ATV Camping Trailer Rollover

Well, G’day.

You’ll understand that everything doesn’t go as planned on these ATV camping trips and I’ve had to make some adjustments, taking into account problems with the camping gear trailer toward the end of the trip.

South Eliza Hut, abandoned for many years.

I tried to return to Arcoona homestead from Pernatty homestead, via South Eliza Hut, heading north.

I found the track that goes to John Bevis Dam but couldn’t find the track to Hams Dam and West Dam. I’d been bushed that many times and to be bushed again in a wide creek bed with no sign of the track was just too much. I’d been on the go, packing and heading home, since daybreak and it was late afternoon. So I decided to cut my losses and return the way I came.

Laurie, on the ATV (quadbike) heading north on Bosworth Station.

I thought that if I could get to the good track before dark I’d travel back to the shearer’s quarters at Pernatty homestead using the ATV headlights, and make a fresh start, the way I came in the first place, in the morning.

But soon after sunset I lost the track again in a creek crossing and had no option but to set up a rough camp in the remaining twilight, using a blue polly tarp.

Scraping the worst of the rocks away with my boot, I put the tarp down in front of the quadbike, put the matteress on top and folded the tarp over. That was my camp for the night.

The track came to an end at this picturesque bend in the creek. After much searching I found the track again across a washed out creek crossing.

Tea was a cold can of pumpkin soup, straight out of the can, and a drink of water.

The crescent moon soon sunk below the horizon leaving a clear black sky dotted with a host of stars, from big and bright to tiny and insignificant. The milky way stood out in the clear, dry night air of the arid region.

There’s some exploration drilling going on about ten or twenty km to the south west. They’re working 24/7 and the lights gave a comforting glow to the isolated night, lost out there in the South Australian outback.

The main room in South Elizer Hut, compleate with stove, kerosine fridge and dining table.

Breakfast was not quite as basic as tea. A few odd shaped slices of the bread I’d baked a couple of days before at Yeltacowie homestead, with butter and my wife’s home made raspberry jam. Went down all right with a drink of water.

One tyre on the trailer was pretty soft so I changed it. Had to unload to lift the camp trailer and get a rock under it.

In the daylight I easily found the track and headed south to South Elizer Hut and then west to Yeltacowie homestead. From there the trip home wasn’t too bad.

The top heavy trailer bounced on the rough track and rolled over.

I’d used about half of my spare fuel, eaten most of my tucker and tipped out a surplus drum of water, all from the bottom level of the trailer. I didn’t realize how top heavy this would make it.

Rolled the trailer three seperate times while trying to get through the rough country. The third time it went right over on it’s back, smashing the timber boxes that I’d built and was so proud of. The ropes held the remains together well enough to get the camping gear home.

Well, this morning I cut four inches off the top of the least damaged box and replaced the best lid. I’ll have just one smaller box running lengthways instead of two boxes running crossways, when I go out again.

The bike on it’s own will go anywhere but this whole eppisode has made me cautious of taking the trailer on rough country.

I was very thankful that I’d made the trailer coupling, allowing for trailer roll over, otherwise it may have taken the bike with it or else mangled or broken the coupling.

So next trip I’ll be traveling lighter on the top level, which is where my comfort items go. No chair, no spare clothes, no tarp in case of rain and nothing else I can do without. I’ll still take the tent and my foam matteress. Got to have some protection against the weather and some camping comfort, considering my age, you know.

For next year’s trip I’ll get a swag with self inflating matteress. A swag will give me only one bundle for my whole camp and will be put up ready for the night, in a matter of minutes. A swag will also be less of a problem keeping upright in this country that can be very windy.