Wow!! How this site has changed!!

And you are dead right young Kev!! And I guess I have provided to much chaff since being a member as well, but in recent times it's almost like there is someone sitting on the fence with a Bazooka, ready & waiting to pull both triggers for no apparent (to me) reason!!

Anyway, at the risk of chatting, where have you been? Have not seen your ugly dial on the Forum for a while which I guess is a good thing! LOL

It was not directed at you Graham or any poster in particular, as stated I believe a large number , in fact the majority, of responses did not relate to the original question.

Most people asking a question usually would like an answer that fits within the ball park of their query. Most did not, just my opinion.

I agree that far too many get off topic and turn into a chat session between members who know each other personally.

The reason I answered cos in a thread the other night I ended a reply with "Whatever"
It only meant I was over it and whatever suited was fine.

It seemed to be taken by one as offensive.

Far from it.

I try not to "bag peoples gear" Everyone likes different stuff.

I prefer light stuff and as little as possible that will do the job

But some advice like I posted is better than none as in putting a heavy toolbox on an A frame.

Some dont know, some dont think and get to rue the fact later.

I will go and hide for a week.
LOL

probally my response Graham, i guess some people are happy to have no response at all, on some "other" forums now you can post a question and not get a single answer as after various post like this started and scared most away ... i would rather at least half answers on the right track rather than none at all ...... i think it is in line with the moon phase, maybe a woman thing, like the mods will be heavy at the same time maybe for a week then its get back to normal ......... forumites PMT/PMS
:-)

Nope not you.

No Pms PMT or Hangovers here. LOL

In that case I would have asked the maker.

Another thing is people (not you) dont ask the right question or ask such a general question its impossible to form an decent opinion.

Its not much good asking "what tyres to cross the Simpson" without a vehicle make and type and loading etc.

Or as recently " What vehicle to buy".

To do What, or where or carry how many.

Get the drift.

Cheers

Flynnie,

In answer to your bullbar question, just about all bullbars are either "winch compatible" or they are not. Normally basic bars cannot be "upgraded" to fit a winch.

In keeping with this, if you were planning at some later stage to fit a winch, you would be more prudent to buy a winch compatible bar instead of a non winch compatible bar. It would save you having to outlay more $$ to buy a complete new bar when you wanted to fit the winch.

Graham

The example was just for making the point. I have had the same thing on this forum but picked an example that was from elsewhere. Thought that would be safer and not offend people who had answered some of my questions on the forum.

To discuss the example of the roo bar is getting off topic. But I did ask the maker. In the end I had to guess. Same sort of thing that happens on the forum.

No doubt that some questions asked on the forum are very vague and hard to answer. I usually skip them entirely or wait until more info has been supplied. Others who are more patient than me do try and help.

When it is a safety thing I sometimes do answer the half baked questions and sometimes cop a bit of abuse. "Can I tow a camper trailer across the Simpson Desert?". To me anyone asking the question that way does not have the experience to do it. Unfortunately they often do not have the life experience to interpret the conflicting answers they are given either. Still I will answer that sort of question as best as I can because safety is involved.

Flynnie

One should also remember that replies are only personal opinions and are often not completely reliable.

I prefer to research the things I want to know and only ask as a last resort.

Having had quite a bit to do with some stuff I feel qualified to offer replies.

On specific technical things I always think it is better to go and see an expert

and get the true facts rather than ask a facelessforum of unknown qualities.

Some advice is very very good and some, well really not so good

especially when it comes to loads carried in vehicles and vans..

Yes any advice where safety is concerned is good especially as we can see

from some questions the poster apparently has few clues as to what is

advisable and what may kill them and their family or passengers.

I have possibly been outspoken on weights and safety but would hate to think advice or none, got an insurance claim denied.

Its all up to yourselves, sift through and make up your mind, its your money your life tochoose what you do with both.

Cheers

What Flynnie says........... "Modern Age. Attention spans have got short. People don't read what is there, identify the key parts of the question and answer them in a logical sequence. They seem to scan the question, pick out a few words and then give an "answer". Then there are the trolls and people who argue the opposite for the sake of it. Others latch on to something not central to the question and hijack the thread. "

... so so true.

I agree. This post has also provided many and varied opinions.

I agree with you Craig, and with respect to the original poster, he /she didn't say if they had a Jayco Dove or a Bushtracker whatever length and nothing about a towing vehicle. Also nothing about how many people travelling.

So. in that context, it is a bit hard to give advice that is relevant and useful to the poster.
Most advice was what works for the particular person replying to the post.

I am not knocking the original poster, but it is a bit hard to read between the lines about what setup they have already.
If there was a bit more information, then maybe people with a similar rig might be able to offer some input.

Dave

Storm in a tea cup....

that is a "tea cup in a storm" thank you lol ..... just someone bored on a sunday night and wanting to stir up a few people, all quite funny to read and harmless, life goes on, end of the day if ya dont like it turn it off and maybe that is the hard to do thing ...... addicted to xplroz ..... lamo

Storm in a teacup!

Dave,
I am not logged on as a member at the moment cause I am at work.

yesterday there was someone asking about 70 series cruisers, I didn't bother replying, I have done so before but because I drive mine utes (I also have owned cruisers and still do) I got the "they are mine utes and anything that breaks on them is not relevant".

I pretty well know what fails on all of them the failure is just accelerated.

See cruisers now have no problems at all. I know where you are coming from with the Cooper/Bfg thing.

Have a good one.

I have been a member for almost two years now. After joining E.O. I put up my first Post. I simply asked the question " I am planning a trip to Cape York "
I drive a Nissan Xtrail and will be towing a Tvan. The advice that Member gave me was so valuable, for someone that had never driven a 4wd or towed a caravan and was going to drive 4000 ks on their own. The information received gave me the confidence to try something I had never done before. I met so many people on that trip that were so helpful and gave it willingly. from that trip I dropped into St George for the 2099 Gathering and the 2010 Gathering in W.A, From their I joined a 4wd Club. Of all the questions I have posted on this Forum, I have never known any one to not give an answer that was not helpful. Thank you those who have given advice. It has made my last three years a pleasant journey around Australia

Thanks David and Michelle

I personally have no issues and I was highlighting the fact that members should tell you IF they do.

No good whining about it etc etc.

I think you do a great job by the way and I love this site.

Cheers Baz

Thanks Michelle, my post was prompted by an element of people who just seem to be waiting to pounce on those of us who may not have things just "so so" and they come across in such a belittling way, making you feel as if you are inferior to them rather than the Forum intention of sharing their knowledge & experience. It reminds me at times of the old days when the school teacher gave you a bit of a "lecture" LOL . My comment in this regard is supported by by MM & Email from others who feel the same.

It is therefore daunting at times to pose a question, your need of asking the question is driven by lack of knowledge on the subject, hence the reason for asking in the first place. Many of us are not experienced in presenting our problem to others via a keyboard which adds to the lack of information needed by others to help them out. An example being a recent post whereby someone titled their post in capital letters, only to be told by a responder that he was to loud & therefore they could not offer assistance!!

The vast majority of responses are helpful & we overcome the lack of info provided by the OP & we are eventually are able to help them out by asking them questions in order to gain the necessary info to be of assistance. But there is this element that seem to be just waiting to "correct" those that don't quite have the mickey mouse gear or no all the rules. That's fine if they have the knowledge and they probably do, but must they present it in such a "I am superior to you" attitude? That's my beef & all's I wish is that they would put away their Bazooka & maybe be a little more tolerant of those of us who do not have all the answers and maybe not able to present ourselves via the keyboard in a manner that those of us are more accustomed to.

This site has been good for me & I will certainly be remaining a member as well as frequently checking it out as I'm addicted to it and would encourage others to stick with it as well. The Bazooka brigade are like a fart & eventually the bad smell will go away!!
Thank yo all for your responses, I have come under a bit of fire & probably deservedly so, but I stand firmly by my above remarks. Take care & happy & safe travelling

Hi Liveit,

Don't take this wrong way, however EVERY 4wd/travel/etc forum i have seen will treat a question in a similiar way....some good information, some useless information, and some information that probably thrown in to fill the void in the space/time continuum. :)

Our job is to decifer the information and gain what we need from the thread, with followup questions appearing in many cases. :) The "I use this, have that" posts can be handy as they show a real life experience hopefully of the product/location being discussed.

Stay around and give it another go, there are many on here who are friendly and do have some useful information. I find the variety on information and/or locations handy and am always learning from others. Many of the trips and locations undertaken by those on here are nothing short of inspirational, even though time/finances/life may get in the road of our plans. :)

Andrew