Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 21:17
Jonathan,
You are going on the biggest adventure, I believe, a person can do in a 4WD in Australia if not the world. Planning for this trip will take from now until the day you leave. The pace notes from this site are great and very accurate.
Setting the vehicle up is the most important thing, having maps and pace notes will not do you any good if the vehicle breaks down.
First up have the vehicle checked over by a 4wd mechanic, not the dealer, but by some one who knows about 4wding. If you do not know where to go, see a 4wd
shop and they might do that type of work or put you on to some one.
Have the
suspension up graded to carry the extra weight and also carry at least one spare front and rear shock plus bushes for same. Next is all the belts for the motor. Have the belts changed before you go and keep the old ones for spares, if they are not too bad. The same with radiator hoses. Don't forget the coolant, engine oil, and diff oil. you only need enough for a top up 5lt of each should do.Tyres, have 6 all the same tread pattern and make with 2 tubes just in case and make sure the tyres are new. A
puncture repair kit should also be included. A good compressor that will re
seat a tubeless tyre on a rim is a must. Tyre pliers and knowing how to use them. All this should be done before you go at
home. No good trying out the compressor on the track and finding it will not blow up a tyre.
A good jack and jacking plate or a exhaust jack, don't bother with a high lift jack, too heavy and no where to carry it. A good set of tools, electrical tape, fuses,spare nuts and bolts and cable ties.
UHF radio, EPIEB, and a Sat phone and/ or
HF radio. Again know how to use them before you go.
As far as water goes there is a few wells that have good drinking water, fill all your drums or tanks when ever you can. We found good drinking water about every other day so it was not a big problem but you can not rely on there being water good enough to drink at every
well. Carry enough food for the whole trip. We were going to top up at
well 33 but after the locals had finished there was not much left. We were asked to wait until they had finished because it was pay day there and they stock up then.
Fuel is the next big thing. 270lts from
Wiluna to
well 23 is what we carried and the convey all had big 6 cyl diesels. Fuel was dropped off and we took our own
hand pump to get it out of the drum. 200lt was then enough with what we already had to get us to the Tammine Track. In 2005 we paid $2.00 a litre for the fuel to be dropped off at
well 23. At
well 33, the only other place to get fuel it was $2.20 a litre. BTW they don't take credit cards at
well 33 cash only and get there in there working hours or it is $15 per vehicle to open the pump.The same applies at Billuna
I think there are two important things that you must do.
Don't rush, we took 20 days from
Wiluna to the Tammine Track with at least 4 rest days. We only travelled about 3
well per day or 100 klm.
The other thing is don't travel alone, go with at least another vehicle.
This as
well as the other post should give you an idea of
what to take and expect.
This may sound like doom and gloom and I am trying to put you off, but where you are going is the most remote 4wd track in the world.
I lead a convey for the first time last year and we had a ball, and can't wait until this July when I will take another group of thrill seekers for the adventure of there lives.
Have a good trip, take heaps of photos and enjoy.
Wayne
AnswerID:
150054
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 21:55
Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 21:55
That didn't work.
Wayne
FollowupID:
403451
Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 21:59
Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 21:59
Pretty good advice from Wayne
The only two things different we did was to travel alone and not have an EPIRB or a Satphone but had
HF radio.
Go to my website below. Click on 4x4 and then on
Canning Stock Route.
We did the trip in 1994 in a 1979 Toyota(petrol)
Did some of the Canning last year and will be visiting some wells this year as
well.
Take your time. It is a great trip.
FollowupID:
403452
Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 22:02
Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 at 22:02
Wayne
Tanami Track...sorry but you posted Tammine twice....LOL
We were able to payfor fuel and goodies by EFTPOS at
Kunawarritji(
Well 33) in April 2005
FollowupID:
403453
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 at 08:25
Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 at 08:25
Willem,
It is a good thing that Vic employed me for my good looks and not how I spell. Thanks for pointing out my error.
You are right about the EFTPOS. A lot of people just have a credit card that they use for ever thing and have no way of paying cash, a sign of the times. I would hate to see someone get there buy $400 worth of fuel and can't pay for it. Bit hard to do a runner.
I will have to get a BLogg or Web site up and running. It seems the way to keep a record of all the trips that I do. Now where is Eliza?
Wayne
FollowupID:
403508
Follow Up By: kimprado - Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 at 14:07
Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 at 14:07
Hi Jonathan,
The other thing I would add to Wayne's post, is vehicle keys. The lost of an ignition key in remote areas can ruin a trip.
I always carry two. I tie a piece of ribbon to the main key. The colour of the ribbon is in contrast to the colour of the country I'm crossing. This makes it very much easier to find if dropped (particularly in sand).
The back up key is either attached to my belt, or on a chain around my neck.
I know this may not sound important, but I have come accross individuals in the bush who have lost their keys. Some of whom have been quite distressed. Have a good trip.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
403560
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 at 14:24
Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 at 14:24
Kim,
I have seen this done so many times. The vehicle is packed and ready to go and no keys. Ask the question, Where did you have them last night? The answer goes like this, Took the keys out of the ignition, put them in my pocket, got ready for bed, empty pockets and put the keys in the tent. After unpacking the tent, keys found.
I always, unless in a caravan park, leave the keys where they belong, in the ignition.
Wayne
FollowupID:
403567