Towing in the High Country

[BillsGU]

Went into the Wonnangatta last weekend and we came across a couple from Queensland that had driven down the Zeka Spur with their GU towing a large camper trailer.

The trailer tore the towbar off the Patrol and they were in a bit of trouble. One of the guys in our group (at a risk of damage to his GQ) towed the trailer out of the Wonnangatta and to Wodonga where he dropped them off in a caravan park.

I have spent a fair bit of time in the High Country and this would be my sixth or so trip into the Wonnangatta and we often come across people who get in trouble when towing. Often they go up there in dry weather and can't get out when it rains over night.

The tracks up there are hard enough on vehicles as it is without the added stress of a trailer. I know it works on those idiot DVD's - but they don't have to foot the bill for damages - the company does that - and they have a crew along to rescue them from their stupidity.

Seriously guys - and I know some of you will differ - but IMHO and from what I have witnessed - the High Country is no place for towing.

[Bacho86]

100% agree mate, unless you know and are local / familiar with the tracks, and also have an easy way out in case the weather turns


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[GQtdauto]

We have been in towing a camper but had inside knowledge on which way to go , east buffalo track you can get a Toyota Prius up all the way to Rileys hut I reckon , because it was a designated logging road is not too bad .
After that the fun starts but there's only a few steepish climbs but rocky base , then its downhill the rest of the way .
Having an auto and learning that momentum means zip to an auto helps , especially if you keep it in first for the tricky bits and squeeze the brakes a tad if you get wheel spin .
It's a problem when they pull a caravan through Zeka with a film crew and don't explain the backup and support crews as you've rightly said .
People we met while in Wonnangatta had been pulling campers up there for 15 years and had always made it .
Comes down to driver ability , vehicle suitability , camper suitability and yes conditions on the day , having said all that if next time I go in I might not take 160 litres of water in .

[GQtdauto]

Incidentally on that trip we stopped at the Abbeyards and a couple had their camper which was big and being pulled by an older Holden 4x4 , they burnt the gearbox out trying to get in but took west buffalo track , never made it though had to unhook and turn everything around .

[katwoman]

Definitely driver ability. SteveO can tow anything anywhere.


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[MB]

We were just whippersnappers with the old man but does anyone out there remember the old old Zeka Creek Track ?

[GQtdauto]

Didn't know there was an old one , will have to check some maps , maybe my son has something on it but it's just out of his area .

[MB]

As best I remember they built Zeka Track (winding) as a 2wd almost recovery type road and then closed Zeka Creek Track. Severe drop in/out followed by the boggiest overgrown scrub creek line track ever known, Malaysian jungle style!

[GQtdauto]

Probably the Toyota owners put in a complaint , that's how these tracks get closed , too tough .

[MB]

Agreed:-) Unfortunately we were early brought up Toyoda Tuff :-( Later years we finally got the shits with snapping pinions, crowns, axles and howling transfers and so converted. Never looked back :-)