Kevin posted:

Thanks Linda, yes I have had a look at this and it provides a good guide, but I have heard of people using more, epecially going direct from Oodnadatta to Birdsville. The cruiser is always a bit heavy on petrol anyway, so it is always good to get a direct comparison. I heve worked out I will need 211 litres, and plan to take 245 so there is a bit of "safety factor", Anyway thanks for the reply.

Kevin posted:

Just out of interest we used 165 litres, much less than we originally thought or planned for when we asked the question. We did put 200 litres in the tank, but were still almost 1/2 full when we arrived at Birdsville. Thanks to everyone who provided replies. Kevin

Kevin posted:

Thanks John, but I think you must have a diesel, and I am going in a petrol, which is a lot thirstier, that was why I was a bit concerned. Maybe next time I might get a diesel.

Kevin posted:

Thanks Greg for the update, it makes me feel a lot more confident, but if anything perhaps I am taking too much fuel. The standard two tanks give 145 litres and I am taking another 5 jerries providing an extra 100 litres, but we are going direct from Oodnadatta, not via Mt Dare. Did you also go that way? We are planning to stay 4 nights, with the 5th in Birdsville so have plenty of time. Were you able to get much wood or did you bring your own? Definitely no trailers, but 3 well equiped 4WD with reasonable experience, just not thus trip. Thanks again for your update.

Ruth Doyle posted:

Hi Kevin, hope you enjoy your trip - it's great going west to east because you have Birdsville to look forward to - hot showers, comfortable beds, great expresso and cold beer. The weather is fabulous at the moment - quite warm during the day and no wind, cool at night.
I thoroughly applaud Greg advising no trailers in the Desert - also, make sure you let your tyres down - because no letting them down/and or towing a trailer causes corrugations in the dunes on both sides and this makes very uncomfortable travel for others. Call in and see us at the Birdsville Caravan Park (camp sites) and Cabins and tell us how you went. Take as many days as you can to enjoy the magic of the Desert and see all the wonders. It really is something.

Greg posted:

Hi Kevin. In answer to your follow up you shouldn't require much more fuel to travel from Oodnadatta. The road is generally good and so you should get around highway figures. Wood was generally not a problem. We only had one camp without a fire because we camped on a salt lake on the eastern end of the rig road. The wildflowers were out and a real picture in the eastern end. The flood bipasses if required will add another 100kms. Have a go at big red it is worth the thrill. The trip is generally hard on vehicles and people particularly if you drive too fast, but not a hard 4wd slog. We averaged 32kph on the rig and 28 on the french. This was measured on a gps. We all used 4wd high mostly 1st and 2nd to go up the dunes and occasional 3rd in the swales. Damage to the track (scalloping) is from trailers, too high a tyre pressure (20/25 psi cold is reasonable) and poor technique (too much power on). Good luck it is a great trip but by the time you are finished you will be sick of sand dunes for a while at least.

Eric posted:

Greg, did you have any diesels on your trip and what was there fuel consumption particularly a 3.9ltr turbo landcruiser (1987)

Greg posted:

Eric we had a 6.2litre landcruiser diesel but I didn't get his consumption as yet. The 4.2 litre GQ patrol did very well using about 105 on the rig road travelling west and 85 on the french travelling east. I heard a Disco diesel used around 128 and 108 respectively which seems high but may have been an auto. A 4.2 petrol patrol used 190l which was the highest I heard.