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norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
  
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Has any one towed a camper across the Simpson Desert
from Birdsville to Dalhousie.
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 20th Dec 2007 6:24 am |
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Rob Bruce
Member Since: 18 Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 687
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Norto,
Just back from Simpson trip a couple of months ago, The QAA line dunes are quite dificult, My opinion is that a trailer would make the traveling unplesent and dificult, an observation some vechles had trouble on the big dunes, one had 7 goes at it but the D3 and the two D2s in our group got up first go. If it was me and using hindsight defenitly no trailers.
Rob
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| 20th Dec 2007 6:56 am |
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PCH
Member Since: 12 Jan 2005
Location: Anywhere but work
Posts: 812
 
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I read in 4WDAction (previously Monthly) a Patrol towing and Ultimate Camper across the Simpson West to East.
They want to do it the harder direction next time 
Chris 2011 Discovery 4 (MY12) SDV6 HSE with General Grabber AT's, Traxide Aux Battery system, custom rear drawers and Autosafe half height cargo barrier
Gone - 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
ARB Bull Bar, Warn 9.5XP Winch, IPF D/Lights, Cooper STT's, LR Raised Air Intake, Traxide aux battery system, custom drawers and half height Autosafe cargo barrier, Mitchell Bros 4x4 tow hitch
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| 20th Dec 2007 6:58 am |
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IanR
Member Since: 28 Apr 2007
Location: Daleys Point
Posts: 99
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We tow an Ultimate off-road camper.
As a build up to crossing the Simpson we did a trial tow on Goog's Track in September - Disco coped easily. This was with Tony and Brenda of Outback tag-a-long Tours. (Using standard LR tow hitch - which we will upgrade to a Mitchell Bros hitch in the new year)
Tony has crossed the Simpson many times. He assures me that the Disco will tow the Ultimate without problem. As a result we have booked the East to West Simpson crossing with them. We will leave Broken Hill on 13th April travelling via Innaminka, Birdsville, Dalhousi and Old Andado to Alice Springs.
We will leave them in Alice and spend the next 3 months in the Tanami, Bungle Bungles, Kimberley (including Mitchell Falls), Gregory National Park and then home via Lawn Hill, The Gulf and Central Queensland.
Hope that by this time next year we had a wonderful, troublefree trip! 'S' TDV6, Air suspension, Terrain Response, Active rear diff, Safari Snorkel, Opposite Lock rear wheel carrier, OL drawer system, Cargo Barrier, Dual batteries with Rotronics isolator, GME 3440 UHF. Codan NGT HF, Asus UMPC running TrackRanger. Cooper LT245/70R17 STTs when off-road. Tow Ultimate off-road camper.
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| 20th Dec 2007 7:20 am |
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norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
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Ian
How much of an issue is ground clearance,
and how does it compare to towing on Fraser Is
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| 20th Dec 2007 7:49 am |
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Rob Bruce
Member Since: 18 Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 687
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Just to add to my last post, you can have more fun without a trailer on the back, When we travel we dont take much with us only the esentuals, also we use swags, even so with fuel, water, food, swags, cooking stuff, spairs, tools, change of clothes, lap top , wine and beer etc we had oodles of room for two people over two weeks.
Rob
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| 20th Dec 2007 8:28 am |
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IanR
Member Since: 28 Apr 2007
Location: Daleys Point
Posts: 99
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Norto
In the sand ground clearance was never an issue (on this trip)- even with the OE tow hitch (I was surprised). Technique and tyre pressure are way more important than outright speed - which allows off-road height to be used. If you bounce over the ruts in the dunes you are going too fast. It was great to get coaching from an outback expert who led the tag-a-long
I haven't been to Frazer Island so can't compare
On the higher speed sections of the high crown tracks such as those above Lake Torrens between Andamooka and Farina clearance was a pain at times. Off road height was best and a cruise speed of 60-70kph appropriate. As a result the 40kph warning bing and 50kph drop to normal height was a real pain in the a....
I wish guys like Davis Performance Landys, who do an ECU performance upgrade could massage the software to allow a user selected 60kph warning and 70kph drop to normal. Would be a nice Christmas present, and much easier than changing height sensor rods. 'S' TDV6, Air suspension, Terrain Response, Active rear diff, Safari Snorkel, Opposite Lock rear wheel carrier, OL drawer system, Cargo Barrier, Dual batteries with Rotronics isolator, GME 3440 UHF. Codan NGT HF, Asus UMPC running TrackRanger. Cooper LT245/70R17 STTs when off-road. Tow Ultimate off-road camper.
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| 20th Dec 2007 1:18 pm |
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norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
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Thanks Ian
I think the Ultimate weighs about 790kg
My coromal off road camper weighs 980kg
Low tyre pressure will certainly be the go.
I had to let them down to 12 psi on Fraser
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| 20th Dec 2007 8:32 pm |
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Desert Traveller
Member Since: 06 Aug 2006
Location: The Gabba - QLD
Posts: 420
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Having extensively travelled in the Simpson and Fraser, the Simpson is a lot more difficult. Yes, you could tow a trailer across but you will probably need a lead vehicle without a trailer. They would ensure that there was no-one coming up the other side and also they could snatch you over the switch back crests as required.
There is the Simpson and there is the Simpson. If you did the Birdsville and Warburton tracks and the Rig road it will be easier.
The QAA, French and WAA lines are a lot more difficult. From my experience, the worst section East to West is the 40 kms west of Poeppel on the French line (the softest sand).
I have had 2 friends tow trailers West to East on the French and QAA lines without great diffiulty (the weather was cool and the sand was reasonably hard) in mid-winter.
Tyre pressures are critical.
There are always a couple of dozen difficult dunes but generally the dunes are easily crossed. 06 TDV6 SE with many LR and after-market extras. Used only on weekends and trips out west.
Audi TT Roadster (Daily and around town drive)
VW Eos TDI For Sale
Previously 01 TD5 and 94 TDI
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| 21st Dec 2007 2:00 am |
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norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
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| 21st Dec 2007 4:09 am |
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