The 2022 R.A.T. Run saw the Cruisemaster engineering team adventure out on the thirteenth Remote Area Testing Trip. For the second year running it was not just Cruisemaster prototypes being put to the test during this 7,000Km plus trip but a range of vehicle prototypes were part of the grueling journey as well. Maybe it was the unlucky "13" or maybe the conditions, but either way this year the team, vehicles and prototypes were pushed beyond "Breaking Point" on this trip.

 

For this years trip there was a mix of old and new for the tow vehicles as we put our new lead test vehicle, the Dodge Ram 2500 through it's paces in the real world outback conditions. Accompanying the Ram was the returning Cruisemaster Mazda BT-50 which has seen some fine tuning since its maiden trip in '21 and a Landcruiser 300 Series which joined the convoy mid trip.

 

The testing crew headed out from the Cruisemaster HQ in Brisbane, through Channel Country to Noccundra, followed by Cameron Corner and the Strzelecki Track before hitting a R.A.T. Run first in the glorious Flinders Ranges. Throughout the 2 week journey other notable locations included The Oodnadatta to William Creek, Mt Dare, Finke, Alice Springs, Boulia, Birdsville, The Simpson Desert and St George.

 

You havent found the limits of a product until you break it and this year we broke plenty. All part of a critical testing program, the team had plenty of close calls with critical repairs along the way to keep the testing trip going. As always the good, bad and ugly was all captured along the way to show you first hand what "Real World Testing" and the R.A.T. Run is all about. 

 

Want to see what goes into Cruisemaster product testing for yourself? Check out the 2022 R.A.T Run YouTube Playlist or simply search “Cruisemaster Breaking Point” on YouTube.