Tiguan at Fraser Island?

[tschoi]

Hi,

Has anyone tried Tiguan at Fraser Island? I read most of the off-road related topics but I still cannot determine whether to take my Tiguan to Fraser when I go there around Christmas. I have off-road tech but have not driven much on sand. And no modifications (including tyres)

Thanks,
Nick

[MGV]

I think the main issue would be clearance i.e. as if you have to drive in someone else's wheel ruts.
And the fact that sand gets into everything...
But i reckon drop your tyres to 15psi & give it a crack! Let us know how you go!

[Transporter]

A friend of mine did Fraser Island in his Subaru L-series. The only modification he had was the oversize tyres to give him more ground clearance.
I wouldn't go in our new Tiguan, but if you are experienced 4wdriwer, then you should be able to get through. I suggest that you use suitable oversize tyres, the bash plate under the engine and you should be able to get the lift kit (contact jcubed in the forum or PM me if he doesn't respond) that would give you an extra 25mm ground clearance, and if you bought 25mm o/s tyres you'd have extra 50mm ground clearance.

You can find some threads on off roadin gin the stickies.

Also jimbomort went through the Moreton Island, you could ask him how his lifted Tig went.

[Brendan_A]

Your main problem would be getting on and off the beach as they get very soft and rutted out. Just pick your tides. Low tide is the best as it's just like driving on the road.

[tschoi]

A friend of mine did Fraser Island in his Subaru L-series. The only modification he had was the oversize tyres to give him more ground clearance.
I wouldn't go in our new Tiguan, but if you are experienced 4wdriwer, then you should be able to get through. I suggest that you use suitable oversize tyres, the bash plate under the engine and you should be able to get the lift kit (contact jc cubed in the forum or PM me if he doesn't respond) that would give you an extra 25mm ground clearance, and if you bought 25mm o/s tyres you'd have extra 50mm ground clearance.

You can find some threads on off roadin gin the stickies.

Also jimbomort went through the Moreton Island, you could ask him how his lifted Tig went.

I do agree that more ground clearance is needed, but I'm a bit afraid that combination of O/S tyres and wheels, engine plate and lift kit will be actually higher than renting a 4wd. At this stage I'm not sure whether I can justify the spending.

[tschoi]

Your main problem would be getting on and off the beach as they get very soft and rutted out. Just pick your tides. Low tide is the best as it's just like driving on the road.

How about the roads that leads to the lakes? Are they in better condition?

[roscoe1974]

How about the roads that leads to the lakes? Are they in better condition?

Hi tschoi,

I can't speak for current state of the inland road that comes up the Island from Inskip Point, but did it 7 years back in a Hilux (pre-Tiggy)and it was extremely rough & pot-holed (partially paved). That being said, it may well have been repaired since then, but if not it would take a major toll on standard Tig tyres. Clearance-wise I think it was okay.

The sand tracks that come inland from the beaches tended to be pretty well compacted sand/dirt, but as Brendan_A mentioned above, getting off the beach and onto those tracks often means deep-ish sand drifts that the Tig may not clear. Also, watch out for tidal washouts along the beach - we saw a number of them from the waterline up to the high tide mark, and they'd do some serious damage if you hit them at speed. Keep your eyes open and should be fine!

Again though, I haven't been for 7 years so my advice on the up-island track may be out of date. Good luck if you decide to go and remember to pump your tyres back up once you get back on the bitumen!

[Brendan_A]

How about the roads that leads to the lakes? Are they in better condition?

Very deep ruts and soft. You need clearance.

[DionM]

Drop you tyre pressures, drive appropriately and take recovery gear (snatch strap and shackles) you will get most places along the beach.

Inland tracks can be hit and miss, they can be very chopped up and soft or they can be doable. They are all sand, there is no bitumen on the island except for 1 very old track from Hook Pt up to near Eurong. You might be able to make it through in the Tig.

Certainly forget anything north of Indian Head as that is real 4WD territory.

When I was there last time I saw CR-Vs and X5s running around (south of Indian Head) so its entirely possible, you may just struggle in a few places thats all and need a tow (come prepared).

Does the Tig have a metal or plastic skid plate? These are often a curse on the island on the lower vehicles, as they act like a shovel when you reverse and often rip off (if plastic).

[heyimsu]

How about the roads that leads to the lakes? Are they in better condition?

We did this in a Landrover and it was rough.

[smeg888]

Hmmm, did it about 5 years ago in new diesel Jeep cherokee with standard tyres. After that experience, unless they have fixed the tracks in the middle of the island wouldn't consider taking my Tig there.

As the others said, very soft sand, deep ruts, not good for the Tig at all without some serious mods and better tyres. We had the Jeep bogged a few times.

[pepperpolo]

Hi,

I've been to fraser a few times, beach driving would be relatively easy as long as you have the right tyre pressure (12-15 depending on sand/rain). Driving on sand in a light car is always easier than the big 4wds...

Wouldn't go inland due to the ruts as others mentioned. The things that would concern me in the Tuguan would be:
- Does it have good (any) recovery points (not tie down points)? I'd be doubtful. Recovering from tie downs can be dangerous as they are not designed for it.
- Can you turn traction control off as it might work against you in the sand... although i don't know much about traction control on the Tiguan.

Good luck.

[Transporter]

All good points here, also if you go, don't leave with that space saver tyre. And more than one car travelling is always better than going alone.

[tiguansa]

Went to Fraser Island last year (pre owning tiguan), just bought a my11 125tsi dsg pepper grey, loooove it. Yes it would be possible in your tig, however Im not sure how much fun it would be, for as already noted, some of the internal roads are heavily rutted and you may find yourself crawling along and gingely picking your lines so as to not rearrange your underside. We hired a soft top jeep wrangler from budget for $170 and had a ball (it even bottomed out a couple of times and had tyres the size of a small elephant). In short, your tiguan will do it, but I dont thnik it would be worth the worry there or after re if youd hurt its feelings.
Ps fraser Island is fantastic, dont let the confusion re taking your car stop you going.
cheers Brian

[tschoi]

Based on all of the replies, it seems that it's not such a good idea to take a unmodified Tiguan to Fraser.

For your questions pepperpolo, MY2011 Tiguan only have one recovery point at the front, back recovery point is gone and it seems it was replaced by a bar which allows US-spec tow hitch to be attached. Traction control can be turned off.

Thank you everyone.