What big items do I need to setup for a Savannah Way/Central Qld trip

[MarkVS]

So, I am already starting to think about what I need to do to prepare for a McGirr Savannah Way and add on a Central Qld return trip.

I need some advice on what big ticket items I need (and don't need) to setup (mainly on the car) for such a trip.

Trip -
From Brisbane up to Cairns (quick run up hwy)
McGIRR  trip across the Gulf to Katherine
Katherine up to Cairns for some site seeing
Cairns down Stuart Hwy to 3 ways and then across to Mt Isa, through to Winton, and then down to Brisbane.

I am probably going to take 6 weeks. If I understand, majority is bitumen or good condition dirt..it isn't Cape York type offroad.
 
I have..
NP Pajero Diesel GLX - stock standard with only a tow bar. (No Bull bar, suspension changes, roof racks etc). In very good condition.
OffRoad Vacation camper. Softfloor. Leaf springs and shockies. 12v setup with solar. 660KG unloaded.

Here are some items for advice...and please any others you think of I do/don't need..... (I understand there will be the small item spares that I will work on later)

- Do I need another spare wheel for the car
- Do I need another spare wheel for the Camper
- Do I need a UHF radio
- Do I need any suspension changes ( I am assumiong no)
- Do I need Roof tray on the car (I am assuming yes to carry gear)
- Do I need Side steps for the car (I am assuming yes)
- Do I need stone protection (I am assuming yes and thinking of getting a Stone Stomper)
- Do I need a high level jack (I assume no)
- Recovery kit (I assume yes)
- Do I need a Bull bar (I am assuming no)
- What other big ticket items ?


Any advice greatly appreciated, especially of those things I really don't need (to help keep cost down).

MarkVS

PS..all this new gear..this is going to be fun 

[Tom]

Good post,I will watch with interest.
Cheers.
Titch

[McGirr]

Hi Mark

The Roads we will travel will be mostly tar but we will travel some dirt rds that will be corrugated and some bull dust which gets into everything.

Car set up.

All terrain tyres as a minimum

Tyre repair kit

Good shockers and springs, talk to a reputable suspension place to see if the current set up is fine

One spare will be fine

Air compressor


Camper

Try and make sure the rims and tyres suit the tow vehicle.

Spare bearings, grease, etc

Double nut ubolts on the camper plus spares

Spare wheel nuts

All terrain tyres as a minimum


Other items

Jerry cans as there may be some distance between fuel stops.

UHF radio


Options

Side steps but not really needed

Bull bar but not really needed

If you have a stone guard on the camper that would be fine

Roof rack depending how many are traveling and what space is available.

These are just some items but as mentioned the roads will not be as tough as the Cape as we are not tackling major creek crossings.

Mark

[GeoffA]

Everything McGirr has said, plus rear window protection of some sort is an absolute must.....

I use this.............

http://www.obiesoutback.com.au/obie1.htm

.......there are cheaper options are available, but I've found them very good..........

[fuji]

So, I am already starting to think about what I need to do to prepare for a McGirr Savannah Way and add on a Central Qld return trip.

I need some advice on what big ticket items I need (and don't need) to setup (mainly on the car) for such a trip.

Trip -
From Brisbane up to Cairns (quick run up hwy)
McGIRR  trip across the Gulf to Katherine
Katherine up to Cairns for some site seeing
Cairns down Stuart Hwy to 3 ways and then across to Mt Isa, through to Winton, and then down to Brisbane.

I am probably going to take 6 weeks. If I understand, majority is bitumen or good condition dirt..it isn't Cape York type offroad.
 
I have..
NP Pajero Diesel GLX - stock standard with only a tow bar. (No Bull bar, suspension changes, roof racks etc). In very good condition.
OffRoad Vacation camper. Softfloor. Leaf springs and shockies. 12v setup with solar. 660KG unloaded.

Here are some items for advice...and please any others you think of I do/don't need..... (I understand there will be the small item spares that I will work on later)

- Do I need another spare wheel for the car
- Do I need another spare wheel for the Camper
- Do I need a UHF radio
- Do I need any suspension changes ( I am assumiong no)
- Do I need Roof tray on the car (I am assuming yes to carry gear)
- Do I need Side steps for the car (I am assuming yes)
- Do I need stone protection (I am assuming yes and thinking of getting a Stone Stomper)
- Do I need a high level jack (I assume no)
- Recovery kit (I assume yes)
- Do I need a Bull bar (I am assuming no)
- What other big ticket items ?


Any advice greatly appreciated, especially of those things I really don't need (to help keep cost down).

MarkVS

PS..all this new gear..this is going to be fun 

- Do I need another spare wheel for the car.                                            Yes
- Do I need another spare wheel for the Camper.                                      Yes
- Do I need a UHF radio.                                                                         Should have
- Do I need any suspension changes ( I am assumiong no).                       No
- Do I need Roof tray on the car (I am assuming yes to carry gear)            If no room in back
- Do I need Side steps for the car (I am assuming yes).                             Why
- Do I need stone protection (I am assuming yes and thinking of getting a Stone Stomper)  yes
- Do I need a high level jack (I assume no).                                              Yes
- Recovery kit (I assume yes).                                                                  Not a bad idea
- Do I need a Bull bar (I am assuming no).                                                 Should have or nudge bar
- What other big ticket items ?                                                                  Dual batteries, good 1st aid kit, solar panel.  IMO
WAYNE                               

[MarkVS]

Mark & Wayne ,
thanks.


My reasoning for the side steps is I understand on long distance dirt roads, the stones kick up and damage the side of the car ?


Mark.....can you explain what you mean by ' Camper - Try and make sure the rims and tyres suit the tow vehicle.' Not quite sure what I need to do.... If I have a set of near new offroad wheels and tyres on the camper, is there something specific I should be doing ?
Tyre repair kit...do you mean one with a lever or a kit that doesn't require removal of the tyre


Thanks guys

MarkVS

[McGirr]

Mark & Wayne ,
thanks.


My reasoning for the side steps is I understand on long distance dirt roads, the stones kick up and damage the side of the car ?


Mark.....can you explain what you mean by ' Camper - Try and make sure the rims and tyres suit the tow vehicle.' Not quite sure what I need to do.... If I have a set of near new offroad wheels and tyres on the camper, is there something specific I should be doing ?
Tyre repair kit...do you mean one with a lever or a kit that doesn't require removal of the tyre


Thanks guys

MarkVS

If you can its easy to have the same size rims and tyres on both the car and camper. That way you have 2 matching spares. If you haven't its ok.

Tyre repair kit is the one where you can plug a tyre. They are about $25.

[fuji]

I did that trip last year and yes you do get a lot of stones kicking up. Although we had sidesteps on the Prado, I don't think there would be that much damage driving at a safe speed. A bonnet protector would be a good idea because the car in front will flick up a lot of debris at your bonnet and windscreen. We also had replacement windscreen insurance on our policy. Guess what? We had to get a new windscreen when we got home. If there is any other info pm me and see what I can also suggest.  Hope this helps
Wayne

[D4D]

- Do I need Roof tray on the car (I am assuming yes to carry gear)            I would fit a wire rack even if empty, good for firewood and emergencies
- Do I need a high level jack (I assume no).                                              Nope, buy a good 4T hydraulic bottle jack

[adz1604]

Hi
We traveled the savanna this time last year. The corrugations were not to bad but the potholes were hard to spot and the rocks were huge. We stopped to help a couple with a man truck converted to a camper who had lost there rear boogie and then came across another couple who had changed a flat tyre only to get another 5 Klms down the road with no spare they thought they would drive on slowly, that was until the tyre shredded and pulled the rear hub and axel out about 10 Klms from hells gate roadhouse.
We then traveled down into kingfisher camp and across to Adele grove, this part we encounted thick bull dust another 5 flat tyres including one myself from a screwdriver which had staked a tyre. This was the only flat we encountered on a 15,000 Klm 3 month trip

Spares are a must, there are a lot less people travel it than you see at the cape
Pack a tyre repair kit, compressor, good tyre pressure gauge, if you have an extra spare tyre take it, if you have factory tyre pressure monitoring ask the service dealer to adjust your settings to accommodate lower pressures that you may be using. Full length mud flap for the rear of the car is a good idea. Spare fan belt and air cleaner is a must. Pack plenty of music. Ring the road houses before you leave to make sure they are open and have fuel available

But most of all don't forget to have great holiday

[ant_schomacker]

Do I need another spare wheel for the car If you've got it definitely
- Do I need another spare wheel for the Camper As above
- Do I need a UHF radio A must have in my book!, If doing anything away from / separate to the convoy I would strongly recommend you consider a sat phone
- Do I need any suspension changes ( I am assumiong no) probably not, but check with an expert and ideally while fully loaded
- Do I need Roof tray on the car (I am assuming yes to carry gear) this is a personal choice, you may need it for space, or you may not.  Remember weight distribution though if you plan to use it
- Do I need Side steps for the car (I am assuming yes) Not necessary, but can be useful if you have shorter people travelling with you
- Do I need stone protection (I am assuming yes and thinking of getting a Stone Stomper) Yes!
- Do I need a high level jack (I assume no) No - Get a good bottle jack
- Recovery kit (I assume yes) Another must have item in my opinion!
- Do I need a Bull bar (I am assuming no) Not necessary, but if you plan on driving between dusk and dawn then a very worthwhile investment!
- What other big ticket items ? Good quality air compressor, First aid kit (A MUST IMHO), and some music - an ipod with FM transmitter is ideal - as there's not many radio stations and CDs can skip something terrible on the roads out here.

A bonnet protector would be a good idea because the car in front will flick up a lot of debris at your bonnet and windscreen.

  This may help, but I would suggest that if you're getting debris from the car in front that you should drop back until it misses you.  But the windscreen insurance is a great idea, I average 1 stone chip a month living in Doomadgee - mostly from people who don't slow down or move over when approaching you.

Hope that helps,

Ant