2014 PP G.T.G - Minimum vehicle requirements & recomendations

[2014PPGTG Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close 2014PPGTG]

Please read and understand the Pradopoint Social Event Disclaimer Notice.

By attending this Pradopoint Social Event you are agreeing to the terms contained within the disclaimer notice, if you do not understand or agree to those terms DO NOT attend. This extends to all Pradopoint members, their families, friends and others.

RECOMMENDED vehicle requirements as follows:

We the committee have no qualifications or expertise in 4x4ing, safety & vehicle recovery.
We have found varying opinions of 4x4 clubs & training facilty instructors.
We have decided to offer the following as a GUIDE only.

It is up to the vehicle owner/driver to make sure the vehicles & trailers are safe & registered & in roadworthy condition.

Also that these aftermarket accessories/items be fitted correctly.
You might like to join a 4x4 club and/or obtain some 4x4 driver training.

A/T tyres (LT preferable).

Rated Recovery gear, should be in good condition (including snatch strap, bridle/equalising strap, rated bow shackles)

Air compressor & tyre pressure gauge

Shovel

UHF radio (handheld will be acceptable) please bring spare batteries.

1st aid kit.

Fire extinguisher.

Chainsaw to collect your firewood.

Any additional modifications or recovery accessories (e.g. MaxTrax, winch, lift, lockers, aftermarket recovery points, etc. may be useful but not essential).

Depending on track and weather conditions on the day, the Trip Leader reserves the right to refuse to allow a vehicle to participate if he deems it would be unsafe to the other members of the convoy, or to the vehicle/occupants of that vehicle.

We do not expect to be using recovery gear if conditions are dry.
If conditions are adverse we do need to be prepared.

Please have a look at the track ratings in post #4. we will be commuting on all 4 classifications.
Also be aware, that is the parks dry track ratings.

[2014PPGTG Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close 2014PPGTG]

RECOMMENDED VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS:

40-50mm lift.

Bullbar.

Snorkel.

[2014PPGTG Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close 2014PPGTG]

under construction so this will be adjusted, its not set in concrete till this sentence is removed.

THINGS THAT MIGHT COME IN HANDY:

winch, winch extension strap, snatch block, 2 tree straps.

diff breathers.

heavy duty side steps/sliders.

Aftermarket bashplates.

A new engel or waeco fridge

CHAINSAW

[2014PPGTG Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close 2014PPGTG]

4x4 track ratings:

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/ass...sification.pdf

Talbotville is a large camping area situated on the Crooked River approximately 33 kilometres from Dargo in Victoria’s High Country. The campsite has a large main area, which is capable of catering for everyone attending. There are also numerous smaller camping areas stretching south along the Crooked River on the Crooked River Track.

4 wheel driving tracks are numerous, and start pretty much as soon as you leave the campground in any direction. These include South Basalt Knob, Crooked River Track, Brewery Track, Randalls Track and several others. Blue Rag and Billy Goats are also relatively close and can be done easily as part of a day trip.

Talbotville is the site of an old township. It is a large and flat camping area with the Crooked River running along the full length.

When driving in the campsite area please try to stick to the marked tracks and travel slowly. There are lots of kids running around and it keeps dust down.

Facilities

- Accessible to camper trailers, off road caravans and 4 wheel drive vehicles.
- Not recommended for 2 wheel drive vehicles. Conditions can change rapidly.
- There are two pit toilets in the main camping area.
- No dogs
- Info from parks Vic Dargo office, We are advised Generators ARE allowed but they must not disturb or upset fellow campers, should be quiet (eco inverters) and kept away from other campers.
- Water is available for cleaning, showering, portable toilets etc from the Crooked River.
- The location has a number of fire pits, other fireplaces and several sets of tables and benches.
- There is no power at the campground.
- Closest Diesel, Unleaded and Premium Unleaded is at the Dargo General Store
- Closest LP gas is either Stratford, Bairnsdale or Sale

What you need to Bring

- If you are going out on the drives, your own recovery equipment. (Must be rated)
- All camping equipment.
- All food and water for cooking and drinking.
- UHF radio for communication while driving.
- Anything else to be self sufficient for the duration of your stay.

All rubbish must be taken out with you. There are no rubbish bins.
Please do not dispose of metal containers, glass bottles or plastic in campfires.
Remember, if you can carry it in, you can carry it out.
We would also encourage picking up any rubbish you come across.
There is a rubbish transfer station in Dargo for proper disposal of waste.

Warnings

- The Crooked River runs the length of the camp and care needs to be taken with children.
- There are old mining shafts in the area.. Please be careful when walking through the bush.
- The DEPI has warned that camping under trees can be dangerous due to falling branches.

Local Area Attractions and Places of Interest

- Dargo General Store has petrol, ice, groceries and most general goods.
- The Dargo Hotel has alcohol, ice and all other pub related things like meals etc.
- Grant Township and Cemetery off Mitchells Track
- Talbotville Cemetery
- For any GeoCachers, there are over 20 active caches in the immediate area.
- There is fishing in the rivers around the place, remember your rod (and fishing licence).
- The Hotham Hotel is a good place to eat and a nice drive from the Talbotville camping area.
- There are several old mines and associated relics in the general area which are worth a visit.
- There are a lot of fantastic tracks in the area including, Blue Rag, Billy Goats, Randalls Spur and the drive to The Pinnacles.
- The Pinnacles is an area with fantastic 360 degree views across the entire area. Well worth a drive.

Because all the drives will be in groups we request that everyone taking part read through the convoy procedures.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nvoy+procedure

No.9 is the important one.

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

Despite having attended the last 2 GTG's I notice that as things stand my Prado doesn't meet the minimum vehicle requirements.

Interesting!

Cheers Andrew

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

Despite having attended the last 2 GTG's I notice that as things stand my Prado doesn't meet the minimum vehicle requirements.

Interesting!

Cheers Andrew

I must have missed something here so had better go and find the minimum vehicle requirements as I was compliant at the last GTG as the committee went around and checked all the vehicles to make sure.

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

Ok just found the thread on minimum vehicle requirments.

It is starting to look like you have to have a heavily modifided vehicle to now attend. We may have booked the boat but now going to have to seriously look if we can even attend the GTG as there is no way we will be doing everything on the list just to meet the minimum requirements.

I hope at this stage most of what is written as minimum is tounge in cheek stuff.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

Vaughan, AJ as I read it the mandatory requirements are: decent tyres, good recovery points, rated recovery gear ( snatch, bridle and shackles), compressor + gauge, shovel, UHF, first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Everything else is just a recommendation or wish list. I'm sure any prado that passed the 2012GTG inspection will be fit for the 2014GTG.
Cheers, Ben.

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

That's not how I read them Ben, they are at best vague and in reality only a draft so I don't understand why they are even published. The fact is as I read them my recovery points will not comply, so be it, I am going to the hi country next April, whether its on my own or not is yet to be seen. Regardless I will not be lowering my standards of safety to comply.

Cheers Andrew

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

That's not how I read them Ben, they are at best vague and in reality only a draft so I don't understand why they are even published. The fact is as I read them my recovery points will not comply, so be it, I am going to the hi country next April, whether its on my own or not is yet to be seen. Regardless I will not be lowering my standards of safety to comply.

Cheers Andrew

AJ
I don't understand your post? (which is a first). Lets assume its a moronic post. Given you're a welder, does that make it an Oxymoron? Hahahahahaha.

Don't worry, if you dont meet muster I will accompany you and repeat 2012 saving your ass 3 times! Yes, 3 times, 2x snatches in your own backyard and the use of an ever reliable Cooper ST after your rolled two inferior tyres playing in the sand at Beachport.

PS, if its any consolation, the photos are gone forever as some shite stole my laptop, so let the denial begin....

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

AJ, what's on the list you don't have?

It's under a heading "minimum requirements" like last years.
It also says "it's a guide only"
Same as Last years.

please remember this is the 2014PPGTG
It's next year, it not the last one, or the one before that.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Ok just found the thread on minimum vehicle requirments.

It is starting to look like you have to have a heavily modifided vehicle to now attend. We may have booked the boat but now going to have to seriously look if we can even attend the GTG as there is no way we will be doing everything on the list just to meet the minimum requirements.

I hope at this stage most of what is written as minimum is tounge in cheek stuff.

Heavily modified?
where are you reading?
What's on there you think you need?

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

That's not how I read them Ben, they are at best vague and in reality only a draft so I don't understand why they are even published. The fact is as I read them my recovery points will not comply, so be it, I am going to the hi country next April, whether its on my own or not is yet to be seen. Regardless I will not be lowering my standards of safety to comply.

Cheers Andrew

The committee is putting in a lot of time to organise this.
It's published so people can have an idea what they might need.
Now i think your being silly.
It reads very simple, why has it taken you so long to think of a problem?

[Dupes68 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dupes68]

Despite having attended the last 2 GTG's I notice that as things stand my Prado doesn't meet the minimum vehicle requirements.

Interesting!

Cheers Andrew

Not sure what your point is here, except an attempt to be deliberately obtuse. I agree, having read through the requirements after reading your post, that they may not be clearly and concisely laid out. However, unless you're going to be constructive in your comments and indicate WHY you don't think your vehicle meets the minimum requirements, how can your query be clarified, and what are you trying to achieve from your post?

I sense a perception from your tone that you think you know better having "attended the last 2 GTGs". Constructive comments and tips/hints wouldn't go amiss given that you have so much experience, and presumably better ideas.

If I've misunderstood your point perhaps you could clarify....

Phew..... That feels better! Point made!

Cheers!

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

I don't particularly agree with the minimum vehicle requirements. Rather, I think there should be recommended standards and modifications.

In my mind, the only minimum standards should be:

"It is up to the vehicle owner/driver to make sure the vehicles & trailers are safe & registered & in roadworthy condition. Also that these aftermarket accessories/items be fitted correctly."

At the end of the day, there is no obligation to ever recover anyone. The only legal obligation is to render assistance or succour if someone life's depends on it. This doesn't include the recovery of property.

If someone gets stuck, it is up to the recover vehicle/driver to decide whether or not they wish to engage with the bogged vehicle and involve their own vehicle (at their risk) to recover the bogged vehicle.

Surely the event won't be excluding prado pointers from attending simply because the don't have every accessory or modification? What if someone wants to simply attend for the camaraderie? And what prevents a prado pointer from attending the same area and tracks at the same time of their own volition?

I would welcome other prado pointers to attend with their prados whether or not it is stock standard.

As for tracks and runs, this should be determined on a day-to-day and vehicle-by-vehicle basis. Sure, let the committee make an assessment of each vehicle upon initial attendance, but don't exclude from everything just because someone doesn't have every recovery option. Indeed, driver ability may be just an important consideration as their vehicle capability - so who assesses this?

As you say in the initial post, the GTG doesn't anticipate or plan to be getting vehicles bogged or driving in adverse conditions. Indeed, there should be track/day options for inexperienced and stock standard vehicles as well as some more challenging (opt in) options.

I'd rather see more prado pointers attend with a range of vehicles, all well maintained and roadworthy, than requiring too much by way of recovery options standards.

Sometimes I think we make life way too complicated.