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We're planning a trip into the Kimberley area for next year (late June early August as part of a bigger 4 month trip) and wondering if anyone has recent experience in the Gibb River Road section. Would appreciate any advice on accessing the Mitchell Plateau and Kalumburu areas in a D4D Grande towing an off road camper trailer (aussie made Mountain Trail!!). Heard some concerning stories about both roads and then hear that its not too bad. I have a lot of experience driving in the High Country and am comfortable with it. Is the suspension on the Grande an issue? Will fit new BFG A/T's for the trip. We = me, the wife and 3 kids, 11 to 7 years old.
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G'day Baggy,
We went to Mitchell Falls 12 months ago in a 2012 D4D with upgraded OME suspension. We towed a 1.5 tonne off road camper trailer all the way. Didn't get to Kalumbaru - we were told the locals were a bit restless :-(
No problems with the road - corrugations are the only real problem and a combination of dropped speed and tyre pressures pretty much sort them out. I found 80kph and 28PSI seemed to work best.
Other road users can be an issue though. By the time we got to the Gibb we had been on our trip for 3 months and we had done two windscreens. My heightened paranoia made me super cautious. I found that as I moved left and slowed down for oncoming traffic many of them (mainly rented vehicles - OS visitors?) saw that as their opportunity to claim the centre of the road and keep barreling along flat out - throwing rocks and dust everywhere!
Regardless, the trip is certainly well worth doing - the country up there is as amazing as everything you've seen and heard - enjoy!
Lee.White auto 150 GXL D4D. Matts, plastics, ARB colour coded winch bar, Warn winch, IPF spots, Safari snorkel, dual batteries (redarc system), 2” OME lift, tow bar, Redarc electric brakes, air compressor, drawers with fridge slide, Engel 40 litre, cargo barrier, breathers, maxtrax, roof bars, sheepskin seat covers, TJM side steps/sliders and Toyo Open Country II tyres. -
About to head that way thru the Kimberleys in 2 weeks, will let you know the condition of all the tracks, they had abit of rain thru there this wet season so be interesting to see how wet it still is.
DerekBlue Storm 150 GXL 4D4 PRADO and 2014 Cub Brumby Camper
My rig build [url]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?25698-Derek11-s-2012-Blue-Storm-150-GXL-build-up[/url]Comment
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Be very interested in what you find, as I will be up that way in August.Originally posted by derek11 View PostComment
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We did the Gibb River road last May to July. Fantastic trip in a Prado 150 standard suspension accessing the Mitchell Plateau and Kalumburu areas. Just make sure that you look after your tyres. The people who had trouble most could have been avoided with care and correct pressures for the conditions. You still need to carry two spares; there is no where to buy a spare if you damage one beyond repair.Comment
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All roads currently open. Not many terrorists, I mean tourists, yet according to park rangers but the caravan conveys are starting to appear.Dave
Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.Comment
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I'll be up the peninsula on Thursday so I'' let you know how things are tracking. Whitey is currently on the Gibb with the Bike Challenge heading out from Derby end today.Originally posted by Dreamer View PostLast edited by Bushbasher; 23-12-2014, 08:53 PM.Dave
Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.Comment
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When i was living at pt Samson a family came in that had done the Gibb River rd.
They had to abandon the camper trailer because they ran out of spares.
Went to town got new tyres and went back and retrieved trailer.
He did not lower air pressure and was travelling at 100kmh.
So as stated above drop speed and tyre pressures and all should be good.Comment
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Thanks fellas, appreciate the first hand knowledge. Looking forward to the updates from Bushbasher, Palmer and Derek11
BaggyComment
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Following this one, we are heading up that way in August as well.Comment
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its pretty dry, getting more and more tourists and corrugations by the weekComment
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Following this too as we leave for Mitchell Plateau at end of June.Cheers
Daz
2004 TD GXL Auto PradoComment
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What year is the Grande? Is it still on factory suspension?Originally posted by baggy View PostComment
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Leaving in two weeks time as well, I expect we'll run into the odd PP'er or two!2014 Black GXL D4D Auto with a few add ons.Comment
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Also following this one. Plan to be on the Gibb in August 2015.Comment
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