Hay River Track with Camper Trailer
Submitted: Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 21:44
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Member - Warren K1
Looking for advice on
Hay River with Camper Trailer. We have crossed the Simpson (without trailer) and the done the Canning with a trailer all very successfully and without incident, bogs, back ups etc. We are experienced and aware of tyre pressures, driving techniques etc for sand dunes. This year we are planning the
Hay River and for a variety of reason would like to tow a trailer. To minimise the number of dune crossing I am planning to travel south to north initially up the
Warburton track, K1 to
Poeppel Corner then on to the
Hay Track. Any thoughts from people that have traveled the
Hay Track really appreciated.
Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 21:52
Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 21:52
You won't have any issues, basically you are following mostly along the corridor direction going up or down
Hay River Tk, and will have minimal encounters with anything like travelling east - west or vice versa.
With you previous desert dunes experience and suitable tyre pressures in vehicle and trailer, you'll be fine.
But, be aware
Warburton X might close sometime before the busy time in Winter, if water gets down that way from QLD rains.
Always pays to watch that if planning
Warburton / K1 entry to the Simpson.
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Follow Up By: Member - Warren K1 - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 23:06
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 23:06
Very good point
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 22:20
Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 22:20
Warren,
What Les said re the
Warburton Crossing. There's a big flood coming down the Diamantina at present which may impact the crossing until early June, or later.
I did part of the
Hay River track, along
Rig Road, up K1 and up to Madigan's
Camp 16, in late Sept '18. Few corrugations along the gravel sheeted sections to Beachcomber Oil
Well, then reasonable travel over the dunes & onto the
Hay. Rough to a degree along the
Hay, but this does improve after
Camp 16. Haven't been north of
Camp 15 as yet.
Some stands of gidgea up to Beachcomber, so there's the chance of a fire at night.
Bob
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 10:58
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 10:58
.
G'day Bob,
Yes, that would be right. I had planned on using the
Warburton Crossing in May...... sure to be closed!!!
If you are considering doing the full
Hay River track at any time, contact me first by email. I have some interesting info for you.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: CSeaJay - Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 23:44
Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 23:44
Which trailer, and how heavy?
We did it with a Tvan and found that weight was the biggest factor in doung dunes ‘comfortably’ or harder. We felt the difference when we started running low on water, diesel, beer and food, compared ro having stocked up agin for the return.
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Follow Up By: Member - Warren K1 - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 23:09
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 23:09
We will be towing a Tvan
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Reply By: Bruce and Di T - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 09:56
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 09:56
We did it towing a Vista RV with a Prado. No dramas at all. Friends also did it at the same time with the same setup. Lots of planning to ensure we were
well prepared. It was great.
Actually we came in via the
Warburton Crossing, not Big Red.
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Reply By: Member - John R34 - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 10:37
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 10:37
I agree with Les, you should have no major issues, however there are numerous tracks heading off west into the river bed, I would refrain from dragging a trailer into the river bed it is very soft in the dry, and would be murder in the wet.
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Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 10:52
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 10:52
.
Hi Warren,
The track is mostly reasonable although 'twisty' in
places. A few sandy dunes but OK with the right tyre pressures.
The track sometimes crosses the sandy river bed and even follows it for short sections, but if you handled the Canning this will be no problem.
It is a very nice drive of 3-4 days if enjoying the scenery.
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Reply By: aussieranger - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 14:20
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 14:20
Hi there, we have done it the other way round, north to south. You can have a read on our webpage, www.traveloutbackaustralia.com , cheers Gary
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Reply By: Life Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 15:43
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 15:43
G'day Warren I was watching Penny Wells Top of Down Under YouTube vids last night and in her Series 7 Episodes 1 & 2 she tows an Ultimate camper from Big Red to
Batton Hill Camp. She had a 79 series twin cab. At the end she gave her consumption rates for the 3 vehicles in her group. She used (from memory) 200L. Tyre pressures were for her 14 front and 18 back with 14 on the CT.
Well worth a look.
Cheers
Dunc.
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Reply By: Member - Warren K1 - Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 23:12
Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019 at 23:12
Thank you to everyone who responded. Very constructive and useful advice.
Now to start watching the water.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Feb 13, 2019 at 06:58
Wednesday, Feb 13, 2019 at 06:58
Biggest flood in the Diamantina for 45 years, Warren. Still rising at Monkira. A less than minor flood in the Georgina at present, so it's unlikely to add to the expected flood.
Bob
FollowupID:
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Reply By: RobMac (QLD_Member) - Monday, Mar 11, 2019 at 10:44
Monday, Mar 11, 2019 at 10:44
Any updates as to whether
Warburton Crossing will be open in July'19?
I see it's currently closed ??
| Cheers..... RobM
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