I have done the  GCR and will possibly do it again this year.   As a rule,   I reduce all round  by 10%    depending on the Load and the Road condition.   I might even reduce this to a 15% reduction, or even more if the surface needs it..   When driving you can get a feel for the way the tyres are handling the road surface.

 The GCR  like all Unsealed roads can vary with,   Use, When Last graded,   Weather,   Surface material.   It goes from  Good flat gravel,   to Stoney,  to Sand (compacted but soft at the edges)       Corrugated  sections,   Very Corrugated sections.   I carry two spares for each vehicle when out on these roads.  Never had a problem on my last trip pulling the camper.  

As always if  I am lowering tyre pressures I need to think about lowering my speed accordingly.  It's a lovely part of the World  and very  photographable 

We did the GCR a few years ag and lowered our tyre pressure 10% about 100 kM east if Laverton, then another 5% about 50Km further on. It's important to slow down and drive to the road conditions, be very aware that a really good section of road can turn to very dangerous in a split second.
There were 3 of us travelling together in motorhomes, we had a great trip, took our time and enjoyed several pleasant overnight stops, some of the views and things to see are extraordinary if you take the time to look.
The only tyre trouble we had was one backed into a overnight stop and spiked a tyre on a tree root, sheer bad luck.
It's a great drive, take care and drive slower than you would normally.

VanMangler wrote:

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Sound advice and good to know what to expect, thanks Mike ... 4H all the way, I assume?

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 Not necessarily, I went with a couple of people who did it all in  2 wheel drive and did not use 4H.  

Though this is not my recommendation as I like to think I have more control in 4 H   I alway go into 4H on dirt roads especially with the Avan on the back.    When you hit a soft edge in the sandy sections you can feel the Tug doing it's job.  Also when going around a bend or curve I could feel the vehicle wanting to drift due to the camper pushing the stern around.    My two 2WD Mates  !  Of course I thought they were nuts,      and they thought me a wimp,   using 4x4 all the way. We begged to differ, and still drive these roads together.  I'm in a 4x4 club and you get the same variation of ideas when to engage 4 Wheel Drive.  Well I suppose we all have our own way of driving.

 

-- Edited by elliemike on Monday 14th of March 2016 07:02:37 PM

Great feedback all round, thanks heaps folks (those pictures are worth a thousand words to help illustrate the conditions, Mike). I reckon I will be slipping into 4H and sucking out 10% of my tyre pressures on the road out of Laverton based on what I have learned today. With only one spare for each vehicle, it will be steady as she goes.
Cheers
VanMangler

elliemike wrote:

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When you get your Permits  they have a travel time limit for your journey over the Road.   Just do them on the Net,  easy peasy.  But  I'm sure you know this,    but for the benefit of others reading it.

 I was told by  a policeman in Laverton Police Station  you must have this permit.  No problem if you get to go through  without incident or accident and no permit.     But if stopped for a routine check (very rare but they do)   or for something else,  not having a permit is an offence.

The lady who phoned me when we did our last permits said you have to stick to the time limit of travel permit.   Then !  But no one will ever check if you take longer driving  over. 

So take your time, no rush.   You also hear terrible stories of the  locals like marauding Apaches   Hmmmmm  The ones we met were all OK and shy to talk but still friendly.

Have a great trip.

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 Mike & Ellie

Just a small heads up regarding the Australian Aborigine and one of their cultural quirks.

They will seldom look you in the eye when talking to you and this is often mistaken for shyness when, in fact, it is a mark of respect.

Our white culture demands that we converse eye to eye and to not do so is regarded as a sign of shiftiness or untrustworthy behaviour, at worst, or shyness, at best.

This sign of respect from an Aboriginal has often been used as proof that they are not to be trusted. Do not fall into that false belief.

They are worth listening to as they know many things that we don't take the time to learn

 

The Phantom

-- Edited by The Phantom on Monday 14th of March 2016 08:58:52 PM

Woody n Sue wrote:

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Well hi guys now I have never been on this road but if the pictures from Elliemike are indicative of it then this road is 50 times smother than the roads I drive on every day around my farm for someone like me who is used to this type of road and much worse then this looks like a highway to me

But

Drive to your own abilities and get to your destination safely
Woody

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 Exactly.