Thread: cape york and fuel

You won't require the jerries at all unless you plan some really long expeditions on side tracks, or cannot fill up when the servos are open.

The Penisula Dev Road is a decent dirt road and averaging 70kph is no problem, which is a nice fuel efficient speed. Fuel is available at frequent intervals, like Lakeland, Laura, Musgrave, Archer River, Hann River, Coen. Beyond Archer it's a bit more sparse, call ahead to make sure they have enough. I was there in April and Bramwell Junction was rationing fuel at $2.24/L, but they should have supplies by now. Fuel after Bramwell is Bamaga. Not all of these places are open 7 days, so check ahead. There are two servos in Weipa, but opening times are restricted, think they only open at 7 or 8am.

I agree with Robert. Unless your going into Cape Melville or somewhere else a long way off the main track you wont really need jerry cans. Fuel is more expensive. Even if you have a long range tank you will still need to fill up on expensive fuel at some point i.e. you wont get to the tip and back to Cairns without fueling up. You wont save the money spent on a long range tank.

Long range tanks are good where you have big distances between fuel points. But you dont have that along the PD Road.

I would take one or two jerry cans anyway with fuel from a major centre. Its just a good back up in case you are unlucky enough to get bad fuel or a hole in your tank, or just under estimate your range.

Spend the money on something else like a tent that goes up really quick.

Hi Scoota,

I highly recommend to take 1 or even 2x20L jerry cans to be more independent, save nerves and enjoy a trip. Never know what can happen.

Extra 40 liters don't make a big difference on your fuel consumption if you a)put them in right place and b)don't go over 100km/h, so stories like "To get better economy I carried my empty cans to XXX town and then put fuel in" are bul#!t, IMHO. Find best quality diesel in your town and fill them up. Any car will appreciate good food, even more in critical conditions.

I always loaded 4x20L cans with diesel-2 and water-2 behind rear seats and never had any problems on trips like Cape York and Simpson. Good jerry cans don't leak and smell (from my experiense), no fire danger despite warning stories (i never heard any real). I used fruit boxes from our local fruit/veg. shop to make the box for every diesel can, so they don't rub to each other. The jerry can slides inside the box and all goes inside a garbage bag. Diesel cans go on right, water on left. I can take diesel through driver side sliding window without taking them outside. Each water can has pipe and tap, so I can take water without taking them outside too.

The key point is the load distribution. All heavy stuff goes between or closer to axels. Well ballanced weight gives better ride and offroad perfomance. For example, Defender one of the best offroader because 50/50 on axels and equal on wheels. Following that formula gives excelent result.

Some stats I've recorded:
- Cape York trip total weight of the car was 2908kg, including 4x20L cans. Fuel consumption 10.4L/100km average over 10088km. Both can were used, one as emergency because the road closure.
- Simpson trip I had spare wheel on the roof, same setup, total weight 2589kg, fuel consumption 11.2L/100km. One can was used because poor quality on Oodnadatta servo.

In other words, more important to have plenty of food for your horse rather than for youself

Cheers,
Ruslan

A jerry gives you a margin of error e.g. if you miscalculate distances/consumption, or put a hole in the main tank etc.

Plus clean fuel is important in any diesel, especially the new ones. Extra range enables you to stick to the majors, and avoid potentially dodgy outlets. Ever looked at a bowser with a rusty tank on stands & thought geez, how long since the tanker's been? How much water or bacteria is in there?

While we're on it how much are TD5 injectors now?

Regards
Max P

Originally Posted by Tusker

While we're on it how much are TD5 injectors now?

Regards
Max P

A lot!
I beleive $1100.

hi,
did a cape trip this time last year7500k's total from brisbane,took one 20l jerry & never used it....but good to have just in case.took 2 spare tyres& never used them....also good to have.glad we took the tirfor...it got us out of a bit of trouble.

fuel stops are a lot further apart in the simpson & other desert areas.i always take two 20l jerrys on those trips,and two spare tyres.

i always throw in all my hand tools& also a multimeter.

try to pack as light as possible

have a good trip

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it! - sounds like the 20L emergency jerry should do me.