Carnarvon Ranges,Puntawarri Track,Rudall River

I'll second all Matts comments - the Carnarvon Range is a great spot. If you're going in or out through Ned's Creek, don't forget to give them a call; they're great people!

Forgot to add. If your comming in from Kumarina Roadhouse there is some tight tracks that might be fun with your tvan. We werent towing and a few places we went to I wouldnt have liked to be towing.

Also there is a lot of fire wood about and a trip up to the top of M5 is well worth the view. The cairn on top is huge. Well worthwhile is a climb up to the top of Virgin Springs is great. We found some awesome little swimming holes looking out over the whole area.

Matt

Thanks for all that information, guys.

Hiya Mick, will you be out that way this year in, I believe, your new machine. I am sorry that we missed you last year.

John, we could bring our plans forward to leave York on Sunday 19th July and maybe catch up along the way somewhere. I have a sat phone and HF so contact should not be a problem.

Can anyone give me some info. re that section of the CSR re towing the Tvan. I don't want to have to be digging previous travellers holes any deeper by going that way with the Tvan.

I just hope that the area has and will get some decent rains because it was tragically dry last year. We first went out into these areas 25 years ago and the difference is amazing

Cheers

MikeH

Mike I know they take trailers on the CSR, however it is a no - no. The track is bad enough now!
There have been numerous comments on the trailer problem and the CSR.

Tony

Mike,

The TVan is probably one of the more capable off road trailers and I have confidence that section of the track should be OK.

Damage to the track is the real issue but if we are honest damage is not just done by Off Road trailers. There are plenty of laden 4WD travelers who don't bother to adjust tyre pressure who churn up the track just as much.

If you take your TVan, make sure you adjust Tyre pressure to the conditions. Keep them low in sandy sections and take it easy. Make sure you adjust the footprint of the TVan to match your vehicle, not simply match the pressure.

Last I talked with CSR management they have not banned trailers but discourage them, particularly to the north where sand dunes become bigger and more prolific. They indicate the real issue is poor tyre pressure management. If you take your TVan it is your responsibility to limit track damage so be prepared to adjust pressures regularly. A set of Stauns may help.

We are preparing for a trip something similar in June.

Have a great time

Kim

Mike, I mm'd you - did you get it?

Cheers.

G'day guys,
Have been away flying aeroplanes all week.

Thanks for the info. re the CSR. I have been 4wding for a little while, I did much of the desert testing for the original Range Rover (Velar wagon as it was known then) in the Sahara when I worked for Land Rover. My pet hate is people who will not/do not run tyre pressures consistent with the conditions. We met a guy out a Xmas pool with 39psi in his Nissan. I had 24/26/24 on my MTRs on the Prado/Tvan and was softening them off a little bit more with the corrugations around that area. I have 3 sets of Stauns set at different pressures to make the process much easier.

Hi John B. Just got your message. I'll email you.

All the best people
Cheers
Mike H

Apologies Mike,

I should be taking tips from you. I hate preaching to the converted. Maybe it was as much to let people know sensible camper trailer users exist. I also own a TVan.

Have Fun
Kim

G'day Kim,

No worries.

I am quite biased of course but the Tvan is the best off road camper out there but of course as you own one as well you know that!

When we were coming back from the High Country we met up with a group of Ultimaters on the Nullabor and one of them said to me "oh the Tvan moves around a bit on the road when you passed us" I said I don't think so it was just rocking on the suspension in the cross wind. They looked underneath, saw the wheel travel and then the fact that we had used all of it as there were marks on the bumps stops. We had been to a couple of quite challenging places in the High Country where we most certainly did use all of the wheel travel.

Maybe we should find an excuse to go Tvanning sometime.

Cheers

MikeH

Any excuse to take the TVan out is a good one.

We are planning to do the carnarvon ranges in at well 5 then up to tallawana track trough Rudall river to Telfa then up to Gibb river.

We did Rudall to Carawine 2 years ago & liked it so much we thought we would have another look & take some friends.

Does anyone know what the condition of the track into Rudall north of cotton creek is like. You need permission but I thought I would see if it was worth the visit before disturbing the locals for access.

I am also biased, we love out TVan. I love the handling and the fact it will follow where I want to go. The better half just loves it for the ease of.. well ease of everything.

Kim