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Questions: Click on title below for link to Qs & As
Q. Hand Held UHF radio
Q. Best Tyres
Q. Tyre Pressures - Cape York
Q. Offroad Caravans and Towing Vehicle
Q. Info on the Simpson Desert
Q. Trailers Across the Desert dunes
Q. Motor bikes to Cape York
Q. Best Map for Cape York
Q. Stone Crossing and the Route North on Cape York
Q. Across the Jardine River – Cape York
A Trailer to the Mitchell Plateau & Further North – The Kimberley
Q.Hiring a 4WD and equipment needed
Q. Hand Held UHF radio
Sarah asked:
I’m looking for a UHF radio for our 4WD. What should I get?A. Do you want a hand held UHF or one that fits in a dash?
If you want a hand held the best one around for the money is the Uniden uh075, which is a 5 watt unit. You can get a remote antenna and microphone with an in-car charger for these so they adapt pretty well to a 4WD.
The best in-dash unit to get is a GME TX4400. There's smaller units around and ones with a remote head (GME TX3400) but I don't like them as their voice quality is terrible.
If you go for an in-dash unit then the antenna is a VERY important part of the installation. The GME AE4700 series of antennas is the most adaptable around. Get one that is a 4.5dB or 6dB gain. A short antenna is good for the city and for bush where there are lots of overhanging trees, but for outback work where you want long distance reception, a long antenna is better. You can fit what ever length you want to the GME AE4700 series antenna mounts, but I'd go for a 1200mm long one as a minimum. These mounts and antenna will add considerably to the price of the bare radio!
For more info I’d go to Telstat Communications who have been experts in the communication field for over 30 years. Ph: (03) 9786 9422 or check the web at: www.telstat.com.au.
Q. Best Tyres
Last year we met in Halls Creek around June/July. You had previously supplied me with some feed back on some conditions which we could expect on that trip and I thank you again for that invaluable advice.
If I can extend the courtesy again, but this time in relation to an equipment matter. I drive a Nissan Patrol GUiii Diesel. As mentioned I tow a 4x4 trailer and have had the suspension upgraded to accommodate this extra weight. It is fitted with adjustable Konis and upgraded heavy duty springs. Not a lift kit but stronger all round. Very happy to date with its performance.
My issue is with the tyres. As I bought the vehicle new it came standard with a set of Bridgestone Desert Duellers AT 265 7 R16 1125. I have done nearly 35000km which includes 12000 from our trek and a number of smaller off road trips. In all I would say that there would be a 60% on road 40 % off road ratio. One side affect from these tyres is that it throws out my speedo in that it shows that I am travelling faster than I actually am. The wear has been disappointing in particular through the middle solid tread.
I am heading out west again in June this year and will be upgrading the tyres. I have looked at BFGoodrich and Coopers and the advice appears to be definitely split. You are running Coopers on your vehicle and that they are suited to the type of driving that you do.
I am still conscious of the on road driving and noise and fuel economy, but the tyres have to perform in some of the extra rough stuff that I expect to encounter. Basically, do you have a preference to either of these? The various tyre guys tell you different stories and that doesn’t help. I respect your opinion and hope that you can throw some unbiased info my way. Thanks for you anticipated reply.
Tony Coster and Family
A. Thanks for the email. Yeah, I remember the yarn we had at the pub. Glad to hear the rest of your trip went well.
First up, many people step up to a 285 size tyre (from the standard 265) when replacing tyres on the Patrol, but that puts the speedo out in the other direction - in both my Patrol's, 100kph on the speedo is actually 108kph! However, because you are out with a 265 you may find it is pretty close to being accurate with a bigger tyre.
Going to a bigger tyre also affects step-off which is especially noticeable on a hill when towing. However, a bigger tyre improves ground clearance. Maybe a step-up to a 275 size tyre would be the go?
What brand? A good question.
I assume you've been looking at the BFG AT tyre. They are a good tyre, however I do prefer the Cooper range. The Cooper ATR seems to be a good all-round tyre with good wear and noise characteristics - but it is not as agggressive as the BFG AT tyre and doesn't clear mud and clay as well. Still they work well for most people. The ATR has only a 2-ply side-wall, compared to the AT which has a 3-ply sidewall - but I'm not convinced they are noticeable tougher!
The Cooper ST (again a 2-ply side-wall tyre) is more aggressive than the BFG AT - but noisier. The ST's are also prone to chipping if you are doing most of your travels on dirt. If you are doing most of your travels on dirt roads then the Cooper ST-C (same tread pattern but a different compound) would be more suitable. However they are only available in a few sizes.
If you are looking at a mud tyre, I really like the Cooper STT tyres - as they have 3 ply sidewalls (one at a slight angle to the others which makes them tougher and restricts tearing - more so than a BFG MT tyre I reckon). They also seem to be as quiet as the Cooper ST range, which is pretty surprising.
If you are looking at a mud tyre tyre check out the Goodyear MTR range as well. They have been shaping up well from the reports I've heard.
I'm getting fairly good mileage out of the STT's but being heavily loaded and travelling a fair proportion on dirt roads I'd be lucky to get 60,000km out of a set - but 50K is looking possible. Most outback users - station owners and the like are happy with 40K out of a set of tyres – I think it's something you have to live with if dirt roads are where you are doing your travelling.
Also a mud tyre will be less fuel economic than an AT tyre – my experience being at least a litre/100km!
Hope all that helps.
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Q. Tyre Pressures - Cape York
We have just purchased your Cape York - An Adventurers Guidebook ... were off to the top this August..could you recommend correct tyre pressure offroad...GU Patrol turbo...and Toyoto 100series LandCruiser not turbo, both cars with AT tyres.
EricA. Wow - in a few words that's difficult as we don't know how heavy you will be, what size tyres you have, are they radial or crossplies and how fast you drive - and it all changes depending on where you are offroad. Anyway here's a guide for a 275/85R16 or similar radial on a Patrol or Cruiser loaded to GVM:
On high speed dirt drop your tyre pressures by 5-8psi from bitumen highway pressures (say from 36-40psi to 30-32psi).
On slow 4wd tracks drop them by another 4-5psi (say to 25-26psi). You can go lower on slow rock crawling stuff but you need to be aware that exposes the sidewalls to damage.
On beach sand or dunes drop them by another 6-8psi (say 18-20psi). You can go lower on sand to get out of a bog but you shouldn't for long periods.
Have a good trip. The Cape is fairly easy on tyres as the country is soft and not too rocky like the Kimberley.
Top of PageQ. Offroad Caravans and Towing Vehicle
My wife and I,just the two of us, are planning our retirement and want to explore places we have only visited briefly before. Kimberly, FNQ, in fact we intend to spend a year or two with no time restrictions and go around Australia staying as long as we like at our favourite places.
Our quandary is this: we would prefer something like a "Bushtracker" or "Phoenix" caravan but fear that they would be too big and heavy to get to a lot of places we would like to go. The guys making these things say they will go anywhere but surely, the bulk would preclude them from many places. Is that right? If I can't go anywhere I want to I would then opt for the "Tvan". I know you have one so it goes without saying that you rate them and they will go anywhere the tow vehicle will go.
Final question relates to tow vehicle. I am torn between HiLux/Navarra Dual Cab, Troopie or Landcruiser/Patrol. Again comfort is important as many km will be covered but I lean towards the dual cabs as I have use for a ute in other ways. What do you think?
Regards,
Paul McArthy
A. The continual quandary! There is no perfect vehicle-van combo, just set-ups that are close but you will need to compromise somewhere along the line.
The T-Van is a great offroad camper but not really meant for a two year trip around Oz. We've spent some long periods in the T-Van - up to 4.5 months at a time and we're now moving up to a bigger van.
The Bushtracker is a great van, but like all those offroad vans they will not go everywhere. They will certainly handle, or should handle, the major dirt roads that a normal van will fall apart on - ie., the Gibb River Road, Tanami, Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track, etc.
There are a couple of other van makers that put together good dirt road vans - Golf and Windsor to name just two. They aren't as heavy as an offroader - not as tough either but will still do a good job. Less expensive as well, I'd hazard a good guess.
As far as a tow vehicle is concerned - if you want a decent size offroad van forget the dual cab utes.
The utes and the Troopie are basically trucks. The Cruiser wagon and Patrol wagon are much more comfortable, quieter and cruise easier for long distant travel. The T/diesel Cruiser is a great tow vehicle - better than the 4.2 I/Cooled turbo on the Patrol - but a lot more expensive and no where near as tough if you are looking to do tracks like the Canning or go across the Simpson. The Patrol Coil cab ute is by far the most pleasant to drive of the utes and the most capable.
Those tracks you'd be able to take a T-Van (with a bit of effort and doing everything right (tyre pressures, etc) but you'd have no chance taking a Bushtracker or any of the offroad vans. The same goes for the OTL track up Cape York.
I hope all that helps. Have a great trip.
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Q. Info on the Simpson Desert
The purpose of this email is that I cannot find anything decent on The Simpson Crossing. I planned to travel From Innamincka, Birdsville along The French Line to Dalhousie allowing up to 5 days for the crossing. No kids, just 6 males in two 100 series Diesel Land Cruisers. Other members of the party would rather go West East mainly because it is supposedly easier and that we would also not have a Fruit and Veg. problem (Diff. States) whilst crossing the Desert. I'd like to go East West.
Best Regards
Niresh Parag
A. It doesn't really matter which way you go across the desert - if it is easier going west to east, as it once was, it's made less so now by the chopped up western face of the dunes by people who refuse to let their tyre pressures down.
Our book, Discover Australia by 4WD has a section on the Simpson Desert. See our website detailed below.
Don't forget you'll need a SA Desert Parks Pass for the Simpson (plus other areas of northern SA) and a lot of info comes with that. I wouldn’t buy anything else until I got that pack. The Desert Parks Pass will cost you $80 or so, ph: 1800 816 078 for details and permit.
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Q. Trailers Across the Desert dunes
We drive a 1997 80 series GXL turbo LandCruiser and like yourselves we tow a Track Camper Trailer. We would like to know have you towed your camper into the desert country and if so did you have any problems. If not, what are your thoughts on towing a Track Trailer across the Simpson Desert?
We appreciate your advice.
Regards
Geoff & Jan
A. You can get a trailer across the desert along the French Line, although there may be a couple of dunes you may have a problem on. If you are travelling with someone else get them in front to snatch you over the crest. If you are on your own you'll need to snatch or winch the trailer across.
It's a good idea to have a long snatch strap (we carry a 100 foot one) or a few shorter ones. The tow vehicle needs to be over the crest, facing down the dune, otherwise it is impossible to get the tow vehicle to pull you over. Remember, don’t join snatch straps with a D-shackle – loop them together.
Last year the dunes were fairly moist (a good season) and travelling along the WAA line (south of the French Line, a little easier and better, we reckon) our friends in a standard diesel Cruiser (no turbo) towing a Track T-Van didn't even get bogged once!
Don't forget to let the trailer's tyres down as well as your vehicle's.
Top of PageQ. Motor bikes to Cape York
I'm planning along with a friend of mine, a motorcycle trip to the very tip of OZ. Already knowing that the ride is going to be rough, I'm wondering if the first week of November is too short the rain season. Would you suggest to go 2 weeks earlier.
You say not expect to see very few people around, is it because it's TOO HOT and DANGER OF TOO MUCH RAIN? And do you feel it is too dangerous a trip even for well prepared riders?
Secondly, being well seasoned bike riders, what are the worst things we can expect so we can be best prepared for the adventure.
Are there anybody used to that kind of bike trip we can contact for advices?
Can you refer us to a supplier of telecommunication around Sydney where we could rent some kind of satellite telephone for a month, we think it could be very useful for security sake.
Speaking of fuel, are the suppliers you mention in your book opened year round and within a range of 300 km? The bike we will be using are good for running in 30 to 36 inches of water, what can we expect as the deepest river crossing providing usual weather conditions?
One more question, are terrain conditions hard on tyres and will spare tubes be enough for the occasional hazard?
By the way we have the Cape York and all your 4WD Guides and maps and think they are very well done, they have been of great help to prepare our trip.
Bonne fin de journée
A. Most Aussie travellers abandon northern Australia after October because of the heat and the build-up to the Wet season.
Cape York in November is normally hot and humid and with the occasional storm that can dump a couple of inches of rain in a couple of hours. October is also hot - just not so much! At least you won't get too many other travellers up that way around then, so you had better expect to see very few people once north of the Wenlock River. Most of the rivers will be low (12" - 2' or so but it's easy to drop into a deeper hole!) at that time of the year. Heavy rains may bring one or two up for a short time (say a day) but they rarely stay high at that time of the year. With a bike capable of running in up to 3' of water I wouldn't expect too many dramas.
For bike riders the biggest hassle is the thick patches of bulldust and sand they have to contend with, along with all they have to carry - fuel being the biggest problem. Don't expect any fuel north of the Archer River, (except for Weipa and Lockhart River - both well off the track north) until you get to Bamaga. You may get some at the Jardine ferry but at that time of the year it's pretty flexible.
The track isn't all that tough on tyres and if you've got good rubber, spare tubes should all be that you need.
No, don't change your dates for your trip too much. You'll have a ball. It will be hot - there's creeks to cool off in and you'll get wet with the rain - but it will make the sand going easier.
Hope you have a good trip.If you are interested in doing an organised motorbike adventure on Cape York then check out the web site of Cape York Motorcycle Adventures: http://www.capeyorkmotorcycles.com.au/
Q. Best Map for Cape York
Looking at the list of maps, which is the one map you would recommend for Cape York? Also, having read your comment about travel in April, I will probably change my travel dates to mid May. Have there been many years where the wet has made the roads impassable in mid May as well?
Geared
A. The best single map is Hema's Cape York. It shows all the detail you need for the most popular tracks across the region.
Now that the Wenlock River is bridged ( it was done two seasons ago) it would have to be an extreme 'wet' for the Cape to be closed in mid May.
Top of PageQ. Stone Crossing and the Route North on Cape York
We are a group of N.Zers and Aussies who have been using your Guidebook to help us plan a trip up Cape York in June 2002.
Coming into Weipa from Bramwell crossing the Wenlock at Stone Crossing is this still likely to be closed as your book mentions.
Regards,
Cliff and Beryl, Canterbury NZ
A. The route through Bertiehaugh Station to Stone Crossing is definitely closed. You can still camp on the southern bank of the Wenlock at Stone Crossing and it is a top spot to spend a few days – especially if you like fishing and have a small boat!
Top of PageQ. Across the Jardine River – Cape York
We’re planning a trip to Cape York later this year and want to drive across the Jardine instead of taking the ferry. Our mate did the trip to the top in 1984. Can you still cross the river at the old vehicle ford?
Looking forward to your reply,
Col, email
A. If you are going to drive the Jardine, which your mate probably had to do in '84, you will need to be very careful. In fact we wouldn't recommend it. The river is home to some very large Saltwater crocodiles.
The northern side of the river and the exit point is deep and dark and nowadays often covered in lillies and weed – it isn't used very much and is a great spot for a saltwater crocodile to reside. While you can walk the Jardine – 170 metres wide and sandy all the way with a strong current – it's the last 30-40 metres that are a problem. But you really do need to check this section for obstacles (there's some old timbers which you'll need to miss) and for the shallowest route. Getting stopped here means a very flooded vehicle!
There's also a steep-lipped sandbar in the middle of the river, which brings many people to grief, albeit in shallower water than closer to the northern exit. Still you’ll have water flowing through your truck! This tongue of sand constantly shifts up and down the river and the idea is to check the route out and see if you can get around it, or at least miss the steepest edges, or the deepest sections of the very soft sand.
While we've walked the Jardine plenty of times in the past, we're not so keen these days. We'll still cool off in the wide sandy shallow areas of the river, well away from the deep dark areas, but walking that northern edge of the river at the exit point is just too hairy! It's a great place for a Saltwater Crocodile to hide. We checked it in a small boat last time – yep, call us chicken, but we'll opt for the ferry!
Top of PageQ. A Trailer to the Mitchell Plateau & Further North – The Kimberley
We’re heading off to the Kimberly later this year and hoping to take our Aussie Swag camper into the Mitchell Plateau. Will we make it or should we leave it at Drysdale River Station?
Hoping you can help,
Regards,
Lorraine and Dennis
A. The trip into the Mitchell Plateau can be a lot more demanding than anything along the Gibb River Road but you should be able to take your Aussie Swag camper in there without a problem. Of course, we're assuming it is one of their offroad models. Any of the good brands of offroad trailers will make it into the Mitchell Plateau and further north along the main track to the Kalumburu Aboriginal community. We’ve had our Track trailer in there on a couple of occasions.
The crossing of the King Edward River on the way into the Mitchell Plateau can be deep, depending on how early in the season you are or how heavy the preceding Wet season has been. It pays to check the crossing unless it is obviously low.
We ’d leave the camper at the camping area for the Mitchell Falls. The route further north to Crystal Creek or Port Warrender can be seriously washed away and varies from year to year.
Q. Hiring a 4WD Vehicle and What Equipment to Take
My friends and I are very exited about planning a 4WD drive trip through WA and Darwin in 2003. Part of this adventure will involve drving along the Gibb River Rd in the Kimberley during the dry season- the total time spent travelling from Perth to Darwin will be from 24/04 to 06/06.
We are currently enquiring about 4WD hire ... and have been advised that a Toyota Landcruiser will be appropriate for this region and for 4 people. I have a copy of your fantastic Kimberley Adventure Guide book and have enquired about many of the equipment listed on the 4WD pages in your book. The lady I spoke to said that because we are not doing a Tag-a-Long tour and will be travelling alone, she said that the recovery gear such as the tools and spares listed on your page are not neccessary because all vehicles are serviced and handled by the company's engineeres and they are 100% confident that the vehicle will not fail us. I just thought I'd ask you, an expert before believing her judgment. The Landcruiser comes with only a few standard features such as bull bar, snorkle, spare wheel/tyre and fire extinguisher. Viv and Ron, it would be much appreciated if you could let us know whether other equipment they are able to supply at an additional cost such as a 12v air compressor, winch, an additional wheel/tyre, GPS unit, UHF radio or instead a Satellite Phone or instead an EPIRB, would be suited and neccessary to our kind of trip. We will contact all aboriginal communities and national parks in advance so maybe UHF radio is not required?
It would be wonderfull if you could advise us on any equipment we should take and whether the sandard features such as bull bar and snorkle (which are fitted on request) are needed.
Kind regards,
Lauren LewisA. You'll enjoy the trip I'm sure and a Cruiser or a Patrol would be equally good at doing the trip.
A bullbar is a really good idea. If you are not going too remote, just doing the Gibb River road an its attractions, then you won't need a winch.
A sat phone would be nice but is not really necessary - I'd take a UHF radio and a fire extinguisher as well as a 2nd spare tyre and a 12 volt compressor - the latter especially if you are doing sand driving. I'd also take a basic recovery gear - shovel, snatch strap, 2 D-shackles and a jacking plate as well as a basic tool kit. You are travelling a long way and having nothing it's not the best way to go. A simple thing like a loose nut can easily be fixed with a spanner - if you have one.
I wouldn't trust what the woman is saying too much. Being 100% confident that the vehicles are serviced is one thing - saying they won't break down over a 6 week trip from Perth to Darwin is another! I wonder if she has ever been along the Gibb River Road - I'd hazard a guess and say 'No'!
Have a great trip.
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