Question: Canning Stock Route

Yes, the people who maintain the track ask -

"Due to damage to the track by trailers, it is requested that trailers not be taken."

Motherhen

yes in July this year, not a problem , let tyres down to 18psi all round and take your time

Andrew

Well said
But have to add that many ofthose overweeight high pressured fools with poor driving techniiques then someetimes hooks up trailers themmsellves doing even more damage
The theory only holds if all drivers towing trailers are saints
Sadly they are not.

CJ

we have a nissan 4.2 DT, KK is fairly new for us only had it 18mths and haven't taken it to any deserts yet only been out west to the plenty , up gulf country, bloomfield and cape with it.
We've only ever taken swags and basics when doing desert trips in the past Wanted a little more comfort since we have a few more greys than we used to. My husband has been driving 4WDs for over 40 years and even trucks up the cape in his younger days doing telegraph work. We'd rather take it easy and enjoy the trip no sense in rushing, life is too short!
We have heard stories of folk in single vehicles doing lots of damage to the track "Let'r rip!" and "give it heaps!" are some of the words heard over the 2 way!!!
Thanks for the info.

Ree
This reply of yours actually sways my view on your question. By the sounds of it you and your husband have the experience, patience and preparation to do this well. With or without the trailer.
My replies are genuine, and admittedly answered the question in general terms rather than to you personally based on your experience.
I am sure you will enjoy it, all the best it is a wonderful trip. Pack sensibly, and IMHO watch your weight

Ree

I forgot to mention the way the track winds through dunes, the inclines come with out warning, with a trailer you will be concentating harder. The mental stress is a lot harder.

Alan

Alan,

I'd hate to open a trailer load of worms here
But because you did it with a TVan I wouldn't suggest Ree does it with a KK

Although the KK is good (and better than the TVan in size and some comforts, it is a very different camper to tow. Looong drawbar, very heavy on the towball compared to the TVan. If you get yourself twisted in a TVan, two adults would be able to unhitch, turn, and re-hitch if required. Simply not possible with the KK

Plus then the KK running gear is no match to the TVan (really opening a can here) but it is an honest opinion that one should consider when doing the most remote and longest desert track in Aust (world?)

Yes it can be done, no doubt. But probably shouldn't

Hi CJ

We passed several KK's on the track along with lots of generic brand trailers, some doing it easy and some hard.

You are right about the long drawbar and weight, but as I mentioned you need to get the balance right.

Right tyre pressure, gear selection minimises chances of getting caught up as well.

By the way the Tvan still has a lot of weight on the draw bar, approx 110Kg so moving manually in sand would still be difficult.

The poster didn't mention what he will be towing with or his experience these will also make a difference.

Alan

Thanks CSeaJay and Alan,
My husband has around 40 yrs experience with 4WD (see one of my follow up responses earilier on in the blog) we have a nissan patrol 4.2 TD ute and have done the plenty (striking rain halfway across - we had to detour to Urnadangie as the road was closed....remember when it rained in Central Aust last winter?) we have also been up the bloomfield, gulf country - west to east all trips towing the KK. We have travelled the desert before but not towing anything just the ute, swags and the basic basics. This is a much longer trip and we were thinking a bit more comfort might be good we are talking around 5 to 6 weeks away. We will be travelling with 2 other couples (3 vehicles all up) and more than likely we will be the only ones towing, the others have various set ups on the back of their utes.
I know the KK is considerably heavier than the Tvan, we have added air bags to the ute, kamper has same tyres as ute and the heaviest part of our load is fuel (long range tanks), water (tanks on KK and ute) and food for a few weeks.
Not sure what out total load would be at this stage.
The more weight the more the fuel consumption etc etc .....early stages of planning for the trip and will certainly weight up the pros and cons.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights.....much appreciated.
Ree

You got it all in one Bucky, those tyre pressures are exactly what we run with no problems at all, we did it in a T -Van but a KK would do it quite easy too.

My two bobs worth for the day, Cheers Steve.

I ddi it wth a Pioneer camper & my firend had an Austalian Offroad Campers Odyssey with gull wing boxes etc, probably the closest thing, dimension & weight wise, to a KK.
Neither of us had any issues whatsoever, take it & enjoy the trip!

My wife and I did the top half of the CSR 2010 with a nissan 4.2 TI [upgrade ] and a 2006 KK the only prob that we had was on one dune where a LC 200[left his mudflap] owner bogged on the base of a dune and caused me some angst-- dropped the tyres from 24 to 10 and walked over.The only prob you will have if someone messes up your side of the dune by bogging their way up. End result take your KK anywhere --with care --and above all take it easy, I will do the second [lower] half next year for about the 3rd or 4 th time and do not expect any drama's. You will be in rough country slow down drop the air pressures and do not allow your tow vehicle to "pigroot' up the dunes. Take the KK and have a darn good trip. --- I always do!!!!!!