Canning stock route - how much fuel do i carry

Sean,

As per the other details in the trek notes stating:

"Must be able to carry equivalent fuel for 1185km (factoring in heavy sand travel ie high fuel consumption)." This indicates that the longest section is 1185km as the fuel availability at the community is not guaranteed in any way, in any case this only brings the requirement down by a coupe of hundred km's.

We are going to do the Canning this year as our research trip and in our 80 Series Diesel we will be taking 300+ litres of fuel on board. 160 + 90 in our tanks + 3 x 20 litre jerry cans. If you vehicle only holds 125 litres then you will need to be carrying at least 8 20 litre jerry cans (I would not be leaving with less, some may). There can be hundreds of reasons to ensure that you are carrying enough (ask the German tourist that got stuck out there for 5 days between cars comming past in 2002).

Last year we did a trial trip across the Anne Beadell Hwy and this was about 1300kms between fuel and we took the same 300 litres and had about 60 left when we hit Coober Pedy. The Anne Beadell does not have as many dune crossings and side diversions as the Canning so we expect that we should be fine with our 300 odd litres for our 6cyl diesel ensuring that we arrange a fuel drop at well 23 of the standard 200 litres (44 Gal Drum). You must at least be able to take this 200 litres onboard, so I guess I am saying that if you can only carry 125 litres then I suggest that you start so very serious planning about fuel and food capacity for a trip of about 3 weeks duration without supplies and fuel for around 1200kms.

All the best and good luck.
David

Sean you haven't said what type of vehicle you will be travelling in, and what end you will be starting from.

In a HJ 47 Troopcarrier a couple of years ago, starting from the north end I used 160lt by the time I reached Well 23 (fuel dump) I carried 240, so had a bit in reserve. Now remember Well 23 is about 1/2 way.

Tony.

Thanks guys. I knew the distance but that does not tell me how much fuel I will need as that varies due to how hard the going is.

Mine is a Nissan 3.0 l diesel and I find that 7 km/litre is 'normal' so 300 litres sounds like a very comfortable margin and 240 litres sounds ok if all goes well.

I am a 'risk adverse' sort of guy so will err on the comfortable side.

We will be starting from the north (we live in Darwin). Not sure which way we will take to get back up north.

Next questions is - where do I carry all that fuel.

Thanks

Sean

Hello sean, sugest you look up www.4wd.net.au should get some usefull info from vic widmans double crossing of aust.fuel consumption figs and repairs encountered could be of interest. i may be wrong but i wouldnt expect your figure of 7k per litre to be normal for a heavilly loaded patrol in 4wd conditions,but good luck and happy travelling.

Sean. I travelled the csr this year solo in late september early october, in a gu 4.2 turbo ute. After doing all my calculations, I left Wiluna with 235 litres of diesil and an empty jerry can(175l in tanks, 60l in jerrys). Left well 23 with 255 litres on board and made it to halls creek. Did side trips to calvert range and separation well. It was very warm in the middle of the day and used the aircon quite a bit. Backup plan was to first forget the side trips, then go for top-ups at well 33 Kunawaritji and/or billiluna. Its the age old question of weight versus range versus risk. I personally would have no qualms about going again carrying only 235 litres, and perhaps even less if phone calls told me fuel was available at 33 and billiluna. Consumption and range was calculated on 20l per 100km. Experience has shown me this is the maximum fuel used by this vehicle in hot sandy conditions, but always averages less because of flatter, easier sections that exist in the desert. I hope this helps a bit, and have a great trip. Tim Nivo.

Sean,please note the fuel consumption quoted in previos reply,20 litrs
/100 klm equals 5 klm per litre,this confirms your expectations could be out by approx 40 %

Sean

Tim Nivo's reply is spot on.
I did it a couple of years ago towing a camper trailer and used pretty much the same amount of fuel.
I had a Landcruiser 2h turbo.

Have a great trip
Jim

Sean, It is much harder doing a north/south trip. Because the dunes run to an angle across the track you have to aproach each dune crossing via a left hand bend. Sometimes you do not have the momentum to run up the dune and have to reverse and try again. ( and again, and again and again...)

Admittedly we did the Canning in an ageing Landcruiser FJ55 Petrol. We used 340 litres to Well 23 from Bililuna which included and extra 180km return trip to Helena Spring from Well 41. On that side jaunt on the way back, it took 7 goes to get over the highest dune in the desert, with tyres at 15psi !! We arrived at Well 23 with 9 litres left in the tank. That is cutting it a bit too fine. Rule of thumb is to estimate your fuel consumption and then double it. Now carry enough fuel for the revised estimate. Have fun. Cheers, Willie