Mazda Tribute across the Simpson

Dare I say it even two wheel drive sports cars have driven across the Simpson, including at least one Porsche . Now I am not recommending that but notwithstanding the lack of low range may be a serious handicap should you come across some difficult stuff, with some common sense, correct tyre prssures etc it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

why don;t you load it up with some geqr and take it to some beach dunes somewhere and give it a go?

Kalahari

Kalahari....nice name that. Been there too!

Can't see why not.

I saw a Mercedes 270 towing a trailer doing an East/West crossing not so long ago. West to East is easier as the slopes are more gentle on the western sides of the sand hills. Just make sure that you carry enough fuel as your consumption will double from normal offroad use. Keep your tyre pressures down to around 20 to 15psi and you should do it OK.

I think there is a SUBSTANTIAL difference between . . . suitable vehicle . . . and whether the Mazda can do it.

I would suggest it is FAR from suitable (no low range , questionable ground clearance etc) , but , I would have little doubt it would be POSSIBLE to do it , with help from other vehicles in the party.

Even a SUZUKI Might Boy has done that trip- from Dalhousie Springs to Birsville. It was in convoy with other vehicles and did chicken out and went around BigRed.
With sensible attitude- good preparation- low tye pressures- and a capable vehicle to snatch when required you should have no probs,
It's not an enjoyable trip in the WET though, achievable but....
Try a bit of beach driving first (like Stockton in NSW) although it is different to desert driving.
Don't forget your Desert Pass- the pack has heaps of info to make the trip more interesting. Allow at least 3 days.

At the present time it would be a definite NO, having said that by June things could have changed. There will always be the problem of low clearance. At the moment the dunes are too soft, far too high and a challenge to most vehicles due to the winds in the summer - this year the dunes are difficult coming west to east due to the prevailing summer winds. There has been no rain whatsoever and very high temperatures which makes it even more difficult. Again, however, June is winter time and lots of people will have bellied the tops of the dunes and graded them due to unsuitable tyre pressures and low vehicles. The very best of luck to you.

Hi Kalahari,

you might want to have a look at my prior post #18821 which was a similar question when a mate of mine with a Tribute (and by chance another with a Vitara) wanted to tag along on a trip down the Border Track.

The main problem is the Tribute has no recovery points. My mate has been making enquiries as to having one fitted but so far hasn't found a solution.

On the advice received to that post, instead of the Border Track we went for a run around the Big Desert State Forest and the Mazda handled it reasonably well but if it does get stuck you can't snatch it out, at least not forward (The Hayman Reece towbar pin can be used from the rear if rated high enough).

Cheers
Trevor

is that the new, new hilux? have just traded my 03 td on the new sr td d/cab auto,unsure of the auto always been the manual man,but could not go past how nice it drove any how to your question the tribute will do the trip in convoy,just make sure it has RATED recovery points front and back,lower tyre pressures to around 16-18 and careful of clutch

Try a lift kit.
King springs make a raised option. Part numbers are
Front - KMFR54
Rear - KMRR55

Also strongly agree with recovery points.
And watch your fuel consumption. My wifes goes through the juice just driving around town let alone sand driving. Only had it out in the bush once and handled it fine. It is common sense on the drivers side of things.
BTW ours is the v6 stock standard and heavy on fuel.

Best of luck and go for it.

NO NO NO NO

These are a sexy little car for driving on the black top.

Are not suitable for any long distance towing, and the rated tow of 1600 KGS is too much.

We had one and did only 4000 Km towing when the transmission failed completely.

Mazda did replace the transmission, but I received information from the Ford engineer that this transmission is a dog. Ford in the USA have been changing transmissions at around 8 to 10 thousand Kms, when they were only towing a jet ski.

Also you will find the Tribute will realy chew the fuel.

As a Ford guy here said to me, the CD4 transmission was bad enough as 2WD, let alone letting it go 4WD.

We shed our Tribute at 40,000 kms, and traded it on a diesel Prado, which walks our tasking in.

Regards

Col Tigwell

Gaday ?? The problem with driving a CAR accross the Simpson despite what the adds show on TV, is they really aren't designed to carry heavey loads over rough terrain. My first car was a Subaru & although it had no problem at the time driving over sand & up the high country I ended up putting 3 clutches in it over 70,000KM, smashed the exhaust off it numerous times, tore CV boots & generally shook it to bits. Cars like the Tribute are missing many of the offroad features that are standard on a regular 4x4. Things like heavey duty suspension to take the pounding of the corrugations & carry the additional weight of extra fuel, water, spares & camping gear. Cyclonic air filters to cope with the dust & tough tyres to withstand side wall damage. I couldn't be sure but does the Tribute even have a decent front tow point??
David O has the right idea being take it for a practice run to see how it performs fully loaded. The Vic / SA border track is ideal. If it can't handle the 6 big dunes on it then give the Simpson a miss.
The time you have chosen should see the Simpson at it's easiest so it is more than possible for the Tribute. Best advice would be pack very light, drive a little slower & avoid stopping in the soft stuff so they wont need to ride the clutch as much to get going. It wont be easy but if it was there would be no point in going.........
Cheers Craig.........

Hi Kalahari

I think Flappans earlier comment is a critical one - many vehicles could do it, but is it suitable?

Many have covered the issues, the key thing you must ask yourself is what are the risks involved, what could go wrong and how will you deal with them?

Importantly, even stock standard vehicles designed for the task, the Toyotas, Nissans and of course, the Landies, are put to the test in this type of terrain especially if they have not had suspension modifications. You've indicated that the Mazda is unlikely to have any modifications done so you are disadvantaged before crossing the first dune.

Something you should consider is what you will do if something goes wrong with the Toyota. It will be the lynch-pin for your trip. If it suffers a mechanical failure will the other vehicles be suitable for assistance, whether it be for towing the Toyota or getting you out of the desert. I doubt they will be.

It is the Murphy's law theory, when something goes wrong, it all goes wrong - the recent tragedy in the West Australian desert highlights this. How you will deal with something going wrong is what you need to look at, not whether it can make it under normal conditions.

Good luck.

hi kalahari on the hilux topic where did you buy yours and how much did they slug you on road with accessories?

hi kalahari,no around the price i got mine on road auto,colour,s/bull bar t/bar,air for $45,ooo but the best thing was they gave me $33,000 for my 03 which i paid new $35,000 i went to peter davey 8th of may mine due can't wait

no sorry $44,500

Kalahari,

Landie, in a reply to your question said that a Tag-a-long company might be able to say if we would take a Mazda Tribute across the Simpson Desert. The answer is no. It is classed as a "all wheel drive" vehicle, no low range. We would take a Mazda B Series ute but not a Tribute.

It would be like taking a trailer across the SD, it can be done but what about the dunes getting chopped up unecessary.

The back up vehicles that are with the convoy are also a bit light to do any type of recovery. The Suzuki will only be able to get through by itself but not towing a 1500kg Mazda. The Hilux would also have problems because it would be over loaded with all the extra gear that could not fit in the other vehicles. This sounds harsh but I think that trying to get a "all wheel vehicle" across the SD is going to be a trip wait for a disaster.

Wayne