Simpson trip

Hi all.
We 3 vehicles, are planning a trip through the Simpson next year, two of the vehicles are 150 prados, just wondering if necessary to carry spare fuel for the prados. Last trip I did, fully loaded, towing a cub off road, we were getting 13ltrs per 100k on average... About 1000km between fuel stops.. The Simpson trip will be without a trailer.. Heard from mount dare to Birdsville is about 500 km? Just like to hear what those that have made this trek, consumed fuel wise, or any other input you have to offer.. I am aware there are different routes across, and don't mind carrying spare fuel.. Just interested to hear your thoughts.. Thanks.. Odog
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 14:41

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 14:41
O Dog, Google maps says Mt Dare to Birdsville, 1209 Km, via Maree......... LOL

Mt Dare to Birdsville via direct route( French Line) is about 500 K's, you should be fine........
John and Jan

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 591348

Reply By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 14:56

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 14:56
Odog

You don't mention if the last trip (13/100) was on sand. But I would allow a minimum of 30% above "normal" usage.

Cheers, Baz - The Landy
AnswerID: 591349

Follow Up By: Member - Odog - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 15:41

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 15:41
Yeah, should have said, 13/100 was a mixture, low range off road, sand and hyw.. Towing ct whole time.. But if working on your 30%.. Gives me approximately 700/800 km range.. I guess.. Cheers Baz
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

1
FollowupID: 859407

Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 15:43

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 15:43
Ok I don't have a Prado but a 75 series Troopy 1 Hz naturally asperated, last year from Coober Pede to Birdsville I used 150L(6.47Km/L).
But I was doing 110km/hr between Coober Pede and Oodnadatta so that chewed up a bit more than usual.

I was very surprised how little I used.

Cheers

Dunc.



Dunc
Make sure you give back more than you take

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 591351

Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 15:46

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 15:46
I'd say it was completely unnecessary Odog , my thirsty petrol patrol can do it on main tank only using 24lt/100km . You don't say if its petrol/desiel so I assume petrol and I'm thinking you have 150lt anyway.

And not a good idea to carry unnecessary weight you don't need.

What is a good idea is that you have to be able to get back to your start if something goes wrong.

Its easy if you have a means of topping up 1 tank from a companion so 1 car can get back.

On one of our crossings we got from Mt Dare all the way to Eyre creek when weather closed everything and we had to drive back to Mt Dare and no one else was in the desert.

More recently I went with 2 desials (I've got lots of ways to spell that) , we were having an undocumented fuel range run and 1000km into it one ran out , but between the 2 of them they couldn't drain fuel to put some into the car that ran out. (nor even an empty container)

In my car I have drains in both my tanks but they wouldn't accept my offer of free petrol.
Robin Miller

Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 591352

Follow Up By: Member - Odog - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 16:21

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 16:21
Hi Robin
Yeah, it's a diesel.. That's how I spell it.. Lol.. Got a 150ltr tank.. That's the thing, if you run into trouble.. Have heard there is another crossing at eyre creek, bout 35 km south? I think.. But just trying to keep the weight down a bit, but not real clever to cut short on necessary things.. Always better to be safe than sorry.. If I take spare diesel, just put it in the tank as room allows I guess.. Thanks for input.. Cheers
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 859409

Follow Up By: Member - Leigh (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 17:42

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 17:42
Endorse Robin's comments. I suggest a jerry can could be enough to take any doubt out of your ability to get across and allow you to enjoy rather than be anxious/doubtful. Reckon you will have fuel to spare but gauge might be reading closer to empty than you may want!! I always console myself that if I run out of fuel I will always be close to the end of my trip and fuel supplies. Enjoy the trip and make sure you understand where the point of no return is, Cheers
1
FollowupID: 859417

Follow Up By: cruza25 - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 19:23

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 19:23
Hi
We did it last october in my 150 prado diesel auto
2 adults 1 teenager
All the camping gear food water recovery gear and 2 spares

We took 2 x 20 litre of extra fuel aswell

We filled up at mt dare and got to birdsville using just over half a tank

I put the extra in the main tanks then just did a quick top up at mungerannie for the rest of the trip

I would say dont bother or maybe take 1 each just incase you get 3/4 of the way then need to go all the way back

We hired a sat phone at mt dare as we were solo

Cheers
Mike
1
FollowupID: 859419

Follow Up By: Member - Odog - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 19:41

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 19:41
Thanks so much, Leigh and Mike..
That's the thing, I don't want to be stressing out or anxious about it... Just want to take it all in, and enjoy the tranquility of the place.. Spent plenty of nights, lying awake in SW WA , wondering "are we gunna be able to get out of here in the morning".. Not a good feeling.. Thanks to all for suggestions and help.. Cheers.. Odog
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 859421

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 21:04

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 21:04
A diesel 150 Prado, not towing and going from Mt Dare to Birdsville will need about 80 litres max. With a bit of care, you could probably manage a double crossing!
AnswerID: 591359

Reply By: Member - KeithB - Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 23:43

Thursday, Oct 08, 2015 at 23:43
We did it west to east in May in a 200 series diesel, heavily loaded with a 1200 kilo trailer and managed 127 litres between Mt Dare and Birdsville.
The sand at that time was quite firm because of rain earlier in the year and the track being open only for a month. I am sure we'd have used a lot more if the the sand had been softer. If you get some rain, you may be in for some detours and should perhaps carry enough fuel for that.
Keith
AnswerID: 591363

Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 08:17

Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 08:17
I'm very surprised at the comments 80lt odd BV to MT Dare, about 550km.
That is very good economy for desert sand driving.

I've done it a few times and usually get around the 100lt mark on a good run, a little more going WAA or part Rig etc.

Did part of FL in May this year, Erabena - Mt Dare, was very washed out west end, but all fixed now, still corroed bad, and go Bloods Ck, though longer, the boulder field is probably shocking still.

We did FL again just July, and it was really rough, slow, very undulating.
Was also busy as with traffic.

Going Inna- Warburton - Rig Rd - FL to Dal / Ood in a couple of weeks for something different.
AnswerID: 591367

Follow Up By: Member - Odog - Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 18:08

Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 18:08
Thanks Les, great info. Cheers
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 859457

Reply By: andoland - Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 10:19

Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 10:19
I have a 150 series diesel Prado. I used 93 litres from Birdsville to Mt Dare across the French Line. Don't bother taking jerry cans, it's just extra weight that you don't need.
AnswerID: 591379

Reply By: Sigmund - Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 17:38

Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 17:38
Some good advice here: http://www.mtdare.com.au/the-australian-outback
AnswerID: 591402

Follow Up By: Member - Odog - Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 18:36

Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 18:36
Thanks Sigmund, that was a great read, heaps of info.. Getting the wife to read it to.. Cheers
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 859458

Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 19:06

Friday, Oct 09, 2015 at 19:06
Pleasure.
Good to get it from a guy who's seen it all.
Useful to plan for if it goes pear-shaped, eg. as posted above re a return from Eyre Ck.
1
FollowupID: 859459

Reply By: Mark H16 - Saturday, Oct 10, 2015 at 18:18

Saturday, Oct 10, 2015 at 18:18
Driving a Pajero, not a Prado.
Did a bit of detouring for a 645 km Mt Dare to Birdsville trip and used 144 litres August last year.
I think you will be fine.
AnswerID: 591438

Follow Up By: Mark H16 - Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 at 08:38

Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 at 08:38
Sorry fat fingers 114 litres :)
1
FollowupID: 859493

Sponsored Links