Sand flag mounting
Submitted: Monday, Jul 27, 2009 at 22:20
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71031
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viz
Folks - got meself in a bit of a tizz about sand flags. Some I have looked at are scary expensive and the mounting system a little questionable. I have an alloy bullbar on a 2000 Cruiser and the plate on top of the bumper bit will not support a mount, especially a heavy sold glass rod doing over 30 km/hr (or how fast would you go between dunes???). And I do not have an extra aerial mount.
One I have seen by 4X4 has a triple clamp system, but still relies on mounting on said plate.
I have though about using a split fishing rod blank and get the missus on the sewing machine to make up the flag. I got an old Alvey somewhere. But mounting it still is an issue...
What on earth is a "Wogpole"? Looked up on the net and it seems to be some sort of tadpole... - not someone from.... (
well lets not go there...!). And where do I get them from?
viz
Reply By: Member - Effie C (NT) - Monday, Jul 27, 2009 at 22:31
Monday, Jul 27, 2009 at 22:31
Sand Flags
Available from the ExplorOz
shop
AnswerID:
376511
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Jul 27, 2009 at 22:37
Monday, Jul 27, 2009 at 22:37
Ducttape it to the bullbar - never comes loose.
And a bit of tape around the join so it doesn't come apart.
AnswerID:
376513
Reply By: Member - John Baas (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 00:44
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 00:44
Chk out thread 68942 which I started under a prev. nom de ploom.
I still haven't got one sorted as I won't need it till June next yr.
However, TJM in Willagee WA suggested a (I have RhinoRack square section bars) a RR rack mounting bracket with a 1 1/2 m sandflag mounted on the bar - about $120 for both, with an additional optional bayonet $50 fitting for quick release.
Haven't followed it further, and I think it's too pricey, but I liked the concept of getting it away from the bullbar onto the roof bars with release.
Cheers.
AnswerID:
376522
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 06:47
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 06:47
I use cable zip ties on my surf caster and is already mentioned some duct tape around the join.
KK
AnswerID:
376526
Reply By: Smudger - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 07:34
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 07:34
I had an old 12 foot fishing rod duct taped to the bullbar. Didn't come loose, had to cut it off at Dalhousie. Still use the rod.
AnswerID:
376529
Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 08:05
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 08:05
A Wogpole is a squid fishing pole. Has no eyes or runners. Can get them in a telescopic version. I have a 15' telescopic wogpole that I use for my sand flag. I bungy cord it to the spare on the back.
AnswerID:
376530
Follow Up By: Member - Timbo - Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 at 18:31
Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 at 18:31
John, I haven't seen your flag in action, but seeing it in your profile
pic I'd question the effectiveness of a rear-mounted sand flag...
In your photo: if you follow the gradient of the sand
hill in front of you, the flag would become visible only a moment before the front of your car does.
Image Could Not Be Found
Ok, so I've drawn the line at ground level, the driver of the oncoming car will be 1 - 1.5m above the ground while he's driving, but the diagram is also assuming the 'mast' remains straight while you're driving - it appears your photo is taken while the car is stationary and (unless the photo was taken with a really wide angle lens) the mast looks like it's flexing considerably under a breeze that's not strong enough to even fly the flag!
FollowupID:
644259
Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 07:42
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 07:42
True it does flex a bit and that's why it's so tall. Using your logic a 6ft flag mounted on the bullbar would be hardly any better off. That one is mounted there 'cause of the lack of a suitable mounting point on the Smartlbar. I realise it's not perfect but few are. I've since purchased a Rhino roof rack so before my next desert trip I'll probably look at mounting something on that.
BTW, there's no way any 4B could climb up that part of Big Red ;-)
FollowupID:
644330
Reply By: Member - TonBon (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 08:47
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 08:47
i too was shocked at the prices for sand flag kits so gave this some thought. It dawned on me that i will be putting a 1200mm UHF aerial on the front of my truck, which will be the perfect flagpole for an ExplorOz sand flag to be attached to :-)
Tony
AnswerID:
376537
Reply By: John Davies - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 11:20
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 11:20
Duct tape a 500mm length of 40mm diameter pvc conduit to the upright on your bullbar then drop your squid pole into it when needed. Tape it so it doesn't jump out.
Regards
John D - Defender 110 2.4
AnswerID:
376554
Reply By: viz - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 12:40
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 12:40
Sometimes the answer just stares at you and you don't see it.
One fishing rod (split), one fishing rod holder, lots of tape and we are laughing.
Got a 14' rod somewhere - will do the job nicely.
Thanks to all
viz
AnswerID:
376560
Reply By: Member - Allan B (QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 13:38
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 13:38
I previously used 25mm heavy duty
orange conduit but have just changed to a sand-flag purchased from ExplorOz. Bit exxy but looks good to me.
It is strong construction from fibreglass in three telescopic sections. Take a look at it in the
Shop.
Have made observations of many sand flags and not too impressed with some. Those that seem to be made from fishing rods bend back significantly at just 10kph or so and the flag becomes very low at the rear of the vehicle. I doubt that the driver is even aware of the position of the flag and it is rather useless for its intended purpose.
I would suggest that the users of flexible poles such as fishing rods or antennas get someone to drive their vehicle while they observe the flag reaction.
I also tried a flag on my HF antenna but it bent back alarmingly on its spring base when speed picked up a bit in the swales.
HOWEVER, with the rather rigid fibreglass pole from ExplorOz (or elsewhere) one would have to be careful not to drive under a tree or overhead obstruction. It has no flexibility.
It may be foolish to be too cheap when selecting a sand-flag when you consider the consequences of it not being seen by the other vehicle approaching a dune crest. Bear in mind too the increasing number of motor cyclists hurtling over the dunes ..... they carry NO flags so you had better hope that they see yours or you may get a new bonnet ornament!
AnswerID:
376562
Reply By: Member - Netnut (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 15:40
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 at 15:40
G'Day Viz,
I, too, was horrified at the price of the commercial sand flags. I used an old two-piece surf rod that I got from an opportunity
shop for $5. I cut off the ferules, exept for the ones I needed at the thin end for attaching the sand flag. To get a better finish, I bound each part where the ferules had been mounted with electrical tape.
I attached a bolt through the base of the bullbar where a hole had been drilled to mount a driving light. The bullbar was protected by some rubber washers. I then drilled a hole up the handle of the fishing pole to receive the bolt section which protruded above the base of the bullbar.
The top tube of the bullbar was wrapped with a short section of rubber for protection of the paintwork. This rubber banding was held on by two largish radiator clamps. I then used an occy strap to hold the top of the sand flag against the bull bar. Tape was added where the pole was joined to avoid having the it come apart unexpectedly.
The flag was made from a red reuseable shopping bag - I have a wife who sews - and I did some amusing graphics with a paint pen.
The pole travelled inside my ute canopy held up to the underside of the roof with some velcro strips.
Go the home solution !
Netnut
AnswerID:
376571