“ It was easy as expected because we ’ d done our practice run , picked our line , and we nailed it ,” Macca said on the other side .
Next up : the JB Scorpion Sting . While the Gator was running AL- KO ’ s Enduro X offroad suspension system , the Scorpion was fitted with Cruisemaster ATX . Both suspension systems were more than up to the job – nothing was broken or out of place inside either van after the river crossing .
The Scorpion Sting , however , proved difficult to haul up the embankment – not because of a problem with the van ; rather , the previous crossing had left the surface muddy . With diff locks engaged , Macca gave his ute everything it had , each time losing traction near the top of the hill . Just as we were about to call the Unimog for a helping hand , Macca decided to give it one more crack . He backed down the hill , towards the river , and gunned it . By the skin of their rubbery teeth , the tyres found traction and we made it to dry ground .
As fun as those river crossings were , it was clear to each of us that those JBs really were fit for purpose . They copped quite a hiding on Dargo ’ s back tracks , not to mention the river crossing , and by the end of the trip , the vans were ready for more . While we didn ’ t take the semi-offroad Dirt Roader across the Dargo River , it was clearly quite capable on the terrain for which it was designed .
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ?
If you ’ ve never been to Dargo , what are you waiting for ? Not only is it an excellent base from which to explore certain parts of the High Country , the hospitality and scenery is second to none . While I wouldn ’ t necessarily recommend crossing the Dargo River with a caravan – unless you are properly equipped with recovery equipment and appropriate know-how – it was a lot of fun , not to mention illustrative of what these vans were really capable of .
Macca exits the Dargo River with the JB Scorpion .
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