastic! Andrew, we passed each other on the Eastern beach about midday on Saturday. We went up to Dundubara campground.

I am just so impressed with the Disco - excellent comfortable driving to and from Fraser and incredibly capable once there. Tackled everything from deep sand to mud, rocks and rainforest trails so capably. Never even looked like getting stuck anywhere and some of the deeper sand in particular was testing some of the other vehicles on the island.

So many great things to see on Fraser. We could have easily spent another week. Turtles in Lake Allom, Lake McKenzie, Sandy Cape, the western side of the island, the rainforest...brilliant.

Saw one poor guy's teenage son drive their D4 hard into a deep washout, enough to activate the airbags in the front- quite an impact. Spotted them still driving around a few days later so an expensive repair bill still to come....

Did I mention how impressed I was with the Disco? :-)

David

92765

9276692767

[kingo]

Hi David

We were on our way to Inskip Point and then to Sunshine Beach. Hope I waved, saw about 4-5 Disco's heading Nth. We had a great run that day, left Kingfisher Bay about 10.30am and sat on about 70-80k the whole way to Inskip. Then onto Rainbow Beach, where we stopped for lunch and a swim. My wife thought it was the best beach she has ever swam at. Then over the headland and down Teewah Beach to Tewantin, I think in all about 100+kms on the beach, all at low tide, fantastic.

The heaviest sand we encountered was at Eli Ck, the RRS drove on and out as though it was on a dirt road, saw some guys in a ute making it look tough going, the RRS didn't blink an eye. Had tyres at 20psi so very easy going.

Good to hear you had a great trip, I only arrived back in Melb last Sunday, so still have a few kilos of sand to remove from both inside and out, this weekends job, as well as putting the stock wheels back on and removing the rack, etc. Then the scratches, how I love black!

Cheers

Andrew

[l00kin4]

Sounds like you had a great time too Andrew. Got a few scratches to deal with too- picked up mainly on the Woralie Ck rd when we went over to the Western side. The extra bit past the northern forest trail not used much by the look of it. We saw only a few cars over there over a few hours- amazing.

[Canaussie]

Saw you many times David that week first was at the woolies in Gympie well we were waiting for it to open!! Had a great time as well, did the track from Cathedral to the western beach and back the moon point road that was closed, very over grown and one very deep big hole but no problem for the disco!!92792

[l00kin4]

Ah - recognise your Disco! We ended up not waiting for Woolies but drove out to Rainbow Beach to pick up our last minute supplies at the IGA.

On Fraser my GOE rods worked a treat, just having that extra clearance while driving at 80k's down the beach was great.

Andrew,, on Sunday when we left we also drove down the beach to Tewantin after the trek through the rainforest outside Rainbow Beach. We had rain on the last night so a bit of a slower pack up of our camp meant we missed the tide to get comfortably round the sand cliffs at the top end of the beach.

A great time with such a mix of driving, all dealt with so competently by the Disco. Apart from a few scratches I did also manage to pinch a tyre (on 19's) somewhere along the line, evident by a bubble in the sidewall which showed up later. Thinking I probably should have bumped the pressures up slightly on the forest trails- lots of tree roots. Hmm

[4evershiva]

hey when I went to fraser with family in Jan 2015, I travelled from Brisbane to gympie and then to inskip point which takes close to 3 hours. Just though would it be easy to drive from Tewantin along the beach to rainbow and to inskip point. that will save about 1 hour. but is it worth it ? don't want to encounter anything stupid and spoil the main plan of fraser trip. Planned to go this june 2015 as well with the boys. Please advise.

[l00kin4]

I'm sure there are others here who can fill in the details as I'm no expert...

I'm not sure you'd actually save any time but it is good fun. When we went down the beach the tide was relatively high so we were higher up on the beach and the sand is quite deep in parts- definitely not a high speed trip.
We also had to go through the rainforest to go around the notorious part of the beach.
If you time it with the low tide though it'd be a doddle I'd think. It is a really nice drive up that beach with many similar features to Fraser so definitely worth the effort if you time it right.

I'd also say that even if you have to go through the rainforest to go around the top part of the beach, that is also a nice drive, again similar in many respects to Fraser so an opportunity to start your Fraser adventure before you even get there.

David