Desert crossings

[Lindsay Sharpe]

I am new and have the 2024 L663 110 D300. We are looking at the Madigan Line across the Simpson in May 2025. Has anyone done the Simpson in the new Defender? Any issues? Fuel consumption (diesel). Water carrying method and amount? I was hoping the 20 inch wheels & Wrangler tyres will be OK.
I’m fitting the Long Ranger fuel tank and the ARB compressor. Also One Iota’s idea of the Frontrunner rear slide and cargo shelf. The Rhino bull bar (no winch).
Looking forward to your advice.

[jwb]

you'll find some info among this group - Land Rover New Defender Owners Group - founded in Australia ?? (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GJJnzDaaP/)

you'll have no issues in the Defender as far as capability goes our D4 did it easily and will take our Defender this year.

[one_iota]

For water, If you have a roof rack then you could consider this product:

G-Series 18L Water Tank | Portable Water Storage for Camping | VAAST (https://vaast-explore.com.au/pages/g-series-water-tank)

I have a pair. The big benefit is that they can be filled and emptied without having to remove them from the roof.

[Lindsay Sharpe]

you'll find some info among this group - Land Rover New Defender Owners Group - founded in Australia ?? (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GJJnzDaaP/)

you'll have no issues in the Defender as far as capability goes our D4 did it easily and will take our Defender this year.

Thanks, I’ve asked to join

[Lindsay Sharpe]

For water, If you have a roof rack then you could consider this product:

G-Series 18L Water Tank | Portable Water Storage for Camping | VAAST (https://vaast-explore.com.au/pages/g-series-water-tank)

I have a pair. The big benefit is that they can be filled and emptied without having to remove them from the roof.

Thanks again for your input. I will have the ARB basic roof rack very suitable as I don’t have a sun roof.

[rhinosm]

Hi Lindsay
I've done it a number of times in my D4, most times towing.
First couple of times with 19" Goodyears. No issues.
The main thing is they don't give you the side wall protection like a BFG, which is not so much of an issue in the desert but more so on the roads getting there, ie, Birdsville Track or Oodnadatta Track.
Roads like these can have sharp rocks.
You probably can't deflate them as low as a BFG, but again I don't think that is an issue for what you are doing.

Bull bar handy for roos, mostly dawn, dusk or night.
A UHF radio is a must, as is a flag, and good recovery gear.
If you get stuck on a dune, maxtrax and snatch strap.
The only times I got stuck is when towing, trailer is like a boat anchor in sand.
Fuel will be fine with LRT, Defender gets far better economy then D4 did.
Water, you seem to have covered.
Take your time, it's an amazing experience and place.

[Lindsay Sharpe]

Thanks for the experience sharing and your thoughts.

[jwb]

For water carrying we get the supermarket 10L containers. The rigid type work well and can be tied down nicely.
They are cheap and you have flexibility of distributing through the car to fill in empty spaces if desired.
Can be refilled along the way if needed or just crush empties and drop off at recycling once back. Also you can flex the number carried to your trip duration.

[Lindsay Sharpe]

OK, some good info. I was wondering about removing the bases of the rear seats and the rear seat headrests which might give a good space for water containers immediately behind the front seats?

[V8Ian]

For water carrying we get the supermarket 10L containers. The rigid type work well and can be tied down nicely.
They are cheap and you have flexibility of distributing through the car to fill in empty spaces if desired.
Can be refilled along the way if needed or just crush empties and drop off at recycling once back. Also you can flex the number carried to your trip duration.
And reduces risk of losing all water, in the case of leakage.

[scarry]

Done it twice,once in our new D2,once in our D4.
Most things are common sense,packing as light as possible is very important.
With those tyres i would take two spares.
We had no issues,and went on some roads that had very bad corrogations,and others that were extremely rough.
Both vehicles had BFGs.

It is a great place,and a must see,have fun.
We need to go again.

[Lindsay Sharpe]

Done it twice,once in our new D2,once in our D4.
Most things are common sense,packing as light as possible is very important.
With those tyres i would take two spares.
We had no issues,and went on some roads that had very bad corrogations,and others that were extremely rough.
Both vehicles had BFGs.

It is a great place,and a must see,have fun.
We need to go again.

Thanks for your advice on tyres and enthusiasm to go there. Cheers.