"The big trip."

[outback7 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close outback7]

I have a 150 GXL Prado 4D. I have just done a 6500 K trip down the Hay river, Simpson desert, down the Birdsville track to the Flinders. Did numerous very challenging tracks. The Prado was amazing. Never faltered, totally outclassed my GXL 100 series I had before. I was shocked how well this 4WD handled and how comfortable it was. I am sold......

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

Sounds great, hope to see your trip report and pics.

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

Good to hear, look forward to the Trip Report, photo's and Video's!

Bernie.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

What sort of suspension lift do u have on your Prado? Did u have any problems with the rocky roads causing any damage underneath?

We just came back from out there and saw the T/O for the Hay River Track at the Junction of the QAA & K1 tracks....That got me thinking about another future trip... How did u find that track.... any problems/difficult sections..... what sort of fuel useage did u use doing this track?

cheers....
rob

[outback7 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close outback7]

What sort of suspension lift do u have on your Prado? Did u have any problems with the rocky roads causing any damage underneath?

We just came back from out there and saw the T/O for the Hay River Track at the Junction of the QAA & K1 tracks....That got me thinking about another future trip... How did u find that track.... any problems/difficult sections..... what sort of fuel useage did u use doing this track?

cheers....
rob

Hey Rob.....the track was very overgrown but awesome. I have ARB bash plates underneath so no damage. I have OME sports shocks and springs, 2" lift, dual Battery from ARB, Bull bar, Snorkel, UHF, side rails, diff breathers front and rear, BF's AT, outback draws and fridge slide with cargo barrier, spot lights PF's from ARB. I did the trip with 2 hilux's and one 100 series my fuel economy was the best. From memory for the trip it was 10.4 litres per 100 K's. I was amazed at the ability of of the 150 on the tracks that we did. Some of the tracks were quite extreme and the Prado never faltered. My mileage is around 20,000 K's and touch wood I have had none of the problems that people have had that I have read on Prado point. I bought my car brand new in 2011 and have not regretted it at all. One thing i did though upon my return was a complete service and a change of fuel filter, A/C filter, air filter.......I had a 100 series diesel for eight years but this beats it hands down for comfort and handling the rough stuff, and we did a lot of really rough tracks. Oh, no real challenges on the Hay river track, just unwanted pin stripping... lol

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Good to hear, how did you go on the Simmo crossing itself for diesel usage? Also, which track did you take?

We leave for a similar trip in about a week or so.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

vscorsa- just back from the Simpson 3 weeks ago-my V6 120 got 19.5 for the Oodnadatta-Birdsville crossing, while a 120 diesel on the same trip used about 14 . The heaviest usage is in the 100-200 km west of Big Red where the dunes are highest. Neil

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Thanks for the info, I have been trying to weigh up whether I take a 20L jerry or the 150L tank will have sufficient capacity.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Always out there, if in doubt, carry the extra- it will give you flexibility and almost make it into a 120! Also you may have to divert from your plan,or, it may be hot and the sand softer, causing you to use more juice. Neil

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Crossed the Simmo in 2008 in D4D 120
Took it easy over 4 or 5 days and enjoyed the desert camping.
From memory used 87 litre of Diesel Mt Dare to Birdsville.

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Always out there, if in doubt, carry the extra- it will give you flexibility and almost make it into a 120! Also you may have to divert from your plan,or, it may be hot and the sand softer, causing you to use more juice. Neil

I am thinking the same thing however I am also a little cautious with over loading with weight.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Wont be an issue for you. When I Did the Canning 2 years ago I had 300l of petrol [180 in the tanks + 120 in jerries] + 50 l of water + food for 3 weeks + everything else. You are going to be way under that weight-170 l of fuel and food for 4 or 5 days only. Yes you will do it easily with the 150 l but the extra 20 gives you a lot of flexibility plus you can put it into your main tanks at the end of the first day or after 150 km or so, so you are really only carrying "extra" for a day. Neil

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

Crossed the Simmo in 2008 in D4D 120
Took it easy over 4 or 5 days and enjoyed the desert camping.
From memory used 87 litre of Diesel Mt Dare to Birdsville.

Exactly what I used when I crossed The Simmo in my 2008 D4D!

Cheers,
AJ

[outback7 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close outback7]

I carried 42 litres of extra fuel which I really didn't need......But I would take it anyway just in case. I will always take extra of everything......If it goes pear shape you need to know you can take care of yourself........

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Probably getting a bit "off topic" here but with all people who take jerrycans with them, how do u poor the fuel into your tanks? I mean, jerrycans can easily get "crap" inside them w/o u knowing it and I'd be a bit worried just pouriing the contents straight into my tank w/o some sort of filtering system..... What do ppl do here?

rob