Thread: Crossing the Simpson

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.

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.

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

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by noj44

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

Originally Posted by nugge t

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.

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