Simpson Desert July

[ant66]

Hi, i am a new member and am keen to know if anyone has towed a full offroad camper (1.5t), across the simpson with a Hilux SR5 D4D, and if they will have sufficient power.  I have experience of 4x4ing on Fraser/Moreton/Straddy Islands but without a camper in tow.
Keen to know if silly idea.  We are planning on going West to East along French Line.
Ant

[christover1]

Take camper onto fraser, try it out, that could help with decisions.

[weeds]

when I was out there 5/6 years ago most towing camper went west to east along the WAA, the French would be roughest therefore more difficult out of the three tracks........based on conversation with other travellers

I drove the rig rd east west no camper.....you could consider rig than up knolls

I don't think fraser would represent the simpson...fraser you only have short distances in soft sand, the rest of the time is on hard compacted sand

[ant66]

Just discovered a friend of a friend out there currently as support for a heap of postie bikes.  Using a Hilux to tow support trailer 1.9t.  Will see how he goes and report.
Thanks for feedback thus far.

[jwb]

We did an West - East crossing in 2012 with the mates D4d Hilux towing my camel Discovery. ( not in your quoted weight range)
Others in the group included an AORC & a KK. We had no major issues with the D4D.
Worst thing was the pitiful std fuel tank on them !
We purposely did a slow crossing- 5 nights in there! Damn cold that trip too!
we had 2 x 20lt & 1 x 10 lt jerry cans.

Drove into Birdsville with the trip computer down to single numbers!

[KingBilly]

Just discovered a friend of a friend out there currently as support for a heap of postie bikes.  Using a Hilux to tow support trailer 1.9t.  Will see how he goes and report.
Thanks for feedback thus far.

Would be really interested to know how your mate gets on.  We are towing our CT, west to east in a few weeks but travelling on the Rig Road for the majority of the crossing.

KB

[ant66]

advise already is to put a ARB long range (or similar) fuel tank on.
Most blogs have usage at 100-120l, so add 20% for towing - 120-140l supply.

[jwb]

IIRC we used 118 lts
a v8 petrol 100 used 200 lts
a TD42 GU used 130 lts

cheers

[KingBilly]

IIRC we used 118 lts
a v8 petrol 100 used 200 lts
a TD42 GU used 130 lts

cheers

Was that towing?

KB

[jwb]

Yes

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[ant66]

IIRC we used 118 lts
a v8 petrol 100 used 200 lts
a TD42 GU used 130 lts

cheers

How heavy were your campers?
Ant

[jwb]

At a guess the other 2 would've been up near your quoted weight,  Mine would've been approx 1.2 t

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[MDS69]

Towing on the French Line will be tough going in my opinion. I have towed a soft floor CT west-east on the Rig Rd.
Also towing on Fraser is vastly different to the Simpson Desert as others have mentioned. In the desert you have the difficulty of having dips or holes at the base of the dunes where you need to slow down to prevent getting the front of your vehicle airborne whilst trying to maintain momentum to get over the dune. You don't get that on Fraser Is.
I towed with a V6 Prado so I can't comment on the D4D as the torque is different. I used 180L from Mt Dare to Big Red.

[KingBilly]

At a guess the other 2 would've been up near your quoted weight,  Mine would've been approx 1.2 t

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Thanks mate

KB

[ant66]

We did an West - East crossing in 2012 with the mates D4d Hilux towing my camel Discovery. ( not in your quoted weight range)
Others in the group included an AORC & a KK. We had no major issues with the D4D.
Worst thing was the pitiful std fuel tank on them !
We purposely did a slow crossing- 5 nights in there! Damn cold that trip too!
we had 2 x 20lt & 1 x 10 lt jerry cans.

Drove into Birdsville with the trip computer down to single numbers!

btw- was the D4D stock or was it spec'ed up eg. raised/MickeyT's etc?

[jwb]

Motor was std
Suspension was basic afternarket type


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[jwb]

Tyres were 697's IIRC

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[ant66]

Tyres were 697's IIRC

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ta muchly
Ant

[KingBilly]

The route we have planned is 588km from Mt Dare to Birdsville.  Seen advice to allow 50% extra fuel whilst towing in the desert.  Normally we get 14l/100kms, so 50% more is 21.  Multiplied by 6 (allowing for 600 kms) means 126 litres.  We will be carrying 156 litres.

Am I thinking right or am I way out?

KB

[KingBilly]

Anybody??

[MrCruza]

Think you're right mate. Hope so. I'll be carrying 160lt, plus 68lt of LPG, so between us we should have a bit to spare.

[heath74]

KB, is this a trip you've done before? Or will it be your first time across the desert?

[KingBilly]

First across the Simpson but done heaps of serious outback travel.  Why?

KB

[jetcrew]

The route we have planned is 588km from Mt Dare to Birdsville.  Seen advice to allow 50% extra fuel whilst towing in the desert.  Normally we get 14l/100kms, so 50% more is 21.  Multiplied by 6 (allowing for 600 kms) means 126 litres.  We will be carrying 156 litres.

Am I thinking right or am I way out?

KB

Looks good mate, but I will be treating the Simpson like I do offshore boating....

FUEL...." rather be looking at it than looking for it........ " if in doubt at all carry more

Jet

[KingBilly]

Thanks Jet.  I'm hearing you.  I'm effectively carrying 25% more fuel than needed based upon worst case fuel consumption.  Can always throw on an extra jerry but I do have blueroo is his fuel tanker to back me up 

KB