Canning fuel consumption

[Peters1]

Hi heading to canning next year and doing end to end .
I was wondering what fuel consumption to expect on 97 Defender 300tdi wagon.


Was thinking of dolium extra tank that bolts on in where filler is and adds 45l plus some 3 x 20l jerries.

Any recommendations fof long range tanks

[djam1]

This might help

Canning Stock Route Trek Fuel Data @ ExplorOz (http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/TrekFuel.asp?TrekID=58&xc=1)

Always allow a safety margin some say 15-20%

[Patrol 32]

Djam1 I did some of the route a couple of years ago and was let down with jerry cans, mainly the additional weight of the can, but loosening caps as well. I looked into diesel fuel bladders which are cheap, light and robust. Flexitank makes and ships them and will instal a variety of inlet and outlet fittings to your spec. Flexitank | Pillow Tanks | ContainerPac | 4WD & SUV Vehicle Flexitanks | Inflatable Marker Buoys | Flotation Devices (http://flexitank.com.au/subproducts/marine.html)

[DeanoH]

Drove from Wiluna to Bililuna in the OKA in 2010.

Fuel was available at Wililuna, Fuel drop near Well 23, Kunawaritji and Bililuna. I'm told that the fuel drop at Well 23 may no longer be available so I'd give it a miss if planning unless you know for certain it's available.

The OKA weighed in at 4.5 - 5 tonnes and is powered by a 4 litre turbo (non intercooled) 4 cyl Perkins. It uses the same Bosch VE fuel pump as the 300 tdi.

On our 1200 Km (approx) run from Wililuna to Kunawaritji we used 216 litres where we refuelled at $3.20 / litre. The price was the same when we were there in 2011 and I'm told the 2012 price is $3.40. This worked out at 18-19 l/100 Km. Normal dirt road driving we get 13-14 l /100 Km.

You will get way better fuel consumption than this with the 2.5l 300tdi, I'd guestimate at 14l/100Km worst case. This means youll need to carry 170 litres, say 180 litres to round it off. Remember the OKA behemoth used 216 litres and you aren't going to get close to this.

You'll know your fuel consumption by the time you get to Kunawaritji so the relatively short 650 Km (approx) run to Bililuna will be easy to work out once you're there.

The rear tank on my 130 holds 80 litres so I assume yours does too, so you need to carry at least another 100 litres of fuel. I find it easier to carry fuel in 10 litre plastic fuel containers. Easier to handle, easier to lift and easier to store on the roof rack when empty (or full if your roof can handle it).

I've never been a fan of oversize fuel tanks, over the years I've seen too many fail or the mounts overstressed leading to failure. Good quality thick plastic fuel containers are a lot cheaper and whilst a little more inconvenient do the job. Also if you do get a hole you don't lose the lot when your fuel is stored in containers.

Deano :)

[bigmac]

Done the canning this year in May/June me in my 90 and a freind in 130 we had a fuel drop at well 23 of 200lts between us, we could not fit 100lts in each had to leave about 10lts in the drum. I had 160lts on board 100 in the 2 tanks and 60 in jerry cans. and the 130 had 180lts all up.
They still do the fuel drop and it was cheaper than getting it from Kunawaritji $3.lt compared to $3.45. We had enough fuel to get us to Bolga as we didn't go to Bililuna we were told by a tour operator that Bolga was cheaper and a nicer drive around the bottom of lake Gregory.
You will be suprised by your fuel consumption as you are only driving in low gears and slow as it is very corrugated and you cannot get any pace up to get on top them. We done 11,600 k's from Brisbane back to Brisbane and averaged around 10lt / 100ks. Had no problems and you will find it best to drive over the dunes in the AM. and spend a bit of time getting your tyre pressure right as you will be driving in sand one minute then over rocks the next. If you need any more info PM me and I will try to help you out.

Bigmac

[wally]

Djam1 I did some of the route a couple of years ago and was let down with jerry cans, mainly the additional weight of the can, but loosening caps as well. I looked into diesel fuel bladders which are cheap, light and robust. Flexitank makes and ships them and will instal a variety of inlet and outlet fittings to your spec. Flexitank | Pillow Tanks | ContainerPac | 4WD & SUV Vehicle Flexitanks | Inflatable Marker Buoys | Flotation Devices (http://flexitank.com.au/subproducts/marine.html)

One of those bladders might go nicely under the rear seat of a crew cab 130, for either diesel or water. Has anyone tried that? Easily transferred between vehicles too.

[PAT303]

Rota Plastics in Perth do plastic tanks that fit in the rear of a defender,they have a 100ltre model thats a good fit for $200,I would not buy a long range tank,they aren't worth the money. Pat

[justinc]

Rota Plastics in Perth do plastic tanks that fit in the rear of a defender,they have a 100ltre model thats a good fit for $200,I would not buy a long range tank,they aren't worth the money. Pat

i agree, i had a 130 litre long ranger in the rangie, fitted by previous owner but left the std tank in the 110 to retain the rear sway bar. i have a plastic removable 75 litre one that fits flat in the rear cargo space, low enough to fit a board over the top of. it will fill seperately but gravity feeds the main tank. cost $300 included the fitting kit and filler neck, cap etc etc. best thing is it comes out when we aren't touring.

jc