Brisbane - Kimberley - Brisbane : Report Card

Nice to see another Defender being used properly. We did a similar trip two years ago in our 110 and it also never missed a beat right until the last 100km, when the Tom Wood Double Cardan propshaft managed to destroy a universal joint.

We also destroyed the the BFG KM2 255/80R16 rear tyres, they lasted about 20,000km and we bad enough that we had to change them over in Carnavon to a pair of Maxxis Bighorns. We had 2 ton on the rear axle when we took it over the weigh bridge fully loaded , and 1.4 tons on the front with just the two of us. What tyres did you run on your trip?

I've done another 12,000km since then on a Bighorns including coming back from Steep Point to Cape Byron across the middle and they still look good. They are our touring set, and we only fit them when we are going out, otherwise the OEM Continentals over used around town and to the beach.

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Originally Posted by miker

....... Destroyed the two new rear tyres by trips end, cracked a headlight, couple of minor dents and slight intermittent weep from the rear pinion seal...that's it. It was fairly pushed and lapped it up.

:D:D:D

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We did a similar trip last year in the 130, 16,000km over 9 weeks and the only problem we had was on the last day when we had a broken wire on the turbo actuator which caused intermittent limp mode.
The Munja track is very punishing on tyres. But then so is the Tanami, the Gibb and much of the Kalumburu road. We came south through the Gregory national park also which is very rocky terrain. We had 1180kg front and 2180kg rear over the weighbridge at Alice Springs, had 6 new KM2s in 255/85 and rotate them every 10,000km- including twice during the Kimberley trip. Spares to front, fronts to rear, rears to spare. We could just about watch the rears wear out before our eyes with that much weight on outback roads, but sharing the wear makes a big difference- still on the same set now.

I'd be back up there in a heartbeat- looking forward to next time maybe 2017.

Yes all of those roads are awesome, stunning, inspiring drives...and very hard on tyres (and shocks). Bridgestone D661 235/85r16 are the local choice in the northwest, they are very tough, 12ply rating. Never let me down and wear very well. They're also very good on highway.

Reducing weight for such trips is probably the most important factor. If your Defender is loaded to the ceiling, and you have a spare, swags, box, bag, jack, shovel, fuel and/or gas! on the roof as well, you've got way too much stuff. Swags and perhaps a second spare are all I ever carry on the roof and I always leave enough room for swags inside in inclement weather. Cut back on the stuff! And your tyres and shocks, bushes, brakes, etc will last a lot longer.

Keeping the weight down is pretty easy for a camping/fishing trip for a week or two with the boys, but living for months on end out of a 110 in all sort of weather, in many different environments, and travelling through pretty remote areas requires a fair amount of camping gear, water, gas, food etc. I could not imagine living out of a swag for months, and I know I would have been on my own if I even suggested it to the missus. My 110 had no problems with the extra weight, other than the rear KM2s chipping but the Bighorns have performed better.

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

Reducing weight for such trips is probably the most important factor. If your Defender is loaded to the ceiling, and you have a spare, swags, box, bag, jack, shovel, fuel and/or gas! on the roof as well, you've got way too much stuff. Swags and perhaps a second spare are all I ever carry on the roof and I always leave enough room for swags inside in inclement weather. Cut back on the stuff! And your tyres and shocks, bushes, brakes, etc will last a lot longer.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Sounds great. I'm envious. Any particular reason why rear tyres destroyed - just weight?

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Yeah, just the weight. They held up well for a considerable time but eventually as the weeks rolled on they were slowly eaten into. Ran pressures mainly around 22-24 psi on the rough.

Yeah I know it can be difficult to leave stuff out! And with kids, obviously different! A whole other challenge I'm yet to encounter 😳
... I've been able to get my packing down to pretty much the same gear for a weekend as for an extended trip. Obviously with more water and more food, but otherwise same gear. It's like some kind of zen training that I've honed over the years. I enjoy taking as little as possible. Having said that, as well as swags, I pack a freedom canvas tourer tent for bad weather or long stays.

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Originally Posted by miker

Yeah, just the weight. They held up well for a considerable time but eventually as the weeks rolled on they were slowly eaten into. Ran pressures mainly around 22-24 psi on the rough.

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Gee that sounds pretty low for a fully loaded Defender...22-24psi on the rear? I reckon that's part of your problem. I'd be running btw 35-40 rear if fully loaded on outback roads, unless on sand.

They are of course cold temps ie. will end up sitting high 20's - 30 when hot. Given chipping is the issue this is where I want to be. Conversely a 35 - 40 will end up around mid 40's when hot. With a load on big corrugation I'll pass on mid 40's.

Mike, would you change anything about the route taken, places visited or overall length of time? Eg more time at "A" and less time at "B" etc.

Scott

G'day Scott. Mate for the time we had and distance covered It panned out pretty well. However, in answer to your question we could have spent a couple of weeks just soaking up all Cape Leveque has to offer...take a tinny and, well the mind boggles. Anyone that seems to have been there agrees. Fabulous part of WA.

Also, we ended up arriving home a few days early and in hindsight wish we'ed stayed longer at McGowans or thereabouts North of Kulumbaru. Again, wish we had a tinnie. And also Walcott inlet at the end of the Munja Track. Not as remote as yesteryear no doubt, but you do still feel you have at been somewhere special...great slice of Aussie bush without the crowds.

A lot more bitumen this time and more fences along the remote tracks but still what a buzz to still be able to "hang a left" and drive off the road and find a great creek or bush camp. Still the lucky country.