Thinking about Cape York......

Thanks Tony
I do like the idea of tackling parts of the OTL. Perhaps I could even park the van in a ground along the bypass and do a day run or two along parts of the OTL (or even an over-night run if I pack a tent) Could that be an option?
I am really interested in the history of the place, so it would be a shame to go all that way and miss the whole experience.
Thanks again for the info
Tanker

My advice is leave the Jayco at home. What is the point of doing Cape York if you are going to miss the "real deal". It's a long way to the tip so why spoil it.

Hi Chris
A big thanks for your very useful tips. I certainly don't want to miss the highlights but I do have two young kids to keep dry! I love your photo - my Jayco has survived the back beach of Fraser and Eli Creek etc. but anything above the floor level (say 600mm) and she starts filling up. Looks like you have a great set up.
Thankfully dust hasn't been an issue as yet and we've certainly covered some miles off the blacktop, but then again, the missus seems to see dust that I don't notice - go figure!
I certainly see where Bob is coming from, but I'm sure I'll be heading up to the Cape again after the kids leave home........

As Bob said - it would be a shame to miss out on the nice stuff, and Twin Falls is one of those (many) places, you would be disappointed in missing. Depending on the amount of water during the wet season, you might be ok with 600mm of clearance - but then again you might not. It also depends on how much damage you want the Jayco to sustain. I've seen some Jayco campers in out of the way places, with bits hanging off, and parts missing - but they obviously made it...not sure if they all got back home in one piece though!

Hi Chris,
Can you tell me what time of year your Twin Falls Creek Crossing photo was taken. We are also thinking of doing Cape York with camper trailer June/July. I would rather do with tent, however if I pull a trailer I can split the 3 up in the back with the extra seats. Thanks Nicole

Sorry, left out the word kids. Split up 3 kids in the back and eliminate arguments!!! Ha ha!

Hi Nicole

We left in mid June and came back in early July. Having a trailer is certainly helpful in relation to getting the maximum use out of the car space! The creek levels will obviously depend on the wet season, and when it all dry's out. The following web site was useful for us:

http://www.cook.qld.gov.au/current-road-status

Chris

Gidday Quincy
Thanks for the info about the Jayco.
Just wondering what year/model your mate's Jayco is? Mine is a 2010 model (had a Goldstream Wing before that which was a great rig) which was the last year they had a solid axle. I was out at Birdsville last July and saw a brand spanking new 2013 Outback Eagle up on blocks, with the left wheel bent about 200mm out of line with the right. If you were towing it, she would've been travelling down the road at an angle of about 45 degrees, fishtailing all the way!
The story goes the left wheel of the van hit a bad corrugation and the suspension bottomed out. The right wheel just kept on travelling, but because of the new (supposedly better!) independent suspension setup, the left wheel snagging was not able to be counterbalanced by the right wheel through a solid axle. The result was that the full force of the corrugation was absorbed by the left wishbone setup which understanding was ripped and bent backwards. The owners had to leave it behind at Birdsville while they drove back to Sydney, trying to work out how they were going to transport the thing back home.
Was your mate's Jayco a solid axle set up or did it have the independent suspension? Just trying to work out my chances of getting up to the Cape unscathed.
Thanks again for the info.
Cheers, Tanker.

Many thanks Quincy. Great tip about checking under the rig. I recall having to do some running repairs at Windorah last year after coming in from Birdsville because of rock damage (brake cable, sullage hose, gas line etc) but I must admit, I could've checked my suspension a lot more closely.
I'm going to take your advice and just do it.
Cheers, Tanker