Simpson with a trailer

Anything is possible...

Although C/Ts across the Simpson is not recommended..and I understand will be banned from next year...!!

short answer, yes.

But the devil is in the detail, so ideally:
* with company
* without overloading
* with proper preparation of vehicle and trailer
* with sand-driving/towing experience
* all the normal things that need attention to go into the desert.

Just like there is evidence of vehicles not making it, there is evidence of trailers not making it.

Jol Fleming is the 'full bottle' on both this subject and the region you indicate - he has advice on this very issue on his site...................
http://www.direct4wd.com.au/

It's possible.....but would I do it ??

With a KK weighing 1.2ton and 1000 dunes to cross.....nope !!
Not my idea of fun....punishing the 4x4 to drag a CT over them all..

But with a CT weighing in at 400kg's ( not many of them around ) then I would be interested !!

Try doing it from the Birdsville end then when you don't manage the first (biggest) sand dune you will know that it isn't a good idea.

Is it possible? Yes with care and support. Some very experienced and competent sand drivers could possibly do it alone but it would take a long time and require a lot of effort.

Is it recommended? No.

We went across east to west in early May. We met a group of six vehicles two of which had trailers coming the other way ie from Mt Dare. The lead car indicated they were snatching the cars with trailers over about one in three of the dunes. The four cars rotated the snatch duty and they often scouted the best way before the trailers started. That is hundreds of snatches for the 1900 dunes.

A few people told us it was the most difficult crossing in years. It was certainly a trying time as a solo vehicle. The tyre pressures reached new lows to get over some of the dunes. We used the route in the treks but in reverse. Even though we have done plenty of sand and desert driving it was a hard slog and a technically challanging drive. We were ok fuel wise (still had 50l) but apparently a lot of people were getting to Mt Dare running on fumes. A couple of them we knew and the had crossed 5 or 6 times before.

Your call I guess.

Steve

Hi Holeshot,

Yes can be done but as suggested with some precautions.

Low tyre pressure is the main key here and having a recovery plan. Always nice to do it with others.

Kind regards

Yep

I have taken the trailer east west/west east along French Line, Rig Road, WAA Line, QAA Line, K1 Line, Colson Track and also 100km north off the French Line to the Geo Centre of the Desert and back to the French Line by different routes. Trailer has also been on CSR, Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert and places inbetween.

Some of the trips were solo. I run 10psi on the trailer and 15psi on the 4by running crossplies 7.50x16 on split rims. Might get down to 13psi sometimes.

Have had to back down a couple of dunes every now and then.

If you are running tubeless tyres it is easier. 18psi for 4by and 15psi for trailer

Basically the trailer goes everywhere I point the Nissan. Occasionally things go pearshaped but then its just a matter of digging yourself out of the mire...lol

Cheers

If you ar going to look ater your rig and CT. plusthe desert then leave the damned thing behind. We found it a PIA passing CT haulers in our last crossing.

myself and a group of others came over the french line in august last yr from mt dare six vehicles in all , coming up to big red we passed a group of 4 vehicles 2 towing C/Trailers .
we were sitting on top of big red and saw the 1st vehicle have a shot , he got half way up and stopped , we all said to ourselves this will be good ,a pagero towing a kimberley camper , were in for some entertainment he let the tyres down on the C/T took at bit more of a run up an over he went, didn,t even spin the wheels , it was turbo diesel , the funny part was one of our party had a 100 series with all the go fast stuff on it , took him 5 goes to make it . low tyre preesures are critical
mechpete.

Last September we went from Mt Dare to Birdsville with 7 vehicles, five towing Camper Trailers. We took the Rig Road and made it without too much trouble. Of course parts of it were challenging, especially the last 20 dunes but with a team effort we made it. Low tyre pressures are important and maintaining sufficient speed to get over the dune.
We had all the standard recovery gear but only used shovels and Maxtraks. Sure we got bogged a few times but by using the Maxtraks we easily drove out of the sand and over the dune. They are a wonderful invention.

We also took the Warburton Crossing Road across to the Birdsville Track as an easier option.

You can always go back and do Big Red (without the CT) once you get to Birdsville.

Go and enjoy it !

Cheers,

Bob