18" wheels tyre pressure?

[Vesko]

1. For sand?
2. For gravel (forest roads)?
3. For mud?

[mikehzz]

If it was me, 15psi sand, 20psi maybe lower depending on how it goes for mud and 25psi for gravel. The tyres won't bag out as much and you might hit a rim. Getting ready for Lake Eyre? Check Spudboys post in General Chat :)

[Vesko]

Yes, getting ready for Flinders as well :). A few more things to buyfor recovery and in a week time...

[mikehzz]

If you camp at Rawnsley Park then you can do the Arkapena Scenic drive. It has an all wheel section and another section for low rangers. I've done both and wouldn't hesitate to take the FL 2 on both. It costs about $40 and takes around 4 hours with really great scenery best done to finish just before sunset. You'll need the mud ruts setting to get up the steep sections. :) Some of the creek crossings were pretty steep entries and exits as well. Wilpena Pound has some great walks and lookouts. Drive out of the Flinders through Brachina Gorge, you can camp there in a free camp as well. You come out near Leigh Creek after driving through some fantastic scenery. The Flinders is one of my favourite destinations.

[Vesko]

That was exactly what I wanted to ask you – track recommendation:). I intend to spend 3 or 4 nights there driving to different bush camps around the park. I will definitely be one night at Rawnsley Park and also Wilpena Pound is a must for the walks. Brachina Gorge and the Sacred Canyon. AroonaValley, Blinman and Angorichina Village.I’ve read a lot about Arkaroola and wander if I should bother getting in this direction?

I am only concerned about one thing – the stock tyres (I already bought one extra , plus a full Tyrepliers Tyre Repair Kit). Do you think these tracks, especially the Arkapena Scenic drive are possible for my 18” tyres?
Thank you Mike.

[mikehzz]

I did my first trip in the FL2 out there on the standard street tyres. I went to Cameron Corner, Innaminka, Birdsville, into the Simpson, Plenty Hwy, Old Ghan track, Chambers Pillar, Mt Dare, Oodnadatta, Lake Eyre and Marree. I got a side wall bulge lucky it didn't blow but too bad to keep on the car just out of Mt Dare, and a puncture near Oodnadatta. Keep your speed down and lower the pressure is the best advice I can give. Nobody can predict whether the tyres will stand the punishment but it does help to treat them gently. Of course mine were 17's which are marginally better suited than 18's.
I have taken the FL2 all the way up to Arkaroola and into Warraweena. The gravel roads eat tyres in the north Flinders/Gammon ranges but my newer AT's came through pretty much unharmed on that trip. The whole area is a blast to visit I reckon. If you are coming from Sydney through Broken Hill then you can turn off at Yunta and cut across the back roads to either Arkaroola or Wilpena. Make sure you have a topo gps though as there are station tracks all over the place on the Wilpena route. The Arkaroola route is straight forward. You are getting pretty remote travelling to those areas so a sat phone or at the least a uhf radio may be handy in emergencies.

[mikehzz]

You asked about Arkapena...I think you should be ok as your average speed will be 10-15kph on that track. It weaves about the Chace Ranges on station tracks not roads so there are no surprises. The steep sections on the low range area are pretty loose rocks from memory and you may be slipping around a bit on slicks but the traction control on the FL2 helps a lot.
I thought Skytrek was excellent but it has changed since I did it and it no longer goes right up to the sky so it's unknown to me. It is also more expensive. Rawnsley Park has brochures on all the drives.

[Vesko]

Hi Mike, your first trip in the LF2 is quite impressive. I looked at the options to cut through the back roads from Yunta (which is a very interesting idea), but at the end I decided to be on the safer side of the adventure. I will concentrate on the region between Rawnsley Park and Blinman. I spent a lot for recovery gear (including the toppo maps) and there is no budget left for a satellite phone or even UHF radio):(. Without much 4WD experience it’s better to stick to the popular places. Next time:).
Mike, thank you for the always valuable information and advice.

[mikehzz]

The road from Wilpena to Blinman is tar all the way now. For the scenic route, hang a left just north of Wilpena and go through Bunneroo Gorge and then drive into Brachina Gorge. You can camp in there (no showers but toilets). Then you can drive to Blinman I think, and make your way back to the main road through Parachilna Gorge. The roads through all the gorges are good gravel but the rocks can cut your tyres.
The last time I did the back way I went Yunta, Erudina, Martins Well, Rawnsley Park. You could do it in a normal car if it was dry. Just the usual pot holes nothing hard about, similar road to the run into Yerranderrie but without the hills. I know you've done that one. Plenty of pics please :)

[dobbo]

We're heading out that way, leaving today, via the mad max museum in Silverton. If you have any hassles give us a shout on the forum. We'll be in a black Colorado and have appropriate tools and recovery equipment on board.

[Vesko]

Hi dobbo, this is very nice of you. I hope we will meet somewhere over a cuppa (not for emergency). It's good to know there are nice people out there :).