Simpson Desert - Easiest way across with camper

snailbait (Blue mntns) replied:

Have you towed your camper on sand before travelling to the east is the easer way but with a camper dont expect other people to help you over the sand dune
Have you got a date when you are going
the track are all the same sand sand and more sand

Camper trailers damage the dunes

Terry Thumbs UpThanks 0

David16 replied:

Thanks Snailbait,
Have you been across the Simpson? What I was after is advice on the way to go? Such as K1 to RIG rd to WAA etc etc.
As far as campers damaging the dunes I am still to see the proven evidence!

Oh yeah 4x4s in 4wd do zero damage, I forgot that!

And yes if you read my post, we are experienced!! Just not familiar with the tracks across the Simpson. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - Tony V (NSW) replied:

David,

Latest Simpson Bulletin (May 2nd)

I will keep my opinion on trailers and the Simpson to myself. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Ozhumvee replied:

The easiest way with campers will be QAA to Poeppels, then the French line directly west to Dalhousie.
The K1 line is ok, closed at the Warburton end by water, mostly 2wd but you will really struggle on the rig road heading west, some of the biggest dunes in the desert down that way.
WAA will also have lots of loose sand on dunes with big blowholes and loose crests which is why you would be better to stay on the more travelled route which hopefully will be flattened by other traffic.
If you don't want to go all the way on the French line then drop down on the Colson to the rig road and then follow it west, there will be some dunes but that section is usually pretty good, but it further distance wise.
Remember to drop tyre pressures on everything including the trailers, the lower the better although the disco probably has low profile tyres which won't bag much.
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Member - Bucky replied:

David16
We did the Canning with trailers, and took no notice of the knockers.
Bone dry, and hot, and was reasonably easy with low tyre pressure.
12 front vehicle, 15 rear vehicle, and 12 in the camper.

When I crossed the Simpson, along the French Line, from Birdsville to Dalhouosie in 05, there were 3 campers in our group, and they didn't struggle much at all. Some areas were wet, and other areas were dry as...
As a matter of fact I liked the way in which one of the campers handled the rough stuff so much, I brought it, and still have it today. ( cheers Pud & Barb)

The key to it is low tyre pressure, and a little momentum.
Safety dictates to me to keep your speed down.

Cheers
Bucky




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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) replied:

Hi David

Firstly I would if possible leave the campers behind, but if there is no way around it, this is the way that I would do, bearing in mind that there will be some dunes that you will not get over first try.

The easiest way without question is a west to east drive, purely the nature and shape of the dunes.

The way that has the least number of steep dunes to cross is from Wonga Junction, head south and follow the Rig Road. Once out at the KI Line, it is a very easy, no dunes to cross drive up the swales almost through to Poeppel Corner - I said almost.

If you want to head into the Corner, you will have to head west and cross a number of still smaller dunes before the final turn off to Poeppel Corner. Up until this point, the drive should have been no real dramas, but to get through from here, tyre pressures will be critical and to put it bluntly, wrong pressures and you will never get over the dunes.

Regardless of experience, tyre pressure is most important and I would not go any HIGHER than 14psi on the vehicles and 12 psi on the campers. The bigger dunes will come soon and once you start on the QAA, the dunes will instantly double in size, but the distance between the swales will increase greatly.

Your best friends out there will be a long handled shovel, and a couple of sets of MaxTraks. Allow around 4 days to cross and do not go any higher with tyre pressures and if possible even lower. You are only travelling slow, and the only way that you will roll a tyre from a rim, is going fast and making a very hard sharp turn.

We have travelled the Simpson countless times and driven correctly, it is a very easy and enjoyable drive.




Cheers


Stephen Thumbs UpThanks 0