Pit Falls

[stewart118]

What are some pitfalls that you encounter when 4wd around WA especially into the Kimberly with a 98 GU? from camping to weight limits legal and safe.
i am really looking to things that i need to be prepared for. not looking for the comfy ride or trip but safe and reliable.

[threedogs]

Travel as light as possible with minimum L/T Construction tyres like ATs,tyre repair kit, enough water and spares ,might want to think about an EPIRB depending where your going 2 spare tyre carcasses.
Not being local but couldn't you nearly hamburger your way with the odd cooked meal ?

[MudRunnerTD]

Sat Phone would be a winner mate.

[DX grunt]

For current fuel prices, try http://www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au/fuelwatch/pages/home.jspx

I live in the bush and watch the GWN fuel watch, and I'd have to say, Exmouth has been the most expensive i've seen.

It's a good guide, with lots of servo's along the way.

Take care on your trip.

Rossco

[threedogs]

Any idea what longest between fuel stops is???????????????

[93patrol]

wouldnt be more than 300-500 km between them before you get to broome don t know after that

[pearcey]

As TD says travel light and at a reasonable speed. Weight and speed are the main causes of failure to complete a journey.
Plenty of people tow vans into the Kimberly with out problems.If your traveling with others share the load IE don`t double up on tools ,spares cooking equipment etc. If by yourself then water fuel communications will be your main concern.I have a couple of rules I live by when remote traveling and they are .most things must have at least 2 uses and the old kiss rule that is keep it simple stupid

[DX grunt]

Here's a few websites worth reading. They list isn't exhaustive, but at least it's a start. lol.

Rossco

http://www.vks737.on.net/pdfs/survival.pdf

http://www.roadwise.asn.au/resources/documents/prsg

http://www.roadwise.asn.au/resources/documents/prsg

http://www.mwdc.wa.gov.au/

http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Destinations/Australias_North_West/The_Pilbara/Pages/The_Pilbara.aspx

http://www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au/

http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/

http://www.australiasnorthwest.com/Destinations_of_the_North_West/The_Kimberley

[Cuppa]

http://www.cuppa500.com/_Big_Trip/Archive.html Entries 29 to 38. Perth to Katherine. Not 4wd but potentially of interest

[Morton]

simple is soo the go, basic tool kit, spare hoses, belts, front bearings, seals & grease, dont forget the grease, so many do, a small amount of all oils, I keep mine in 'popper' drink containers, mark the top, not the sides or bottom, each trip away to anywhere will help you to get it simple, thus easy, I go away with my family of six & take one 2kg gas bottle for the entire w/e, can last me upto 4-5 days, yet I have seen others take a 9kg bottle for an over nighter, always have 2 containers of water incase one gets damaged, that is a given, only a fool takes one unless you like wee, I started touring on road bikes, basic & simple was totally required

[Moatmonster]

Stewart,
Are you going to do the Gibb river road? if so you can get fuel at Derby,Mt Barnett Roadhouse(Manning Gorge) Drysdale Station (if heading to Mitchell Plateau or Kalumburu) Mt Elizabeth and Kalumburu. If continuing on to Wyndham ,pretty sure you can get fuel at Home valley and El Questro.
Take a few jerry cans of diesel and a full tank and you should be right.The only place you would likely get into trouble up that way on the Gibb is maybe the Mitchell Plateau.It's off the beaten track so maybe a sat phone would be good insurance.Other than that you should be right, there's that much traffic up there now you would only be stranded a few hours.......but be prepared.
The 1st time i did the gibb back in April 91 was in a Avis triton ute with the camping pack,,got all the way up to Mitchell and Kulumburu and all the way back again over 2 weeks and did 1 tyre(20km's out of Derby on the tar).The triton was trashed but did well.

[stewart118]

What a reply! so much to go through and so good. Thanks mate
Stewart