Outback Travel

Submitted: Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 20:49
ThreadID: 87509 Views:3086 Replies:5 FollowUps:5
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A recent 3 week trip through central australia, while very enjoyable, highlighted a couple of issues that other travellers should consider-:

1) Speeds on gravel roads - there are far too many cowboys out there that fail to slow down for oncoming traffic. In particular, those towing. Please slowdown. We had one cowboy in a LandCruiser towing a tandem off-road van shower us with rocks down the side of our vehicle! No surprise then to see two-vehicles on our trip with smashed side windows. But it was the guy in the Patrol towing an off-road camper that smashed our windscreen. Thanks mate!
People, please show some courtesy and slow down!
Please also be aware that tandem caravans/trailers, in particular, throw up a lot of stones.

2) Tyres. Judging by the numerous tyre carcasses scattered on outback roads it is clear that many people are still not getting the tyre message. However why is it that these people think it is ok to leave their tyres on the side of the road. You brought a spare with you, take your old one out! It is litter and rubbish just like anything else and should not be left to litter the ouback.
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Reply By: Dough Boy - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:08

Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:08
Hi fordtough
I am with you on this . I have made 3 trips into the centre and had 3 new windscreens ! Each time it has been a boofhead travelling in the opposite direct travelling just too fast !
Going to head up to the Cooper Creek Ferry in a few weeks and not feeling confident of coming back with screen intact , good thing my insurance caters for this !
AnswerID: 459697

Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:48

Monday, Jul 11, 2011 at 22:48
I agree too. It is a simple matter to ease-off the speed a little when passing another vehicle but quite a few do not ease their headlong rush at all.
I believe also that a contributor to throwing up stones is the power being transmitted through those tyres. Even if travelling at a reasonable speed, just lifting the foot during passing diminishes the effect of throwing stones up.

It is unlikely that we will ever have an effect on these speeding drivers but by reducing your own speed substantially will reduce the impact force of a stone hitting your windscreen. Certainly this is adopting what should be the other drivers responsibility but if you wish to protect yourself ......?

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Member - Bucky - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 03:39

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 03:39
I call them up on the UHF , if possible, and let them have it ....no neet do be that ignorant.

Whilst coming out of the road into Palm Valley, some moron driving a 4x4 tour bus sprayed us with rocks, ect. on a corner..driving like crazy !
He copped a burst, on the UHF, and I warned my mate about 1 km behind. He parked up in the middle of a norrow bit, forcing the tour bus to stop. When he did stop, the mate just drove off, smiled and waved .

He got another burst from my mate !

And justice for all !
Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID: 459707

Reply By: Rockape - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 06:52

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 06:52
I have submitted a thread the same as this before and I guess things won't change.

Yes, people towing are the worst offenders and I just drive straight at them, doesn't that make them wash off speed. I have lost 3 windscreens to 4wds with camper trailers on the back. I also have a very large dent in the leading edge of my bonnet from a rock, would have hated to cop that one on the windscreen.

You won't stop people leaving rubbish I am afraid, been happening since I was a kid and I guess it always will. Singapore seem to have it right.
Have a good one
RA.
AnswerID: 459712

Follow Up By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 10:28

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 10:28
G,day RA, X2.I also drive straight at them in the centre of the track with all lights on, not at speed, and with plenty of time for them to see me, as they slow down I move over enough to let them by and give a friendly wave, works every time.
These blokes never get any damage because most people slow down when passing them, or even stop.Luckily I haven't lost a screen in 15 years of outback travel.
Regards Keith C.
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FollowupID: 733326

Follow Up By: Rockape - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:12

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:12
Keith,
I do the same without the lights and give them plenty of time to have a think about it.
Lost my windscreens at 30 kph, 40kph and stationary.

Last time I posted some said they had a limited time frame to see Australia, well No1. you don't see much of Australia when travelling at speed on a dirt road and No2. if they had 5 mins less for lunch they would be able to slow for others and still be further down the track at the end of the day and No3. a little courtesy goes a long way

I leave for Townsville at 1 tomorrow morning and I will see if the pigs and roos can tag me, no 4wds towing at that time Ha Ha.

Have a good one
RA.
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FollowupID: 733337

Reply By: flashcher - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 11:54

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 11:54
Hi fordtough, just wondering if you were anywhere near the Woomera region in your travels? There is a guy missing out that way since the 21st June. Cheers, Michelle
AnswerID: 459729

Follow Up By: fordtough - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 13:45

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 13:45
Thanks all for the feedback and tips, I'll give them a try! I tow a TVan myself so I know what stone damage trailers can do - even to the back of your own vehicle. No Michelle, I wasn't in Woomera but we heard about that guy as we were travelling down the Oodnadatta track - scary. It wasn't me honest :-)
Cheers
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FollowupID: 733335

Follow Up By: flashcher - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:12

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 14:12
Thanks fordtough, it helps his family to know the information is getting out there - I would hate to be in there position. His dog was found on the weekend about 100 km's from where was last seen. She is in very poor condition but alive, lets hope they find him the same.
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FollowupID: 733338

Reply By: Echucan Bob - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 08:40

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 08:40
I agree that you should slow as you pass oncoming vehicles on gravel roads.

However, many don't. The worst offenders that I have noticed are:

1. people driving other peoples' cars - typically a Troopy fanging along at 130 barely touching the road surface (this is why Toyotas only last a year in desert communities),

2. a bunch of guys in a convoy, the leader too afraid to slow down in case his mates rib him

AnswerID: 459804

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