trailer canning stock route

From someone who had a crack at it with a trailer , don't. If you can get away without it it will make it so much easier. We found out afterwards that they don't recommend towing anyway.

Plenty like this out there.

[

I can understand your thinking but it’s a hard place.,

Doug. I have not travelled some of the more remote tracks and others who have know the conditions and corrugations. That aside, if you want/need a trailer to be able to survive it has to have some different features other than normal.
The picture above shows a trailer which has short slipper springs and most likely a small capacity axle with small bearings, (not pictured). Those are ok for the tip run but not outback.
You mentioned a well made box trailer, exactly what constitutes "well made"?

A shock absorbing and articulated tow hitch would be best, and the trailer to have long length springs with shackles and heavier axle and bearings too. Shock absorbers will also assist in controlling axle motion and reduce the roads shocks and vibes transmitted to the trailer.
I modded a 6x4 trailer with 60 series front landcruiser springs, 50mm sq axle and larger bearings. Shock absorbers fitted as well. Probably it wouldn't like the CSR but Oodnadatta and Birdsville track ok. It is the ride height and longer travel to take larger movement and suppleness & compliance which saves the bodywork. The quality of the trailer construction is a important but secondary to the suspension ability to handle the load and conditions.

I know that conditions will vary alot from time to time, but our experience was that we towed a Cavalier camper trailer (single axle light weieght soft floor camper) along the entire track with no problems whatsoever, a couple of years ago. All tyres at 20psi cold. Conditions at the time were very good meaning it was not hot and the sand was not too soft. Average speed was 15 - 20 kph most of the time. Some bad corrugations from time to time but just reduce speed and tyre pressures a bit to allow for that.

It's the corrugation torture test that you have to worry about. Dunes might pull you up but they rarely break equipment.

Hi doug h,

Have you considered an Ex Army trailer as an option to having one built? They come up for auction from time to time.

Macca.

I thought there was a section (somewhere around Well 3-5?) that you were not allowed to take trailers?

As Ivan said, and having done the CSR as well as other desert tracks - DON'T TOW.

Apart from needing to power up to cross the sand hills, and the damage that causes, meeting someone coming up the other side is a whole new story!
The corrugations either side of the Kunawarritji Community will test any trailer/camper, no matter how well made.
There is also a "No Tow" region at the south end of the track that you will need to check before travelling.
What ever you decide, make sure you have a reliable UHF radio and know where you are at all times to avoid top of hill encounters.
We took three weeks to cover north to south and that was not nearly enough.
Enjoy.

Cheers,

Mike

Hi Doug. Did it last year in May, Nth to Sth with a hard floor camper, one of the "cheaper ones", the biggest issue is the hook turn bends at the base of the dunes and the corrugation sections either side of Kunnawarraji. Take it easy, drop pressures all round and you should be fine. Having said that towing a camper adds to the work, work out if you really need it.

Len

Just finished the Canning last week so its fresh in my mind.
Main issues as I see it:
#1 What suspension on your trailer? The heavy corrugations break leaf springs and cause shocks to fail. Also the chopped up dunes need to be approached slowly so you don't bounce around. One person in our group towed a 1000kg trailer and had his pressures down around 10-12psi so it could tow up the dunes slowly without spinning wheels.
#2 Dual cabs can bend their chassis when towing over dunes like the Canning.
#3 How strong is the drawbar? - broken drawbars feature strongly on the dumped trailers (along with broken axles and springs)
#4 Fuel usage goes up a lot when towing
#5. I own a Tvan and use it in the Great Vic Desert, Googs track etc but happily didn't take it on the Canning - so much less stress when not having to worry about getting over dunes or the trailer falling apart
#6 If you tow a trailer on the Canning expect abuse from fellow travellers who will blame you for chopping up the track.

Hi Doug. My guess is you are the Doug with the shack 4 up from Rosco, if so I am the Chris with the shack behind you past Jims. I lived there for 18 months.

Regarding a trailer on the CSR. Many trailers are hauled on the CSR without problems. The bulk of it is low speed with some skull dragging over sand hills which could be interesting. As mentioned elsewhere the lack of a runnup at the base of the dunes creates a challenge but hasn't stopped anyone yet as far as I know. When I did the route(south to north) it was a little wet so sand was hard.

I recently did Rudall River to well 25 and back and the only thing to slow you down is the corrugations, so slow it is.

Cant comment on the Kidson etc.

Have fun
Chris