Lpg in Outback Australia

**dashinson** · 22-10-15, 09:22 AM

A mate of mine is moving from Melbourne to Port Douglas,he has a 2005 dedicated Lpg Falcon ute and intends driving to his new home via the long route through
Port Augusta-Alice Springs-Cairns- Port Douglas.He has only a mobile phone and is sure should something happen the RACV will rescue him.
What are the chances of him surviving the trip?

Dash.

**lsemmens** · 22-10-15, 12:54 PM

Port Augusta to Mt Isa - Don't much fancy his chances of getting gas between those two places when and where he needs it. Coober Pedy, maybe (If the machine ain't broke - was when I tried some years back). Alice Springs will be fine, can't recall if anything in between has gas. Tennant Creek might be the next port for Gas (what's his range like?) Tennant to Isa could be an issue, not much between the two (haven't been east of the border that way for about 40 years though). Isa - East should be ok. Tell him, if he is silly enough to try it to stop at Barrow Creek (a couple of hours north of Alice) for a feed. Always good food there! As far as road service is concerned - I hope he has a good swag and a lot of money if he calls the RACV or their couterparts, they'll charge him for the call out if it is more than (IIRC) 100km from the depot, Along the "Track" (Stuart Hwy) that would be most of it (all 3000Km from Pt Augusta to Darwin).

**hoe** · 22-10-15, 01:00 PM

I wouldnt do it without adding an extra tank.....

according to this website he should be ok, with an extra tank.

**dashinson** · 22-10-15, 01:04 PM

What about phone reception?

Dash.

**LeroyPatrol** · 22-10-15, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by dashinson

What about phone reception?

Dash.

Telstra is the better provider as there will be sections covered but 100's of km that aren't. Optus which is what I have was only in the big towns like Cooberpedy.
Check out the coverage map on the phone co web sites.
Leroy

**gordon_s1942** · 22-10-15, 04:48 PM

I would be checking to see just what coverage there is for the Mobiles along his route and if there are appreciable 'Dead Spots' (reception, not him), there is an option if his mobile is compatible, to hire a 'Clip On' devise that will allow it to go Satellite.
It aint cheap but then how much are you worth if you have a problem "Outback" ???

, this is one I have seen advertised on TV.

Isnt there a difference between the LPG sold in the 'southern part of OZ' to that sold in 'Tropical areas'?
I dont meant the price but in the composition of the Gas itself?

**lsemmens** · 22-10-15, 06:18 PM

No difference that I could tell. I did drive a Gas guzzler to Darwin and back, but it was dual fuel so I did not have a huge issue with fuel. It ran just as well on Gas as it did on Petrol. And, Yes, phone coverage is another thing that needs to be addressed, however, Telstra is still the only choice outside of the major centres.

**gordon_s1942** · 22-10-15, 06:33 PM

Just dont mention Pivitol to Optus as they aint talkin' I gather...............

**mtv** · 22-10-15, 06:59 PM

For reliable phone, he'll need satphone or HF radio (VKS737 etc)

Best option is not to take an lpg-only vehicle on that route..... and a 2wd at that.

Road conditions can deteriorate badly, making some sections suitable only for 4wd.

If he really really really needs to keep the ute... put it on a train to Port Douglas, and get a 4wd for the outback trip.

I don't know his circumstances, but if it was me, I'd sell the ute and buy a 4wd. He can always buy another ute up north.

What he's planning could end up being a very expensive exercise, in many ways.

**Godzilla** · 22-10-15, 10:15 PM

I just did a trip to Berry (1 hour south of Sydney) and back today (just got in the door) and mobile reception was crap once i left the Hume Fwy so id say your mates reception is going to be crap once hes out in the outback.

Mind you im with Telstra on my private mobile.....i thought they had most of the populated part of the country covered....

Your mate could make up a hose to connect from a BBQ gas tank to the car with the right fittings, however good luck trying to fill the tank with LPG without being caught, if he could then a few spare gas bottles in the boot should cover him.

The other thing i noticed on todays trip was the price of LPG in country VIC and NSW, in town it wad 48c a litre, once out in the country side it was 69 cents.

I filled with LPG in the cities, ran it till it ran out and switched over to petrol till i got into the next major city.

Worked out i did 1600Km today on 2 X $32 and 1 X $36 tanks of LPG and a little ($10-20) petrol in a XR6 Turbo ute carrying around 400Kg of brake discs in the rear.

**dashinson** · 23-10-15, 09:04 AM

Unfortunately my mate is an Idiot and won't be told.He's been assured by experts that lpg is plentiful,the roads are all sealed,mobile phones have 99% coverage throuout
Australia and should he have a breakdown the RACV will arange repairs, accomodation and a rental car to continue his journey.
He also asked me how to use the car jack he's never changed a tyre in 55years of driving.

Dash.

**mtv** · 23-10-15, 09:19 AM

When's the trip happening?

Keep us informed how he gets on.

**lsemmens** · 23-10-15, 03:41 PM

As far as MTV and needing a 4WD is concerned it's absolute BS!!!!! I lived in the territory for 26 years and travelled the hwy many times when it was dirt and never needed 4wd. The whole trip he's planning will be bitumen all the way.

As an aside I did purchase a 4WD, to leave the place!!! Only 'cause we were towing a heavy caravan. Seriously if you are not stupid, and have a little clearance you can travel on most made roads. Of course, I wouldn't be attempting the trip to Nhulunbuy with a 2WD.

**dashinson** · 23-10-15, 05:15 PM

He'll be leaving on 1st November. Single tank towing a trailor.

Dash.

**lsemmens** · 23-10-15, 06:26 PM

What sort of range does he get out of a tank? Coober Pedy to Alice is a bit of a stretch. Not sure if Gas is available at Marla, Kulgera or Erldunda. Of course north of Alice are enough fuel stops, just not sure if any of them sell LPG, so Alice to Tennant Creek is also a bit of a stretch. Three Ways (just north of Tennnant) may have Gas, but from there, I think Isa will be the next Gas Stop.

**hoe** · 23-10-15, 09:54 PM

He'll need over 800km range.....
Not going to happen with 1 tank towing a trailer.

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**Godzilla** · 23-10-15, 11:21 PM

Reminds me of why i hate dedicated LPG models so much.

Im dual fuel always....

**VroomVroom** · 24-10-15, 08:14 AM

towing a trailer will reduce his range somewhat as well.
i wonder if any outback truckers can answer the LPG questions? otherwise i'd be calling all the stops en route to make sure they have LPG.

**lsemmens** · 24-10-15, 11:00 AM

Provided the LPG is there. I remember one time when the fleet of a particular Govt Department in Darwin were dedicated LPG. They took one out to Jabiru and had to fly home because the gas dispenser was broken.

**gordon_s1942** · 24-10-15, 12:20 PM

I was told by my local Telstra shop that your stock standard Mobile phone would work 'ANYWHERE' in Australia to make an emergency call because it says it does so without having to have any credit on the phone.
I could not convince him that there's a hell of a big difference between having Credit and Reception to make a call.
All the carriers still say they have between 90~99% Coverage but when you read the fine print, thats 'POPULATION', not the actual Country.
Last year there were 2 deaths by people who went Bush walking and got lost barely 10 kms South of Katoomba and were unable to get sufficient reception to hold a call long enough to give their locations so I certainly dont believe he will have continuous coverage along his route.