Machines | 4x4 Simpson Adventure - Big Red - Escaping Birdsville Floods - Part 2

videos | at work | information | view | construction

1. This video should be used as an ad for banning trailers in the simpson
2. Hi Stefan.Firstly, I made a mistake! I did not read your whole message before responding (I did not "click" for the balance of the message) - for that I apologise!It seems that in many areas we are very much alike in our thoughts.What I am railing about is ignorant and, in many instances, lazy drivers who do not want to bother with the most basiic fundamentals of four wheel driving.The video that you have posted shows, in my opinion, very poor 4wd techniques and is something that people wanting to do these "adventure" trips, should not be watching. In my mind it encourages bad habits which cause many problems, not just for those shown trying to get through the sand but for those following. You area a driver trainer & an expert in four wheel driving,why then show a video like this without detailing the problems these people are expetiencing?I respect that this trip was not your "show", but once again, with a video so full of flaws why put it up in your name?You said earlier that I should lighten up. Well, let me tell you, after spending days behind other groups on the Canning & the Simpson, suffering the hardship on our vehicles because those ahead have f----d the track through their ignorance, it is difficult to lighten up!Sure, weather, over time, tends to solve the track problems. What about the vehicles travelling behind your group, after you have just cut up and destroyed the track? They have to risk damage to their vehicles because of the inconsiderate idiots travelling ahead.I have had extensive 4wd experience & I have to tell you, your vehicle was the only vehicle aired down properly & driven correctly. The rest were at 30psi or above (maybe on reflection one may have been at 25 plus). As I said before. Watch closely, listen carefully, and you will see the tyres break traction far too early for lower pressures. This sort of observation comes from spending a lifetime in 4wd vehicles & observing & instructing others.I have viewed many of your other videos & they are good.I say again, but a little stronger, why put your name to this crap?You will no doubt be pleased that this will be my last comment on this.Regards.
3. Hi. No, I do not think quick but yes probably a bit harsh because the other people in your trip probably did not know better.I am the first to admit to making mistakes and when I do so will readily own up & accept the cosequences.I am the first to agree that dunes change on an hour by hour basis. What you crossed easily in the morning may be almost impossible later in the day - it depends on temperature, moisture, sand dnsity etc etc.As I said in my first post, I own a 2005 Defender 110 & use it extensively in hard sand conditions. I can tell you mine performs as well as yours did in the video - many people have asked at times - wow! How did you do that?Simple! It is mainly tyre pressures, then understandig your vehicle and then finally driving correctly.I have also come across people hopelessly stuck in sad & exricated them very quckly to their utter amazement - why? Because they did not understand, or know how important tyre pressures are.Now, let me ask you the quesion - why did your vehicle so outperform the others? Maybe a little better driving but simply too high pressures on th other vehicle's! Just look at the video - watch very closely & listen to the sound of the motor. Simply they were running with too high pressure! You will see the tyres have too little footprint & broke traction as soon as revs were increased.I have travelled just about all of the great tracks plus more. The sad fact is that the tracks are being destroyed by people who do not know how to 4wd or, are lazy & will not do the right thing. So much so I believe it will not be long before restrictions are played on some of these fantadtic adventures.This is why I am harsh about your video - only one vehicle seems to be driven correctly. Sadly, it (the video) gives people entirely the wrong idea in showing how to drive on these adventure trips.I have deliberately stuck to tyre pressures and driving in my comments. I have ignored 3 or 4 other blatantly wrong 4wd practices shown!
4. This video is a disgrace! Single 4wd vehicles badly driven and with too high tyre pressures do just as much damage as trailers.I too hate seeing trailers taken on these tracks because of the damage they do - but look at the damage your fellow travellers did in both single vehicles and those towing trailers!From what I can see in this video, your 110 was the only vehicle to have tyres below 20psi - the others looked like they all had 30psi plus! To support my statement just watch how the tyres unload & start spinning before there is any real load on them!Tyre pressure is critical in trying to maintain our tracks for everyone.I own a 110 & have had extensive experience in a Discovery. Normally, in the conditions shown, the Disco should be as good as, or, better than the Defender. The Disco'performance in your video is pathetic compared to your vehicle. Why? Poor driving does not account for much of it, because of the Disco's set up &suspension this vehicle nomally puts most other 4wd's to shame!No, sorry - after watching it a few times I can only say the video is something you should be ashamed of - particularly as you claim to teach off road driving.Sorry to be so blunt, but it really is disgracefull & a very poor example to people wanting to get into this type of adventure!
5. Been over the Simo 10 times with a LC200 with a Ultimate camper and had no issues. Power and tyre pressures all right and some common sense ,uhf and sandflag and spares snatch strap. They should ban the people who cant drive and dont carry the right gear. as for the dunes every wet season when the wind blows the sand dunes fix themselves.
6. We & another couple did the Madigan Line last year one Nissan 4.2 Patrol towing a Tvan & they in a Tojo 100 series towing a Tvan & only got stuck once . Your vehicles having multiple goes at the dunes just goes to show that your tyre pressures are way to high. & you blame towing, bull the single vehicles where chopping the crap out of the dunes. We had this problem of the dunes being cut to crap from a 4x4 club from the east coast going before us & bragging when in Birdsville about doing 7 runs to conquer one dune. Our tyres where down to 9ib front & 14lb rear & 12 lb Tvan. You could walk over the dunes in 2nd low . One day we did 36klms in 6 hrs. People take on more than they can handle properly & don`t have the time frame right.
7. Tyre pressures were 20psi front 22psi rear cooper sts 265r16s
8. Hi guys I've just come out of the Simpson this year 2016 headed east to the Birdsville races. Stock standard hilux sr5 struggled in the mud but low 4 2nd got me through the mud flats. Dunes were pretty easy to get over on acct of the rain. 2nd vehicle did the same but without rear shockers a land rover that was. Have done the desert on 2 occasions now and looking forward to the next time. Maybe I might bike it over lol.
9. Another great video! I'm from Melb, I'd love to come along with you on one of your trips.
10. BT50....factory tyres and suspension.....18psi and high range 4wd.....never had a problem....now you know why they should ban any unpowered wheels(trailers)....no wonder the tracks and dunes get so chopped up
11. Don't these people know to let their tyre pressure down all they are doing is destroying the track . I've done tbe Simpson and travelled it easy wi th correct tyre pressure
12. Thanks to all it was a great video.
13. Bloody trailers I would have sent them home the long way.
14. At last he can reverse very well.
15. Guys I have a Discovery 4 and you are making 2 crucial mistakes. 1: your tyre pressure should be no higher than 0.8 bar. 2: always turn DSC OFF, when driving in sand. Remember whenever you turn your vehicle off or you change the terrain response, DSC turns back on.3: when in sand always turn the terrain response to "Sand", the vehicle is a lot more responsive. 4: always use Low Range when towing in sand, that's what it's made for! I tow a Conqueror UEV 490/Commander through large soft dunes and don't get bogged down.
16. I notice your comment on trailer and other vehicles using excessive throttle etc and you guys were also doing the same........ Great video regardless.
17. Thanks for sharing that video, really enjoyed it. We crossed the Simpson last year (September 2015) a little bit late I know, a bit hot, we did it in a 4 cyl 2001 Hilux and a 2003 V6 Challenger. We found the magic gear was high range first gear and the tyres down to 20 pounds, had no trouble at all once we found that combination. Looking at your vehicles I'd say we weren't carrying as much weight and that would make a big difference.
    Love the Simmo....can't wait to get out there again.
    Thanks again, I reckon you had bloody good team.
18. Awesome video. makes you wanna pack up and head out.
19. Tyre pressure would have to be one of the keys to getting over these dunes, I noticed the white defender casually crawls over everything, though has the largest balloon in the tires. well done.
20. Hey Mate,
    Just interested in what time of the year you did this trip?
    Last time we did the Simpson is was June. We saw very little rain however the desert was in full bloom (2012)
    This year we are going in May instead.