The desert challenge

Travelling offroad in extreme conditions with a camper trailer is a topic that often opens a can of worms, especially with a destination like the Simpson Desert.

Many believe trailers are not allowed, or not capable of going, across the Simpson, or that it is at least strongly advised against. But people do take them across, and my trip in 2004 with a 100 Series turbodiesel LandCruiser plus Adventure camper trailer, which my father and I build, was done with ease.

CONQUERING BIG RED

I travelled from Mount Dare to Birdsville, covering a route which included most of the French Line.

Our journey was hassle-free because we had good weather – others may find it tricky as the conditions can change rapidly in this part of the country. We also had another fully-loaded 100 Series LandCruiser in our group, along with a Ford F250 six-cylinder turbodiesel with traytop Adventure camper on the back. Fuel consumption was approximately 140 litres per vehicle (22L/100km).

The other LandCruiser on one occasion got caught on top of one of the many dunes, and required a gentle snatch backwards to have a second attempt, which was done with ease.

The Ford was another story, having had new truck tyres fitted with a recommended inflation pressure of 80psi: that’s right, 80psi. The question for the group was: how low should we go for the conditions? The tyre pressures for desert driving were the same as the other vehicles, around 18psi or less.

But what about the vehicle with the trailer in tow? It had the same low psi, and did not require assistance for the main trip except for the infamous dune Big Red; all that was needed was sensible driving and respect for the track and those to follow.

If a dune was not conquered on its first attempt we simply reversed the trailer back down, reassessed our gear selection and tried again. We had a few second and third attempts, but this was due to our desire to disprove the point that trailers are damaging the dunes. I felt as though the trailer was smoothing over the tracks we were driving over and our group agreed.

As well, I thought ‘what the hell, maybe Big Red can stop me and my trailer’. To a degree it did, but I was so close to the top that with a light snatch I was over the centre track on Big Red with trailer in tow – point made!

PRESSURE’S ON

What we should be doing is diligently educating all users of the desert of the need for correct tyre pressures. In my business of camper trailer hire and sales, I hear of people thinking they are superheroes because they didn’t need to deflate their tyres or even use 4WD for their trip across the desert.

Spinning over-inflated tyres in 2WD does a lot of damage to the tracks and dunes. This is what is doing the damage, not trailers.

Let’s be realistic for a minute: if you think you can go out and buy a new 4WD and offroad trailer and simply drive across the Simpson Desert, you’re asking for trouble. As Dave from Mount Dare Homestead mentioned to our group, this is a real test track and it will most certainly test all your equipment.

Dave also mentioned that an experienced person with a trailer in tow will not have too many dramas. A very experienced tour operator from Alice Springs is often at Mount Dare and he takes his trailer everywhere.

Another consideration in the education process should be that those wanting to tow a trailer should at least be with one other vehicle, with or without a trailer. They should also know how to reverse their trailer confidently, and be well aware of their vehicle’s performance capabilities in sand.

Go somewhere close to home for a weekend and put yourself and vehicle through its paces to see what works best.

Test your tyre pressures in high and low range 4WD and be honest with yourself: is the vehicle up to the trip with a trailer in tow? I used to own a 1989 2.8L diesel Hilux and I knew this vehicle would not have managed a desert crossing with a trailer behind, even though I am sure others may disagree.

IGNORE THE SOUR GRAPES

The debate can go on and on, and people may ask why would you even want to take a trailer across the Simpson. I believe this is up to each individual to decide for him or herself using the principles of four-wheel driving: think, assess and decide.

There are many remote tracks in our country on which trailers are taken without such controversy, but where major trailer damage and costly recovery expenses to the owners can still happen.

My findings are that the majority of negative feedback in relation to trailers and the Simpson are from those who have done the trip without a trailer or not even done it at all.

Perhaps they are disappointed that they didn’t take their trailer along, or they unfortunately do not own a capable offroad camper trailer, or they may not have the experience required to take a trailer along with them.

I have looked closely during my trips to this area and seen many people preparing for their Simpson Desert crossing. I am bewildered at how much weight some have put on their roof racks and in their vehicles, and am concerned about the effect on the vehicle’s centre of gravity, and whether it is within its gross vehicle mass capacity. Overloading the roof could increase the possibility of a rollover.

Trailers are a much safer means of seeing our great country without having camping gear packed in tightly around the kids and other passengers.

Stop the nonsense, I say, and realise there are quality offroad camper trailers manufactured today that are more than capable for these types of trips.

Let’s focus on educating travellers more stringently about the necessary precautions.

Paul Tabone builds Adventure Camping & Offroad Trailers, Edwardstown, SA, (08) 8276 5666.