HOW TO: Cross The Simpson Desert - 4x4 Planning and Prep | Fuel & Water | Food | Safety | Tires 

Really good advise around drinking water, first aid kit and fire extinguisher

Glad to see you took a petrol and not a diesel. It’s so refreshing to see where most people say “oh you have to have diesel”. No you don’t.

Have been planning this trip as well, working on 30l/100. Reference for that was my Y62 used 26l/100 on Fraser island, which is heavier on fuel than my Gladiator. Will be interesting to see how much you actually use on the trip. After 4 years of Petrol 4WD ownership, found that a modern petrol 4WD doesn't use as much as diesel owners claim and their diesel 4WD uses more than they'd like to admit.

My kid just turned 16 and I took him out on the beach. He loved this video he's starting to get off roading.

I really missed your technical and informative videos about overlanding. Not that I don't like your travel content, but this is the kind of stuff that is really interesting for me, with the Jeep in the background the old way.

Thank you for sharing experience and creating interesting videos! Have a safe trip!

Great explanation of your planning.

Thank you for the information I appreciate it 😎👍

Owsome video. Have a safe trip. Cheers. 🍺&🍷

Just WOWWWW.... I love this Country, I have the chance to go 3 times, and I hope can go again... thank you for this video with all the info for Overlanding

Another great video Dan and Katie. Love watching them!

From Canada here ! Looking forward to see the crossing !

What a great trip prep video! Wish I was out in the desert traveling instead of sitting at my desk right now!

Great video Dan; very comprehensive. Thank you for all the work adding mileage plus gallons lol....... Can't wait to get on the road....... again thanks for taking us along. t

Thanks for all info ❤

What a belter of a episode Dan, Your videos are very educational and are a joy to watch. keep up the grate work and enjoy and be safe Mate.

So informative Dan. I love how you explain why you pack what you need and why you don’t take something’s. Experience!! This is a very fascinating series. Great content. HOWEVER--You must get Katie a proper bush hat! Lol

First! Keep up the great work bud! So nice to see a Katie cameo too.

I crossed this year (2023) on the QAA and French Line, plus a 65 km flooding detour at Eyre Ck. I filled up at Mt Dare and again at Birdsville. The car was fully self sufficient for 2 people, loaded to the gunwales with RV5 tent, jumbo steel stretcher beds, 6" thick mattresses, deluxe porta potty, large camping chairs, upright fridge, batwing awning, solar, lithium, food and water, camping gear, 4WDing gear. At Birdsville the fuel gauge was a little below half full and she took 79 litres. 2022 Prado GXL diesel auto.

Just stumbled on your channel: excellent information thanks

Ok, now that is some serious and comprehensive planning! Super good info, because I'll admit, I've never done anything that technical. The only thing that stunned me a bit is 8.5 mpg. Whew, score one for my Toyota. BTW... Katie is so good on camera, so well spoken. Great team! Looking forward to seeing this part of the adventure. Damnit, I'm hooked!

Single spare tyre is quite a reasonable position these days. Especially if you are running quality brand tyres like you are. We did the Simpson last year with only a single spare and no dramas at all. We travelled with 13 or 14 other vehicles and no-one got a flat on the way up (from Adelaide), across the track, or back home.

At last , someone that doesn't follow the sheep with the two spare tyre theory . I have been doing desert stuff for a long time and never needed to use one spare let alone two . Would rather save the weight and room for chocolate bars and chips .

FYI... I think you have underestimated the distance. Last year we travelled the Madigan, Mt Dare to Birdsville and travelled down the Hay River Track and we travelled approximately 850klms. I hope you enjoy it....it’s a great drive 👍

on tyres : for my Sahara crossing in a VW Van in 1989 my Dad found a set of to be recycled QR-rated tyres, nearly bald, but not old, at the regional tyre dealer. Those were for real big Mercs or BMWs and rated for like280 kms/h speed. That does make a solid sidewall and a first rate rubber mix. I rode those tyres from Morroco to Niger and on to Mali without an incident. I think you are right, technology has come a long way and some part of the price is reflected in the material.

Safe travels Dan &Katie 🙏. I think your approach with rooftop cans is necessary. Not ideal, but it is what it is. And removing them to the main tanks ASAP is just common sense. That is exactly what my plans were if packing fuel up top👍👍. Curious,, when is your cut off time for driving and looking for a camp spot?? Cheers 🍻, G.

If you can't afford the weight of a full second spare consider just a tyre on the roof rack. Even if you don't have the tools to change it there is a good chance another vehicle will be able to help. You are right about the improvements in modern tyres but staking a sidewall especially on the roads less travelled is always a possibility. Good luck with the trip. BTW I totally agree with your water calculations.

Perhaps at some point you could share the reality of these monstrous rigs referred to as "Global Expedition". Are there people actually using them in remote international travel? If so compared to such vehicle like yours or any others in similar size what kind of ratio do think there is? Or do you even see them out there? Love the content and the sharing of the thought process behind how you make your decisions.

Thanks Dan, I've been waiting for this part of your journey. I'm heading across the Simpson in late July with a few mates (after we do Googs Track), and am looking forward very much to your next video. BTW, like you, we did the Finke River Gorge last year and enjoyed it immensely. After Cape York via the Old Tele Track, it was our favourite part of our trip.

i think you'll use far less fuel than you planned for because between the dunes is often quite hard ground. the suspension is better than most so you can maintain a better speed and you won't be having multiple attempts to get any of the dunes or boggings. theres general stores at both servos in birdsville but not much fresh stuff mostly packaged or frozen.

You can, in theory, often repair sidewall damage to extent that the tire is usable at slow speed with a careful driver to limp to somewhere where you can get it replaced. Certainly not suggested and seems to generally require you patch the inside of the tire after sewing up the damage as best you can, so you need tools to do that.. Never had to do it myself...

I’ve watched your videos back in the days you used to travel alone, glad you’re back in Australia, and is Katie Canadian?

I'm just getting my Jeep ready now to do a 666 km (one way) trip in North eastern Canada up in the Taiga , it is very remote with one reliable fuel stop halfway down the track and another one that is hit and miss I will carry 60 litres of extra fuel and top up at the fuel stop(s) There isn't a lot of sand there to get bogged in. We don't have to worry about water, there is plenty , and we have a mini well filter. Food will be good ,from fresh to chilled-frozen meat and chilled veggies to packaged dried light weight, and some canned stuff...and of course bacon eggs, pancake mix coffee , tea, hot chocolate.We will supplementing our supplies with fish the fishing is fantastic up there, so yeah fly fishing gear and , a spinning rod and lures. I have solar batteries and panels 12V fridge, and a compressor for airing up. We have a Bereg Russian survival ground tent and an awning off of the side of the jeep, and tarps that we can add to the awning. Roof top tents have their positives , but I don't like that much weight that high up. I made and welded up a roof rack the covers the top of the jeep( 2-door Tank Green JK) with an aluminium expanded metal floor , so I can walk up there and we store probably less than a hundred pounds of gear up on the rack, tent, chairs,portable toilet , and screened room, plus a Thule Cargo box ,it is long and narrow , and holds fishing gear and our air mattress sleeping bags, pillows etc. all pretty light stuff.I changed the cargo Thule Cargo box from gloss black to , flat camo colours and it transformed how it looks, and it goes with the theme-motif of the Tank Green Jeep. I agree about the spare tire situation I carry one spare and a plug kit, I'm not to worried about cutting a sidewall . E rated tires. Fire extinguisher, first aid. For spares I am bringing a engine Belt, alternator, starter motor, and some engine sensors crank, and cam , stater relay and ignition switch module ,these are all small and light weight, and could leave you stranded ,and up there ,to get towed out and repaired would cost a lot of money. Which brings me to the next point , tools, I bring a pretty comprehensive set for possible(but hopefully not needed) bush repairs. Also bring bailing wire , gorilla tape and ...and of course bug spray a Thermacell , and bug jackets, the black flies and mosquitoes can be crazy up there...any where in the Boreal forests and Taiga of Northern Canada. This little prep video of yours has really got me excited about our trip(as if I wasn't excited enough as it is lol). Good luck on your trip , we are planning on travelling around and exploring for 2 months or a little more. Cheers Wild Bill, Never stop exploring.Exploring the Arctic watershed , Boreal forests, and Taiga of Northern Canada.

I should have mentioned that we came across vehicles crossing the Madigan the incorrect way...they heard our radio transmissions and pulled off the track. They were advised that they were going against advice but it didn’t seem to worry them.

Permits - Hidden Tax, Tax on the fuel, tax to register vehicle, tax to drive on crown land… stuff it and just drive.

Do people ever take some of those wild camels anymore?

Petrol 4WD is just as good as a diesel version. When I booked my Canning Stock Route trip and I said to our group leader, I have a V6 petrol Prado and he said that may not work. I did say I have done my homework, the vehicle is very capable. On the trip I was averaging 5.85 Klm's per litre and the other diesels, 200 LC was 5.95K's /L and the best was 6.2 K's /L, so not a big difference. I was the only one who didn't get bogged, so very happy with that and Prado performed great, but had 4 flat tyres which was a bummer, but what great trip, love to do it again one one.

I pull a teardrop trailer behind a medium SUV. All my wheels/tires are identical so that means, worst case, I have 4 spare tires. Now like you I doubt I'll ever need even one spare but I'd rather have and not need than need and not have. My wife thinks I'm nuts but its been 47 years and she still is hanging on... Dan: news from "home", I'm typing this Thursday, June 2 and as I type the Dempster is under 3 feet of water just outside Inuvik. Shame as Northwest Territories has just opened up to rubber tire tourism this May. Now the last of the Dempster is closed for how long?

How much do you miss your indoor living space of the wrangler?

So, to be clear: The mandatory west to east is on the Madigan Line only? Taking another route, you can still do the more difficult east to west crossing?

10:00 it kind of a bummer cause more fuel on the car more fuel consumption will be due to weight but after doing the math I would do the same I thing ish your lucky to have your aux tank if not my god you would look like these camel tree discovery landrover charge full of gaz on the roof.... the other people who do it they don't have aux tanks what they do ??

are u sure about only one way driving allowed in Madigan?

Gotta say I'm surprised you don't have a Sat Phone and a PLB. A PLB is crucial in case of emergencies like snake bite, vehicle roll-over and serious injury. Push the button and help will arrive. The grab bag is also a great idea. Mine has the sat phone PLB first aid, power pack with built in torch, some snacks, water, sunblock. I'll be working on 20litres diesel per 100. Happy times mate. Thanks for sharing Mick

You have not talked about the gross vehicle weight. Are you significantly under this as it seems to be a big concern for others who are planning the trip?

Ranchers read bar codes

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Watch out Dan, Katie's commentary rivals yours.

You are an Australian in Australia, pronounce the word 'route' the Australian way as in 'root' not the American way.