Sat Jul 10 - 25 : Simpson Desert 2 weeks Trek

[LiveFreeAndRoam]

Bugger me; that's a shock Masso. It hurts even reading about that drama. I hope Toyota can identify the cause and maybe that will give us all one more thing to keep an eye on.

Who towed you out of the desert? A passer-by, or was it a commercial enterprise? I've heard some scary stories about the cost of needing to be towed out of that area.

Don't s'pose you have a GPS coordinate for Lake Disappointment. I can only find the one in WA on Google Maps.

BTW, really lovely pics you took there. The dusk shots are breathtaking!

Best of luck with the outcome.

LFaR.

[Richoson]

Hi Masso

Any help I can give just ask.

Regards, Richo

[LostDingo2]

Sorry to hear Masso. Not something you would expect that would fail. Many other things can go wrong such as shock, spring, shredded tiyres etc and people who travel remote would usually not be surprised when these items fail but a turbo.....that would catch me off guard for certain.

There is a guy on exploroz who has a LC200 that had to be left at Mungeranie. I believe he had alternator failure from the mud/sand going through the workings. Maybe we should relocate above the bonnet in a capsule

[masso]

Bugger me; that's a shock Masso. It hurts even reading about that drama. I hope Toyota can identify the cause and maybe that will give us all one more thing to keep an eye on.

Who towed you out of the desert? A passer-by, or was it a commercial enterprise? I've heard some scary stories about the cost of needing to be towed out of that area.

Don't s'pose you have a GPS coordinate for Lake Disappointment. I can only find the one in WA on Google Maps.

BTW, really lovely pics you took there. The dusk shots are breathtaking!

Best of luck with the outcome.

LFaR.

Hey LFaR

We did a bit of Bourke and Wills and named the puddle we camped next to for 5 days... Lake Disppointment ! I will post the GPS point when i find it in the diary.. (my GPS also decided to do a spit at the same spot... must have been aliens!) But the spot is on the French Line, 8km East of Erabena Junction.

Long story about the towing...i think i will write a book ! Pete from the Birsdville Roadhouse did the whole job, a 200km tow on the back of a snatch strap with no power steering or brakes.. no lights except for a spottie strapped to the bullbar.. thru flooded salt lakes and over dunes that often took 2 or 3 goes.. arriving at 1am in Birdsville. It cost a mint, but will never begrudge my saviours Pete and Bronwynne, great people who lessened the pain and stress . If only Toyota will be as helpful.... we will see.

Car is in my backyard now awaiting return of mechanic from his honeymoon to do the diagnosis, then for me with his help to approach Toyota... so watch this space!

Masso

[switched]

Masso, what an unbelievable turn of events.. I wish you all the best with your negotiations with toyota. I'm sure they will cover half the cost.
Looking forward to reading your detailed report

[MDS69]

Bugger me; that's a shock Masso. It hurts even reading about that drama. I hope Toyota can identify the cause and maybe that will give us all one more thing to keep an eye on.

Who towed you out of the desert? A passer-by, or was it a commercial enterprise? I've heard some scary stories about the cost of needing to be towed out of that area.

Don't s'pose you have a GPS coordinate for Lake Disappointment. I can only find the one in WA on Google Maps.

BTW, really lovely pics you took there. The dusk shots are breathtaking!

Best of luck with the outcome.

LFaR.

Hey LFaR

We did a bit of Bourke and Wills and named the puddle we camped next to for 5 days... Lake Disppointment ! I will post the GPS point when i find it in the diary.. (my GPS also decided to do a spit at the same spot... must have been aliens!) But the spot is on the French Line, 8km East of Erabena Junction.

Long story about the towing...i think i will write a book ! Pete from the Birsdville Roadhouse did the whole job, a 200km tow on the back of a snatch strap with no power steering or brakes.. no lights except for a spottie strapped to the bullbar.. thru flooded salt lakes and over dunes that often took 2 or 3 goes.. arriving at 1am in Birdsville. It cost a mint, but will never begrudge my saviours Pete and Bronwynne, great people who lessened the pain and stress . If only Toyota will be as helpful.... we will see.

Car is in my backyard now awaiting return of mechanic from his honeymoon to do the diagnosis, then for me with his help to approach Toyota... so watch this space!

Masso

Masso we were in Birdsville around the time you were in the desert. At the roadhouse was a big MAN (I think) truck with front and rear winches, tilt tray, 6??? wheel drive. I would have thought that would have been an easier option

[Schaffer]

Goodluck there Masso. I wish you all the best of success with your dealings with Toyota.

[masso]

Bugger me; that's a shock Masso. It hurts even reading about that drama. I hope Toyota can identify the cause and maybe that will give us all one more thing to keep an eye on.

Who towed you out of the desert? A passer-by, or was it a commercial enterprise? I've heard some scary stories about the cost of needing to be towed out of that area.

Don't s'pose you have a GPS coordinate for Lake Disappointment. I can only find the one in WA on Google Maps.

BTW, really lovely pics you took there. The dusk shots are breathtaking!

Best of luck with the outcome.

LFaR.

Hey LFaR

We did a bit of Bourke and Wills and named the puddle we camped next to for 5 days... Lake Disppointment ! I will post the GPS point when i find it in the diary.. (my GPS also decided to do a spit at the same spot... must have been aliens!) But the spot is on the French Line, 8km East of Erabena Junction.

Long story about the towing...i think i will write a book ! Pete from the Birsdville Roadhouse did the whole job, a 200km tow on the back of a snatch strap with no power steering or brakes.. no lights except for a spottie strapped to the bullbar.. thru flooded salt lakes and over dunes that often took 2 or 3 goes.. arriving at 1am in Birdsville. It cost a mint, but will never begrudge my saviours Pete and Bronwynne, great people who lessened the pain and stress . If only Toyota will be as helpful.... we will see.

Car is in my backyard now awaiting return of mechanic from his honeymoon to do the diagnosis, then for me with his help to approach Toyota... so watch this space!

Masso

Masso we were in Birdsville around the time you were in the desert. At the roadhouse was a big MAN (I think) truck with front and rear winches, tilt tray, 6??? wheel drive. I would have thought that would have been an easier option

The Problem with using the big MAN was getting it across the flooded / muddy / salt flats without bogging it... as NOTHING could tow IT out! .. so Barnesy decided on the tow behind the ute. As we were the other side of Poeppel Lake, gettin gthe big MAN around the bypass would have trashed the track and probably got it bogged.

[Mark from Brisbane]

Hi Masso, I don't know you mate nor am I an avid poster on here.....but I am planning on taking the new 150 through next year so anything to do with the Simpson I read from whoa to go and yours is indeed a tragic tale.

I wonder was it the largely wet conditions that caused this?? (not sure why but was wondering)

I must admit after reading this I am pretty nervous (if next year was similar conditions)

A mate sent me this link fro Overlander forum, where the guy had a Diff Locker explode, same deal had to be towed most of the way (luckily with mates doing the work) so for every safe trip across you here about there are certainly some stories, yours I have to say is one of the worst I have heard.

http://forums.overlander.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=66902

By the way this one also has some fantastic photo's.

Cheers mate and chin up, it's only money!!

[Schaffer]

Joff also posted that on LCOOL. For the number of horror stories from the crossing of the Simpon, CSR, High Country, etc.. vs the number of stories of success I would say you would be either pretty unlucky (like Masso) or you were not properly prepared and made mistakes. There is another recent post on LCOOL about a trip out to Lake Eyre and the group found a vehicle which had burnt to the ground. Looks like it was a gas leak in the back which may have been ignited by a spark from the fridge.

You can try your hardest to avoid these issues and possibly end up not getting there but then oyu can also go and relax and enjoy and find it is an incredible place. Chances of a bad situation are small. Yes they could happen but unlikley provided you are prepared, which the right equipment and people and have your vehicle serviced and inspected by people who know what they are doing.

[shawsie]

Sorry to hear this Masso it's a real bummer I know. You can be very experienced and well prepared but not for something completely out of the blue. Now that you're home in your soft surroundings, you can reflect on what an adventure you've just had being towed 200km - and laugh about it

Don't give too much away in your detailed trip report or we won't bother buying the book

[Mark from Brisbane]

Thanks Scaeffer.....I'll be very well prepared.....we are slowly kitting out the 150, pretty much just suspension and lift to go plus some front recovery points.

I am going with some experienced people, although none have done the crossing before.

The 150 would be about 18 months old when we cross, and probably have about 20K on the clock, we'll make sure it is very very well checked before we go.

BUT it's still scary reading...and being stuck in that water hole for 5 days would not have been fun!!

Oh well they survived and that's the main thing.