Distance between fuel on tanami rd.

Submitted: Monday, Jul 05, 2021 at 21:00

ThreadID: 142109 Views:11954 Replies:4 FollowUps:13

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The Tanami Track

The Tanami Track is essentially a great short-cut linking the Red Centre to the Kimberley. Although once a notorious 4WD track, it is now a graded dirt highway.

The Tanami Track

Section: Treks

The Tanami Track is essentially a great short-cut linking the Red Centre to the Kimberley. Although once a notorious 4WD track, it is now a graded dirt highway.

Kirk L

Hi all. Can someone please tell me the max fuel range I will need to do the tanami road considering the closure of certain communities and fuel stops mentioned in posts I have read regarding COVID. Planning to do this road but don’t want to have to tow a fuel tanker with me. Cheers.

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Reply By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Monday, Jul 05, 2021 at 22:11

Monday, Jul 05, 2021 at 22:11

Work on 800km

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Follow Up By: Kirk L - Monday, Jul 05, 2021 at 22:19

Monday, Jul 05, 2021 at 22:19

Thanks bud. I haven’t had my patrol TD 42 for long snd had a big issue with the fuel tank breather being block. I was getting about 20l /100 km but I know it’s heaps better now will have to do sum calculations and work it out before I go. Thanks for that.

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Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 10:07

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 10:07

Kirk
A blocked fuel breather won't increase the fuel usage. More likely make it starve. Best to check the tank hasn't been sucked in a bit reducing the internal volume. If it has it reads full but isn't full capacity. That ensures you run out in the middle of the run. If really 20L/100 then the injectors are tired and not spraying finely and/or the basic injection timing may be retarded a little. OR you are towing 2 1/2 ton and haven,'t noticed the trailer on the towball. Best to have all that sensibly checked before any outback trip.

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Follow Up By: Kirk L - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 10:21

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 10:21

It’s strange you say that. I would have thought the same but my fuel consumption has dropped dramatically since rectifying that problem. Injectors etc are fine. I’m actually a diesel mechanic. It has been tricked up a bit and will use more fuel for more power and I am towing a caravan which is almost 3 ton loaded. I can sit at around 1000 rpm in 5th gear and fuel economy is great then but about 800km is what I need to factor in. Thanks.

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Follow Up By: Member - Dick L - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 15:02

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 15:02

Using ExplorOz to make a trek Halls Creek to Alice Springs is 1050Kms and the fact that it is a dirt road I doubt you will be using 5th gear so factor in extra fuel usage.

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Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 15:15

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 15:15

Kirk
I think QLD camper(below) and Dick L (above) are on the money. Rarely will you be in 5th and pulling 3 ton in 5th down at low speed, ie 1000rpm, will mean the gears are chattering with corrugations and engine pulses and it will mean the outrigger 5th gear will soon give up the ghost even if the engine can supply the torque. If it blows then the other gears are going to crunch too. Is that a realistic statement? Realistic vehicle use and speed is what you need to determine/test for some idea of economy.

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Follow Up By: Zippo - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 17:26

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 17:26

Assuming Yuendemu remains accessable for fuel, Stephen is on the money distance-wise, a tad under 800km.

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Follow Up By: Kirk L - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 17:38

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 17:38

Didn’t say I would use 5th on a dirt road. Just saying it will pull down that low but yes lugging for sure. Thanks for answers. 2 say800 and one at 1040 but from halls creek. I mainly wanted to know which fuel outlets were still open and I can calculate off the map. So 800 between the longest distance between fuel stations.

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Reply By: qldcamper - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 10:11

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 10:11

If that track is the same as most others out there dont base your fuel range on your round town consumption, you wont be in top gear for a lot of it.

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Reply By: Darklight - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 19:29

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2021 at 19:29

I did this 2 weeks ago, filled up in Yuendumu, then 760km to Halls Creek. I used 149L towing a 2T camper trailer with a TD 80 Series Landcruiser.

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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 08:55

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 08:55

Hi Kirk,

Fuel range is very subjective and something that is based on a number of variables as I am sure you understand. Driving style, weight, towing/not towing, weather and road conditions play a big role in how far you will get out of a tank of fuel. Also, the fuel specifications in each state can make a difference as to how far you will get on a tank of fuel.

If you do a lot of remote travel on rough roads, you should know an approximate distance that you can travel on a tank of fuel. From my understanding of the current situation on The Tanami Track, the maximum distance between fuel stops is about 800 kms, so this is the distance you need to be able to drive between fuel stops. Taking all these things into consideration, you should then be able to determine if you need to carry extra fuel in Jerry Cans etc.

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Follow Up By: Member - Core420 - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 10:57

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 10:57

That's plan A where you rely on one fuel stop to be open and that fuel is available. Plan B is to carry enough fuel to get to the next fuel stop, or be prepared to camp out at the first stop until fuel becomes available.

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Follow Up By: Kirk L - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 14:16

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 14:16

Exactly right. I understand all that. I’m just asking the distance because I know all communities are closed and because the is a fuel icon on the map might not necessarily meen you can get fuel there at the moment. I know I actually get much better fuel
Economy on the dirt as I am going a lot slower. If it’s 800 km that shouldn’t be a problem. But as said below you can’t just carry Jerry cans of fuel around the whole time. You have to have some reliance on stations being open. I just wanted to find out basically what ones were open and what closed with the COVID thing.

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Follow Up By: Zippo - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 16:51

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 16:51

Kirk, the only sure way to know if an outlet is actually open and trading is to call them. That way you can be alerted to any access restrictions etc (times, communities). Of course that doesn't safeguard against their supply being exhausted when you get there ... :(

Sometimes even calling doesn't help, as we found out one Saturday afternoon calling the Kalkarindji store - no answer! Finally learned they have hole-in-the-wall 24/7 pump access.

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Follow Up By: Kirk L - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 16:56

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2021 at 16:56

Thanks for that. My question got a bit off track. I probably should have just asked if all stations are open along tanami with the closure of communities. That probably would have been simpler. Anyway I’ll work it out based on three that have said about 800ks with a little in reserve. Thanks everyone. Safe travels.

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Follow Up By: workhorse - Thursday, Jul 08, 2021 at 18:12

Thursday, Jul 08, 2021 at 18:12

I rang the central land council today regarding whether they were open for fuel and the unhelpful lady told me not to expect anything and carry a Jerry can.
I think one must call the communities directly.

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