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Australians are, I believe,
lucky people just living in this great Country. If, like me, you are
interested in remote area traveling, then you become the luckiest people
of all. With a small population (18 million mainly located on a coastal
belt from Abelaide to Carins), 37,000 kms of coastline and an area the
size of the USA, gives us a very, very big paddock to go and explore.
Any wonder we are easily the biggest buyers, per head of population, of
4WD vehicles in the world.
My wife Helen and myself have been going "Outback" for 30 years. In the
early days our five children travelled with us and we had many
adventurous trips together, with memories we will always cherish. Our
children, now with their own families, still participate in as many
trips as possible, catching up with us in locations all over this "wide
brown land".
One of the big challenges in long-distance 4WD touring is striking a
balance between being prepared for anything and keeping your vehicle
weight within manageable, safe and legal limits. It's a lot easier said
than done. That is why the most important (and expensive) piece of
equipment you will have to choose, is a 4WD vehicle. There is a
bewildering number (more than 35 different makes and models) of new 4WDs
to choose from, ranging greatly in size and price. I think if you are
serious about travelling outback, especially if you have kids, then the
types of models you have to choose from is drastically reduced. In my
opinion, the heavy-duty vehicles such as Toyota Landcruiser and Nissan
Patrol are on the top of the list, with some of the mid-range vehicles
like Nissan Pathfinder, Holden Jackaroo, Toyota Prado, Landrover
Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero and others being the secondary choices.
Sometimes I think it is better to purchase a near new vehicle of the
type that suits your needs and hip pocket, rather than buy a new one
that won't fit the bill.
I am always asked the question "Petrol or Diesel?" As far as I'm
concerned (if you are going to do remote area travelling) diesel is the
only way to go. The main reason being fuel economy and price. Generally
speaking, in country areas, diesel is still cheaper than petrol. Because
of the better fuel economy of diesel you don't have to carry as much of
this fuel, which helps with reducing the weight of the vehicle. Diesel
is much safer because of its lower volatility and being less likely to
catch fire in spinifex. Not that I suggest you should be complacent
driving in those sorts of conditions. Regular checks underneath the
vehicle are still most important.
Once you have chosen your 4WD, then comes the even more confusing chore
of choosing the right equipment to adorn your beloved vehicle. As fas as
4WD accessories are concerned, Australian manufacturers such as Kaymar
and ARB make equipment second to none. There is now a proliferation of
products on the 4WD market, some of them very good; some that a friend
of mine calls S&T (s---t & tinsel), in other words unnecessary. There
are some things I regard as basic equipment necessities. Bullbar,
rearbar, roof rack, long range tank, driving lights, air compressor,
dual battery system, cargo barrier, UHF radio and in some cases an
upgraded suspension. These accessories in my experience are the minimum
required for outback touring. Then comes the second tier of spending.
Things like HF radio, diff-locks, draw units, water tank, (to replace
jerry cans), consoles and winches. Other gear not attached to the
vehicle such as first-aid kit, puncture repair kit recovery gear etc are
a must.
Experience is definitely the best teacher when it comes to most things
and 4WD touring is no exception. Thirty years ago, while preparing for
our first outback expedition, a friend with us said, while looking at my
heavily loaded vehicle, "Either you have got too much stuff, or I
haven't got enough." He was right, I was carrying everything...Including
the kitchen sink. After a couple of trips my gear was trimmed to what
was absolutely necessary for our needs. Everything you carry has to have
a very good reason for being on-board, otherwise it should stay at home.
In the little space available I know I have but scratched the surface of
the knowledge needed to become an experienced "Outback Traveller". But
let's fact it,. the gaining of that knowledge is what makes our
particular recreational pursuit so much fun. Enjoy our great country --
And remember to always leave your campsites as good or better than you
found them.
Cheers
Neil Cocks
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