Hero Photo (Immediately below introduction)
Photo:
Your Everest Tremor towing the Mk6 Tvan in desert country (the Madigan Line dune photo).
Caption:
Previous desert adventures have helped shape our preparation for the Canning Stock Route.
Alt Text:
Ford Everest Tremor towing a Track Trailer Tvan through remote desert country on the Madigan Line.]
Introduction
The Canning Stock Route (CSR) isn’t technically difficult terrain, but its remoteness and length of approximately 1,700 kilometres mean preparation matters more than almost anywhere else in Australia.
For many four-wheel drive enthusiasts, the CSR sits firmly on the bucket list. Some join organised tag-alongs for the security of travelling with a larger group. Others gather a few trusted friends and plan the adventure themselves.
Our own desert travels over recent years have included the Anne Beadell Highway through the Great Victorian Desert, Sandy Blight Junction near the WA/NT border, and the Madigan Line across the northern Simpson Desert. Each trip taught us something new and helped build confidence for a larger adventure like the CSR.
If you missed our first article, we explained why we chose a Mk6 Tvan Murranji for this trip. You can read that article here.
In this post, we’re sharing how we’re preparing both the camper and tow vehicle, the planning process behind the trip, and the key areas we’re focusing on before turning a wheel onto the CSR.
Preparation is About Reducing Consequences
One of the biggest misconceptions about remote travel is that success comes from having the most accessories.
In reality, preparation is less about buying equipment and more about reducing the consequences when something doesn’t go to plan.
Mechanical issues, punctures, navigation errors, recovery situations and changing weather conditions are all part of remote travel. Good preparation doesn’t eliminate risk, but it can significantly reduce the impact when challenges arise.
For us, preparation focuses on three areas:
- The camper
- The tow vehicle
- The people travelling together
The Camper – Why We Chose the Murranji
The Mk6 Tvan Murranji is already an exceptionally capable remote touring platform straight from the factory.
Coming from a 2023 Tvan Lightning, we were already familiar with the strengths of the platform. This time around, however, the all-round touring capability of the Murranji appealed more strongly to us.
Features such as the dual-zone fridge freezer, second water tank, Skyward deck, larger opening side windows and extended under-bed drawers aligned well with the type of travel we enjoy.
Our previous Lightning featured a significantly upgraded electrical system designed around induction cooking. While it worked exceptionally well, we ultimately decided that for this trip we’d place greater value on water capacity, refrigeration and storage.
The standard Murranji already ticks most of the boxes for remote travel. The options we selected were chosen to improve self-sufficiency, durability and compatibility with our Everest rather than simply adding accessories for the sake of it.
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Options We Selected
Photo:
Workshop preparation photo of your actual Mk6.
Place immediately before:
“Some of the key options include:”
Caption:
Our Mk6 Tvan Murranji undergoing preparation for remote touring and the Canning Stock Route.
This makes the options feel real rather than theoretical.]
Some of the key options include:
- Matching wheels, tyres and offset to our Everest
- Koni 88 shock absorbers
- Drawbar extension
- Redarc 2000W inverter
- Revolution Orange Band batteries
- Bosch/Alko Anti-Lock Braking System
- Rear insect screen upgrade
- Additional solar capacity
- Stone Stomper
- Bushwrapz Paint Protection Film
- Frontrunner Braai Spare Tyre Mount BBQ Plate
We’ll cover the reasoning behind each of these choices in a future article.
The Tow Vehicle
Our tow vehicle is a Ford Everest Tremor.
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The Tow Vehicle
Photo:
Everest side profile in the workshop or a good touring photo showing the vehicle.
Place after:
“Our tow vehicle is a Ford Everest Tremor.”
Caption:
Our Everest Tremor has been progressively refined for remote touring rather than built as a show vehicle.]
The Tremor already arrives from the factory with several features that suit remote touring, including upgraded suspension, wider track and all-terrain tyres.
Over time we’ve refined the vehicle to better suit the way we travel, adding:
- ARB engineered 3.65 tonne GVM upgrade
- BP51 adjustable shock absorbers
- 120 litre long-range fuel tank
- On-board air compressor
- Dual battery system
- Starlink Mini
- UHF communications
- Recovery equipment
- Additional storage systems
The goal has never been to build the most heavily accessorised Everest. Instead, we’ve focused on reliability, practicality and self-sufficiency.
Weight and Packing Philosophy
One lesson we’ve learnt from previous remote travel is that carrying more equipment doesn’t automatically make a trip safer or more enjoyable.
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Weight & Packing Philosophy
Photo:
Rear drawers, storage setup, or loaded Everest.
Caption:
Every item carried needs to justify its weight, space and purpose.
This section will benefit from a practical photo rather than another glamour shot.]
Every item added to a vehicle has a cost.
Additional weight impacts fuel consumption, tyre temperatures, suspension performance and overall vehicle stress.
Where possible we’ve focused on capability, redundancy and practicality rather than carrying equipment “just in case”.
The aim isn’t to travel light. The aim is to travel smart.
The People Matter More Than the Equipment
One of the most overlooked parts of any remote expedition is the people you’re travelling with.
Joining us on the trip are:
- Mark & Helen – Prado and Tvan
- Graham & Lorraine – 200 Series LandCruiser and Tvan
- Gordon & Lesley – 79 Series LandCruiser and slide-on camper
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The People Matter More Than the Equipment
Photo:
If you have one, a convoy planning session around a table, maps, laptops, coffee, etc.
OR
Group photo from a previous trip.
Caption:
The planning stage has involved months of discussion around fuel, routes, communications and recovery procedures.
This is one of the most important sections because it differentiates your trip from generic CSR content.]
We’ve spent months discussing routes, campsites, fuel planning, communications, recovery procedures and vehicle setup.
The planning process has been almost as enjoyable as the trip itself.
The benefit of travelling with experienced people isn’t simply having more vehicles. It’s having more knowledge, more perspectives and more capability when situations arise.
The Border Track Shakedown
Before tackling the CSR, we’ll undertake a fully loaded shakedown trip along the Border Track between South Australia and Victoria.
Every vehicle will be loaded exactly as it will be for the CSR, including additional fuel and expedition equipment.
The purpose isn’t simply to enjoy a weekend away.
It’s an opportunity to:
- Assess fuel consumption
- Confirm packing systems
- Test communications equipment
- Refine tyre pressures
- Practice recoveries
- Identify problems before they become bigger problems
We’d much rather discover an issue on the Border Track than 500 kilometres from the nearest workshop.
Understanding the Vehicle
Modern four-wheel drives offer an impressive range of electronic driving aids.
Understanding how and when to use them is every bit as important as understanding tyre pressures or recovery techniques.
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Photo:
Everest dashboard showing Sand Mode or a photo of the Everest in soft sand.
Caption:
Understanding how your vehicle’s systems work is just as important as having them.]
We’ve spent considerable time learning how Sand Mode, traction control, stability control and the rear differential locker interact within the Everest platform.
The objective isn’t to rely on technology. It’s to understand how the vehicle behaves and how to get the best from it when conditions become challenging.
We’ll cover our Everest setup and desert driving strategy in more detail in a future article.
Tyre Pressures: The Most Important Modification You Can’t Buy
If there is one modification that consistently delivers the greatest improvement in ride quality, traction and vehicle longevity, it is tyre pressure.
Tyre pressures influence:
- Traction
- Ride comfort
- Shock absorber temperatures
- Vehicle stress
- Fuel consumption
In many situations, lowering tyre pressures appropriately will have a greater impact than thousands of dollars worth of accessories.
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Photo:
Everest or Tvan tyre aired down in sand.
OR
Pressure gauge and compressor in use.
Caption:
Tyre pressures are often the most effective modification you can make for sand and corrugations.]
We’ll share our approach to tyre pressures, suspension tuning and vehicle setup in a dedicated article.
Communications and Staying Connected
Convoy communications will primarily be handled through UHF radio.
Beyond day-to-day convoy management, UHF plays an important role in dune country where regular call-outs can help reduce the risk of head-on encounters with oncoming traffic.
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Photo:
Starlink Mini roof mount.
This is a great talking point.
Caption:
Our Starlink Mini is permanently mounted and can be switched on remotely when required.]
We’ve also upgraded our Starlink Mini installation, allowing us to remain connected while travelling and communicate with family, friends and our business when outside mobile coverage.
Like any tool, communications equipment is most effective when everyone understands how and when to use it.
Recovery and Risk Management
Recovery gear forms an important part of our preparation.
Our approach focuses on modern recovery techniques, including soft shackles, kinetic ropes, recovery boards and rated recovery points.
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Photo:
Recovery gear laid out:
- kinetic rope
- soft shackles
- Maxtrax
- bridle
Caption:
Recovery equipment is only part of the equation. Training and good decision-making matter just as much.]
Equally important is understanding how and when to use recovery equipment safely.
Training, planning and good decision-making are often more valuable than the gear itself.
We’ve also chosen recovery insurance as part of our overall risk management strategy.
Again, preparation isn’t about eliminating risk.
It’s about reducing the consequences when things don’t go according to plan.
What Comes Next?
Over the coming months we’ll be sharing more detailed articles covering:
- Why we selected specific Mk6 Tvan options
- Our Everest Tremor setup
- Understanding Sand Mode and traction systems
- Desert tyre pressures and BP51 suspension tuning
- Communications and Starlink
- Recovery planning and equipment
- Our Border Track shakedown trip
- Final preparations before departing for the CSR
The adventure hasn’t started yet, but the preparation certainly has.