Hay River

Hunjy,

I always amazes me that some people will tempt fate and put a trip into disarray and spoil it for ever one else because they think that know better.

It is bad enough taking a trailer but to take a trailer that is not set up to do such a trip is plane inconsiderate.

A standard ball hitch will not be any good. The ball will be ripped off, or the trailer will fall apart.

Wayne

Having done that trek last year I'd be leaving all the trailers at home if conditions are the same as they were last year. It was very soft especially between the bottom of the Hay and Beachcomber, we had a turbo Patrol, 100 series turbo and a new 79 series turbo all of which had to be towed/recovered at some stage by the Humvee. All very experienced drivers and well setup vehicles, the 100 series clutch let go as well.
From the bottom of the Hay up to Jervois will be ok towing.
I hope you have already organised permits for access as according to Direct 4wd's site it is booked out for the school hols in June/July already.
The K1 is closed at the Warburton end and will probably be that way for some time so you will be getting to Poeppells via the QAA.
If you still intend to tow then the towball is a definate no!!!

Peter 2
Sounds like I might have to upgrade to a Humvee or stay out of sight and be tailend charlie. Might even look for Thorny devils if there is dramas with trailers up the front.
Yes permits all go and did you do the bush tucker tour and what was on the menu?

hunjy

www.direct4wd.com.au/tours/trailers.htm

The problem with a standard tow ball on this route is the maximum articulation of the ball will most likely be exceeded on the sharp crests or dips. This can either end up snapping the ball or bending the drawbar. The lack of tracks on this route due to wind will no doubt put added stress on any trailer, such that he may not have "experienced" on other easier trips. Although not mad, towing a lesser quality trailer in remote deserts does add an unnecesary liabilty to the group not just to himself. In other words if this trailer collapses he will most likely need to transfer a little bit of gear to your car.
Cheers Craig................

Hmmm

That towball hitch sounds dangerous. Multiswivel towhitch (Treg etc)is by far the best.

Last year, when the desert was at its softest for years, I towed my 800kg(fully laden) trailer to the Geographical Centre of the Simpson. From Erabena Oil Field north to the Centre and back to the French Line I had no troubles with the trailer except once when I had to drive down a dune at an angle. The 200km or so offtrack was a bit of a nightmare for some of our participants and pretty hard going in places and we bounced a lot over the spinifex. I ran my Nissan tyres at 13psi all round and the trailer tyres at 10psi.

Desert driving is all about anticipation. The trip leader has to scramble his/her brain constantly looking ahead for the best passage to follow whilst generally following a compass bearing. Low Range 2nd and 3rd gears at a steady pace do the trick. Most of the time we were averaging about 8kmh.

Go to my website below, click on 4x4 and then click on A Hard Trek into the Desert to have a read of our little adventure.

Cheers

Hi Hunjy

There a picture of Pajero in my members photo's that shows typical dune crossing.

They were high but was some soft sand ridges (5)

Robin Miller