Thread: Spares for Cape Trip

Sat phone - VISA card

And full service before you leave.

After two trips to the Cape, I wouldn't leave home without these: Air compressor, tyre repair kit, snatch strap, spare bottle jack (because the sissor jack in the D3 is useless), a set of maxtraxs or similar, tarp for creek crossings, full tool kit, some fencing wire, gaffa tape, spare engine oil, knead it multi purpose epoxy putty.

Give you car a thorough going over before you leave and address any mechanical parts that are showing wear, as the corrugations up there could fininsh off partially worn bits. I got my local dealer to replace my steering bushes before I went up as they were partially worn.

The Cape is not that isolated a place, so if you breakdown you won't be stranded for life threatening periods, someone will come along sooner or later.... it'll just be inconvenient that's all.

Think about taking a diagnostic and fault removal tool like "Hawkeye" cost around $600 and there are threads on the bottle jack (mine starts at approx 220mm and raises to 550mm), re tyre repair, get one with solid metal handle so it wont brake and drive spear back up through your hand.

If you can, get some light truck tyres fitted, I have a spare set on 17" rims for the rough stuff.

Get a good camera with decent movie function to capture the memorable bits.

Prepare to have fun.

Ryall

I took similar to D3syd,less the maxtraxs.

Tyres may be an issue, if you haven't got LT's,take two spares at least,or one spare & a carcase.Two jerrys of fuel should be enough if yours is a diesel.

I would also take a spare air filter,two if you don't have a snorkel,and a fuel filter.

The other thing is pack as light as you can,this is VERY important.

A good complete check over the vehicle is also absolutely critical.Do it yourself then you know it is done properly.Look for anything that could rub through,engine hoses,wiring,air lines,etc,etc.If the D3 is anything like my D4,you will have to remove all the factory bash plates & use a torch to check everything.Also look for anything that is weeping fluid.

I did two long trips up there in the D2,never had one problem,didn't even change a tyre(had LT tyres)fantastic place,have a great trip.

Hi There,
I always take a bit of oil, couple of filters, serpentine belt and despite needing to be a heart surgeon to install it I would consider a fuel pump belt kit (diesel), doesn't take up much room. Depending on klms it might be worth getting the fuel pump belt changed anyway.
Based on recent experience if yours is a diesel I would also consider a water outlet housing. Quite changeable and about $30 cheap insurance. Even if you call someone to assist if you have a few bits this can sometimes help fix things.
Don't leave your best spanners / tools at home in case you lose them and leave the crappy ones in the car. Take the good spanners and screw drivers with you, good quality tools are worth their weight in gold. Take a hammer, cable ties, petrol resistant paste, soap will do if you are stuck, gaffa tape a new roll. A head light with lithium batteries in it.
Take someone who knows what the "boing" noise is emitting from the dashboard until you figure it out yourself. Nothing worse than being asked while you are trying to figure it out............
Good pliers, fuses that fit this vehicle not the ones that fitted the car you had ten years ago. Some scotchlocks for joining wires. Spare set of wheel nuts. A good jack as mentioned earlier.
All else fails some water a prayer mat and a good tent............... oh and a box of matches....

Agree with the water housing, plastic and can warp and fail easily, cheap to buy and easy to replace.

Thanks for all your replys!

Cheers

Billy


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My advice - take less. More gear you take the more weight you carry the more weight you carry the more likely things are going to go wrong.
June/july is holiday season and its like a highway up there cars everywhere. Help isn't going to be far away.
Learn how to opperate your vehicle.
Look into your camping permits. There is plenty of free camping up there but that time of year you might be wise to check out paid options to ensure a spot.
Not sure if Bramwell holiday park will be opperating next season as the couple who've been running it for the station past few years are leaving end of this season. Bramwell roadhouse will still be opperating a campground though. Check out the photos on the tables on the verhanda. Some big spills have occured on the track over the years.
OTT isn't that hard, Palm creek was a bit of a shock but easy enough once I got over my initial shock. Watch for nolans brook though and don't let logan creek crossing boost your confidence as nolans is a whole other ball game. If you get stuck in Nolans and kill the car its $3500 and 3 days back to cairns on the ferry. Gunshot this year was easy I dropped the eastern side bank without a hassle. Chicken track on the west side IMO is more hairy.
Frenchmans you can expect panel damage if you're not careful.
Don't forget to go to the lions den on your way up - good excuse to do CREB or at least bloomfield.
Make sure you visit the croc tent for the best map up that way.
HEAPS to see take you time have fun and my advise grab a water proof or "tough" camera and get snaps at the swimming falls. Some of my best memories of my trip.