Camper trailers across simpson

AFAIK they are not banned, just actively discouraged. Yes you can tow campers across but do you need to and will the vehicle and you be capable of driving it across?
Yes I have towed mine across several times in both directions but it was much harder than not towing, we've now crossed the desert every which way about 20+ times over a 25 year period.

IMHO it is about time they were banned. I know I will cop some flack for that, but thee are many people who do quite a bit of damage through lack of knowledge. Many cross without doing environmental damage I know. The last thing the Simpson needed was that foolish article in 4WD Monthly discussing taking campers across.

Yes you can do it. I think you shouldn't.

When I was there last September the dunes were really cut up on the western side by people towing trailers. Some people we came across were having tow or three goes at almost every dune.

If you do tow a camper in the Simpson I would say that you are as bad as a person who gives 4wd's a bad name when they rip up a favourite family bush track.

National Parks strongly discourage trailers for a reason. They have the interests of the dunes at heart. If NP&WS think the dunes are being damaged then they have the authority to make it harder for travellers.

I would listen to National Parks and follow their advice.

Barnesy

I'm not saying should or shouldn't but I can't see the hassle .

I did it with 2 other vehicles towing campers .We never got stuck or bogged once.

We didn't screw up the track at all , but a couple other vehicle's that were not towing were getting stuck and being towed out of the bog and also didn't have sand flags or a HF radio either.

So know what your vehicle's capabilities are and fly the sand flag and use the HF radio and tow if you want to, if your trailers up to off road standard.

My opinion only

Kind Regards: Scoof. :-)

We did a simpson desert trip last may '07 I was appalled at the state of the dunes - cut up - tyre pressures are critical it amazes me the amount of people who are to lazy or don't care to consider tyre pressures. Yes the appropiate authorities frown apon trailers for a very good reason the dunes are being cut up because most people don't use correct tyre pressure, I lost count on how many vehicles we came across trying to get up numerous dunes more than once, 100's LC & Kimberly camper held us up while he tried 3 times to get over dune eventually going back far enough and using shear grunt to get over, only had to look at his tyres and I bet he had road pressures,On a couple of other times when I inquired about there tyre pressure got same answer havn't got a pump ?? one vehicle had done a diff towing camper trailer over dunes not far out of birdsville!!! Yes you can tow a camper/trailer across the simpson just ask Birdsville Auto ?? How many vehicles do they rescue using a trailer ????
They know the importance of tyre pressures
If you are knowlegdeable and care enough about your 4x4'n you can take a "WELL SET UP CAMPER TRAILER" most places, yes sand flags & HF radio are most important in the simpson "BUT" tyres pressures are what preserves the dunes and ultimately gives the authorities less to complain about and in the long run enables us to enjoy our chosen recreation with less hassles ?????
While camping at birdsville got talking to somes guys on a "boys trip" they inquired if we had crossed big red, my answer yes 1st go
They couldn't believe it because there 3 vehicles tried "Little Red" and couldn't do it, when I enquired about there tyre pressures they said, we couldn't be bothered letting our tyres down and we didn't have a tyre pump ????? "WELL HELLO"
By the way, due to the conditions at the time I had 15 psi to cross Big Red.
I am sure if everybody used the correct tyre pressures the authorities would be more accepting towards camper trailers !!
But as we all know we do not live in a perfect world ????
My personnal preferance don't tow a trailer.
The reality is we as 4x4 'ers are looking down the barrel in this day and age, rightly or wrongly, we are slowly being shut out of this great land because of the few who "JUST DON"T GIVE A F**K"
So please do the right thing so my Grand Kids can have as much fun as I am !!!
Safe 4x4'n
Bazza

IMHO

Tyre pressures are the most critical thing, not towing.
I know when we crossed, 15 psi was the go ,,, so much easier,,and never looked like getting stuck

Wondering why signs are not errected advising of recomended tyre pressures at either end.

Isn't tyre footprint the mose important thing in sand ?

Surley a loaded up 4B with high pressures will do more damage to the dunes than a 4B with a trailer, and that weight spread over 6 tyres with the same footprint ?

Cheers Bucky

A lot of people discourage you from taking a trailer across the simpson. But as previously mentioned, if you are sensible about tyre pressures and are well set up it can be achieved quite easily.
We took our trailer across a few years back travelling from west to east. There was two other vehicles with us also with camper trailers. We crossed the entire simpson without getting stuck or bogged down until little red. This was only one vehicle and it was because we were a bit premature in putting a bit of air back in the tyres.
On the vehicles we ran 12psi and on the trailers 8psi.

We unhooked the trailers at big red and drove up without a problem. We had to wait our turn while a few other vehicles struggled to get up. After half a dozen attempts I made a polite suggestion that maybe they should drop their tyre pressures. This was ignored. So after we drove up with apparent ease they decided to take our advice. We were having a bit of a laugh about these clowns who thought you needed to hit the bottom at 80km\h when they were getting stuck at the same point each time. So on the way down my friend said that it was so easy he could probably drive up the bit that they were getting stuck at in reverse. We let him we though he was full of it so he then put it in reverse and backed up to the top again.

We had a lot of negative feedback when seeking advice about taking the trailers through the simpson. I was suprised how easily we did it in the end and was glad that i didn't listen to the 'knockers'.
We were well prepared, drove to the conditions and are fairly experienced 4 wheelers.

Have to agree with the earlier posts that tyre pressures are no. 1 in navigating the dunes.

We went across the french line West to East in 2004 2 vehicles (LC100s) each towing trailers (Aussie Swags).

Orginally I was running 25psi and going fine - but got stuck on one dune and dropped pressure to 20psi (Still above the recommended 15-18psi) but didn't have a problem from then on.

From what I have heard 2004 was and ideal year because there was a bit of rain in the desert to settle the sand.

We saw more damage done by those not towing trailers.

You will have have to weather the storm from those who will protest you taking a trailer - however if you keep your tyre pressures down, have a decent vehicle and trailer you should leave very little evidence that you've been there.

Enjoy your trip it is an amazing journey.

Hi all,

thanks for all the feedback...

think i will still take the trailer ( i can hear all you knockers there!!!!)

I feel i am a sensible 4wd'er and don't mind taking chicken tracks or the like...one thing i learnt from my mechanicing days is "I HATE FIXING MY CAR IF I DON'T HAVE TO" so i won't be driving like a maniac. after all it's better to be 1hr late than dead on arrival..

cheers
Mick T

The fact that you are willing to ask for advice and consider your options, shows that you are a sensible four wheel driver.

We are considering "doing" the Simpson in August. However while we have a trailer and would like to take it are looking at leaving it in Marree, maybe the caravan park, and then coming back via the Birdsville track. Has anyone any other solutions? Want to do the desert west to east.