Explore Oz "Roadside Assist"?

Submitted: Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 17:46

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Flywest

Saw this idea on a US forum for F trucks.

The members "if they feel like it" offer to help fellow F truck owners - should they break down in that personal locale.

Typically - members post their problem as best they can determine it - the forum experts take a look and make recommendations as to what might be needed, and anyone of a mind to help in the location will pop out and maybe bring a spare part & tools or whatever to help the stranded person get mobile again.

I guess it works stateside due to the size of population and number of settlements located close together.

Maybe such an idea wouldn't work in Oz due to the lower population level, and vast distances, between settlements...

Just got to wondering reading threads from those who find thmselves stranded, and wonder if this forum (or a separate/specific one maybe) wouldn't work for all offroaders/4wd's and grey nomads in Oz etc

It might be that fellow travellers are only a day or so behind you and would stop to assist if passing your way if they see a post looking for some kind of assistance or collect a needed part in the nearest town as they pass thru?

Could / would it work here?

Just an idea for discussion - how could it be made to work - why will it never work?

I recall many years ago travelling with a CB Radio, and the many and varied people we met from all over australia and all walks of life - and who we "teamed up with" in convoys as we travelled - just to assist each other and have some company etc as we travelled.

It seems to me the internet and forums such as this have largely replaced the C B radio in many respects, so maybe such a forum could fulfill that fiunction now.

One guy (with his family - from victoria) we met was a pilot, and as we were parting company (we headed for pannawonica and he headed further north) he saw some cumulo nimus clouds and explained why he reckoned we were headed into heavy rain, and sure enough - by 12 hours later we'd encountered 5 inches in one shower and spent days up to our guts in mud and water!

Can forums such as this make exploring Oz just that little bit safer and more friendly experience?

For me travelling has always been as much about the people you meet along the way - as the places you see?

Comments/suggestions?

Cheers

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Reply By: nickb - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 18:22

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 18:22

On another forum, there is an on-going thread called Freight Service and anyone travelling posts up where they are going, when, how much space for transport etc. and others post what they want delivered where and when. Payment is usually beer/cash.

Seems to work well so maybe this idea isn't so bad?

AnswerID: 367795

Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 18:34

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 18:34

"Could / would it work here?"
It already works here quite well through the Australian HF Radio Network. Members who have had an accident or are broken down are not only assisted with advice over the air but other members often carry in parts, tools or fuel etc to get them out of trouble.
I doubt it would work as effectively through ExOz as the key to making it sucessful in Australia is communication. Around built up areas one is already covered by the Auto clubs or emergency services & in the areas we would need assistance the most (Outback) there is no phone or internet coverage.
Cheers Craig............

AnswerID: 367799

Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 19:59

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 19:59

It has already happened, in an ad hoc sort of way. But it was still very, very effective.

Have a look here:

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Follow Up By: Louie the fly (SA) - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 20:05

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 20:05

Beat me to it. That's the one I was talking about.

FollowupID: 635424

Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thoughtfully- Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 20:10

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 20:10

And also two other times that I can remember, one int eh Vic High COuntry and one int he Southern part of the Desert both succesful

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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 21:19

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 21:19

I can remember a two wheel drive that was stuck down a slope, that ultimately had to be professionally rescued though we had EO folks prepared to help get it out. It was some years ago now as Bonz says in the HC. The 2wd was supposed to be a 4wd and FORD paid out on the rescue ultimately.

The guy phoned me because he had my number, but I was seven hours away, but we took phone calls from people prepared to help that were closer with winches and all.

FollowupID: 635432

Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thoughtfully- Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 21:57

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 21:57

The Ford was in 4WD but the winch wasnt

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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:16

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:16

The FORD button didn't work that was supposed to bring in four wheel drive according to the owner. It was an Exploder that eventually drank water

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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thoughtfully- Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:17

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:17

hahaahh the original story was that the winch couldnt be made work..... I hadnt heard about the 4WD button lol

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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:29

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:29

That was what he told me. They eventually paid out on that too, plus the $1000 rescue. He was headed down hill and couldn't get up in reverse as you would expect with a rear wheel drive. Bit like the folks that head down the boat ramp near to me. LMAO

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Reply By: Louie the fly (SA) - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 20:04

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 20:04

I think the idea has some merit, and I think it already happens to some extent, as has been seen in some posts of bygone days. Like the one where a member's daughter (I think) had car problems in some far away place or something like that. If I recall correctly lots of people offered suggestions and ways to assist. I think someone from here went to the driver's aid.

Need to exclude 3.0 Patrol owners though, otherwise we'd never be home. (lol, only kidding!)

Louie

AnswerID: 367819

Reply By: Member -Signman - Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 09:46

Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 09:46

Just listen in to the VKS737 network !! Not only does the network operators do as much as they can to assist travellers with a need- there always seems to be a 'member' nearby that can offer advise or assistance !!
I know this help has got a lot of people out of the poo on a lot of occasions!!

AnswerID: 367880

Follow Up By: racinrob - Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 14:56

Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 14:56

Likewise, I'm a member of the HF Radio Club VKE237, a friendly and sociable club we have an Australia wide sked daily AM and PM, log in and report your position and have a talk. We're solo travellers so it's reassuring to know you can contact someone 24/7 if you're having problems. The HF radio also gives you access to a landline phone via one of the base stations, very rare you can't contact someone.
VKE237 Selcall 6678 Callsign VZL621

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 13:01

Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 13:01

A couple of years back, a call came from a member (Glen from Victoria from memory) at Voakes Hill on the Anne Beadell Highway saying his water tank was cracked, losing almost all his water, and he'd done vehicle damage. He had his young son with him, was travelling alone and hadn't seen another vehicle for some time.

He satphoned Willem, Willem put up a post because he didn't know that part of the GVD, and within 2 hours the member had advice to head south down the Cook Road to the nearest water tanks, 100km south. Had the member continued east, he wouldn't have found water for an other couple of days and his vehicle and trailer would have been buggered by the rough corrugations. The following night we heard back to say he was safe on the Nullabor bitumen.

AnswerID: 367911

Reply By: Member - Josh (VIC) - Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 16:38

Monday, Jun 01, 2009 at 16:38

So which one of you blokes wants to come and help if we break down in cape york lol. Help from this forum has got us out of trouble a coulpe of times, nothing major but saved a trip to the mech. Always happy to help a fellow traveller as I know what it is like to sit on the side of the road and wait for help.

Josh

AnswerID: 367963