Thread: Simpson Desert - Puma Fuel Requirements

At least you have a 110! Trying this in the 90 will be much more 'interesting'!!

When RU off mate?

July/August if all goes well.

Dave G

I did it in the Tdi with a standard tank west to east and used a tank and one jerry,I'd take three just in case you hit bad weather or soft sand,I'd also ring both Mt Dare and Birdsville before your last fuel stop and make sure both have fuel. Pat

I did Simpson last year West to East in a 3.5T fully loaded 130, also acting as the recovery vehicle. Oodnadatta to Birdsville 117ltr. Bobby in his heavy 110 used about 110ltr. Stefan in his heavy 110 used less than 100 ltr.

Birdsville to Mt Dare is about 60km shorter in distance than to Oodnadatta.

Also factor in fuel for side tracks if you are minded to venture off the main route.

Don't put all your eggs in the basket for Oodnadatta or Mt Dare or Birdsville (to a lesser extent) for a certain fill up. Just as we filled up at Oodnadatta the pumps went down. We waited for 2 hrs for them to be fixed so we could take a splash in a reserve tank but had to leave because time was against us. Long and short, expect a spanner in the wheel from time to time and be prepared for an alternative plan.

MLD

Hi

I am planning on travelling west to east in early July with the 2.4 Puma and was planning on needing 110L so I was looking at 3 jerry can in addition to the standard tank.

I was being very generous on my calculations as I will be towing a camper trailer as well as the Simpson desert is the return leg of our trip.

I will be watching with interest to see what others have used.

Richard

As MLD says, much depends on the Gods....but I found also that a huge difference can be made from throwing the vehicle into neutral on the slope descents.

Now with West to East, that's easy.....the descents are long and gentle....it's the climb up each dune that's steep and sharp and for you, travelling toward the setting sun, the long climbs will mean more fuel consumption. On many of the dunes you'll need a lot of momentum to get you up there as well, I'd have thought.

So, conservatively, I'd estimate how much you're going to use, and have a long, hard think about taking an additional jerrycan in case the fuel at Oodnadatta or Mt Dare is unavailable.

I filled up the (heavy) 110 in Oodnadatta (standard tank + a 45l aux tank, 118l total) and two jerrycans came across with me and didn't get used. Going the other way would have required one of them at least, or so my intuition tells me.

There's a LOT of peace of mind in having spare fuel with you.

If I were going to do the trip again, I think I'd do it west to east again....that cold beer and a feed at Birdsville was amazing. The second and third weren't bad either. Mind you, the dip in the hot spring at Dalhousie would have been nice after 3 days in the desert.

Either way, fill up your jerries before fuel hits $2 a litre and have a safe and tremendous trip. I look forward to reading the report.

Thanks for all the feedback. I think a minimum of 3 jerry-cans to be comfortable.

I had been planning east-west but will give the other way some thought - Birdsville does sound like a good reward for a successful crossing.

Dave G 🐪

IMO the Birdsville Pub is a good reward for any excuse you feel inclined to bring up. It's a lovely 'watering hole' with great ambience, and the beer is REALLY cold

Sadly, I am yet to do a Simpson crossing, but have been to Birdsville several times. I'm planning to go for another look at the races this year (not the time to go if you want solitude, but great fun).

Please take plenty of photos of your trip and share with the forum