MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tjupurula on July 18, 2013, 10:16:48 AM
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Hi Swaggers
Although some of these ideas (which we use) should probably be in the mechanical section, they are not strictly mechanical.
Obviously where I live, the conditions are dustier, rockier and frequently extremely wet and muddy, and there are small things that we do which most people find quite foolish, but they save heaps in replacements and repairs.
Green shade cloth......I have always put a bit of green shade cloth on the head of my snorkel during dry times, as it stops a lot of dust from getting into the air filter, as well as leaves and such, which willy willies like chucking around. During the wet it also stops water, but if it gets too wet (the shade cloth) the air intake can be reduced. Shade cloth in front of the radiator also stop spinifex seeds from clogging it up. On the workmate, I made a small frame up, and put it in the slot on the bonnet with shade cloth, it has stopped water and rain from getting into the cooling system.
Garden hose......A lot of us use garden hose and plastic ties around our under vehicle fuel lines, brakes lines and the like, it stops stones from putting holes in the lines and causing grief. Cheap and easy to do, and can save heaps of grief and replacements.
CRC or WD40....We use this when changing our wheels, on the wheel studs. By spraying the studs, it allows easier removal of tyres when required, prevents the studs from getting rusty and keeps the dirt out of the studs, which often locks the studs and makes it really hard to loosen them.
250mm x 250mm board....I always carry a piece of wood this size, with a steel plate attached of the same size. When I have to lift the vehicle to change a tyre, even on fairly soft sand, or a wet dirt road, this stops the jack from sinking into the ground or sand. Obviously when using a small trolley jack, which we now have, the board and steel plate are a bit larger, to suit the base of the jack.
Small piece of chain and D shackles.......I welded a couple of small eyelets on the bottom of the bull bar, so that if I am driving through spinifex, I can use the D shackles, and fix the chain hanging a bit to the bottom of the bull bar. If there are nasty little ant beds in the spinifex, the chain will break the tops off them before they can do damage under my vehicle, and many times that bit of chain has prevented damage.
500 mm flat bar....I carry a small piece of flat bar, as when I have to change a tyre, I can put the tyre near the hub, line the studs up, and with the flat bar under the the tyre, simply lever the tyre up instead of trying to pick the tyre up, which can be hard work after a long day on the road. I have wrapped some string and duct tape around one end of the flat bar to act as a handle, and if it is damned hot, the "handle" prevents my hand from getting burned.
There are obviously other things I do and carry which I have not thought of at the moment, but I will add them later.
Regards
Tjupurula
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Great tips there especially the flat bar tip.. Keep them coming
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The chain and D shackles is interesting,
Sorry, not too much experience with spinifex, do you have a photo? Sounds like a simple solution that could be a headache otherwise.
Some great ideas there mate.
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The chain and D shackles is interesting,
Sorry, not too much experience with spinifex, do you have a photo? Sounds like a simple solution that could be a headache otherwise.
Some great ideas there mate.
Sorry Cruisindub, I have no idea how to put photo's in the site.
Tjupurula
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These practical tips are great. Please keep them comming ;D
I recently went looking for Jack Absalom's Safe Outback Travel that I thought I had somewhere at home. It was full of handy hints.
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Great tips there especially the flat bar tip.. Keep them coming
Hi Fishfinder
You would be astonished how much easier it is to lift the tyre and put it on that way.
Tjupurula
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These practical tips are great. Please keep them comming ;D
I recently went looking for Jack Absalom's Safe Outback Travel that I thought I had somewhere at home. It was full of handy hints.
Hi Alan, as I think of them, I will of course add them, and I hope others feel free to add some as well. I simply live in relatively extreme conditions where such things really help, and save money and repairs.
Tjupurula
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Thanks mate, some good ideas there, the tyre change one is great as I have seen people struggle with that.
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I also use shade cloth over the radiator.
Another thing i do is colour in where the front hubs are locked or unlocked to make it easier to see.
i also draw a line with a paint pen over all nuts and bolts on the chassis, bullbar, shocks, winch etc so I can determine with a quick inspection if a nut or bolt has moved or become loose.
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I also use shade cloth over the radiator.
Another thing i do is colour in where the front hubs are locked or unlocked to make it easier to see.
i also draw a line with a paint pen over all nuts and bolts on the chassis, bullbar, shocks, winch etc so I can determine with a quick inspection if a nut or bolt has moved or become loose.
Some great ideas there Muzza, and I will be using them in future.
Tjupurula
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Thanks mate, some good ideas there, the tyre change one is great as I have seen people struggle with that.
I used to struggle with it a lot as the years caught up with me, it makes putting tyres on so much easier.
Tjupurula
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The tyre iron is what l use to flick the wheel back onto the hub . Old truckis trick
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The tyre iron is what l use to flick the wheel back onto the hub . Old truckis trick
I have done that as well Jamie, I just find it is easier to simply slip a flat bar in a vehicle that is loaded up, and not a lot of peoplem carry tyre levers around.
Tjupurula
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You could always trade the diesel drinker for a one humped wonder. Yes they a slower and lack towing capacity, but on the upside camels have cheaper on road costs and never, thats never require new tires and a front end alignment.
Good to see you back and banging away on the keyboard again. No one could ever accuse you of being a mushroom, but you are a fun guy.
Keep up the good work T, you're a breath of fresh air.
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Hey Tjupurula, thanks for the tips, I too like the idea of the flat bar and will definitely be using your idea.
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Hey Tjupurula, thanks for the tips, I too like the idea of the flat bar and will definitely be using your idea.
Cheers GraemeL, the idea was actually from an old man about 20 years ago, so I will not take credit for being my idea.
Tjupurula
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You could always trade the diesel drinker for a one humped wonder. Yes they a slower and lack towing capacity, but on the upside camels have cheaper on road costs and never, thats never require new tires and a front end alignment.
Good to see you back and banging away on the keyboard again. No one could ever accuse you of being a mushroom, but you are a fun guy.
Keep up the good work T, you're a breath of fresh air.
Hi Malcolm
Truth be known the only thing my wife will let me do much at the moment is sit on the keyboard, or occasionally do a bit of cooking, but anything else and she might put me back in hospital with the damned coodro.
Incidentally, camels are okay for riding, and not bad eating either, but the animals normally annoy me. The last one I rode turned its head around and spat at me, it was a big, smelly and thick was of spit, which got me full in the face....not pleasant.
Regards
Tjupurula
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Hi Malcolm
Truth be known the only thing my wife will let me do much at the moment is sit on the keyboard, or occasionally do a bit of cooking, but anything else and she might put me back in hospital with the damned coodro.
Incidentally, camels are okay for riding, and not bad eating either, but the animals normally annoy me. The last one I rode turned its head around and spat at me, it was a big, smelly and thick was of spit, which got me full in the face....not pleasant.
Regards
Tjupurula
Hope the dirty creature ended up on the camp fire after that.
Curry camel pies from the Birdsville bakery are grouse and a pizza I had at Yulara had camel, kangaroo, crocodile and I think a fourth meat on it and was delicious.
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Truth be known the only thing my wife will let me do much at the moment is sit on the keyboard
Tip - you're supposed to type with it not sit on it :)
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I always thought that there is something strange about riding and animal that can turn its head around and look at you whilst your riding it. Those big eyes seem to have little respect in them >:D
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Hope the dirty creature ended up on the camp fire after that.
Curry camel pies from the Birdsville bakery are grouse and a pizza I had at Yulara had camel, kangaroo, crocodile and I think a fourth meat on it and was delicious.
I do recall saying that camel meat was quite nice to eat, guess how I found out.
Tjupurula
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Tip - you're supposed to type with it not sit on it :)
Okay, now I know why I have to use the spell check so often. Thanks D4D.
Tjupurula
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I always thought that there is something strange about riding and animal that can turn its head around and look at you whilst your riding it. Those big eyes seem to have little respect in them >:D
I will alter that Alan, they do not have little respect, they have no respect.
Tjupurula
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Don't forget a Hi Viz flag, at least 3m off the ground (I use an old beach rod and cut up a hi viz vest to use as the flag), and a UHF tuned to the appropriate desert channel.
Crossed the Simpson east to west 3 weeks ago and came across a couple doing it solo, no flag. no radio, no idea! Only just avoided a head on with another couple of vehicles, they had a radio but didn't use it. They could hear me announcing my presence but didn't think I needed to know they where coming, idiots!
PS I didn't take the camper (or the Mrs) on this trip, just the swag and a mate in another vehicle.
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TJ's idea about using shade cloth to protect the radiator from spinifex also can be used when their are plague locust about. They can really stuff up a radiator but also makes it easier to clean.
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Don't forget a Hi Viz flag, at least 3m off the ground (I use an old beach rod and cut up a hi viz vest to use as the flag), and a UHF tuned to the appropriate desert channel.
Crossed the Simpson east to west 3 weeks ago and came across a couple doing it solo, no flag. no radio, no idea! Only just avoided a head on with another couple of vehicles, they had a radio but didn't use it. They could hear me announcing my presence but didn't think I needed to know they where coming, idiots!
PS I didn't take the camper (or the Mrs) on this trip, just the swag and a mate in another vehicle.
Never owned or used a high viz flag for any reason. We live out here, and are always informed of people travelling through the CSR or the Tanami (no need for flags on the Tanami), but I do have radios (HF and UHF) and a sat phone, but we normally just duck completely off the track when we hear someone nearby transmitting. Most times the travellers are not even aware that we are in the area, and we like to keep it that way.
Regards
Tjupurula
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TJ's idea about using shade cloth to protect the radiator from spinifex also can be used when their are plague locust about. They can really stuff up a radiator but also makes it easier to clean.
We normally do not drive when locusts plagues are around, as that is when there are also bush turkeys (bustards) around, and we wait to get a couple for a feed.
Tjupurula
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hose on pipes is a good idea... i used good quality split, flexi electrical conduit with cable ties....... also under the van to protect all the vulnerable bits.... the main runs of plumbing (water and gas) i moved together as best as i could and screwed top hat profile steel over the top of, with expanda foam on the leading edge, open at the rear. Always amazes me how little thought goes into the protection of the vulnerable items underneath vans.... no experience with campers
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My Auntie's partner Kurt Johannsen (passed away some time ago) used to get about the centre in a 1970's Dodge Coronet wagon that he did up.
2wd, open diff, went anywhere he wanted to go, just upped the clearance and put on some high profile crossplies.
I think he had a kind of bashplate under it and of course lots of flywire on the grille to catch bugs
so back to the story..He also ran it on woodgas for a time... smart idea seeing as the middle is full of mulga and fuel was and still is dear as out there.
must dig up a picture. I think I even hava a plan of how he set it up. same system he used while in Brisbane during WW2 (Army said he was too valuable to send to war seeing he was virtually an engineer so he helped the effort on home soil)
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hose on pipes is a good idea... i used good quality split, flexi electrical conduit with cable ties....... also under the van to protect all the vulnerable bits.... the main runs of plumbing (water and gas) i moved together as best as i could and screwed top hat profile steel over the top of, with expanda foam on the leading edge, open at the rear. Always amazes me how little thought goes into the protection of the vulnerable items underneath vans.... no experience with campers
Great to see others who have similar thoughts to avoid having to get people out to help, or prevent themselves from getting into trouble, well done.
Tjupurula
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My Auntie's partner Kurt Johannsen (passed away some time ago) used to get about the centre in a 1970's Dodge Coronet wagon that he did up.
2wd, open diff, went anywhere he wanted to go, just upped the clearance and put on some high profile crossplies.
I think he had a kind of bashplate under it and of course lots of flywire on the grille to catch bugs
so back to the story..He also ran it on woodgas for a time... smart idea seeing as the middle is full of mulga and fuel was and still is dear as out there.
must dig up a picture. I think I even hava a plan of how he set it up. same system he used while in Brisbane during WW2 (Army said he was too valuable to send to war seeing he was virtually an engineer so he helped the effort on home soil)
Hi MB
Please dig the picture up, I would love to see it if you can somehow get it in a thread.
Tjupurula
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Hey Tj
the car or the woodburner?
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Hey Tj
the car or the woodburner?
Both.
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Kurt Johannsen -
Read his book (biography?) about 10 years ago.
Fantastic read. Thouroughly recommend it.
Peter
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Kurt Johannsen -
Read his book (biography?) about 10 years ago.
Fantastic read. Thouroughly recommend it.
Peter
Sorry to say that I have never heard of him.
Tjupurula
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Well you're in Luck Tj
I found the basic drawing of the wood burner.
He's got pics if the car in his book but I'll e-mail dad, I think he's got some better ones and maybe underbonnet pics too.
Have that for you soon.
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Well you're in Luck Tj
I found the basic drawing of the wood burner.
He's got pics if the car in his book but I'll e-mail dad, I think he's got some better ones and maybe underbonnet pics too.
Have that for you soon.
Thankyou so much.
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These practical tips are great. Please keep them comming ;D
I recently went looking for Jack Absalom's Safe Outback Travel that I thought I had somewhere at home. It was full of handy hints.
I have a copy of Absolom's book somewhere, will try and remember to dig it out.
Some of his logic is a bit dated these days, such as his view that automatic trams had no place in the outback. Mind you, dual battery systems were virtually unknown back then, so his point was valid then.
I had a lot of respect for his philosophy and experience in the outback.
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We normally do not drive when locusts plagues are around, as that is when there are also bush turkeys (bustards) around, and we wait to get a couple for a feed.
Tjupurula
I hit one driving back to Tom Price years ago, I was in a small single cab ute travelling at 110kph. I saw it on the edge of the road, then it was in the air in front of me and hit the very top edge of the windscreen. the top half went over the roof and the bottom half ended up inside everywhere.
I wasn't impressed >:D
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Hi Swaggers
Although some of these ideas (which we use) should probably be in the mechanical section, they are not strictly mechanical.
500 mm flat bar....I carry a small piece of flat bar, as when I have to change a tyre, I can put the tyre near the hub, line the studs up, and with the flat bar under the the tyre, simply lever the tyre up instead of trying to pick the tyre up, which can be hard work after a long day on the road. I have wrapped some string and duct tape around one end of the flat bar to act as a handle, and if it is damned hot, the "handle" prevents my hand from getting burned.
Regards
Tjupurula
Another way to assist the fitment of heavy tyres/rims to your vehicle is to use your shovel. Rest the wheel against the hub , insert/slide the tip of your shovel under the tyre and leaver down on the handle lifting the wheel up to the wheel stud height.
cheers duggie
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Another way to assist the fitment of heavy tyres/rims to your vehicle is to use your shovel. Rest the wheel against the hub , insert/slide the tip of your shovel under the tyre and leaver down on the handle lifting the wheel up to the wheel stud height.
cheers duggie
True enough Duggie, I always carry a shovel (handy for the emergency toilet break as well), but I find that a lot of people have their shovels quite well secured somewhere on the vehicle, whereas a flat bar can be put under things in a convenient location. I also have a small groove in the side of the flat bar, a nick I cut with the angle grinder, which I use to get the billy out of the fire.
Tjupurula
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Don't forget a Hi Viz flag, at least 3m off the ground (I use an old beach rod and cut up a hi viz vest to use as the flag), and a UHF tuned to the appropriate desert channel.
Crossed the Simpson east to west 3 weeks ago and came across a couple doing it solo, no flag. no radio, no idea! Only just avoided a head on with another couple of vehicles, they had a radio but didn't use it. They could hear me announcing my presence but didn't think I needed to know they where coming, idiots!
PS I didn't take the camper (or the Mrs) on this trip, just the swag and a mate in another vehicle.
how do you nominate which dune you are cresting?.......when i crossed the simpson the dunes were not numbered so announcing cresting each dune kinda seemed pointless, maybe i had no idea as well
i had a giggle everytime i herd some announce they were cresting a dune....i did have a dune flag although not really sure how effective they are, i did have a radio but had it on scan as there was lttle activity on desert channel, oh and i forgot to turn my radio on one morning only to be pulled up by another traveller and abused.......must be a club thing, igot a bigger giggle selecting first and driving off while he was still abusing me, i did want to thank him for the heads up but he didn't give me a chance.
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I am new to UHF as well and have always wondered how you are supposed to know if someone is coming over the dune in front of you or they are a few k's away. As you say the dunes don't have numbers on them :) so how does this work?
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How to fix your radiator on the road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsswIRkAjfU#)
The Bush Mechanics - Motorcar Ngutju Part 2 of 2 (complete version!) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESwGyrCMKmg#)
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Hi Lost
Those young fellas are Warlpiri men from Papunya, Kintore and Yuendemu, and do actually play in a band, really nice young fellas.
Loved the video though, and could well believe the emergency repairs, I have done worse and made it.
Regards
Tjupurula
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That was GOLD ;D
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That was a series on the ABC years ago.
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Several years ago we met some travellers on the CSR. They had been there for about a day and a half, with a flat battery (dry cells). WE decided it was time to show some city slickers a bush trick, so we made a fire and chucked two billies on, one for a cuppa and one for the battery, a short time later the billies were boiled, so it was cuppa and damper time, and give the second bily time to cool down time.
The travellers were getting anxious, but I told them a bit of patience and we would get them on their way.
About 20 minutes later, and a good amount of coals ready, we dug a hole, dropped all the coals in it, put about 1 1/2 inches of sand over the coals, put the battery on top with some top water from the second billy in it, and left it there for about 1/2 hour. Then we pulle the battery off the sand, put it in their car, and much to their disbelief, their car kicked over straight away, and i told the guy to top his battery up now, and he will have no further problems. A couple of hand shakes and they were on their way.
About 3 months after that we got the most beautiful hand knitted jumpers in the mail, from the same people, with the brief note explaining how their entire way of thinking about aboriginal people had changed because of our actions. To me that made it completely worthwhile.
Regards
Tjupurula
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That was a series on the ABC years ago.
bush mechanics was a classic series, and their face book page makes for some good reading as well.......
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One thing I think you missed is a 2' long piece of 1" pipe. I always carry this to slide over the handles of spanners and ratchets for those really tight bolts. I've also used it to lever alternators when tightening the belts, and I'm sure you could use it to lift on tyres if need be. It also makes a pretty good dolly if you need to give something a tap in a hard to get location - like a starter motor solenoid.
I also carry two blocks of 12x12x4" hardwood, I've found these to be very useful in the past, from everything from jacking blocks to impromptu seating.
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One thing I think you missed is a 2' long piece of 1" pipe. I always carry this to slide over the handles of spanners and ratchets for those really tight bolts. I've also used it to lever alternators when tightening the belts, and I'm sure you could use it to lift on tyres if need be. It also makes a pretty good dolly if you need to give something a tap in a hard to get location - like a starter motor solenoid.
I also carry two blocks of 12x12x4" hardwood, I've found these to be very useful in the past, from everything from jacking blocks to impromptu seating.
That is something which I forgot about, as I do carry a small piece of pipe as well. Thankyou for mentioning that one.
Regards
Tjupurula
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Some great tips and like everything on this forum i have learnt some more tips.
I always try and work on my cars at home with the tools I carry. If I need something from my garage I will then consider whether I carry that as well. I have always fitted expanded metal behind my grilles as you would be surprised where you collect large insects, stones etc and Grilles today aren't grilles!
Besides split tube over all wiring I also add rubber "pinch weld" or insertion rubber over areas the cable will run, especially sharper edges to minimize any chance of chaffing.
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One thing I think you missed is a 2' long piece of 1" pipe. I always carry this to slide over the handles of spanners and ratchets for those really tight bolts. I've also used it to lever alternators when tightening the belts, and I'm sure you could use it to lift on tyres if need be. It also makes a pretty good dolly if you need to give something a tap in a hard to get location - like a starter motor solenoid.
I use an old bottle jack handle for leveraging things. The handle is good because it's two piece and is compact to store.
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Some great tips and like everything on this forum i have learnt some more tips.
I always try and work on my cars at home with the tools I carry. If I need something from my garage I will then consider whether I carry that as well. I have always fitted expanded metal behind my grilles as you would be surprised where you collect large insects, stones etc and Grilles today aren't grilles!
Besides split tube over all wiring I also add rubber "pinch weld" or insertion rubber over areas the cable will run, especially sharper edges to minimize any chance of chaffing.
Thanks heaps Jim, I really like the idea of the rubber to stop o minimise chaces of rubbing, great idea.
Tjupurula