Thread: TD5 Fuel Requirements for Simpson

I think that should be fine, but don't go fanging it. In the desert I think I typically use about 16.5l/100km

I used @75l in a east - west crossing from Birdsville to Mt Dare. I took 200! (TD5 Defender)

14l/100 ish.

It was pretty soft in places at the time.

Some rough figures to at least work out your economy here:

Simpson Desert French Line Trek Fuel Data @ ExplorOz

If you have an auto like I have, budget for up to 18l/100km in soft areas. I've done two trips taking 3x20l jerries and used 2 of the 3 each time.

Took a similar route in in 2009 in SWMBO's D2a Td5 (auto) but went West to East. The Eyre Creek ford was closed so this added a 60 Km detour to the North. We also traveled out to the old Dalhousie ruins for a look.

We filled at Mt Dare and carried 3 X 10 litre heavy plastic jerry cans and used them all (Hell of a lot easier to pack and manage than 20 litre jerry cans). Poured the last 10 litres in between Eyre Creek and Big Red. So whilst we had enough we probably cut it a bit fine. An extra 4 X 10 litres would have been more sensible.

As you're heading East to West against the 'flow' of the dunes your fuel consumption should be a bit higher than going the other way so I'd reckon full tank plus 40 litres as a minimum.

You might want to factor in enough fuel to get further than Mt Dare. I've been there three times in the last 5 years and twice they'd run out of Diesel and were ferrying it in from New Crown on the back of a Land Cruiser.

Deano

PS. When you get to Dalhousie Springs take the Blood Creek road to Mt Dare, it's longer on the map but takes exactly the same amount of time to travel and a LOT less wear and tear.

If you're heading towards the Alice the route from Mt Dare to Alice Springs via the Mayfield swamp Road and Old Andado Station is IMO one of the most scenic (and historic) drives in Central Australia (but not if it's wet).

I allow 50% more consumption for my diesel in sand (So, 11 l/100k - around town becomes 16.5l / 100k.) In the petrol 1987 Range Rover that I had, I just doubled it. Don't want to do the maths, the figures were bad enough with standard consumption.... So, this is a starting point for me.

As indicated, need to allow for detours as well. I have heard of some really high consumption figures for a diesel (Toyota though) of 30 to 40+ l /100km, in some really bad sections after the floods.

I went across east to west(against the flow of the dunes) in 2010, Ayre Creek was close so the by pass added a extra 65ishK's.

Full leaving Birdsville and took 70lt at Mount Dare.

2008 Defender.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

You might want to factor in enough fuel to get further than Mt Dare. I've been there three times in the last 5 years and twice they'd run out of Diesel and were ferrying it in from New Crown on the back of a Land Cruiser.

Same! You need to carry enough to get to New Crown yourself.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

Took a similar route in in 2009 in SWMBO's D2a Td5 (auto) but went West to East. The Eyre Creek ford was closed so this added a 60 Km detour to the North. We also traveled out to the old Dalhousie ruins for a look.

We filled at Mt Dare and carried 3 X 10 litre heavy plastic jerry cans and used them all (Hell of a lot easier to pack and manage than 20 litre jerry cans). Poured the last 10 litres in between Eyre Creek and Big Red. So whilst we had enough we probably cut it a bit fine. An extra 4 X 10 litres would have been more sensible.

As you're heading East to West against the 'flow' of the dunes your fuel consumption should be a bit higher than going the other way so I'd reckon full tank plus 40 litres as a minimum.

You might want to factor in enough fuel to get further than Mt Dare. I've been there three times in the last 5 years and twice they'd run out of Diesel and were ferrying it in from New Crown on the back of a Land Cruiser.

Deano

PS. When you get to Dalhousie Springs take the Blood Creek road to Mt Dare, it's longer on the map but takes exactly the same amount of time to travel and a LOT less wear and tear.

If you're heading towards the Alice the route from Mt Dare to Alice Springs via the Mayfield swamp Road and Old Andado Station is IMO one of the most scenic (and historic) drives in Central Australia (but not if it's wet).

That is what my reading would suggest too but there is interest in the group to go to Lamberts Centre of Australia and up to Chambers Pillar unfortunately?