Next Outback Trip

Singh · Mar 24, 2010

Here are some indications on fuel usage from different engines/vehicles on their crossing of Simpson. None of them appear to be as efficient as the touareg though, and no V10's in the list. But will give you a rough idea....
Simpson Desert Trek Fuel Data @ ExplorOz

oztrailblazer · Mar 25, 2010

Nice one...

Hi Singh, others,

I'm keen to join as well with my president. August sounds good.

Before any confirmation I need to establish how much money ($$) I have to put into gear... some I wanted to buy anyway, but not all...

Will anybody actually be able to get away w/o a roof rack? I'm not sure if I would have enough space inside for all the gear.

Also, petrol supplies concern me a bit...

What I would need to buy:
- radio & antenna (magnetic foot is nice for roof rail, no installation)
- fridge
- second battery (?)
- roof rack/carriers
- additional petrol cans (4x20L?)
- additional water cans (2x20L)
- PE..B (the rescue beacon, you know what, the yellow one)
- sand flag
- inflatable jack (?)
- ....(have to read through the post again

...

The underbody protection would be interesting, but not sure if essential in sand?

I guess I will have the oldest car in the pool - 2003/10

V6 petrol of course.

What a about a training session at Stockton?

Cheers
Sascha

PS: the caravan show is on in Sydney in three weeks, should be good to get some good deals, if you know what the RRP are.

Singh · Mar 25, 2010

Hi Sascha,
Good to know you are back downunder and keen for this adventure.
lot has been discussed in the thread already but to answer some of your questions...
I wont be putting anything on the roof.
radio will be required, its an easy install without drilling any holes. antenna uses existing holes.
Fuel; you'll need to carry about 3*20ltrs. check out the post above for some indications.
I dont think you really need a second battery, make sure your main one is in good order. Theres enough of us to help each other out if required.
I have a sat phone that I carry all the time and Gerald has some shmick world class radios in his touareg to holler the martians.
You'll need the sand flag for sure, can be had from ARB or online for about $100. Some treggers have fabricated underbody protection, I dont. Wouldnt think its necessary for this trip.
I'll be shopping at the four wheel drive and caravan show at Rosehill too!

Judgement · Mar 25, 2010

Good to hear there might be another petrol coming.
I will go to Fraser this morning and to some testing in regards to petrol consumption, at the moment I plan to take 100l extra, but I need to know the exact trip length first.

I bought a fridge from Aldi yesterday, was 300 and can be powerd with 12v, gas, or 220v. Needs 75W, touareg allows 120.
I know it is maybe not a top notch fridge, but at bcf they were around 1200 and U have good experience with electric stuff from Aldi (as German).

Now I got an answer from oc-ts, a German supplier of that antec skid plates. Price is for front and back 570 euro (877aud) which I think I'd very very good BUT he said shipping is around 960 Euro airfreight, which is for me not acceptable. For a group buy of 10 units he offered 500 euro discount. Shipping via sea freight for 10 units would be around 2000 euro, that makes per unit (if 10 ordered) around 720 euro (1052 Aud).

There would be also some custom fees because the import value is above 1000 dollar, not too much though I think.
I think that's the best we could get from Germany, give it or take it a few Dollars for freight. I might even ask Antec if they would be willing to give drawings to a local supplier because freight kills kind of everything, but I can't imagine they would be willing to do that for a few peaces only.

Radio I will probably go with a Uniden 078sx, 5W handheld (if approved by Gerald), costs at Ebay around 355AUD.
After checking with guys in the German forum and in this forum (under service and maintenance) most people think 5 fill ups with 90 oktan wouldn't have an affect at all, but even if than the touaregs electronic knock back control would adjust the ignition and you would just loose tiny bit if power, probably not noticable if only using on few fill ups.
They alsobsaid you can buy boosters, which even brings you above the 100 octane, VW might even sell them.

I guess I am writing too much, better go back to sleep, it's 04:15...willbe back after Fraser

Tim

oztrailblazer · Mar 25, 2010

Fridge at Aldi?

Tim,

was that fridge a leftover? I haven't seen them advertising anything.

Sascha

Judgement · Mar 25, 2010

Yes, she got it from the back. You have to ask them, they were sold 2-3 weeks ago with all the other camping gear.

Quick update on the underbody protection:

freight is "only" 760 Euro for 1 unit, fir 10 units he will send me tomorrow. (figures in my earlier posts were estmiates)
So that would be then 1330 eur total incl shipping DDU (we pick up at customs) for 1.

If someone is in the freigt forwarding industry and can get it cheaper here are the packing:

1 unit (front and back):
1x 18.8 kg. 104x18x81cm
1x 15.8 kg. 115x8x84 cm

10 units would come on 2 disposable pallets

2 x 1.2x1.2x1m total 370kg

maybe this should go in another thread to see if there is an interest for the group buy. For a single unit it is fairly pricey but with 10 I would probably buy one as I wouldn't think a one of engineered one here would be a lot cheaper, leave alone quality.

Let me know what you think.

Tim

warrenza · Mar 25, 2010

Two essential parts not mentioned, spanner to get to the battery, and I understand that if the air bags go off/ you hit something the treg dies. A fuse or something to that effect needs to be replaced before it will start (VW specialist part). A questionfor VWA. I tried to jump start the golf with the treg, using the points supplied under the bonnet, nothing!! has anyone ever jump stated a flat treg??

trak · Mar 25, 2010

Hi Tim, Keep up the good work, I am interested subject to final details, also how long does shipping take? Thanks KT

Singh · Mar 26, 2010

oztrailblazer said:
Tim,

was that fridge a leftover? I haven't seen them advertising anything.

Sascha

I saw this a few weeks ago at Aldi and believe its a Fridge with limited cooling capacity plus its not a freezer.

Bails · Mar 28, 2010

Singh, Is the date confirmed as yet ? Ken the plumber who came to Lake Eyre with us is considering comming . Said he would bring his Hi Lux ute to carry my extra fuel and spares ! I also noted the Simpson used to be crossed with 2WD drive trucks, this should mean that a Q5 will do it ok , especially with vehicles a plenty to help anyone who is stuck.

Singh · Mar 29, 2010

Yes Bails, we meet on the 6th of August at/around Mildura. I'm doing the final bits on our route options and will post it soon but 6th is when we will meet up.

You seem to have sorted out your support vehicle, will be good to catchup with Ken.

I am not sure if 2wd vehicles can cross the simpson these days as the tracks which arent maintained have deteriorated over the years.
however rav4,freelander2 have recently gone across.

oztrailblazer · Mar 29, 2010

Planning material

Hello,

I got the following two items from Dymocks last Friday - and now I know where all the places are that have been mentioned! Good reading material.

"Explore Australia by 4WD - Adventure Treks", ISBN 1-74117-068-0
Has a a good description of the Simpson routes incl. GPS and other useful information. $30

"Australia - Road and 4WD Atlas", by HEMA, ISBN 978-1-86500-498-3
Excellent road map with detailed track information. Shows all the different routes through the Simpson. Even phone numbers of stations, etc. $33

Enjoy the read.

Cheers
Sascha

PS: Singh, how about a planning session sometime, e.g. the people who are in Sydney could meet.

Singh · Mar 29, 2010

good on you Sasha, keep up the research. I like your idea, lets gtg for a coffee one of the coming weekends for a JTP (joint trip planning)

...yes been to a few JBP's (joint business planning)
I have a hema map as well which is what I'm using to plot the route. Also thinking of getting this map transferred to a magnetic strip and get a few made so we can have it stuck on the touaregs for the trip...

Judgement · Mar 30, 2010

Grrr, looks like I need a petrol transporter ,too.

On the Fraser Tracks my V6 petrol used around 35l. on the hard sand with 18PSI around 19. In total I used 95l while driving 400km on the island.

The track condition was excellent, no comparision at all to last time, everywhere solid, I could go very slow through the few rough parts with roots. Couldn't even try my new Maxtrax.

Only car I saw bogged was a 96 Pajero with a German fellow who tried to get through Waddy point with like 5 km/h, well that didn't work.

The Aldi Fridge worked fine for me on this trip. It doesn't have a freezer and it claims to cool 25 degree under ambient temperature, which is fine for the majority of my trips (in airconditioned cars).

So Frazer was a great experience this time, the alloy spring bracket / holder for the rear plastic skid plate was bend down and dreagged but otherwise no problems at all this time. Check Brake Pads light came on and breaking felt a few times a bit soft and soggy, but back on the tar everything was good again. Check lights warning came also on a few times but I couldn't find a defect bulb, went off for now again.

Really not sure where to carry all that petrol, are the tracks through Simpson everywhere soft or will there be also firm Gravel or hard sand?

Tim

liquid99 · Mar 30, 2010

Hey Tim

I estimate you did 24l/100km. I assume, remembering my own trip to Fraser, it is mostly high range. Doesn't seem good consumption, wonder why. Just got back from a weekend at Bendethra, low range all weekend, slow going and returned 22l/100km, TDI V6. Had my tyres at 26psi. Looking at the ExplorOz site that Singh marked, I assume the Simpson will be a lot of high range, going by the average speeds. And the average from 6cyl petrol engines is 23l/100km. The real high returns seem to be from heavily loaded vehicles or 4.2lt patrols (had one and they really eat juice). I'll be carrying the extra juice on the roof rack. Just ordered a wire basket to carry it in. The Treg has a 100kg limit up there so I'll keep it to around 80kg.

Just a side note on Bendethra. Went thru one water course that was over the top of the wheels on the car in front, a Hilux with snorkel. So put the extra height into play, crossed the fingers, gritted the teeth and went for it. The water lapped over the bonnet but we made it. Really thought I would suck water but shows the bow wave theory works. Didn't have a tarp for the front, will make it a standard inclusion next time.

Cheers Les

oztrailblazer · Mar 30, 2010

Hello Les,
what roof bars will you put the basket on? The original VW? Any idea how much they are?

Cheers
Sascha

liquid99 · Mar 30, 2010

Hi Sascha

Good to hear from you. Definitely not the original bars. Seen the price of them? Put Rhino heavy duty bars on. Cost around $320 from memory. Got these because they are a minimum 100kg rated and I have 2 kayaks and Rhino make a great attachment to flick them up top. Also have a look at this. Rhino Rack Australia | Car Roof Racks, Roof Boxes & Bike Racks I applied and they contacted me to do it. Couldn't make the dates so they may still be looking for a Touareg. Can't sneeze at 80% off. The basket I ordered is the Rola Vortex from Repco. They have it on special at $179.

Cheers Les

sumar · Mar 30, 2010

From the looks of all this activty and upgrades it seems likely we will have quite a few well equipt Touaregs to plan future challenging trips, fantastique.

wannabe · Mar 30, 2010

What is the anticipated number of participants at present? Would you be able to handle a Treg coming over from "the far West"? After preparing my words and the moment very carefully, I mentioned something of a little adventure that the "Treg guys" are organising. Much to my amasement, a patchwork weekend (due in August) was immediately cancelled and her enthusiasm is (almost) more than mine! Do you have a "cut-off" point in regards the number of vehicles? Cheers, Werner

Singh · Mar 30, 2010

come on Werner you know you want to, look forward to you joining us. it'll make this a national gtg! can definitely accommodate you mate!
the number hovers around ten at this stage but the final roll call will be in July.

Next Outback Trip

Singh

oztrailblazer

Singh

Judgement

oztrailblazer

Judgement

warrenza

trak

Singh

Bails

Singh

oztrailblazer

Singh

Judgement

liquid99

oztrailblazer

liquid99

sumar

wannabe

Singh

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