Rental 4WD Camper for Canning Stock Route

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 28, 2003 at 03:20

ThreadID: 9351 Views:6213 Replies:10 FollowUps:2

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CDubsky

Hi,
we are planning the canning stock route next year. As this will be part of a 3-4 week holiday we need to rent a vehicle. Can anybody recomend a rental company (in the Area of Darwin or Alice Springs) that allows their rental 4WD Campers on the Canning Stock Route ?

Thank you for your help and greetings from Germany!
Christoph

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Reply By: KIM - Sunday, Dec 28, 2003 at 16:55

Sunday, Dec 28, 2003 at 16:55

Hi Christoph,
From what you have written on this forum I think you may need quite a bit more Information on the Canning Stock Route (CSR). The CSR is a seriuos undertaking which requires significant vehicle preparation which you will not find from a 4WD rental company.
May I suggest you contact me at kimmc@satlink.com.au and I will provide with the information you need to make this trip.
Regards
Kim

AnswerID: 41200

Reply By: Doylie - Sunday, Dec 28, 2003 at 17:04

Sunday, Dec 28, 2003 at 17:04

Yours is an ambitious plan Christoph ! Who wants to travel in Australia's most remote and lengthy outback track with a vehicle that somebody else has prepared ? I have no doubt that they will allow you to take the vehicle there, but they will no doubt remove ALL cover and enttilements to insurance relief, if you have any drama. Check the CSR link near the top of the page at www.vks737.on.net - Roy's page provides lots of worthwhile information and background to this challenging trip. See the trip pages here at Exploroz too. Overall, note the comment about burnt out vehicles and stranded travellers.
Even a 'bit' of that type of misfortune could cost you dearly in a rental vehicle. Whatever, hope you do have a great time wherever you go here in Australia."This is a situation, up with which, we should no longer put ! (W. Churchill, on plans to reduce 4WD access in some parks).

AnswerID: 41201

Follow Up By: CDubsky - Monday, Dec 29, 2003 at 20:10

Monday, Dec 29, 2003 at 20:10

Hi Kim and Doylie,
thank you for your feedback on my post. I also appreciate your comments and warnings on the Canning stock route, as this definitely is a serious undertaking! Unfortunately I don´t have the time and money to buy and setup a vehicle to travel all the classic treks in your great country :-(

I think it should be possible to do the CSR with minimised risk with a rental car. With good preperations, experience with 4WDs in remote ares and awareness for the possible risks we should be able to succesfully make this trip.

I just don´t want to end up paying for a nearly new Toyota Troopie from a rental company like britz or KEA , because of some minor problem and lack of insurance cover ...

To also minimise the financial risk, I need a rental company that allows insurance cover on the CSR. Would be great if anybody has a recommandation !!

Greetings form Germany!
Christoph

FollowupID: 303789

Reply By: Steve - Monday, Dec 29, 2003 at 20:56

Monday, Dec 29, 2003 at 20:56

Christoph: do us all a favour and don't try this trek in a rented vehicle, ill prepared and of which you have no previous experience... it will take all of 3 weeks to do the trip and how do you expect to spend the other week !

AnswerID: 41262

Reply By: Steve - Monday, Dec 29, 2003 at 21:08

Monday, Dec 29, 2003 at 21:08

http://www.discoverwest.com.au/mapall.html may be a ble to help

AnswerID: 41263

Reply By: Mal.h - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 00:01

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 00:01

Christoph.

Read this it might change you mind. These guys thought the same one survived the other didn't.

http://www.thewest.com.au/20031215/news/general/tw-news-general-home-sto117097-pic22379.html

AnswerID: 41284

Reply By: Goran - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 01:45

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 01:45

Mate, if you are dead set to do something as silly as traveling CSR in rented vehicle, do yourself the biggest favor of your life. Rent satelite phone, EPIRB and take plenty of water and food. Chances are you are going to need it.

AnswerID: 41292

Follow Up By: CDubsky - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 07:31

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 07:31

Hi Explore OZ Forum,
well, thank you for your comments ! Even tough it is difficult for me I am starting to change my mind ..... CSR on a rental vehicle does not seem to be the best idea.

During my next holiday either you will find me spending my time at the pool-bar of a tourist resort, trying to get over my disapointment with a lot of bacardi-colas .... or during my holidays over the next 8 years you will find me on my balcony , saving money to afford to set up a decent vehicle and have it shipped to Australia :-)

Regards and greetings from Germany !
Christoph

FollowupID: 303821

Reply By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 07:38

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 07:38

Christoph, there is much more to ur wide brown land than just the CSR.

Why not do a trip down the West Coast, you'll won't NEED to travel far of the blacktop (you could if you wished), you can have all the serenity you could hope for, and you could very easily have a unique Australian experience.

I should know, I've never been there, but it is actually higher on my list of must do's than places like the CSR. I would call myself experienced, but not experienced enough for the CSR.

Don't be disheartened by people giving you very worthwhile and helpful advice, tha Australian desert kills people every year.

AnswerID: 41301

Reply By: Phil G - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 10:29

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 10:29

Christoph,

Heed the advice from everyone here. Go somewhere safer. Your plan has a high chance of being unsuccessful and a burden on fellow travellers. You should also know that European tourists die every year in the Aussie outback by breaking all the rules that ensure safety. Had two more stuck a couple of weeks ago - one died, and the other one was very, very lucky. Both in 4wd rental vehicles.

AnswerID: 41313

Reply By: Joe - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:16

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:16

Christoph,

Glad to see that the warnings from the others have put you off doing the CSR in a rental – it really would seem unwise to try this sort of trek without a LOT of preparation.

It may be that we could help you to find the experiences you are looking for if you could just let us know what it is you are after.

Is it simply isolation?

Are you in love with the idea of driving through a desert?

Is it the history of the CSR that attracts you?

Or is it simply the scenery?

Whatever you are looking for I am sure we could help in some way.

Good luck.

Joe

AnswerID: 41325

Reply By: Rob - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 20:59

Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 20:59

Out of interest, nearish to Tobin's Grave we came across the authors of a CSR
guide book 2 years ago. They happened to be in a _rented_ 100 series. Of course they had the luxury of 8 other vehicles in their tag along tour - on whom I'm sure they would rely if their vehicle broke (wish I could say the paying tourees enjoyed the same luxury - but that's another story).

It's all relative - if you're on your own, then your risk increases. A rented vehicle may be riskier as you don't know its mechanical history.

How about joining a tag along (if you can find a fairly priced one - ha ha!)?

Rob

AnswerID: 41379