Thread: Gradings

Some of you may have noticed that I use a grading scale when defining a track.... to save me a squillion what do you mean by grade X or what sort of vehicle set up do I need for what grade.

Grade 0, Its a blacktop road, I wont usually use this grade unless Im writing up a track map or route plan

Grade 1, Gravel roads, formed tracks, usually passable in a 2 wheel drive with decent rubber and a bit of brain 1

Grade 2, Formed tracks, might be passable in a heavily modified 2wd, part time four wheel drives will require the use of 4wd and permanant 4x4s might be thinking about the center diff lock low range will probabley be on the cards but you probably wont need to bag down, Typically a rocky/sandy/gravely track (myrtleford trip was a perfect grade 2)

Grade 3, Real four wheel drives only, You will be in low range, Road bias tyres wont cut it unless you have suspension mods, The center difflock will be in and you'll possabley have a few moments that would justify additional traction aids and youd be bagged down, Probabley muddy sandy terrain or tracks like the myrtleford trip where you call for a spotter due to poor visability on obstacles.

Grade 4, Modified four wheel drives, suspension lifts, off road tyres, traction aids, minimum tyre pressures, be ready to be stuck for one reason or another. You could make it through on a stock Landrover but you'll make hard time of it. Its usualy about here Im thinking about why I didnt see about signing out an M113 or at least a unimog for the trip. The terrain will probabley be rocky climbs in the wet or loamy tight tracks.

Grade 5, IF your not in a helicoptor, your winching. or youve spent more money on your suspension setup, drive line and tyres than my household income in a year. Even then Im not going to guarentee you get through without the winch. If you have to ask about the terrain here, you dont want to know.

Not bad at all.

If you check the one in the GCLRO section thats the gradings set down by the Australian 4WD Council... funny thing is though they don't have a separate grading for extreme 4wding so we added the G4 orange one... how can you set gradings for 4wding and not have one for extreme locked vehicles is beyond me.