Thread: Trailers into Deua NP

Yep living up to their reputation of a police state I know common sense is hard to come by so lets make another law

I see things a bit differently from that.

But then, I would wouldn't I because I have a slide-on camper rather than a trailer.

I have seen the state of some of those tracks into Deua that have been closed to trailers and some of the deterioration would almost certainly be the result of 4WDs struggling for traction because of the drag of the trailer they were towing. The combination of rock and clay in many places seems to suffer more than some other surfaces when people start spinning their wheels.

I am happy that NPWS are spending their limited resources on keeping one access track good enough for 4WDs dragging trailers behind them and reducing the amount of maintenance needed to keep the other tracks safe enough for those of us with slide-on campers.

Would 4wd's also create some of the damage?? I'm thinking those who choose not to engage 4wd, don't lower tyre pressures, travel when it's too wet.

Oh I own a camper trailer and to date I haven't damaged any tracks.......Moreton might test me and the rig. Good thing we also carry tents just in case we go somewhere that is not camper trailer friendly.

I hope to get down your way one day......might have to find somebody to baby site the camper

Originally Posted by weeds

Would 4wd's also create some of the damage?? I'm thinking those who choose not to engage 4wd, don't lower tyre pressures, travel when it's too wet.
That is certainly possible. I overheard a Toyota driver part way along Minuma range boasting that he hadn't yet engaged 4WD. I have no idea if he was telling the truth.
However, all other things being equal, in quite a few places, a 4WD with a trailer will struggle more for traction than one without.
Oh I own a camper trailer and to date I haven't damaged any tracks.......Moreton might test me and the rig. Good thing we also carry tents just in case we go somewhere that is not camper trailer friendly.

I hope to get down your way one day......might have to find somebody to baby site the camper
There is no problem towing a camper in via Little Sugarloaf and Bendethera Fire Trail. You can the set up camp and spend all the next day doing a circuit around half of those tracks closed to trailers.

Be sure to let Tank or me know when you get down our way.

I could see this request to not tow trailers on these trails coming being turned into a ban. I noted the attitude of some of the 4WD'ers coming into Bendethra via Dampier and Minuma Range.
It was "**** you, I'm all right", don't give a **** attitude and the most aggressive were the ones with trailers full of unregistered bikes.
I think NPWS could direct some of their energy to these clowns that ride unregistered bikes through the park, maybe that would stop some of the damage to tracks attributed to 4WD's.
I have towed my camper trailer up most of the tracks now closed and have never had a problem with wheelspin or bogging, my Camper only weighs 700kg wet and it has a shorter than normal drawbar, my Disco has low gearing and Lockers both ends.
Not like some of the Prado's with 1 1/2 tonne trailers with drawbars so long you need binoculars to see the arse end of the trailer.
I got caught behind one of these behemoths on Dampier FT, he was only about 400 metres from the start (Bendethra end), after an hour of failing to proceed and digging 1/2 the track away, I had to back down and let this dick back down to the sign at the bottom which "asked" 4WD'ers not to tow trailers up this track.
I finally got underway only to run into this blokes twin, stuck on the first sharp switchback, Prado jacknifed into trailer and bogged in gutter drain, I towed him out and carried on, don't know if he eventually made it but don't care.
One of the issues of 4WD Action showed a group of would be 4WD'ers breaking all the rules down at Bendethra, hooning through mud holes, towing trailers on the tracks mentioned, great bonfires at camp, no wonder we are losing privileges and rights with a National magazine like 4WD Action showing us how it's done.
So if you want to enjoy Bendethra and surrounds look after it, Allan and I are always available for advice on conditions or if you need company for a tour of the best part of the NSW coast and hinterland, Regards Frank