more of your great advice required...

[5teve]

Hi Guys

being new to the country (as you may well know) im wondering what precautions and equipment i need to take on a relatively long trip out.. we have some rellies coming over at xmas and thought it would be a good idea to go and do some sightseeing at places like the pinnacles etc.. not looked at how far it is yet but im guessing its a fair distance..

now being a pom.. everywhere you went you were covered by a motoring organisation.. and you were never more than a stones throw away from anywhere! over here however you are always a plane journey away from anywhere!

so...

what do i need....
what precautions should i take...
what supplies do i need
and what motoring organisation will cover me out in the sticks if the worst happens?

Thanks in advance...

Steve

[Iggy]

Pinnacles are easily accessed with a 2WD vehicle. Tarred roads all the way, and only about 3 hrs drive from Perth.
Cheers Iggy

[waynep]

In three words ...research research research ...find out about the area you are going into and determine the risks etc.

If you're going anywhere really remote ( ie you are unlikely to see anyone else for a few days ) a SatPhone is the best insurance ... there are a few places that hire them. Make sure you can charge it from the car and check it every day. As backup, always let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to return.

If you join any of the State Automobile Associations you are covered in every State in Australia. ( they have reciprocal arrangements ) It is probably worth spending the extra bucks and getting the top cover.

[Martin]

I agree that research is the best preparation you can do. Food and water adequate for the journey plkus a few days delay.

I take a good all purpose tool kit, and things like spare hoses and belts are very usefull. UHF worth while better still HF VKS / Satphone options.

[5teve]

and a decent first aid kit if going remote....accidents can happen anywhere

insect repellant
sunscreen...absolute must for pale skinned poms in the summer. Slip, slop, slap (slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen and slap on a hat) at all times out in the sun

hehe you should know any pale skin pom that has been here for more than one day will be bright red!

fortunately im not pale skinned.. but yes... all important stuff! other half wouldnt go anywhere without a first aid kit!

thanks for the info guys... i best do some research...

as for the roadside assistance... you mention the state automobile associations.. is the the racwa racv etc etc? i also have seen a 247roadservices too.. that seem reasonable... i just want a decent recovery company 'should' the worst happen.. and one tat will also pick us up out in the middle of nowhere if we need them too...

thanks

Steve

[Frenchie]

Mate, you haven't been here long enough if you think the Pinnacles are a long way out! :p

For really remote stuff:

Tell someone your plans in detail, and make sure they know to do something if you don't return!

More than sufficient water & food.

Reliable communications.

Recovery gear.

Basic spare parts.

Camera. ;)

[Michael2]

Mate, you haven't been here long enough if you think the Pinnacles are a long way out! :p

For really remote stuff:

....Camera. ;)

The camera is there to document your demise. It makes the coroners job easier, freeing you up for a swifter burial. :eek:

Royal Automobile Club (WA) are affiliated with RAC Clubs around Australia and offer to cover you anywhere you are. When I was in the Kimberley, the local RAC agent would drive 2 days out with a tandem to recover vehicles from the Mitchell Plateau. Having said that, when I needed some assistance in Central Australia, they tried several excuses about how I was too isolated for a replacement vehicle. I was a bit dissappointed that my top level cover got me typical insurance stalling tactics. - Still, if required they would have trucked the car and flown me home, so it wasn't a total waste of insurance.

It's a hot drive to the Pinaccles, carry plenty of water.

[crump]

Mate, you haven't been here long enough if you think the Pinnacles are a long way out! :p

For really remote stuff:

Tell someone your plans in detail, and make sure they know to do something if you don't return!

More than sufficient water & food.

Reliable communications.

Recovery gear.

Basic spare parts.

Camera. ;)

I always carry a deck of cards as well, just because someone is coming to get you doesnt mean that you will be sitting on the side of the track for a few hours, could be a few days, so learn how to play "Patience.";)

[4bee]

on the side of the track for a few hours, could be a few days, so learn how to play "Patience."

And someone is bound to come along, look over your shoulder & tell you, you've got a card in the wrong place.

Boom Boom.:D

[Blknight.aus]

Most of what Ive got to say has been covered but heres whats in big red or on the trailer.


basic recovery gear being a good jack+base plate, snatch strap, shackels, gloves and a pair of shovels.

Good first aid kit (get a st johns vehicle one)

food, enough long life stuff for 2 meals a day per person for the duration of the trip + 5 days

Water 10l per person per day + 5 days plan on having top up points and take enough to be able to skip the longest fill and still make the next one with a 3 day margin.

a couple of tarps,ropes, collapsable poles to make a shelter off the side of the vehicle.

A tool kit to let you sort out minor problems, 12v air compressor and a tyre repair kit (tubeless spaghetti kits dont need you to demount the tyre).

I have a UHF/VHF on board but a satphone is on the list for me.

[DeeJay]

I always carry a deck of cards as well, just because someone is coming to get you doesnt mean that you will be sitting on the side of the track for a few hours, could be a few days, so learn how to play "Patience.";)

I've shown a few people how to play pickup 52.:angel:

[Disco300Tdi]

If you do break down Steve stay away from sex

It drains the body of valuable fluid............

[4bee]

Otherwise known as taking the ****.:)

[Disco300Tdi]

Has Steve been warned about the deadly drop bears ???

[5teve]

Has Steve been warned about the deadly drop bears ???

are they the ones in the last continent? the book by terry pratchett that also covers some of the great aussie stereotypes? meat pie floater.. etc etc....

i may be a pom.. but i aint that stupid ;) not when i have wikipedia... :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_bear

thanks for all the invaluble.. and valuble advice guys.. i guess i need to buy a big electric cooler too... i'll let the missus read the posts then she can get everything organised :)

by the way.. is worth taking the car in to landrover as im not losing ANY oil.. and i have no drips anywhere... how am i meant to decorate my drive? mind you im losing a touch of water... maybe its leaking into the oil :) (i'll probably go out to a big puddle now...)

Thanks again....

[Wortho]

by the way.. is worth taking the car in to landrover as im not losing ANY oil

That's odd, Have you checked your oil you may be empty

[5teve]

That's odd, Have you checked your oil you may be empty

maybe i got the optomistic dipstick.. the one with a plastic dip on the end that looks like oil :)

lets put it this way... i was pretty shocked...

thanks

Steve

[Jamo]

we have some rellies coming over at xmas and thought it would be a good idea to go and do some sightseeing at places like the pinnacles etc.. Steve

Good move!! If my rellies were coming over I reckon I'd try and take off somewhere too!

[George130]

Good move!! If my rellies were coming over I reckon I'd try and take off somewhere too!:D:D:D

We have learn't one important lesson. Either don't travel with my sister or if you do stay real close. 2 out of 3 trips she and her Hubby have done here in Aus they have managed to stay within 10 metres of a murder scene. Each time its been while catching a couple of zz's in the car. They also had it happen in ythe UK. Park within 5 metres of the body.

[duff]

:D:D:D

We have learn't one important lesson. Either don't travel with my sister or if you do stay real close. 2 out of 3 trips she and her Hubby have done here in Aus they have managed to stay within 10 metres of a murder scene. Each time its been while catching a couple of zz's in the car. They also had it happen in ythe UK. Park within 5 metres of the body.


:eek: And you let them stay

:o Extreme case of sleep walking perhaps

Do elaborate:(

[George130]

They are just lucky I guess. Each time they have managed to arive after the murder or body being dumped but before it has been found. Has also meant they have to loose time with the cops to be excluded from the suspect list. Friends joke with them about being serial killers.

[p38arover]

If you join any of the State Automobile Associations you are covered in every State in Australia. ( they have reciprocal arrangements ) It is probably worth spending the extra bucks and getting the top cover.

I have NRMA Premium Care and my P38A has been flat-bedded home three times this year - the furthest being 200km - all for free.

Re survival gear, in my backpack I also have an EPIRB which some might consider overkill.

Ron

[p38arover]

Actually 4Bee I was deadly serious.....:)

And I think "getting on the ****" was what you were thinking :D :D

Nah. Isn't alcohol a diuretic so not recommended if you are low on water? I'd drink it if I was out of water. :D

Ron

[p38arover]

Ron...Getting on the ****

I was talking about drinking urine if you run out of water :o

I understood what you meant about the urine - I was referring to the "getting on the ****". :)

Ron

[Blknight.aus]

I have NRMA Premium Care and my P38A has been flat-bedded home three times this year - the furthest being 200km - all for free.

Re survival gear, in my backpack I also have an EPIRB which some might consider overkill.

Ron
Not at all, but most sat phones these days have an emergancy locator in them

[Jamo]

Yeah Ron, I don't think an EPIRB's overkill. I've got a Satphone, but there may be situations where it's not possible to physically go through the motions of calling up. The simplicity of activating an EPIRB makes it ideal for dire emergencies.

[dmdigital]

Always fill your windscreen washer reservoir with fresh water only (no additives) that way you have an emergency supply of water provided you haven't cleaned the windscreen too much.


EPIRB, SatPhone, UHF, good first aid kit, signal mirror, matches, leatherman supertool (or similar - Victorinox is better), LED torch (better battery life than standard torch)


Who else always carries a something usable as a Jack Stand?

[p38arover]

EPIRB, SatPhone, UHF, good first aid kit, signal mirror, matches, leatherman supertool (or similar - Victorinox is better), LED torch (better battery life than standard torch)

Who else always carries a something usable as a Jack Stand?

Jack stand? Yep - a piece of 3/4" plywood. Normally, it's my cutting board when I'm cooking.

Re a satphone, I can't afford one. I have all of the other items as well as a magnesium block and flint. I also have an orange safety V-sheet.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/12/75.jpg

I'd probably buy smoke flares for a really remote trip.

Ron

[George130]

Always fill your windscreen washer reservoir with fresh water only (no additives) that way you have an emergency supply of water provided you haven't cleaned the windscreen too much.


EPIRB, SatPhone, UHF, good first aid kit, signal mirror, matches, leatherman supertool (or similar - Victorinox is better), LED torch (better battery life than standard torch)


Who else always carries a something usable as a Jack Stand?
If you mean jacking plate I now have a substantial block of wood for that purpose.