Towing a caravan on the Gibb River Road

by Steve
(Perth)

We are planning a trip from Darwin to Perth in July 2009 and have been told we could tow our 20ft full van with our Prado on the Gibb River Road. We would love some feedback from people to let us know if it is possible or just stay clear. We don't have the option of leaving the van somewhere either.

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Towing a caravan on the Gibb River Road

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Nothing is impossible, but...
by: Birgit

Hi Steve,

I don't know of any first hand experiences that I could share. Maybe others will chime in.

The general recommendation for the Gibb River Road is clear: no caravans.

I personally would also stay clear. (But then again, I wouldn't want to drag one of them around anywhere...)

Reponsible drivers do get tough off-road vans across without problems. Tough as in real, dedicated off-roaders. (Not every van called "off-road" is really meant for that sort of terrain.)

You don't say how sturdy your van is, if it is a dedicated off-road van or not (if it isn't don't take it), and you don't say where you want to go, so it's hard to say just how big the risk is. Is it possible? My motto in life is that nothing is impossible, but...

Do you like your caravan? Can it handle being knocked about? Does it matter to you if the fridge in it works or not? How good is the suspension? The overall workmanship? Your bush mechanic skills?

Your caravan may make it to the other end if the road has just been graded, but it may just as well fall apart on you. Depends on the van, the state of the road at the time (can't be predicted), and more than anything else on the speed. The bone jarring corrugations present the biggest challenge for most trailers and vans.

Keep in mind that "the Gibb River Road" is not the whole story. Most people talking about the Gibb River Road actually mean a trip to all the attractions along the Gibb River Road, and that includes hundreds of kilometres on narrow side tracks... Some of those will be more risky for a van than others (dips or creek crossings), and again the actual state at the time can't be predicted.

Also be wary of people telling you they've "done" the Gibb River Road and it would not be a problem for a van. The road may have been fine at the time. That is no guarantee that it will be fine when you get there.

Rather than asking if it is possible you need to assess what exactly your particular van and set up can handle, how well you could deal with things going wrong and if the resulting risk and hassle is worth it.

If you do take the van, drop your tyres and take it easy!
Dont do it
by: Anonymous

Hi, just back from the Gibb. It was destroying 4x4s (incl Prados) suspension in particular. Towing anything on it is difficult, esp for the thing being towed, agree with the moderators comments, how much do you value your van? I can guarantee it won't be the same after the Gibb and will at least be up for a heap of repairs. I met people who left vans at Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra and tented the Gibb, that's a better option than destroying your mobile home. I did see one van/road trailer that was being rattled to death, doors flapping about, not a pretty thing.
Drive slower enjoy
by: chris

Been there, done that. My van is a Kimberley Karavan took 5 weeks. Really had fun. Did it SLOW, had no damage to car, van or wheels. Did not do any shockys. It's speed over rough road that kills shockys. People, drive slow, take your time. If you're a do it in 20 days man then take spare shockys for your car and don't take a trailer or van. The faster you drive, the more you shake. The shakes are faster and tend to do MORE DAMAGE. Drive slower, shake slower, and stop to let shockys cool down.

AND HAVE FUN!
Campertrailer & Gibb River Road
by: Bob & Bub

Fully agree with going slow (60 km/hr average, 80 km/hr absolute maximum on the good sections). Tyre pressures 26 psi front, 28 psi rear on the Prado (Yokohama Geolanders) with 26 psi in the campertrailer (Bridgestone Dueller H/Ts) gave us a most enjoyable 9 nights on the Gibb River Road.

I still think there is an element of "luck" involved though. We had Iron Man shockys, an airbag under the back and carried 2x spare wheels. Have a look at Nev's pile of shredded tyres in his yard behind the Imintji store.

We had 9 weeks on the road ex Brisbane and certainly will be heading back to the Kimberly to spend a longer period next time. After the Australia movie is seen I am sure many others will do the same. Especially as a $ is worth a $ out there.
Caravans on Gibb River Road
by: Ros & Darryl

My husband is a retired caravan builder & repairer & has been reading of people going on the Gibb River Road towing vans.

Aluminum framed & sheeted caravans are pop riveted together & even though the van LOOKS like it travels fine on the corrugated roads, pop rivets will shear off & allow the frame & sheeting to be separated - this won't show up until later in the vans life.
Travelling the Gibb River Road
by: Chris

Hubby and I are planning to see Kimberleys and WA from July to September Leaving Brisbane and heading to Kimberleys first.
1. Are there places to leave caravan at Kununurra for week or so 2. What accommodation on Gibb River Road? Thinking of sleeping in back of Pathfinder and eating at Stations is this OK?
3. How much extras do we carry diesel, tyres etc
4. cash or credit cards 5. mossies and bug repellent
6. clothes? 7. is CB recommend or next G phone 8. will the pathfinder 2008 TI 4x4 be suitable

Please stick to questions about caravans on the Gibb
by: Birgit

Hi Chris,
Your barrage of questions is mostly off topic, the conversation here is about towing caravans on the Gibb. Sorry, I'm not usually that short in my answers, but this needs to stay on topic or it becomes too difficult for people to find information on the site. See my comments below the list.

1. Yes, some caravan parks in Kununurra offer storage.
2. Look under accommodation in the GRR section
3. Look under need to know in the GRR section, also covered in the free guide and the full guide
4. See free guide
5. See full guide and existing questions
6. See full guide and existing questions
7. See full guide and existing questions
8. Depends what exactly you want to do. Most likely more than sufficient.

Have a look through the existing information on the website (the site search helps you dig up what you need) and download and read the free Kimberley guide. If you then have specific questions left, feel free to add them to a relevant existing question or to ask them here. I'll answer best as I can or direct you to existing answers.
We made it
by: Pam and JD

We have just completed the Gibb River Rd. with a Toyota Prado and a brand new Lotus Trooper caravan, both went like a dream. We lowered the tyre pressure in all tyres and drove to the conditions. I'm so glad we did it, I have experiences that will stay with me forever, the scenery, the peace, the gorges and most of all the people we met along the way, travellers, workers and locals were all friendly and more than helpful with information and advice. Our lives have been changed by this trip...
Message to Pam and JD
by: Ron Millard

After reading the comments below I would like to talk to Pam and JD about their Lotus Trooper caravan.
If anyone knows them or Pam and JD read this comment, could you please contact me at rbmillard@telstra.com
Regards,
Ron Millard
Gibb River Road
by: Gerard

Completed the Gibb River Road with a Eco Tourer, only damage was done to the electric brakes and the microwave, everything else was OK. Loved it and will recommend it to anyone. Just make sure your van is a tough off roader.
Gibb
by: Geoff

Just finished the Gibb. Lots of people take their caravans - the main part of the road is OK. I personally wouldn't take a caravan as there are too many "side" trips to do. If you stay at Parry's Farm Caravan Park you can "store" your van there for FREE. (I stayed there for a few days but left my van in Kunnunurra - storage $5 per day)
Standard vs. off-road vans
by: Birgit

Hi Geoff,
You don't mean to say that people are routinely taking standard vans, are you?
Because that's not happening and those vans would just fall apart.

The vans you see on the Gibb are off-roaders.
I assume that's what you meant. I just want to make sure that any readers who don't know this site or the Kimberley are not mislead into believing they could tow any old van along the Gibb.
Pam and JD
by: Geoff

I met up with Pam and JD at Parry's Farm Caravan Park near Wyndham.
They had just completed the Gibb with their new Lotus off road van. They had NO trouble really. (they said)
I had just ordered the same Lotus Van so it was good to hear - the van is still being built and still coming??????
Just for interest you can leave your vans at Parry's Farm for nix if you stay there beforehand.
It is also a very quiet place to stay close to Parry's Laggon, Diggers Rest (of Australia movie fame)and Wyndham.
If you read this Pam and JD.... I have lost your email address....Geoff
Phoenix Caravan on the Gibb
by: Marie and Wally

We are planning to drive the Gibb River Road from Kununurra commencing middle of May 2010 and would like to know if anyone has done the drive towing a Phoenix Nomad caravan. If so how did it perform?
Doing the Gibb in July 2010
by: Greg

My wife and I are doing the Gibb in July 2010 in a Triton ute towing a Jayco Penguin Off-Roader, has anyone got any suggestions, or has done the Gibb in similar? Thanks
Jayco on the GRR
by: GB

Hi I travelled the Gibb River Road in 08 with an 04 OB Eagle. You will need to do some prep at home prior to leaving to minimise the damage but it will handle the conditions. Lower tyre pressure and don't drive fast. Mine went to Mitchell Falls and all the detours, Bungles, Cape Leveque etc. Enjoy the Kimberley, it is truly an amazing part of the world.
P.S.: Take some good walking shoes and get out and walk, you will be rewarded with a fantastic rock pool/gorge at the end to swim in!
Jayco Swan on Gibb River Road
by: phil and jane

In 1988 we drove the Gibb River road with our 3 and 5 year old children towing a Jayco Swan camper trailer behind a Pajero. We had no problems whatsoever and drove to the conditions which were often quite corrugated. Stopped and camped at varios spots eg Bell Gorge. Much to the kids disgust we met the grader about five kilometres from the end of the journey. We have just ordered a Lotus Trooper which we get later this year and we will have no hesitation in doing the Gibb River Road again.
Lotus Trooper
by: brian

Just finished the Gibb River Road with my new Lotus Trooper, towed behind my Cruiser ute. The whole outfit traveled well and I agree with Pam, the memories are going to stay forever.
The van has no damage or any other problems after the trip, we also took it down the Great Central Road where it performed admirably, considering this road is approx 3000 km of sand and corrugations, the last time I travelled this road from Lenora in WA was with a campervan and the shacks were trashed as was mast of the van. The Trooper did very well and the simplicity suspension worked well, total weight was around 2950 kg to 3000 kg plus what was on the truck.

I have had no problems with the Trooper and nothing has broken. Prior to undertaking this trip I spent time sealing the under body of the Trooper with sealers and repositioning and tying off any cables under neath that I thought may create a problem. I also resealed the water tanks and the area around the shower outlets as this was not done from the factory. All of this helped.
The reason I did all of this was lessons learnt from my last trip with the pop top which did suffer badly and it was supposed to be a tough purpose built off roader. Hmm.
Lotus Trooper
by: Pam and JD

Well done Brian, glad you had a great trip without any mishaps...

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