Since I'm still smiling after the trip we've just come back on, I really wanted to share how
tyre pressure really impacts the car on corrugations.
We spent nearly 2000km on dirt recently, across the Tanami from Alice to
Halls Creek and then from
Halls creek across the Duncan/Buntine to near
Daly waters.
I bought myself an ARB compressor, the single cylinder unit mounted in the plastic box for the trip. I also scored a good
tyre pressure guage, ezy deflator and some other bits in anticipation of having to use it a fair bit on the trip.
The Prado 120 was loaded pretty much to GVM, we had 180L of diesel in the tank, 60L of Jerry Cans on the roof, additional spare
tyre on the roof and the car fully packed. I'd also just gotten rid of the original Toyota
suspension and installed the Tough Dog setup.
Across the Tanami I ran the tyres (at cold) to 29LB, when they heated up they were at 32LB. We sat on 85km/hr for most of the way and I must say the ride was fantastic. I was totally impressed at how smooth we ran across the corrugations. Same for the Buntine, absolutely soaked up the ruts. One section of the Buntine I got a little lazy as it was late and i wanted to get into
Daly Waters and there were heaps of roos out. at 40LB, it almost shook us to death for the 50KM, I had to stop and let the pressure down.
The ARB compressor made it so easy, it was definitely worth the money. I've put a 50AMP Anderson onto the Bull Bar and put the Anderson onto the compressor cable, its so easy to pull up and plug it in without having to pull the Bonnet.
I spoke to a few folks travelling and I was totally surprised at some of the comments about "I've tried
tyre pressures and given up".. Like WOW, was totally the opposite.
I've found the sweet spot for my setup and every time I see dirt the wife "sighs"..compressor time :-)
Again to most folks here I'm probably speaking the bloody obvious but I paid attention to a few of the more experienced folks up here in Alice and it sure paid off !
Cheers..Pete