Road side assistance

Well put VKS Romeo 4254
If he has a HF radio and is a member of VKS then I reackon thats about the best insurance one can have

OK maybe I was being too harsh and a bit cynical.

The answer is that there are AFAIK only the Auto Mobile Associations Australia wide who off roadside assist. They again may draw the line at 150km from a service outlet.

If you could get insurance it would be very expensive.

To best enjoy your trip make sure that your vehcile is in good order and well set up for the journey so that you minimise the chance of a breakdown.

I broke down towing a van on the way to Kununara (110k away)and used a borrowed sat phone to phone the RACQ, (Ultra plus member).

Whilst there was some initial problem due to the fact I was a Queensland club member , broken down in the NT and the nearest point of relief was in WA , eventually the demarcation problem was resolved and we were towed back (car on tray and van behind) to Kununara.

During trip back the driver said he had just got back from a job on the Gibb River Rd.

Our Ulta Plus entitled us to i think 120k free tow (it coswt me naught and I also had 5 days free accom and car hire whilst repairs carried out), so check out your local car organisation.

Towing company was part of "Kimberley Exhaust & Spring Centre" phone 08 9169 1463 , and they also did the repairs to my vehicle.

Pedro

Raymond,
Agree whole heartedly with your comments. Tripod never said he was going alone, or didn't know how to conduct basic repairs. We can't all replace a broken gearbox or tail shaft with fencing wire as I suppose the others can. He is simply asking a question on safety which we probably have all considered at some time. It was assumed by all the 'experts' that he is incompetent and therefore should not be venturing in to the outback.
I'm sorry but this is the reason I haven't become a member. I have seen legitimate questions asked on generators and vehicle problems etc. only to have 'experts' belittle people for trying to obtain information. I thought the the reason this site existed was so that we could all gain constructive advice, not to be berated for asking an innocent question.

Peter and Raymond,

Well said gentlemen, you get called a fool for not asking questions and in this case Tripod asks the questions and gets his legs cut off! I too would look at my motoring organisation first to see if one of their Plus or Ultra categories may help him out.

Peter,

"I'm sorry but this is the reason I haven't become a member".

Don't blame Members of ExplorOz, they are not sole "experts".

And sorry mate, your excuse for not becoming one is not valid.

Whether a member or visitor, a contributor on any topic has an equal status in providing input. The expertise, or acceptance of that input is usually established by individuals over a period of time and based generally on the quality or usefulness of the contribution, or subject matter, regardless of member or visitor status, or how old or young they may be, or whether they be male or female.

Hmmmmmm! I think his excuse for not becoming a member is valid, Sandman. Tripod asked an honest question only to be told "Stay home, stupid" by the experts. I know what my reaction would have been if one of my early questions had been responded to in a similar manner.

Wombat,

Without singling out any particular individual, being a member of ExplorOz does NOT automatically qualify that person as an expert in any form and on any topic whatsoever.

The information given and the way it is delivered, will generate acceptance (or otherwise) by others which may, over a period of time, qualify an individual as an "expert" on a particular topic.

If the excuse for not becoming a member is that you don't like the answers provided, Then why even bother visiting the site in the first place?

It is after all a public forum and public opinion, good or bad is what you will get.

John
Unfortunately your answer only reinforces my argument. A Forum is a place to ask questions and gain information. Too many times I've seen comments made about peoples questions etc. (and normally by the same members), that deride and denegrate other forumites for simply trying to gain some knowledge (if you don't believe me do a search for topics about generators for example, and read the responses). People were asking about fuel types and capacity etc and where howled down for being fools who can't live without power. They're are many different circumstances where power may be required. As far as I'm concerned I only comment on subjects where I might be able to assist the enquirer, and that may be by posting either a positive or negative responsive, but I don't denegrate the person for asking the question. Maybe I'm just a bit more tolerant than some others, but if people can't ask a genuine question (regardless of how it appears to everyone else), then why bother having the Forum?

Tripod I think you were originally referring to the Mondale World Wide Assist which as you stated no longer does 4wd recovery.
I think you will find that no one (RACV, RACQ etc etc) will cover you for any recovery on a road or track other than a 2wd road.

Cheers

Tripod,
Made for an interesting topic anyhow. I used to belond to World Care Assist. Only used them once when I broke a diff just out of Dalhousie Springs. They covered all the recovery costs, but then when I went to renew them the following year that had ceased providing 4wd cover. I have RACQ Ultra but like most others they seem to cover mainly on-road situations. It seems like you're pretty well covered anyhow with 2 vehicles plus your experience.
Have a good trip and if something does happen no doubt it will work out in the end
Peter