Thread: 1966 trip across Australia

Originally Posted by Jeff

What rims are they on the 88? The tyres look like slicks.
.......

I can't remember for sure, but they probably were - in the 1960s it was common practice to use aeroplane tyres on sand. We did not use them on light vehicles (found a batch of 9.00x13 sand tyres, or used 7.50x16 radials) but used them on all the trucks, and I think the Leylands had them on the 88. I've got a photo of them somewhere I'll look up when I get home about 3/1.

John

That trailer must put a lot of resistance, it would be better a single axle set up.
Just wander why they choose a tandem ?
The fuel consumption mas be phenomenal !

The DVD is available through Westprint, and the tyres were aircraft tyres.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

That trailer must put a lot of resistance, it would be better a single axle set up.
Just wander why they choose a tandem ?
The fuel consumption mas be phenomenal !

For the type of expedition planned (across sandhills with no prepared track) a trailer of any kind was a silly idea. Their main problem was that both vehicles were grossly overloaded, and this was the source of most of their problems. Part of this was inevitable, because they had to carry film making equipment, which was far heavier than it is today, but as with most four wheel drive setups, they carried a lot of gear that they did not need.

Another point that needs to be remembered is that society as a whole was a lot less affluent forty years ago, and they had to make do with what they could afford. The crew I was on was a professional organisation, and operating with more or less unlimited finances - but a lot of what we did would be regarded as incredibly primitive today, partly because specialised equipment did not exist, or their was little experience to guide us. Remeber that at the time, probably less than half a dozen non-aboriginal expeditions had ever penetrated deep into the Simpson. Today there would be few months or even weeks without more than this number.

John

I agree with your comments John, another thing is that the bigger the rig the more junk we carry. I guess that it is like the back yard shed never big enough
With my wife we started touring with a LR 109 wagon then we went "basic" with a BMW bike and the panniers, then we added a trailer with which we traveled 8 months. The capacity of the trailer and panniers was more than enough. After we built a motorhome using a Mazda 3500 bus for 2 years. Biggest mistake, to much junk. Now we have the Disco and a trailer and is more than enough. We are planning to go to a County or Def and get rid of the trailer. One less headache

Originally Posted by JDNSW

- in the 1960s it was common practice to use aeroplane tyres on sand. We did not use them on light vehicles (found a batch of 9.00x13 sand tyres, or used 7.50x16 radials)
John

When I was a kid in the 70s the local surf rescue mob had a SWB 2A with 9.00x13 aero tyres. As it only drove on the sand they were no problem. I don't know what rims were used but later when they got a LWB Series 3 it had gal Sunraysias and BFG retreads as I don't think the 13"s would fit over the larger brakes.

Jeff

Originally Posted by Jeff

When I was a kid in the 70s the local surf rescue mob had a SWB 2A with 9.00x13 aero tyres. As it only drove on the sand they were no problem. I don't know what rims were used but later when they got a LWB Series 3 it had gal Sunraysias and BFG retreads as I don't think the 13"s would fit over the larger brakes.

Jeff

I remember the 2a my Dad bought in about 1982 came on a set of ribbed aircraft tyres, though he ditched them for regular rims & roadtrak majors.

Originally Posted by Jeff

When I was a kid in the 70s the local surf rescue mob had a SWB 2A with 9.00x13 aero tyres. As it only drove on the sand they were no problem. I don't know what rims were used but later when they got a LWB Series 3 it had gal Sunraysias and BFG retreads as I don't think the 13"s would fit over the larger brakes.

Jeff

Depends on what offset you use. We had them on both long and short Toyota FJ40/45 & 45V, and on IH AB 120s. No problem with brakes on any of them. Special wheels were made for the job by Wilson Wheel works in Brisbane. I don't know if they still exist.

John