Towing a Camper to Cape York, Advice Needed?

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

Hi NoelA

I was going in June next year but has now been put off to June 09, going to Adelaide first to meet up with in-laws, then up to Birdsville and then the Cape and if we have enough time the Gulf Country.

Hopefully by the time the trip comes I should have all the bugs and quantity of goods to be taken sorted out from many other trips.

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

Hi NoelA,
Sounds like you are keen to take a trailer to the Cape.
Firstly it has been done before and not everyone has problems. However some do have problems and they pay big time. Like already mentioned, access to some places might be restrictive and cause quite a few headaches for you. Corrugations will shake the shite out of everything from Prado to camper and as the campers suspension is generally not that good they suffer first. To look after the camper you will have to go a lot slower, which will make it a far rougher trip for the Prado and its once happy campers. Repairs can take weeks and towing is expensive if misfortune happens.
You will find that you will travel at about half the speed of most cars because of the thing in your mirror, and should allow enough time to cater.
The earlier in the year you travel, the smoother it is but the higher the creek crossings. Road crews will be fixing bad spots, and the crowd will definately be there. The longer travelling time frame might mean that your camp wont be the best spot or even guaranteed when you get there.
The water levels will be higher which might mean some crossings will leave you with a wet bed for the night.
Creek crossings particularly on the telegraph track will be higher which may cause trouble for the trailer. Consider that some crossings will be up to the handles on your doors on the OTL, and could be flowing fast, which will be another issue. So how high is the trailer??
You will probably need recovery equipment cause the car will sink further with the balanced load and the couple of extra tyres behind you. Some of the creek crossings like cockatoo creek require turns mid creek to stay on the high path. Can you get the trailer to follow in your cars footprints like you will need??
I know that most hire cars insurance doesn't cover the vehicle for the OTL and would imagine that campers could be the same. You would have to check.
You could ditch the camper in some spots and do day trips, hoping the locals don't take advantage of your absence.
Hope that might answer a couple of qustions anyway.

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

Dunno bout anyone else, but plucker sure confirmed my decision to tent it.
I knew you was da man plucker

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Agreed Les.

As much as I luv my CT ... that Pluckerism was the clearest, unbiased, explanation I have ever heard as to the whys and why nots of CT's and the Cape.

Plucker ... you are a legend !

Cheers
Chippy

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

Indeed chippy indeed 8)

What ya think of that UberSarge, we picked that one eh? 8)

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

To put some things in perspective, bike riders and motor bikes go up there regularly. Their major spares are tyres, tubes and SPOKES. Yep even on pushbikes, spokes are the main failure, and they talk of changing dozens on the road.
If people wish to take trailers, they will just have to be patient and accept 10 km in places is all they can go.
Trailer roll overs happen when they are not patient and go too fast, and I guess the trailer hitch unloosens and becomes free.
Remove the trailer and you can get up to 100 safely in spots and do 80 most other spots.
More time at the camp around the fireplace.

[UberSarge Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close UberSarge]

MT,

Have to agree. I think plucker should start up his own Prado Cape website! :lol: Seriously though, I'm glad we have plucker to come to the rescue for all things Cape-related. He should write a book...

I had almost convinced the Minister for War and Finance and she was keen to sink the hard-earned into a camper until she read this thread. Instead I am about to spend that $$$ on a new ARB Bullbar/spotties/winch instead with The Minister's approval! God bless you Plucker!!

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

happy to help

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Have to agree. I think plucker should start up his own Prado Cape website! :lol: Seriously though, I'm glad we have plucker to come to the rescue for all things Cape-related. He should write a book...

Here's a thought ... Plucker's guided tours of The Cape. 8)

Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the area mate.

Cheers
Chippy

[NoelA Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NoelA]

Thanks Pluker,
You certainly have answered some questions and confirmed for me that a CT just increases the probability of problems occurring. As you also pointed out the rate of progress when towing a CT needs to be slower. I don't want to go rip, tear and bust to the top, but I also want to see a lot and to make it interesting for the kids. Bumping along at a slow speed or waiting for repairs will not be their idea of fun.

Now, I can move onto decisions about what roof rack, tyres, tent, snorkel, and cargo barrier to use. As usual contributors to this forum have plenty of advice about these items as well, which is good.

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

You will have a much more relaxed time without the trailer and will see a whole heap more.
Take a birdbook and enjoy the place and tranquility and you will want to do it all again.
Your holiday will actually be a holiday and I am sure that all of the family will remember it for the right reasons.