Camper Trailers and CSR

John,

I'll watch this with interest. We did the CSR - S to N - in August and came across 3 x Kimberley Kampers, an Ultimate and a Track Trailer all heading S north of Well 46. I expect they made it through but wonder how they went for fuel and over the dunes between 40 to 45.

Peter

Hi John

We ran 16 psi in the patrols tyres, 12 in the T-Van what sand hills ?????????? We did not get bogged at all, even on the way out to the Calvert ranges. Good Suspension right tyre pressures & good steady driving is all that is need to taclke the CSR..
Some will say otherwise, Cheers Steve

In sand I run my tyres at 15-18psi on the GQ and the trailer
8 -12psi.

Have tackled lots of dunes and cross country this way in the Simpson, the Gibson and the Great Sandy Deserts and including some of the CSR.

Take it easy and lower your tyre pressures to suit.

My diesel uses around 18 to 20l/100km in this type of terrain with the 800kg trailer hanging off the back

Cheers

John,
Your TD troopie is the right vehicle. We were up there in August, and one of our group had a TVan behind his TD Troopie. He had zero issues, but he is a very experienced traveller and took a minimalist approach, so wasn't overloaded, and runs nice low pressures.

But we were only on the CSR from well 33 down. Heading south (against the flow of traffic) looked to be the easiest way - the southern side of the dunes are very chopped up, northern sides are not.

Fuel consumption was hard to gauge on the actual Canning because we were ducking in and out, but my HDJ79 travelled from Newman to Wiluna on Standard tanks (1180km), having used 160 litres. The HDJ78 towing the TVan was only using 5-10% more than my loaded 79series. I would bank on 15-16 l/100k for your vehicle pulling a trailer provided you were taking it easy, but obviously, you'd take extra. The community at well 33 was a little irregular with diesel availability this year.

We did the CSR and Calverts in July. I towed a Camprite with my 100Td cruiser, my cousin towed a Jayco(yes for real and it is modified!) with his Patrol and there were 3 more Cavaliers towed by others. At no stage did we get bogged, stuck or cut up the the track. Let the tyres down, drive well and you should have no dramas. We had 2 punctures from wayward sticks and some gear "left" the back of a dual cab when the tailgate fell open, that was it. We had an excellent time, the kids loved it, did heaps of walking and all was great.

My advice, go over your vehicle and trailer and ensure it is all in tip top condition, take some spares and welding gear and just get out and do it. I have towed a trailer or camper all over the country and never really had any dramas.

I took 4 jerry cans plus 4 plastic 20l containers of diesel plus a full tank(leaving from Neds creek station through the Carnarvon ranges) again, drive sensibly and fuel usage is not too bad. Yes the dunes take a bit of extra juice but we basically "cruised" the whole time.

Have fun , Rob

Thanks to all for your contributions. It is always handy to talk with people who have been there.