Chambers Pillar

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 20:50
ThreadID: 32462 Views:1955 Replies:10 FollowUps:11
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Is it possible to visit Chambers Pillar in a 2wd vehicle. Everything I see relates to 4wd. I have a 2wd F150 with plenty of ground clearance, a locker diff & plenty of fuel capacity. Is the terrain sandy, or rocky. Sand in depth or over distances would be a problem but what can I expect.
Many thanks Tim
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Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 20:58

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 20:58
Tim

I think you'd be ok unless it is wet then some of the sandy bits turn very muddy. This is unlikely. Corrugations on the last run in from maryvale are pretty rough. A couple of sand hills to get over but not too bad if you let tyres down.

Peter
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AnswerID: 164470

Reply By: dazza0503 - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:01

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:01
My opinion would be no way.I was there last August pretty easy going early but soft sand dunes and very steep inclines and decents towards the later stages.
AnswerID: 164472

Follow Up By: Member - Russell S - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:43

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:43
you must have been to a different Chambers Pillar than the rest of us. It's a very straightforward drive, albeit a little corrugated and rough in places. An F150 with a locker will have no trouble whatever. I've been there twice and the dunes near the pillar are neither big or soft.
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Reply By: Warrie - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:08

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:08
Tim, have you got a long handled shovel, tow rope ,12V compressor and are you prepared for a long wait for help in the form of another visitor to the Pillar. When we were there in Mid August 05 there were only 2 or 3 other vehicles at the site. I think there are less than a dozen dunes to climb in the last 5km. Keep that tyre pressure low - 20psi. Also click on TREKS, find the Pillar and read feedback. Cheers
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AnswerID: 164474

Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:15

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:15
Yeah mate

You should be OK with what you have.

A mate of mine used to have the contract to clear the rubbish bins at Chambers Pillar Reserve(some years ago) and he used to get in there with a Datsun 2wd ute which had very little clearance. He went in and out once a week for a year. Pretty much stuffed the Datsun tho....lol

There are 12 dunes to get over and with the right throttle use and lowered rear tyre pressures you should not have any problems.

There is only one serious jump up but if you have problems, just engage the locker.

AnswerID: 164477

Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:20

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:20
Willem, one of the first things we asked each other when we arrived there was who empties the rubbish ? I guess now we know how it was done :)
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Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:29

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:29
Hi Footy

I once drove the missus' company Commodore into Rainbow Valley right up to the camping area. Just gunned it over the couple of dunes that were there then and gunned it again on the way back. It is amazing where a company vehicle can go.lol

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FollowupID: 419331

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 14:18

Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 14:18
Bro, I used a Hertz Falcon for something similar a few years back in the NT from Darwin a few years back. They must be able to drive through the front axle too those Fords. A few jumpups through creeks too.
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FollowupID: 419426

Reply By: marion - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:28

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:28
Hello, we visited Chambers Pillarin our Ford Escape, I hope that helps with your decision. Cheers marion
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AnswerID: 164480

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:38

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:38
Nice answer, and I'm sure it helped. It would me if I owned the F150 with locker.
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Reply By: Warrie - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:53

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 21:53
Tim and Bart too. Go into PLACES, type in Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, don't forget to put NT in the statebox, and you should be able to access the pix I just added.Click on pic to enlarge and thank my missus for photos. Note steepness of dune and track alignment. Safe driving.
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AnswerID: 164489

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:20

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:20
Warrie

I went there but found no photos except one of Chambers P itself.
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FollowupID: 419345

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:23

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:23
Willem,

There in the Historical Reserve part. I thought the same thing.
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FollowupID: 419346

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:37

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:37
Thanks Gramps...I found them..... lol Must be late..................
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FollowupID: 419349

Reply By: Rick (S.A.) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:52

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 22:52
Of course it is possible.

Question:
How may wheels were driving on the vehicles that went through the far regions up until the 1950's, when jeeps & landies were available?

Answer:
Two, sometimes one.
And youv'e got a locker as well! Easy as bleep ting in bed & kicking it out with your feet if you have a bit of ground clearance. (like 95 % of off road stuff)

So why would you be any different if you can drive/asses/make decisions?
I know, I know all you people with recent experience. Lots of traffic now vs then, all that crap, but the point remains, it can be done; as Willem and others have mentioned, it is possible, and even without buggering the track up.

Cheers

Rick
(Who has a 4wd)
AnswerID: 164501

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 23:25

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 23:25
Er .... Rick, there was only one post against it. You sound like there were quite a few more :))))
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FollowupID: 419356

Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 08:19

Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 08:19
Now, now Rick. There seems to be an increasing numbers of bleeps in your posts....LOL

How are you keeping anyway.? Don't forget to drop in for a cuppa on your way north

Cheers
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FollowupID: 419365

Reply By: MichaelR - Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 22:47

Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 22:47
Curlewis
I'm not as old as Willem-at least don't think so, but have taken 2 2WD's into Chambers Pillar. One a Mini Moke and the second, of all things, an EJ station wagon. That was some time ago, in 1980 and the track had a different and more difficult approach then. I shouldn't think you would have any trouble in your vehicle.
AnswerID: 164647

Reply By: arthurking83 - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006 at 00:43

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006 at 00:43
I reckon you'd make that easy too(in F150)...chances are you already have the 31x10.5 or 33x10.5's fitted anyhow, and that's half the battle already sorted!

BTW...I always though there is a distinct difference between a 2wd with locker(or LSD or whatever), and a standard 4wd vehicle..because whatever the conditions, the "4wd" would have one front and one rear wheel turning(therefore on wheel has already been through the slippery part, while the other pushed..etc)...and having 2 rear wheels turning is not always going to give you good grip.....as we see race cars, drag cars, and hoons, prove...going sideways is not always going to get you where you want!!

hence the invention of the "4WD" ?????

just a simple observation!
AnswerID: 164652

Follow Up By: curlewis - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006 at 19:45

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006 at 19:45
Yeah Arthur, The thought of the front wheels going one way & the rear the opposite is one of the things that concern me. I have been in boggy situations before & had that happen. We will be in the area in August after going to Tilmouth Well & Gemtree. Hopefully we will gain some first hand local knowledge by then.
To everyone who has replied to my call for info we thank you very much & appreciate the replies. Happy touring everyone. cheers Tim
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FollowupID: 419715

Reply By: Lyds- Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006 at 21:20

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006 at 21:20
I wouldn't do it in a 2wd.

I was there last season and thought the big jump up before you get to the sand dunes was steep, bumpy, and slippery with loose rocks.

The pic below is of the road on the way in; its the good side.

If you do go, as the dunes are essentially single lane only I'd make sure you have a CB and one of those sand flags wouldn't go astray either.

!MPG:16!
AnswerID: 164852

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