Your videos of the tracks mate are perfect for someone like myself, never been but heading there in April. I’ve scoured RUclips trying to get info on high country tracks and yours are the best. Thanks
@@benv7670 G'day Ben, Thanks heaps mate for your reply and feedback. Im glad my videos are giving you some helpful info on the High Country. Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim i think your a great ambassador for Victoria, you make me want to pack up and head of tomorrow to have a look . Great video's mate thanks. Steve . Wa
Where did the name wombat holes come from? They look like spoon drains for the water to drain away from the track. Took my old 62 series up here. Didn't have any dramas. Probably 25 years ago at least.
Im not sure where the term wombat holes comes from, its just what ive always known them as. They look like a heap of wombat holes. It would have been great driving that track 25 years ago. Thanks mate for your feedback Cheers Tim
My friend i hike alot, i definitely know what you mean by it dosent show the steepness. Im looking at it and thinking fml with my 20kg of gear 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣💀💀
Tim - great vid, love your work, keep it up! Did this track this time last year in our Disco4 - the looks from the Patrols and LandCruisers parked up at the top when we rocked up we’re priceless! Was wondering what happens when you meet someone coming the other way on that section up to the gate - potentially a long way in reverse for someone!
G'day mate, Doesn't matter what you're driving mate. Wheel placement will get you most places that others wont. Yeah mate thats the only section on that track, that would be very interesting if you come across a group coming the other way. It would be a long reverse up for someone, as you have no hope of passing side by side on that section. Thanks for your feed back mate, greatly appreciate it. Cheers Tim.
G'day mate, Ahh cool. Top town and pub in Dargo. Sounds like you had a great day on Blue. Rag and to get snow is pretty ace. Thanks for your reply. Cheers Tim.
I drove out the Blue Rag track this morning from Bright and got to the steep section you mentioned at 2:32, looked over the edge and backed up, turned around and went to Mount Hotham for lunch, as much as I wanted to get to the Trig Point, we were travelling alone in a stock Mitsubishi Pajero Sport on HT tyres and decided that discretion is the better part of valour and my manhood would have been bruised more if I needed rescue than if I turned around. Thanks for the tips, I reckon I’ll give this a miss until I can travel with someone more experienced.
Gday Michael, That was a great decision mate by not going down that part of Blue Rag. Specially on your own with HT tyres. Far better doing that than getting into trouble. Thanks for your reply and feedback mate, I’m glad my video helped you out. Cheers Tim
Hi Tim, we are running out first trip over in March 2024, what are the best paper maps to get of this area, Dargo blue rag, crooked River etc ... Cheers Andy from Track Rats 4x4
G'day Andy, You cant go past Rooftop maps for the whole Vic High Country. If you get the Dargo - Wonnangatta Rooftop map, that will cover the area you are going into. Have a great trip mate. Cheers Tim
Not necessarily mate. The live chat I’m doing tonight on my RUclips channel at 7.30pm might be worth tuning of you can. It covers what you’re asking about high country tracks. Blue Rag is one of the tracks in tonight’s live chat. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim
Love how your not a cowboy on the tracks mate,no vehicle abuse or trying to be a hero,great vid as always!! Any chance Tim next time your out you can point out some of the filming locations from The man from snowy river and maybe do a side by side comparison? Cheers👍
G'day mate, Thanks mate. Im all for respect of the tracks and my 4WD. While still having a top day out on the tracks. I greatly appreciate your reply and feed back mate. Cheers Tim.
@@4bymad660 Hard to compare my gear ratio now to another 4WD. But to give you an idea. 2ND gear low range now, is about equivalent to 1st gear before the reduction gears went in. 1st gear now is really low, its almost like i have picked up an extra gear from what i had before. Hope that answers your questions mate. Cheers Tim.
G'day Tim,legendary track that,not too much room for mistakes in a few spots.Must be some clay content where the water is lying around hey?How long since it rained?Sure is good to see some snow on Hotham,a couple of years ago I ran up Kosciusko during a thunderstorm,that was exciting.And there were still some snow drifts between Christmas and new year.Slipped over more than once,hahaha.It's amazing what a few more vehicles over the track will do,and if it rains,well,you would give it plenty of thought before driving,especially on your first visit.Best wishes for the season Tim,see you some more soon👍🙂
G'day Wayne, Sure is a great track to drive mate. Some sections are tight as you get towards the top. Not a lot of room for error at all. It's been a good few weeks since any decent rain as fallen, which is whats holding what has fallen in the puddles along the top. Ive walked up to the summit of Kozy, not sure i'd be running up these days :-) Great views at the top though. That track will change big time in the coming weeks and months. Those wombat holes will be a good challenge in some sections. You have a great Christmas mate and might catch ya in the Hc during the New Year. Cheers Tim.
When you say not suited for AWD is that because of the reason the center isn't locked and you think the terrain wont be suitable for AWD system causing too much wheel spin on the center open? Would you say 4WD with front and rear open would be suitable? Just interested to know your feed back more on your statement.
G'day mate, The first and most important thing an AWD doesn't have over a 4WD, and that is low range gearing. To drive this track low range gearing is a must. Plus i don't think an AWD vehicle would have the ground clearance to get over the high wash out humps. Plus an AWD vehicle would loose traction very quickly as soon as a wheel came off the ground. Thanks for your question mate, and i hope that answers your question. Cheers Tim.
I doubt I will do Blue Rag again. About 9 years ago I got half way up and had a problem with the Troopy over heating so decided to turn round only to find on the way back I slipped into neutral and had one hell of a problem keeping it safe but did get to stop OK after a few missed heart beats. But its all part of enjoying your 4x4.
G'day mate, That doesn't sound good at all. Thats great you were able to keep control and get out safely. Dealing with certain situations, sure is part of 4wding. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim.
Great vid Tim. Looks great. Do you really need lifts? I am waiting on a new Prado and am keen to do the track however do not have lifts so is standard 4wd clearance OK? Thanks
G'day Nick, Yeah mate you would be still ok. Might scrape on a few rocks. It wont open until Melbourne Cup Weekend. Have fun when you go mate, it sure is a great drive. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers Tim
We are so grateful for your beautifully produced films. We did Blue Rag about 7 years ago when the kids were tiny and it remains one of our all time favourite 4wd tracks. Now I'm itching to get there and do it again! We have an R51 Pathfinder with a 5" lift and other necessary components - bar, winch, snorkel etc. We have never had lockers and so far, with careful driving, have done a lot of very steep tracks with no problems - such as Cynthia and all around the Crooked River, Wonnangatta etc.. We'd love to do Billy Goat one day and I often wonder whether we should throw at least a rear locker on. If you have a sec, I'd highly value your opinion Tim. Anyway - thanks again, we absolutely love your format and appreciate the hard work you put into your videos. Cheers from Sydney, Dave and family
G'day Dave, Thanks mate for your feedback, im glad that you enjoyed this video on Blue Rag. It sure is one of the premium tracks for that area. I hope you can make a return trip soon after being away for 7years mate. Lockers are great to have, but as you have found out, with careful driving and wheel placement you can get around with out them. Not sure how good the rear LSD is in your Pathfinder. Having a rear locker in sure does give you a lot more control while on those steep tracks. I have both ends locked and very rarely use the front. Hope that helps mate and might see you back down here some day soon. Thanks a lot for your feedback mate. I hope all is well up in Sydney. Cheers Tim.
Gday great video what tyre pressure do you run ? Also it says track closed until 28/10/21 are they pretty good at opening up gates on the correct date as we are going 2 days after it is supposed to open
Gday mate, It’s one of the great 4wd tracks in the high country. I run 18psi in the front and 20psi in the rear. That track should open on time this coming Thursday. But Dargo High Plain Rd could have a late opener. Need to check on that road to see if it opens on time. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
What a track! This one is on my list for sure, not to mention that camp site you had. Any suggestions on best way in? Looks like you can come from the Dargo side, Omeo side, or maybe even what looks to be Harrietville on a map I have? Cheers Tim. As always, so appreciative of your content.
Gday Greg, It’s a great drive mate if you’ve not been along Blue Rag. If you get a nice day, the views are amazing. Best ways in are from either the Dargo or Mt Hotham side. Hope you get along when it opens up after Cup Weekend. Thanks mate for your feedback. Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim, your nothing but a full time fun bag and l am jealous, mate l still have to work and try really hard to get 4 weeks away, but when l retire you will see me everywhere on trips great show, cheers, Neil.
@@timbates4wdadventures you can take the twins track to a track called jeeps twin track. Really nice views like the blue rag! And a few camping spots just before the summit! Would love to see you do a video on that Haha the mighty Mt Murray 👌
Hi Tim, watching this from the UK, only chance I'll get to see your wonderful country, a quickie on the vehicle if you don't mind, not seen a motor like that, no 4x4 in the UK has an engine brake, I'm a truck mechanic, so know how good they are, pass a few tech bits if you can, looking forward to seeing more of your travels. Many thanks. Nige.
G'day Nigel, Thanks mate for dropping in from the UK. I hope things are going well for you. The engine braking comes from the compression of the engine. Thats where a manual diesel 4wd and low range gearing work really well in steep country. Thanks mate for your reply and feedback, i greatly appreciate it. Cheers Tim.
Hey mate, found your video a pleasure to watch! Just had a question: the track keeps going past the trig point down to the river... is there space to camp down at the river? Can you cross the river and does it link back to other tracks? Great video mate 👌🏼
G'day mate, No, the full length down to the river on Blue Rag Range Tracks is a one way track. You can camp at the bottom, provided no other groups are down there already. Its only a small area to setup camp, but a really nice spot on the river. Thanks a lot mate for your feedback, i glad you enjoyed the video. It's a great drive out along Blue Rag. Cheers Tim.
My fear is not just the narrow ledges- but whilst it is a lot more comforting climbing up in an auto, the opposite is true coming down. I found placing it in 1 in low makes very little difference downhill and brakes have to be applied creating brake pads wear, tear and heating up.
G'day Rod, Thanks mate, im glad that you enjoyed the trip along Blue Rag. It's a great drive on a nice weather day. I have pretty much dropped all music from my videos since making that one. Thanks mate for your feedback. Cheers Tim
Definitely was a daunting track,especially at the base looking up to the top . If your ASS isn’t twitching when you start the track there’s something wrong with you.
G'day Trevor, Yeah for sure mate, its pretty full on when you sit at the bottom of that final climb if you haven't done it before. Worth the climb to the top though. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
Years ago when the steep bit near the top was as rocky as buggery my auto Jackaroo gearbox bash plate got snagged on a rock going down. I was a 4WD newby at the time so having to give it a big gob of throttle to get off the rock was scary, because it leapt forward and I had to go down much too fast. Definitely a huge pucker moment, haha.
G'day Ein, Yeah mate, the final climb once was pretty full on. It was dozed about 3 years ago when Mount Hotham had bush fires going on, and the summit of Blue Rag was used for fire trucks to get up and fight the fire from the summit. Still a good steep climb though. Thanks for your reply mate and im glad you got off that rock ok. Lol. Cheers Batesy.
G'day mate, Thats pretty good if you can get that track on your own. Great track to drive and going back out via Basalt Knob Track is a ripper drive back to Talbotville. Glad you had a top day mate. Cheers Tim.
john delaney Gday mate, I wouldn’t say it happens a lot that kind of vehicle damage. But, if you drive it hard enough, it sure has the potential for it. Stunning views mate at the top. Well worth a trip up some day. Cheers Tim.
Great Video Tim. Did that track Melbourne Cup weekend about 4 years ago. Nice and sunny in Bright but pouring with rain and miserable when we got to the top. Was a great drive and one I'll definitely do again.
G'day mate, Yeah the weather from the low country can be very different from whats going on up on the top. Definitely worth going back if you can get a nice day for it. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
I did it in a Freelander 2 with no low range in around 2012 before it was graded. It was as rough as guts and the little car did real well to make it. They graded it about a month later after some bad fires and it was like a highway for a while. It looks like it's still not as rough now.
Gday mate, Yeah it can be hit and miss as to the condition of the track. Blue Rag is closed at the moment, after the recent bush fires. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim, apparently you're not allowed to camp along the track anymore. Got moved on by park rangers not too long ago when we setup camp near where you went.
G'day Grant, Thats cool mate if you dont always agree with all that i do. I always respect everyones points of view. Thanks a lot for your reply and feedback mate, i greatly appreciate it. Cheers Tim.
Beautiful place mate. Love the camp at the end. Been there twice. The second trip in was to recover a vehicle on the other side of the Summit. Never thought I would be able to 1st low all that dead weight over the top but it worked haha. Then to top that I done a heater hose that I fixed. Ended up with just enough water to make it to the little creek east of the rd to fill the rest up haha
G'day mate, Thats a full recovery adventure you went on. It sure is steep once you leave the summit. Im glad it all worked out well and you got to some water to cool down your 4WD. Tops stuff mate. Cheers Tim.
Hey Tim,great movie. Just curious as to why you used lockers on Blue Rag? We did it in my mates zd30 without lockers and no problem. Was it just to preserve vehicle? Thanks
G'day Jason, Not sure if your mates ZD30 has a rear locker or not. If not it will still have the LSD centre in the rear diff. In my case with having a rear locker installed. Once a rear locker goes in, the standard LSD centre has to come out. Once the LSD centre comes out, the rear diff is a single wheeler without the rear locker engaged . So, as soon as one of the rear tyres breaks traction, you will come to a stop very quickly. Im rocky country where a great deal of suspension flex goes on, the rear diff is worth next to useless without the rear locker engaged. Thats why i use the rear locker a lot of the times. Hope that answers your question and thanks for asking. Cheers Tim.
Gday Jason, Because I have a rear locker and therefore the LSD centre has been taken out I use the rear locker all the time in 4wd. Otherwise it’s a single wheeler very quickly. Cheers Tim
We’ve done Blue Rag many times, I really wish they wouldn’t go so heavy with the graders.. coming back up from the river side is always fun as its super steep, i tore an engine mount there.. ratchet strap to the rescue haha Great vid Tim 🍻
Gday mate, Even though it's been graded, it's still a great drive. The track will become quite a challenge to drive in the coming months, with those wombat holes. They will get bigger for sure. It sure is a steep climb back out of the river to the Trip Point. Three things i don't leave home with out. Ratchet straps, duck tape and zip ties. One of those three will always save the day Lol. Thanks for your reply and feed back mate. Cheers Tim.
Gday mate, It’s a top track to drive in the Dargo area. Track maintenance is a good idea. The tracks always rough up again. Yeah the climb back up from the river is steep. Good drive though. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers Tim
Totally up to you. But, my advise is leave the camper behind. Drive the track and pick it up on the way back. The last 400 meters to the summit is very steep. Plus a couple of long steep sections along the track. Hope that helps mate. Cheers Tim.
G'day mate, Yeah for sure mate. If you haven't driven it before, it will blow you away with the views from the summit. Thanks heaps for your feed back mate. Cheers Tim.
Went to the high country today ALONE with no experience in the high country in my gen 2 paj 3.5 with 15inch AT tyres and oh boy the track was muddy today due to the rain but the paj to my surprise handled everything very decently thanks to tim i crawled in 1st low range on descents and uphill 2nd low. Thank you sir, appreciate your work.
G'day mate, Thats great you had a top day out driving Blue Rag. It is such a nice drive up for the views. Im glad you got some ideas on gear selection from some of my past videos. Might see you on the tracks some day mate. Cheers Tim.
Did that track in early 1980s, now seems improved surface an removal of many crests with sky/bonnet view only. Also was two tire tracks and rather loose roxk sheets over much of the last strech. Looks much easier than back then. Trig point was also a helipad, i presume for fire fighting access.
Gday mate, It would have been great to have driven Blue Rag back in the 80's It's been maintained for bush fire efforts. Mount Hotham had bad fires about two years ago, and it's been maintained since then so fire trucks could get to the summit to fire fires. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures The last stretch, two wheel ruts either side of the ridge centre, with loose plates of rock for wheels to slip and slide made that run quite scary. The periodic rises left no view of direct after the crests with only bonnet and sky visible did not help. More than one had slight direction changes needed. I was on my own in Nissan MQ30 3.3L fiesel, and 24v winch. I survived part of a one week trip from Warburton to Mt Terrible to Licola to Dargo to Mt Hotham to Omeo and back via Hwy
Gday Tim, great views. Is there a particular channel you stay on in the high country when on your own. A common one that most people communicate on to let others no whether your comming up or down. Or is there generally enough passing spots on all the tracks?
G'day mate, When im travelling on my own, i generally have my UHF roaming on scan. That way you can pick up any other groups that might be on the same track as yourself. If it's a strong signal from another group coming in, generally means they are close and maybe on the same track you're travelling on. As far as passing spots go, you just have to make it when the time comes if you meet another group coing toward you. Hope that helps answer your question mate. Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures Going up the ledges on Billy goats by myself and it bent the lug on the end of the chain that holds the spare up under the tub. first i knew was when i started hearing the chain rattling around under the back. Yes...i know...im still mystified how i didn't realise it either ?? ... went back to look for it and she wasn't there. so its gone down the hill i think. I had had the wheels aligned and rotated before i came up and my guess is they accidentally left a bit of slack in winding that chain up
Dam going to have to delete u now lol, still 12wks before I get a chance to get up there & Blue Rage is again on the list, it is so good & the view WOW
Matt Hutch Gday Matt, Haha 😂 Hope you have a great day when you get to head along Blue Rag Range Track and check out those stunning views from the summit. Cheers Tim.
Such a good track and good for newish drivers if your cars set up right. I did Conway then Billy Goats for my first tracks out wheeling then went out to Blue Rag the next day and loved it. Billy Goats was a bit of a challenge with my lack of experience but with the tip of using 2nd low not 1st low it made things better. Both tracks I saw other IFS 4x4s at the bottom having a think and they got the confidence to follow me up. worked well to have another car following. these types of detailed videos is what gave me the confidence to get out and try.
G'day mate, A couple of good fun tracks in Billy Goat and Conway for your first up tracks in that area. Both are a great drive. Yeah 2nd low can work really well in some up hill sections if not to steep. 2ND low will give you more torque and more traction in loose rocky sections. 1ST gear can sometime be too low and you will end up spinning tyres in the loose rock. Thanks for your reply and feedback mate, thats great the videos are helping you with some of the tracks im doing. Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures Haha yeah the Patrol handbrake is awesome, held my GQ on hills like no other. Is Blue Rag possible without a locker in the same weather conditions? I have a Dmax with 31 inch BFG at's and one inch lift now.
Chris Coyne Gday Chris, Gee, that’s a hard one to pick between the two. Billy Goat is more of a challenge to drive, and still amazing views from the fire tower. Blue Rag has so many vantage points to take in the view, and a bit easier to drive. Both tracks are amazing to check out. Thanks for your question mate. Cheers Tim.
Gday Mark, If i came across another vehicle i would have talked my through for sure. I cant tell you how many times I've driven Blue Rag, and never have i had to deal with another 4WD coming the other way in the tight sections of the track. The main section to worry about another 4wd coming in the other direction is from the North Basalt Track junction and down to the bottom. That section would be very interesting as to who is backing up. Cheers Tim.
Maybe just lucky. If another vehicle comes towards you. Just have to make it up at the time as to who’s going to let the other one past. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers Tim
Gday mate, Not that sort of track I’d advise for that vehicle. Ground clearance would be a big issue. I’m not sure if that vehicle has low range gearing. Hope that helps mate. Cheers Tim
NO. You don't have the clearance and independent power to all four wheels. A Limited Slip Diff. is not the same as a locking diff. .I drove down No. 3 Road down to Carter's road in my 2003 RAV4 AWD with AT tyres. I won't be doing that again. I was lucky to get out of there unscathed. I have walked this Blue Rag track. Many spots had me saying NO WAY would an SUV make it. I saw some city people in a Land Cruiser with HT tyres and NFI driving this track. They were really having trouble. The Low range gears are a game changer. When you come down a steep bumpy track such as The Bluff Hut track from the Bluff Hut in a SUV you will damage something such as your trailer power plug because of the angle of entry and exit from the steep heavy bumps with only ordinary low gears and feathering the brakes to get you down the hill. Once you hit the brakes you lose traction and control on the steep rocky loose sections. It is a potentially difficult route for the wrong vehicle with the driver still learning how to drive on these tracks. Take care out there and always get out and walk it if in doubt , to find the right line for wheel placement.
G'day mate, Blue Rag on a sunny day is just the best. Amazing views from the track and at the summit. I hope you can go and check it out when the seasonal gates open. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures yeah I plan to get up there as soon as possible mate! So hopefully us folk in Melbourne are out of restrictions by the time track is opened up again! Hope you've been well mate 👍
@@timbates4wdadventures glad to hear mate! Would love to have a chat about blue rag and Billy goats closer to the time I'm going to go as I've never done them before!
Crikey mate what a bloody ripper track! I've heard about this one but never seen a video of its beauty. Stunning scenery and i absolutely love steep tracks! Hopefully by Christmas we'll be allowed to camp mate, i'll be there! Love you videos mate keep'em coming!
Gday Phil, I’m glad my videos are giving you ideas to check out the High Country Just not at the moment. The area has gone into lock down. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
Another great video Tim. Doing it a Dmax with a Auto the other week was a different experience to the old 60 series found myself been more picky about wheel placement through the wombat holes. Have you ever headed down the other side of Blue Rag?
G'day Brad, Yeah thats the go mate, just have to pick that line through a bit more carefully. I have been down the other side past the trig point once. It's bloody steep and a no go zone if its wet. Thanks for your feed back mate. Cheers Tim.
G'day Wade, Not for a second in knocking IFS. I had 2 IFS rigs before the Patrol. End of the day, its the IFS rigs or rigs without a rear locker that form those wombat holes. As more of those two 4wd set ups drive that track, the bigger those wombat holes will get. Thanks for your reply. Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim, Great video mate, well captured! It’s so great that we have people like yourself, bring the high country’s natural beauty into our homes, whilst demonstrating how to look after it also. As part of the 4WD community, thanks for all the effort you make, to bring us this content. Go the Datsun’s! Cheers and beers, Steve
Great and very informative video Tim! I was waiting to see how this track would look, I don't think I'd want to drive it in a stock Colorado with a set of AT tyres..
+Simmo Gday mate, It’s not to bad at the moment. But give it a few months, and it will be a very different track, that’s for sure. AT tyres would be fine mate. As long as you have a bit of offroad driving experience. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
great video, its a spectacular part of the world we live in, now you have me planning a weekends drive on that track.......p.s. you got another subscriber
+darren b Gday Darren, Mate that drive along Blue Rag and onto the summit, is as good as it gets. Stunning country. That’s great the video was helpful for and planning a trip up Thanks for jumping on board the channel with your sub. Thanks mate, greatly appreciate it. Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures hi Tim, i am probably in the same age bracket as you and have only been 4 wheeling for about 18 months now and im hooked, will be going through your other vids for and tips. keep up the good work and look forward to your next one
High Tim , Des from Phillip Island i know this is a bit late from vid release but how does that steep section compare to the steep sections coming down Colligwood track as plan to do blue rag in March April 2021 Cheers Des
Des Funslow Gday Dee, That’s all good mate. The steepness is very similar with both tracks. As long as it’s dry, should be ok if you have done Collingwood before. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim
G'day mate, Yeah you are right in that mate. Billy Goat gets a lot of traffic, but Blue Rag is a still a top drive and that track will change greatly in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for your feed back mate. Cheers Tim.
![Hitting Up 4WD Tracks Around Dargo - [ Vic High Country ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z1eknP-s7qM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Hitting Up 4WD Tracks Around Dargo - [ Vic High Country ]](/img/tr.png)
![Billy Goat Bluff Track - [ How The Track Can Change ]](/img/1.gif)
If you are driving Blue Rag Range Track for the first time.
Did you find this video helpful before you go?
Your videos of the tracks mate are perfect for someone like myself, never been but heading there in April. I’ve scoured RUclips trying to get info on high country tracks and yours are the best. Thanks
@@benv7670
G'day Ben,
Thanks heaps mate for your reply and feedback.
Im glad my videos are giving you some helpful info on the High Country.
Cheers Tim.
Heading up this weekend definitely helpful and keen to see it in person!
@@joshoconnor8078 have a great trip mate. It’s fantastic from the summit.
Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim i think your a great ambassador for Victoria, you make me want to pack up and head of tomorrow to have a look .
Great video's mate thanks.
Steve . Wa
Where did the name wombat holes come from? They look like spoon drains for the water to drain away from the track. Took my old 62 series up here. Didn't have any dramas. Probably 25 years ago at least.
Im not sure where the term wombat holes comes from, its just what ive always known them as. They look like a heap of wombat holes.
It would have been great driving that track 25 years ago.
Thanks mate for your feedback
Cheers Tim
My friend i hike alot, i definitely know what you mean by it dosent show the steepness. Im looking at it and thinking fml with my 20kg of gear 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣💀💀
Yeah track angles are really hard to show on a camera.
Still good fun driving them though. Lol
Cheers Tim.
Trying to get the club to make a trip up there. Hopefully this summer.
Gday David
It’s a great track to drive if the weather is ok.
Stunning views at the top.
Hope you get up this summer with your club.
Cheers Tim
Thought you may have gone all the way to the river and campground .
Not on my own I wouldn’t.
Have been down many times in the past.
Cheers Tim
Tim - great vid, love your work, keep it up! Did this track this time last year in our Disco4 - the looks from the Patrols and LandCruisers parked up at the top when we rocked up we’re priceless! Was wondering what happens when you meet someone coming the other way on that section up to the gate - potentially a long way in reverse for someone!
G'day mate,
Doesn't matter what you're driving mate. Wheel placement will get you most places that others wont.
Yeah mate thats the only section on that track, that would be very interesting if you come across a group coming the other way.
It would be a long reverse up for someone, as you have no hope of passing side by side on that section.
Thanks for your feed back mate, greatly appreciate it.
Cheers Tim.
How hard are the tracks coming in from the other side ?
Kinda comes down to your experience mate.
I find them a good drive but easy.
Just watch Sth Basalt Nob Tk. Very steep.
Cheers Tim
Saw you at Dargo 2 nights ago. Did this track in a stock hilux in the snow a day later. Easy! But still beautiful
G'day mate,
Ahh cool. Top town and pub in Dargo.
Sounds like you had a great day on Blue. Rag and to get snow is pretty ace.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers Tim.
I drove out the Blue Rag track this morning from Bright and got to the steep section you mentioned at 2:32, looked over the edge and backed up, turned around and went to Mount Hotham for lunch, as much as I wanted to get to the Trig Point, we were travelling alone in a stock Mitsubishi Pajero Sport on HT tyres and decided that discretion is the better part of valour and my manhood would have been bruised more if I needed rescue than if I turned around. Thanks for the tips, I reckon I’ll give this a miss until I can travel with someone more experienced.
Gday Michael,
That was a great decision mate by not going down that part of Blue Rag. Specially on your own with HT tyres.
Far better doing that than getting into trouble.
Thanks for your reply and feedback mate, I’m glad my video helped you out.
Cheers Tim
Hi Tim, we are running out first trip over in March 2024, what are the best paper maps to get of this area, Dargo blue rag, crooked River etc ... Cheers Andy from Track Rats 4x4
G'day Andy,
You cant go past Rooftop maps for the whole Vic High Country.
If you get the Dargo - Wonnangatta Rooftop map, that will cover the area you are going into.
Have a great trip mate.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures thanks mate ! We will
@@andrewcoulter323 cheers mate.
Hi.. tim do we need a rear diff lock to do this track ?
Not necessarily mate.
The live chat I’m doing tonight on my RUclips channel at 7.30pm might be worth tuning of you can.
It covers what you’re asking about high country tracks.
Blue Rag is one of the tracks in tonight’s live chat.
Thanks mate for your reply.
Cheers Tim
Love how your not a cowboy on the tracks mate,no vehicle abuse or trying to be a hero,great vid as always!!
Any chance Tim next time your out you can point out some of the filming locations from The man from snowy river and maybe do a side by side comparison? Cheers👍
G'day mate,
Thanks mate.
Im all for respect of the tracks and my 4WD. While still having a top day out on the tracks.
I greatly appreciate your reply and feed back mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures one more question Tim,with your reduction gears,what would your 1st and 2nd gear be equivelant to in a stock 4by?
@@4bymad660 Hard to compare my gear ratio now to another 4WD.
But to give you an idea.
2ND gear low range now, is about equivalent to 1st gear before the reduction gears went in.
1st gear now is really low, its almost like i have picked up an extra gear from what i had before.
Hope that answers your questions mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures certainly did,thanks for takeing the time to reply Tim.. take care and look forward to the next upload👍
@@4bymad660
Cool mate.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers Batesy.
G'day Tim,legendary track that,not too much room for mistakes in a few spots.Must be some clay content where the water is lying around hey?How long since it rained?Sure is good to see some snow on Hotham,a couple of years ago I ran up Kosciusko during a thunderstorm,that was exciting.And there were still some snow drifts between Christmas and new year.Slipped over more than once,hahaha.It's amazing what a few more vehicles over the track will do,and if it rains,well,you would give it plenty of thought before driving,especially on your first visit.Best wishes for the season Tim,see you some more soon👍🙂
G'day Wayne,
Sure is a great track to drive mate. Some sections are tight as you get towards the top. Not a lot of room for error at all.
It's been a good few weeks since any decent rain as fallen, which is whats holding what has fallen in the puddles along the top.
Ive walked up to the summit of Kozy, not sure i'd be running up these days :-)
Great views at the top though.
That track will change big time in the coming weeks and months. Those wombat holes will be a good challenge in some sections.
You have a great Christmas mate and might catch ya in the Hc during the New Year.
Cheers Tim.
When you say not suited for AWD is that because of the reason the center isn't locked and you think the terrain wont be suitable for AWD system causing too much wheel spin on the center open? Would you say 4WD with front and rear open would be suitable? Just interested to know your feed back more on your statement.
G'day mate,
The first and most important thing an AWD doesn't have over a 4WD, and that is low range gearing. To drive this track low range gearing is a must. Plus i don't think an AWD vehicle would have the ground clearance to get over the high wash out humps.
Plus an AWD vehicle would loose traction very quickly as soon as a wheel came off the ground.
Thanks for your question mate, and i hope that answers your question.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures thanks for your reply Tim. Appreciate the feedback!
@@AllTerrainAction no worries mate. Thanks for your question. Cheers Tim.
@@AllTerrainAction no worries mate.
I doubt I will do Blue Rag again. About 9 years ago I got half way up and had a problem with the Troopy over heating so decided to turn round only to find on the way back I slipped into neutral and had one hell of a problem keeping it safe but did get to stop OK after a few missed heart beats. But its all part of enjoying your 4x4.
G'day mate,
That doesn't sound good at all.
Thats great you were able to keep control and get out safely.
Dealing with certain situations, sure is part of 4wding.
Thanks mate for your reply.
Cheers Tim.
Great vid Tim. Looks great. Do you really need lifts? I am waiting on a new Prado and am keen to do the track however do not have lifts so is standard 4wd clearance OK? Thanks
G'day Nick,
Yeah mate you would be still ok. Might scrape on a few rocks.
It wont open until Melbourne Cup Weekend.
Have fun when you go mate, it sure is a great drive.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
We are so grateful for your beautifully produced films. We did Blue Rag about 7 years ago when the kids were tiny and it remains one of our all time favourite 4wd tracks. Now I'm itching to get there and do it again! We have an R51 Pathfinder with a 5" lift and other necessary components - bar, winch, snorkel etc. We have never had lockers and so far, with careful driving, have done a lot of very steep tracks with no problems - such as Cynthia and all around the Crooked River, Wonnangatta etc.. We'd love to do Billy Goat one day and I often wonder whether we should throw at least a rear locker on. If you have a sec, I'd highly value your opinion Tim. Anyway - thanks again, we absolutely love your format and appreciate the hard work you put into your videos. Cheers from Sydney, Dave and family
G'day Dave,
Thanks mate for your feedback, im glad that you enjoyed this video on Blue Rag. It sure is one of the premium tracks for that area.
I hope you can make a return trip soon after being away for 7years mate.
Lockers are great to have, but as you have found out, with careful driving and wheel placement you can get around with out them.
Not sure how good the rear LSD is in your Pathfinder.
Having a rear locker in sure does give you a lot more control while on those steep tracks.
I have both ends locked and very rarely use the front.
Hope that helps mate and might see you back down here some day soon.
Thanks a lot for your feedback mate. I hope all is well up in Sydney.
Cheers Tim.
Awesome track bro, lov those slow technical tracks, I’m in WA & would gladly swap some of our beaches for some of your highland tracks, AWESOME
G'day Louis,
Thanks mate. One day i will get over to WA and see those beaches that we dont have to drive on. Wish we did.
Cheers Tim.
Gday great video what tyre pressure do you run ? Also it says track closed until 28/10/21 are they pretty good at opening up gates on the correct date as we are going 2 days after it is supposed to open
Gday mate,
It’s one of the great 4wd tracks in the high country.
I run 18psi in the front and 20psi in the rear.
That track should open on time this coming Thursday.
But Dargo High Plain Rd could have a late opener.
Need to check on that road to see if it opens on time.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
What a track! This one is on my list for sure, not to mention that camp site you had. Any suggestions on best way in? Looks like you can come from the Dargo side, Omeo side, or maybe even what looks to be Harrietville on a map I have? Cheers Tim. As always, so appreciative of your content.
Gday Greg,
It’s a great drive mate if you’ve not been along Blue Rag.
If you get a nice day, the views are amazing.
Best ways in are from either the Dargo or Mt Hotham side.
Hope you get along when it opens up after Cup Weekend.
Thanks mate for your feedback.
Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim, your nothing but a full time fun bag and l am jealous, mate l still have to work and try really hard to get 4 weeks away, but when l retire you will see me everywhere on trips great show, cheers, Neil.
G'day Neil,
Thanks mate, im glad you enjoyed the video.
Cheers Tim.
Hey mate have you done the Tracks to Mt Murray ?
Gday mate,
Don’t think I have done that one.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures you can take the twins track to a track called jeeps twin track.
Really nice views like the blue rag! And a few camping spots just before the summit! Would love to see you do a video on that Haha the mighty Mt Murray 👌
Hi Tim, watching this from the UK, only chance I'll get to see your wonderful country, a quickie on the vehicle if you don't mind, not seen a motor like that, no 4x4 in the UK has an engine brake, I'm a truck mechanic, so know how good they are, pass a few tech bits if you can, looking forward to seeing more of your travels.
Many thanks.
Nige.
G'day Nigel,
Thanks mate for dropping in from the UK. I hope things are going well for you.
The engine braking comes from the compression of the engine.
Thats where a manual diesel 4wd and low range gearing work really well in steep country.
Thanks mate for your reply and feedback, i greatly appreciate it.
Cheers Tim.
Hey mate, found your video a pleasure to watch!
Just had a question: the track keeps going past the trig point down to the river... is there space to camp down at the river? Can you cross the river and does it link back to other tracks?
Great video mate 👌🏼
G'day mate,
No, the full length down to the river on Blue Rag Range Tracks is a one way track.
You can camp at the bottom, provided no other groups are down there already.
Its only a small area to setup camp, but a really nice spot on the river.
Thanks a lot mate for your feedback, i glad you enjoyed the video.
It's a great drive out along Blue Rag.
Cheers Tim.
My fear is not just the narrow ledges- but whilst it is a lot more comforting climbing up in an auto, the opposite is true coming down. I found placing it in 1 in low makes very little difference downhill and brakes have to be applied creating brake pads wear, tear and heating up.
Yeah that’s one thing with the auto transmission, they do run away coming down hills.
Have you looked into a lock up kit for your auto?
Cheers Tim
Awesome stuff. Love what you are doing really great cinema photography. Maybe turn the music level down a bit.
G'day Rod,
Thanks mate, im glad that you enjoyed the trip along Blue Rag. It's a great drive on a nice weather day.
I have pretty much dropped all music from my videos since making that one.
Thanks mate for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Definitely was a daunting track,especially at the base looking up to the top . If your ASS isn’t twitching when you start the track there’s something wrong with you.
G'day Trevor,
Yeah for sure mate, its pretty full on when you sit at the bottom of that final climb if you haven't done it before.
Worth the climb to the top though.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
Years ago when the steep bit near the top was as rocky as buggery my auto Jackaroo gearbox bash plate got snagged on a rock going down. I was a 4WD newby at the time so having to give it a big gob of throttle to get off the rock was scary, because it leapt forward and I had to go down much too fast. Definitely a huge pucker moment, haha.
G'day Ein,
Yeah mate, the final climb once was pretty full on.
It was dozed about 3 years ago when Mount Hotham had bush fires going on, and the summit of Blue Rag was used for fire trucks to get up and fight the fire from the summit.
Still a good steep climb though.
Thanks for your reply mate and im glad you got off that rock ok. Lol.
Cheers Batesy.
Was there Sat morning, had the place to ourselves for 10 mins, awesome drive, then drove out Basalt track, many 4x4 coming up.
G'day mate,
Thats pretty good if you can get that track on your own.
Great track to drive and going back out via Basalt Knob Track is a ripper drive back to Talbotville.
Glad you had a top day mate.
Cheers Tim.
Amazing views.
Do many go up there and trash a CV, UNI, so on?
It wouldn't be the easiest area to get help out of there.
john delaney
Gday mate,
I wouldn’t say it happens a lot that kind of vehicle damage.
But, if you drive it hard enough, it sure has the potential for it.
Stunning views mate at the top.
Well worth a trip up some day.
Cheers Tim.
Great Video Tim. Did that track Melbourne Cup weekend about 4 years ago. Nice and sunny in Bright but pouring with rain and miserable when we got to the top. Was a great drive and one I'll definitely do again.
G'day mate,
Yeah the weather from the low country can be very different from whats going on up on the top.
Definitely worth going back if you can get a nice day for it.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
I did it in a Freelander 2 with no low range in around 2012 before it was graded. It was as rough as guts and the little car did real well to make it. They graded it about a month later after some bad fires and it was like a highway for a while. It looks like it's still not as rough now.
Gday mate,
Yeah it can be hit and miss as to the condition of the track.
Blue Rag is closed at the moment, after the recent bush fires.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim, apparently you're not allowed to camp along the track anymore. Got moved on by park rangers not too long ago when we setup camp near where you went.
Brad D
Gday Brad,
Never heard that mate.
Nothing saying you can’t camp beside the track.
So, not sure mate.
Cheers Tim.
Only done Blue Rag once but cant wait to get there again, maybe with you mate. Cheers Steve
G'day Steve,
Well worth coming back down for another trip.
Let me know if you come down.
Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim ,your a " proper person" ,I don't always agree with you but always learn something. Grant
G'day Grant,
Thats cool mate if you dont always agree with all that i do.
I always respect everyones points of view.
Thanks a lot for your reply and feedback mate, i greatly appreciate it.
Cheers Tim.
Hey Tim, it's 2020. Why are you filming on 2002 cameras? Google 4k...
Excuse me mate...
what do you mean??
I have walked the whole of that track. XC skiing it would be extraordinary.
Thats unreal mate. Walking it would be amazing. Slow going and really taking in the views.
Skiing it during would would be next level mate.
Cheers Tim
Another great vid tim thankyou for the effort you have done too bring us this enjoyment
G'day Anton,
Thanks mate for your feedback, i greatly appreciate it mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday mate,
Thanks for that. I greatly appreciate your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Gday Anton
Thanks very much mate for your feedback, I really appreciate it.
Cheers Tim
Love it Tim! I was drove that track right through to the river on Saturday awesome part of the world!
G'day Tex,
Thats a good drive down to the river.
Pretty steep coming back out, but a good drive for sure.
Thanks for the feed back mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday mate,
Yeah it’s a great track in that Dargo area.
Thanks for your reply mate
Cheers Tim
Beautiful place mate.
Love the camp at the end.
Been there twice.
The second trip in was to recover a vehicle on the other side of the Summit.
Never thought I would be able to 1st low all that dead weight over the top but it worked haha.
Then to top that I done a heater hose that I fixed.
Ended up with just enough water to make it to the little creek east of the rd to fill the rest up haha
G'day mate,
Thats a full recovery adventure you went on.
It sure is steep once you leave the summit.
Im glad it all worked out well and you got to some water to cool down your 4WD.
Tops stuff mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures Yeah it was a job alright haha
@@DJSAS sounded like it mate.
Hey Tim,great movie. Just curious as to why you used lockers on Blue Rag? We did it in my mates zd30 without lockers and no problem. Was it just to preserve vehicle? Thanks
G'day Jason,
Not sure if your mates ZD30 has a rear locker or not. If not it will still have the LSD centre in the rear diff.
In my case with having a rear locker installed.
Once a rear locker goes in, the standard LSD centre has to come out.
Once the LSD centre comes out, the rear diff is a single wheeler without the rear locker engaged .
So, as soon as one of the rear tyres breaks traction, you will come to a stop very quickly.
Im rocky country where a great deal of suspension flex goes on, the rear diff is worth next to useless without the rear locker engaged.
Thats why i use the rear locker a lot of the times.
Hope that answers your question and thanks for asking.
Cheers Tim.
Gday Jason,
Because I have a rear locker and therefore the LSD centre has been taken out
I use the rear locker all the time in 4wd.
Otherwise it’s a single wheeler very quickly.
Cheers Tim
Thanks Tim. Great advice on how to tackle the terrain. Looking forward to doing this track.
Thanks mate, really appreciate your feedback.
Great fun track.
Cheers Tim
We’ve done Blue Rag many times, I really wish they wouldn’t go so heavy with the graders.. coming back up from the river side is always fun as its super steep, i tore an engine mount there.. ratchet strap to the rescue haha
Great vid Tim 🍻
Gday mate,
Even though it's been graded, it's still a great drive.
The track will become quite a challenge to drive in the coming months, with those wombat holes.
They will get bigger for sure.
It sure is a steep climb back out of the river to the Trip Point.
Three things i don't leave home with out. Ratchet straps, duck tape and zip ties. One of those three will always save the day Lol.
Thanks for your reply and feed back mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday mate,
It’s a top track to drive in the Dargo area.
Track maintenance is a good idea. The tracks always rough up again.
Yeah the climb back up from the river is steep.
Good drive though.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Thanks Tim, look forward to the track opening and got this on the list to do🇦🇺🏕
Gday Darren,
No worries mate. It’s a great drive if you have a nice clear day. Stunning views along that track.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
My son and I are doing this over summer 2022. Thanks Tim.
G;day Steve,
No worries mate. I hope you guys have a great time on Blue Rag, is a really top drive mate.
Cheers Tim
Can it be done with a camper trailer?
Totally up to you.
But, my advise is leave the camper behind.
Drive the track and pick it up on the way back.
The last 400 meters to the summit is very steep.
Plus a couple of long steep sections along the track.
Hope that helps mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures thanks Tim. I haven't been there yet, just planning ahead. Your videos are a great source of information. Cheers, Josh
@@cbrjosh no worries mate.
If I can help with any more information, let me know.
Cheers Tim.
Great video once again mate, can’t wait to do this track one day, definitely on the bucket list.
G'day mate,
Yeah for sure mate.
If you haven't driven it before, it will blow you away with the views from the summit.
Thanks heaps for your feed back mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday mate,
It sure is a great track to drive.
Cheers Tim
Went to the high country today ALONE with no experience in the high country in my gen 2 paj 3.5 with 15inch AT tyres and oh boy the track was muddy today due to the rain but the paj to my surprise handled everything very decently thanks to tim i crawled in 1st low range on descents and uphill 2nd low. Thank you sir, appreciate your work.
And 20 psi all around, does the job perfectly
G'day mate,
Thats great you had a top day out driving Blue Rag. It is such a nice drive up for the views.
Im glad you got some ideas on gear selection from some of my past videos.
Might see you on the tracks some day mate.
Cheers Tim.
Yeah mate, 20psi is a great number for tyre pressures. Works well.
Cheers Tim.
Did that track in early 1980s, now seems improved surface an removal of many crests with sky/bonnet view only. Also was two tire tracks and rather loose roxk sheets over much of the last strech. Looks much easier than back then. Trig point was also a helipad, i presume for fire fighting access.
Gday mate,
It would have been great to have driven Blue Rag back in the 80's
It's been maintained for bush fire efforts.
Mount Hotham had bad fires about two years ago, and it's been maintained since then so fire trucks could get to the summit to fire fires.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures The last stretch, two wheel ruts either side of the ridge centre, with loose plates of rock for wheels to slip and slide made that run quite scary. The periodic rises left no view of direct after the crests with only bonnet and sky visible did not help. More than one had slight direction changes needed. I was on my own in Nissan MQ30 3.3L fiesel, and 24v winch. I survived part of a one week trip from Warburton to Mt Terrible to Licola to Dargo to Mt Hotham to Omeo and back via Hwy
@@helmuthschultes9243 Sounds like it was a great trip mate with a few challengers.
Cheers Tim.
Great video and very descriptive. Thanks for posting.
G'day George,
Thanks mate for your reply and feedback on the Blue Rag Range Tk video.
I greatly appreciate it mate.
Cheers Tim.
Nice vid mate👌 how do you find the dobinson suspension?
G'day mate,
I rate it big time.
Mine has been great.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
THANK YOU OTHER GREAT DETAIL VIDEO OF AUSTRALIA BEAUTY BUSH
Robert Lewis
No worries mate.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
Cheers Tim.
Thanks for making this great video, good tips, can't wait to do this track
No worries at all mate. It sure is a great track to drive if you are up for it.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Thanks mate.
I’m glad you found this video helpful.
It’s a great track to drive.
Cheers Tim
Gday Tim, great views. Is there a particular channel you stay on in the high country when on your own. A common one that most people communicate on to let others no whether your comming up or down. Or is there generally enough passing spots on all the tracks?
G'day mate,
When im travelling on my own, i generally have my UHF roaming on scan.
That way you can pick up any other groups that might be on the same track as yourself.
If it's a strong signal from another group coming in, generally means they are close and maybe on the same track you're travelling on.
As far as passing spots go, you just have to make it when the time comes if you meet another group coing toward you.
Hope that helps answer your question mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures yeah i thought that would be the go, thanks mate.👍
@@Troopinaway No worries mate.
Blue rag is a warm up for Billy goats lol
Yeah, that’s not a bad way of looking at it.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures Billy Goats owes me a spare ranger rim with an AT3 on it after i lost it up there last time lol
@@markhowells13 how did you loose it?
@@timbates4wdadventures Going up the ledges on Billy goats by myself and it bent the lug on the end of the chain that holds the spare up under the tub. first i knew was when i started hearing the chain rattling around under the back. Yes...i know...im still mystified how i didn't realise it either ?? ... went back to look for it and she wasn't there. so its gone down the hill i think. I had had the wheels aligned and rotated before i came up and my guess is they accidentally left a bit of slack in winding that chain up
Dam going to have to delete u now lol, still 12wks before I get a chance to get up there & Blue Rage is again on the list, it is so good & the view WOW
Matt Hutch
Gday Matt,
Haha 😂
Hope you have a great day when you get to head along Blue Rag Range Track and check out those stunning views from the summit.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures rain hail or sunshine Blue Rag is always a great view or at least a great experience
Matt Hutch yeah for sure mate.
Any day on Blue Rag is a good day. 😊
Such a good track and good for newish drivers if your cars set up right. I did Conway then Billy Goats for my first tracks out wheeling then went out to Blue Rag the next day and loved it. Billy Goats was a bit of a challenge with my lack of experience but with the tip of using 2nd low not 1st low it made things better. Both tracks I saw other IFS 4x4s at the bottom having a think and they got the confidence to follow me up. worked well to have another car following. these types of detailed videos is what gave me the confidence to get out and try.
G'day mate,
A couple of good fun tracks in Billy Goat and Conway for your first up tracks in that area. Both are a great drive.
Yeah 2nd low can work really well in some up hill sections if not to steep. 2ND low will give you more torque and more traction in loose rocky sections.
1ST gear can sometime be too low and you will end up spinning tyres in the loose rock.
Thanks for your reply and feedback mate, thats great the videos are helping you with some of the tracks im doing.
Cheers Tim.
Hi mate. Is it ok 2 inch lift and at tyre to handle the track are u mentioned .
@@alteregos910 Yeah no problem, let your tyres down accordingly and take your time.
@@ausoff-road7795 thanks
Another cracking video Batesy, and a cracking track.
G'day Shannon,
Thanks mate, its a crackn track alright. Lol.
Cheers Batesy.
9:03 wouldn't trust a LandCruiser handbrake there...
Gday mate,
Yeah, I’ve heard they aren’t really good.
The Nissan hand brake is pretty good.
It locks up the rear tail shaft.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures
Haha yeah the Patrol handbrake is awesome, held my GQ on hills like no other. Is Blue Rag possible without a locker in the same weather conditions? I have a Dmax with 31 inch BFG at's and one inch lift now.
Billy goat or blue rag which one would be your favourite mate.
Great video by the way loving it all
Chris Coyne
Gday Chris,
Gee, that’s a hard one to pick between the two.
Billy Goat is more of a challenge to drive, and still amazing views from the fire tower.
Blue Rag has so many vantage points to take in the view, and a bit easier to drive.
Both tracks are amazing to check out.
Thanks for your question mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday Chris,
As far as which track is more fun to drive.
Billy Goat hands down.
But the views at the top on both tracks are pretty amazing.
Cheers Tim
You were either lucky or didn’t show how interesting it gets when another vehicle comes the other way.
Gday Mark,
If i came across another vehicle i would have talked my through for sure.
I cant tell you how many times I've driven Blue Rag, and never have i had to deal with another 4WD coming the other way in the tight sections of the track.
The main section to worry about another 4wd coming in the other direction is from the North Basalt Track junction and down to the bottom.
That section would be very interesting as to who is backing up.
Cheers Tim.
Maybe just lucky.
If another vehicle comes towards you. Just have to make it up at the time as to who’s going to let the other one past.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Maybe got lucky.
That’s sure not the first time I’ve done that track and not had oncoming vehicles coming the other way.
Cheers Tim
Nice to see your show again Tim
G'day Stephen,
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim.
Hey Tim do you think a noob on subie forester could do this trip solo
Gday mate,
Not that sort of track I’d advise for that vehicle.
Ground clearance would be a big issue.
I’m not sure if that vehicle has low range gearing.
Hope that helps mate.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures Much appreciate your reply Tim,I am going for a big lift kit to solve that trouble and planning for some soft offroading.,
NO. You don't have the clearance and independent power to all four wheels. A Limited Slip Diff. is not the same as a locking diff. .I drove down No. 3 Road down to Carter's road in my 2003 RAV4 AWD with AT tyres. I won't be doing that again. I was lucky to get out of there unscathed. I have walked this Blue Rag track. Many spots had me saying NO WAY would an SUV make it. I saw some city people in a Land Cruiser with HT tyres and NFI driving this track. They were really having trouble. The Low range gears are a game changer. When you come down a steep bumpy track such as The Bluff Hut track from the Bluff Hut in a SUV you will damage something such as your trailer power plug because of the angle of entry and exit from the steep heavy bumps with only ordinary low gears and feathering the brakes to get you down the hill. Once you hit the brakes you lose traction and control on the steep rocky loose sections. It is a potentially difficult route for the wrong vehicle with the driver still learning how to drive on these tracks. Take care out there and always get out and walk it if in doubt , to find the right line for wheel placement.
Hey Tim, we are looking forward to doing the Blue Rag Track, what cameras are you using on the outside of the vehicle?
Hi Kristine,
Blue Rag is a great drive, but closed now for winter.
Im using GoPro 7 for most of my videos.
Cheers Tim.
Another great video, enjoying them and great information for when I get down to Vic in February. My wish list is just growing
Gday Mark,
Thanks mate for your reply and feedback.
I hope you have a great trip when you come down in February.
Cheers Tim.
Cant wait to check out blue rag track! Looks amazing! Great video Tim very informative as always.
G'day mate,
Blue Rag on a sunny day is just the best.
Amazing views from the track and at the summit.
I hope you can go and check it out when the seasonal gates open.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures yeah I plan to get up there as soon as possible mate! So hopefully us folk in Melbourne are out of restrictions by the time track is opened up again! Hope you've been well mate 👍
@@luke_offroad_crusades That would be great mate if the restrictions are lifted by Cup Weekend. Going all ok out here mate.
@@timbates4wdadventures glad to hear mate! Would love to have a chat about blue rag and Billy goats closer to the time I'm going to go as I've never done them before!
Luke Stephens Racing yeah for sure mate. Get back in touch before you if you like.
First! Nice Video mate!
G'day Shane,
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim.
Its really nice ride on the motor bike
Yeah mate, it would be a great ride on a bike, thats for sure.
Cheers Tim.
Yeah mate. It would be a fun track to ride.
Cheers Tim
Crikey mate what a bloody ripper track! I've heard about this one but never seen a video of its beauty. Stunning scenery and i absolutely love steep tracks! Hopefully by Christmas we'll be allowed to camp mate, i'll be there! Love you videos mate keep'em coming!
Gday mate,
Yeah mate it’s so worth checking out.
Really nice views from the summit on a nice day.
Hope you can travel soon mate.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures yeah mate i hope so too!
Mate your videos are telling me to get my butt down to the high country
Gday Phil,
I’m glad my videos are giving you ideas to check out the High Country
Just not at the moment.
The area has gone into lock down.
Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.
Another great video Tim.
Doing it a Dmax with a Auto the other week was a different experience to the old 60 series found myself been more picky about wheel placement through the wombat holes.
Have you ever headed down the other side of Blue Rag?
G'day Brad,
Yeah thats the go mate, just have to pick that line through a bit more carefully.
I have been down the other side past the trig point once.
It's bloody steep and a no go zone if its wet.
Thanks for your feed back mate.
Cheers Tim.
just Tops!
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Thanks for sharing mate. Hope to do it one day
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim.
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
@timbates4wdadventures no worries 👍 3 year old comment but cheers for replying. And no i haven't done the track ye
@@chiphood2966 catching up on some older replies.
Hope you get the track done some day mate.
Cheers Tim
Stop nockin the ifs mate we live in cape York an had no dramas an roads an hills get way worse the yours.
G'day Wade,
Not for a second in knocking IFS. I had 2 IFS rigs before the Patrol.
End of the day, its the IFS rigs or rigs without a rear locker that form those wombat holes.
As more of those two 4wd set ups drive that track, the bigger those wombat holes will get.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers Tim.
Hi Tim,
Great video mate, well captured!
It’s so great that we have people like yourself, bring the high country’s natural beauty into our homes, whilst demonstrating how to look after it also.
As part of the 4WD community, thanks for all the effort you make, to bring us this content.
Go the Datsun’s!
Cheers and beers,
Steve
G;day Steven,
Thanks heaps mate for your reply and feedback.
I sure appreciate it.
Go the DatO alright Lol
Cheers Tim.
Fantastic. Love this clip. Very informative.
G'day Vic,
Thanks mate.
Really appreciate your feed back.
Cheers Tim.
Gday Vic,
Thanks mate.
Blue Rag is a great track to drive
Glad you found the video helpful.
Cheers Tim.
Gday mate,
Thanks a lot for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Thanks mate.
I appreciate your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Thanks mate. Really appreciate your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Great and very informative video Tim! I was waiting to see how this track would look, I don't think I'd want to drive it in a stock Colorado with a set of AT tyres..
+Simmo
Gday mate,
It’s not to bad at the moment.
But give it a few months, and it will be a very different track, that’s for sure.
AT tyres would be fine mate.
As long as you have a bit of offroad driving experience.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday mate,
The AT tyres will be ok.
Depends also on your driving off road experience.
Great track to drive.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers Tim.
Gday Simmo,
It changes all the time.
Billy Goat is a lot worse now days than back then.
Another video coming up.
Cheers Tim
great video, its a spectacular part of the world we live in, now you have me planning a weekends drive on that track.......p.s. you got another subscriber
+darren b
Gday Darren,
Mate that drive along Blue Rag and onto the summit, is as good as it gets.
Stunning country.
That’s great the video was helpful for and planning a trip up
Thanks for jumping on board the channel with your sub.
Thanks mate, greatly appreciate it.
Cheers Tim.
@@timbates4wdadventures hi Tim, i am probably in the same age bracket as you and have only been 4 wheeling for about 18 months now and im hooked, will be going through your other vids for and tips. keep up the good work and look forward to your next one
Gday Darren,
It’s a great drive alright.
I hope you have been able to drive the track and check out the views.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim.
Gday Darren,
It’s a great fun track to drive.
Thanks heaps for your feedback
Cheers Tim
High Tim , Des from Phillip Island i know this is a bit late from vid release but how does that steep section compare to the steep sections coming down Colligwood track as plan to do blue rag in March April 2021
Cheers Des
Des Funslow
Gday Dee,
That’s all good mate.
The steepness is very similar with both tracks.
As long as it’s dry, should be ok if you have done Collingwood before.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim
Nicr one Tim.
Blue rag doesn't seem to be as popular as billy goats but I reckon it's more challenging track with better views
G'day mate,
Yeah you are right in that mate.
Billy Goat gets a lot of traffic, but Blue Rag is a still a top drive and that track will change greatly in the coming weeks and months.
Thanks for your feed back mate.
Cheers Tim.
Awesome buddy
Thanks mate.
It's a great drive along that track.
Cheers Tim.
Nice one Tim
+Lyle Neumann
Gday mate,
Thanks for your reply and feedback.
Cheers Tim.