Gibb River Road

Thanks Jason
I know it's rated 4wd & camper trailers. Would you consider it possible to tow a suitable, small caravan/pop top through there? Google Earth indicates it is no worse than some of the tracks around the Midwest (WA) that I know my parents have towed a standard Jayco Freedom pop top on (apart from the river crossings).
But it's a bit hard to judge from a satellite image, no matter how close one can zoom in.
What's your opinion?
Kym

Personally, my opinion would be to not take a caravan on the GRR. I wouldn't take the risk. Having said that, we did see a few up there at some of the various camp sites we stayed at.

we went down the GRR last September. We stopped to check out a bloke who shredded a tyre going over a dry river crossing and spoke to another couple who who had a flat and wanted to know where the closest repair service was and then whether it was worth going back the twenty Ks to have it fixed.

We stayed at one of the stations overnight where the lady said that the road was being graded. She said that grading left rocks pointy side up and care should be taken. When we were in Derby I discovered damage to one tyre that almost penetrated to the inside and I changed the tyre and kept the damaged case for spare. I chucked it when we got back to Perth.

Conditions on the road change with weather and use. They usually start grading shortly after the wet to facilitate the cattle trucks getting in to the stations. I recommend you call the local cops or a caravan park to find out just what the conditions are when you are close to the time of travelling the road.

Many vehicles will go down the road without a problem and you might be the unlucky one so be prepared to suffer at least two flats including irreparable casings. I think thats a reasonable precaution and I always carry the means to get through two bad flats.

Plenty of caravans have been down the road no problems but the road can be tough on the undercarriage sometimes. I dont think caravans are advisable if no other reason than the stuff we carry in them is likely to end up all over the floor. The bloke with the first flat we saw confirmed this. He was very cross with the way we look after our roads in WA!

The worst road we ever went along was the one up the cape in Qld. No sharp rocks but the corrugations were a real test of the vehicle, the camper trailer and the driver. Me.

Yeah tyres are expensive but if want that good feeling that "bin there done that" gives, and you are a risk taker (prepared), then its all in a good adventure and lived to tell the tales.

Lastly, drive carefully and keep the speed down. No point in stretching one's luck too far.

But this is what bush travelling is about, isn't it? You may the bloke giving the advice on this forum in times to come.

good luck and happy travels.

Owen

Last year the Audi A8s were belting up and down there a couple of times... with some A4s and VW Transporters and things following up...