CSR/Simpson Desert

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John, this is a photo of the western side of one of the dunes in the eastern part of the Simpson, taken last Wednesday - they are totally chopped up with large dents in them both sides and never ending.The Desert is very very dry and the dunes are soft as well.

(They) advise agaist taking trailers across the Simpson due to others not properly prepareing vehicles chopping up the sand dunes too much, plenty do however, with proper preparation there shuold be no issue.

As for the CSR, The bottom few wells (I'm not sure exactly) are OFF LIMITS for trailers, there is a detour and from there north same as the Simpson.
Shane

G'day John

Returned from an eastbound (the easier way) crossing in mid June.
Got back 2 days late due to assisting a family of 5 with a 3l patrol and camper trailer. One day we only did 40km and numerous rescues. They eventually ran out of fuel as they could not get over most of the more difficult dunes. They had to find alternate routes often diverting up to 2km off the track. They broke part of their trailer coupling and both vehicle and trailer will never be the same again. The rescue required cost them $$1710 and they were only 4 hours from Birdsville.
There was also an abandoned trailer midway on the French Line.
The Simpson is no place for trailers.
If I were a member I would include a couple of "bogged trailer" photos.

Lindsay

John,
I've sent you a Member Message on this subject,
DickyBeach

Hi John, We agree with Lindsay. Trailers and sand dunes don't go well together. It can be done, but you may not enjoy your trip. You're going from Sth. to Nth, this is regarded as the hardest way for crossing the dunes, we went alone & didn't take our camper even though its a small, light one. There is a section of sanddunes which are like a bowl & there is a broken down vehicle on the side of the track in the bottom of the bow(l (2003) these people waited for 15 days for help & then had to leave the vehicle behind. They didn't have a trailer! If you're
going alone we don't advise it. If you're going with friends,they'll get sick of
towing you. Watch the Lifestyle video of The Canning S.R(available at explore oz) This is an organised tour it'll give you some idea but they're travelling Nth to Sth. the easy way over the dunes & have plenty of help. Tyre pressures are very. important so be sure to watch the comments at the end of the tape. This is an organised tour group which takes trailers . We came accross a couple near well 33 they were going Nth to Sth in a group, one couple had a trailer. The rest of the group were held up & inconvenienced by them, f
ights occured, ruined trip & friendships & all split up & went separate ways
You also have to consider other travellers,backing with a trailer half way up a sand dune & in tight,scrubby places where there is only room for one vehicle . There're are some very scrubby , narrow areas on the C.S.R. You get your vehicle scratched lightly but it might do worse to the material on the camper. There is also a sharp creek crossing. Kind Regards Sally C.

Hi John, Sorry for the delay. I had to work Monday. I,m sure that I saw it listed in the E.O. shop in the last newsletter The canning Stock Route by LIfestyle videos. It also has Desert Adventure on the front & it includes part of The Gunbarrel Highway Pilbara. I got my video from West print maps. From memory, they're in Minnyip Vic. See how you go with E.O. If they can't help you, let me know & I'll get the address in full for you. Remember when you watch the video that they're travelling Nth. to South which is the easier way to cross the dunes aparently, we plan to do North to South next year to see if it is easier. When you cross the Simpson be warned! The mossies at Dalhousie Springs are prolific and need an aircraft carrier to land on , they're silent but unrelenting. Good Luck, Bye for now.
Take care, Sally