Thread: Legal requirements for sand flags/height of flag

Hmm.... another RRS owner.

There are getting to be quite a few of us here. Maybe one day we WILL be able to buy sensible off-road accessories for the RRS.

I have looked all over mine and can't really find a non-destructive, neat method of attaching an aerial and flag except on a roof rack.

Thanks Diego, Other than a useless nudgebar, there are no accesories. We have tried and tried to get steel rims for ours, but they are not available, we have been told that the Disco 3 rims will fit ours but then others say no they won't. We are planning to go to Camerons corner then to Birdsville from Toowoomba in Sept, is there a legal requirement for sand flags, and if so, what height? We feel we will modify brackets and maybe fit aerials thru the bonnet to the front bumper bar. We haven't really looked yet, just know its got to done. We are not putting a roof rack on the RRS, hopefully don't need it. Have you taken your sports off road yet?

from memory you will not need sand dune flags around the camerons corner area, it mostly formed/graded tracks

i only had my dune flag on for the simpson desert, pretty sure its not even a legal requirement for the desert its just strongly recommended

my call....you don't need one, i didn't have one flying when i went to camerons corner

Thanks Kelvin, do I need UHF or Sat phone, we have two vehicles, both towing, we need communication between us, but are not sure what else is needed, more for emergencies, e.g EBIR etc? We are trying to be self sufficent and not a burden to others. Thanks Henriette

"What else is needed?"

a good camera for a start !!

two or more handheld UHFs, a rented sat phone,
an EPIRB is a good idea if you are going off the main tracks, already have a boat or plan on doing a few of these desert trips.

Originally Posted by henrie

Is there any legal requirements for having a sand flag.

According to DTU training course/documents (offroad driving etc.) a sand flag is recommended item, not a legal requirement. Much better to have one I'd say. Also a good idea to put your UHF in "scanning mode". Sometimes it helps to hear if someone is approaching you.

I had a look at an HF install on an RRS at Cooma. I think I took pics. I'll check later.

I believe the only guidleines for vehicle visibility flags are for use in mines where I think they need to be something like 3 m height from the ground.

You can use several materials for the pole. I have seen fishing rod materials used ( and seen them break too ! ). I've successfully used a length of orange electrical conduit with some thin metal tube inserted in the bottom for the first metre and a half. ( to stiffen it )

The biggest problem is mounting it on the vehicle in a satisfactory and secure manner. Taping or tying it to a bullbar generally ends up less than satisfactory. The best solution is probably to permanently mount a piece of plastic pipe slightly bigger than the diamater of your pole, to a convenient place on the vehicle. The flag pole can then be inserted into that and secured with a bolt through and wingnut. With your RRS you're going to have a problem finding somewhere to mount it.

If you're going to be travelling in an area where there is a possiblity of any overhead branches, remove the flagpole or tie it back. It won't last long otherwise.

The flag iself can be made form a high visibility work safety jacket, cut up and sewn.