SIMPSON DESERT CARNAGE || FORCED to ABANDON one of our vehicles….

[@xXRambodianXx]

No way would I let a mate pay $11k for a towie. If one of the boys goes into catastrophic failure, the adventure trip turns into a recovery mission 100%. Each to their own I guess.

[@effkay3691]

I wasn’t going to say anything but especially with so many vehicles you just tow the Triton out.

[@veneratedmortal4369]

I was thinking that. Tow him out or go get parts? Front suspension is usually about a 2-hour job. Becomes part of the journey. If the professional tow-out was the cheapest option I might consider it. It would have made a great story for the tube as well.

[@cliveedmead2091]

@@effkay3691 How do you tow a vehicle with only 3 wheels.

[@MrCharrrles]

@@cliveedmead2091 put heaps of weight on the back left corner of the vehicle and build a sled from a branch for the broken wheel corner

[@CaptainKevHaurakiGulf]

@@MrCharrrles Tow truck is 12 hrs and that would be doing 40k an hr Surprised no insurance that's going to burn

[@garybalasa3158]

2016 almost same thing happened to my MN Triton after hitting a huge bull dust hole on the Plenty Hwy heading to Alice, I was traveling on my own, stranded for 16 days, truckie stopped on day one to help me out, he drove on to Alice ordered the parts, two weeks later he was on his return run dropped the parts off and a couple of young blokes helped me for 3 days doing the work, all I can say is, it's easy to make suggestions but a lot harder to physically and mentally work through it, it cost me ovr $5k and endless sleepless nights worying myself sick camped in my camper on the side of the track, amazing how many great people are out there like my truckie friend and the two young guys who helped me do the work, kidds and all, by the same token had many drive past me at full speed and one actually gave me the finger, another yelled out "should have bought a Hilux" so yeh a good variety out there and I can definitely relate to the heart ache and worry.

[@adamm5282]

That's a great story at least

[@WildTouring]

That truckie was an absolute champion! I can imagine how stressful that would have been. We were faced with similar options. With both control arms torn off and 160kms/600 sand dunes to the nearest road. Our options were a 2000km round trip to Mt Isa or Alice Springs for parts to try repair on the side of the track. If they had parts we’d be looking at probably 5or so day round trip. Or a tow out the next day at great expense. Both shit options really!

[@heatherhoward2513]

I cannot believe they drove past you... karma will get them down the track somewhere. We NEVER passed people on our trips.

[@krh007]

It is obvious he has installed extended length upper control ball joints which is the cause of the failure/fatigue of the OEM upper control arm which was not designed/engineered for this aftermarket mod. He should have installed much stronger designed aftermarket upper control arms with his suspension lift as no doubt the larger diameter/heavier tyres adding extra stress in a fully loaded 4WD all added up to failure.

[@whatyabloodyonabout]

We had something very similar happen, they snapped their lower control arm. We cut off a section of the brush bar, drilled a hole through it and ran a bolt to the chassis and wedged the other end up into the inside of the bullbar at an angle. We ran a snatch strap under the chassis and then between two cars, was enough to keep it from completely skull dragging. It was very slow-going, and we had to re-position a few times, but it worked.

[@Stephen-oy7fl]

I've done this trip about 15 times including on a postie bike which only took 3 days and two nights. The A-Arms on a Triton are a known area of weakness and in our club the popular mod is to weld a length of rebar around the whole arm to double its strength. If you have a D Max, its the rear axle housing around the shock mounting points. The housing is made from only1.5mm steel sheet and there are many instances where its snapped if the vehicle is loaded heavily. You will also break the axle shaft. Its a whole new diff assembly at $6000. My mate installed a full 1970s Ford 9" diff and housing in the back of his DMax. Good to go at $800. The solution to the original is weld reinforcing straps along the top and bottom of the full width of the housing. In crossing the Simpson, weight is your enemy. I would not have a full kitched rig in the back. Its only 2-3 nights, so a few MREs or cans of stew to heat in the fire is all you need.

[@daniel-j5m]

So many negative comments and keyboard experts! I read all of them. What went wrong is Gubbys business. This is Cams channel. I am no mechanic but have always worked on my cars myself. Shit happens and it sounds like things worked out. Betcha Gubby has no regrets. Sure beats sitting behind a keyboard commenting!

[@WildTouring]

I’m shocked how rude some people have been on this actually. I don’t mind a differing opinion, but I’ve had to delete some really nasty comments. It’s a shame.

[@stemwoods]

@@WildTouring don't let them get you down. Delete them with a smile on your face. 🤙🍻 Your adventures, your videos, and your mates are awesome. Keep up the good work.

[@Lee-in-oz]

6 weeks old? I would 100% be talking to whoever supplied that part. That is absolutely shite. Apart from what happened to Gubbies 4wd, that was another great episode Cam.

[@Raflancer]

Got to be a part from a wreckers, complete metal failure..?

[@THE_NORTH_WEST]

Most likely a non geniune replacement part

[@davidporter2770]

Made in a Communist China sweatshop.

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate! 🙏 New aftermarket part from Repco. But Gubby fit it himself (without a trade cert), so there’s not much that can be done unfortunately 😞

[@merv190]

@@WildTouring That’s a bummer, it’s obviously a faulty one, no way that should happen.

[@purebloodnordicroamer7955]

Just done French line east to west on the way back to Perth (3rd4th September 35 deg days). The big ruts more than likely by people not engine breaking and idling down the dunes. Fj Cruiser used 85 litres 17.2 per hundred. Solo traveller. Used 2x spring washers on my sand flag. For water 6x 10litre sea to summit packs keep water fresh for weeks.

[@0502Rob]

Yeah how heart wrenching for Gubby that would have been. Some people just wouldn't have access to that kind of money. Hope he's okay and back on the road again soon. Great video Cam.

[@TheLukaszpg]

Gotta admit, that recovery business selling insurance is an amazing business idea. Well done to those folks.

[@WildTouring]

It really is! They do a great job too!

[@gregdogg10]

They do it on Fraser island aswell.

[@BizRon-dm8ye]

When i did desert travel my plan in case of major breakdown was to hopefully find a resident of whatever Aboriginal town i got help at with the same car (15yo Hilux- good chance) and say 'get us and our camper to Alice/Halls Creek/Katherine/Mt Isa and and you've scored a free parts car.

[@aussiewalkabout4x4]

from what i understand the UCA gap is only a few mm when they are at standard height but will hit when lifted so he needs aftermarket UCA's to clear when lifted or if thicker shocks are used.

[@ianbray8687]

Fuel consumption is always a hot topic. An old boss of mine (diesel mechanic) always said "horsepower equals fuel consumption".... 300 series has the highest horsepower/torque & has the highest fuel consumption, makes sense to me!

[@WildTouring]

Yep that’s true. Also the heaviest car with a pretty small motor. Takes energy to get it moving! With the tall gearing it does well at highway speeds though.

[@stuarth43]

its cubes really and the amount of pots my d4 has 600nm and 256 hp it sips fuel compared to a V8 Cruiser downside is she is 2650 kg tare but has a high load capacity hindsite is great I do not seek out testing my car, I had enough high difficult terrain on my farm in NZ

[@fowletm1992]

The small engines always have thr better economy but once the weight comes in they fall off a cliff pretty quick, the big engines tend to be the same requadless If they're loaded or not, They can get as much ho out of the 2lts as the 4.5s these days but the 2lts really suck it down if you load them up properly

[@stevowyeth]

Only when you’re using the horsepower.

[@patricklawlor2911]

Go back to alice and get get parts and fix it on the track, way cheaper than 11k

[@michaelatkins5480]

That's what I'd be doing.

[@WildTouring]

Yeah it was discussed. Or Mt Isa, both around 2000kms return. There was other factors at play and Gubby made the call.

[@petermeah]

Times like this you find out who’s got your back.

[@WildTouring]

@@petermeah he certainly did! His mates rallied around him and between their support and insurance he’s come out really good 👍🏼

[@peterryan7340]

$495 for Birdsville Recovery Insurance is cheap, considering the circumstances

[@niksshorts85]

$495 per hour isn't cheap haha

[@peterryan7340]

@Conradical_85 sorry I meant Simpson Desert Recovery Package is $495 per vehicle

[@joshangel8020]

Recovery is going to cost more than what the car is worth 😢

[@radod6147]

​@joshangel8020 exactly, they should just abandon it. Recovering and repaire more than it is worth.

[@ekdave1962]

Ah dumb arse that the premium for the trip in case u need recovery , I have club 4x4 cost me less that that for the year

[@brentonl2631]

I've done this exact trip in 21' Pajero Sport pretty stock apart from shocks and tyres. We had 2 200 series and a Wrangler, they hammered me about my Paj but I also used the least amount of fuel and absolutely creamed the track.

[@WaitWhat99]

Not in style tho ay 😂😜

[@antem77]

Thankyou for the adventure Cam, awesome trip 👍

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate 👍🏼

[@fingerbear3537]

Who needs a tow truck when a mechanic can bring the parts to the site and install them on the spot. Surely that would be a much cheaper option

[@landrover1155]

Never seen that with stock arms. Some aftermarket stuff is good and better than stock. But unless stock arms are interfering with aftermarket struts i would prefer to keep stock arms.Cheers

[@explorer4x480]

I was so proud when I saw the triton keeping up.. this has devasted me.. ;).. I'm surprised you didn't do the Hay River track, since you can only travel it west to east.. either way, it's a great trip, loved watching.

[@lencleave7470]

Hey Cam i was really surprised to hear the 300 used more fuel than the 200 , love the show looking forward to the next episode 👌

[@francesclark363]

Don't know if u r with RACWA but friend just got fully paid tow from Alice Springs to Perth . It's currently 10k to get a tow off the Gibb. Great episode Cam n sotty govi

[@marcusrwalker]

If all you guys backed your mate, got creative and got that car back to Birdsville it would have felt even better than completing the planned trip. Never leave a man behind. If in the military you guys would have been kicked out for this. If it was my mate, I would have left Perth to come an get him.

[@mickanon5607]

I would have had parts expedited to Birdsville via air from Mount Isa or (most likely) Brisbane. Set up camp with the vehicle. Part of the team goes and gets the parts from Birdsville, and then go back out to the camp, and replace the broken bits. New UCA, LCA, ball joints, CV Shaft, and Rack end. 5 or 6 days tops. 3k tops vs 13-15k.

[@jeetts59]

20 years ago I broke down in a similar place with my Land Rover, it cost $1,800 recovery, I had to stay in the Birdsville hotel for 2 weeks while a part was sent up from Melbourne. My insurance co. Covered the total bill. Including thr accommodation. How times have changed

[@WildTouring]

You know the thing that surprises me most about that. Is that it still takes 2 weeks to get parts to Birdsville 🤦‍♂️ I really wanted to take Gubby to Fraser with me, and come back to get his car from Birdsville on the way home. Save a flight or freight. But he wanted to get home.

[@jeetts59]

Twoweeks in Birdsville without s car is challenging

[@Generic4wdGroup]

@@WildTouringSurely of all circumstances for insurance to save someone, this is the one. I can’t think of a more desperate scenario other then being trapped in the middle of the ocean

[@paulholubecki6386]

Birdsville towing offer a $500 insurance policy.. Absolute bargain..

[@Itsme-zq3et]

Sorry to hear the bad news. What great mates you all are.

[@brentj_]

Thoroughly enjoying this series Cam, unlucky about gubby. Keep the content coming!

[@farnofamilyfarm]

Wow! It's a very expensive enough trip without Gubby breaking down. All the best with his repairs etc and looking forward to seeing your catch-up with Alec and Erin.

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate, yeah it was an expensive one all round!

[@burbs-to-bush-redbakadventures]

I was shopping in Broome, wearing your Wild Touring T Shirt and a bloke behind me asked if I has seen your latest video, we just sat outside and watched it, seriously bad news , we all dread this happening. I've just completed the Gibb and had my fair share of dramas too so i feel for Gubby. Another Great Video Cam, looking forward to the next. Hope Gubby gets it all sorted and gets back out there again. Roll On !

[@WildTouring]

Haha that’s cool about the T-shirt! Sorry to hear you had dramas along the Gibb, hope you got it all sorted. Enjoy Broome, bloody beautiful up there! 😎

[@burbs-to-bush-redbakadventures]

@@WildTouring all good, thanks

[@mountainconstructions]

Those Drinks!!!! Totally forgot about the car

[@mini_steve]

The Triton easily used the least amount of fuel. Silver linings.

[@WildTouring]

🤣 true

[@liambarnes86]

Great episode Cam! Maybe tell gubby to set up a go fund me page for the wild touring viewers to help him out👍

[@TiggertheTabby]

Watching Cam prepare and cook that lamb dish whilst i sit eating a cheese sandwich 😂😂.. Fml. #yummo

[@WildTouring]

🤣

[@seanchristie7150]

Fantastic episode as usual, Gubby's catastrophic failure looked to dampen the mood a little. Reading all the comments there are some ill-informed ones. Looks like the trip was well worth it regardless of the issue's faced and overcome. Keep up the awesome work Cam

[@andrewwatson424]

Not good for the triton, I would be taking it back to the workshop that replaced the control arm, not because of bad workmanship but all new parts have a warranty and that definately looked faulty. There could be a bad batch and they are unaware of the fault. Another top video, thanks 👍

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate, unfortunately Gubby fit the part himself. Without a trade cert there’s no much that can be done from that angle 😞

[@SteveBurns80]

That's a real bummer! Unfortunatly he has fitted the incorrect parts. The arm broke because of the extended ball joints, these should never have been supplied with extended ball joints! Please let him know this, so he can learn from his mistake. 👍

[@andrewwatson424]

@@WildTouring Bugger, well it least it adds to the memories and as time goes on, a fair bit of stirring in the shed about tritons etc. But to be fair I had a triton for many years and lots of good times with it. Cheers🍻

[@mikehzz9848]

Having been out there quite a few times, I reckon the real setup for the failure would have occurred on the corros getting to the desert. They're brutal on everything and the desert is usually just the final straw. Unfortunately, the final straw occurs where it's the most inconvenient. The lesson I've learned is beware of all the outback dirt track "highways"....they're car killers.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Sorry to hear mate - that's some very expensive tow.

[@halfmanpete407]

I felt sick in the stomach, and it’s not even my car.

[@WildTouring]

Yeah no one wishes anything like that on someone 😞

[@guseva1]

@@WildTouring Thats dead right mate no one wants that sort of thing to happen...but it did...and you guys stuck together and worked your way through it. Lessons will be learnt and you move on to the next adventure more the wiser. Still a great channel mate always learn something cheers

[@big.red.76]

Boys chattin about the wombat holes and condition of the track nekminit the footage showed that Jeep charging up dunes throwing rooster tails of sand, jumping all over the joint several times. Jeebus! We forked out the $495 for our first crossing this year - solo vehicle via Rig Road. 100 litres flat in a 20 month old VDJ76. ps. IFS vs solid axle example right there, corrugations certainly take their toll eh. good video Cam.

[@Neil-clare]

Awesome trip what an adventure and with mates nothing much better than that! a real bummer about the triton that’s some cost wow! As you say no one was hurt that’s the main thing! great video cam enjoyed that what a trip 👍🏻 from nick 😂 NEIL 🤗

[@stephengloor8451]

Very glad now that the new suspension I put on my Triton had replacement upper control arms that seem 200% stronger than the originals.

[@shawsie5780]

Can't believe Old Mate replaced it with standards🥴

[@crustyjusty7]

With hindsight, maybe those arms werent the best choice. I switched my Mitsi's top arms to H/duty tubulars with camber adjustment. Glad I did after seeing this.

[@carlaclark7349]

holy shit that's hectic

[@smurfzilla5756]

Well the triton looks STRANDED lol glad everyone was ok

[@merv190]

At $1500 , Club 4x4 insurance is looking cheap. Really bad luck that one is though. I dropped a timing chain east of Marble Bar once. After getting ridiculous quotes we decided to tow it home … 1300 kms, took 3 days. 😀

[@WildTouring]

Yeah i dunno about that. When I had Club 4x4 with 15k recovery cover, the higher premiums in comparison to RAC meant I’d need to be recovered from the middle of the Simpson Desert every 7 years to break even 🤣 But it was my experiencing making claims that pushed me to drop them..

[@merv190]

@@WildTouring I’ve never had them because of the premiums. I’ve been told but I don’t know , you can insure for say 6 weeks to cover a trip, but the premium is higher. When I had the timing chain issue RAC didn’t want to know about it because it was so remote.

[@cyclemoto8744]

@@WildTouring Not to mention the exorbitant premium increase for the next 5 years if you make a claim. Ask me how I know ;)

[@LorraineBradshaw]

Read the book "birdsville" by Evan Mchugh. My copy was published in 2009... The writer went out on a couple of rescue missions with the mechanic of the time, an Irish backpacker and the local copper... I can see why it would cost so much. Also agree with a guy who posted about a go fund... I would contribute to the $... Shame no one told you about the insurance prior... But, hugs to gubby

[@BTSbeyondtheshed]

cracking episode mate, such a shame i didn't get the chance to catch you while over here on the fraser coast!!

[@craigjensen4179]

Oh man that devastating for that to happen Dream trip turned into a nightmare 😢

[@robertarmbruster5650]

What a great set of videos, thanks for sharing.

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate 👍🏼

[@pip6069]

Oh dam that sucks, I can see the expense when you consider the truck, fuel and wages it’s just rough how much it amounts to. Don’t let it get ya down and keep having fun

[@WildTouring]

Yeah me too. It’s painful, but it’s a huge exercise for those blokes out there!

[@-Bigjordan]

my front shock bent but didn't snap on my hilux 85km out of Birdsville i drove it out at 5kph took over 10 hours great fun my mate in his car was prepared to drive to Birdsville for parts You's should have done the same for ur mate

[@WildTouring]

It took 2 weeks to get parts to Birdsville to fix it. Closest parts were just under 2000kms round trip away. We explored this and many other options for our mate. We also chipped in and with support of his family and mates raised a heap of money for him to help cover the cost.

[@markdixon215]

Great trip other than the breakdown, sickening consider it was only a 6 week old part. Someone needs to take some responsibility and cover some of those horrendous cost of recovery. Great you were all able to keep the spirits up for the remainder of the trip. What an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing guys, cheers 🍻

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate! Yeah pretty concerning that a new part from a reputable parts supplier failed so spectacularly! Between insurance and support from his mates, Gubbs has done alright out of it all 👍🏼

[@markdixon215]

@@WildTouring that’s good to hear, looking forward to Fraser Island. Have a good week cheers 🍻

[@cyclemoto8744]

Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@downtheshedwithbyron]

Need to tell the boys to take there cars to Cannington Pedders before a trip like that

[@steveharris6667]

Brilliant Video Cam... Got to be feeling it for Gubbie. We need a go fund me page for him...

[@WildTouring]

He’d be too proud for that! But between insurance and support from his mates he has done alright. If he’s comfortable with it, I may discuss how it all panned out in a recap vid.

[@steveharris6667]

@@WildTouring well I was actually thinking along those lines, I know when one of us got in strife like that, everyone was willing to dig deep… I guess it’s what you do.. yeah an update would be good 👌🤙

[@katherineporter2654]

Another great video Cam. Sorry about Gubbies car. 4x4 insurance is another great option, you can increase your cover when you do big trips so that if anything like this happens you know it’s all covered, then you can reduce it back to the previous amount when you return home. Look forward to your catch up with Alex And Erin

[@pokeman1171]

You are the first person 4wd making foodwith fish sauce! you are aproved by this aisian 😂

[@WildTouring]

I love fish sauce haha! But I have had it explode in my fridge on a trip, and I did not love that 🤣

[@vise5027]

Love the content as usual, always a nice balance of doing stuff and the banter. What bullbar is on gazza's 200 Series?

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate 👍🏼 he has a Rhino bar

[@sharonmccarthy7321]

Enjoying the trip and looking forward to Graser next week as we are taking our new 300 there next year . Just a couple questions about your 300. What size wheels are you running and are you happy with your razorback seatcovers ?

[@michaelnugara1]

I can only imagine how Gubby is feeling. I hope all works out ok.

[@darrenstevens1144]

Completely of track. But where the blue cookware come from cheers Dazza

[@robcampbell650]

Maybe travel insurance would be a good investment next time only cost $380 for total cover! I never travel without it even though i have never used it it is peace of mind.

[@richard4136]

Well Cam we all make assumptions based on what you tell us. It may of helped things if you said he made the call. If that’s the case I take it back!! As for doing the repairs himself! Sorry to say he’s learned a very expensive lesson. Thanks for the reply!

[@tom6549]

$11k? Id be making sure that thing was driving out on its own steam. Tek screws, tie wire, bolts, cable ties, steel cut from the bullbar to wrap/reinforce/bolt together, join a couple of crank batteries together to weld... It wouldnt be pretty but id make it work to save $11k.

[@TheLukaszpg]

I think you are not aware what the drive is from that spot to Birdsville. Botched welds would not hold up.

[@WildTouring]

Yeah I’d have loved to get it out under its own steam. But like @thelukaszpg said, there was 160kms of desert and 600 sand dunes between us and civilisation. The nearest town with parts would be a 2000km round trip to Mt Isa or Alice Springs.

[@dannyhickman4758]

Nothing frightens a triton 😂

[@gardnep]

Sorry to hear about the breakdown. Surely there is a secondhand front end in QLD or NSW somewhere? We have one of the highest rainfalls in recorded history and it’s gone on for 3-4 years. All the roads in western NSW were closed over most of winter.

[@WildTouring]

Yeah definitely lots of options like that. We discussed getting parts and repairing ourselves. There was other factors at play and Gubbs made the call on what he wanted to do.

[@annettemay5743]

I feel sorry for Gubby, I was surprised to see the L200 beat the L300 though. And I thought the jeep would of shit on the rest. But the mitsy got the BEST Fuel economy lol

[@goldfools5445]

Wouldn’t RAC ultimate plus have covered that back to Birdsville, maybe even more.

[@WildTouring]

No way. They cover 200kms metro towing only!

[@goldfools5445]

@@WildTouring the Ultimate cover will cover 300ks anywhere in Australia. Even accomodation and all sorts of other stuff. I have friends that do remote travel and I have known fully recovered vehicles from Kalgoorlie to Melbourne including accomodation and flights home. Other good stories as well. You guys should look into it.

[@pgoldys5534]

Jez chinesium quality at its best lucky it didn’t let go at 110 at worse it should bend not fracture, thinking twice buying anything from Repco. great vid enjoyed it 👍

[@rachmilnes]

Another great episode. Feel for Gubby but looks like chin up all round, good stuff 👍🏽

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate, with insurance and a heap of good mates behind him to help him out. He actually came out okay! Testament to the bloke he is 👍🏼

[@ladysusanjane2682]

Great episode. Sorry about the car😔it must have killed some of his enjoyment for sure. I guess it’s all part of the adventure right?😊

[@buster_1972]

Great show, sorry grubby about the Triton. Other than that, looks like a great trip 👍

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate. It was a great trip other than that!

[@AussieDazza]

Not directly related to this video but It is amazing that some motorbike riders have done not just one crossing in 24 hours but a double crossing in 24 hours. They must be hooking along at a very fast pace.

[@WildTouring]

Saw a few out there, and they are hooking! Looks like great fun!

[@cyclemoto8744]

Much faster pace on a bike. Of course, you need the fitness to match

[@phillroo7871]

Nice trip guys, shame about the Briton But it goes to memories of an awesome trip, you were fortunate with Big Red, many people say out easy it us and what is the big deal, BUT, do it in drought season no rain and become 4 x harder. High Country nex guys,

[@WildTouring]

I can imagine it’s a different beast when it’s dry and soft! LOVE to get to the VIC High Country. Hopefully soon!

[@MKMTA]

A real shame about the vehicle. Other than that that was an awesome trip & great to see how green it was in central Aust.

[@BordertotheShore]

Great video 💯🇦🇺

[@stuarth43]

so sorry this happened Men

[@Lifestyle_Brisbane]

That's a devastating thing to happen on a trip of a lifetime

[@SomervilleMetalWorks]

That some bad luck for gubby a set of decent aftermarket ones might stop this problem in future or maybe just sell triton... Does make the $500 insurance worth buying. Eyre creek looks well down from when we went through in July. Was over bonnet height on some vehicles. The whole salt pan in front of big red was full of water and made for gnarly crossings

[@WildTouring]

Yeah hopefully we can source some beefier UCAs for him. In hindsight the recovery package is a very good option, especially for an older vehicle. Eyre creek had dried out heaps by the time we got there. But there was still a couple of hydrolocked cars in the recovery mobs yard from only a week or two prior. So it dries out fast!

[@SteveBurns80]

No, this was not "bad luck". Unfortunatly the arm broke because they were fitted with extended upper ball joints, you can clearly see them in the video. Please let him know, so he can learn from his mistake. 👍

[@Harjinder.Australia]

is this video shot on a go pro? the quality and camera work is amazing. sorry for what happened to 'ol mate

[@JenBolst]

Gosh that sucks for Gubby. I guess these things happened. Gutted as it was only 6 weeks old. Such a pain. Hope some insurance covers this. Great episode

[@WildTouring]

Very unfortunate! Between insurance and support from his mates, he’s done alright 👍🏼

[@mountainconstructions]

Fuel East to West in 100 series factory turbo manual 100L. TYres pressure 14psi

[@WildTouring]

Similar to mine 👍🏼

[@Mambey]

As you know it gets quicker closer to birdsville.

[@stilley78]

Don't some insurance companies cover recoveries like this one? Eg Club 4x4 Insurance? I'm with RACV Total Care, but I doubt it'd work out there

[@Phil-w2h]

Was that top ball joint binding up putting the load through the arm? Or bouncing too hard over too many bumps with a heavy wheel. I wonder if you had a small stick welder on board and if you could have welded something up, the bearings would have still turned.

[@andrewford80]

Awesome series guys. Really sorry to see the triton like that though. Your production quality is top knotch Cam. My only suggestion, and this is purely a matter of taste, is whatever that style of music you used at big red turns me off quick. It seems to end up on lots of 4wd videos so maybe I'm just identifying as a boomer or something but the rest of your audio is rad. Keep up the good work!

[@cliveedmead2091]

Terrible experience in that remote place. Of all the vehicles to fail on that trip, I would have put my money on the Jeep. I guess even Club Insurance would not recover you from there.

[@shanenorwell8580]

Great episode mate, really loving this series. That mechanical failure has got to just be a faulty part surely, considering its essentially new and old mate is apparently fairly mechanically sympathetic. Shit luck nonetheless.

[@SteveBurns80]

Yep, he had installed the wrong parts, those arms have extended upper ball joints, this is what caused the failure.

[@WaitWhat99]

Awww poor guy! Thats sh*thouse ay. Can you keep us posted about how the car went, how he’s doing etc please mate 👍

[@andrewbaker937]

Um, let me get this straight. There were 4 other cars in the group, and not one offered to go for a drive and get all the parts needed to fix the car on the side of the track. I guess it was easier to let a mate spend 11k. Im sure gubby would be happy to pay someone for fuel and time to go get parts.

[@WildTouring]

No need to make assumptions, you can just ask the question. We did discuss this. And did offer to do so. The closest replacement parts from the middle of the Simpson Desert would be Alice Springs or Mt Isa. Which are both roughly 2000km/ 4 day return trips including over 300kms of desert tracks. That’s if you drive flat out, parts are in stock and there are no dramas along the way. This would mean someone staying with the car for 4+ days, or leaving the car on the side of the track for 4+ days. Gubby chose what he wanted to do with this option, and many others available that we offered. Which was to have his car recovered the next day, and drive home with his mates. It was actually much more than 11k in the end. Between insurance and support from his mates, he’s actually done alright. I might go into that in a recap vid in a few weeks, it’ll depend on whether he’s comfortable with me talking about specifics or not.

[@richardwalsh5570]

Helicopter delivery?

[@ianweal3081]

@@andrewbaker937 Um, I have a theory on this too. If you ever accompany myself on a trip and there's a failure, I will get you to where you can seek assistance, repairs, food shelter etc. I do not and will not delay anyone else accompanying me of their holiday. Sounds harsh, yes but one time going to K'gari had a gearbox fail in a Patrol accompanying us. I took a day out travelling to Newcastle to get replacement box, another day fitting it, that's two days out of people's leave taken up by one vehicle. The balance of the trip to K'gari was flog the shit outta the vehicles, bypassing accommodation, short stops, sleeps etc. just to catch up. Wouldn't you know it, the same vehicle blow the top tank off his radiator on K'gari, but this time I made him wait whilst I took others to site, set up camp and waited for tide to turn prior to recovering him. Had new radiator freighted over and fitted. After that, no, join me the balance of the groups holiday doesn't suffer due to vehicle failure, sorry. He was taken care of, nothing more could have been achieved in the time frame.

[@andrewbaker937]

Sorry to come across as assuming, but you probably should have said in the video that all options were discussed and the truck was the only option. All good, and thanks for your time.

[@363TOMTOM363]

Fair cop because its a really shit situation. But from an outside perspective it's only 7 hours to mount isa from birdsville so with 2 drivers in one car that's a single day easy so i dont think it was impossible at all from what I see. But different people have different priorities so as long as he's happy thats all that matters @WildTouring

[@radod6147]

That was really silly for not getting a Simpson Desert recovery assurance for any of your 4x4. It only costs $495.00. Anyway, it's too late now, poor Triton owner. I guess you learn by making mistakes and sometimes they are very expensive.

[@WildTouring]

Yep that’s fair in hindsight. Good lesson for us and others that watch this. Especially with an older vehicle.

[@Gorosanne]

Wow I would b crying beside the road at that bill. I doubt rac ultimate would even rescue in the situation

[@WildTouring]

He was gutted. I reckon I’ll chat about the insurance in a recap vid. I’ve got to check that Gubby’s okay with me going into it. But I can say he did okay out of it in the end with insurance and support from his mates 👍🏼

[@crashgrose1478]

@@WildTouringDefinitely keen to see a vid about insurance. Also your experiences with various companies.

[@geoffreymcewan6025]

Please do I'm very interested to hear what happened. Gubby misfortune might help someone else out in the same situation!

[@Gorosanne]

@@WildTouring this makes me concerned I made the right choice upping my rac to rac ultimate plus. We couldn't afford these sorts of tow bills. I know extreme circumstances you guys were in the desert

[@twylamc1]

@@WildTouringsorry to see about what happened to Gubbie’s. But would be a massive help to know about insurance and stuff for our future trip to the Simpson Desert.

[@paulholubecki6386]

No way would i abandon a mate..

[@exploremoorelife]

Hey guys we're did you get that big pot with the blue inside, I have searched for a decent size pot but can't seem to find one

[@WildTouring]

I’m not sure where that one came from mate! It was an old one Gubby pinched from home !

[@OscarTheSausageDog]

$450 an hour for a towie? Is he a barrister or a truckie? They're cashing in on you being screwed and having a laugh.

[@Cl4rky]

For 11k I would have stripped it as much as I could, spread the stuff between all of the cars and set a match to it 😂 “excuse me insurance company my Ute has been stolen”

[@stuarth43]

I have a team 8 camels and a sledge, plenny fuel for em there

[@KWofPerth]

Seemed like a stressful trip. Got the vibe that it didn't meet expectations? Nice ep regardless.

[@oldbloke204]

Yeah have to say I have absolutely no interest in doing these sorts of trips tbh.

[@WildTouring]

It was stressful, and the breakdown absolutely took the shine off it all. Couldn’t get around that. I’d also say that the track itself probably didn’t live up to my expectations. It’s a relatively easy drive, with not a hell of a lot to see or do. I think watching a lot of KZbinrs building it up as something really difficult and exciting probably doesn’t help. There was a LOT more traffic that I expected too. Having said that. Still thoroughly enjoyed it. It is remote. Beautiful star filled nights. And seeing the desert exploding with wild flowers is amazing. I’ll go back and do it again, but I’d pick a quieter more remote line

[@oldbloke204]

@@WildTouring I've seen the comment about how many people are doing it before and just watched another video where there were people in vans everywhere. It's almost got to the point where it's quieter at home than in these so called remote areas. I'm heading off for a week soon and unfortunately have to go in school holidays but I'm hoping that it won't be too busy. Being able to get away whenever I like and outside of peak times is good but even then many places are still busy.

[@GerardHand]

Worth paying for the Birdsville recovery insurance.

[@WildTouring]

In hindsight, absolutely for an older vehicle.

[@4bnewb969]

agree….especially for anyone that choose to do the crossing solo….assuming you have a sat phone to make the call

[@bradleynelson5128]

Hi Cam. I noted during this last episode that there were a few repairs made on some of the sand flags. Could you advise which was the most reliable brand? I also note that most had the white poles and one was black? Could advise what brand the black sand flag was and how reliable it was?

[@WildTouring]

I believe we had a few issues with the Kings and Sabre flags. The black XTM one was the only one that didn’t have a single issue. Couldn’t tell you if there is anything in that, or just luck. They all looked to be similar quality. www.bcf.com.au/p/xtm-sand-flag/659841.html?srsltid=AfmBOopbKYOW_146ckWWT8HNmEpNQ348b4JP9wNueh3Tc5jo7-L15LY8

[@Mouldyturnip75]

Another great episode, such bad luck for Gubby, its not even mine and it hurts! Question for Garry, 200 series - is that table any good, the one handing off the back off the drawers @ 10:29? Ive got the ARB table but want another for the fridge slide side......

[@WildTouring]

Cheers mate, I’ll ask Gazza to respond 👍🏼

[@Mouldyturnip75]

Legend, thank you!!