Helping the totally unprepared.
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 19:06
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Andrew (Bris)
Got a phone call from a mate this afternoon. The situation was like this. Michael was bogged in his new four wheel drive. He thought he'd go out on his own and teach himself how to drive off-road. He'd managed to get the cruiser about 100 metres off the bitumen, and he was stuck. Mud up to the sills. Sticky, smelly black mud. Some blokes on trail-bikes, with a four wheel drive following them had come past, but didn't have the equipment (or inclination) to help. So he walked out to the highway, and waited.
No winch, no snatch straps, no jack, no experience, and definitely no idea.
I let him sit a few hours, and then went out to give him a hand. Would have let him sit a bit longer, but I didn't want to lose the light. Needed some light so I could get some photos.
Photos at www.andrewpanshin.fotopic.net/c917321.html
He's learnt his lesson, and will be shopping for a few accessories this week, and definitely won't be going out on his own again until he gets a little more experience.
On the way
home I saw two other solo vehicles
well and truly stuck only a short distance from the highway. Why do so many people with absolutely no idea decide to play off-road on their own? And should we be out helping the totally unprepared?
Reply By: Footloose - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:22
Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:22
I remember when I was just starting out, 4wds were few and far between. Most of em were Bland Rovers who'd wave to you (I had one also). I hope they still do that, it was nice.
Anyway I have had to dig myself out a few times etc etc. Had to leave it and walk 3k
home once till it dried out a bit.
I had no idea where it would go and where it wouldn't. I found out the hard way like your mate.
Got a Landcruiser stuck in a table drain at 1am once and had to walk/ hitchike
home (20K). I thought I had all the gear with me but didn't know how bottomless the drain was in the dark and rain. Easy with another vehicle and in daylight.
I'll help anyone I can. You never know when it might be you that needs a hand.
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Follow Up By: Member - Bware (Tweed Valley) - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:58
Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:58
Memories.....When I was a
young lad in the early 70's and Dad would take us camping in the swb Landcruiser (not sure what model), my brother and I would play 'spot the 4wd'. We would be lucky to count ten between
Sydney and the Nth Coast! There were only 'Datsun' Patrols, Landcruisers and Landrovers around. Occassionally you might see a Willies, Bronco, Scout. I remember Suzuki's and Range Rovers Hitting the market. In those days it was like some special club owning a 4wd and whenever one was passed all occupants would wave at each other. It WAS nice!
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