exau bne-aora-planning

Lots of little things

Big Trip Prep

Seminar Hub

Dave Darmodywww.4x4training.com.au

It’s a really big place

• Everyone likes the idea of taking a year, or more, and doing the lap.– Major lifestyle change.– Jobs, schools, money along the way.– Complete immersion.– Time to explore.– No fixed timetable

One big lap?

Shorter, big trips.

• Each trip is a recon trip for the next one.• Constantly adding to you list of things to see

and do.• Lessons are learned– Planning– Vehicle and camp setup

Shorter, Big trips.

• The distances are immense– Average speeds will be lower as you move away

from the major highways.

Key Points to Consider

• Do you have the right tools for the task?– What is your vehicle GVM?– If you are towing have you thought about your

GCVM and the ability of your vehicle to comfortably (not just legally) tow this load where you plan to go?

– Do you require high clearance?– Is your van or trailer really “Off-road” or is that just

advertising?

Key Points to Consider

• How are your tyres?– More that just their condition… are they?• A rugged construction – Light Truck Tyre• A common size that can easily be replaced

Right tools for the task?

• Have you considered how your suspension will handle ‘rougher’ roads.– Our vehicle suspension works hard, even when the

road is flat.

Right tools for the task?

• There are so many sources of information– Filtering the useful is the hard job.• Take internet advice cautiously – many well intentioned

people offer specific advice while only having general information.• The average 4x4/travel show is often times more about

drama than it is about safe travelling.• People tend to remember, and tell, their bad stories,

rather than their good ones.

Planning, Planning

• Useful Resources– Hema Maps, Apps and Devices– Visitor Information Centres and Council Offices.– Police in regional areas.– Online blogs written while people were travelling.– Books by Robert Pepper and Pat Callinan– Travel guides by Ron and Viv Moon

Planning, Planning

• Planning for self sufficiency– Carry appropriate spares• Belts, hoses, fuses, filters, and many more

– Carry long range communication• Sat Phone, HF Radio, EPIRB, other satellite tracking

– Comprehensive First Aid Kit• And know how to use it

Being Self Sufficient

• Food and food storage– How are you planning to carry your food?• Perishables and non perishables

– Esky or Fridge– Planning for resupply• Support the communities you travel through by

shopping locally

Being Self Sufficient

• Trucks are on a timeline– Carrying live animals– Carrying supplies (possibly perishable) to remote

communities– Carrying freight– Bringing produce to the cities

The Outback Rules of the Road

• Everyone should travel at a speed at which they feel comfortable.– However, this means being vigilant for vehicles

travelling faster than you.• Monitor your mirrors• Communicate with other road users (UHF40)• Be kind, and pull over…

– …more

The Outback Rules of the Road

• Getting out of the way– Double Lane• The truck driver might be happy with you just agreeing

to pull back and let them pass.• Maybe you should look for an opportunity to pull over.• The whole manoeuvre will take you a minute or so, and

see the truck on its way to its destination with no fuss.

The Outback Rules of the Road

• Getting out of the way– Single Lane or Dirt• Look at all those rocks

– Usually, there is a greater distribution of rocks off the main driving line.

• Do you really want to force a road train onto those? Even on just one side?– You will be showered in rocks and dirt.– You may cause the truck to enter into a sway which could see

the rear trailers act unpredictably.– …more

The Outback Rules of the Road

• Getting out of the way– Single Lane or Dirt• Get off the road – come to a stop

– Remember that the rocks being thrown up be a vehicle aren’t moving forward very fast, it’s your movement into the rock that causes the damage.

– Let the vehicle past, they will be appreciative of your efforts.– The whole manoeuvrer will cost you a couple of minutes, but

will save vehicle damage, or much worse

The Outback Rules of the Road

Consider a course

Consider a Course