The Ultimate Tow Vehicle, Power and Economy

Been there done that. We'll be getting a diesel before the next big trip. We did the Tanami, Gibb river road including Mitchell falls and Kalumburu and there was just no gas apart from Broom and Halls Creek. The maps we had (Hemma) indicated gas where there was none. Even coming down the Stuart Highway we were forced to use petrol for a substantial stretch. If you are planning a big trip I would definitely NOT recommend gas.
Doug

LPG aint dear in the outback - you cant get it there

Can't rely on Leigh Creek for LPG. Twice in recent years we've headed north, and found leigh creek had run out of LPG, and people travelling with us have had to redo their fuel calculations or turn back and refill south. Best to phone up before.

I agree Phil, but I guess its a bit the same as any fuel, when we last went to Warra then up to William Creek, Leigh Creek did have LPG but Copley didn't and I've seen it exactly the opposite with Copley having LPG and the Creek not.

As I mentioned above if you are going across Madigans etc Diesel is the best and safest but for I would believe over 70% of members on EO they do a high percentage of driving around the 50 to 60cent areas for LPG. I guess its horses for courses.

Interesting thing was at Lyndhurst when we went through they were out of Diesel, so I guess it just depends on timing, as it does with everything in the outback. I think I mentioned I don’t rely on LPG when I get into anywhere I class as semi outback... That’s why I still have that ULP tank in the vehicle to carry the dear stuff.

To throw a huge cat amongst the pigeons we were talking to a couple of Roo Shooters at Lyndhurst and they are getting ULP vehicles (not dual fuel) when they next purchase as they believe they are cheaper to run and maintain than diesels now a days, what with the price of Diesel, filters, services etc......

Hi Blaze,

Yeah, when it comes to costs, the roo shooters are right. Its all changed a bit - petrol vehicles are more economical than in the past, servicing is simpler and the fuel is cheaper than diesel. I keep a lid on costs by doing all my own servicing, and buy oils and genuine filters in bulk.

I have some friends who have done the most isolated desert trips with petrol LandCruisers - but they usually rely on being able to carry 270+ litres in tanks, so don't need much in jerries.

Main reason that I mentioned Leigh Ck and LPG was because its well known as the last LPG point before you head north, and to miss out on LPG here puts a serious dent in the fuel range.

Cheers, amd maybe catch up in the bush again next year!

cheers
phil

Hi again Phil,

Totally agree with you about not relying on the Creek for fuel, hopefully most dual fuel drivers do similar to me. For that trip I fill at Hawker with LPG and usually dont touch it until within 200 or 300k's of another main area, eg Cagney or Coober if going either of those ways. Example I have pulled up at Marla on a real HOT one and the pump wouldn't pump LPG into my tank, so I agree totally with you never count on it being available, the exact reason I kept the full size ULP Tank...

Yeh mate have a great Xmas and we will hope to see you out and about next year.

Cheers Glenn

I had a GQ on LPG a few years back and I was living in FNQ at the time. Never had a problem.

Even when I went to Fraser Island, just ran on Petrol and kept the LPG tank full as an emergency back up.

On the few occasions you can't get LPG, just use petrol. Overall I was way in front financially.

Jimbo, I totally agree, everyone goes on about LPG not being available in the outback, they seem to forget that 99% of LPG vehicles still have that other 80 or so ltr tank of ULP also onboard and most of us also carry a couple of Jerry cans. A vehicle I owned about 3 vehicles back was a Triton V6, I had 110ltrs LPG and 60ltrs ULP plus 4 jerry cans. Total 250 ltrs fuel. Didn't seem to ever have problems with fuel and as you say most LPG drivers when in the outback use their LPG as a backup.. Bloody great safety net should you happen to hole a fuel tank..

Good on ya mate for giving a good rep for LPG, i got a 350 powered GQ that is duel fuel i tow a 18ft caravan that weighs in at around 1850 KG and i get 300 k's from 88 litres and 280 k's from 65 litres of fuel so 550 k's between drinks when required.

Who cares how many times you gotta stop ,the money you save NORMALLY around town outweighs the cost differences when out of town.

BUT having said that if i ever do the outback thing i WILL go to diesel for the availability thing.

Add up the savings and the extra power and i wouldnt have it any other way.Over 200Kw and 430Nm at 60c/Litre works for me.

Matt

As does any car that runs on any sort of fuel.

Or do they just like the smell of diesel all over them and then consider themselves real men LOL

And when they dont make enough power what do they do???

They fit LPG!!!!!