How would an onroad van handle Birdsville/Oodnadatta tracks

Why the hell bother with an answer if you dont know any current information,or for that matter give some USEFULL information such as the 2 next posts do,Ozi a waste of space just as this missive is.

publican you are just a dummy and a fool with no bloody brain
where have you helped others like ozi does
mate ozis knowledge is first class yours is just bleep e as you have none
the post of ozis has information and something to read that is current
now publican cry baby ride off into the nite and stick your head in a bucket of bleep e

It seems that Ozi has to give his opinion on everything even when he does not even have one. What a joy he would be to camp next too!!!!!.
NOT.....

one dummy and then more jump into the bucket of bleep e
glen where have you helped people you would not be able to fool
you dummy go and see how many messages have no ozi replies
you wet dummys always follow like sheep unable to think or say anything good practical things to damb dumb useles bleep e

OUCH
Blitzdriver as you can see they help nobody and have no knowledge to offer anywhere here. People can see these type for what they are.
I would prefer you did not bother about the noise because nobody really cares about the jealous jerks.

Blitzdriveris english your second language.........leave it at that.

Hey Ozi, I've got no knowledge and can't help much either, I come here to learn. Don't lump all of us dummys together.

Ray you are polite, so you cannot be dumb.

We all learn something every day hopefully.

We are all here for a short time, so lets at least make it a good enjoyable time.

publican and glen see you dummy post no help to others today
look my english not always the best but i can help you as i am senior professor at monash for orthodontist training for australia
what help you give me besides are gutter clowns and take my taxes from the centrelink
glen you have a problem with the english i am happy to come and visit you to see your problem
ozi mate you true good blue aussie to help people

Good advise Graham, One other thing concerns me, is the quality of the springs in some of those lightweight vans, some only have a front eye and a the rear of the springs just rubs on the chassis. I have seen heaps of that type of spring break right in the middle through the centre bolt. I would fit a decent set of springs at least or carry two brand new spring assemblies and a couple of spare centre bolts. The biggest wheels as you suggested, and if not already done, move the axle to the underneath side of the spring. To me a road van on the "track" is a little scary. Cheers Michael.

Good point Michael....moving the axle tounder the spring give much more ground clearnce to doge those rocks..... As for the springs, I ageee they do break but again if van is not overloaded nor towed to fast shouldn't really be a problem, and if one does break and you dont have a spare, use a strong length of wood wired to the axle and spring until repairs can be carried out.

cya

Forgot to add that the Oodnadatta Track can be considerably rougher than the Birdsville track - its well maintained but has a lot more stone - a lot tougher on tyres. My recommendation about low tyre pressures comes from Adam Plate at the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta - he knows what he's talking about and hates having to fix punctures!

Phil

I know this can open up a can of worms but I have to agree 110% with Ray on the tyre pressures. We are also very good friends with Theo from Birdsville Auto and he will swear that lower is better. I must say that since we have had dealings with Coopers head office (who also swear on lower pressures) and we did in fact lower our pressures we have not had one single problem with our tyres in over 15 thousand kms off road. As soon as we hit the dirt (any dirt mind you) I jump out of the truck loaded or unloaded and down to 26 they go.

Good advice Ray.

David

David,

Last year I ran a club trip. Had 8 vehicles go from Nullabor to Cook to Vokes Hill and the follow the Anne Beadell to Coober Pedy, then we had 12 vehicles cross the Simpson and then back to Adelaide. All vehicles ran low pressures as soon as they were off the bitumen, didn't speed or overload vehicles. We had one puncture between all those vehicles (mulga stake), and no mechanical or suspension problems. Its now 4 years since I've had a puncture.

Phil (AKA Ray!!!!)

John,

Wise decision. I think the van would ruin your holiday. Camper trailer needs to be a proper offroad one. Just need to make sure it has a screen to stop the stones being deflected off the trailer and onto the vehicle's back windows. Hiring one is an option. The road via Mt Barry (and Painted Desert) to Coober Pedy is is better condition - a little less stone and well graded - suitable for 2wds.Painted Desert at sunset can be stunning.

The things I like on the Oodndatta track are Lake Eyre South, the bubbler springs, remains of the old Ghan, the overland telegraph, a trip out to Halligans Bay (4wd track), William Creek pub (camp out the back one night), Peake transmitter station ruins (rough 4wd track), camping at Algebuckina Waterhole near the longest bridge in SA, etc etc

Don't know where you're heading after that, but my vehicle tends to veer north from Oodnadatta to the beautiful Eringa Waterhole (Kidman's first homestead), Bloods Creek Bore, Dalhousie Springs, Mount Dare and then a reallly nice 4wd drive to Old Andado and up to the Alice via the Old Andado track. You can do all this with a good 4wd camper trailer behind a well maintained Patrol.

Cheers

Phil

Thanks for your comments Phil. I think I've convinced the wife regarding not getting the van. Took a printout of all of this home and let her have a read. Looked at tents again on the w'end. Just not convinced they're the way to. She hates the thought of the small overall size of the single pole touring tents and all the domes she likes has 24+ pegs...stuff that. Camper trailer gets my vote. Unless I just leave her at home.
Thanks about the comments on the Mt Barry road. Once we get to Coober Pedy, we'll be staying on the black top for the remainder to Alice, Tennant Creek, Mt Isa and back to Brissie. That is apart from day trips out of Alice - Chambers Pillar, Ruby Gap, East & West Mac ranges etc etc (without vans or trailers in tow). Saving the Old Andado / Dalhousie stuff for another trip. Maybe the Simpson next year. This is my start of a "decent trip every year" resolution. Plenty of places to go in this great place we live. Just need more time.

50 psi and any lower it looks flat??????????
Says it all really!

Sean if you are needing to run 50 psi, your van either has the wrong size tires and wheels, or your van is horribly overloaded or poorly engineered for the size.

50 PSI is starting to get close to like driving on solid rubber tyres.
Who recomended you put in that pressure?

Typical Ozi, answer a q with a q.

I was enjoying reading this and then came across your garbage. Please sir, go away.

Sorry fellas, just trying to add my humble opinion.

Ray - whoever you are, this is the second time you have had a go at me. Garbage??? if you cant be nice, why say anything?? If my posts are gargage, then please enlighten me with the truth. I am always happy to learn and I am not going anywhere mate.........


Ozi,

maybe the van is poorly engineered as you suggest. Van is 16'6"
1200 kg tare (according to plate) and has singe axle 14 inch light truck tyres. About 180kg towball wt. Tyres are all new as I have just replaced originals becuase i did not trust them at being 10 years old. New tyres are rated to 900kg each at 65psi. What pressure, tyre/ wheel combination do you guys recommend. I have towed van for about 15,000ks and had one flat in that time.

Ozi, I enjoy your posts and do not have any problems having my ideas challenged, that is how I learn as I go. Its seems that I am at odds with others here 'so now I am a thinkin' and would appreciate any advise that could benefit.

Sean

Sean, Ray was not having a go at you, he was commenting on the clatter and interference from the monkeys gallery. Ray is always polite. A little misunderstanding - no bother. The monkeys gallery can never help anybody, they just make a raucous and disturbance as they are clueless on everything.

Sean it is difficult on a van of that size with a single axle to get much below the tyre pressure you are running. Is that a radial tyre or a rag tyre?
180kg is pretty solid tow ball weight as well for that size.
Not a lot you can do with a single axle with 14" tyres with that sort of load on them.
If you intend keeping the van, and you have enough space in the wheel well of the caravan, you could go to a 15" wheel and a radial tyre to carry that sort of load, which would not need such high pressures.

On the last 22' caravan I had made, I put on 15" wheels and radial tyres and lighter springs with Aeon air ride springs and shock absorbers which was a big improvement over standard caravan set-up. I was doing a lot of distance at that time on the black top, but often off the main highways and needed to keep the van together. Now the kids have gone, we are going to a 17' maximum this year. We just take our 4WD which is very well fitted out to go on the bad unmade roads.

Sorry for the misunderstanding Sean. I was having a go at that pubilcan bloke.

Ozi and Ray,

No problem. Misunderstandings are all too easy. My post was obviously a bit hasty.

Sean

Agree 100%

mine works a charm.

enjoy the bush

DennisN