Daddybang wrote:Homer wrote:G'Day Fella's,
Winton, the best advice I can give you, is to walk thru any water crossing, prior to driving thru it.
Hope that helps
Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer
Not quite ANY water crossing!!!
winton wrote:would I be better off keeping it in low range 4x4 and in first gear? OK someone just wrote about 2nd. Thats good to know.
winton wrote:Is it a good idea to put car in reverse if you decide not to go any further?
Bourt wrote:
If you're splashing around and the water level is below the chassis it's pretty fool proof.
Don't have a heart attack about getting stuck every time you go through a bit of water, that's all I'm saying
winton wrote:I've got a stock standard diesel 4x4 ute with all terrain tyres and nothing else and no experience fording creeks and rivers.
I don't intend on going any deeper than 300-350mm in the water with the vehicle and am relying on the Rooftop maps I have that have fording locations marked on them.
I'm just wondering if its generally pretty safe to do so with the kit that I've got in the Victorian Eastern Ranges?
Of course, I'd get out and check to see the water height. I only intend on going during winter or hunting season in Victoria.
tracks wrote:"the best advice is, if you don't absolutely have to go there, don't" bloody good advice there guys take note.
winton wrote:Thanks for the info everyone.
I'm not keen in getting stuck, so its 300-350mm as my limit.
One thing that came to mind is tire pressure. I usually run my AT on 38-40psi on road and drop that to 34-36 on unsealed roads if I know I'm gonna go far, but most times, I don't bother if its dry.
Is there a optimum tire pressure for fording?
Smiley wrote:Also I keep the windows down and seatbelts off, incase I need to bail out in a hurry.
winton wrote:Thanks guys
I'm sticking to the marked fording routes on the map. I know rooftop maps are generally good. (anyone have experience with Victorian topo maps?) Are most trouble often with unmarked fording or are marked fording on maps just as susceptible to trouble?
@Homer, great idea those Crocs. Already thinking about making it standard carry on my backpack.
I'd probably get a mob to install those piranha breather kits for my ute at a later date.
@tracks, Waders are another good idea. A bit heavy to carry though. I heard about an alosack waterproof zip log bag for rifle.
@Gaznazdiak, how deep did you expect the fording to be when you got stuck?
FuzzyM wrote:
If you don't have breathers, you can let the diffs etc cool down while you walk the crossing, look around etc. The main issue is the cold water hitting your hot diff, gearbox etc, causing the air inside to cool rapidly, sucking water in as it contracts.
If you have no recovery gear, at least bring a long handle shovel.
I was stuck in the snow a couple of weeks ago, shovel came in handy.
Could have used the winch, but would have taken longer.
I recommend getting at least a basic recovery kit, if you are stuck and need help from a passer by, I consider it polite to use your own gear as snatch straps have a finite life.
winton wrote:Hey Guys
Is a snorkel one of the must have in fording creeks etc ? Kinda like an insurance policy incase you hit a hole?
FuzzyM wrote:winton wrote:Thanks guys
I'm sticking to the marked fording routes on the map. I know rooftop maps are generally good. (anyone have experience with Victorian topo maps?) Are most trouble often with unmarked fording or are marked fording on maps just as susceptible to trouble?
@Homer, great idea those Crocs. Already thinking about making it standard carry on my backpack.
I'd probably get a mob to install those piranha breather kits for my ute at a later date.
@tracks, Waders are another good idea. A bit heavy to carry though. I heard about an alosack waterproof zip log bag for rifle.
@Gaznazdiak, how deep did you expect the fording to be when you got stuck?
If you don't have breathers, you can let the diffs etc cool down while you walk the crossing, look around etc. The main issue is the cold water hitting your hot diff, gearbox etc, causing the air inside to cool rapidly, sucking water in as it contracts.
If you have no recovery gear, at least bring a long handle shovel.
I was stuck in the snow a couple of weeks ago, shovel came in handy.
Could have used the winch, but would have taken longer.
I recommend getting at least a basic recovery kit, if you are stuck and need help from a passer by, I consider it polite to use your own gear as snatch straps have a finite life.
Member-Deleted wrote: check the crossing out, it only takes a couple of minutes for the gear to cool down enough to prevent water being sucked in.
winton wrote:Excellent tip Magnum. Would you keep your engine running whilst you wait? does that make a difference?Member-Deleted wrote: check the crossing out, it only takes a couple of minutes for the gear to cool down enough to prevent water being sucked in.
You wouldn't go in the water to check the crossing in the NT would you?
I've crossed the Daly a few times. Nothing over knee deep. Every single time I see crocs there.
winton wrote:My intuition says that I should ford over it steady and slow.
Is this humour?