SANParks.org Forums

O my genade, hier kom Poefies........

Translation: I just hit the red button numerous times.

Those doing Big Bertha up first time...

@Scipio: Leave springs? No my Isuzu's LEAF springs are still in tact, thanks . I've seen all this big talk before, when it came to Bertha, none delivered. Got the video footage .

As far as the Cruiser goes: Yes it should make old Bertha. Problem is after that it will (also) have to abandon the trail - due to fuel shortage. I'll do Bertha x2 with the fuel a Cruizer uses to labour to the top x1 .

WKK, so what you are saying is that I have to take a Fuel Bowzer with me on the trail as I have a 4,7 V8.

Last time I was there I had 220litres Diesel in a Landy. Now I have 130 litres petrol.

But then again, I will be idling along cause I got horses.

Plenty of horse there Scipio but yes if you keep horses, you must feed them.

All jokes aside though, I have not taken the Jeep anywhere serious yet, some river crossings, flash floods, bit of sand, but I am definitely willing to give the trail a go with it in October.

@ Scipio: We had a very interesting time on the dunes. Something that bugs me is that one or two of the vehicles in the convoy really made a mess of the dunes. At one point Switchback took lead just behind the Parks vehicle, I was right at the back. On more than one occasion he would radio that the dune looks fine, smooth and by the time I got there it had some serious damage. We are only speculating but it could be that one or two of the vehicle's traction control was messing up. The spin marks/holes were evenly spaced - typically traction control behavior in sand. I know Jeep has one of the most advanced traction control systems on the market, but I would say turn it off completely - if possible. In general the dunes are easy going, any 4x4 with a proper no fuss drive chain should cope fine.

Interesting point there, bit off topic, but I can turn the traction control off,

Did the trail some time ago with a TD5 130 Landy that gave me headaches on the peaks due to the long wheelbase. But it went really well apart from that. And I still prefer a 4x4 with a long and short gearstick. Maybe yu guys should start a technical thread on your trip, now that would be interesting to see from the different vehicles viewpoint.

OK, I know the Landy owners has to replace their dentures, Isuzu owners their Gearboxes, Toyota Owners their vehicles , Nissan owners their wife, and the Volkwagen owners did not make the first dune, but it will be interesting.

@Scipio; That's a good idea. Got some pics of the dune damage as well.

I know this will be a contentious statement for some*, but on the last day I found I could do most of the dunes in 4x2 - without any spinning. Most dunes are not that high, by building just a bit speed, you can basically free-wheel them to the top - without applying power through the drive chain. Key is tyre pressure - Mine was cold @1.1 Bar.

* I know this holds the risk of spinning holes, but once you are able to "read" the dunes, do as described, it is even better than going up slower in 4x4.

I already made quite a few technical points HERE as well.

Eish SB, we all read about the Low Tyre Pressures, traction control etc. in our 4x4 manual.

What I am after is a seperate thread on the different vehicles, effect on the dunes when crossing(i.e. spinholes, crossaxle from the traction control, who did what in what vehicle and how it affected their ride, a more personal type thread.

I did see some statements on Isuzu rules, but the real life drama on the vehicles with the specific trail in mind.

I saw Cruizer, Navara, Isuzu, Fire Engine etc.

We "all"...?

OMW....What luck Our trip in March begins on 8 March at Rooiputs, so for us, it's tailor made.....5 - 7 March is PERFECT
Jannie, will PM you for official booking details.

Hmmmmm 5-8 March sounds terribly tempting - and yes, despite all the drama I would do the trail again in a heartbeat ( just without the gypo and the puking and the howling winds that blow people's tents inside out and the heat and a few other things maybe?) - oh and WITH radios ( and Jannie)

Put us down again PLEASE - might just be 2 of us this time but will confirm later ...

Can only get better....