Simpson crossing again.

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 12:35
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Hi all, I didn't want to Hijack the other fellows thread about this, we will be crossing the Simpson West to East from the 11 April to the 15 April this year, after the Anne Beadell Hwy while on our way to Cape York. There will be 2 vehiclesin total both towing Camper Trailers, bearing in mind the earliness of the season (sand compaction of the different ways across) I am finding it a bit hard to choose between the French line and the WAA line, although with the tracks sand compaction in mind, am now leaning towards the French line out of the two, due to its likelihood of having more traffic to harden it up a bit. Both vehicles and CT/s are adequately prepped and we have plenty of self recovery equiptment. The questions to the seasoned Simpsonites are which would be the easier crossing? and what sort of temparature highs and lows can we expect? Please no sermons from the Mount on " you shouldn't tow trailers across the Simpson" Constructive input from people who have towed on a crossing gladly anticipated, with our travel plans, leaving them at Mount Dare is not an option. Thanks in advance, Kanga.
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Reply By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 12:50

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 12:50
Kanga,
I would not recommend towing a trailer on the WAA line especially early in the season. We were one of the first through, in April 09, and the dunes can get steep and are closer together than other tracks.
In my opinion the easiest way would be to take the Rig Road through to Knolls Track then up to the French Line and continue East from there.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:07

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:07
Chris thanks for the quick reply, I had discounted the Rig road as the information that I have read on the various crossings noted that the Rig road has become quite badly chopped up and gnarly on the clay dune caps ( or what is left of them). Although seeing the lone gum would be a plus. Thanks for your help, Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:29

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:29
We took the Rig Road again last year, East-West, and found it a very easy drive. Yes, the clay capping has broken up in places but is generally still there for the lead-up to and in between the dunes.
We were supposed to take the WAA Line, but due to a large body of water just west of Knolls Track, made this impossible.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 14:40

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 14:40
Thanks Chris, I appreciate your feedback. Cheers, Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:08

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:08
Prefer the French line myself , espically for west to east - but either way so much depends on the timing.

Not including water logged salt lake crossings the most difficult thing I have ever found out there was this effective road block on the rig road.

Picture is facing west.




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Follow Up By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:26

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:26
Hi Robin, when and where was that taken? We came across very similar on our April 2008 trip. This was the eastern end of the rig road, just before the K1 Line.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:52

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:52
Hi Robin,
Did you have a shovel with you? ;-))


Cheers

Brian


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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:04

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:04
Bu***r, hope you had a few shovels with you, hopefully that sort of speed bump was somewhere between Knolls track and Warburton crossing.
After much discussion with members on the route options, the route we will take from Dalhousie Springs will be:-
The Rig Road to Knolls track then up to the French line, on to Poeppels corner and QAA to Birdsville, as suggested by Rob further down this thread. All of this depends on the amount of water at the Eyre Creek crossing. Travelling between the 11 and 15 April this year. So I'll be on the phone to a couple of people before we leave Oodnadatta, to get some idea of the Eyre Creek situation.
Thanks to everyone who has added their thoughts to this thread, it just goes to show what a fantastic resource this forum is for the sharing of information and helpful relevant contact details.
If any one from this forum is out that way between those dates, feel free to holler out, and we'll blow the froth off a couple. Thanks again to all, Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 17:51

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 17:51
Hi Guys

Chris that photo was sep 2009 around the time of some big blows and to answer Kanga - it was just east of Knolls.


Had shovel Brain , but also something better
We took 3 trail bikes and these made made scouting much easier - h'mm note to myself , we would like to do Madigan this year - maybe I should try and fit my CRF-230 into the car as well.

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Reply By: Voxson - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:32

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:32
Forget the WAA with a Trailer.
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Follow Up By: Voxson - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:33

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 13:33
unless you have 500hp
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 14:43

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 14:43
Duly noted Voxson, I spoke with a guy who had driven the WAA last year he was all guns blazing, if you know what I mean, and I had some doubts afterwards, cheers, Kanga.
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 14:25

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 14:25
Hi Kanga

Firstly with the Anne Beadell, keep your tyres low, just as if driving on sand and it will make the trip enjoyable, we ran 18 psi front and 20 psi rear to take the corrugations easier. Great road out to Ilkurlka and from then on it is corrugated all the way to Mabel Creek and allow a minimum of 7 days from Laverton to Coober Pedy.

Going into Dalhousie the road was in worst condition than the AB, so again low tyre pressures.

Temperatures in early April for the Simpson will still be low to mid 40 's C with mild to warm nights. If you are lucky, you could have some days in the high 30's C.

If the desert does not get any more rain until then, then the sand will be extremely soft and large sections of the track blown over and there will be many times that you will curse being out there.

Due to the very soft sand, the maximum tyre pressure that I would use would be 14psi on your vehicles and 12psi on the trailer. You may find that you may have to go lower and if you do, always keep the tyre pressure lower on the trailer that on the towing vehicle.

Many of the dune crests will be blown over with sharp lips that may need a little bit of elbow grease and the use of a long handle shovel to make them possible to drive over.

Please make sure that you take extra fuel and water, as you will use a lot more purely for the soft sand and the constant boggings and the still high daytime temperatures.

If the Warburton Crossing is open, I would personally head that way after Poeppel Corner. From there out to the Birdsville Track is a good run with only a few dunes to cross and mainly a flat drive through. If your still a glutton for punishment, then the QAA line will be the real test at how many times you get bogged.

Forget getting over Big Red as that will be impossible at that time of the year towing a trailer.

If time is a problem, then head down the Oodnadatta Track to Marree, then up to Birdsville via the Cooper Creek ferry crossing and the Birdsville Track. It may be longer, but you will get to Birdsville quicker and not as stressed.


All the Best with your planning.


Cheers

Stephen
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 15:05

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 15:05
Hi Stephen, thanks very much for your helpful reply, I'm a bit surprised at your temparature forecast, I was thinking mid 30's for daytime temps, looks like we'll have to start praying for low to mid 30's now and hope for the best. We are more than likely going for the French line to Poeppel corner and will have had a chance to talk to travellers heading West to get some idea of the state of the QAA line before deciding whether to use it or the K1 and Warburton tracks to exit the area, thanks again for your reply. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - Barry (NT) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 15:15

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 15:15
Temps are mean highs 33-34 in April for NE SA,,,, so not to bad,,, occasional days into 40's...

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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 16:04

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 16:04
Cheers Barry, looking at the info on this site for the Simpson it shows the mean for April 28-29 degrees, but I realise there can always be a wild card, we had a night in Alice Springs in early Spring last year where it was 32 at midnight and minimum'd out at 28.6 in the early hours, just nasty trying to sleep in that. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 19:33

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 19:33
Hi Barry and Kanga

I can not personally comment for early April temperatures in the Simpson, as the very earliest that we have ever ventured out into the Simpson was one year in very early May.

As for mean highs, I would treat that with a pinch of salt. When you get back Kanga, you will have to publish here on EO the true temperatures in the Simpson. Coming in from March and the desert will be hot not unless it comes in some cold freeze. LOL!

For the 15 days that we were out there from very early May we had the first 4 days of :43, 42, 44,44 and from after the 44 days we then had day time temperatures of between 37 to 39 for over a week and then it settled down to 36. The nights were never cold and when we had cloud cover, the minimum only got down to 26 degrees, so it was very warm in the swags.

Even in early August we have had many days of between 33 and 36 so to go by what we have personally experienced, there will be no way that you will get daytime temperatures of 28 - 29 for very early April.

I do not mean to sound cynical just letting you know that it will not be a balmy Autumn in the Simpson.

Cheers

Stephen
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 20:24

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 20:24
Stephen, thanks again for sharing your experience in the Simpson, we will be sure to put something in the road conditions when we are able with relevant temparatures experienced along the way, I would like to have a chat with you regarding the trip, if possible could you MM me with your phone # and I'll give you a buzz, cheers, Kanga.
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Reply By: RobAck - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 18:52

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 18:52
I would not recommend the French Line with camper trailers at all. The issue is not the compaction of the sand it is the complexity of the track itself. This is the hardest track in the Simpson and can be challenging enough just with a normal 4WD. As well it's harder on vehicles and increases fuel consumption considerably.

Use the Rig Road, run up to the Corner using the Knolls track after going past the Lone Gum and then run across the QAA into Birdsville. You should check to see if the Warburton Crossing is open as this is your only exit out of the Simpson if things get to breaking point. At this point our information is that there is a lot more water already coming down the Cooper and that being the case then the Warburton may not open again this year. Which could make the Eyre Creek crossing a challenge once again

If you have not had any experience reversing camper trailers down gnarly, rutted and steep dunes then I recommend you reconsider your plan. The Rig Road can be challenging but for camper trailers it is certainly the best option.

Having stopped counting at 14 Simpson crossings and having run camper trailers across I reckon we have a pretty reasonable idea of how the desert can bite you.

Aside from that we are running two camper trailer tours across using the route I have described in June and July, all things being equal

Regards

RobA
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 20:31

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 20:31
Rob, thanks for your helpful reply, could you please email me at adriane@netspace.net.au with your phone # if it is OK with you I would like to call you to discuss it a bit more. Cheers, Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:04

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:04
Quote:"At this point our information is that there is a lot more water already coming down the Cooper and that being the case then the Warburton may not open again this year. Which could make the Eyre Creek crossing a challenge once again"

Just to clarify your reply Rob, the water coming down the Cooper system flows directly into Lake Eyre & not via the Warburton Crossing. Likewise the current flows down the Cooper have nothing to do with the Eyre Creek crossing on the QAA either. While widespread rain may mean they could all run simiutainiously, that is not the case at the moment.
Cheers Craig..........

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Follow Up By: Teraa - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:22

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:22
Check long range forecast for April and March at Elders weathers, prediction to be well above normal rain fall but then there is no such thing out here as normal rain. All that rain in QLD hasn't done anything to the Warburton in fact the desert is very much dry and the dunes are very hard but probably won't last long like that once they dry out some more. Temps vary as well they have been between 10 - 15 degrees below the year before look for a bit of cloud cover a sprinkle of rain makes for great camping I just bee camping in the Simpson under some cloud and it's Jan. and it was great and I am heading back out on Fri
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:48

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:48
Thanks for the tip, Google is my friend, I'll hunt up Elders weather, cheers. Kanga.
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Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 19:13

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 19:13
Last July we towed our Tvan, accompanied by travel partners with an 80 series and Jayco Flipper hard floor c/t, from west to east, via the Rig Road to the Erabena track, then north to the French Line, then east to Poeppel Corner and QAA to Birdsville. Towing is a hard slog through the dunes and as we got further east, the dunes got softer, resulting in some hard going. The Jayco broke a leaf spring one day one, just down the Rig Rd. We bush mechanic-ed it, picked up ALL the bits of springs, then nursed it the rest of the way across. We camped Monday night on the Rig Road, Tuesday night on the French Line just east of the Erabena Junction, Wednesday night at Poeppel Cnr, Thursday night at Lake Nappanerica. This was a very leisurely crossing, but we did stop and smell the wild flowers a lot.

West to east is the better way IMHO, simply because the dunes are steeper coming from the east, and I shudder to think how much vrooooom would be needed to tow a trailer over the dunes that way. We found on the QAA line that I was inadvertently riding the clutch here and there, double clutching to grab lower gears etc and eventually the clutch starting slipping which gave us a bit of a fright. So just be aware of that, I didn't really know I was doing it!

(LOL... I just looked at your rig pic and noticed you tow a Tvan too!! You'll be fine!)

Tyre pressures and momentum is the key to sand driving, I ran 16 psi all around including the trailer! Usually on sand I run 18psi, but that 2 psi difference made a lot difference!

Anyway, hope this tramble has helped somehow..... have fun! Don't forget to stop and see the flowers, when you get to Birdsville, the bakery makes the BEST camel pies!!!

Cheers

Brian

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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 20:44

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 20:44
Hi Brian, we are looking forward to trying what now must be the only good use left for a camel, the Tvan in the pic has been updated with a newer one (photo yet to be taken) based on the most recent threads, the Rig road seems to have shuffled its way to the top even though I hadn't considered it at all in the begining, do you have any fuel usage figures for the run you did Oodnadatta or Mt Dare to Birdsville. Thanks again, Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:51

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 14:51
Hi Kanga,
The only thing I know about the fuel consumption is this..... my GQ Patrol has 2 tanks, the main tank holds 92 litres and the aux tank holds 45 litres. I also carried two 20 litre jerry cans with us. From memory, when we arrived at the Birdsville Roadhouse, we had 10 litres left in the tank. My truck was running a bit out of sorts for that trip, as our fuel pump needed an overhaul 4 days before we left and my mechanic didn't have time to set it up again properly. I have an aftermarket turbo fitted, I didn't see turbo mentioned on your rig profile and am not sufficiently versed in Toyota specs to know from the model number? The only reason I ask is the turbo gives an advantage, but in the desert on sand dunes, I wasn't always "spooled up" so to speak... Our travelling partners 80 series is naturally aspirated and they had no more problems with dunes than we did.... We were using around 16-18 litres/100k's early in the trip, on outback roads like the Strzelecki or Oodnadatta Tracks. By the time we reached MT Dare, after 5 weeks of travelling, I was having way too good a time to calculate fuel usage! LOL..That figure obviously will rise for the desert by a little bit, but not much I would think. We found the sand was quite compacted on this trip, very easy to drive. In fact, and I say this ONLY to point out that we didn't experience too much difficulty, NOT to brag about driving skill, I was in 2WD for much of the journey, including the French Line. It really wasn't till the last bit of French Line towards Poeppel Corner that I was always in 4 High, and selected low range for the steeper, softer dunes.

The Rig Road wasn't terribly difficult, there are sections where the clay has broken up and left ruts, but that makes for a bit of "different" driving, beware though, some of these ruts are monstrous! One crept up on us, I saw it as we neared it, Gayleen saw it too, and we both thought it was just a dip in the track..... till about 2 secs before we hit it! I braked hard, not hard enough to lock up, just to wash speed off, and we landed in this rut that was about 4 feet across and about 2 feet deep! Whew!! Coulda been ugly! There's a few things to look for on the Rig, Pecanek's Grave, the old air strip, the lone gum etc... all worth a look! The French Line is spectacular, but you'll see a lot of it anyway.

Here I go... ramblin' again! LOL.... anyways, I hope this all helps somehow mate... keep us posted! If you any other questions, I'm only too happy to help!


Cheers

Brian

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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:15

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:15
Thanks for the reply Brian, the Troopy is the factory 24 valve turbo motor, it goes very nicely even towing the Tvan. The warning about massive rut/holes and fuel consumption figures have been noted. All things being equal we should have a good trip, we will update road conditions etc on this site when able. Cheers, Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:23

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:23
You're welcome Kanga.
Yep... you'll have a good trip! The Simpson Desert might be more "accessible" nowadays, but it's still an adventure IMO. And the sense of achievement of having conqurerd it is brilliant! One night on the French Line, we had owls hooting in small trees in a 360° arc around us, quite mystical really.... the following morning I rose early for the sunrise, and was greeted by thick fog! Talk about eerie!! And absolutely the most beautiful thing I have seen! Fog in the desert!

Cheers

Brian

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Reply By: bluefly - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 19:30

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 19:30
Good evening Kanga

Be very careful of the temperatures quoted from those who believe in averages.

I think it was Cecil Madigan who described the true nature of the country:

‘It is characterised by several drought years in succession when there will be no more than 2 inches in the year, then perhaps a fall of 12 inches will come. It is better described as 10 inch or nothing country’

The above also relates to the condition of the country, and as others have pointed out, the overall condition of the route.

In general terms the sand is very soft and not conducive to travel so early in the year. You’ll also need to be aware of ‘cut always’ caused by wind erosion beside whatever track you decide to take.

Some of the dunes towards the eastern end of the French Line may have considerable cresting at the top and steep exit points on the other side. On the other hand, if early spring rains come through, things can get a bit uncomfortable.

You seem determine to do this and I wish you well. At the end of the day, that’s where experience and adventure comes from.

Cheers




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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:05

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:05
Thanks Bluefly, we have been planning this trip (4-5 months in total) for 2 years now as part of a semi lap of the block and have permission to go into and through some fairly remote and less travelled parts of the country, although not being hell bent on driving through the Simpson it does make a logical choice to get to Birdsville from Coober Pedy and continue on our trip to Cape York, if Queensland ever dries out enough. After the last few replies it looks like the Rig road - Poeppels and the QAA will be the route chosen. Any help with expected fuel useage for Towing about 1.2 tonne from Oodnadatta to Birdsville, via this route, with a factory turbo diesel Troopy and/or a 4.2 GU Patrol, dragging about the same weight of Camper from anyone would be appreciated. Thanks again Bluefly. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:00

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:00
Ahhhhh my turbo question answered! LOL.. I answered further below Kanga, but something I forgot to add was.... I carried two spare jerry's of fuel, I would probably take three next time..... just to be sure......

Cheers

Brian

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Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:00

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:00
Yo Adrian you busting to try out those new Maxtraks? Have a great trip and see you when you get back.

Dunc
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:14

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:14
Hi Dunc, our travelling companions just got a set, forwarned is forarmed I really think we will need them, still haven't had to use mine yet, marvellous things Diff locks. If we don't catch up before, we will be volunteering for the Safari again this year and I'm betting you are too!!! Take it easy Dunc. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:59

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:59
you betcha. Spent NYE at a party with Ron & Wendy so Safari was a hot topic of conversation. See you in September if not before.

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:11

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:11
Gday Kanga,
At least you've got the decent vehicle and trailer :-)

But to add to the comments above, it gets hotter out in the desert than the Birdsville or Oodnadatta temps would suggest because there's very little shade out there and you don't get the cool southerly winds that come in winter.

The west sides of the dunes get hit by the afternoon sun, and early in the season soften up more than the eastern sides - you might find it easier to give up early afternoon than press on. If it all gets too hard, you can always turn back.

I'm guessing Warburton Crossing will still be closed come April. In any case, the last 100km of the Rig Road to the K1 line will be impossible with a trailer in April - probably impossible without one - very loose sand and crests on the western faces - especially the last few dunes before you hit the K1.

Cheers
phil
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:25

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 21:25
Howdy Phil, the recommendation from a reply was to go Rig road to Knolls track then up to the corner and on to QAA and B/ville, as you have a similar Tug and trailer ( both good bits of kit ) do you have any relevant fuel consumption figures Oodnadatta- Birdsville via the most likely aforementioned route, cheers Phil. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:08

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:08
Kanga,

I would be flexible and attempt the French Line first - I haven't done the Rig Road since about 2002, but it was an aweful drive back then - the Knolls Track is a slow run (gypsum bumps), and the dunes between Knolls Track and Poeppels are more difficult than the ones on the French Line west of Knolls. So if you can't get over the French Line to the west of Knolls then you won't get further east anyway. The QAA dunes are bigger but expect you'd want to take a lot of the chicken tracks. the beauty of coming from the west is that the French Line gradually gets more difficult. The problem with travelling in April is that there will not have been much traffic and the tops of the dunes are just free soft sand, but if you are lucky you may get some rain in the weeks leading up to your trip that makes the travelling easier. Conditions in the Simpson vary a lot from year to year and month to month, so the advice given from someone who travelled it in August may not be good for you.

We've only had the Tvan for 12 months, so haven't crossed the Simpson with it. The Tvan has been across the Simpson before - but with its previous owners - I reckon my Tvan has seen more of Australia's deserts than I have!!!)

But my information for my HDJ79 (not towing) on previous Simpson trips are:
#1 96 litres for Oodnadatta to Birdsville via French Line (firm sand, easy trip in August 2007).
#2 15.5 L/100k for a cruise around Madigan Line and Hay river and K1 in 2006.
#3 14.5 L/100k for Jervois to Mungarannie - Hay River and K1 in 2005. (K1 is easy travelling, so artificially improves the consumption figures)

I was out in the GVD pulling the Tvan last August and got about 15 l/100k.
I also have done a couple of trips with a good friend who has a HDJ78 and Tvan and he usually uses an extra 1.5 l/100k compared to my vehicle not towing. He also did the lower 1/2 of the Canning with us in 2008, and got around the 16 l/100k mark with a mixture of driving.

I have a theory that the further you lower your tyre pressures (whether for sand or corrugations) the better the fuel consumption - it helps you climb the dunes without fanging it, so you don't need as much accelerator. I start with about 16/18psi in my vehicle and would lower the Tvan tyres until they have a good bulge. The only problem I've had with this is I delaminated the sidewalls on some Goodyear MTRs when I did the Anne Beadell and Gunbarrel Hwys in 5 days of 47degree heat and big corrugations in October 2005.

I'm sure if you go ahead with this, you'll use your common sense - if you get hit by a heatwave or the sand is too soft, then backtrack to Mt Dare, Andado track through Harts Range and go across the Plenty - still a very good trip.

Cheers
Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:15

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:15
I forgot to state the obvious and that is in April, your fuel consumption will be greater than mine is in the middle of the year. Also mine has improved since the 3" exhaust went on. I may have missed it above, but I'm also hoping you'll say that you're not travelling alone!

I have to admit that I have no plans to take my Tvan into the Simpson Desert - I'd much rather swag it for those trips, but realise that you're doing a lot more than just a Simpson trip.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:26

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:26
Whoops- forget my comment about travelling alone - just reread your first post :-))
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:42

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 22:42
Phil, a fair bit of commonsense there, if we can't get up the dunes in the Western end of the French Line then forget the Eastern end, food for thought. I was reckoning on 20 litres per 100 kms for fuel useage and will carry enough for that consumption on the longest route, I just had a yarn with Stephen L an EO member and he tells me that the track through from Hamilton to Dalhousie is most probably closed off to anything other than Station traffic. This will mean going to Mount Dare. So I suppose we can ask whoever we see at Mount Dare, Dalhousie Springs etc if they are travelling West, what we are to expect on the route that they have taken for the most recent conditions and weigh up the options, thanks again for your very helpful reply, and happy trails with the Tvan IMHO they are unrivalled as an Off road trailer, and reasonably accomodating with creature comforts. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 23:27

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011 at 23:27
Yes, the Pedirka track has been closed a fair bit this year. Its always been a bit of a rough track - just a bit slow.
Phone up Dave at Mt Dare and he'll give you accurate info. Certainly worth topping up fuel there if you're going that way. 20l/100k sounds realistic.
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 00:13

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 00:13
Thanks Phil, we will be making a few calls before leaving Coober Pedy, Mount Dare will be one of them, just in case we have to miss the Simpson altogether for some good reason, and get to Birdsville via the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks. We'll see what April brings. Cheers.
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:03

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:03
Just a comment on your follow up about Mt Dare.... Jeff at Mt Dare is a wealth of information IMO....

Cheers

Brian


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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:19

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:19
Thanks Brian, we have a few phone calls to make before leaving Oodnadatta, and Mount Dare is on the list. Cheers, Kanga.
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FollowupID: 712774

Reply By: Kanga1 - Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:30

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 at 15:30
Thanks to everyone that contributed to this thread.


After much discussion with members on the route options, the route we will take from Dalhousie Springs will be:-
The Rig Road to Knolls track then up to the French line, on to Poeppels corner and QAA to Birdsville, as suggested by Rob in this thread. All of this depends on the amount of water at the Eyre Creek crossing. Travelling between the 11 and 15 April this year. So I'll be on the phone to a couple of people before we leave Oodnadatta, to get some idea of the Eyre Creek situation.
Thanks to everyone who has added their thoughts to this thread, it just goes to show what a fantastic resource this forum is for the sharing of information and helpful relevant contact details.
If any one from this forum is out that way between those dates, feel free to holler out, and we'll blow the froth off a couple. Thanks again to all, Kanga.

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