Crossing the Simpson

[jx2mad]

I know that quite a few members have done this, but has anyone done it towing a trailer/camper? Jim

[edddo]

I havent done it but it can be done, and is done.
When we crossed last year the scolloping of the tracks on the dunes was very bad making the crossing more uncomfortable than it need be. This is caused by people towing heavy trailers because they need to to really gun it to get up dunes-chewing the tracks up in the process.
But as I say - it can be and is done.

[nugge t]

Yes it can..did it ourselves 20 years ago and my last crossing late last year there were plenty doing it.

Having said that, there was a camper trailer with a snapped draw bar at Mt Dare. The divots in the centre of the track from dig ins by trailers was significant.

[ramblingboy42]

LC200's leave significant "turtle" marks from their spare tyres as they buck and jump over the dunes also.

[weeds]

west to east is the direction most take....they also seem to use the QAA? or is it WAA and Rig rd as they are less travelled.......than the French line

[noj44]

I havent done it but it can be done, and is done.
When we crossed last year the scolloping of the tracks on the dunes was very bad making the crossing more uncomfortable than it need be. This is caused by people towing heavy trailers because they need to to really gun it to get up dunes-chewing the tracks up in the process.
But as I say - it can be and is done.

Ahh the old trailer damages the track chestnut again. Seen plenty of overloaded wagons and dual cab utes spinning holes to try and get over dunes but that is rarely mentioned. Sure an underpowered tow tug or improperly setup trailer will give you grief but so will the overloaded vehicle.

[nugge t]

Ahh the old trailer damages the track chestnut again. Seen plenty of overloaded wagons and dual cab utes spinning holes to try and get over dunes but that is rarely mentioned. Sure an underpowered tow tug or improperly setup trailer will give you grief but so will the overloaded vehicle.

Mate, whilst I totally agree, the campers being towed now are vastly different animals to the 6X4 with a canvas top we towed across. An increasingly large % are huge and heavy. I have no doubt they are very capable but they are more caravan than campers trailers.

We also saw a massive slide on that you could stand up in, on the back of a dual cab and from the UHF chatter, it sounded like they were towed over the top of each dune.

Cheers

[Davo]

Mate, whilst I totally agree, the campers being towed now are vastly different animals to the 6X4 with a canvas top we towed across. An increasingly large % are huge and heavy. I have no doubt they are very capable but they are more caravan than campers trailers.

We also saw a massive slide on that you could stand up in, on the back of a dual cab and from the UHF chatter, it sounded like they were towed over the top of each dune.

Cheers

I wasn't sure if it was just my own ignorance on the subject but yes, I've noticed those camper trailers getting bigger and longer and looking a bit more ridiculous every tourist season.

[nugge t]

Not having a go at members with camper trailers. It is very hard to camp without one when you have kids etc and I have been there as well.

But the new camper trailers with stainless stell kitchens and massive fridges on the drawer bar....just how much gear do you need to take when getting away from it all. May I venture to suggest less is more?

Cheers

[Davo]

Not having a go at members with camper trailers. It is very hard to camp without one when you have kids etc and I have been there as well.

But the new camper trailers with stainless stell kitchens and massive fridges on the drawer bar....just how much gear do you need to take when getting away from it all. May I venture to suggest less is more?

Cheers

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I'm supposed to build one this year, (heh), but it's not going to be a huge monster. I've noticed more and more 30-somethings with kids towing these things and they can't park, go around corners properly and so on, and I wouldn't be surprised if a number of them, who obviously don't know what they're doing, are cutting up sand dune tracks as well.

[weeds]

Yeah a natural thing....the more space you have the more you pack

I'm not sure that I would take a camper across the Simpson but everywhere yes why not.....I reckon I have worked long enough to have some creature comforts

Funny thing is I thought my camper was only going to weigh in around the 800kg.......it's around 1300kg in full trip now......apparently you need brakes once over 750kg

[bob10]

Little bit off topic, I suppose, but the latest LRM has a story about how LROVC celebrated their 50th birthday by taking a number of leaf sprung series vehicles, with a defender as support vehicle, thru the Simpson. Good yarn. Bob