Just finished our second trip on the CSR our last was twelve years ago. The ten year old on that trip drove his own Disco on this one.
Twelve years ago we did the CSR in a disco TDI and a Cruiser, this year we did it in a TD5, a V8 3.9 and a Prado 120.
I don't remember the corrugations being as bad as they were this trip especially in the southern areas. The other issue we faced was no fuel drop to
well 23 as they now don't start to May( I know they stopped them due to the truck from Capricorn catching fire) but its a major issue with a gas gussling petrol vehicle along).
So we carried a lot of fuel, the Prado comes out best with a 180 litre tank, he carried five jerricans two of which were petrol for the V8.
The V8 with an extended tank carries seven jerricans.
My TD5 with a standard tank(absolutely useless in Aus 95 litre) carries eight jerricans for both Diesels with a fudge factor to get to
Well 33.
We made it..... just for the V8 running on fumes and the genny petrol.
Price of fuel for future campers is $3.20 litre for ULP and Diesel at the community.
Despite the experience of the various crew involved and the extended preparation we still copped a fair amount of damage to the vehicles as listed.
I soundly suggest anyone who does this trip, gathers all information available and thoroughly prepares their vehicle, most days at this time of year ar 45 Degree plus.
TD5
Both wing mirrors popped
Main battery died (the original so im not to fussed)(Thank you for Powerpacks)
Two Cooper S/T's burst on rocks (Not staked which was a surprise)
Trackmaster roof rack lost nuts and bolts despite continually tightening.
V8
Overheated due to Spinifex despite being cleaned out two hourly.
Scary petrol vehicles.
Holed exhaust
Lost taillight (recovered)
lost side inducator (masked in)
lost rear door trim (not recovered)
Prado
A/C compressor failed
Drivers side mirror smashed
Windscreen smashed (by sandflag pole no less)
Lost spotlight lens (not recovered)
Two Cooper ATR's holed in sidewalls by stakes,(we repaired one and it got staked again, repaired it again). Both will have to be ditched.
Rhino rack lost bolts despite continual tightening.
All in all we had a good time and even got some recovery practice in when I was lead on a claypan and while avoiding some nasty areas I put my disco down a ditch at a 45 degree angle.( My fault entirely).
It took all three of us to get me out (I count me as i was using my winch).
The redeeming factor was that the TD5 was the only vehicle to get over all dunes on the first attempt.
Crews consisted of:
Prado Tony and his son Tim
V8 Jake (Tonys eldest) and the Da (Bill a sprightly 73 year old)
TD5 Me, my partner Sharon and son Taye a boisterous 3 year old
We had a ball
TD5