crossing the simpson desert

The Parks people recommend that you don't tow a trailer. That's cos you'll make the corrugations worse and risk digging moguls. It's anti-social behaviour and you can expect to get called on it while you're out there.

I don't believe that towing a camper necessarily causes more corrugations and moguls than any other 4wd being driven incorrectly and with wrong tyre pressures. I towed a camper on the Canning with a 3L Prado and walked over dunes which stopped others that weren't towing. It all comes down to tyre pressures and driving style. I ran around 15-17psi all round and almost idled over most dunes. I am also planning a Simpson trip at about the same time next year and I will once again be towing a camper. If Pat Callinhan can do it on national TV without raising the ire of the rangers then you can hardly blame others for wanting to do it.

Philip

I think it all comes down to planning, preparation and experience. And whilst it is suggested not to take trailers it is an advisory as far as I'm aware.

If you are adept at towing trailers on sand and over dunes it shouldn't be a problem, but if you are lacking here, give it some practice as you don't want the trip to be "bogged down" by getting constantly stuck on dunes.

Enjoy, Baz - The Landy

We did it with a 200 series towing a 1.2 tonne trailer in May. The French Line at the time was in good condition. We ran 13/16 psi cold and had absolutely no problems and caused no track damage, running in 1st and 2nd gear high range and traction control turned off.
Tyre pressure and a gentle throttle are the key.
Have a great trip.
Keith

Just interrupting for a few moments chaps..............

I'm afraid I can't add any experiences to this topic but I was wondering what distances and time scale would be involved in a trip like this.

Ya never know, one day............:-)

Lance

Forgetting for a moment that towing trailers of any kind does damage the dune approaches, places more stress on both the vehicle & the occupants, annoys the crap out of most desert travellers & is frowned upon by the Parks managers, go ahead & do it, but be forewarned & prepare both the vehicle, trailer & occupants really well for the trip.

Also budget for a potentially costly recovery & repairs if it does go wrong, I had to tow a 3.0l Patrol out of the Simpson a few years ago that had blown it's clutch trying to tow a camper trailer across the desert, (the recovery process also damages the dune faces by the way), the cost of recovery & the fitting of a new clutch at Mt Dare cost in excess of $4500.00, that was quite a bit cheaper than it could have been as the owner did most of the work fitting the new clutch, which was a mongrel of a job!

G'day all
We are in the process of planning a Simpson trip next year, three vehicles, and have all agreed to leave the camp trailers behind, and tent or swag it.. (Would rather sleep under a million stars than canvas anyway)
Sure it's nice in the camp trailer, but we, like many others, will make do without it..
After towing the trailer out of black point in SW WA, in dry deep sand, and watching the temp guage rising, I'd personally, rather give it a miss.. Figure it's not worth the strain on the vehicle.. Move fun not towing anyway.. Just my thoughts... What was that.. Keep your thoughts to yourself! All good fun. Can't wait! Enjoy your trip, either way.. Cheers Odog

Hey Philip
We are also doing 4 weeks, just two of us in the car, and I'm wondering how to fit all the camping gear.. If you have 4 plus gear, I see why you need to take your CT.. Personally, if I was towing, and noticed another vehicle behind me, wouldn't you make room for them to pass, if your holding them up.. Just be the nice/right thing to do... Who needs road rage out there! But I understand different needs and reasons for towing across the Simpson, everyone is entitled to their own choice.. I'd still give you a wave...Lol.. Cheers Odog

Saw this at Birdsville......

Without comment!

My 2 bobs worth,

I, like many others, have been the popular bloke on the block by getting people out of trouble towing trailer campers - too many times unfortunately.
As more and more charge off into remote area's this seems to be occurring more frequently.
3 Straps in 4 years and all on helping others; as you do.

I've heard about the level of Mt Dare camper repairs (seems a staple $ diet these days) and it reminds me of the garage compound at the Tip (Cape York) littered with broken, crashed and thrown away trailer campers.

People can please themselves taking campers anywhere but working within sensible parameters and destinations seems lost on a few. Remember, I'm not talking about the few who go through trouble free (there is always reasons) but the majority of those who tow.

As I was told by an old mechanic on the Cape, "What's not OME generally breaks up here"
He spoke of aftermarket gear, campers, trailers, particularly LRF tanks etc. I'm sure his words of experience apply elsewhere.

For every towed camper that's made it through any decent 4WD trip there is more with stories of woe. Clearly more track damage occurs towing - check out YouTube

It all depends on how much stress you need.

We'll be going through from Mt Dare in June as well with the straps (new) ready ;)

Cheers

dad1340