Most useful accessory on a bush trip ?

Submitted: Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:24
ThreadID: 23382 Views:3625 Replies:29 FollowUps:32
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What's the most useful accessory you've bought ? The one that you think thank goodness I bought that before I went away ?
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Reply By: Richard Kovac - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:26

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:26
The troopy
AnswerID: 113328

Follow Up By: Rod W - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 09:30

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 09:30
Right-on
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FollowupID: 369614

Reply By: Member - John - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:28

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:28
"Baby wipes", not really an accessory, but the most useful thing I have ever taken camping..................
John and Jan

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AnswerID: 113329

Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:34

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:34
I used them when out kids were little to see how much red dirt was on my face :))
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FollowupID: 369594

Follow Up By: Rod W - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 09:30

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 09:30
Use em on the other end there're even better.
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Reply By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:38

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:38
The wife, of course.
AnswerID: 113332

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:41

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:41
You BOUGHT your wife ? Shhhhh....
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:28

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:28
Maybe he got a better quality one than those free ones? :)

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: ev700 - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:49

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:49
Something you get for free that departs with your assets.

No warranty on performance either.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:52

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:52
The double-walled plunger doesn't make coffee all by itself in the morning :)
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FollowupID: 369491

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 23:32

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 23:32
The variety of things on Ebay is huge.... do you 'BUY NOW' or set a low price and get bidding for a wife and hope she come in under budget??
Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

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Follow Up By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 08:46

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 08:46
There were no other bids..... so I got her reasonably cheap. Freight took a while though. I left a negative testimonial because of the 4 week delivery.....
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FollowupID: 369535

Reply By: Member - Banjo (SA) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:45

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:45
Baby wipes are .... well...good, but the biggy is my LED headlamp - so damned useful - you have light wherever you go ... good enough to read the paper and the batteries last for bl....dy ages ! So efficient .... so valuable ..... but you have to have one that swivels down for the reading !
AnswerID: 113334

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:47

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 15:47
Hmm...can't see myself wandering the bush looking like Indianna Jones :))
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 01:22

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 01:22
2nd that, got one with 8leds and 4 on low - so usefull
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Follow Up By: Utemad - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 01:46

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 01:46
I just ordered a 12 LED (I think) headlight from EBay. Can't wait to try it out!
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 16:42

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 16:42
What's the most useful accessory I've bought ?

The most recent one:-))
Bill


I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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AnswerID: 113339

Reply By: Patrolman Pat - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 16:47

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 16:47
Long handled shovel.
AnswerID: 113342

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 16:53

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 16:53
Yes, never thought of that as I've always carried one.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:27

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:27
I've always used a robust garden type digging spade and found that to be excellent. But I know a lot of people prefer long handled shovels - why do you (presumably) think they are better?

Mike Harding

PS. Going to delete this post too guys? Why not delete them all?
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:32

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:32
Mike, I've always used a garden one, and compared to the fold down ones they are long handled. The real long handled ones are hard to carry inside the vehicle.
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Follow Up By: Patrolman Pat - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:35

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:35
Mike I long handled shovel will do anything a shorter one will do, except fit in the back of the car ; ) but will reach further under a bogged car, hence my preference.

As for your PS I noticed one of my posts has gone missing, I assumed I didn't send it before closing a window earlier. Not sure why it disappeared, was just a reasonable reponse to a driving related problem someone was having. Weird stuff happening in EO land.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:49

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:49
Yes I can appreciate a long handle one will be better for reaching further under the vehicle but as you guys mentioned they are a bit hard to get inside the vehicle - think I'll stick to the spade :)

Pat:
No, the site owners had a little tantrum last night and deleted two complete threads. Possibly more - it's hard to know what's been censored unless you happened to see it before it was.

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 14:00

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 14:00
Pat and Mike, I have seen the cr@* that one got up to and it was utterly unnecessary so not hard to understand why it could be moderated. I am not saying you guys did that though or caused it.
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Reply By: G-wizz - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:07

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:07
Bottle opener and ear plugs.
AnswerID: 113349

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:12

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:12
Because of the missus, kids, car or so you can sing and not hear the comments ? :))
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:12

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:12
A wire hook to pull billies and camp ovens on and off the fire.

Hang on.........I made that :-))

Cheers
Phil
AnswerID: 113352

Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:34

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:34
Phil, that hook is probably useful if you get any spinifex under the vehicle.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:37

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:37
Footy,

Yep - everything's got to have more than 1 purpose :-))
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 01:26

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 01:26
try this to win a carton next time use the wire to pull thebilly off then use a bare hand to place on the bottom of the billy and pour the cuppa, The heat is convected up and away from the bottom by the boiling bubbles but it must be done quickly as the heat distributes quickly after removal from the fire
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Reply By: Max - Sydney - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:13

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:13
Cask of red!

:-))
AnswerID: 113353

Follow Up By: Exploder - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:29

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:29
Doubles as a pillow when empty Hay
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FollowupID: 369494

Reply By: Member - toohey - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:14

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:14
satellite phone
AnswerID: 113354

Reply By: Member - Jiarna (SA) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:33

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:33
A decent 12V air compressor
Those who say something cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

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AnswerID: 113358

Reply By: Mike Harding - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:34

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 17:34
In no particular order:

Amateur Radio gear.
Chain saw.
The shower.
Tripod and bucket to heat water for the shower.
Big screen house when the flies are out.
Self inflating matress.
My home made loo.

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 113359

Reply By: Crackles - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:22

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:22
Leatherman Supatool. Would use it 5 to 50 times a day from opening a can to lifting the billy off the fire.
Cheers Craig.............
AnswerID: 113364

Reply By: Member - Browny (VIC) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:29

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:29
The Barbie plate with the fold away legs for me, invaluable I reckon for cooking around the camp fire, usualy sit mine just of the main heat and use it to sit pots frypans etc on while trying to get the timing right when cooking, mine has half mesh so not bad for toast either.

Browny
AnswerID: 113367

Reply By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:59

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 18:59
A pair of Al's heavy duty welding gloves :))
AnswerID: 113373

Reply By: Nudenut - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 20:16

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 20:16
the fridge..its keeps the cray, icecream frozen and makes ice for the amber nectar
AnswerID: 113383

Follow Up By: madcow - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 13:32

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 13:32
gee that took a while to come in. fridge for me also. maybe not everyone runs a fridge?
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Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 20:25

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 20:25
There are quite a few expensive items, but in the cheap range the 2 that spring immediately to mind are:

Spring handled camp oven lid lifter from Aussie Disposals, use it for almost everything around the camp fire, lid lifting, billy lifting, lifting hotplate on/off the fire, poking the fire etc.

Bush kettle ...... fantastic!
AnswerID: 113384

Reply By: Troopy Travellers (NSW) - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 20:50

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 20:50
The light weight stool that doubles as a foot rest so I can sit and drink my glass of red with my feet up while my dinner is cooked for me!!!! LOL. Can also be a drink and snacks table and/or a seat for an extra guest. Carolyn
AnswerID: 113392

Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:13

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:13
With service like that I can see why you'd attract guests ! :))
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Reply By: Lyds - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 22:52

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 22:52
steel mallet - to slam those pegs hard and fast!

AnswerID: 113411

Reply By: equinox-Kings Canyon - Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 23:30

Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 23:30
1. GPS
2. Satphone (though hired)
3. Scale ruler
4. Bead breaker
AnswerID: 113422

Reply By: Davo - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 00:24

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 00:24
My Suggestion:
The Engel
not having tow worry about ice is a godsend.

If you're assuming that's already in your default list, then the next one is my 150L water bladder that sits across the rear footwell.

My next thing to get will be a hot Water Shower...small comforts make a big difference.

Cheers,
Dave
AnswerID: 113427

Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:15

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:15
Have a peek at this, no wonder I don't have a weak bladder :))
http://www.4wdoffroad.com.au/funny.htm
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 08:10

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 08:10
The most useful accessory we've bought would have to be our camper trailer for sure!
Reasoning here?

Last year we went camping in the tent four times, Australia Day to Fraser Island, Easter to Rover Park, ANZAC to Levuka and August to Aratula.....

We bought the trailer in January and since then have been for weekend trips to Bribie Island, Inskip Point, Canungra (twice), Gorge Station and a week's sojourn on Fraser Island..... June weekend we are off to 'Cruiser Park and then to Kingaroy for an overnighter on the way home.
We haven't planned any further ahead than that yet.. :-)
AnswerID: 113433

Follow Up By: Redback - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 15:25

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 15:25
Yep campertrailer for us too, like you mate we have traveled heaps since getting our camper, done 12,000ks and been away 12 times this year alone with our trusty campertrailer in tow.

Wollondilly River
Lithgow
Newnes
Hill End (twice)
Murry Sunset (EO gathering)
Sunny Corner
Watagans (twice)
Bendethra (EO gathering)

Baz.
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Follow Up By: Redback - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 15:27

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 15:27
Thats 10 times with the camper 2 times without to Dark corner and Wheeny creek, derrr.
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FollowupID: 369652

Reply By: John - Qld - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 18:25

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 18:25
Tent peg puller - custom made with longer handle.
AnswerID: 113468

Reply By: Rick (S.A.) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 18:33

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 18:33
Imagine being miles for anywher & losing the ignition key. What are ya gunna donow???????????????

It could have dropped out when you got out of your swag/went to the dunny & dropped ya daks/misplaced it while shopping/lost in the dirt around your campsite/a gazillion other possibilities.

That is why I nominate a SPARE ignition KEY.

spare key HAS to be kept by a passenger.................not by you. You idiot, you just lost one, no reason why you won't lose another.

:-))), but also serious. I ask for my spare key back only when we get home & that passenger alights for the last time on that trip.
AnswerID: 113469

Follow Up By: MarkTheShark - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 18:46

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 18:46
I agree Rick. I worked for several years in the outback and this was one of the most common problems - even with people locking themselves out of their vehicles. I always suggest having a spare key wired under the vehicle in some hard to see place.

Mark
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FollowupID: 369573

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:13

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:13
Hi Rick,

Even more important with the Transponder keys on the later vehicles - need a spare in case the thing stops working.

Cheers
Phil
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FollowupID: 369590

Follow Up By: Tonester - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 11:52

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 11:52
Absolutely. Remote campsite in the Otways in 1998, mate had a falcon sedan on gas. His girlfriend locked the keys in the boot. Big ass-ed gas cylinder sitting behind the back seat, no way could we reach them. It was a model that also prevented popping the boot at the console without ignition. Mmm. Somehow was lucky, the other mate's mate was an ex-autoelectrician, he worked it out in few hours.
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FollowupID: 369629

Reply By: erekka - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 19:03

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 19:03
I am sure everyone will laugh, but I drive about 30,000km a year and I can't do without my bright blue cancer council fingerless driving gloves.

Not only do they meant that I don't worry about getting the backs of my hands sunburnt (hopefully reducing skin cancers) but they are great when the sreering wheel and gear stick are boiling in the middle of summer in the middle of desert and freezing cold in theose early mornings, but they are great protection for pulling out the spinifex to light a fire...

AnswerID: 113481

Reply By: dirtdodger - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 19:11

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 19:11
The most useful accessory?

That short little lever thingy that sticks up out of the floor beside the gear stick!
Can't do without it.
AnswerID: 113484

Reply By: Steve - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:09

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:09
Mattock !!!

Tent peg puller, hammer, pit toilet maker, shovel substitute, ground leveller, log splitter, fire puter outer! , can crusher, ...the list is ..well can't remember them all !!
AnswerID: 113508

Reply By: Muddy 'doe (SA) - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:24

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:24
A good one for me is the 12 volt double flouro light (pirahana or similar).

When I started out in this camping game I was using a gas light. was pretty good but awkward, heavy, noisy, potentialy dangerous.

Now i have my 120amp hr second battery and my flouro light. soooooo much easier. bright laight, lasts all night, safe as well.

Muddy
AnswerID: 113510

Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:32

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 22:32
Yep, a good camp means a good light. I use one for doing stuff around the car after dark, but still use torches in the tent itself. In fact I always have 2 torches inside the tent.
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FollowupID: 369593

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 13:37

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 13:37
Gotta be the Pressuare activated water pump.

When we go away NOTHING get's used by us or the people we go away with more than the water tap haning off the back of the car.

Pressured water in the middle of the bush is just so handy, you use it for things you'd never even thought you'd need it for.

Next the fridge/cooler, then the lights, then yadaa yadaa yah.
AnswerID: 113563

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