Simpson Desert and Campers

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 15:05

ThreadID: 98559 Views:4204 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.

Simpson Desert

Section: Treks

The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.

Bill01

Just returned from a 3 week adventure accross NT/ SA/ QLD. Saw some awesome parts of the country including Uluru, Olgas, Kings Canyon and Lake Eyre. Finished the trip off with a week over the desert heading West to East. I know its been said a thousand times, but if anyone is thinking of crossing the desert with a trailer think twice. I spent the last 5 days of an awesome break snatching an idiot in a 3.0l Patrol towing a Jayco Swan accross the Simpson. I was in a Hilux Sr5 with a canopy and roof rack. In my opion the only way to see the desert is in a tent!! Not only did he partly ruin my experience but probably has done significant damage for the traffic behind him. Other than that what a trip - recommend it to anyone!!

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 15:57

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 15:57

A jayco swan is a looooooong way from a capable camper for that trip. As has been argued on this forum a zillion times a good camper is not a problem with a capable driver.

Tony

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AnswerID: 496797

Follow Up By: Crackles - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 17:03

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 17:03

Absolutely agree Boo. Nothing wrong with towing a suitable offroad trailer that isn't overloaded with an appropriately powered vehicle. Clearly a novice towing a Jayco doesn't qualify.
Cheers Craig........

FollowupID: 772507

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 16:51

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 16:51

I agree.
It doesn't matter how strong/weak the camper is - its the extra stress on the vehicle that stops me from towing in the Simpson.
Sand will be getting softer this time of year too.

AnswerID: 496801

Reply By: Member - TLC 001 - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 18:11

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 18:11

Hello Bill,

out of curiosity, how did the idiot repay you for your fuel, yet alone your time effort and wear and tear. Did they have their own strap? That said, you are like me and could not leave them in trouble. On behalf of the idiot, thank you.

cheers..

AnswerID: 496809

Reply By: muffin man - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 19:01

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 19:01

You spent 5 days!!!! Surely you must have come across this guy close to the start of the simo. Was he at the point of no return or could he have been told...go back to Mt. Dare via the rig road and let you do your own trip. By all means help but 5 days is too much particularly given the reasons you describe.
Bob

AnswerID: 496812

Follow Up By: Off-track - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 20:05

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 20:05

My thoughts exactly!

FollowupID: 772522

Follow Up By: Iain M - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 20:13

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 at 20:13

My thoughts too.
Yeah mate I'll snatch you out of this the way you came!
You were very genorous to "look after" this bloke, he was travelling on his own I'm assuming.
Hope he was good company in camp

FollowupID: 772523

Follow Up By: Danna - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 at 22:33

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 at 22:33

Hi guys
One have to have really well, well prepared and modified strong vehicle to make it these days thru Rig Road. Not only that, but to know how to drive to get over some incredible dunes. That’s why only a hand full of vehicles goes that way each year. We went that way as we wanted to also personally visit Mokari Airstrip and monument of one of the heroes Jaroslav Peckánek / Pec of Oodna…. we heard from people in Darwin that “Oodnadatta was Pec & Pec was Oodnadatta” and at that time Oodnadatta was best ever.
When it comes to stupidity, some people should get Logie Award!
We met idiots in Kia Sportage on Simpson on QAA in tagalong group of 6 vehicles.
That tagalonger must have had been bloody desperate for mighty $ to take those people…The Kia was still sitting about week later on trailer in Birdsville when we come for re-supply for Hay River Track.

Cheers Dana

FollowupID: 772609

Follow Up By: Danna - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 at 22:38

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 at 22:38

Interesting link

Jaroslav Pecknek / Pec of Oodna

HooRoo Dana

FollowupID: 772611

Reply By: David - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 at 16:03

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 at 16:03

I could not agree more. You can luck it, but in a tough year, it is very difficult. I've helped people with campers in very difficult years- they all agree with you- they were about to give up.

AnswerID: 496864