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Just wondering if anyone has a view on what flag unit to buy. There are "minewhips" with various combinations of length and everything else and look the goods. I'm wondering if any of these cheap ebay ones are any good. My thinking is a multi-piece given you can use it in a shorter form off the roof and it folds away for easier storage. Anyone got and views or in particular what NOT to buy (i.e. break easy, bent spring fitting etc)
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Small $$ Big $$ all get broken on certain tracks. The Kings cheapies will survive it, mate has crossed 5 times with his $30 one.
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I have two kings ones. $30 each and no dramas.
For an item like this I’m not bothered about buying cheaper.Comment
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Thanks. You are reinforcing my gut feeling. Given the amount of use it will get, perhaps a week or so, twice in my lifetime if I'm lucky and make it happen, I am thinking top quality might be left to the professionals who may need reliability every day and the difference go towards something more critical.Comment
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The Bushranger flag we have has worked well the coupled times we have used it:
https://www.snowys.com.au/safety-flag
Looks very similar to the Kings one.
Can choose 2m or 3m height.
2m worked well on Googs Track.
The Bushranger may have marginally better quality, but the Kings one is probably good enough, and like you said, you won't be using it that much anyway.
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Thanks. You know I had a look at the new connection arrangement of the bushranger with a spring clip through a hole. That looks really good and eliminates any dust dirt problems with ball bearing press fit style.Comment
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So do you guys have any suggestions about what to buy? Items? Gears?Last edited by LachlanCarr; 06-05-2022, 05:19 PM.Comment
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I bought a Bushranger Simpson desert sand flag. I liked the new fitting. Although it may not get much use, I think the fitting with a locking pin is problem free. The pole itself is more flexible than the the thick ones. Most of the others seem to have a click on fitting with exposed ball bearings. If the bearings get a lot of sand or dust around them inevitably they will clog. I can't see that happening over a 4 to 5 day trip through the desert but for extended use, my gut feeling is that that design might make it difficult to remove the flag without force. I'm far from an expert, but exposed bearings and sand or dust don't mix. Having said that, a cheap flagpole will save you $50 and get you through (fingers crossed). Plenty of people have used the cheapest flag and lived. Flags are now mandatory in this desert region
Other things:
Water, a PLB, a tent or swag. Look there are heaps of vehicle accessories and add-ons out there on the market, but I would look at gearing up with the basics first. These Prados are very capable vehicles stock standard for most of Australia.
You should also have a 5W UHF radio for desert crossings and other outback comms.
I've noticed that a lot of outback travellers carry stuff on a roof platform or basket. .... presumably because the back is full with fridge and drawers etc.
Lastly but certainly not least-ly, two spare tyres seems sensible ... and I've been advised to leave the spare wheel cover from the Prado at home.
A lot depends on how self sufficient you need or want to be, and how capable you are or prepared you want or have to be. Some people carry spare tyres without rims and a pair of tyre levers.Comment
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And, think about a shovel, some recovery tread boards and a tyre air compressor. If you are a group, you can share some items so you only need one between you (for instance the air compressor, small axe can double as a hammer)
This is a link to a very comprehensive list from which you can pick the eyes out of for your particular needs. Make your own personal checklist from it
https://trakmaster.com.au/technical/...d-caravanning/
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