Crossing the Finke River at New Crown

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 18:16

ThreadID: 133101 Views:3823 Replies:3 FollowUps:9

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Peter_n_Margaret

In October, we are taking some friends for a drive and hope to include the Old Andado Track. They will be in a Toyota 200 series (with 18" tyres) towing a 23ft tandem "off road" van that I expect will be around 3.5T. We will be in the OKA.
I would prefer to go now, but the dates aren't negotiable.

It is 17 years since we drove the Old Andado Track and we crossed the Finke on the Andado to Mount Dare road. I recall lots of bull dust and some soft sand and thought the crossing at New Crown might be an easier route.

Any advise? Can we drag them across the Finke at New Crown?

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:12

Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:12

We, 3 vehicles & none towing, went up from Mt Dare past Andado, to Old Andado in early June Peter. We were "wading" up near Andado, a lot of run-off water near the station.

There'd been some rain prior to us travelling, and apparently a lot more afterwards. There was no bulldust near the Finke, though you could see where the bulldust would be if it were drier. That's a heavy 'van so might be easier, and less stress to go via New Crown.

Really depends on how much tourist, and station traffic, there will be on it over the next 2-3 months. And how deep the bulldust holes get too? Might test the 200 series, even with those 600nM under the bonnet?

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:30

Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:30

Yes, my concern is soft deep sand rather than water. I would not expect to see deep bull dust via New Crown. It is really only the river that is a concern.
Thanks Bob.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Reply By: Member - Trouper (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:41

Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:41

Ring Mt Dare and ask them

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:48

Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 19:48

Yes, I will do that closer to the time as well, thanks.
I don't have any experience of towing heavy stuff in soft sand, so thought that someone here might offer advise.
Maybe I will ask the question on Caravaners too?

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 20:13

Thursday, Jul 28, 2016 at 20:13

Other than the usual lowering tyre pressures Peter, I'd "hit" that area as early as possible in the morning, and advise your companion to feed the 200 plenty of fat, without going ape and wrecking something, as he's crossing any sand drifts. I don't recall too much deep sand on that section.

Some years back, we bogged a Toyota truck, about 6 tonne, in sandy country in what is now Keep River n/p. Went down at daylight and drove the truck straight out, with no digging or assistance.

Bob

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Jul 29, 2016 at 00:36

Friday, Jul 29, 2016 at 00:36

Good advise re an early assult, thanks Bob.

I have just heard from Megan who organises the volunteers at Old Andado, she says the crossing has been raised and capped. If it has not been all washed away it should be OK then.
I would like to hear from anyone who has been there recently.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Reply By: Yabbo - Thursday, Aug 04, 2016 at 17:18

Thursday, Aug 04, 2016 at 17:18

We just came down the Old Andado track a couple of weeks ago. We were driving a 100 series Landcruiser and towing a Complete Campsite Exodus 14 campertrailer and had no problems at all. No bulldust, only some mud around Mt Dare with diversion tracks to get around it.

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Aug 04, 2016 at 18:48

Thursday, Aug 04, 2016 at 18:48

Thanks Yabbo.
Did you come direct from Andado to Mount Dare, or via New Crown?

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Follow Up By: Yabbo - Friday, Aug 05, 2016 at 10:23

Friday, Aug 05, 2016 at 10:23

We came straight down to Mt Dare, not via New Crown. I had similar concerns to you but I spoke to someone in the camping ground in Alice Springs who had recently driven up the track and he said we'd have no trouble, which proved to be correct. It is a lovely drive.

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Aug 05, 2016 at 10:32

Friday, Aug 05, 2016 at 10:32

Thanks Yabbo. Good information.

Cheers,
Peter
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Saturday, Aug 06, 2016 at 20:43

Saturday, Aug 06, 2016 at 20:43

I did it just a few days ago and can confirm yabbo's remarks. No bulldust, though you can see where it might appear with traffic and dry conditions. Altogether a great drive. Might be different in a couple of months, though.

Cheers

FrankP

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Aug 06, 2016 at 23:04

Saturday, Aug 06, 2016 at 23:04

Thanks Frank, we will decide which way we go when we get to Mt Dare, but it seems we will be OK via either route at the moment.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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