Simpson Desert ...... Tent Pegs

Submitted: Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 10:52

ThreadID: 22994 Views:5774 Replies:7 FollowUps:4

This Thread has been Archived

Shaker

This may seem like a petty question, but does anybody have any recommendations as to the best type of tent pegs for the desert? Not having done the 'Simpson' before, I am not sure if camping is on soft sand, or the rock hard ground that the whole of SA seems to consist of, a legacy of which, is a bag full of bent & buckled tent pegs from our last outback trip.

Any other helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Footloose - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 10:58

Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 10:58

Shaker, its a long time since I camped in the Simpson but I can't remember any problems. You shouldn't be camping in sand, but from memory dirt and clay.

AnswerID: 111321

Reply By: Phil P - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 12:16

Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 12:16

Normal Steel tent pegs worked for us last year when we crossed the Simpson.

AnswerID: 111324

Reply By: Member - Karl - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 13:08

Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 13:08

Shaker as a precaution buy some plastic sand pegs from a camping shop and keep in your peg bag. Even if you don't use them this time around you may need them one day.

Remember the Scouts motto 'Be prepared'

Karl

AnswerID: 111327

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, May 16, 2005 at 16:05

Monday, May 16, 2005 at 16:05

Yes, it's a very good idea. When we went away a few weeks ago we left our tent peg bag behind. (a long storey). Anyway, it was by luck that the plastic sand pegs that we have don't fit in that bag so I had them in one of our plastic tubs... Came in very handy, even if I did have to belt the S%^& out of them to get them into the dry mud. ;-)

FollowupID: 367801

Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 14:55

Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 14:55

Shaker,

You will be camping on a swale, that is the clay area between the sand dunes. The ground is not that hard and your steel pegs should work just fine.

Wayne

AnswerID: 111337

Reply By: ian - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 15:44

Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 15:44

Shaker
I have found the plastic pegs useless. I bought a length of the slotted steel that is used to construct shelving and cut a few pegs from that and it is great in all conditions, including sand. Cut a point, and fold the other end over.
Ian

AnswerID: 111338

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, May 16, 2005 at 16:08

Monday, May 16, 2005 at 16:08

Ian I'm insterested to know what problems you had with plastic sand pegs? We have some that we use a fair bit (being sandgropers in WA) and havn't had any problems.

FollowupID: 367802

Follow Up By: ian - Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 10:15

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 10:15

Jeff M,
The problem I had with the plastic pegs was if the were hit in rather than pushed, and struck variable soil sand/soil, and couldn't pull out easily by hand, it was an issue to get them out without breaking off the small and weak plastic lug that should be strong enough to pull the peg out. No probs with 'metal mate slot angle' I bought at Bunnings. Strong and light. Give it a try.
Ian

FollowupID: 367941

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 14:37

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 14:37

Yeah fair point, I've never had that problem with mine, there are a few different types of placcy pegs, but I will keep it in mind if I ever to have the ends snap off! ;-)

FollowupID: 367992