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Simpson desert

Started by Andrew Veale, September 26, 2016, 08:59:14 PM

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Jacko

Quote from: AllanK on June 08, 2017, 08:19:30 PM
The Mate is not a DH he wouldn't of been doing anything stupid .

Nah, not what I was saying Jacko.  :)
Just querying the reason.

Even with my cruiser dual cab I keep conscious how much I have hanging over past the rear wheels

I know you weren't suggesting anything , just thought I would add that .

Mick78

Quote from: SeanC on May 11, 2017, 12:54:33 AM
Good to read this, i am leaving in two weeks to tow our Tvan across the Simpson desert too, but going from east to west. Quite happy to hear that you managed to tow up big red too, i am definitely going to give that a go!!


Hello Sean,

How did the trip and crossing go? Any advice?

Thanks
2002 Tvan

robstevens

I've done the Simpson three times now. Never towing anything though! (French line E->W and W->E, and now the WAA line via knolls track E->W) - sigh - I need to go back...
Each time saw different conditions: very dry but light rain at times / powder dry / drying out after a week of rain. And each time, the dunes were completely different to ascend - with sand ranging from really really soft, to quite packed.
So when I hear reports of people doing the simpson with trailers (of any sort)  I think it is just a matter of luck on the dryness of the sand when you go, which is the main factor in how do-able it is.
(not forgetting how early or late in the season the trip was)

I can imagine the problems you'd have if you went on an extremely dry season...  on one trip (the very dry one) a group ahead of us had to get towed up almost all the big dunes as they were towing a motorbike trailer.

Interesting quote from the Mt Dare Homestead web page:

QuoteTowing trailers across the Simpson is strongly discouraged, it's very difficult, it's hard on the vehicle and trailer resulting in frequent bogging.  Exceptional skill and a powerful vehicle with lower tyre pressures are necessary, possibly as low as 14PSI.  Having to dig or be towed out of a bog is a certainty, testing friendships with the burden.  Some people still persist with towing their trailer and the result can be costly if it goes wrong, take this advice and leave the trailer at Birdsville or Mt Dare if you are not very experienced. 

Towing a camper trailer with any dual-cab Ute can have dire consequences resulting a bent, or cracked chassis.

http://www.mtdare.com.au/outback-track-and-road-conditions-including-simpson-desert
2017 Mk4 (Firetail)
2019 Landcruiser 200 GXL (4.6 petrol)

MarkA

The SA parks and wildlife have pretty much the same advice as Mt Dare.  Perhaps its inevitable they will eventually ban all trailers.
200 series LandCruiser
Canning Mk 3
And a Mountian of stuff I don't think we need but apparently it's vital camp equipment.

Patrol Dude

I doubt they will ban trailers, discourage for sure as they have been for years. As the Mt Dare quote says "unless you are experienced". I think all this negativity about trailers keeps the vast majority of inexperienced people from towing a trailer which is great. But, if you've got the experience and a vehicle that's up to the task, then happy days why shouldn't you tow your camper? Buggered, if I'll be dictated to by inexperienced, opinionated, self appointed desert police [emoji6]



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Jeff & Trish
RockVegas
2020 79 Dual Cab
2011 TVan Murranji (with lots of stuff) :)
2021 T4 Rhapsody

Young Nomads

Agreed Patrol Dude.
Just did The run from Kulgera, Madigan Camps 1 & 2..Colson to Geosurveyors Hill...Geocentre...French Line..Knolls Track..Rig Rd..K1 and Warburton...Towed our TVan...tyre pressures low as required..no damage..no flats..no-body seen..averaged 19l/100 from kulgera to Leigh Creek.
Backed down groomed some of the tracks with our shovel and repositioned ourselves a few of times..no bogging or assistance needed.
Great fun!
A skilled Car and TVan "backerdowner-er" is essential. ;)
Madigan is a walk in the park!..Qaa etc...no probs either...
Found terrain differed a lot, from small rocks, sandy and deep sand, high dunes, tracks and no tracks, varying weather conditions and crazy turns up and down the dunes.
Very proud of our achievement and most likely, the only TVan ever towed that route. ;D
Agree with some. Not everyone is "designed" to tow in challenging conditions, but be your own judge of that...don't be judged or "poo- pooed" by dream stealers either, peoples :)
John & Robyn.
Doing life in our healthy years.
Not waiting for the wealthy years. :D
Your coffin is the only place you can't take your TVan and the hearse doesn't have a towbar!
06 LC 100 TD Auto. & 2012 Canning Tvan with all the fruit.

AllanK

Well done Nomads on the trip.
Agree wholeheartedly with you and Patrol Dude.

Patrol Dude

Quote from: Young Nomads on August 19, 2017, 05:57:29 PM
Agreed Patrol Dude.
Just did The run from Kulgera, Madigan Camps 1 & 2..Colson to Geosurveyors Hill...Geocentre...French Line..Knolls Track..Rig Rd..K1 and Warburton...Towed our TVan...tyre pressures low as required..no damage..no flats..no-body seen..averaged 19l/100 from kulgera to Leigh Creek.
Backed down groomed some of the tracks with our shovel and repositioned ourselves a few of times..no bogging or assistance needed.
Great fun!
A skilled Car and TVan "backerdowner-er" is essential. ;)
Madigan is a walk in the park!..Qaa etc...no probs either...
Found terrain differed a lot, from small rocks, sandy and deep sand, high dunes, tracks and no tracks, varying weather conditions and crazy turns up and down the dunes.
Very proud of our achievement and most likely, the only TVan ever towed that route. ;D
Agree with some. Not everyone is "designed" to tow in challenging conditions, but be your own judge of that...don't be judged or "poo- pooed" by dream stealers either, peoples :)
Sounds like an awesome trip. I suspect a lot of "dream stealers" would have advised not to tow your Tvan over such challenging terrain. Just goes to show, that campers do not do the damage, it's the inexperienced drivers of 4WDs that ultimately cause the damage, many without actually towing anything!!! Very envious of your achievement [emoji106]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Jeff & Trish
RockVegas
2020 79 Dual Cab
2011 TVan Murranji (with lots of stuff) :)
2021 T4 Rhapsody

Young Nomads

That's guys. Some people have no idea about TVans!
John & Robyn.
Doing life in our healthy years.
Not waiting for the wealthy years. :D
Your coffin is the only place you can't take your TVan and the hearse doesn't have a towbar!
06 LC 100 TD Auto. & 2012 Canning Tvan with all the fruit.