Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) replied:

Tim

I think you'd be ok unless it is wet then some of the sandy bits turn very muddy. This is unlikely. Corrugations on the last run in from maryvale are pretty rough. A couple of sand hills to get over but not too bad if you let tyres down.

Peter

dazza0503 replied:

My opinion would be no way.I was there last August pretty easy going early but soft sand dunes and very steep inclines and decents towards the later stages.

Warrie replied:

Tim, have you got a long handled shovel, tow rope ,12V compressor and are you prepared for a long wait for help in the form of another visitor to the Pillar. When we were there in Mid August 05 there were only 2 or 3 other vehicles at the site. I think there are less than a dozen dunes to climb in the last 5km. Keep that tyre pressure low - 20psi. Also click on TREKS, find the Pillar and read feedback. Cheers

Willem replied:

Yeah mate

You should be OK with what you have.

A mate of mine used to have the contract to clear the rubbish bins at Chambers Pillar Reserve(some years ago) and he used to get in there with a Datsun 2wd ute which had very little clearance. He went in and out once a week for a year. Pretty much stuffed the Datsun tho....lol

There are 12 dunes to get over and with the right throttle use and lowered rear tyre pressures you should not have any problems.

There is only one serious jump up but if you have problems, just engage the locker.

marion replied:

Hello, we visited Chambers Pillarin our Ford Escape, I hope that helps with your decision. Cheers marion

Warrie replied:

Tim and Bart too. Go into PLACES, type in Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, don't forget to put NT in the statebox, and you should be able to access the pix I just added.Click on pic to enlarge and thank my missus for photos. Note steepness of dune and track alignment. Safe driving.

Rick (S.A.) replied:

Of course it is possible.

Question:
How may wheels were driving on the vehicles that went through the far regions up until the 1950's, when jeeps & landies were available?

Answer:
Two, sometimes one.
And youv'e got a locker as well! Easy as bleep ting in bed & kicking it out with your feet if you have a bit of ground clearance. (like 95 % of off road stuff)

So why would you be any different if you can drive/asses/make decisions?
I know, I know all you people with recent experience. Lots of traffic now vs then, all that crap, but the point remains, it can be done; as Willem and others have mentioned, it is possible, and even without buggering the track up.

Cheers

Rick
(Who has a 4wd)

MichaelR replied:

Curlewis
I'm not as old as Willem-at least don't think so, but have taken 2 2WD's into Chambers Pillar. One a Mini Moke and the second, of all things, an EJ station wagon. That was some time ago, in 1980 and the track had a different and more difficult approach then. I shouldn't think you would have any trouble in your vehicle.

arthurking83 replied:

I reckon you'd make that easy too(in F150)...chances are you already have the 31x10.5 or 33x10.5's fitted anyhow, and that's half the battle already sorted!

BTW...I always though there is a distinct difference between a 2wd with locker(or LSD or whatever), and a standard 4wd vehicle..because whatever the conditions, the "4wd" would have one front and one rear wheel turning(therefore on wheel has already been through the slippery part, while the other pushed..etc)...and having 2 rear wheels turning is not always going to give you good grip.....as we see race cars, drag cars, and hoons, prove...going sideways is not always going to get you where you want!!

hence the invention of the "4WD" ?????

just a simple observation!

Lyds replied:

I wouldn't do it in a 2wd.

I was there last season and thought the big jump up before you get to the sand dunes was steep, bumpy, and slippery with loose rocks.

The pic below is of the road on the way in; its the good side.

If you do go, as the dunes are essentially single lane only I'd make sure you have a CB and one of those sand flags wouldn't go astray either.

road in to Chambers Pillar