I did a search and noted the update June last year. But still wondering if anyone has been this year. We don't have long range fuel tanks so that will be the main problem. We are driving a Mazda BT50 Duel cab ute and towing a Goldstream RV 16.6' off roader. Also what is the suggested psi for both front and rear of the tug and also for the single axle van over rough corrugation please. Is there a web site that shows up to date road conditions?
Kim
macka17 said
07:42 AM May 23, 2017
Highways normally have pages to suit different tracks, conditions. Check each States.
We rode bikes down that track (motor) in '75ish. Wasn't much in way of corrugations in those days, Only locals basically.
Saw a bloke WALKING it too. from top to bottom. Little Skinny git with a flat pebble under his tongue. From Adelaide.
Check distance, allow another 20% minimum, excess for fuel. Either not full 20\25ltr Jerry cans.
or maybe a coupla fitted plastic fuel tanks alongsid wheel arches in tub.
At front. or on floor of. Maybe a long bladder on floorpan if dual cab.
ALL tyres and vehicles are different. Wall stiffness and suspensions. Try around 25ish lb's and 70ish km's as a start point. then go up or down to suit. Both.
Forget speedo. Tape over it. drive to vehicles feel, and you won't have a problem. Speed destroys. DO NOT have a time schedule on those trips.
Enjoy the views. Lovely part of this country.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 07:46:58 AM
Not being silly here, good idea about fuel storage BUT do keep in mind all that extra weight on board, make sure you have it spare first. If a you get caught over weight you will have to find a bank to pay the fine and if anything worse, like needing your Insurance company, being over weight could effect you claim. Just something to keep in mind.
Catch 22 sometimes.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
macka17 said
08:21 PM May 23, 2017
That's only for the ones who live on the limits though Doug.
Plus. Most of the trip they'll be empty. Just while on tracks.
And I don't think too many coppers will bother you too much with an extra fuel load in those places.
They know you can get real ded out there.
and THEY the ones who have to come looking for you.
He'll Maybe??? unload it to weigh you.
All ok. Put it back. Knowing the further you go.
The lighter you'll get.
A rented Sat Phone is good idea if you out to do a few of those tracks.
Hand it back when get home.
Just FOR emergency's for novices.
dirvine said
10:10 PM May 23, 2017
I did the Tanami Road last year after the Canning. From the Halls Creek end it is a wide dirt road until Yuendumu then it is a bitumen road all the way to Alice. The dirt part has some severe dips which can catch you out. If you see the sign DIP.... SLOW DOWN, otherwise the dirt can be a 80 -100kph road no problem. Rabbit Flat Roadhouse is now no longer there, so you need enough fuel to get from Halls Creek to Tilmouth Well. Yes you can get petrol at Bililuna or Yuenduma, but the price is prohibitive. You must go to Wolf Creek .... about a 40 in/out side road with gates. There was considerable traffic when we did it in July. If you dont own a sat phone and are not contemplating serious off the grid movement, then I would just use the UHF radio. Along the Tanami they have repeater stations so you can get good coverage if need be. Also the mines and aboriginal settlements all have telstra signal.
-- Edited by dirvine on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 10:13:42 PM
gandk said
08:18 AM May 24, 2017
Thank you David, just the sort of info we were after. Have checked the fuel price at Yuenduma and is 2.20 so not so bad really. Same as and cheaper than a place on the way to Cape York. $2.80!!!!
Thanks to all who give their time to reply.
Kim and Gary.
dirvine said
01:34 PM May 24, 2017
No probs Kim and Gary. $2.80 is cheap. In middle of Canning it was $3.50 from the pump at the settlement or dropped at a dump point at a well location in 200litre drums for $3.00 a litre.
I did a search and noted the update June last year. But still wondering if anyone has been this year. We don't have long range fuel tanks so that will be the main problem. We are driving a Mazda BT50 Duel cab ute and towing a Goldstream RV 16.6' off roader. Also what is the suggested psi for both front and rear of the tug and also for the single axle van over rough corrugation please. Is there a web site that shows up to date road conditions?
Kim
Highways normally have pages to suit different tracks, conditions.
Check each States.
We rode bikes down that track (motor) in '75ish. Wasn't much in way of corrugations in those days,
Only locals basically.
Saw a bloke WALKING it too. from top to bottom.
Little Skinny git with a flat pebble under his tongue. From Adelaide.
Check distance, allow another 20% minimum, excess for fuel.
Either not full 20\25ltr Jerry cans.
or maybe a coupla fitted plastic fuel tanks alongsid wheel arches in tub.
At front. or on floor of. Maybe a long bladder on floorpan if dual cab.
ALL tyres and vehicles are different. Wall stiffness and suspensions.
Try around 25ish lb's and 70ish km's as a start point.
then go up or down to suit. Both.
Forget speedo. Tape over it. drive to vehicles feel, and you won't have a problem.
Speed destroys. DO NOT have a time schedule on those trips.
Enjoy the views. Lovely part of this country.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 07:46:58 AM
www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/obstruction.jsp
Catch 22 sometimes.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Plus. Most of the trip they'll be empty. Just while on tracks.
And I don't think too many coppers will bother you too much with an extra fuel load in those places.
They know you can get real ded out there.
and THEY the ones who have to come looking for you.
He'll Maybe??? unload it to weigh you.
All ok. Put it back. Knowing the further you go.
The lighter you'll get.
A rented Sat Phone is good idea if you out to do a few of those tracks.
Hand it back when get home.
Just FOR emergency's for novices.
I did the Tanami Road last year after the Canning. From the Halls Creek end it is a wide dirt road until Yuendumu then it is a bitumen road all the way to Alice. The dirt part has some severe dips which can catch you out. If you see the sign DIP.... SLOW DOWN, otherwise the dirt can be a 80 -100kph road no problem. Rabbit Flat Roadhouse is now no longer there, so you need enough fuel to get from Halls Creek to Tilmouth Well. Yes you can get petrol at Bililuna or Yuenduma, but the price is prohibitive. You must go to Wolf Creek .... about a 40 in/out side road with gates. There was considerable traffic when we did it in July. If you dont own a sat phone and are not contemplating serious off the grid movement, then I would just use the UHF radio. Along the Tanami they have repeater stations so you can get good coverage if need be. Also the mines and aboriginal settlements all have telstra signal.
-- Edited by dirvine on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 10:13:42 PM
Thanks to all who give their time to reply.
Kim and Gary.