Your take on best & worst State for Free Camping Poll

[weezanickinoff]

Totally agree John M, we have found also common in small towns WA where they have large Speed humps in central areas, making it impossible to take our bus. We mostly have to unhook our toad to head into towns from the outskirts. Which is not a problem but they are a trap to unsuspecting.

[Dot]

Wendy those speed humps you mentioned can you tell a bit more about them?

[weezanickinoff]

We are too low Dotty and by the time the back wheels go over and the rear end scrapes over the humps, we've found these wide & high Speed Humps in towns like Central Carnarvon, Northam, Norseman, (WA) to name a few, then there's those places that have tiny roundabouts in their central areas. Really when you look at it there aren't that many, but the ones that do are more the trap, because you find yourself "in" it before you know it. So we unhitch and take 'Shadow' (Suzuki) in to town. There's usually somewhere on the outer areas to park the bus.
I know there are these in other states but WA is where we are travelling right now.

[Dot]

Ta for that. I guess we are a bit higher than you because of the air bag susp but not a nice situation to find yourself in.

[Kelvin12]

G'Day Ash and Wendy,

Can you give us an idea of your clearance. Must be a fair lump of a speed hump. I thought these were regulated but probably local councils are immune for the normal regulations or think they are.

The small round abouts are a PIA. Obviously designed by engineers, (using this term loosely) who don't drive cars let alone trucks and busses. Some time ago when we lived in Camden a local politician, (who knew everything) insisted a roundabout be added to a heavily truck trafficked road out of town plus decided a young morton bay fig be added as a centre piece. Next morning there were dual tyre tracks going straight across the round about and the remains of a tree left. Tree is well and truly gone now and the tyre tracks still get refreshed.

Dirk

[homeless]

I have found many ways to get a sleep in a town if I need to.
I often ask at the supermarket as I walk out with my shopping or just stop after hours and then go in in the morning to get some supplies or just a icecream.
I look for new development areas and often find a nice flat spot in front of houses being built.
I find Victoria the best state for me as I prefer to camp near water.
Have decide there is nothing for me through the centre or the west and also have little interest in QLD so for me it is just the southern states for the time being.
I have stayed in Bunnings parking bays as well as Hardly Normal and also an overnight McDonalds all with approval.
Regards
Brian

[weezanickinoff]

Hi Dirk,
If you need measurements I'll get them for you when the boss gets home but here's some pictures to give you an idea,

Kilbarri to Quobba WA 123 (800x600).jpg

Kalbarri WA 082 (800x600).jpg

[Kelvin12]

Wendy,

Thanks for that just curious, it looks around the same ride height as mine. Reason I was asking, after the mention of bottoming out, was mine has 3 adjustable regulators to raise the air bags and I have been wondering if they are worth re-fitting again. PIA to get at to adjust so not an instant adjustment rather a pre-planned job.

I know my rear skid plate on one side has taken a very hard hit at some time in its life, 3/4" steel so its come down pretty hard on something solid to bend that.

Dirk

[weezanickinoff]

No worries Dirk, I'll get the Boss to reply better to you, but I'm learning that the things we have to look for are not the sort of thing I am used to but Ash is, like it doesn't take much of a gutter for the back wheels to go into then drag the long rear end then if the front end is going up too at the same time, can be nasty. Same for those tiny roundabouts designed to stop hoons zooming through without slowing down, but with a Big Rig!!! that long rear end swings out taking with it any sign or unfortunate object too close to the 'road'

Like I said before, it's just as easy to unhitch at the local Dump Point, Park or side of the road and head into the centre in the Suzuki. Any town that is on the main thoroughfare/ highway doesn't have them....thank goodness......like the afore said fig in the middle of the road, they soon get demolished by semis etc 'cause all big vehicles have nowhere else to go, mind you I find I can't help pulling my elbows in close in some!! they are pretty narrow, doesn't bother the Boss though, just me
There are always ways around any of these problems though, this is a magical life and in our Big Rigs...just like a Flat or apartment on wheels..........so worth it!!
Ash'll get back to you shortly

Cheers Wendy

[Dot]

Just wondering if those small roundabouts /speed humps would be on the truck routes?