Jayco outback on GCR

Hi there Steve,
We travelled the same way to QLD last August, have actually just pulled back home for a few weeks, then keep going up again.
If you like having a hema guide book, take the 'Outback Way' travel atlas. It'll show you most of the sights on the way, and it is a good bit of read, and maps to boot.
We towed a Goldstream poptop and had no dramas, we passed basic sedans, and anything from full onroad vans, to big buses. As you pointed out, drive to the conditions, lower pressures, and enjoy the road.
Some Sections the road was so good I struggled to keep 90km and under, some spots we had to slow down to 30 odd.
As good as we had it, I do know 2 seperate parties and different times, that went through all there spare tyres, but be prepared and murphy's law will mean you won't need them.

All the best, enjoy the drive
Troy

Hi Steve. Can't advise you specifically on the GCR but it may depend on what suspension your van has. If it is upgraded to the Simplicity suspension then you may be able to endure rougher road conditions. i have the same van with standard roller rocker and although it seems to be OK on rough tar I think corrogations may be a different thing with it alltogether. Will be interested to see if you get any replies from hands on owners. Cheers,Bob

We've towed our Jayco 18ft Outback Destiny over the GCR twice, once each way. West to east is more picturesque I reckon. We had very little trouble, stone damage to drain outlets behind rear wheels and the gas escape plastic cover under the rear kitchen got knocked off and let a hell of a lot of dust inside. We loved it and plan to do it again. We towed with a Patrol 4.2tdi ute, had a stone guard on the caravan drawbar and a rubber strip under the towbar, very little traffic and spectacular scenery well worth doing.
Geoff

Thanks for the replies
My biggest concern is if the inside of the van can stand up to the corrugations

The van has not got the simplicity suspension but I think it is alright if driven to conditions

Dust ingression into the van is something I am interested in how to prevent

I am glad that it seems to be a road that I can go on its a long way round along the Nullarbor to the Alice having done that twice with a standard jayco poptop hence the new sterling outback
Steve

S58,

I did the road about 3 weeks ago, and we were fortunate enough that 75% of it had recently been graded, the sections that hadn't been were quite corigated, we towed a Goldstrem Storm, with Cruisemaster inderpendant suspension, I ran all tyres at 30psi, and we had no problems at all, some water crossings (although dry) were a bit rough and sometimes quite sandy, but if the road is in the same condition as when we went I reckon most "on road" type vans could do it, stone damage would be the major concern imo.

Cheers.....Browny

Hi Steve,

Recently I have swapped from a Kedron to a van whose name I will not mention, but it has the same suspension as a Jayco Outback. Easter was it's first trip away and I was absolutely amazed at the difference in performance. So I will vote with the others that say look at suspension. The min I would do is put a shocky at each wheel. This might mean welding some mounts to the frame.

Put some covers over the PVC drain pipes and replace the plastic water tanks drain taps as these can get knocked off by a rocks and you will loose all your water.

Duck tape all the air vents in particular the one at the bottom of the door.

Take the caravan spare off the back of the van for the gravel section and out inside if possible.

Make a rear vindow stone cover for the LC and duck tape it on.

Get to the Ayes Rocks sunset viewing area at least 1 hour before sunset.

Good luck with the trip, I am sure you will all have a great time.