Crewman AWD in The Outback?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 07, 2022 at 11:23
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BenFraser747
Good morning,
I'm planning quite a large trip next year which includes the
Canning Stock Route. A friend of
mine would like to attend but I've not heard of a Crewman all wheel drive doing such a trip before. I know they've done the
Simpson Desert and various fundraising rallies to
Cape York etc.
Is the CSR feasible in a Crewman AWD? I'm not sure if it's the V6 or V8 version. I don't have any photos of his vehicle but I'll attach photos of similar Crewmans to this thread.
Thank you.
Crewman AWD Off Road
Crewman AWD Off Road
Crewman AWD Off Road
Crewman AWD Off Road
Reply By: George_M - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2022 at 15:55
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2022 at 15:55
Have a look at
This thread
I don't really like your chances, but that would depend on a wide range of variables - driver experience, mechanical capability/spare parts, weather, weight, fuel source/s, support vehicles, etc.
The Crewman looks great on paper but may struggle in an environment that has caused problems for the most capable and best outfitted "real" 4WDs.
You'd really need to do your homework, and work out Plans A, B and C before you hit
Halls Creek or
Wiluna. Hopefully the CSR will be open by the time you'd like to travel.
Enjoy!
George_M
AnswerID:
640778
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 08:38
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 08:38
Hi Ben,
This is a question that is going to divide a number of people.
My “two cents” for what it is worth, the CSR is classified as a high ground clearance 4WD track. Quite a few high ground clearance 4WDs have come to grief on the CSR. Yes, I understand that the AWD Crewman has a higher and stronger
suspension than the standard 2WD commodore ute. As someone else has pointed out, the local indigenous people seem to be able to get a 2WD vehicle into and out of a lot of
places that even 4WDs struggle with. However, they don’t seem to care whether the vehicle sustains any damage or not.
Another point to consider, is that even high ground clearance 4WDs have issues with spinifex grass getting caught up around hot surfaces and catching fire on the CSR and other outback tracks.
I have no doubt that in the right hands, and with the vehicle in good mechanical condition, it could make it. Would I try it? No. Would I travel in a group with one on the CSR? That is a question I would have to think long and hard about. There are some people I know with high ground clearance 4WDs that I would not venture onto the CSR with.
Macca.
AnswerID:
640791
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 08:58
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 08:58
Ben,
I’d be worried about 2K kms of corrugations on the
suspension, drivetrain & associated body mountings. Would need some serious upgrading/strengthening around these areas by an experienced person.
The corrugations just go on & on, with no respite, except when you cross a sandhill. The silence is refreshing! As for getting “up on top” of them, only tried it once!
Sandhills are no big deal. Only found one that needed multiple attempts, and the southern approach had been filled with wind blown sand a night or two before.
Maybe quiz someone with rally experience, about mods to make it survive. Numerous fuel bladders might be the go to get a decent range?
Bob
AnswerID:
640793
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 09:44
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 09:44
You do what you can with what you have.
The alternative is to stay at
home and dream about what might have been.
During
Easter 1970, we drove a Mini west from
Coward Springs on the
Oodnadatta Track to Billa Kalina Station, following the southern side of the Margaret River and then on to
Kingoonya.
There were plenty of big rocks and sandy river crossings.
An AWD Crewman would have been a dream come true. :)
West of Coward Springs
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
640794
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 12:37
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 12:37
.
Ah yes Peter, but a Mini just dodges around the gibbers.... not over them.
p.s. Why is your front wheel sticking out from the body? Or is it just an illusion?
FollowupID:
919852
Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 12:43
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 12:43
No illusion.
I fitted dual 12" wheels thinking it would help in the sand.
It didn't.
Dual wheels
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
FollowupID:
919853
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 12:46
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2022 at 12:46
.
LOL Peter. Looks like you were prepping for Mad Max!
FollowupID:
919854
Reply By: Matt W13 - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2022 at 15:56
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2022 at 15:56
Gee, I don't know. Do they have a low range box for one thing?
I think you'd have problems with, as others have mentioned, ground clearance, ability to carry enough fuel, strength of mounts for things such as
suspension etc.
If you can load the vehicle very lightly you may have a reasonable chance, but then again, if it's light, you probably won't be carrying enough fuel, water, food etc.
If you were to break down, you may encounter people unhappy to help out, with the vehicle not being a true 4WD.
AnswerID:
640871