<span class="highlight">Simpson</span> Desert Trailer Ban

No, I don't own one. Never been keen on towing, particularly when the going can get tough, but there are plenty who have the opposite view, each to their own.

The issue came up because on a trip I am planning one of the vehicles will want to tow. The guy has towed the Simpson, CSR and plenty of other tough tracks in the past, so has "half" an idea of what he is doing.

Part of the problem is the extra damage that people towing do to the tracks. He may be experienced at towing and know what is involved, but that will not stop the extra track damage from occurring.

Here here!! We left our trailers at Birdsville and tented it over and back. There's a time and place for trailers and we think there are some places they just should not be, especially the Simpson. As for the CSR do so at your own risk!!!

I agree that the desert is a place best travelled with a tent rather than a trailer, and we did just that! Left the trailer in Birdsville and tented the K1.... Wonderful!! But I don't agree that the tracks are damaged by the trailers. Personally I think the trailers cop more damage from the tracks!!! Sand dunes will repair rather quickly, given time and a little wind, but bent draw bars and busted water tanks are a bit of a different story. Not to mention those who leave their trailer behind when it breaks. (I have seen only one example of this, along the K1 Line, IMHO one too many!!!!!)

Cheers


Brian

Brian,
A few years ago my wife and I spent 3 months in the WA Outback and towed a KK including, in a very responsible manner, up the CSR. If one "drives to the conditions" then neither the vehicle nor the environment will suffer.
The track on my KK was the same as the track on the Cruiser so on no part of the trip did the KK's "footprint" go other than where the LC went.
Read Thread # 7590.
DB

DB,
I hear ya matey..... but interestingly enough the " bent draw bars and busted water tanks" I mentioned were on the Karavan version of the KK.

For what it's worth, it doesn't bother me none whether anyone tows into the desert, at this point it's not something I would do, but I certainly can't see the relevance of tracks being destroyed by trailers, more along the lines of trailers being damaged. And if someones trailer is busted and they remove it or have it removed, well.... that's their business. It's when the trailer gets left there that bothers me, although I have only seen the one trailer left behind so far. I also haven't seen ALL of the desert.
A friend here has a Track Trailer that the previous owner towed across the Simpson twice! Without any bother, so it cabn be done obviously.

Check the Trek notes for the Simpson, under the "News" heading

"News Update: Rangers have spoken to travellers and have mentioned that no trailers will be allowed in the Simpson Desert starting from the 1st of January 2009."

I must be blind, can't see a "News" heading for the Simpson in the Trek Notes??
Can you provide a link?

Go to these pages

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Deserts/Simpson_Desert_French_Line.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Deserts/Simpson_Desert_Rig_Road.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Deserts/Simpson_Desert_WAA_Line.aspx

Ctrl + F and type in News Update

OK got it now, thats a new one maybe ask David and Michelle for the source as they are Agents for the SA Desert Parks passes and would no doubt get any info direct from SA Parks.

Still it is not an "Official Ban" only a comment pending so still nothing factual.

On the other hand the Simpson Desert Closure over summer is certainly factual as its now posted on SA parks web site as official.

I agree with John. I don't think the Exploroz owners are in the business of misinformation. This is what I found under the Simpson Desert trek notes:

"Please take particular note that the Desert Parks Department strongly disapprove of trailers being towed across the Simpson Desert. Travellers are advised to drop off trailers and conduct a loop trip or a double-crossing to retrieve the trailer later"

Thanks Time - we will take care of those update ASAP. We had already taken down the info on the main Simpson Desert page we just have not updated those other notes yet, however as John mentioned we did not say it has happened only that it is planned (which it has been over the last few months) thanks for the heads up.
DM

Should read "on the clay pans"

Careful Beatit, you'll be upsetting the "anti-trailer" set!!!! hahaha

I've towed a camper trailer across the Simpson as well as numerous other tracks.

I still firmly believe that a vehicle towing a camper trailer, with all 6 tyres correctly deflated, will cause significantly less damage to the tracks than a 4x4 on it's own with tyres NOT deflated.

It's amazing how many dipsticks try and drive on all manner of tracks without adjusting their tyres.... hell, some of them even brag about how they "did" Big Red in 2wd or other such irresponsible behaviour.

Although I do not advocate towing over the Simpson I am in agreement with Roachie on this.

Roachie,

from memory, you own an Ultimate trailer??? (I suppose I could look up your profile page, but it's late and I can't be bothered.... LOL...)

I must admit that when we were out there in July, I saw a couple of Ultimates on the French Line and they handled the dunes with ease! (Behind Nissans of course!!!) I mentioned to Gayleen that an ultimate would probably be the only trailer that i would attempt a desert crossing with. (Just can't afford one. Yet.)
'Cos they're tough!


Cheers

Brian

We were two Nissans towing Ultimates on the French line in late June and then three up the Hay River track after a few days in Birdsville. Roachie is spot on. Getting tyres at the right pressure is the key. We left less of an imprint on the track than many others with tyres way too high.

We then went on to the CSR and did Wells 33 to 23.

Peter

G'day Roachie, I agree with your comments, but I am still against trailers in the deserts, just my opinion.

I think it is probably the same opinion that the DEH want to ban them for, and that is not because of the responsible ones towing, but for those who will not conform.

Once again it is always the irresponsible ones that create these laws.

Sorry Bill,

Geoff.

Peter,

we had a brief radio chat with the Ultimates owners in question.... from memory there were two Nissans with Ultimates in a party of four east bound around the 2nd or 3rd of July..... one of the other cars was a Disco (I think) Was that you?

Saw them again at the c/van park in Birdsville.


Cheers

Brian

Brian, It wouldn't have been Peter (he drives a 4.2TD Patrol).

I saw 2 Ultimates at Birdsville when I was there with my cracked chassis. I was a bit too pre-occupied to take the time to have a chat with them. But I did see them pull out one morning. The ones I saw were in a group of 3; one of the Ultimates was behind a Disco and the other a 3L Patrol from memory. The 3rd vehicle was a Toyota l/cruiser ute (75 series or similar), also towing a camper (not an Ultimate). If there was a 4th car in the convoy, I didn't see it or maybe it left when they reached B'ville.

Roachie

Brian,

I think it must have been us. We arrived into Birdsville 3rd July for Jan's birthday. We had two discos with us Bill. My son and son-in-law.

We then set off 5th July for the Hay River.

As you mentioned we had two Patrols - mine is a 4.2 and the other was my old 3l. Both handled the trip with ease.

Might even go again next year!

Cheers

Peter

Roachie,

I re-read what I wrote and it certainly seems I asked if Peter drives a Disco.... LOL....... I meant that there was a Disco in this party of four that we passed....


Cheers

Peter,
I'm intrigued now to work this out! LOL...
The time line seems right on the money, if it was your party, then you might remember pulling up on one of the salt pans to allow us to cross. On radio, your lead driver said it would be a nice place for photos, while we passed heading west along the French Line. This would be Wed 2nd July, aprrox 15-20k's west of Poepell corner, we weren't crossing, just having a look and a play on the Line. Not long after we passed you west bound, we decided to turn around as we were due back in Birdsville that night and wanted to keep to our itinery. So after turning around we caught up with you and followed to Poepell Cnr. The next day, (3/7/2008) the two Ultimates set up in the Birdsville C/Park, there was already one Ultimate set up there and the two "new" Ultimates set up, one on either side of the first one. (Does that make sense?)

Cheers

Brian

Brian,

Definately our group! The lead car was our son in a white disco and I was tail end charlie - Image Could Not Be Found

The clay pan stop was a great picture - Image Could Not Be Found

Our friends from Canberra had arrived in Birdsville a couple of days before the 3rd (Jan's birthday) and they then came up the Hay with us and on to the CSR.

Hope to catch you next trip.

Cheers

Peter

YESSSSSSS!!!

It was you guys!!

We went past as you were taking the pic!! (And yes, it is a great pic)

Small world huh??


Cheers

Brian

G'day Roachie,

Now I'm not about upsetting people but I sometimes get the feeling that from my experience these people have some hidden agenda that is obscured by the facts - such as, lets not have anybody in the SD because it casues damage to this delicate area!!!

Image Could Not Be Found

Please note that this track shown the results of an over night blow - really no evidence of damage of any sort.

And have a go at the enormity of the place and how the track fades into obscurity.

Kind regards

Beatit.......

you're on the money I reckon!!!


Cheers

Brian

Ed-Zachary!!!

The simple fact is that the (alleged) track damage is caused by vehicles with over-inflated tyres, whether towing or not!

Aaand, I'll give London to a brick that there are a _LOT_ more non-towing vehicles with over-inflated tyres doing the damage than there are trailers...

A trailer ban is a cop-out, and will do absolutely nothing to reduce/eliminate track degradation..

If the DEH wanted to make a difference, I'd suggest random tyre pressure checks by rangers, and a hefty fine for any tyre over 20psi... (that will soon sort the wheat from the chaff;-))

YMMV

Ed-C - RANDOM PRESSURE TEST - Thats the way to go. Who will be the luck fellow with the job to do that? I put my hand up for the job :-). Cheers Tony

Funny how all those who are anti trailer, suddenly become very very quiet when one suggests if the damage was to continue after trailers were banned that vehicles without trailers should also be banned!

Can't see how they'd police the tyre pressure check thing...... but I agree with the comments that incorrect tyre pressures are a major culprit!!

"posted:
Funny how all those who are anti trailer, suddenly become very very quiet when one suggests if the damage was to continue after trailers were banned that vehicles without trailers should also be banned!"

Personally, I'm not anti-trailer, just happen to believe the desert isn't the place for a trailer, I also believe the trailer will cop more damage than the track.

Cheers

Brian