4 Ultimate Campers-Simpson Desert, 3Km flooded track & 1 expensive recovery

Hard to forget that mid 2023 unseasonable deluge in central Australia. Some days were even colder in Alice Springs than in Katoomba, Blue Mountains.
It’s also hard to forget the many plan “B”s of our Simpson Desert crossing, forever changing due to this extreme weather event and the widespread road and track closures. But with diligent planning and constant track and weather monitoring, we did finally experience some of the Simpson Desert. Albeit only a short taste, and confined to the northern fringes, with a few tense moments of fording flooded tracks which should’ve been closed. Unfortunately there was no turning back due to limited fuel onboard. It was nevertheless memorable, with Mt Dare station being the most southern accessible camp site at the time. And, I have to say, they were certainly pleased to finally start having some customers.
Hopefully 2024 will be the year we cross the Simpson Desert. (Covid put an end to the first attempt.) Third time lucky… let’s hope.
Convoy: 2x Toyota Land Cruisers 200 series, Mitsubishi Pajero NW, VW Touareg R-Line. All towing an Ultimate Offroad Camper.

[@Pat.Mustard]

What an adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ecohabitats]

You’re welcome. Hope you picked up a few tips.

[@tdog1795]

Arthur, great video, you never forget the tough trips! I hear the Simpson calling me, when are you going again?? Trevor

[@Ecohabitats]

G’day Trevor, we have to give it a miss this year. But it’s on the cards for next year. Keep in touch mate.

[@craigdavid6668]

Nice, thanks for sharing👍

[@Ecohabitats]

You’re welcome, glad you liked it… it was definitely memorable.

[@DieselDave]

Amazing vid! I don't give my 4WD enough credit. I'd look at that and go "no way!" Can't believe the Touareg's capability! Well done. Cheers, dd

[@Ecohabitats]

Thanks DD, glad you enjoyed it. And yep… had it not been for the constant hiccups and eventual failure of the air suspension, the Touareg might’ve faired better with the raised height. In stead of braking bash plates, sensors and constantly drowning the alternator from reduced wading heights.

[@zip-tv_]

Top video

[@Ecohabitats]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@robkay9227]

Thanks for stuffing the tracks

[@Ecohabitats]

G’day Rob, Did you read the video description and previous replies for some background information to understand the circumstances and gauge our impact on the track?

[@frankiebenson3212]

Hmmm I bet tha'ts not his 1st Rodeo pulling a VW Toe Rag out of there hey.

[@tonyf7997]

Well peeps that is an adventure. Have to say that taking any euro SUV into remote Oz is probably optimistic. Parts, and repairers are limited to cities and not towns so when travelling stick routes and tracks be insured. Someone we know had a new Discovery and it was towed 1000km to have a $2 seal replaced and got back to the van and alas gearbox is still misbehaving. An old 100 or 105 series LC would be wiser. Oh well part of the fun if you classify it as fun! Please let us know if your roadside covered or insurance covered or it was out of pocket!

[@Ecohabitats]

That’s pretty much the general consensus. Then adding the dismal overseas customer support, when something goes wrong… you’re almost on your own if you want it fixed as quickly as possible and get on with your holidays. As for extent of damages, costs and customer support (or lack off) that’s for another episode. Although I should point out now that the VW dealer in Alice Springs is no more. He spat the dummy with the franchise the day prior to repairing the Touareg which was booked in a few days prior. Wasting more $$$ on a flatbed tow truck to get it there from Kulgera Roadhouse.

[@Corey-pd3mi]

Once you got to MtDare you shoulda stayed there for a few days to let the track clear more

[@Ecohabitats]

Hey Corey, that’s exactly what we did. Half of the group left 3 days later and the rest the following day. (See time line 37:47)

[@crispyinasia61]

Did the 200's have any issues? Our 4wd club are planning that route for 2024, around August/September, hopefully no issues like that. Looking forward to your next episode

[@Ecohabitats]

One needed a new alternator, but the driver of that 200 now thinks twice about targeting any muddy puddles at high speed. Slow and steady wins the race… stick to around 10km/h max. in flooded tracks; if its mainly mud go up to 15Km/h for some momentum. Obviously engage traction aids (and if needed lower your tyre pressures) and stick to the middle, pending wading depth. This way you’ll minimise tearing up the place, and also possibly damaging your Fourbie. Enjoy your trip, it’s absolutely beautiful out there… day and night! EDIT: The Low/High range selection issue, cleared itself at Mt. Dare. Possibly a result of water ingress in the selector housing, not sure… but needs to be opened up, dried, cleaned, lubricated and re-sealed.

[@grahameroberts8109]

I’m surprised that the track wasn’t closed.

[@Ecohabitats]

Yes… so were we, especially after confirming with all relevant authorities that they were in fact open. At 31:02 a group member exclaims the same sentiment. But we had travelled beyond the point of no return, considering fuel onboard.

[@duncanm6589]

Wow, amazing stuff I was out there this time last yr, but no water like that. With my son in his twin cab without our Ulti. Did you happen to just get caught in the middle of a massive storm and had to keep going? Hence all the water driving.

[@Ecohabitats]

Google ‘flooding central NT 2023’ to gauge the extent and severity of this unprecedented rainfall event. Our crossing itinerary changed many times, and our final commitment was based on SA, NT and Mt Dare opening these tracks (web based and phone calls to SA road crew team, and Mt. Dare). It all went fine at the start, no rain at all, and the plan was to refuel at Mt.Dare. So you can imagine once we reached these flooded sections, it was too late to retreat without running out of fuel. This will be a discussion covered on the next episode. BTW, if you turn the volume up, one group member actually says “how can they say these roads are open” in a surprised and disappointed tone.

[@duncanm6589]

@@Ecohabitats thanks for the further info. Certainly some challenging sections.

[@zip-tv_]

The Vw has filters in the wheel arches which wouldnt like that mud.

[@Ecohabitats]

Haven’t heard of any filter problems from all that mud.

[@neilthorman3646]

Vandalism ! Stuffing the track up for everyone.

[@Ecohabitats]

G’day Neil, please read the video description and a few of the early comments/dicussions, to fully understand the situation. Then watch the full video to learn how to overcome it without ‘vandalism’.

[@dustyroads5811]

That vw isnt made for that kind of off roading its a mall crawler.

[@Ecohabitats]

I have to say that we were all very impressed with its capabilities early on in the trip. But when critical smarts started misbehaving, needing constant resetting; and air suspension sensors breaking off, limping home for the Touareg is not an option in these areas. And of course, with further failures, tilt tray recovery was inevitable.

[@leowambugu3663]

CHUMA NGUMU 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Ecohabitats]

Asante, lakini ilikuwa pia 😞 mwishoni

[@philg2468]

Looks like you have learnt the hard way. Unfortunately you are not the first to trash vehicles and tracks - happens multiple times every year after rain. Hate seeing it posted on KZbin because it encourages others to to do the same. Perhaps you could offer some advice to others about what you should have done to avoid it.

[@Ecohabitats]

Can’t speak for the others in the group Phil… no hard lessons needed to be learnt at all, other than the fact that the Touareg’s smarts are unsuitable for these conditions. So really only one vehicle needed recovery, and with measures in place to do so when needed and safely, it wasn’t trashed. And as for the tracks and surroundings… it’s obvious we drove in the middle of the tracks and at low speeds with traction aids engaged. Unlike the majority when faced with these conditions. And yes… all the tracks travelled on were open. We also have to further agree to disagree, in that KZbin actually needs more videos like this one, showing 4WDriving with restraint and mechanical sympathy. Unlike some of the testosterone induced wheel spins, splashings and boggings out there. Phil, as for advice… read my video description and watch the entire video, to see how it should be done when unexpectedly caught in these tracks. I also spelled out some advice (which can be picked up from the video) on my replies to comments so far.

[@craigo7235]

I agree, why are out there ruining the tracks.

[@Ecohabitats]

Guys, read the video description and at least some of my replies to the early comments. Here’s an extract from one of them… “Our crossing itinerary changed many times, and our final commitment was based on SA, NT and Mt Dare opening these tracks (web based and phone calls to SA road crew team, and Mt. Dare). It all went fine at the start, no rain at all, and the plan was to refuel at Mt.Dare. So you can imagine once we reached these flooded sections, it was too late to retreat without running out of fuel.” And I doubt there was any significant track damage when driving these flooded sections at an average speed of 10km/h with all traction aids engaged. A speed which is professionally recognised as the most suitable for these conditions.