Page 169 - Ebook Explore Cape York

Explore Cape York 163

What Tyre Pressure Should I be Running?
Dropping tyre pressure is a somewhat subjective topic -
everyone has a differing opinion. Let’s have a look at the effect
tyre pressure has on your ride. If the pressure is too high,
there’s not so much ‘give’ and less of your tyre is in contact
with the road resulting in more bouncing and sliding. Think of a
basketball – the more air it has the higher it bounces. On the
other hand, if your tyre pressure is too low, too much of the
surface is in contact with the ground creating friction between it
and the road, consequently leading to overheating.

There may be times, when doing tracks, in loose sand or deep
mud, when you will need to drop your tyre pressure very low
for short periods to get that bigger footprint. Ensure you carry a
compressor and gauge for reinflation.

At the end of the day, it comes down to how your vehicle
handles, the load you’re carrying, the road conditions and the
way you drive – a compromise choice for many is 28 – 30 psi.

What Happens if I Break down?
Recovery of your vehicle can be very expensive on Cape York. It
pays to have top level road recovery assistance. RACQ have
approved towing services in Cooktown, Weipa and Bamaga.

Roof Top Tent, Tent or Swag?
There are reasons for and against all of them. It comes down to
personal preference. If your reason for the roof top tent is to
keep you out of the jaws of crocodiles, forget it! It’s likely to get
knocked around doing the tracks and you’ll have to pack it up
each time you want to explore. Swags and tents are fine on the
ground, or if you prefer, grab yourself a stretcher.

Where can I Leave my Caravan/Camper Trailer if I Don’t
Want to Take it all the Way to the Top?
If you’re towing a caravan and prefer not to take it all the way,
there are several storage options available. These include Mt
Carbine Caravan Park, Cooktown Lakeland Caravan Park,
Peninsula Hotel at Laura, Hann River Roadhouse, Merluna