Jayco "On-Road" Hawk on the Oodnadatta Track

G'day I'm about to do pretty much the same route as you from Sydney in 5 weeks time with a jayco hawk outback 2008..from what I've read the oodnadatta track part should be do able with a non outback model... If your not going for a while I can update you when I go?

Gooday Michael : I found the large stone on some parts of the Oodnadatta track is the biggest problem .

but most of these tracks are good roads just need to take care .

we have travelled with people with an older van 90's ? through the central tracks with no major problems (on road van )

So check over your van, good tyres , suspension, etc , good stone guard & flaps

But if your going to do more travelling you might find it is time to trade up !!

good luck nick

You don't mention what suspension you already have on the Hawk.
I presume leaf springs.
If you want to use it I would consider having shock absorbers fitted if it doesn't already have these. A must on rough roads.

Can you fit larger tyre profile and wider size to the van so there is more air under the tyre so to speak. This carries the load more easliy and with less pressure the tyre will then be able to absorb stone impacts and road shocks far better than the original tyres because they will be a tougher tyre.
This also has the advantage of transmitting less shock to the wheel bearings, with suitable pressure these will increase the overall compliance of the suspension.
Less chance of you being in overalls repairing something.

This will most likely get you greater stability and less sink in softer stuff like mud and sandy areas.
Get advice on suitable tyres sizes to make sure they fit and not foul.

If you are leaving Kings Canyon and travelling the Mereenie Loop road to Alice you will probably find it far more corugated and rough than the Oodna trk.
Make sure you know of the 4psi rule for tyre infaltion and use it, be prepared to travel slower have softer tyres for rough roads so the tyres don't instantly puncture on the rocks, softer absorbs them and hopefully no damage, and carry a good compressor which can handle re inflation of all your tyres which you will have aired down to a suitable pressure for these roads.

Some people in the outback use the 30/70 rule. Nothing over 30 psi and nothing over 70kmh on rough roads.

Think about this for starters as there is a lot more possible and others will also have suggestions which might work for you. Some initial modifications are a lot cheaper than a replacement van.

Hi Michael,

We did the Oodnadatta and the Mereenie Loop (plus considerable other dirt)last June/July towing our Jayco sterling Outback van accompanied by relatives with a Jayco camper/van like yours. Both vehicles sustained minor damage caused by stones hitting pipes underneath..... a hole in an outlet pipe under our ensuite also a crack in the water hose somewhere which caused a slow leak....both repaired in Alice Springs. (also a broken rear numberplate light on our ute and a broken rear windscreen on the brother in laws ute canopy)

We were lucky to find most of the road in good condition and the roughest part was between the turnoff to Gosse Bluff & the West macDonnell Ranges and Hermannsburg.

Check the road conditions closer to your trip, drop the tyre pressures and slow down if necessary and drive to those conditions.
Also ensure you cover the rear glass on the tow vehicles to prevent stones deflecting and breaking it.
We also had a stone guard on the rear of our Navara but have many stone chips on the van front, so some kind of cover on your Hawk would be a good idea.

One of the main problems you may face is clearance especially in water crossings. There will also be a lot of dust inside when you pull up, especially on the beds, if your Hawk is like the brother in laws....they used to have to clean before they set up the beds on arrival in a campsite.

also check all screws and other bits which may work loose in the corrugations, and all the underneath bits each afternoon when you pull up, carry appropriate tools and spares, cable ties and tape.

Sounds like you have a great trip planned...

Regards,

Heather

We have a similer jayco finch that in its life was delivered as an on road version. I did do some mods to the jayco to cope better with dirt rd travel.Some of the mods included the swap over of axel from under to over springs to gain some extra travel height,adding shocks,steel or rubber stone guards on tanks,pipes wires etc on the under side,front stone screen,relocating spare wheel from body mount to mount onto steel rear bumper . Also i made up covers to stop dust entering in via fridge and door vents and a strip to insert into sail tracks that covered in the join of the roof onto the main body around 4 sides that was also for dust proofing.Tyes and wheels remain the same 14" but with a LT rated tyre
We have travelled many kms ,including a similar trip to the one you proposed, without any real dramas. Rocks and dust are the 2 biggest problems,but with some preparations and steady [slower] driving when required the is no reason why you won't succeed in your trip.Yes we could all go out and buy a ubeaut off road version but for the cost of the stamp duty on a change over,simple mods will see you go far.
goodluck
Russ

Hi Michael,

Which route do your intend to take into Lawn Hill? It is some years since we were there but maybe you should seek more info if you are taking the Camooweal/Riversleigh Road rather than going the long way through Isa, Cloncurry, and Gregory Downs.

Sounds like a great trip. I'd give a lot to be going back to Lawn Hill.

Min

Hi Michael,

Which route do your intend to take into Lawn Hill? It is some years since we were there but maybe you should seek more info if you are taking the Camooweal/Riversleigh Road rather than going the long way through Isa, Cloncurry, and Gregory Downs.

Sounds like a great trip. I'd give a lot to be going back to Lawn Hill.

Min

Thanks for all of the excellent information, it's been invaluable! Rather than buying a new (pre-loved) off road van, I've contacted my local caravan repair guy and talked about many of the suggestions that have come up. In summary, I'm going to get the following done, either by me or where it's too difficult by the caravan repair guy:

* Replace axle with heavy duty type
* Spring over converesion (required for more clearence)
* Replace leaf springs with softer leaf springs (only if required)
* Install shock absorbers
* Replace light wheels with off road wheels
* Reinforce chasis - make more rigid
* Install under body stone guards
* Install front stone guard on draw bar
* New electric brake solenoids (if required)
* Dust cover for fridge vent (we can do this if no standard fix is available)
* Dust cover for door vent (we can do this if no standard fix is available)
* Dust cover around roof/main body (we can do this if no standard fix is available)
* New main seal

Also, we're heading into Lawn Hill via Gregory Downs and Adels Grove.

Thanks again,

Michael