We recently completed a "solo" West/East crossing along the French Line. It was late in the season, so tracks cut up kinda badly, especially on the approaches.
We were fairly well loaded, food, accommodation, bedding etc for two. Suspension is standard height, with extra load capacity on the rears. Bridgestone AT tyres basically new.
We had two attempts on one hill, three on another, THEN stuck really deep on a third. Sand was so fine it filled the hole as soon as it was shoveled out, so Max Trax would not fit under the wheels. "good samaritan" winched us out==Patrol driver of course!!.
Some statistics:
From the Gold Coast via Tennant Creek to Mt Dare, across the Simpson to Birdsville, then home:. 5,876 km
Fuel: 901 litres, cost $1,199 plus $76 for backup fuel included in the 901. Average cost $1.49 litre
Top prices were Glen Helen $2.053 and Mt Dare $2.35
Fuel consumption: Overall 15.33 litres/100 km. Worst across the desert 22.35 litres/100km, mainly 1st and 2nd gear. We did not need the backup fuel--we had 1/4 tank in Birdsville.
We stayed in motels/cabins when available and spent $1,200. We could have saved probably $800 by camping, but this allowed us to do 600km each day getting there.
The "roads" from Kulgera to Mt Dare and on to Dalhousie Springs are terrible--corrugations and stones.
If you are going, choose May or June for better roads. We had a great time and we are both 75++. Go do it
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