First 4wd trip need help

Early January will be very hot (usually) try 40C+. Roads should be good, usually well graded gravel type, but the weather this year may mean they are below normal standard, and expect corrugations (lots of them) .

There will not be much traffic that time of year so you would need to be as self sufficient as possible for repairs especially tyres. As for Coward Springs, the facilities would be available but there will be no-one there that time of year. We were there last week and no-one in attendance, it was also 37C mid afternoon.

In short as you are inexperienced I would advise against the trip that time of year unless you have at least one other vehicle going with you and even then....,.

HOT HOT HOT in January, need I say more.

Stevesub

i woud perhaps mention where you are leaving from and what exactly you want to do and the many and vastly experianced people on here will suggest an itenery that will suit your needs and more inportantally your 4wd experiance ..... i.e. are you towing, what gear do you have, do you have communications (essential for that time of the year) ..

As for that time of the year, HOT, HOTTER AND EVEN HOTTER and if you assume the car is aircond then it will break down and turn the trip into hell, and there is rain and storms and well i could go on ....... only Bear Gryliss, Chuck Norris and Mc Gyver are out there at that time of the year, thats only 3 people to help you out ....

I've always thought it works like this - there are people who live and work in that region who know how to travel safely in the harsh summer heat. People without that knowledge or experience are best advised to stay away in the summer (this group includes me :-o). Bottom line ? If you can't maintain your health during a vehicle breakdown in the middle of a very hot summer (no air conditioner - no shade - extreme temperature)........... well......... you get the idea. Oh...... as I was reminded the other day....... Oodnadatta has the record of Australia's highest ever official temperature reading (no wonder the roadhouse is pink)...... and it's just up the road from Coward Springs :-o).

OOdnadatta trk .
is by name only , its a big wide gravel road . most times you can drive the family car on it . this year it will be rougher than normal because of the ext weather , yes it will be hot , make sure ya vehicle is well maintained .there are plenty of services available . Maree . Lyndhurst , camping at coward springs is
excellent . William crk , Oodnadatta . its not the big adventure you might think .
mechpete

Hello Helen,
I understand your predicament totally. Don't want to waste the time off and want to try out the new bus. The trip in itself is not a difficult one, and infact, I did the same trip back in 2004 in a Statesman of all cars.

I see a couple of options here.... maybe post where you intend to leave from. There may be others on here heading out that way that could travel with you or just keep check on your progress.

Secondly...how mechanically minded are you and/or hubby? I've been out that way a few times in the middle of Jan, and the heat can play havoc with your tyres. Blow outs are frequent so allow plenty of time to be able to travel at a lower speed thus reducing heat build up in your tyres.

Check in at local police stations and notify them of your intentions and when you can be expected to arrive at the other end.

Carry as much water as humanly possible. Take an easy to erect shade shelter. Good communications are a must...hire a Satelite phone. Standard mobile, UHF, SSB or 27mhz set are NOT considered reliable enough in a life threatening situation.

Talk to the locals at every opportunity and get some first hand knowledge of what lays ahead.

IF YOU BREAK DOWN STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE (this is in capitals for a good reason).

Drive to the conditions and not to a schedule. Take your time and enjoy the arid lands.

With careful planning any trip is possible.....

Fab.

Hi Helen,

You may find this thread interesting reading:

Summer Dangers

The video links in followup 1 to reply 4 are worth watching and detail how you can get into trouble very easily, even close to a capital city.

It willbe hot but your trip is achievable - if you are prepared.

Regards

Pete