Simpson Desert

Hi Tenpounder, what size motor did the disco have in it? we are going to cross the Simpson this year with friends who are towing a camper trailer. He has a Cruiser with the v8 chevvy engine in it. Was just wondering.

Cheers

Deanna

Hi. As far as I know, it was the then latest diesel, as of 2008. It was towing an Ultimate

Gday,
"Its a myth that wide tyres are better for sand"
Wow...that's a fairly big statement?

Ive always found big fat soft tyres heaps better in sand and believed the whole idea was to spread your weight out over a larger surface area?
Each to there own I suppose.

Cheers

It is a big statement, But the mindset that you need WIDE tyres for sand is false, you are better off with TALLER tyres that when deflated make a LONGER footprint, thats where you get floatation from not from width.

Shane

I'm with Shane,

Its the length of the footprint not the width. The term "bagging" is nothing to do with the tyre width, but the tread length, although a softer wall will bag slightly.



A wider tyre has to push more sand, a longer length of tread (like a mini catapillar track) spreads the weight and reduces the sand push.


Tyre tread type is not as critical as long as tyre pressure are correct, there are some very good strong AT's available that will work well. Micky Thompsons ATZ is a very capable tyre that is strong and can handle some mud. (no link with MT)

Remember to reduce your trailer tyre pressures as well.

Hi Shane
That is why all the sand buggies use skinniness?????

The fact is that a tyre with no tread and wide is best for sand driving. You want a tyre that will float over the sand, not did in.


Cheers

Stephen

Michelin numbers for the tyres on the OKA.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.

I can see your point about tall but surely width only adds to your weight distribution?

Quote
Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) posted:
Hi Shane
That is why all the sand buggies use skinniness?????

"The fact is that a tyre with no tread and wide is best for sand driving. You want a tyre that will float over the sand, not did in. "

Stephen not quite a fact.



Buggies are 2 wheel drive and are open or LSD, they need tread on the drive wheels to bite into the sand, one of the main suppliers in the USA where buggys are still very much in use. Note the front are skinny and tall, with tread.

They use power over weight distribution, like a boat getting up on the plane, take a lot of oommph to push that water, but one on top it fly's.

this is one of the least aggressive tyres.
Sand Tyres Unlimited (click here)

Quote from web.
Application
Proven to be the most versatile sand tire ever made for sand and desert applications. Similar to the 1200 Desert Trak but somewhat wider, it gives just the right amount of floatation and bite. This sand tire is the popular choice of people running their vehicles in sand and the desert. Recommended for wheels from 10 to 12 inches with a diameter of 15 inches.

Ah you might say, thats the USA... Sites for Australian Beach or Dune buggy's below..

Australian Beach Buggy's
Australian Dune Buggies

Hairy,
If you look at the side on pics above the tread width doesn't change The tread width stays the same when the sidewall bags out but doesn't help support the weight and becomes more vulnerable. If the sidewall was down low enough to help support the weight then the tyre will be flat.

Cheers
Dave

To Pete n Marg..
What is the weight of the OKA??
What are you Highway/OffRoad/Sand tyre pressures ??
(ps- the Motorhome/Campervan Canning trip is off).

Gday Dave,
I know what you are saying, but a fat tyre has a wider foot print than a skinny at equal pressures.
I still think a tall fat tyre will out do a skinny in sand?
Tall tyres are definitely a bonus........ but I reckon so is wide.......

Cheers

Hi Hairy,
Don't get me wrong, I can't stand skinny's as they ride too rough. I normally run 285/75/16 BFG muds and they are great in all conditions. The new cruiser has 295/75/16's they are quite a bit taller than the 285's but not much wider.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Hairy, I didn't mean to stir up a hornets nest with the whole skinny V wide tyre debate.
I think it all boils down to personnel preference, and also think that there may be gains in having a wider tyre, but also drawbacks, there are some hard core Desert dwellers who would also argue long and hard which is better.

I had a bit of look around google the find scientific data to conclude comprehensively which is better, but all can I find is OPINIONS.
Thread 14912 dated 2004 has a similar argument for/against, so we have come along way in 6 years have'nt we?.

The point I was making was that buying spending $$$ on wider rubber JUST for a crossing of the Simpson was a waste of money when its not really needed

Again, I'm NOT talking down wide tyres, but I do believe that they are a BIT over rated for sand driving.

Cheers

Shane

Absolutely....... I spent 15 years driving around the centre on skinnys before I went "fats", and swore by them.....
No hornets nest either....times and technology change.......always good to hear another view......never to old to learn I reckon.......



But......go the fats!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Cheers

Hi Ruth, am very interested in your statement not to tow over the Simpson this year, the friends we are coming over with have a camper trailer and are planning on towing it over there. Their tow vehicle is a Landcruiser with a Chevvy V8 engine.
Do you say that because of all the water? I respect your knowledge of the area and will pass on your response.

Thanks in advance

Deanna

I would not be towing anything over the Simpson this year. I had a mate that attempted to cross with 3 cruisers with one towing a camper trailer(Kimberly) and they could not get the trailer across. They broke 2 snatch straps and had to turn back 40 Ks short of Poeppels Cnr as they were having so much trouble with the trailer. These people are experienced outback people. On the morning they turnrd back they did 7 Ks for the morning. This was earlier in the season and the dunes may have been knocked down somewhat. Parks mob don't recommend towing a trailer across anyway.

i was out there a week ago and it was very easy going. a guy came through from the East and met us about 3/4 of the way across his trip (so we were only just starting ours heading West), he was driving a 200 series Landcruiser and towing a camper trailer. that guy had to be snatch recovered once and needed 2 attempts on one particular dune, other then that he didn't have a problem.
if you were going to tow something then last week was about as easy as it would ever get i reckon for a desert crossing. i reckon with the more traffic going through, then it won't be long before it all gets chewed up.

Hi rumpig. Listen, if he was coming from the East, and you were heading West, then it has to follow that you were heading in the same direction.
A few more with trailers, and the tracks will be as bad as in the past, I reckon. Silly idea!!

Hi all . . . have decided not to take t-van . . . Jeff at Mt Dare has generously said I can leave it there and I will do a Simpson Loop which will give me a chance to see a lot more . . . still gotta do tyres !!!!!????? thanks for all the input. . . I hate to be indecisive but I can't make up my mind.
Cheers Don

WOW i left a word out...we were heading FROM the West, talk about being a word Nazi. i'm not condoning taking a trailer there, personally i wouldn't. i'm just saying a guy we met last week did his trip easily.

Mt Dare.

Yep,

We will store your van for free if you wish to leave it behind & not annoy the carp out of everyone out there!