TrackMuncher
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 45
 
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Norto,
What routes did you take on Simpson?
I'm planning to head out in September and was thinking of the Rig Road from west to east (on to Birdsville). Going to have two vehicles with young families so would prefer easier driving as apposed to "testing the limits".
I'm planning on taking 3 jerries for a total of 140 litres (makes me envious of the standard Prado tank).
Scott
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 Tue Jul 08 2008 5:32am |
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Desert Traveller
Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Location: South East Queensland
Posts: 329
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Scott,
The Rig road is easier in that there is less sand, BUT it is longer, corrogated and you will scrape the exhausts etc if travelling at over 50kmh. (look at my gallery for damage to the underside of my D3 last July). IMHO the French Line is easier but slower.
Where are you last fuelling in the west?
My fuel useages last year were
Birdsville - QAA - French - WAA - Rig - Mt Dare - Distance 448 kms using 116 litres, tyres at 18psi.
Mt Dare - Rig Road - K1 - Warburton - Birdsville Track - Munganrannie - Distance 678 kms using 107 litres tyres 18-28 psi.
I hate it when you guys get time to go out there and I have to work.  06 TDV6 SE with Extras
VW Eos TDI
Previously 01 TD5 and 94 TDI
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| Tue Jul 08 2008 6:43am |
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norto
Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1142
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Trackmuncher
We took the French line.
The dunes are rough and scalloped......two of the women got carsick.
I used about 100l of fuel Peter
"Global Warming" The religion of the left
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| Tue Jul 08 2008 7:01am |
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TrackMuncher
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 45
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Thanks guys.
Was the sickness due to bouncing around? I'm concerned that the kids will get sick.
And, the underside damage - is that from hitting dunes hard and bottoming out? Can you avoid damage by driving slower?
Was planning 3 days (or 4) so that we didn't spend all day in the car - would that make a difference?
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| Tue Jul 08 2008 8:17am |
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norto
Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1142
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TM
It was the scallops on the track and dunes that caused the problem.
On some of the dunes you need to keep up plenty
of momentum to get to the top........but dont let that stop you.
They had 80mm of rain just recently so the sand may
have flattened out a bit.
Put the 2" lifted Kings Springs on before you go and
that will give you enough clearance to avoid damage Peter
"Global Warming" The religion of the left
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| Tue Jul 08 2008 8:26am |
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Desert Traveller
Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Location: South East Queensland
Posts: 329
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Scott,
The sand won't cause any damage. All my damage was on the Rig Road, the hard clay base track with the high central crown.
3 days is a typical crossing and you will spend most of the time driving. The kids will get bored (sand dune after sand dune, 1100 so they say) so take something to entertain them. The French line is slow going you will average between 13 and 18 kms/hr. And as Norto commented, most tracks are badly scalloped. 06 TDV6 SE with Extras
VW Eos TDI
Previously 01 TD5 and 94 TDI
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| Tue Jul 08 2008 8:47am |
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