I am planning to do the drive from Sydney - Marree - Birdsville - Cameron Corner - sydney.
I am driving a Nissan Patrol 4.8 litre towing a Jayco Starcraft 21' Van,,, not Off-Road.
Should I lift the van a few inches for the trip, OR would this be futile for such terrain??
OR just maybe, would the van be OK as is ????
I will appreciate all responses.
Cheers to all. KB
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:39 PM Oct 16, 2018
You will not need a "lift". It will serve no purpose whatever.
Cameron Corner is no where near the Birdsville Track. What is your proposed route?
Most importantly, what is the minimum speed that your patience will allow you to drive at, constantly, for several days in a row?
Cheers,
Peter
keiron said
06:48 PM Oct 16, 2018
Peter, As I mentioned in my original post, as copied below.
I do hope this might clarify your kind enquiry.
I am planning to do the drive from Sydney - Marree - Birdsville - Cameron Corner - sydney.
Regards, and looking forward to your advice. KB
Warren-Pat_01 said
07:15 PM Oct 16, 2018
Hi keiron,
The Birdsville "Highway" varies in condition year by year. We've been up & down it many times. The first was in 1976 & it was a "track" then, however the last dozen times it was in good condition. Don't get me wrong though - it is stony (the Sturts Stony Desert got its name from the gibbers, etc) - if you do the "Track" ensure you have GOOD tyres all round and adjust your pressures to suit. Most of the stone is jasper - it is hard & often sharp. Above all - drive to conditions even if others choose not to.
Our last time, we had the Eagle camper & I had been told to drop my pressures down 10psi but I chose to drop them 5psi first & found all went ok. The only time we had tyre trouble (1) was in 1976 & that was near Betoota. On that last trip (up) several other parties had troubles heading S-N, a Ford Territory with "rubber bands" as tyres did two south of Mungarannie, a bloke with poor Coopers & a big load did two (thankfully he was behind us) & another big O/R van did two as well - heading N-S. The latter chap thought the road to the north was rough - we found the northern stretch was better than the southern!
Carry your essential spares & don't overload. You can get both fuel & tyres (inc Coopers)at Mungarannie.
Is your van an "Outback" or made for normal roads? If the latter, I'd question whether it is worth possibly knocking the van around. Ensure you have a good stone guard on your car/van + covers for your rear windows of the car.
I assume you're doing the trip next year - it is TOO HOT out there from a month ago to April!!
Possum3 said
07:20 PM Oct 16, 2018
Keiron, I did most of those in the Jayco discovery leaf sprung, pulled by old 4.2 Patrol - take it slowly no problems. The only thing that broke was the round plate in the microwave hit a bump a bit plate banged into microwave door - door opened and plate fell to floor - three million and one bits of safety glass every where. Nowdays I have baby safety catches on microwave door no problems. The plate cost $2.00 to replace at Salvo's.
The trips on all those roads is always either corrugated or smooth no guarantees on either - it depends when it was last graded and you have to go to know
Peter_n_Margaret said
07:44 PM Oct 16, 2018
keiron wrote:
Peter, As I mentioned in my original post, as copied below.
I do hope this might clarify your kind enquiry.
I am planning to do the drive from Sydney - Marree - Birdsville - Cameron Corner - sydney.
Regards, and looking forward to your advice. KB
That gives no detail at all of your proposed route.
If you are going drive to Marree first from Sydney, you would go to Cameron Corner and then to Birdsville after that and would not use the Birdsville Track at all.
Nor did you answer my question about speed. People ride bicycles on these roads on a regular basis without problems. Are you prepared to drive at bicycle speed for the whole route? If not, at what speed?
Cheers,
Peter
TheHeaths said
08:05 PM Oct 16, 2018
I would at least get under the van and cover all plumbing pipework and electrical wiring to give it some protection. Also extend the water tank protection so that the inlet/outlet pipework and valves are covered, instead of being open to stones.
We have a 2012 Outback 21 foot StarCraft, all plumbing pipework/electrical wiring covered with pool noodles or marine carpet, and no damage from any dirt road running so far.
Whatever way you go, you are looking at a minimum of 1500 km of dirt, some of it rough and some very stony, so some effort to protect under the van will pay off. Must admit it that planned trip put me off this July, when I turned around after reaching Farina, as I just couldn't face the dirt for so long. We had planned your trip and after 4 tries we finally got the right weather (no road closures due to rain), so disappointed but it felt right at the time.
Also check that fridge and microwave are well secured. Our microwave decided to try and get out on the Mungo to Mildura Road, and a fridge in our previous Sterling Outback tried to walk across the van up the Oodnadatta Track.
Apart from that, Peter is right about patience being the key to making the trip unscathed in your on road StarCraft. Lose patience and you WILL break something.
keiron said
08:12 PM Oct 16, 2018
I am sorry Peter.
I will drive from Sydney to Marree, via broken Hill, among other places.
From Marree, I plan to drive to Birdsville, from Maree.
Then from Birdsville to Cameron Corner, and onto the road back to Bourke and Sydney.
I am an old Dinosaur, and do travel as slow as needs be to arrive as safe as one might at the planned destination.
I do hope this assists, as I am anxious to get your thoughts. KB
Mike Harding said
08:13 PM Oct 16, 2018
It's been some years since I did the Birdsville Track and that was in a 4WD (no trailer/van). As a 4WD track it was trivial and could have been done in a Commodore (often is I think), however speed is the key and easy tracks lull into into going too fast and then, without warning, we come upon a 12" deep wash-out at 90kph and it's goodbye to the front suspension!
Personally, I would not take a caravan on the Birdsville Track if I didn't have to. I'm sure the van will make it OK but it'll go home with a lot more loose bits than it started with. The bush roads are hard on vehicles.
TheHeaths said
08:29 PM Oct 16, 2018
Looking at the route you quote Kieron, it looks to me like you are going to go from Birdsville to Innamincka and then down to Merty Merty and across to Cameron Corner. Is that correct, as I do not know of a direct road to Cameron Corner from Birdsville or Innamincka.
If I am correct with the route, you will need to be careful, as for the Birdsville Track, but also be aware that the Strzelecki and Merty Merty road often have warnings for bull dust holes. You will need to just take care.
Ger08 said
10:01 PM Oct 16, 2018
You should be fine with your van - just ensure that you cover all external pipes etc. Its a great trip.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:32 PM Oct 16, 2018
From Birdsville to Cameron Corner I expect that you would go via Innamincka and Merty Merty.
First question is how to get to Innamincka and I would strongly recommend you avoid the Cordillo Downs road. It tends to be stony and very hard on tyres. Go a bit further via Beetoota Pub.
Then use the OLD Strzelecki Track (Parks permit required for the northern section) to Merty Merty. The OLD Strzelecki is much less used and is hard mostly sand instead of clay capped and is usually much nicer to drive.
The other alternative is the Walkers Crossing Track (Birdsville Track to Innamincka) which has been closed for quite some time, but we came that way a few months ago and whilst there were some sections of bad corrugations, it was mostly a good drive.
Last I heard the Merty Merty to Cameron Corner road was pretty chopped up, so a low speed will be required unless it has had some attention (which is quite likely).
Cameron Corner to Tibooburra and then on to Broken Hill won't give you too much grief if you take it very easy.
All bets are OFF if there is ANY recent rain.
Do not expect to make it from town to town in one day on any of these routes. The distances are too great if you are going slowly enough to look after the van. You will have to spend nights without any facilities off the road along the way
Cheers,
Peter
Moose2 said
07:21 AM Oct 17, 2018
Great info for the OP there Peter.
Keiron - what tyres are on the van and what condition are they in?
Also as others have said go over the underneath carefully and make sure all is protected. Including the wires for the electric brakes if that is what you have. I thought mine were OK being up high but they got smashed (different roads but similar dirt/stony stuff).
And watch out for other idiots driving too fast and chucking up rocks. Plenty of those out there.
Have fun and stay safe.
Woody n Sue said
08:48 AM Oct 17, 2018
Ok my two bobs worth
In our patrol Ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( camper is 1900kg ) back in July August this year.
Note here I grew up on the farm I learnt to drive on gravel and sandy roads and sandy paddocks .
We mostly traveled at 40 to 60 kph to suit the roads plus we were not in any particular hurry
We ran 40 psi in the Ute and camper trailer never let them down never had a tyre problem .
I will state here that I never have nor have I came across a situation where I needed to lower tyre pressure , I do not understand why people try to make the tyres do what the Suspention was designed to do , lowering the tyre pressure only exposes the side wall to more rocks on the road , it increases the flexing of the side wall and creates heat which then leads to separation of the tyre side wall material and Bang one stuffed tyre, the side wall is there to keep the air in the tyre and the driving force in contact with the tread , the tread Is designed to contact the road surface and provide traction the side walls are NOT designed to contact anything but the passing air .
If you can get tyres where the tread rubber goes over the edge of the tyre and up the side wall a bit, this will help protect the side wall a bit .
Maybe one day I may need to lower pressure to get out of sand pure sand, but only if my driving skills desert me.
Now off my hobby horse and back to the question
We did broken hill Tibooburra no problems pretty good road was good little coragations .
Tibooburra to Camerons corner was not quite as good but ok at 30 to 60 take your time and drive sensibly its fine .
Ok side story here we were passed by a little people mover driven by an idiot probably in his late 60s or more with his wife and another elderly couple day tripping from Tibooburra and return , he asked me at Camerons corner what I thought of the rough road , to which I replied that I didnt think it was too bad , he said it was terrible and that they nearly rolled the people mover , being the polite bloke I am I never said anything but thought to my self Im not surprised the speed that you passed us at as I said idiot , drive to the conditions and you will be fine
Ok back on track here from Camerons corner to merty merty was the stoniest and most corrugated road we traveled on it was a bit slower but doable with a caravan this will be your worst section by far .
From there on to innamincka was quite good back up to 60 even a bit more in places .
On from there to Birdsville was fine and quite caravan friendly .
Birdsville down to Maree was in the most part better than some sealed roads we have been on , you could easily do 100 k on some of it if your silly enough , its that smooth , no problem here for a caravan we mostly did around 60 -70 kph , but again dont be in a hurry and it will be a pleasent drive .
From maree we went on to Oodnadatta and Marla then down through the painted desert , Coober pedy and back home .
As I said no problems at all with tyres or anything mechanical other than a quick wheel bearing adjustment at Birdsville because Im like that .
So as I said the worst bit was Camerons corner to merty merty that in my opinion is the most likely spot that you may encounter a problem , but, as I have said dont be in a hurry and you should be ok .
Remember this was two months ago and road conditions can change .
And as others have said check and protect as best that you can under your van before you go.
Woody
Warren-Pat_01 said
12:13 AM Oct 18, 2018
G'day Woody & co,
The reason why tyre manufacturers recommend reducing tyre pressures is to lower the risk of punching the tread of a tyre with a sharp stone. It enables the tread to mould itself briefly around the stone (both Coopers & Mickey Thompson & I don't run either of them, but they offer good brochures about tyre care).
Yes there is a risk of slicing a side wall & that is the reason I chose to reduce my pressures by 5psi instead of what the dealers suggested. I've not had any tyre troubles of recent years - tyres are now a lot better than the old 7.50x16 ones we used on old Toyotas & Nissans in the 70-80s.
It is all a compromise - safe travel, maximising tyre wear, driving at a speed where evasive action may be required - safely & comfort for both the car & van. I generally travel at 50 to 80kph on a "good" stony road, perhaps up to 90 on a firm clay road with no hazards.
It is a number of years since Pat "allowed" me to drive through soft sand (she gets rather nervous now) but the lowest I ever dropped (7.50x16s) down was 12psi - risky, I know but our speed was about 15kph & the distance was minimal (behind the sand dunes near Fowlers Bay - SA). We were checking out the fresh water soaks that saved aboriginals & past explorers in years gone by.
The top end of the Strzelecki can be quite sandy - the conditions at the time determines how I drive, not fixed rules.
Hylife said
12:55 AM Oct 18, 2018
Just my opinion.
Never let your tyre pressures down on rocky roads. To do so is just asking for a puncture.
Very rocky roads like the Birdsville track are not roads that I would consider terribly corrugated even at their worst. Cough up the $$ and fit new tyres to your tug AND van before doing those roads and then there is no need to carry more than the normal single spare wheel. Take and learn how to use the sticky plug tyre repair tools. Awesome bit of kit every vanner should have.
Fine gravel and sandy tracks like the Tanami and Tele tracks and the old Savanah way through Limen NP are the types of surface that I would classify as corrugated and if you don't lower your pressures on your tug and van on those roads you WILL bust sh!t, constantly.
A month either side of the two main Birdsville events, the races and the many times bigger Big Red Bash, sees the track graded every couple of days.
The track normally carries approx. 30 vehicles a day but this year 9,000 people turned up to the week long Bash.
Gibber rocks will smash all sorts of stuff if you don't completely insulate everything that is exposed under your van. Trampoline style stone guards will bounce rocks at the back of your tow vehicle damaging paint and smashing windows.
The gibber plains that the track runs through are clay that behaves very much like play doh. I little bit of rain turns it into a foot deep quagmire and therefore the authorities are quick to close the track for a day or two to dry out. Usually after 2 to 3 days of fine weather after rain it is re-opened to light vehicles only (cars and caravans etc). Heavy vehicles like trucks are usually banned for up to a week after rain. As the clay dries out during the first week it behaves like modelling clay and becomes super smooth and shiny. During this period you have the Birdsville Highway. 100kph and no stones or dust. After a week it starts to crack up and all the stones come back to the surface and it turns to the normal rocky track we all love to hate.
Did the track 18 months ago to the 2017 Bash then the Old Savanah Way and then up the Cape, all with a 20 year old 16' Jayco poptop. No problems if you take it easy. Minor things will rattle loose of course and that is why you always take some screws and liquid nails with you and if you have leaf springs maybe you might consider a couple of spare ubolts and centre pin bolts as justins. Hey why not consider getting Pedders to fit a couple of small shock absorbers to the beam axel to lessen the vibes to the van itself. Big difference to how it will tow too.
It is a right of passage to all aussies to do these roads and as I always say, you can take any van on any road if you are sensible and drive to the conditions.
If you go into these endeavours with the knowledge that maybe some small things might need fixing along the way and that good old Aussie red and grey dust will get into a lot of things you'll have a much better time of it. Give it a go, take it easy and make some memories and have some fun.
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:02 AM Oct 18, 2018
I always reduce tyre pressures off the black top.
I start at a 20% reduction from highway pressures and go lower as conditions deteriorate and speed reduces. Especially for rocky roads.
I use Michelin highway drive tyres and they publish the pressure reduction figures that I use. I figure that they know more about the tyres they make than anyone else.
Not only does this protect the tyre but it protects the vehicle too.
Hello again.
I am planning to do the drive from Sydney - Marree - Birdsville - Cameron Corner - sydney.
I am driving a Nissan Patrol 4.8 litre towing a Jayco Starcraft 21' Van,,, not Off-Road.
Should I lift the van a few inches for the trip, OR would this be futile for such terrain??
OR just maybe, would the van be OK as is ????
I will appreciate all responses.
Cheers to all. KB
Cameron Corner is no where near the Birdsville Track. What is your proposed route?
Most importantly, what is the minimum speed that your patience will allow you to drive at, constantly, for several days in a row?
Cheers,
Peter
Peter, As I mentioned in my original post, as copied below.
I do hope this might clarify your kind enquiry.
I am planning to do the drive from Sydney - Marree - Birdsville - Cameron Corner - sydney.
Regards, and looking forward to your advice. KB
The Birdsville "Highway" varies in condition year by year. We've been up & down it many times. The first was in 1976 & it was a "track" then, however the last dozen times it was in good condition. Don't get me wrong though - it is stony (the Sturts Stony Desert got its name from the gibbers, etc) - if you do the "Track" ensure you have GOOD tyres all round and adjust your pressures to suit. Most of the stone is jasper - it is hard & often sharp. Above all - drive to conditions even if others choose not to.
Our last time, we had the Eagle camper & I had been told to drop my pressures down 10psi but I chose to drop them 5psi first & found all went ok. The only time we had tyre trouble (1) was in 1976 & that was near Betoota. On that last trip (up) several other parties had troubles heading S-N, a Ford Territory with "rubber bands" as tyres did two south of Mungarannie, a bloke with poor Coopers & a big load did two (thankfully he was behind us) & another big O/R van did two as well - heading N-S. The latter chap thought the road to the north was rough - we found the northern stretch was better than the southern!
Carry your essential spares & don't overload. You can get both fuel & tyres (inc Coopers)at Mungarannie.
Is your van an "Outback" or made for normal roads? If the latter, I'd question whether it is worth possibly knocking the van around. Ensure you have a good stone guard on your car/van + covers for your rear windows of the car.
I assume you're doing the trip next year - it is TOO HOT out there from a month ago to April!!
The trips on all those roads is always either corrugated or smooth no guarantees on either - it depends when it was last graded and you have to go to know
That gives no detail at all of your proposed route.
If you are going drive to Marree first from Sydney, you would go to Cameron Corner and then to Birdsville after that and would not use the Birdsville Track at all.
Nor did you answer my question about speed. People ride bicycles on these roads on a regular basis without problems. Are you prepared to drive at bicycle speed for the whole route? If not, at what speed?
Cheers,
Peter
We have a 2012 Outback 21 foot StarCraft, all plumbing pipework/electrical wiring covered with pool noodles or marine carpet, and no damage from any dirt road running so far.
Whatever way you go, you are looking at a minimum of 1500 km of dirt, some of it rough and some very stony, so some effort to protect under the van will pay off. Must admit it that planned trip put me off this July, when I turned around after reaching Farina, as I just couldn't face the dirt for so long. We had planned your trip and after 4 tries we finally got the right weather (no road closures due to rain), so disappointed but it felt right at the time.
Also check that fridge and microwave are well secured. Our microwave decided to try and get out on the Mungo to Mildura Road, and a fridge in our previous Sterling Outback tried to walk across the van up the Oodnadatta Track.
Apart from that, Peter is right about patience being the key to making the trip unscathed in your on road StarCraft. Lose patience and you WILL break something.
I am sorry Peter.
I will drive from Sydney to Marree, via broken Hill, among other places.
From Marree, I plan to drive to Birdsville, from Maree.
Then from Birdsville to Cameron Corner, and onto the road back to Bourke and Sydney.
I am an old Dinosaur, and do travel as slow as needs be to arrive as safe as one might at the planned destination.
I do hope this assists, as I am anxious to get your thoughts. KB
It's been some years since I did the Birdsville Track and that was in a 4WD (no trailer/van). As a 4WD track it was trivial and could have been done in a Commodore (often is I think), however speed is the key and easy tracks lull into into going too fast and then, without warning, we come upon a 12" deep wash-out at 90kph and it's goodbye to the front suspension!
Personally, I would not take a caravan on the Birdsville Track if I didn't have to. I'm sure the van will make it OK but it'll go home with a lot more loose bits than it started with. The bush roads are hard on vehicles.
If I am correct with the route, you will need to be careful, as for the Birdsville Track, but also be aware that the Strzelecki and Merty Merty road often have warnings for bull dust holes. You will need to just take care.
First question is how to get to Innamincka and I would strongly recommend you avoid the Cordillo Downs road. It tends to be stony and very hard on tyres. Go a bit further via Beetoota Pub.
Then use the OLD Strzelecki Track (Parks permit required for the northern section) to Merty Merty. The OLD Strzelecki is much less used and is hard mostly sand instead of clay capped and is usually much nicer to drive.
The other alternative is the Walkers Crossing Track (Birdsville Track to Innamincka) which has been closed for quite some time, but we came that way a few months ago and whilst there were some sections of bad corrugations, it was mostly a good drive.
Last I heard the Merty Merty to Cameron Corner road was pretty chopped up, so a low speed will be required unless it has had some attention (which is quite likely).
Cameron Corner to Tibooburra and then on to Broken Hill won't give you too much grief if you take it very easy.
All bets are OFF if there is ANY recent rain.
Do not expect to make it from town to town in one day on any of these routes. The distances are too great if you are going slowly enough to look after the van. You will have to spend nights without any facilities off the road along the way
Cheers,
Peter
Great info for the OP there Peter.
Keiron - what tyres are on the van and what condition are they in?
Also as others have said go over the underneath carefully and make sure all is protected. Including the wires for the electric brakes if that is what you have. I thought mine were OK being up high but they got smashed (different roads but similar dirt/stony stuff).
And watch out for other idiots driving too fast and chucking up rocks. Plenty of those out there.
Have fun and stay safe.
In our patrol Ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( camper is 1900kg ) back in July August this year.
Note here I grew up on the farm I learnt to drive on gravel and sandy roads and sandy paddocks .
We mostly traveled at 40 to 60 kph to suit the roads plus we were not in any particular hurry
We ran 40 psi in the Ute and camper trailer never let them down never had a tyre problem .
I will state here that I never have nor have I came across a situation where I needed to lower tyre pressure , I do not understand why people try to make the tyres do what the Suspention was designed to do , lowering the tyre pressure only exposes the side wall to more rocks on the road , it increases the flexing of the side wall and creates heat which then leads to separation of the tyre side wall material and Bang one stuffed tyre, the side wall is there to keep the air in the tyre and the driving force in contact with the tread , the tread Is designed to contact the road surface and provide traction the side walls are NOT designed to contact anything but the passing air .
If you can get tyres where the tread rubber goes over the edge of the tyre and up the side wall a bit, this will help protect the side wall a bit .
Maybe one day I may need to lower pressure to get out of sand pure sand, but only if my driving skills desert me.
Now off my hobby horse and back to the question
We did broken hill Tibooburra no problems pretty good road was good little coragations .
Tibooburra to Camerons corner was not quite as good but ok at 30 to 60 take your time and drive sensibly its fine .
Ok side story here we were passed by a little people mover driven by an idiot probably in his late 60s or more with his wife and another elderly couple day tripping from Tibooburra and return , he asked me at Camerons corner what I thought of the rough road , to which I replied that I didnt think it was too bad , he said it was terrible and that they nearly rolled the people mover , being the polite bloke I am I never said anything but thought to my self Im not surprised the speed that you passed us at as I said idiot , drive to the conditions and you will be fine
Ok back on track here from Camerons corner to merty merty was the stoniest and most corrugated road we traveled on it was a bit slower but doable with a caravan this will be your worst section by far .
From there on to innamincka was quite good back up to 60 even a bit more in places .
On from there to Birdsville was fine and quite caravan friendly .
Birdsville down to Maree was in the most part better than some sealed roads we have been on , you could easily do 100 k on some of it if your silly enough , its that smooth , no problem here for a caravan we mostly did around 60 -70 kph , but again dont be in a hurry and it will be a pleasent drive .
From maree we went on to Oodnadatta and Marla then down through the painted desert , Coober pedy and back home .
As I said no problems at all with tyres or anything mechanical other than a quick wheel bearing adjustment at Birdsville because Im like that .
So as I said the worst bit was Camerons corner to merty merty that in my opinion is the most likely spot that you may encounter a problem , but, as I have said dont be in a hurry and you should be ok .
Remember this was two months ago and road conditions can change .
And as others have said check and protect as best that you can under your van before you go.
Woody
The reason why tyre manufacturers recommend reducing tyre pressures is to lower the risk of punching the tread of a tyre with a sharp stone. It enables the tread to mould itself briefly around the stone (both Coopers & Mickey Thompson & I don't run either of them, but they offer good brochures about tyre care).
Yes there is a risk of slicing a side wall & that is the reason I chose to reduce my pressures by 5psi instead of what the dealers suggested. I've not had any tyre troubles of recent years - tyres are now a lot better than the old 7.50x16 ones we used on old Toyotas & Nissans in the 70-80s.
It is all a compromise - safe travel, maximising tyre wear, driving at a speed where evasive action may be required - safely & comfort for both the car & van. I generally travel at 50 to 80kph on a "good" stony road, perhaps up to 90 on a firm clay road with no hazards.
It is a number of years since Pat "allowed" me to drive through soft sand (she gets rather nervous now) but the lowest I ever dropped (7.50x16s) down was 12psi - risky, I know but our speed was about 15kph & the distance was minimal (behind the sand dunes near Fowlers Bay - SA). We were checking out the fresh water soaks that saved aboriginals & past explorers in years gone by.
The top end of the Strzelecki can be quite sandy - the conditions at the time determines how I drive, not fixed rules.
Just my opinion.
Never let your tyre pressures down on rocky roads. To do so is just asking for a puncture.
Very rocky roads like the Birdsville track are not roads that I would consider terribly corrugated even at their worst.
Cough up the $$ and fit new tyres to your tug AND van before doing those roads and then there is no need to carry more than the normal single spare wheel.
Take and learn how to use the sticky plug tyre repair tools. Awesome bit of kit every vanner should have.
Fine gravel and sandy tracks like the Tanami and Tele tracks and the old Savanah way through Limen NP are the types of surface that I would classify as corrugated and if you don't lower your pressures on your tug and van on those roads you WILL bust sh!t, constantly.
A month either side of the two main Birdsville events, the races and the many times bigger Big Red Bash, sees the track graded every couple of days.
The track normally carries approx. 30 vehicles a day but this year 9,000 people turned up to the week long Bash.
Gibber rocks will smash all sorts of stuff if you don't completely insulate everything that is exposed under your van.
Trampoline style stone guards will bounce rocks at the back of your tow vehicle damaging paint and smashing windows.
The gibber plains that the track runs through are clay that behaves very much like play doh. I little bit of rain turns it into a foot deep quagmire and therefore the authorities are quick to close the track for a day or two to dry out. Usually after 2 to 3 days of fine weather after rain it is re-opened to light vehicles only (cars and caravans etc). Heavy vehicles like trucks are usually banned for up to a week after rain.
As the clay dries out during the first week it behaves like modelling clay and becomes super smooth and shiny. During this period you have the Birdsville Highway. 100kph and no stones or dust. After a week it starts to crack up and all the stones come back to the surface and it turns to the normal rocky track we all love to hate.
Did the track 18 months ago to the 2017 Bash then the Old Savanah Way and then up the Cape, all with a 20 year old 16' Jayco poptop. No problems if you take it easy.
Minor things will rattle loose of course and that is why you always take some screws and liquid nails with you and if you have leaf springs maybe you might consider a couple of spare ubolts and centre pin bolts as justins.
Hey why not consider getting Pedders to fit a couple of small shock absorbers to the beam axel to lessen the vibes to the van itself. Big difference to how it will tow too.
It is a right of passage to all aussies to do these roads and as I always say, you can take any van on any road if you are sensible and drive to the conditions.
If you go into these endeavours with the knowledge that maybe some small things might need fixing along the way and that good old Aussie red and grey dust will get into a lot of things you'll have a much better time of it.
Give it a go, take it easy and make some memories and have some fun.
I start at a 20% reduction from highway pressures and go lower as conditions deteriorate and speed reduces. Especially for rocky roads.
I use Michelin highway drive tyres and they publish the pressure reduction figures that I use. I figure that they know more about the tyres they make than anyone else.
Not only does this protect the tyre but it protects the vehicle too.
Cheers,
Peter