Depending on your KPL  and tank capacity  etc.         Realistically you don't need to have spare fuel  for the Eyre Highway Trip.   The Servos are spaced at reasonable distances apart for  top ups.   We top up at most of them as required. 

Some people like to get  lots of cheap fuel in extra tanks and Jerry Cans,  (stowed on the roof rack maybe) rather than pay the higher prices across the Eyre Hwy/Nullarbor.  It's all extra weight and windage that costs money to move  to save a few dollars.   You have to do the sums on your rigs fuel usage  to see whats viable to you.

Having said that I always have  "at minimum" 10 litres (diesel)  in the can when travelling.   As it is  a bit of insurance for the unexpected.  Depending on the situation and terrain   I carry more or less.  Very rarely  have I had to use it because of running short of fuel.   Usually it goes into the tank on the last morning of a trip heading home. That can be after months on the road.

Hope that helps a bit

Mike

I always carry 3 x 20L jerry cans in the tub of my ute when crossing the Nullarbor.  I will only fill all 3 at Norseman which will get me to Mundrabilla, (except once with is another story ) past the rip-offs at Balladonia, Caiguna, Madura and ****lebiddy.  I get a splash at Mundrabilla which gets me to Eucla (same price). These are around $1.60 which I reckon is acceptable.  From there the car tank plus 1 jerry will get me to Penong which is on par with Ceduna for price.

Apart from there I don't bother much with using them.

 

 

Good comment

We recently crossed the Nullarbor and purchased fuel when we needed to - our philosophy is, we are travelling, keep tank filled as much as possible - price doesn't worry us really, if you are travelling you need to buy fuel, slow down, see a lot more of the scenery, enjoy your trip without worrying about saving a dollar or two.

The most we have paid is $2.31 at Curtin Springs, on the way to Uluru.

Jules 47 and Crockie.     That is my routine as well.      The cost of carrying extra fuel  in Weight, and/or Windage,  equals money plus unnecessary  wear and tear spent transporting it just to save a few dollars usually.  

The Servos, IGA's, and small town shops  out in those tiny communities and remote places,    need supporting as well.      For our benefit (this is the outback we love)  and definitely for theirs.   The bush communities have a struggle  to stay viable as it is.   They have to pay those higher prices  all the time.

 

Carrying fuel in small containers is not the best way to go, particularly if you have to carry it in the same compartment you are sitting in. There is likelihood of spillages whilst you are decanting it. I carried fuel a couple of times when I was unsure of supplies in the outback. It's a hard way to go just to save a few shekels. I ended up bighting the bullet and spent $1350 installing an extra 65 l tank above the spare tyre. With that extra range available I reckon I have saved the cost of the tank by being able to pick my filling places and times and getting cheaper fuel. If you think you would benefit from the extra range in the future then auxiliary tanks are a much easier way to go then Gerry cans.

Gday...

Welcome Pangari

Good question. Fuel is definitely not a problem across the Nullarbor - from Penong to Norseman the roadhouses are fairly close. Some are only about 80km apart and the longest distance is between WA/SA Border and Nullarbor Roadhouse - about 185km. It is only the price. My "strategy" when I have crossed was to fill up at every roadhouse - spreading the cost. The only exception was I did NOT fill at WA/SA Border roadhouse but rather at Eucla - 13c/litre cheaper.

But water ....... there are very few roadhouses that will provide water without a cost. I think WA/SA Border roadhouse has a 10ltr limit and it attracts a charge - can't remember but I think it was $1/litre. There are a couple of 'free' camps that show a "water tap" sign .. but these at attached to water tanks - therefore rain dependent ... usually empty. 

Any water they have is scarce. The only one, from memory, was C_ocklebiddy Roadhouse which had desalinated water - beautiful - and they did not mind if you took some in containers rather than fill your tank - at no cost.

So make sure you tanks are full before you leave Penong (or Norseman coming back) .. and be frugal in its use. All roadhouses have showers so use them - usually a small cost $1 or $2 for three or five minutes. 

I did the trip in 2013 .. some may have more up-to-date info now.

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Tuesday 23rd of December 2014 12:14:01 PM

at best its about 50c a litre dearer - for us that's saving $3.50 per tank - need about 3 tank fills to get across - so just a few less take away coffees. We have just decided to ditch all bar one jerry can which we will keep for emergencies only.. We also carry generator fuel, chainsaw fuel and outboard fuel - a shame they are not all diesel 

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Tuesday 23rd of December 2014 03:13:26 PM

elliemike wrote:

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villatranquilla wrote:

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at best its about 50c a litre dearer - for us that's saving $3.50 per tank - need about 3 tank fills to get across - so just a few less take away coffees. We have just decided to ditch all bar one jerry can which we will keep for emergencies only.. We also carry generator fuel, chainsaw fuel and outboard fuel - a shame they are not all diesel 

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Tuesday 23rd of December 2014 03:13:26 PM

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Lets  assume your tank is 70 Litres   not sure how you get $3:50   as the saving. 

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Thats what I thought, the $3.50 saving might be on the half full 10L generator tank ha ha. 

I am one of those who is not concerned about the price of fuel.  Sure I grumble a bit & always look for the cheapest but don't go out of my way for the cheaper stuff. What you've got to pay you've got to pay!   I am doubtful if the sums add up to justify carrying large quantities of fuel in jerry cans just for price alone. Then there's the safety factor.

When touring, I calculate how much fuel I need for each leg using my worst ever consumption ... The Nullarbor has no shortage of conveniently spaced servos even for my thirsty Patrol with its small tank.  There are plenty of publications showing locations of fuel stations across the Eyre Highway to help with your planning.

I always fill up each morning (don't bush camp) and if doing a long leg (very unusual) I top up at lunch where possible.   I keep a close eye on my progressive consumption as a check on how the rig is going.  I always look for reasons for variations from average/trend.

For emergency, like heavy head winds, I carry a spare 20L jerry can but am pleased to say I rarely use it.

villatranquilla wrote:

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at best its about 50c a litre dearer - for us that's saving $3.50 per tank - need about 3 tank fills to get across - so just a few less take away coffees. We have just decided to ditch all bar one jerry can which we will keep for emergencies only.. We also carry generator fuel, chainsaw fuel and outboard fuel - a shame they are not all diesel 

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Tuesday 23rd of December 2014 03:13:26 PM

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 sorry folks - must have been having a seniors moment (should have read $35 not $3.50) but still in the big picture for us its not such a big deal - in the last 12 mth period we did about 26000 k's and spent about $5000 on fuel

Hi Fidele.

My thinking is with fuel over this distant is to support the servos, try to find out which may be marginally cheaper or near your rest breaks to work in with your travels needs.

The weight of extra fuel alone is a handicap eating into your pay load, add the need to store the fuel valuable load space which we are always short off, just lifting it high enough to syphon the fuel into the vehicle. Not long back I took a extra drum of water with me as I new I was going to be away from a tap, boy lifting a 20 litre drum now I am very reluctant to fill it the top because of the weight. Then carrying and storing the empty drums further along your journey, no fun.

I can understand carrying 1 drum for those time when the vehicle tank is a bit of a risk and would do the same. My tank is good for 400 and on a good day would go to around 500 ks.

I hope my thoughts are helpful. Ralph.

 

You don't really need to carry spare fuel across but for peace of mind a couple of 20ltr jerry's is not over the top.

I have been across nine times now, and on one crossing was heading East to West to fill up at Mundrabilla as it was one of the cheaper one's, only to find when I got there that there was no diesel ! they were waiting on a delivery.

As there was a head wind there was no way I would have made the next servo so my two 20ltrs saved me the long wait till the tanker arrived.


For me, as said it's just peace of mind, but yes top up regularly as you travel, better to pay the premium sometimes than run out in he worst possible place.

I now have the capacity to travel from Penong to Norseman without filling up ! as I carry nearly 300ltrs now, so can beat the profiteers.

Here are our diesel prices from March 2013.  We carry 300 litres of water as well, and topped up at Nullarbor, where we paid 15cpl.  Hint with water at Nullarbor.  Do not put it straight into your tank.  If you have, for example, a 100 litre tank, they will charge your for 100 litres.  We used our jerry can, filled it three times and paid accordingly.

 

Ceduna BP 1.57  

Penong Caltex 1.57

Fowlers Bay  did not buy, but was diesel only

nullarbor rs 1.999 eucla  

1.92 Mundrabilla 1.91 fuel

316.44 litres av price $1.83

Total fuel $582.00

TOTAL Km 1316  

-- Edited by Dunmowin on Sunday 28th of December 2014 08:06:00 PM