Madozsci
X-TRAIL NEWBIE
Date Registered: 01-2010
TOTAL POSTS: 2
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Maiden off-road in the Watagans
Went for a day trip with three others, 2 x pathfinder and Suzuki Vitara, into Watagans State Forest. The day was originally planned to visit a few spots via the main fire trails. That was until I took a look at the map and noticed that Allens Rd/trail looped off the main track and back on. So I suggested that we take that route. What was I thinking, I wasn't was the concensus 15 minutes later at the 2nd obstacle.
The entry onto the track allowed me to try out the hill descent, which worked well. When I tacked on to the group again they had stopped to check the depth and objects in a twenty metre stretch of water filled ruts. One potential problem was the remains of a small tree stump jutting vertically out of an inside rut that would have punctured any tyre running across it. Well with the choice of line decided each vehicle made their way across. The pathfinder with the largest clearance went first and 5 metres in the front drivers side dropped 100mm deeper and watching from front on I took a deep gulp. However, the X-Trail handled this with no real problems, the subframe of the transmission mount worked like a plough to level of the top of the rut. The next obstacle consisted of a step down entry that swung to the left on exit just as the rear of the vehicles dropped in. A narrow line by the pathfinder in front, who had forgotten to remove his tow bar hitch, left him high and dry with a wheel spinning. A little physical down force saw him get the traction he needed to climb out. After looking at his line I decided to get up close and personal with the vegetation to maximise my clearance, unfortunately the muffler and the underside of the bumper still felt the exit (only cosmetic). At this point the thoughts of what lay ahead started to play on my mind...do they helicopter vehicles out. There were a couple more watercourse and steep twisty sections to navigate and I must say the X-Trail really impressed me with its ability when matched to the other vehicles that had dedicated low range. I did notice an increase of heat probably coming from the transmission so I even took it out of lock where suitable. Overall a very enjoyable if not hair-raising time was had. Greatful for product advice to remove faint scratches from Twilight paint.
Cheers
Last edited by Madozsci, 3/Feb/2010, 5:25 pm
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3/Feb/2010, 5:01 pm
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