Simpson Desert Crossing Fuel Figures

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I am planning my trip across the Simpson and researching Fuel Consumption between Oodnadatta and Birdsville. Has anyone done this trip in a 4.0ltr Petrol 6speed manual. I'm thinking it's going to pretty close to the full tank used. And also has anyone done it recently, I have heard that the French Line is not in very good condition? Considering the WAA Line instead.

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I would have a snoop over at the 4wd monthly forums, you get a lot more posters over there that actually have done this trip.

I think Stan has done it recently?

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Exploroz.com got fuel figures...

Oodnadatta to Birdsville - I used about 160 liters 2 years ago..
Take 20L jerry with you to be on the safe side...
I would travel on on either Rig Road or WAA Line, Knolls Track, French Line, QAA Line...

http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Deser ... Desert.asp

[lawrance Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lawrance]

Yes, taking a 20 litre jerry would give you a very resonable safety margin. The 180 litre fuel tank in the Prado will most likely get you through the Simmo without any dramas, but the 20 litre jerry will definitely be one of those things that just may come in handy, if not for yourself, then perhaps for some other stranded person. ops:

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Guys,
Thanks for your responses, but l have just returned last night from a very dissapointing trip.
Left Melbourne Friday arvo last week to be 25kms past Oodnadatta on Sunday arvo and the rear shock ( Tough Dog 45mm Adjustable) decided to bend in half, came to quick halt due to it being still extended and rubing on the inside of the tyre and grinding the alloy rim.
Managed to remove shock on the side of the track and drive back to a certain roadhouse which will remain nameless but very close to the incident, where the help was ???
Had to drive from there to Coober Pedy on one 1 rear shock. waited there for 2 days to get replacement shocks (Old man emu ???)
Decided to try and make something of the trip ( 1 week Annual Leave no time to continue across the simmo) and head back to the Flinders for some 4wdriving. Some how managed to pick up a Pop Rivot on the Oodnadatta track back towards Lyndhurst. Had that repaired in Copley. Drove 5ks into Paracilna Gorge (West Flinders Ranges) and ripped a hole in the side wall of the BFG All terrain( Front Drivers side running @ 20psi). At this stage we decided that luck was definetly not on our side. Changed the tyre and pumped the rest up. Drove to Adelaide that night and locked for a replacement tyre next morning.
Never go to Adelaide thinking you can get a BFG Allterrain for your Prado. Every store said "Overnight from Melbourne"
So the big lesson learnt, never think by buying these so called best in the business brands you can have an enjoyable adventure. When your next at your local Accessory dealer and they are telling you that what they recommend is the best, have second thought, they all break, and carry a spare everything! On a positive note, nothing genuine gave me any drama, only aftermarket so called "Upgrades"

[Walker Member Find all posts View Profile Close Walker]

Wow. That would be very dissapointing. I did the simpson the 2nd time on tough Dog shocks. While the lasted the entire trip, they were totally stuffed by the time I got back and I had to replace them....not with tough Dog! :evil:

I would be interested to hear where your BFG's were made, it shoulf be written on the tyre somewhere. I ask this because I had heaps of troouble with mine. I was tearing a sidewall on every trip out I did. Others who had BFG A/T's had no problems. When we checked, the other peoples were made in USA while mine were made in Malasia or Japan or something like that. It seems if they are made anywhere other than the USA you seem to have troubles with the sidewall.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

i liked bfg's.. but after several reports of them failing (both the USA ones and the asian ones) i will stay clear of them.. + the wet weather handling of my bfgs on my 4runner left much to be desired.. (tho i liked hanging the rear out with no problem at all)..

ill be going with cooper stt or st's

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

Dont discount the Mickey Thompson MTZ if you are considering the Cooper STT. I have found they were cheaper than the cooper and an equally brilliant tyre.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

how do you find the tyre noise with the MTZ's?

Im concerned i will get excess drone in the cabin, and its something i want to aviod?

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

On a positive note, nothing genuine gave me any drama, only aftermarket so called "Upgrades"

Hmmmm.... interesting perspective - and not the first time I have heard such a statement. Makes you stop and think.

Thanks for sharing your (unhappy) experiences with us.

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guys , just on the price of tyres .... i called around MANY places and read up here and on other websites before i picked a tyre to fit , all my quotes were $330+ for bfg and mtz's , i wasnt even looking at coopers as the website said "a bit more expensive than the equivilent tyre , but worth it "

a guy at work said to try them for a price , $289 for ATR's fitted and balanced .

needless to say theyre fitted already