Camper Trailer Storage on Simpson Trip

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 19:23
ThreadID: 137638 Views:4885 Replies:4 FollowUps:6
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I am planning to make an escorted/tag along Simpson Desert crossing later in the year, leaving from Birdsville. It concludes at Mt Dare.

I usually travel towing a Tvan (Canning) but do not want to take it across the Simpson, and would appreciate advice on where I can store or leave the Tvan while to do the crossing.

I can go back and collect it once I have done the Simpson crossing.

Many thanks in advance.
Jack
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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 20:18

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 20:18
We stored our TVan at the Maree caravan park (only a few $$ from memory) and did the loop up the Oodnadatta, across the Simpson and down the Birdsville to collect. Depending on which way you wish to travel you could probably make similar arrangements at Birdsville or Mt Dare, but unless you do a double crossing of the Simpson you are going to have to do a loop of some sort.
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Wildmax
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Follow Up By: OBJ - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 20:23

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 20:23
Yep. Thanks for that. I am aware that we will need to do a bit of driving but that is not a problem. As it is a tag-along I am reluctant to hold up a group with trying to get over sandhills with a trailer in tow.. I am unsure as to whether trailers are allowed, hence my wish to store it until we get back.

And thanks .. appreciate your input.

Cheers
Jack
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 20:52

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 20:52
Trailers are allowed, but Nat Parks prefers people not to take them.
If a trailer is light, all tyres aired down sufficiently, vehicle is not overweight, and driver is fairly proficient, then many do the crossing without issues.
Well, no more than less experienced not towing.

I agree, Marree would be an excellent spot to leave it as is at the bottom end of a Birdsville Tk - Simpson crossing - Oodnadatta Tk loop.
Depending on which way you’re coming from if course.
Eg. If coming from central to NE of Bedourie / Birdsville, you could leave it at BV cara pk, and do that loop picking up from there later, or other such directional options.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 22:58

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 22:58
Prior to one of our crossings, in 2016, one of our companions left their van at Birdsville 'van park, as Les suggested. No worries about collecting the van later as we did a double crossing.

Don't remember what it cost, but am sure it was minimal?

Bob



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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 23:34

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 at 23:34
We left ours at Maree, cheap as for storage, and did the loop to recover it.

Another in our party insisted on taking his, a Tvan behind a 120 Prado. Except for choosing to take his trailer he did all the right things, light as possible, low tyre pressures etc. 12 recoveries and lots of chopping up the track, cracked inner guards, an overworked nearly burnt out clutch and broken main and aux battery mounts on the Prado, it was clearly not the thing to do, IMO.

So hats off to you, OBJ, for the wise and sensible decision.

FrankP

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Follow Up By: 1250 - Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 at 12:21

Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 at 12:21
Hi Frank
Which track did you take the trailer on? French Line? Am planning a trip this year and deciding on the best track.
Thanks
Simmo
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 at 12:29

Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 at 12:29
G'day Simmo,

We didn't take the trailer into the Simpson, we left it at Maree and tented it. We travelled the French Line west to east. Hot, dry, very loose sand but no problems at all with no trailer in tow.

I just wrote a Reply in this thread which is topical but may not be what you want to hear :-). Sorry!

Cheers
Frank
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Reply By: Member - DOZER - Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 at 20:10

Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 at 20:10
Birdsville caravan park would look after it for a small fee.
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Reply By: Member - Jack - Friday, Jan 04, 2019 at 13:14

Friday, Jan 04, 2019 at 13:14
Thank you all for your excellent and informative responses. All sorted now. Your input helped greatly.
Cheers and safe travels.
Jack
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Reply By: Sigmund - Saturday, Jan 05, 2019 at 11:36

Saturday, Jan 05, 2019 at 11:36
Marree CP ditto but frankly it's not a locked yard and I saw no evidence of a watch being kept so caveat emptor.
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