*Appropriate* preparation for a 1 month trip

[Samblers]

Hey folks,

I'm thinking about equipment/prep that'll be required (or not) for a 1 month Broome to Darwin camping trip with the family, incl. the Gibb River Road, and all the regions sights. Driving up to Broome from Perth to start. Probably wont do anything too silly or remote. Last passed the area 16 years ago in a 1973 kombi (no GRR or kids that time though...)

Had the 2010 Defender 110 for a while now...

Have: ARB Bullbar, 2.8m rack, ladder, body protection, dual batteries, drawer unit, BFG mud tyres, compressor, recovery gear (maxxtrax, straps, shovel), a little CB radio, an iPhone and RAC cover. Oh, just fitted a Rhino batwing awning too.

Have not: hi-lift, winch, built-in water or fuel tanks, 2nd spare wheel, GPS. I don't carry any spare parts around

So whilst thinking, I started falling into some assumptions about what would be required... based probably on what I see around, and what looks desirable - i.e. the 'expedition defender'. However the reality is that this isn't Rhodesia in the 1950's, and after the trip the car will return to it's slightly dull life of trundling around the suburbs full of clutter. Any dangling fruit will have to be removed to get it into Woolies car park :)

So i'd like opinions on what is necessary (rather than just desirable) for our independence and a safe trip:

Generally: The obsession within 4WDing seems to be for acquisitions that result in a storage problem requiring further acquisitions, which in turn increase bulk/ weight of the setup and therefore ever more large cars, engines, trailers, resources etc. Obviously this is all part of the hobby for some (and it is fun), though we try to simplify where we can - camp in tents, not tow anything, and keep weight down (and lowdown) where possible.

Hi-lift: never used one; seems like a divisive device (can of worms). Relatively low cost, but an awkward store. Was thinking that it would store under the 2nd row seats, wrapped in canvas. $160 for a pair of brackets to mount to the hannibal rack (which would look awesome!, but... ). Or an exhaust jack? I only have the bottle jack the car came with.

Winch: High $, low likelihood of using? Vanity item? Whereas I wouldn't like to rely on others for our recovery, I also sense that GRR is a bit of a circus in June/ July...? Are hand winches a worthwhile alternative?

Liquids storage: I can carry 2x 20L jerry cans for diesel, strapped direct to the rack. Is there any reason I really need the $270 jerry can holder?

I checked out built-in water tanks (approx 60L) but left unconvinced here also - bulky, awkward things that seem to create further filling/ emptying headaches etc, and which would need to be strapped down just the same as jerry cans would?

2nd spare: I've never used the first (other than to rotate it in). Is it better to get a tyre fixing kit? Happy to put this up on the rack if required, though can see it will sit in the garage gathering dust for years to come. I removed all my locking nuts by the way, which are made of fudge.

Spares/ tools: I carry usual workshop tools always but no spare parts (except fuses, wire, bulbs, random nuts/bolts etc). What should I (sensibly) not leave without? My experience shows that anything can fall off these things or cause a problem, but its usually just an inconvenience rather than a catastrophe (been towed twice in 8 years).

Vehicle servicing: Obvs vehicle would need a really good checking over and some preventative/ pre-emptive maintenance. Thoughts? Maybe this is a different thread.

Cheers all,

Sam

[Samblers]

Jees thats a lot of reading

sorry!

[Eevo]

Jees thats a lot of reading

sorry!
it also has paragraphs and headings. easy to read.

[Tote]

Probably easiest to provide a comparison of what we did for our Disco3 for a trip across the Simpson Desert and up the Hay River track then back to Alice springs for comparison.

Tyres - We took a second spare and never came near to using it. We did get a flat tyre which we plugged with a repair kit without taking the wheel off and that got us home. At the time 265/60-18 tyres were not very common which is why we did take 2 spares. I still have a couple of spares on the Defender for remote trips because it gives me a bit of a security blanket

Winch - You could take a hand winch if you found one at a reasonable price and were prepared to carry the weight but the reality is you probably win't use it.

Water - Make sure you carry enough to weather any emergency. We have used a 50l footwell tank for washing and taken a couple of plastic jerry cans for drinking/cooking

Fuel - depending on how far you are going between fuel stops will determine this. A spare Jerry can or two is sufficient in most cases, if they are on the roof empty them into the tank as soon as practical to improve handling. We had a 100L Auxiliary tank on the Disco and I carry a 200l fuel pod on the Defender but we were doing up to 1200KM between fuel stops.

Hi Lift - I've never owned one, in sandy conditions Maxtracks or a shovel would be more use.

Preventative maintenance, tools and spares - you are pretty much doing what I do although if travelling with a group a 4 litre container of oil and some poer steering fluid is worth while to have on hand. If solo and not remote good roadside coverage works as well.

Other stuff - a Sat phone is useful to summon help, failing that go and purchase an EPIRB. They last for 7 years and can be had for about $300.00 GME MT410G PLB - Personal Locator Beacon | Road Tech Marine (https://www.roadtechmarine.com.au/gme-mt410g-plb-personal-locator-beacon/p/TSA209)

Regards,
Tote

[donh54]

A couple of fuel filters are items I never leave home without.
Also the amalgamation tape ( I think that is what it's called).

[W&KO]

Hey folks,

Have: ARB Bullbar, 2.8m rack, ladder, body protection, dual batteries, drawer unit, BFG mud tyres, compressor, recovery gear (maxxtrax, straps, shovel), a little CB radio, an iPhone and RAC cover. Oh, just fitted a Rhino batwing awning too.

What you have above is a good start, and pretty much what we have, except we’ll have AT tyres

We’re currently preparing for a 2 year lap of AUS which will include GRR and more remote places.

My thoughts

- well serviced defender.
- tools, one small bag of hand tools, plus a container with fuses, tape, nuts and bolts etc. also have hub nut tube spanner, multi meter and fault code reader
- spare tyres, just the one spare along with tyre repair kit, have never needed two spares, only ever had one flat which I repaired with plugs
- water, 64L water tank inside the defer and 20L on roof
- diesel, OEM tank and 65L sill tank, no jerry cans, 120ish usable
- winch, have PTO fitted, never been used to recover myself, my old employer had hand winches in cars, not a fun thing to use or store.
- hi-lift, seem to be a fashion item these days, mines in the garage and have never needed it, won’t be coming on the trip
- will have full set of filters amd a MAF for our TD5

[jon3950]

Sounds like you’ve got it covered and the above posts sum it up pretty well. The only real spares I carry are a fuel filter and oil filter. My philosophy is to keep the vehicle as light as possible and as standard as possible - it’s the bolt-on stuff that usually fails.

I can’t emphasise how important it is to have a well maintained and recently serviced vehicle. If everything is in good order you won’t need spares. Pay particular attention to tyres, shocks, brakes and suspension bushes as these will work hard. Tyres should ideally have 3/4 to 2/3 tread left. If brake pads are more than half worn in any spot replace them and keep the old ones as spares. Shocks should not be too old and a good quality brand - I personally think the standards are fine but now run Bilsteins.

Also worth doing a spanner check on any nut or bolt you can see. Particularly body bolts and roof racks, which can suffer on corrugations.

It is also important to keep weight down as much as possible, particularly on the roof. Long range tanks and water tanks or bladders are great but expensive. However, jerry cans on the roof are just fine if you need extra fuel, but keep them as empty as possible.
Blubags are a handy way of carrying extra water: Home - BluBag Australia (http://www.blubag.com.au)

Don’t bother with a winch. Be sensible and Maxtrax will get you out of most situations anyway. Unless you are going really remote, don’t worry about a second spare - too much weight, especially with a rim. Repair kit definitely worthwhile though. Forget the highlift. The standard Defender jack is pretty good and will do for pretty much anything on a trip like that. Some sort of jacking plate may be handy for any soft ground, but not essential.

Cheers,
Jon

[plusnq]

I would add your local motoring organisation’s top cover and a good amount available on a credit card. Just in case. The RACQ flat bedded my D4 from Birdsville to Brisbane and flew the two of us home. Easily covered many years of membership.

[Samblers]

Thanks folks - great comments and some really useful suggestions... too much to comment on everything in detail, but so far I have:

- fully serviced vehicle, paying attention to wear parts, tyres, shock bushes, hoses
- top level RAC cover
- sat phone or EPIRB if going remote solo
- a jacking plate for the jack
- tyre repair kit
- jury is still out on need for winching
- i'm going to go for jerry cans - diesel on roof and water in car. Am working on modifications to my rear setup which allow me strong tie-down points for everything (tie-down hasnt been necessary until now)

Q's:

- the 'standard' defender jack is the bottle jack, right?
- whats 'PTO' in relation to winch?
- 'MAF' filter?

Happy to keep listening!

Cheers, Sam

[Tombie]

Don’t go Jerry Cans for water - use those 10L casks.
As they empty you can burn / crush them.

Grab a set of Treds
Belts, self amalgamating tape
Cable ties
Basic tool kit

[W&KO]

- whats 'PTO' in relation to winch?
- 'MAF' filter?

Happy to keep listening!

Cheers, Sam

PRO = Power Take Off, mechanical winch driven from transfer case.

MAF = Mass Air Flow I think, can can an issue with TD5

[trout1105]

Take lots of money and be prepared to be fleeced at the tourists traps.

[Robmacca]

As below in red


Thanks folks - great comments and some really useful suggestions... too much to comment on everything in detail, but so far I have:

- fully serviced vehicle, paying attention to wear parts, tyres, shock bushes, hoses - Definitely Shocky Bushes as these take a pounding on corrugated roads
- top level RAC cover -- Definitely - we have used this once up the The Cape when our Alternator failed on our Prado
- sat phone or EPIRB if going remote solo -- Minimum is a PLB
- a jacking plate for the jack
- tyre repair kit
- jury is still out on need for winching -- Electric Winches these days are not that expensive and to me is a worthy piece of mind sort of thing
- i'm going to go for jerry cans - diesel on roof and water in car. Am working on modifications to my rear setup which allow me strong tie-down points for everything (tie-down hasnt been necessary until now) -- When we crossed the Madigan a few years ago, we had 2x 25ltr Plastic Fuel containers on the Frontrunner Roofrack. I made up a Plywood box that bolted to the roofrack that the 2 fuel containers were then strapped into. This was very secure as the plastic fuel containers have a boarder base which helped in the rough rocking conditions - cost of making box was minimal - photo attached

Q's:

- the 'standard' defender jack is the bottle jack, right?
- whats 'PTO' in relation to winch?
- 'MAF' filter?

Happy to keep listening!

Cheers, Sam

[POD]

a 1 month Broome to Darwin camping trip with the family, incl. the Gibb River Road, and all the regions sights.

The main thin you will need to accomplish that is an extra few months.

That being said, I can share some of our experience with several extended Kimberley trips including the trans-continental trip from country Vic. A few random thoughts in no particular order:

The Gibb River Road is not an extreme challenge or adventure in itself; it gives access to some fabulous country but it is also a very busy route. You will not die of thirst if you break down on the Gibb but you will incur some heavy expenses and most likely ruin your holiday. Your top cover will mitigate the first bit.

Someone has said that it is all the 'bolt-ons' that give trouble. This is 100% correct. Make sure anything added to your vehicle is done to a very high standard. Wiring to accessories that is not properly routed, insulated, protected and secured is a major source of trouble. I had to drop the fuel tank out of one of my Rangies on the Tanami Track due to an unprotected wire that was part of the LPG conversion rubbing through. On our last expedition, I assisted many other people with these kinds of problems including a brand new Land Cruiser with a dealer-installed electrical accessory system that was shorting out.
Another guy on the Kalumburu road had applied loctite to the clamp bracket screws on his roof rack. Trouble was, the thing had not come loose by the screws unscrewing but by the settling action of a billion corrugations- then he could not tighten the loctited screws with the little tool gizmo.

Be prepared to give your vehicle a thorough going-over every few days in camp. It's amazing how few people do this; when I lifted the bonnet of the Landy and rotated tyres in the Mount Elizabeth campground, people assumed something was wrong. They seem to think it normal to do a 10,000km expedition without lifting the bonnet from one end to the other.

I have had a winch on every 4wd I have owned in the last 20+ years- my current 130 has one at each end- but I have never needed to winch on an outback trip. Nice to know it's there though, we get pretty game with where we are prepared to go.

Max Trax have taken the place of high-lift jacks as an essential item to have bolted to your vehicle in some prominent location.

You don't need 2 spare wheels unless you get 2 flats. Then you also need tyre-changing tools as you no longer have a spare. I consider both essential.

Brake pads never wear out all at the same time. I keep the one with the most meat from a worn-out set (front and rear) as a spare. If one goes to metal unexpectedly on a trip you can swap it out.

Shocker rubbers. Carry spares.

Hoses- have them changed and carry the old ones. Belts likewise.

Silicon, knead-it, repair tape, wire and solder, a nanocom or similar to reset fault codes or limp mode. An assortment of screws and bolts relevant to the vehicle. A hub bearing set in a tin of grease. Cash. We carried very little cash on our first trip through there and it was all cleaned out when the EFTPOS was down at Mt Barnett. Limited our options further on.

sat phone...who you gonna call?? I have HF radio and VKS-737 subscription, base operators will move heaven and earth to assist you if there is a problem and it's likely another subscriber nearby might be able to help you out. I struggle to see how a satphone will get you anything other than a tow truck from Broome or Kununurra for a mechanical problem.

Enjoy your trip, wish I was doing it again this year. A month through there is a virtual flypast but it will give you a taste for where you want to spend more time exploring next time.

[PhilipA]

The things I would add(if they haven't already been noted are
A spare air filter ( I always remember someone with a D2 approaching me at a camp ground half way along the GRR asking where he could buy a new air filter and carrying one completely choked. I answered "Perth")

You didn't mention a snorkel I don't think..I would fit one .. I also have some unifilter socks that fit inside the snorkel tube for If I am going to be on dirt for a long period say Grand Central Road, as you never know when you have to follow a cattle truck for many ks.

Maybe 2 fuel filters and a new one in before leaving. I also have a Mr Funnel which I have never had to use.

The MTs will drive you mad on the many Ks of highway but there you are. The best tyres are the ones you have with more than 50% tread. I hope they are a common size as although there are lots of tyre places including 1/2 way along the GRR you cannot expect some unusual size eg 255 75 r16 to be stocked even in say Kununurra. And you will pay, lordy you will pay.

I have a 5000lb now very old Warn portable electric winch in a steel box which I have never used except to recover someone else.

I second Maxtrax, and a spade with a long handle fitted, and a snatch strap and some shackles, which I have never used except etc.

I have an Airbag that I have etc etc etc which is much lighter than a hilift but bulkier

I also have a electric chain saw to cut firewood.

I also take a Ryobi drill with a couple of batteries and a rivetting tool for my camper trailer. Bulbs etc, fuses.

Self amalgamating Tape can be handy if you do a radiator hose.

Personal choice but I don't have a bullbar as I have done about 4 round trips with no problems by staying off the road at dawn and dusk. Had a few roos jump into the side of car though.

Good connections for your fridge, NOT Cigar plugs. I use Merit/Hella plugs for low amps like fridge and Anderson for big loads.
Regards PhilipA
Oh I carry a spare fuel pump, and FPR , fuel line for D2 TD5, a MAF, and idler pulley.

[PWat]

Winch - You could take a hand winch if you found one at a reasonable price and were prepared to carry the weight but the reality is you probably win't use it.
Tote

I’m about to start a 12 month trip around the country and spent a long time thinking about a winch. In the end I went for a 1.6T Tirfor hand winch and a couple of snatch blocks - it’s cheaper and lighter than an electric winch and can pull me backwards if needed. Think about where you’re going - a winch isn’t going to help if stuck on a sand dune!

[Samblers]

The main thing you will need to accomplish that is an extra few months.


Ha! Yeah... Nah. Been this way before... we'll just be seeing highlights this time. Great post POD.

[Samblers]

Again, great posts all.

- Yes I have a snorkel
- Air compressor too

Appreciating the long list of potential accessories and spares - and the justifications to go with. Like I said, we don't have a 130 or a camper trailer, this is a 110 with 4 people on board and towing nothing, hence the need to be picky.

I'm reading carefully and putting it all into the mix :BigThumb:

[Samblers]

As below in red


Great idea for the jerrys, I might do same. Been banging bits of wood together today for back-of-car organisation

[Samblers]

The MTs will drive you mad on the many Ks of highway but there you are. The best tyres are the ones you have with more than 50% tread. I hope they are a common size as although there are lots of tyre places including 1/2 way along the GRR you cannot expect some unusual size eg 255 75 r16 to be stocked even in say Kununurra. And you will pay, lordy you will pay.


The BFG MTs are 265 75 16 ... common or no? To be honest they are a bit long in the tooth and might need to think about replacements



I second Maxtrax, and a spade with a long handle fitted, and a snatch strap and some shackles, which I have never used except etc.


I got 2. Need 4...?

[Robmacca]

The BFG MTs are 265 75 16 ... common or no? To be honest they are a bit long in the tooth and might need to think about replacements



I got 2. Need 4...?

a 265/75/16 size tyre is a common size

U can check the age of the tyres by looking on the side wall for a 4 digit code which will indicate Week Number and then Year (eg: 2316 = Week 26 in the year of 2016)

[martnH]

With a defender, you need insurance.....
Just saying

[scarry]

The BFG MTs are 265 75 16 ... common or no? To be honest they are a bit long in the tooth and might need to think about replacements

Get them replaced,before you leave, one less thing to worry about.

That brand go hard and crack with age.

[Samblers]

Tyre inspection:

Are these the tread wear indicators on my BFG MT's? They seem not to have tread wear indicators similar to other road tyres. I measure around 2mm to these shallow grooves.

Thoughts? They are 2013 KM2's which have done 55,000km. Most of the wear was in the first 6months - I remember the compound being very soft and losing maybe 5mm off the tread blocks. Tread blocks are still deep as you can see, but the tyres are definitely harder than they were. No chips, cracks or bulges.

167567

The new KM3's look good though! [bigwhistle]

[Samblers]

And whilst i'm thinking about it, how's the road noise on the new KM3's (compared with KM2's)?

If i replaced it would be a choice between BFG MT's and AT's, and noise would be the main reason for opting for the AT's I think.

Thus far I've coped with the road noise of the MT's, but got some long days of driving ahead...

[scarry]

The noise difference between the two is huge.

I can see this thread turning into a tyre opinion thread[biggrin]

[Samblers]

If the KM3's are quieter then i'm sold...

[scarry]

If the KM3's are quieter then i'm sold...

Sorry,I meant between AT and MT.

I don’t think the KM3 are any quieter.

[Tote]

Sorry,I meant between AT and MT.

I don’t think the KM3 are any quieter.

I don't have any experience with KM2s but the KM3s that I have on the 130 are significantly quieter than the Hankook muddies I had previously, I've got a couple of Hankooks as spares and they sound like the cardboard I used to put in the spokes of my pushie when I was a kid[biggrin]. The KM3s are also OE fitment on SWMBOs Rubicon and are not noticeably noisy on it yet either. Defer has 20,000KM and the Jeep has about 9000KM on them

Regards,
Tote

[Tins]

Think about where you’re going - a winch isn’t going to help if stuck on a sand dune!

It will if you have a large HD canvas type bag you can bury. DEAD MAN GROUND ANCHOR - Drifta Camping & 4WD (https://www.drifta.com.au/product/dead-man-ground-anchor-and-accessories/)

You can also bury max tracks for the same thing.

My car has a winch for VHC trips. I wouldn't take it off to go to the desert.

[Tins]

I got 2. Need 4...?

I would, but keep an eye on ALDI. They often have some. Not Max, sure, but as a secondary they are fine.

[Tins]

Tyre inspection:

Are these the tread wear indicators on my BFG MT's? They seem not to have tread wear indicators similar to other road tyres. I measure around 2mm to these shallow grooves.


Not familiar with the KMs, but usually there is a little arrow on the side of the tread to indicate where the wear indicators are.

[POD]

You can also bury max tracks for the same thing.



Someone has found an actual use for maxtrax!! Although you can bury a spare wheel for a ground anchor. I guess an advantage with burying the maxtrax would be that you wouldn't have to bother digging them up again. Oh hang on- then you would need a high-lift jack to bolt to the roofrack...

[Tins]

Someone has found an actual use for maxtrax!!

Not a fan, Pod???? I won't leave home without them, to quote a big nosed actor from way back. In fact, I never needed them until they arrived, but IMO they are worth their weight.

Although you can bury a spare wheel for a ground anchor.

Yes, Jack Absalom thought he'd invented that, and the Leyland brothers, but we were doing it in the Army as well. And, strangely, it works! You can even use it with a tree branch if the engine is broken.

Old timer's tricks work. It's amazing that young timers don't learn from them. When your high tech solutions fail, old timers come to the rescue.

[Plutei]

You can even use it with a tree branch if the engine is broken.

What do you mean by this?

[POD]

Not a fan, Pod????

Nup. I just don't get it. I've driven in almost every type of terrain in Aus over several decades and have never been in a situation where I wished I had either a high-lift jack or a set of maxtrax. I must be missing something. Although I have very little experience of beach driving so maybe they have a role there? When my wife points at them on someone's roof rack and asks me what they do, I tell her they're doing it now.
Apologies for the hijack.

[Vern]

Nup. I just don't get it. I've driven in almost every type of terrain in Aus over several decades and have never been in a situation where I wished I had either a high-lift jack or a set of maxtrax. I must be missing something. Although I have very little experience of beach driving so maybe they have a role there? When my wife points at them on someone's roof rack and asks me what they do, I tell her they're doing it now.
Apologies for the hijack.Highlift i don't see the point, but maxtrax i do, now that i live at the beach and do a bit of beach driving.

[W&KO]

Nup. I just don't get it. I've driven in almost every type of terrain in Aus over several decades and have never been in a situation where I wished I had either a high-lift jack or a set of maxtrax. I must be missing something. Although I have very little experience of beach driving so maybe they have a role there? When my wife points at them on someone's roof rack and asks me what they do, I tell her they're doing it now.
Apologies for the hijack.

Yep agree....

Hi-lift has been in the shed for 15 years collecting dust

I do have 4 maxtrax but I didn’t pay much for them, haven’t used them for myself, did use two helping a young girl out on the beach. She is now wiser about tyre pressures. I’m still debating if I take them on my 2 yer lap.

[Tombie]

You guys need to get out more...

I can think of countless times where some form of “track” is the only way you’re going anywhere.

[Tins]

What do you mean by this?

Find a Y shaped branch ( OK, not many on a sand dune ), wrap your rope around it a couple of times, stick in the ground with the yoke up, stick another branch through the Y and use it as a windlass. Hard yakka but it works.

[Tins]

Find a Y shaped branch ( OK, not many on a sand dune ), wrap your rope around it a couple of times, stick in the ground with the yoke up, stick another branch through the Y and use it as a windlass. Hard yakka but it works.

And then there's this, although I reckon you could get hurt with this one.


https://youtu.be/QFDGGht3CQU

[Grahame Roberts]

Jees thats a lot of reading

sorry!

Hi Samblers
I can email a brilliant website that covers all you need to know about the Kimberley region. PM me?

[slug_burner]

I traveled from Vic and did William Creek, Tanami, GRR, Simpson etc.
If travelling alone you need more gear than when with others. Snatch strap and shackles will get you out of most failures to proceed as long as you have another vehicle to put on the other end. Good attachment point, tow bar and a couple of points on the front coming off the chassis.
HiLift. No
Knead two part putty to plug holes (fixed holed radiator after a D2 put the fan blade into radiator on a water crossing).
Hose clamps (you can hold things together with a couple of these)
A couple of hoses you can replace or cut up to Bodge a repair for hose you are not carrying. Fan belt.
Water I managed with a bladder from a yachting shop
Fuel, two jerrycans should do
Spare nuts and bolts and spanners
I carried a second spare but did not use any although others did shred tyres. One pers on our trip carried a tyre carcass others carried a tube. Both these require means to break the bead which I’d rather never have to do. It involves either violent club hammer and right angle steel chocks to break the bead, lots of bead breakers available commercially but I just carried a second spare.
Once you have a vehicle mounted winch you will avoid using a Tirfor, they are hard work. Snatch strap is lighter and you might have to wait for someone else to come along but it will get you out.
Rain will be your greatest enemy as far as getting bogged. Tanami, GRR to Kalumburu and Oodnadatta track turned to mud after a night of rain. Sometimes you just have to sit and wait for the road to dry and reopen.
I felt a little vulnerable on the comms side with just a UHF CB but am told that the cattle stations use them and you may pick one up on the radio if you breakdown. Despite what others have said a sat phone would come in handy if you had to get the flying doctor in to get a medical emergency out.

All the best

[Samblers]

Hi Samblers
I can email a brilliant website that covers all you need to know about the Kimberley region. PM me?

PM sent

[Samblers]

Snatch strap and shackles will get you out of most failures to proceed as long as you have another vehicle to put on the other end.

Thanks for the advice slug. Yeah, got snatch revery gear but you're right, wont help us if we're on our own. Still undecided about a winch - I guess a winch will only really help if pulling ourselves out forwards (or recovering someone else)

At the end of the day, the area of most adventure will be the GRR... which some have suggested will be not *that* much of an adventure, and also relatively busy (hence thread title; use of of "appropriate"...)

Perhaps we shouldn't rely too much on having others around to help us out...?



I felt a little vulnerable on the comms side with just a UHF CB ...

This is what we have. So far.

[Tote]

Gen 4 spot beacons are on special at tentworld Spot Gen4 GPS Satellite Messenger - Tentworld (https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/spot-gen4-gps-satellite-messenger?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-bPumfaa7gIVxn4rCh3XuAXcEAQYBCABEgKZ4_D_BwE)

Maybe a halfway solution for non critical comms to let people know where you are and that you are OK.

Regards,
Tote

[StewG]

Reading this thread has brought back memories of a solo four month half lap in a EH Holden panel van 50 years ago. Most of the equipment mentioned above was either not invented or too expensive in those days. I had a jack, wheelbrace, spare wheel, a few hand tools, a small shovel, 120 litre fuel tank, 2 jerry cans of water and canned food. The roads are also much better now than then. However, I would endorse much of what others have suggested for a modern stress-free trip on the lesser-travelled roads. The only trouble I encountered was one flat tyre, several occasions bogged and replaced wheel bearings - too many river crossings.

Fitting a tyre pressure monitor would be of benefit to minimise the chance of not noticing a flat until too late. It gives good peace of mind.