Anyone heading across the Simpson end of June?

Submitted: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 12:08
ThreadID: 95753 Views:2158 Replies:7 FollowUps:5
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We are supposed to be heading across the Simpson end of June but the 2nd 4wd in our convoy is making a one way trip to the wreckers after being written off so now we are stuck with what to do. So thought we would put it out there and see if anyone was heading across the Simpson at the end of June as we are a bit hesitant to go by ourselves with 2 little kids.

Or if it were you would you still go across by yourself?
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Reply By: Member - Rob D (NSW) - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 12:38

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 12:38
There will almost certainly be others on the Simpson at the same time as you and you will probably meet other traffic at least a few times each day. Having long range communications means that there is always help within a few days at the most.

You should be OK on your own if you have a reliable and well equipped 4WD vehicle, including at least a 2 inch lift, extensive recovery gear including maxtrax, snatch strap, shackles etc and preferably a winch and diff lockers front and rear AND you are experienced in driving in soft sand AND you have long range communications capabilities such as HF radio and VKS737 membership or else sat phone.

Having an automatic lessens the chance of getting stuck in sand.

Good luck.
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Follow Up By: Gossy - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 18:05

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 18:05
Don't scare them off! Winch, HF comms and diff locks are not required for the Simpson.

your own recovery gear and maxtrak is all you need to get yourself out of trouble. UHF will talk along way when on top of the dunes. You don't need to talk to the RFDS on HF when there is probably 10-15 cars within UHF comms distance anyway.

People (including myself) get across the Simpson without getting bogged once. It's really not that hard if you do the basics right (tyre pressure, speed just at the right time etc).

Have fun.
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Follow Up By: rainbowprof - Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 13:17

Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 13:17
Litlbalt, are you pulling a trailer?
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Follow Up By: Litlbalt - Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 16:29

Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 16:29
No trailer. We have snatch strap and UHF radio and will be getting a sat phone and maxtrax and have also done a fair amount of sand driving including a week on Fraser last year.
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Follow Up By: Litlbalt - Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 16:30

Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 16:30
And of course a long handle shovel
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Reply By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 13:15

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 13:15
Hi Litlbalt

I would say just go for it by yourself, you will be fine.
The crossing is actually not that difficult, and contary to what some people say the most recovery gear you need to carry is a long handle shovel, although carrying a snatch strap and shackles is always a good idea. I assume you would already have a UHF radio and sand flag of some sort.
If you happen to get in trouble, which I highly doubt, another vehicle will pass at sometime to help out.
Chris
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Reply By: dean e - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 15:00

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 15:00
Litbalt,
We are heading over in early July also with two kids. This will be our third trip but this time we are going solo and while we have mixed emotions of what if and excitement we cant wait. The last two trips were in the school holidays and you will come across people each day.
On top of your recovery gear either a satphone or HF will give you great comfort.
Dean
AnswerID: 486563

Reply By: gke - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 16:18

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 16:18
Hi there- Are you aware that Qld school holidays are June23 to July8? Should be a few people around!! Cheers, Graham.
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Reply By: Member - Outback Gazz - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 18:39

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 18:39
G'day Litlbalt

I've done the Simpson a dozen times - on every track and in all directions and the only recovery equipment I have ever used is Panadol and Berocca !

The only time I use the long handled shovel is for you know what !

I'm with Gossy - drop your tyre pressure, use correct driving technique and the worst case scenario is - you will use your shovel !

Have a good trip

Gazz
AnswerID: 486583

Follow Up By: Member - Howard (ACT) - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 20:20

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 20:20
this is perhaps the most truthful post re simpson essentials ever posted on this forum
cheers
Howard
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Reply By: rainbowprof - Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 13:16

Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 13:16
I appreciate the candid and reasonable responses of a number of the members. Take a shovel, tyre pump-compressor and common sense. A satphone is good value for peace of mind, but hardly imperative. Some people seem to get a bit hooked on the boy's toys and gadgets... A few extra bottles of water wherever they'll fit. Recycle your empty soft drink bottles and fill with drinking water.
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Reply By: RL boys - Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 07:17

Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 07:17
think it will be quite like a hwy that time of year
we are heading accross from east to west in vic school hols , group of father and sons ,we are expecting a reasonable amount of traffic that time of year
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