Driving Through The Outback: Lessons from the Road
Driving Through The Outback: Lessons from the Road
After weeks of pouring over maps, checking gear, and sharing our Outback Corner Country Adventure plans, we’ve finally hit the brakes, concluding our 10-day, 4,500km journey. And as with every grand journey, it’s time to sit back, reflect, and, most importantly, review.
Anyone with experience in continuous improvement can attest to the merits of post-event reviews. What went right? What veered off track? How can we improve for the next venture? Although I could delve deep into our entire escapade, let’s hone in on a crucial aspect: our vehicles.
If you’ve been tracking our voyage via social media, you’ve undoubtedly seen our convoy in action. But for our column devotees, let’s shine some light on the state of our fleet post-journey, which in some cases was different.
Of the 11 rigs, 4 ended their expedition with repair lists or required revamps.
Toyota Hilux: The stalwart of our trip, this Ute bore the brunt of our culinary load every evening. Freshly fitted with new Light Truck All-Terrain tyres, all seemed well until Day 6 on the Eyre Creek bypass road in the Simpson Desert. A front tyre blew, revealing an old spare dating back to 2005.
Lesson: Always inspect tyre suitability before embarking. Aged tyres (over 5 years) can show signs of wear, especially under strenuous off-road conditions.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: Despite being well-maintained, the Prado’s Timing Belt warning light illuminated mid-trip. A quick inspection confirmed the belt was still serviceable, allowing us to push on.
Lesson: Regularly liaise with your service agent to ensure all maintenance checks are up to par.
Ford Ranger: By Day 3, the vehicle’s 12 Volt auxiliary showed less than half its charge. Despite driving for three days, a gauge misconfiguration revealed the batteries were fully charged.
Lesson: Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s systems. When in doubt, consult the owner’s manual for troubleshooting.
Nissan Patrol: Two weeks before our trip, a new sand flag – essential for the Simpson Desert – was mounted using a Nitto Air Hose Fitting. Yet, it detached just 5 km shy of Eyre Creek Bypass’s end. A damaged fitting necessitated a makeshift solution, strapping the flag to an antenna with a cloth tape.
Lesson: Invest in quality safety flags. Treacherous terrains will swiftly decimate subpar alternatives.
These post-adventure evaluations are not for mere introspection. Nathan, part of the mastermind Adventure Guide Team, will integrate these lessons into future training modules, ensuring upcoming 4WD enthusiasts are better equipped for the road ahead.
The Outback is a challenging, unpredictable, yet exhilarating expanse. And with every journey, we strive to tread smarter, safer, and with a thirst for the next adventure. Safe travels, fellow adventurers.
