Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

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

Off on a Simmo Trek in July.
Suggestions sought on vehicle setup...

What would you say was ESSENTIAL?

What is DESIRABLE?

What is NOT NEEDED?


Heres a couple of things i have done so far...
1, Rear shelf...home made with some one inch angle , a $99 welder , some ply and carpet and glue



2. Secured to floor tiedowns with turnbuckles... so easily removable





Accomodation.... off the ground, yet easy to put up and down.. a swag for old blokes...much more comfortable!!




On my list to do...
Rear passener side seat removed, and base for fridge fitted
Second Battery in Battey box mounted to rear shelf for easy removal and portability
Roof rack with second spare/shovel/highlift jack

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

i reckon a fridge would be high on my list of essentials, got to keep the food and the beer cold as well as throwing in a few spares like fanbelts, radiator hoses etc. i have a spare diff centre is ya need 1 of them as well :wink: cheers samo

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Good tyres (6), Suspension (altough you can do it without but you SHOULD do it), sand flag, tyre gauge and air compressor.

Good supply of spare parts and fluids including a good tool kit. If you have a number of the same model vehicle then you wont all need everything but an air filter, belts, hoses (with clamps), oils (engine, transmission, brake). If you have upgraded your suspension then maybe chuck in a struct and shock (you never know when you will need it )

Dual battery with UHF and fridge.

You CAN NOT collect fire wood within the desert so you MUST collect this prior to entering. Chuck this onto of your roof rack with the spare. Don't take a chainsaw, a dog or a generator.

Take your normal camping gear BUT try to pack as light as possible as this reduced weight will help protect your vehicle and the environment.

Water is important. You should allow for about 5l per person per day and then take some extra for just in case. No use allowing for four days of water out there if you have a breakdown. Depending upon your vehicle you may need extra fuel. you can fill up at Birdsville in the east and Mt Dare in the west.

Some good maps don't go astray but everything is reasonably well sign posted. Maybe a Desrt Parks Pass Chuck in some clothes, some beer, a tent, a chair, some more beer, long handled shovel, more beer, camera and spare batteries, and some beer and that should do it. Oh and possibly some recovery gear but look to go for 16PSI cold and you should not have any worries about getting stuck. Most people get bogged either due to too high a pressure or too slow momentum.

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Some good maps don't go astray but everything is reasonably well sign posted. Maybe a Desrt Parks Pass Chuck in some cloths, some beer, a tent, a chair, some more beer, long handled shovel, more beer, camera and spare batteries, and some beer and that should do it. Oh and possibly some recovery gear but look to go dor 16PSI cold and you should not have any worries about getting stuck. Most people get bogged either due to too high a pressure or too slow momentum.

I'm not sure you have provided for enough beer there.

Seriously that post was full of good advice.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Make sure you have portable shelter too. Either a pull out awning or a tarp you can tie to the roof rack and a couple of poles. Otherwise, there'll be no escaping the sun!

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Get to know your vehicle. Practice changing the fan belts etc. Read and understand your workshoip manual. Take plenty of spares that your likely to use. Have good tyres and shocks, carry plenty of fuel and know how to use your communications before you go. Have back up plans if all turns to yucky stuff. Take cash $$$ as not all places have EFTPOS,

Zook.

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Thanks guys... all feedback appreciated! Looks like have most of that covered... Vehicle already has suspension/tyres etc done as you can see from signature... have the awning (and insect enclosure!) for sitting back sipping the beers in comfort. Fridge is going to be fitted in rear with one seat removed (a post elsewhere about this ...good idea and enables access while on the move as well!) Dual battery of course going in as well as spares list. Going to start that list as well.. noted belts, fluids, filters, and already have fuses , wire, etc in toolbox. Good tip about the firewood..thanks for that...and also the cash...
UHF all good...

Project to make a sand flag!!!!
(suggestions??)

Got GPS on PDA and recently got OziExplorer... so learning curve between now and then... is to learn to use it!!! also taking paper maps, and renting sat phone. (any advice there?????)

Appreciate all the responses... great value from the forum!
Rick

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

When you say you have the tyres, make sure you have a spare spare. I would add a tyre repair kit (plugs etc) and if you are just taking a spare tyre without the wheel (save weight) make sure someone has tyre changing tools with them. Everything in the back will get thrown around ( I have seen a couple of rear setups people made collapse) and your turnbuckles will come loose, so check them regularly. Good baseplate for jacking in the sand. Good first aid kit !
for a cheap sand flag buy a cheap squid rod (at a $2 shop etc) and cut up a safety vest. Gaffa tape to bullbar and it works great
If you are taking a notebook, then get a copy of the workshop manual in electronic format to take along

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Project to make a sand flag!!!!
(suggestions??)

I purchased a good quality Black Widow sand flag but that would set you back about $125 where as others I know have used a long fishing rod or even electrical conduit with a cheap $8.00 Kmart bike flag attached. It's what ever floats your boat, or more to the point, your budget allows. The Black Widow flag is good because it packs down into three lengths of about 1, which sits beautfully behind that middle seats up against the cargo barrier when not in use. Cheaper flags are more likley to a single piece unless you use a fishing rod which can be cheap but has the eyes (which can be removed with a snap blade knife or similar).

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

When you say you have the tyres, make sure you have a spare spare. I would add a tyre repair kit (plugs etc) and if you are just taking a spare tyre without the wheel (save weight) make sure someone has tyre changing tools with them. Everything in the back will get thrown around ( I have seen a couple of rear setups people made collapse) and your turnbuckles will come loose, so check them regularly. Good baseplate for jacking in the sand. Good first aid kit !
for a cheap sand flag buy a cheap squid rod (at a $2 shop etc) and cut up a safety vest. Gaffa tape to bullbar and it works great
If you are taking a notebook, then get a copy of the workshop manual in electronic format to take along

Thanks bitdust... good idea about the workshop manual on the PC! Have two complete spares , wheel and tyre.. and repair kit. Will keep eye on the turnbuckles too... and yes.. got some sleeper offcuts i take as baseplates for the camper trailer..will chuck them in. First aid kit done...and gunna do some more research on the sand flag. Do i guess that the appropriate height is about 3 metres???

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup


Here is the setup that we used.
Old fishing rod with some colourful material at the top, attached with cable ties.
U-Bolt with anble bracket attacched to Bull bar. This stayed on for the whole trip.
Attached fishing rod to angle bracket with cable ties when required.
Easy to set up and take down.

Regards
Piet

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Project to make a sand flag!!!!
(suggestions??)

I just used electrical conduit, was too long and too flexible with the flag flapping in the breeze(Aussie flag not ya standard size sand flag. The bigger the better if you head to Wedge Island on a long weekend!).
So i cut it in half, slid and glued a piece of dowel in the bottom section dowel extends about 200mm longer than the conduit and slide the second piece with the flange (or joiner end) onto it, give it a firm push and twist and whala! stiff at the bottom half, top half can flex when caught up!

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Found the old fishing rod in the shed.... so as it happens the base slides into a short piece of conduit... that then slides into the hole at centre top of ARB Bar... zip tie to bull bar...and looks like its done! ..and splits in two of course..

got all materials now and assembling on weekend. will post pics for all to see (or laugh at)

Rick

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

Re: Desert Trek Vehicle Setup

Now you're on the right track. Save some $$ for fuel for another daytrip.