Canning Stock Route in D4

[Konradical]

Has anyone done this?(silly question)

If so, what was needed, were there problems, how did you solve the fuel capacity challenge and any other helpful info will be much appreciated.

Looks like my Cape trip is off and someone has put this on the table.

Cheers in advance!

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[Ean Austral]

Disco WA and a couple of others did it a couple of years ago , send Roger ( disco WA ) a PM I am sure he will be happy to give you any info you seek.

We did it in D2 in 2010 but he done it in his D4 since then.

Have you looked thru the WA reports, there may even be a write up in that section.

Cheers Ean

[Iain_B]

We did it in our Unimog a month or so ago. We had no problems, and I don't think there would be anything a D4 with proper tyres could not handle. The corrugations are bad, and go on for a long way, but the dunes are not that steep but a few are very soft at the crest. Please don't be one of those idiots who just floors it up the dune digging big holes all the way up, just run low tyre pressures and take it nice and slowly. Pump them back up after you pass that section if you want to go fast again, but corrugations are bad.



We didn't start at Wiluna, but from Newman then on to the Talawana track getting on the CSR at Well 23. You can get a fuel drop there, or if you came the way we did instead, then fill up at Parnngurr, and again at Kunawaritji, and Billiluna. Fuel is expensive - $3.60 per litre for diesel. We didn't need to fill up at Billiluna, but we were told there is a $50 call out fee as well if the guy is not at the pump when you arrive, not sure if this is true but you don't have a choice if you can't make the last 150km to Halls Creek.

We took it pretty easy, about 100km per day, and we averaged 28lt/100km but then we are a 8 ton truck. The longest stretch is Willuna to Well 23, about 700km, we didn't do that part, as we are too big for the first 150km anyway and we were just the CSR to get to warmer climates on our way home.

Be prepared for a fair amount to scratches though, but we would have cleared it a bit for you.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-3MYvFCcY[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg0YAYTRIzg[/ame]

Full write up of our trip here

Iain and Trish's Unimog Adventures

[PerthDisco]

We did it in our Unimog a month or so ago. We had no problems, and I don't think there would be anything a D4 with proper tyres could not handle. The corrugations are bad, and go on for a long way, but the dunes are not that steep but a few are very soft at the crest. Please don't be one of those idiots who just floors it up the dune digging big holes all the way up, just run low tyre pressures and take it nice and slowly. Pump them back up after you pass that section if you want to go fast again, but corrugations are bad.



We didn't start at Wiluna, but from Newman then on to the Talawana track getting on the CSR at Well 23. You can get a fuel drop there, or if you came the way we did instead, then fill up at Parnngurr, and again at Kunawaritji, and Billiluna. Fuel is expensive - $3.60 per litre for diesel. We didn't need to fill up at Billiluna, but we were told there is a $50 call out fee as well if the guy is not at the pump when you arrive, not sure if this is true but you don't have a choice if you can't make the last 150km to Halls Creek.

We took it pretty easy, about 100km per day, and we averaged 28lt/100km but then we are a 8 ton truck. The longest stretch is Willuna to Well 23, about 700km, we didn't do that part, as we are too big for the first 150km anyway and we were just the CSR to get to warmer climates on our way home.

Be prepared for a fair amount to scratches though, but we would have cleared it a bit for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-3MYvFCcY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg0YAYTRIzg

Full write up of our trip here

Iain and Trish's Unimog Adventures

That's my kind of trip I think I know why those Prados were following you.

[LandyAndy]

Disco WA and a couple of others did it a couple of years ago , send Roger ( disco WA ) a PM I am sure he will be happy to give you any info you seek.

We did it in D2 in 2010 but he done it in his D4 since then.

Have you looked thru the WA reports, there may even be a write up in that section.

Cheers Ean

Yes.
Disco WA(Roger) and Ferret(Peter) did the trip in D4's.Tailslide(Ron) went along as a support vehicle in a V8 D2
Great Trip and people,all would be able to help with info.Send a PM as they could be off on a trip to Mt Augustus at the moment.
Andrew

[dirvine]

We did it this year in a Great Wall. 2nd time done. This year it was worse than 2014. Many vehicles break shocks and have suspension issues. You need enough fuel to do 800kms from the south and get to a prearranged fuel drop in 200ltrdrum or enough fuel to go 1100kms to get to the aboriginal community starting with a K. Fuel there is $3.60 per litre!! Fuel drop is $600 so cheaper. I carried 200 litres and put 50 litres in at the drop, son took the rest for his Petrol LC. I put 80 litres in at the community. My GW was averaging 12 litres per100, my son 19! We saw a disco with suspension issues but he was just taking it easy. Real problem is if you break down. Tojo/Nissan easy to get parts or flown in. Others it is expensive. Ie springs and shocks for a LC200 cost $4500 to be flown in from newnham. Best if you can carry a few of them yourself if you knowwhat is vunerable or could break. Weight is the enemy and the road is unforgiving

[lrdef110]

Konradical, I did the whole route starting at Wiluna in a D4 in 2013. We had a prearranged fuel drop and we shared 4x200 litre drums between 5 of us. I have a long range tank so carry 184 litres and this was supplemented by 6x10 litre plastic gerry cans but we also diverged into Ruddell River NP so needed additional range. The comment about the corrugations is relevant and you should be prepared to possibly need your bushes and shock absorbers replaced after the trip. I travelled with a D3, Defender, Nissan and Toyota and none of us had any mechanical problems or with the dunes and it was a pretty dry year. There was plenty of water at the wells for domestic use. Great trip though.
Cheers, Barry

[weeds]

Nice to see a GW doing the trip

[dirvine]

Weeds, Not once but TWICE! Mind you it was a heavily modified X240 Wagon. Now retired and probably permanently now that I have a LR Discovery. I dont know what a rough track is now!

[Konradical]

Guys,

Thanks for the replies!

How do you arrange the fuel drop and how do you fill?

I have been thinking about a aux tank, but because I am aiming for everything to be removable when not touring, it is something I was hoping to avoid.

How was the D4 on fuel on the track? I know that going slow with sand and stuff uses a bit more fuel. We used two thirds of a tank from Katherine to Butterfly Gorge in the Douglas Daly and back again. I know the 34km of track into the gorge, even though it wasn't hard going, used a bit.

In preparation I do know that I will have to get a set of 18's. As amazing as the 20's are, they won't like the track or corrugations. Also either get the llams system or a set of Johnson rods so we can do more than 40 in off road height. I would also consider one of those emergency airbag kits that GOE sells.

A lot of the other stuff I can swap from my 89 rrc.

Our D4 is only 7 months old, so I wonder if the bushes and that would be covered under warranty. Normal wear and tear in 12 months?

How did every one do the food side of it? We only have a 40lt fridge and we will have to take enough food for two adults and two kids around 3, plus spare water, clothes, recovery gear, fuel, etc..

I will have to fit a second battery for sure and maybe take our solar panels from the van to top up if needed.

So far we have a draw and fridge slide in the back, a 3/4 roof rack and cb. Anything else major? Winch? Compressor? All the other stuff can be fitted as we get closer.

Also, last question, would one of those awening tents be adequate? Or should we buy/hire a tent. We have a Jayco camper, but know we can't take it.

Sorry for going on a bit, just need ammo for the other half.

Thanks again.

P.s. pics for demo and motivation.





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