Unprepared for Aussie bitumen roads

[leeds]

On my travels have come across a few examples of people not been prepared for travelling on Australian bitumen roads. Hardly surprising that people come unstuck on dirt roads if not prepared for bitumen roads.

Come across this

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/10/252.jpg

100 milesin any direction to nearest town and not a useable spare tyre!

Come across three vehicles out of fuel. Two of them blamed the fuel gauge. One guy said gauge told him it had enough fuel for 100km but it only did 80 km. Still would have not made next fuel stop as that was 30km away. Wondered if he told fuel gauge about the big box trailer he was towing. Said he didnt fill up at last stop as next was cheaper!!! What if next services had no fuel? One services I come across had a full bowser of petrol, but no working petrol pump!

Come across a cruiser with bonnet up and flat battery. Asked them how long they had been there, apparently overnight and it was midday when I pulled up. Quick jump start and off they went. Then I noticed pile of empty VB cans

Few mile down road I overtook them and got flashed at. Had a problem with diesel going through. Empty? No red light on. Will I follow them into Katherine? No problem

Few miles later they coasted to roadside so gave them another jump start. Off they went again. Another few miles, would I tow them into Katherine? Yes if you have a tow rope I said. Got a shackle out, turned round and saw all three of them sat in cruiser. Asked where their tow rope was and was told to use my rear synthetic winch line.

Now I do not mind helping people but not if they take the michael so I decided to leave them to their own devices. Maybe a bit harsh?

Now if people are so unprepared for the bitumen, no wonder people die when they venture off bitumen. They might get away with this level of unpreparedness in UK where fuel stops are 30km apart, temperatues are lower and mobiles work nearly everywhere

Regards

Brendan

[Slunnie]

Please dont think that all Aussies go touring with only 3 tyres. :(

:D


Sounds like you've been very kind to a few that Darwin was trying to weed out. :angel:

[The ho har's]

well I don't think you were hash:) If perhaps they had spent less on their beer and more on the vehicle they would have been alright;)


Mrs ho har:angel:

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Unbelievable!

Out of interest where these people largely "local's" or foreign tourists? If locals granted they should now better, but is there an element of "it'll be alright" attitude?

Clearly people's perception of "being prepared" and readiness vary dramatically!

[dmdigital]

Not unusual which is a said thing to say. Most people seem to only travel the long distances with a single spare tyre.

As for the fuel and tow situation, all too frequent on outback roads sometimes. Been stopped and asked for fuel a number of times, usually they don't ask for the spare as they see its not a Toyota or Nissan.

If I'd pulled over and seen the beer cans I wouldn't have bothered stopping, let them fend for themselves.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Thats what I thought - although the consequences aren't normally so severe, we get the same type of idiots driving massively un-preparred during the winter months over here.

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Probably locals Jon

Of the non reflective kind?? :wasntme:

[rangieman]

Dear i say they were not of european appearence:wasntme:
Locals i bet

[Psimpson7]

Dont blame you. I would have left them too if they had done that!

[leeds]

The jump start crew were locals. Did not see VB cans until after they drove off.

The 2 guys I spoke to who had run out of fuel, one was a Irish tourist the other a non indigenous Aussie.

I tend to stop if I see someone parked in an unusal place in Aus just to see if they are OK. Insurance really as I hope people will also do it for me

Regards


Brendan

[101RRS]

I keep on going when I see a young lady with a flat - they are quite capable of changing it themselves but most cannot be bothered learning - my sister-in-law is of the view that the NRMA will fix it or some cute guy will come along and do it for her - she has no plans to ever learn even something as simple as changing a tyre.

However having said that - I would normally stop and assist someone who clearly was not able to do it themselves - elderly etc.

Garry

[weeds]

a friend of the family stoped to help a lady out on the side of the road.....things didn't quite seem right, as he was driving off a brick came smashing through the rear door window, he didn't look back but guesssed it must have been a guy hiding in the bush

[PAT303]

I towed a new Prado out off the Vic high country once,it had broken down quite a few times before but they still went into the bush,on the same trip found a family with a flat tyre and the spare was flat because they forgot to fix it,another bloke without a jack,another with a wheel brace that fitted his standard rims but not his new mags,the list goes on.Of the last five people that died in outback WA two were driving X-trails and one a Rav4,you can't blame just the owners thou as they are led to believe that these vehicles can go all over any type off country. Pat

[dickyjoe]

I did the birdsville track back in 2006 and had three spare tyres. I used all three!

[justinc]

I do trip preparation and mods/ servicing for tassie LR owners leaving for big mainland jaunts, and I have had 'discussions' in the past with some who have refused to fit good quality tyres to their vehicles, in favour of 'spending the $ elswhere, like a new stereo':mad::mad:
Some don't realise just how hard the roads are on tyres and vehicles.
On the other side, I come across the good clients though that just say ' I want to get there and come back without worrying about my vehicle. I'll pick it up in a week, will Visa or Mastercard be OK?'
That leaves me with a good feeling. They trust my judgment and expertise, and above all they trust me with their money. It isn't MINE to spend, but it is important not to cut corners all the same. The cost of recovering a broken vehicle from a remote area and the ruination of a planned and costly holiday can never really be compensated for. Better for it not to happen in the first place.

Look after the vehicle and it will look after you.

JC

[Psimpson7]

I totally agree Justin, You need to do your utmost to ensure that you can get back to civilisation without aid from anyone else.

Basic tool kit, some spare parts and 2 spare tyres at least, along with ideally some basic mechanical knowledge.

I more recently and Sam's (Girlfriend) dad when she first started to drive made sure she could change a tyre, and check all the fluid levels and so on. Have got a bit beyond that now and she helped fit all the rear suspension last time it was off the 90.

Everyone should be able to perform basic checks and maintence. You are asking for trouble if you cant.

I have made sure she is aware of all the gauges and stops if she spots anything untoward, or any noises appear.

Some mechanical awareness can save your car!:)

Rgds
Peter

[DRanged]

Welcome to the Bogan factor.

These creatures roam the country side in crap vehicles aka Ford exploders, and rely on non VB drinking brain active people to pull them out of the s..t.
Unfortunatly they do breed, and grow up and end up on fraser Island towing a boat and bogged to the chassis in sand. Still they must have some sort of skill as they do have hand to mouth co-ordination.

God bless the Bogan

Justin

[Sprint]

geez...... i carry 2 spares on long trips and i've only got a bloody falcon!

[PAT303]

JC I would like nothing more than to give you my Defender for a week with an open cheque and have you go bumper to bumper but I would need it done just to get it to you!!. Pat

[Ferret]

I was driving south towards Alice Springs some time ago. Was flagged down by a group of locals about 30 k north of Barrow Creek. Had run out of petrol.

I had about 20l in jerry can so I gave them half. One of them said to me "Will this get us to the Creek". No problem I said you should be right.

So after firing up the ute they all jumped in (about 8 of them) and took off heading North. It then struck me they meant Tennant Creek about 200k North not Barrow Creek 30k South.

Somehow I don't think they would have made but then I don't think they really cared. Someone else would just come along with more fuel to give away.

[Sleepy]

Reminds me of a trip to Cape York many years ago.
We got about 3 days north of Cairns and one of our fellow travellers pulls out his 10 litre gerrycan (you know those little red ones you fill the lawn mower up with!) and says "I don't think I've got enough fuel".:Thump:

[Narangga]

SPRINT: geez...... i carry 2 spares on long trips and i've only got a bloody falcon!


Me dad did that in county SA with the old Holden's 40 years ago!

Some things run in the family :D

[Sprint]

lol i dont think his tyres wouldve cost his weekly pay packet though.....

[Utemad]

Check out where the jack is under the Explorer :D

[EchiDna]

.........told to use my rear synthetic winch line...

off topic I knwo, but....

in a 110 SW? pics please :)

[mcrover]

SPRINT: geez...... i carry 2 spares on long trips and i've only got a bloody falcon!


Me dad did that in county SA with the old Holden's 40 years ago!

Some things run in the family :D

A mate of mind to travel everywhere in a Datsun 180b SSS, all over Vic high country and even up to Darwin and cairns and over to perth.

His second spare sat behind the drivers seat for years and never was used but he always carried it just in case (along with one on a swing away on the back as it had a custom fuel tank which didnt have a wheel well in it any more).

When he decided to up grade the 180b he pulled everything out of it to flog it off to the wreckers and driving it down there the drivers seat colapsed.....the spare had been holding it up for years :D

For long trips off road Im set up to carry 2 spares and 2 gerry cans to go with the 135ltrs under the car.

Not planning on needing to scum fuel or a spare of anyone but If I have it and they are really in need of it then I suppose i could part with some of it.

But I would charge them.:p Im not that nice :twisted:

I once went to show Mrs Mc how to change a wheel on the Disco (she can do a car no worries) and I pulled the Jack out and it had crapped itself while sitting there in the engine bay so I still havnt shown her how to monuver a big wheel without hurting her self.

Thanks Dave (Blknight) for the rebuild PDF, it works again now but for how ling I dont know.:D

[leeds]

off topic I knwo, but....

in a 110 SW? pics please :)


Yes in a 110 CSW.

A lot of people say it can not be done because of rear door and fuel tank!

It can be done without interfering with door or rear departure angle.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/10/200.jpg

Not the worlds best photo.

The winch is a Warn 9.5 which is identical to my front winch. Solenoid pack is inside rear cab on left hand side. The winch is built into the rear cross member. Wiring from both winches go back to a single master switch and then back to main battery. Need to take about 50 mm of rear floor up which is then screwed to a reinforcing pop riveted plate.

Hope that helps.

Any questions feel free to ask

Regards

Brendan

[LSBob]

Hey Leeds and Yorkshire Jon

see if you can get a copy of the DVD from the ABC shop ABC Shop - Bush Mechanics - The Series (http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=723724) and more detail is at this site
Bush Mechanics! (http://www.bushmechanics.com/)

It was on the ABC a few years ago and will give you some idea of how the "bush mechanics" can get a bomb from A to B. It does show the advantages of the bog standard cars of 20 years ago over the more complex and sophisticated ones around now.
Of course you would not be able to drive these cars in Sydney, there the RTA and police have no sense of humour I believe.:nazibanned:

[dmdigital]

Hey Leeds and Yorkshire Jon

see if you can get a copy of the DVD from the ABC shop ABC Shop - Bush Mechanics - The Series (http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=723724) and more detail is at this site
Bush Mechanics! (http://www.bushmechanics.com/)

It was on the ABC a few years ago and will give you some idea of how the "bush mechanics" can get a bomb from A to B. It does show the advantages of the bog standard cars of 20 years ago over the more complex and sophisticated ones around now.
Of course you would not be able to drive these cars in Sydney, there the RTA and police have no sense of humour I believe.:nazibanned:

Following on from that I was stopped by an indigenous guy on the track some years back. Had an early 80's Commodore resting on the left hand wheels and 2 metre high stumps supporting it on the right side.

Me: you OK?
Him: Thanks for stopping, you got a 17 mil, I need to drop the gearbox
Me: :o - Got a shifter (my tools were buried in the back of the Disco)
Him: OK I'll give it a go, dropped a bolt into the flywheel when I was removing the starter motor.

Didn't work, but he said he wasn't in a hurry and someone else would turn up.

His "tool kit" consisted of two 20L oil drums with lots of broken ring spanners, screwdrivers and sockets and a collection of nuts and bolts.

This car had no radiator fluid, no air cleaner, no headlight lenses, no windscreen, and a bolt somewhere near the flywheel. He had the starter motor out because it wasn't working and then 7 days later I saw him driving it around town. He'd driven 450km of outback track, crossed 3 rivers each about half a metre deep, negotiated bulldust and corrugations.

All I can say is I've met a true bush mechanic!