Thread: Fuel Usage - Simpson Desert

Sounds like u had a good Trip & u got better economy than what we did... when we did it (West to East) we fuelled up at Kulgera and then again in Birdsville via the Rig Road. The distance between stops 979kms for 159.82ltrs (16.3ltrs/100kms)

Your setup looks great - are you using 235's tyres - how did you find them?

Originally Posted by bln

Your setup looks great - are you using 235's tyres - how did you find them?

Yeah 235’s, it’s all I’ve every run on my defer’s.

They do the job….have considered 255’s

Originally Posted by W&KO

Yeah 235’s, it’s all I’ve every run on my defer’s.

They do the job….have considered 255’s

Great setup - do you have any details on all of your mods. Some more photos of your Defer would be great.

my first crossing of the Simpson in a 130 Puma loaded to near GVM (3500) & running 35's on French line i used 115ltr filling up at Oodnadatta and again at Birdsville. i was the recovery vehicle for a 79 series that was towing a camper and used more fuel dragging him over the dunes when he needed help and i spent too much time on Big Red trying to conquer the steep hill. A fellow traveller in a TD5 110 used under 100 ltr.

On the second crossing in same car same weight on Madigan line i used 130 ltr filling up at Birdsville and again at Mt Dare. The normal Madigan line is about 680kms but we missed a turn off and added at least 30kms to the trip having to double back.

FWIW the Madigan line is a better route in every way. Historic (follow the yellow star pickets), less chopped up, greater sense of remoteness (less cars). Hands down the best 4wd camping route in the country. All things going to plan, i'll be leaving Sydney on 18 June for another crossing this year.

The third picture, looking back along the line makes me nostalgic. Except for the vehicle, could have been one I took in 1965!

Originally Posted by MLD

FWIW the Madigan line is a better route in every way. Historic (follow the yellow star pickets), less chopped up, greater sense of remoteness (less cars). Hands down the best 4wd camping route in the country. All things going to plan, i'll be leaving Sydney on 18 June for another crossing this year.

On a tangent. What is Madigans Line like now? Has a track now worn in. I was interested that it has been star picketed, how are these spaced? This is something I'd like to do one day also.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

On a tangent. What is Madigans Line like now? Has a track now worn in. I was interested that it has been star picketed, how are these spaced? This is something I'd like to do one day also.

Rumour is that it’s so popular now that it’s getting cut up like the other tracks and you don’t need to navigate your way.