To bra or not to bra....

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Hi all,

One of the things i thought i would get when i got around to getting my 4wd was a bra for water crossings.

Having read through hundreds of postings and watched heaps of vids etc, i cant see one mention of a bra being used for a water crossing.

Is it because most people have snorkels :?: Talked to my ARB guy (who has been very helpful in the past with gear enquiries) and he said they are definitely worth the money. Cheap insurance and could save big $.

Are they a waste of money :?: or do people use them but not admit to it ops:

(formerly pradonet) http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=874

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

In one of the free DVD's from 4WD Action they use a water bra... I think from memory they said a bra helps with longer water crossings without a snorkel... very vague memory so I'm sure someone who really knows what they're talking about will be along soon ops:

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: To bra or not to bra....

Talked to my ARB guy (who has been very helpful in the past with gear enquiries) and he said they are definitely worth the money. Cheap insurance and could save big $.

Are they a waste of money :?:

I have seen many articles that recommend using a tarp. Since you are likely to be carrying a tarp for camping etc, then effectively it costs nothing to attach your tarp to the front. So yeah, when they cost nothing, they are definitely worth the money

Personally, I wouldn't spend money on such a specific piece of equipment which would be so seldom used.

LFaR.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hi Guys,
I have been through a few water crossings without one, so I don't bother as the fan blades sit well back from the rear of the radiator on the D4D Prado and the Aux A/C fan must be waterproof as its been drowned twice well and truley no problems.

Did lots of water crossings in previous trucks no bra no problems, but they are good insurance I think if you are worried. Fans blades ripping through a radiator core is not a good look, I have seen it happen on an old Tojo with a stuffed thermostatic clutch and a lead foot driver.

[matty Member Find all posts View Profile Close matty]

easier/cheaper and more usefull to keep a small tarp in your car and a few rubberised straps to hold it into place around your bar/front end.

[hoppy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hoppy]

I saw these at the caravan and camping show in sydney and thought the same thing . what a waste of money when a tarp does the same job.

Bonus is you can sit under the tarp when the heavens open up whilst camping :cry:

Not so sure about a car bra though!

[matty Member Find all posts View Profile Close matty]

car bra kinda sounds a bit feminine also, they need a more manly name, maybe somthing like bonnet jocks, gaurd grundies or bonnet budgie smugglers.

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

easier/cheaper and more usefull to keep a small tarp in your car and a few rubberised straps to hold it into place around your bar/front end.

Yep, had thought the same, might have to rethink the packing of one the tarps. Seems to be the general consensus that to use something is a good idea, but not necessary to spend $ on something specific.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

I chose the Michelle Sacs water blind as the freebie gift with a recent 4WD Action magazine renewal. That was 7 weeks ago and I am still waiting for it. These things really do look the ducks guts with adjustable straps, elasticised sides etc. Hopefully it may prevent the replacement of idler bearings on the V6 petrol (I have had to replace 2 in 12 months which I have put down to not liking water crossings). Only time will tell. As much as they are a glorified tarp and occy strap, I bet I will have mates that will want to use it as well next time we are out and about and have to tackle a water crossing. Particularly my brother-in-law who has a 100 series which is reknown for pushing fan blades into the radiator during water crossings.

Cheers - Byrnsie

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

car bra kinda sounds a bit feminine also, they need a more manly name, maybe somthing like bonnet jocks, gaurd grundies or bonnet budgie smugglers.

Not Pradokinni :?: :shock:

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Never used one and done a few water crossing with almost over bonnet water level...

Considering getting one to stop idle pulley getting noisy (I'll be replacing mine third time under warranty). I hope it will stop the problem but you never know until you try it...

[KMKPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close KMKPrado]

to bra or not to bra

I too am waiting for my michelles sac water bra from 4wd monthly. I personally wouldn't have paid the $150-$170 price tag for one when a $5 tarp and occy strap does the same thing. They are a good bit of gear but there are cheaper ways of acheiving the same thing. My 2 cents

[Silver Rain Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Silver Rain]

I have a snorkel and not surprisingly always carry a tarp. I also own a bra.

My experience has been that when the water is really muddy usingt a bra or a tarp helps (a little) to keep the crap out of the radiator.

The bra is a little faster to use and has a better fit but takes up space and can only be used for one purpose. If I had not been given the bra by a friend as a present, I doubt I would not have bought one, as to pay full price is not worth the money IMHO.

Nuge.

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, seems to be that a freebie or inducement for a mag subscription is the way to go.

KMKPrado & Byrnsie, have yours arrived yet? Any thoughts, like "bugger, wish i had opted for the Leatherman/high lift jack :!: " :?:

[Pat Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat]

Here's my water bra.
Seeing it isn't exactly a Michelle's Sac's water bra, I like to call it the H2O Bro!
Get your tarp out and a couple of occy straps. Then get hold of length of strap and a couple of plastic clips too.




Should do the job!