do we need a winch & GPS

I always find that if I don't take something that I considered..... I'll need it after all!

Lorraine are you travelling on your own ? if so some sort of recovery winch is possibly needed . If your with a group a few snatch straps will get you out .

Have a good trip.
Eric

A gps is handy for being able to give an exact location should something go wrong, wether that be by long range comms (preferred) or by flagging down another vehicle and writing down the coordinates for them to arrange helop at the next town!! Far better than saying "126 kms after the big tree near the river".

Lorraine, With a small amount of common sense you will do fine without all that stuff. If alone don't go anywhere off the beaten track where there's a chance of getting stuck. Do carry a snatch strap at all times so others can help if you do manage to bog and carry a long handled shovel so you can help yourself. Carry sufficient water and food for a few days delay.

If your map reading skills are any good a GPS is really only novellty value. (ETA to the next town etc)
Winching in sand is hard work whether it be electric or Tirfor. Far better to travel with another car and use a couple of straps. Craig............

I agree with Crackles to a point.

I travel alone 99% of the time and have an electric winch and bullbag, Hi lift jack, bottle jack, puncture repair kit etc. I also have a GPS(a handy toy) but we crossed the Simpson in the days before the GPS became popular( a north south crossing 500km off road) and with good mapreading skills and the use of a sextant we completed our journey successfully.

Two weeks ago I met a couple in the middle of Little Desert NP, Victoria. We stopped for a natter and he asked me to explain how to work the GPS. It was as useful as a lump of wood in his hand.

Do your research, prepare your vehicle properly and don't take unnecessaary risks. Remember to carry enough water with you and try not to overload the vehicle.

A tirfor winch is a handy tool but you will have to be strong and very fit to use one.

Cheers

Lorraine ,I have carried a Turfor for a couple of years now and so far have not had to use it , but its there it doesnt take up that much room ,I also carry first aid box which hasnt been used but one day one of these items may save my life or someone elses .I dont know how many times on trips I have heard people" say bugger I wish I had packed ...this or that... its at home in the shed".
Just my 2 cents worth

If someone offered me a Tirfor at a realyy good price I'd get it, but I've never needed a winch yet.
On the other hand knowing where you are is more than just a safety issue - to me half the fun of the trip is looking at the maps and knowing where you are going. I look back on my preGPS trips and most of the time we where half lost and pressing on in hope.
So if I could afford one of the above it would be the GPS every time.

Lorraine, you do not need a winch or a GPS to travel thoseparticular roads - you certainly do not need them for the French Line - the road goes east-west or west-east directly. Camerons Corner to Birdsville is on well marked roads also. I travel the SD a lot - I don't have a winch. Should I go to the Gulf or Cape - yes, I would consider it. Should you get bogged in the SD - you HAVEN'T LET YOUR TYRES DOWN ENOUGH. (Sorry, I was shouting).

While those that say you dont need a gps are quite right- people didnt stumblr round aimlessly before their invention they are a great gadget and have have more uses than making sure you are on track. I have a garmin etrex which has all the basic features and for the price they are these days the question is not why but why not- just the thing for the directionally challenged such as myself!