FL2 Kimberley trip recommendations

[sdm]

Hi,

I'm planning a first up trip for my FL2 to Kimberleys and beyond in Aug-Sep. Taking Ghan to Darwin then travelling down through Kimberleys mostly bitumen with some gravel roads like Bungle Bungles. All way down WA coast and back to Melbourne.

I currently have standard 19" road tyres and have read all the suggestions for different types of tyres for either off-roading or lots of gravel road work, which I'm not intending to do (that'll all come in future trips). Any recommendations and why I might change my tyres? I've had varying opinions so far from should be okay although not ideal to should change to all terrains or similar.

Also planning to do all travel in daytime, no early mornings or evenings if all goes to plan. Notice can't get bull bars for FL2, but can get nudge bar. Comments.

Last point, planning to load everything inside with back seats down. No camping, staying at motels etc all the way. Best to get a cargo barrier?

Any other suggestions welcome. Note I have no doubts about capability of FL2 to make trip with ease and I have done LROCV training course so have a good appreciation of just how capable this little fella is.

[richard4u2]

just finished watching the gall boys video crossin the canning stock route
give you an idea of the roads up there :D

[The ho har's]

sdm


On the road into the Bungles Bungles...we were not going to do this as we heard in the past how hard it can be as most is through private property so not a lot of maintenance..so we did the helicopter flight out of Warnum (Turkey Creek) which was fantastic..we were speaking to other travellers said that the road had been graded so we drove the 60 odd K's in...never again the road is twisty and hilly with LOTS of rental vehicles and it took us a couple of hours:(...we will stick to the helicopter flights in future and trust our instincts;)...BTW we were in our 130 DC defender with the camper on board.....

Mrs hh:angel:

[mikehzz]

I have done that trip except for the Bungle Bungles which was closed and you should have no trouble as the roads are excellent. If you are unlucky it will be hard to get an extra spare with that tyre size. I'm not sure if gravel work on low profile tyres is a good idea as it is mostly the side wall that cops it from stray bigger rocks, you end up with a bulge ready to blow at any time and a gouged rim. Many locals carry 2 spares on rims, you see a lot of Landcruiser utes with that setup. Anyway, it all depends on the conditions at the time, the same road can be way harder if you catch it at the wrong time. If in doubt keep the speed way down. From what I see of your trip the Bungles is the only off tar part any way. You can go on the beach at places like Broome, Eighty Mile and into the dunes at Coral Bay but once again there isnt a lot of bagging in a 19" tyre. Cheers, Mike

[PhilipA]

Just remember that the road into the Bungle Bungles has a couple of usually pretty shallow creek crossings .
I am not aware of the FL2 wading depth but you should be and a couple of the entrances exits have sharp little drop offs.

Last year the track in had only one bullduat patch about 40 metres long, but someone had still managed to flip an Ultimate camper there. There was a route around the bulldust and if it is still there I suggest you take it.
Even in my RRC with 205x16 tyres, I found the road so corrugated that I had to drop pressures to about 24PSI to improve comfort . With short sidewalls on a 19 inch wheel I suggest you will maybe have to drop even more, and your rims may get damaged.
Regards Philip A

[sdm]

Thanks gents for your advice. Much as what I expected but still nice to get views from those who have been there. My FL2 came with 19s as part of deal, wasn't by choice because I knew the "downside" for off-roading. As time goes on I'll probably get a separate set of wheels for trips and keep the 19s for around town. Well prepared for dropping pressure on "gravel" roads and no problem with keeping speed down.
Also going to El Questro and driving Parry Creek Road from Kununurra.