Heading to the Cape

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

We are planning a trip to the cape and I need to muster as much info as I can. I have a 2009 prado gxl stock standard I've had since new. The obvious mods are decent tyres and a snorkol. Do I need to update shockers? We are also concidering a roof top tent but I'm concerned the current Toyota roof rails are not strong enough to take the weight of the tent (60k) and 2 adults. any advice on tent brands would be appreciated, actually any advice on anthing regarding travelling to the cape would be appreciated. Cheers to all. Baker1....(novice but cautiously keen)

[top truck Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close top truck]

Hi Baker1
Get your self good light truck all terrain tyres, a snorkel, and good after market suspension. can't help with the tent. then go for it, its a trip you want forget.

[GreenVX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GreenVX]

Hey Baker1,
As a local of the Far North I have firstly a question or two..
1/ Which cape are you planning on travelling to? Cape Tribulation? Cape York?
2/ How much exploring/4wding are you fixed on doing?
3/ Are you planning on travelling alone (by which I mean just your vehicle)?
4/ When are you planning this trip?

Reasons for these questions are that if you are doing cape trib then a stock prado will do ok, suspension upgrading is always a better option though as most of the roads north of the Daintree are unsealed. If you are heading to cape york however you will find the suspension upgrade invaluable. A stock prado would make it but would be pushing the limits of its standard gear. Also cape york is not a place to go for the novice (no offence, most experts would think twice) between September and late May as this is the Far Norths Wet (Monsoon) Season, meaning many rivers and creeks, roads and tracks are impassable.
If you are planning to tackle cape york, plan to do so in mid June to early July. By then roads and crossings are passable and the wildlife and vegetation is in full swing after a good drenching.

As to your last question I havn't personally had any experience with roof top tents however if you search through old posts i'm sure ive seen peoples opinions/ build ups on the topic of roof tents.
Cheers, Shannon.

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

Hi Baker1,
I've only done the Cape once so definately no expert. We did the cape in 2005 (too long ago) it was probably the most demanding and fun trip I've done. If you do the trip I would recommend as mentioned decent AT tyres, snorkel etc. A winch would also be handy if you plan to do some of the sections solo, however if you plan to go up there solo I'd recommend that you "hook up" with a few cars along the way for company and safety. You will need to equip your car with heaps of spares (Extra tyre/rim, Air filter, hoses, oil filter, oil, fan belt etc) and decent tools (shovel, toolbox full of good stuff etc). In terms of roof tent, I've never owned one but if you opt for a more basic tent solution the Freedom or Southern Cross canvas tents are very rugged, high quality and will withstand downpours etc.

Finally you need to understand the limits of your car as there are some sections that you can get in serious trouble if you don't do the basics, checking river depths (watch the crocks !) and steep dropoffs such as gunshot. Enjoy the preparation and the big trip !

Cheers
Rob

[Strider Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strider]

The standard roof bars should be fine for the tent @ 60kg. The maximum ratings for roof racks takes into account the added forces experienced when driving like hard breaking and rough terain. When stationary they will hold much more weight.

Cheers
Alan

[edgeyhill Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close edgeyhill]

I've had all manner of tents/swags/rooftents and I strongly believe that Shipp Shape are the best/easiest by a country mile. Don't be fooled into thinking that a rooftent will go up in 2 seconds flat... packing them away can be a pain depending on how tall you are and how you have your roof racks and additional roof gear configured. Having said that - rooftents are awesom

If you have the cash then aftermarket shockies are the go, at which time you'd surely get a 2" lift. I think you'll find the standard shocks are fine so long as you aren't loading up with too much gear...

I made it all the way to the cape via the rough tracks and had no dramas, until I was 3km from the tip and got stuck in a puddle... yes, a puddle... quite embarassing but it sure was a reality check hehe

As the guys above have said, get some light truck tyres. Not necessarily muddies, AT's are fine. Just check the number of plies - the more the merrier.

"Camps Australia" is a great book to provide you with info re campsites and caravan parsk - I found it invaluable.

Don't get sucked in by the dodgy sales people in Cairns who will tell you all sorts of wild stories about the cape and what you need and don't need. Or at least don't tell them it's your first trip up there... :P

You shouldn't need loads of jerry cans, maybe just one with additional fuel in case you rupture a/both tanks. But on the other hand you have to be prepared to wait for a day or two if the fuel trucks are stuck/late with their delivery.

A 100% must do is camping on the dried out bed of the Archer river - that is my single favourite memory of the Cape. Don't get fooled into paying for a site at the Archer river roadhouse, even though their Archer Burgers are pretty damn good

Punsand Bay camp ground is magical! From there the very tip is a nice leisurely day trip and at the same time you can go se the Croc tent etc. The camp ground has a pool and is right on the beach.

Enjoy it - I might see ya up there if you're there in July!


The above are just my opinions... anyone please feel free to correct me ;D

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

My opinion for what its worth!

Snorkel is a must.
Upgraded tyres is highly recommended.
2" lift and upgraded springs and shocks is highly recommended.
Extend the diff, gearbox and transfer case breathers is a must.
Walk every water crossing is a must.
A croc tour in the Diantree is highy recommended.
Seisa caravan park is NOT recommended.

Have you done any other remote 4wd touring? I would not recommend going to the Cape as your first trip, you could do it but you will enjoy it more if you have experience / confidence in your abilities. We took friends who were greenhorns to the cape with us, they spent most of the trip scared to death of what we were going to find the next day.

Your roof topper should be fine, as someone else said, the 80kg rating for the roof rails is whilst driving only.

Cheers Andrew

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

If you are going to do a water crossing where the water level is above your tyres (above the bottom of your air-cleaner box), don't have all your faith in a 'snorkel' unless you do the following:

open your air filter box and plug or seal off the drain tube. This gets bugs, dirt etc in it and stays open allowing water in. My 2009 GXL has also go 3x holes drilled in the bottom of the air-cleaner box near the drain tube??? If yours has the same then these need to be filled. Ensure all your fittings air tight before and after your air-cleaner.

It would also be nice to have a flexble exhaust extension pipe that goes up near your spare tyre just in case you stalled the engine during the water crossing.

Have a tarp or similar to go over the front of your vehicle to help reduce water that hits your engine fan, idler pully etc.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Don't forget to watch out for idiots in patrols who will come straight at you around a corrugated bend at 140km/hr and expect you to get out of the way. Those heading south always seem to be in a hurry.

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

read through the other 5000 posts that cover this exact question

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

sorry don't mean to chew you out baker 1. SOME BODY IN ADMIN , FIX THE F...ING SEARCH ENGINE SO THAT NEW BLOKES CAN EASILY ACCESS THE MOUNTAIN OF INFO THAT IS ALREADY ON THIS SITE . IT IS TOTALLY USER UNFRIENDLY and the new guys have no idea how to find the info , but thats not their fault .

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Add a good search bar which automatically queries siteradopoint.com ...would make everything so easy.

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

Thanks Lurker coopers tires look like the go. cheers mate

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

Add a good search bar which automatically queries siteradopoint.com ...would make everything so easy.

As wooley mentioned, I sometimes use google to search for content within specfic web pages, i.e for Pradopoint

"cape york preparation siteradopoint.com"

This is a manual approach but works ok.

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

Hi Shannon, We are heading to to Cape York in a group of 4, 2 experienced 2 with some experience, but none of us have been to the cape. I,ve done the flinders ranges and some of central oz and also intend on doing some local tagg alongs to the high country before we head off. I intend to be over prepared but still will soak up as much advise as I can. June 8th is our planned departure. Cheers Baker1