Simpson Crossing Oct 2019

Did you have a scangauge or similar to observe trans temps ?

Wow. 39 degrees and 15 hours of driving over 2 days.

Did you enjoy it?

We did the same trip back in July this year in our Troopy. We took 4 days used just over 100L of diesel so i think thats 10 litres per 100ks. Loved every minute of it and found Big Red very easy. Love to go again.

39 isn't unseasonally hot for this time of the year, we've been out there several times over the last 40 years in the Sept/Oct school hols and seen 50 on most trips at some time with most days well over 40. I'd reckon it was bit on the cool side and you were lucky.
It isn't really enjoyable when it is so hot and once the sand heats up it is very soft and it isn't unusual when trying to walk up a dune to have your feet and legs buried above the socks.
Hard on the vehicle too and there is no incentive to stop as there is no escape even in the shade.
I've also wondered at the timing of the bike race, why not run it in the cooler months?

We got that heat in Tibooburra, Sturt NP and Innamincka. 38 to 40 deg for about 5 days.

This trip is the grandson's introduction to the Outback, and to the desert which he has wanted to see after seeing our photos over the last few years. We did a day trip into the Simpson from Birdsville, about 10 dunes into the NP. 22 degrees and easy driving.

Big Red was easy as in the cool morning, but on the way back in the evening after a day of warm sun and some traffic I couldn't do the steep Big Red tracks without reducing pressures. Couldn't be bothered for one dune just to prove a point so took the easy track, no problems.

Heavy BT50, especially the rear - typical dual cab - I had 18psi in the front and 24 in the rear and had no problems, was able to drive every dune at a steady speed, no bouncing around.

Track scalloping was not too bad between the park boundary and Big Red, only a few dunes badly affected.

.
The Simpson is the short route for our visits to the Western Deserts and the worst we have encountered in many crossings was several years back heading home east in the first week November. It was 42 degrees and our air conditioner had failed!!! Normally would not choose to cross after end of September but running a bit late this time.

Apart from being uncomfortably hot it was a good trip. Only encountered two other vehicles. May have been more comfort to drive at night but that would be very risky. No difficulty with traction with our usual 18psi all round. Usual cursing at track gouging caused by drivers with too much tyre pressure and too much power and too small..... well, I don't really know that do I?