Hit the Sand!Author: jawapro
Date: Wed 15/06/2011 09:00 AM
Ok - that’s not a good sign...
Yep - Oscar stalled in the middle of a puddle again. Fortunately I thought it might be deep enough to cause the mysterious cut-out, so I’d already attached the snatch strap just in case.
We’re thinking it might be the fuel pump shorting out.
Anyway - being a long weekend, we decided we’d celebrate the return to Tassie weather by driving through the fog to the beach. Yep - we’re back at Bellingham!
Chris had gotten a Rodeo ute as a 21st Birthday present while I was away. It isn’t actually his birthday yet - but that doesn’t stop him enjoying it :)
By the way - dropping your tyre pressures on sand is great - but I think Chris got a little over-excited when he dropped his to 2psi. He had to pump them up again before continuing.
For a stock vehicle - it’s actually quite impressive. It didn’t have the grunt to pull me out when I stalled though, so Dad had to do it in the Maverick. Sadly by that stage, my carpets were wet... again.
This was the wettest we’ve seen the Bridport to Bellingham run. Meant there were some new challenges with mud, but the sand itself was easier. We still found some nice dunes to play on.
I let Turkey drive Oscar most of the way. He hadn’t done any 4x4ing before - so quite enjoyed the opportunity to experience sand driving.
But it wasn’t always plain sailing. When I was still driving, Oscar blew a coolant line.
Isn’t it brilliant having a mechanic in your convoy!
And just to even up the score - Chris had to be towed twice. Once he bridged himself on a dune and needed a slight tug to get free, and above when he managed to get stuck in a small puddle.
But in reality, the only reason he got stuck was because he was deliberately making it difficult on himself.
The correct technique for cresting a dune.
The correct technique for driving through a dune.
This is what happens when you decide to go through a dune, not over it.
Two mechanic failures at my end, two tows for Chris, and the Maverick passed with flying colours. What an awesome weekend!
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