Borroloola to Mataranka via Lorella Springs/Roper Bar

Submitted: Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 18:02
ThreadID: 59377 Views:4156 Replies:6 FollowUps:8
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Can i get a caravan up through there. Van is slightly beefed up. 16" wheels, simplicity suspension and 4" raiser. Van is 22' long. We are looking to head through there in about 7 days time.

Cheers David

p.s- I am a member of this site. I have changed computer and email address and dont know how to log in. Lol
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Reply By: Willem - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 18:15

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 18:15
Yep...saw a number of lightweight vans on that road last year.

Road into Lorella Springs pretty much bulldust all the way


Cheers
AnswerID: 313106

Follow Up By: David Jje - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 18:29

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 18:29
hmmm, Bulldust hey. Slow driving through the dust makes pressure hatch useless in van. I always wondered whether a 12volt fan inside of van would work in these situations. Oh well does'nt matter i havent got one anyway. LOL.
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Follow Up By: D200Dug- Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:57

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:57
You would need to pressurize the van with clean air from somewhere.

A fan would just move the dust round inside the van :-(

Bloody bulldust can get in almost anywhere.
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FollowupID: 579167

Reply By: Cupie - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 19:58

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 19:58
G'day ..

WRT a previous reply .. I don't think that a 22' van is "lightweight".

Would the overhangs both front & rear be an issue on any creek crossings et al.?

I have a 21'6'' (not raised) with dual axels centraly located that has done over 120,000km and it sometimes bottoms in older servo's. It evens drags the hitch slightly as I back up into my home base.
(the set up with load distribution hitch conforms with H/Reece specs)

But not being an off roader I have no direct experience past Borroloola but would be interested to hear the views of those who have.

Cheers - good luck & enjoy .. G
AnswerID: 313123

Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 20:16

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 20:16
> I don't think that a 22' van is "lightweight". <


I was not alluding to a 22ft van.
I am stating what I saw up there. Nothing more nothing less.

So pull yer head in.
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Follow Up By: David Jje - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:18

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:18
Cupie, My wheels are slighty offset and i have an 800mm floor height clearance. Height is not an issue for me.
Lightweight vans are anything other than dedicated offroad. ie bushtracker, pheonix, trackmaster and kedron are dedicated.
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FollowupID: 579147

Follow Up By: Cupie - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 08:44

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 08:44
David Jje .. Thanks for enlightening me about "Lightweight".

Willem .. Gee you're a nice guy.

cheers .. G
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 08:52

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 08:52
No, I am a bloke

Yes, I am always nice. So expect more if you misread things


Cheers
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FollowupID: 579217

Reply By: Al-one - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:17

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:17
David,
We went through there last year crossing from west to east. We had a 16' Phoenix off-road van so we had no problems at all. There were one or two river/creek crossings that, although they were quite shallow, they had a relatively steep exit from the river. Whether you have any problems may depend on how much rear van overhang you have. The worst corrugations on the road were the last 20klms into Roper Bar coming from Mataranka.
Cheers,
Al-one
AnswerID: 313147

Follow Up By: David Jje - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:27

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:27
Al-one, From centre of back wheel to back of van is approx 10feet and the lowest point , which are the stabilisers, have just under 2feet clearance. I would wildly guess it should be ok..??
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FollowupID: 579150

Follow Up By: Al-one - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:55

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:55
David,
That sounds reasonable. I would say go ahead, you will enjoy the trip but be well prepared as it's isolated once you leave Boraloola. Lorella Springs would only sell emergency fuel when we were there (we didn't require any). If you are taking a tinnie make sure you go to King Ash Bay and possibly Limmen River, plus a few other other places.
Cheers,
Al-one
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Reply By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:45

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:45
make sure you have a pie at Mataranka,united servo.
$8 each,awsome! Best pie we have ever had! Feeds two.
Cheers Lyndon
Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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AnswerID: 313153

Reply By: sdtash - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:52

Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 21:52
David, I have traveled the Nathen River road to Maria Lagoon a lot during Sept to Nov. The road fron Heartbreak hotel to Coxes creek is rather rocky. driven at a rather slow pace should offer no problems. We stop at Steve and Patsy Barretts fishing camp at Limmen Bight. Driven with respect there should be no problems. . I hope this helps
AnswerID: 313156

Reply By: Member - neville G (QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 05:50

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 05:50
David,
Pat and I did that track last year with our Phoenix Nomad and cruiser, rough in places but should be no trouble at all so long as you take it easy.Towns river and butterfly creek and good stops.
Cheers, Nev.
AnswerID: 313188

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