I come back last week from an east west crossing from Melbourne, 2 cars, 5 people, 3 adults in 150 diesel prado and 2 in dual cab triton. 5000 Kay's in 13 days, dirt from swan hill back to mildura not including main streets. Swags as accommodation.
I have done heaps of 4x4ing in the past 15 years on the east coast and high country but I learnt a lot.
We did a bit of damage to both cars which I put down to bad luck rather than bad driving or bad preperation. It happens so worth being prepared.
Prado- battery isolator died at poepel corner and dent in guard after falling in a very big hole on a side slope on the WAA after going over dune with no visibility.
Triton - slab of beer fell out of tailgate on big red and was run over backing back down
(most were saved due to the soft sand)broken canopy window when fridge become unlocked and slid into window, and ironman bullbar crush can fractured in half.
What would I do the same or different -
-We had 6 x 15 litre bladders for water, worked well and didn't take up any room when empty.
-Lined the full back of the car including windows with corflute to stop damage and cut down on rubbing on the plastic.
-we checked over the car each day including things like battery bolts, but still had a couple vibrate out of the bullbar wings.
- I should have taken a warmer sleeping bag even though it was 35 plus each day. Still pretty cold most nights.
- better dividers in the storage in the back even though we have drawers, everything was shaken like we had just thrown it in anyway.
Great trip and planning to go back ASAP.
