TREK 4WD

24/06/2022

Fancy a little Overlanding?

After two and a half years closed due to Covid, the Canning Stock Route is finally re-open - but there are a few things you should know

28/03/2022

G’day from Dayv

I’ve shared posts here before but I thought I’d give a yell out on my upcoming trip plans.

Travis is still very much around and I thank him for his support and assistance over the years.

So where am I going…?

I’m retracing Burke and Wills Expedition (1860-61) from Melbourne to Karumba in the Gulf as a reconnaissance.

I’ll be leaving after Easter and travelling with a handful of mates.

My plan is to turn this in to a regular trip where others can join in the drive with me.

So watch this space and what I post on Camp and Travel and www.campandtravel.com.au

Please let me know if you’d be interested in this or elsewhere as a future trips.

Dayv Carter

07/03/2022

After our night’s camp at Poeppel Corner, what was a party of five crossing the Simpson Desert (Munga-Thirri, meaning big sandhill country) was now a party of

24/09/2021

Here’s one for the Overlanders.

As a Hema Maps ‘Alpha User’ I was invited to join the Hema Maps Crew on a Central Australia Track and Data Collection Trip in July 2021. With a planned 8,200 kilometres in 23 days, I knew the schedule would be full-on. But the same thoughts kept going through my head over and over again, that th...

23/09/2021

Now this is interesting.

L o n g range fuel or water tanks.

Small diesel motor runs a generator to top up the batteries.

I’m happy to test drive one - just saying … 😊

www.campandtravel.com.au

Aussie Outback touring will never be the same again with this extreme plug-in hybrid 4x4 ute

30/08/2021

Do you want a HX-2

See where the new HX-2 sits with your needs and enjoy getting Out&About. I’ll step you through it - gently.

Basically, the HX-2 steps in where HX-1 left off and brings the existing mobile device based app “4x4 Explorer” to a dashboard near you.

The big step forward in the HX-2 when compared to the HX-1 - and even the old ‘Explorer’ app - is the move from Raster mapping to Vector mapping. Simply, Vector mapping allows the user to zoom in and out and stay on the same map platform ie no jumping or vacillating between one map and another and sometimes not doing either well.

Add to this the inclusion of digitised versions of all of Hema Maps’ maps in a manner where you can plot your location, plan future trips and talk about (brag) about past trips and camps.

Please let me know your plans and thoughts.

Dayv Carter

www.campandtravel.com.au

In early-August 2021, Hema Maps released its new GPS Navigation Platform (HX-2).The HX-2 steps in where HX-1 left off and brings the existing mobile device b...

30/08/2021

Planning a Trip Across Munga-Thirri (the Simpson Desert) after Lockdowns?

This short video may help to get the juices flowing.

In July 2021, Out&About with Dayv was invited to support the team from in a track and data collection mission across the Simpson Desert and out to Central Australia.

Check it out and see if the crossing may be your thing.

Dayv Carter



Plus - Don’t miss out on all the news and views being discussed ‘In The Tent’ ⛺️

Come join us now - https://www.facebook.com/groups/501769664591972/

Dayv Carter

Crossing Munga-Thirri (the Simpson Desert) In 20 Minutes in Your Armchair There is no way I could write this introduction to crossing the Simpson Desert with

27/08/2021

Some good stuff here. But listen carefully as he tells his message with a little twist. Eg No CBs. Listen and think!

PS We all need CBs but they don’t solve ALL the problems for our beyond travel.

https://youtu.be/pw0BXdp1Nxs

Dayv Carter

We all want to head out and seek adventure. For many, going off-road beyond the pavement and the crowds is very inviting! Before you head offroad, there are ...

01/08/2021

Check out what Audi is testing as a Dakar Rally entry.

It’ll be interesting to see what comes out of this development for the average Joe/Jolene off-road expectations. Imagine the onboard generator charging the cars batteries plus camper/caravan batteries to power the stoves and air conditioners - and hair driers and coffee machines… all the essentials.

www.campandtravel.com.au

https://patcallinanmediapty...

25/07/2021

It doesn’t take too long to get isolated (or feel like it) in Australia. I took this photo on the Coorabulka Road south of Boulia, western Queensland. My mission was to capture data for Hema Maps on the east-west connecting Coorabulka Springvale Road to Diamantina National Park. When travelling solo without a CB aerial you try not to think of distances and focus on the beauty of what’s around you. After all, people do live out here. www.campandtravel.com.au

22/03/2021

Great to see that Mount Dare has had some. It’d be good to get out and see the colours - and the red.

www.campandtravel.com.au

15/03/2021

Road Tripping is Going Places

If you haven’t heard, the camp and travel culture in Australia is growing in unprecedented numbers.

Many are getting out and exploring our backyard with a good ol’ fashion Road Trip.

Find out who’s doing it and how you can get the most of it.

www.campandtravel.com.au

Get tips, ideas and places sent direct to your IN box by being ‘In The Tent’ with Dayv and Camp and Travel - www.campandtravel.com.au/engage/.

Australia is experiencing a boom in caravanning and camping. Covid has seen our borders close to international travel and a resurgence of those planning a trip.

27/02/2021

Can you use a CB Radio in all Australian states and territories while driving.

The short answer is yes - but Victoria is a little harder to interpret and you’d best be sure to be sure.

See what I’ve found out.

www.campandtravel.com.au

What’s a CB Radio? CB Stands for Citizen Band Radio which operates on UHF (Ultra High Frequency) channels. It is somewhat limited to short distance voice

02/12/2020

CALCULATE THE IMPACT OF MOVING CAMPING LOADS

Out&About with Dayv’s Load Calculators are up and running on the website. Click on the link below.

The four calculators allow you to calculate:
* How the Ball Load translates to the Car’s Rear Axle Load;
* The Multiplier for this Ball Load on your Car;
* How moving items in the Trailer changes the Ball and Trailer Axle Loads; and
* How moving Items in the Car changes Car Axle Loads.

With the Christmas / New Year holidays coming up, you can refer to these calculators when deciding where to place the loads (including the family dog and that carton of beer).

You could even use these when deciding on your next caravan / camper; tow vehicle; or when building that ‘dream’ expedition trailer.

Have fun and drop me a line if you need to. Remember too that while these calculations are very close to the mark, you ought get the rig properly weighed and checked.

www.campandtravel.com.au

Out&About with Dayv Camping Around Australia

26/10/2020

Camping Tips and Hacks for 2020
#43 - Travelling in a Convoys

Something I introduced young recruit cadets to was the concept of being a good follower.

Just as leadership requires experience and training (perhaps more good mentorship), a good follower needs to be able to support the leader and make the whole experience enjoyable for all.

I recently wrote a blog on my webpage about the ‘9 Things Not to Get Wrong When Travelling In Convoy’ (link below).

The leader plays a large part in a convoy. But, it’s up to the following cars (people) to contribute to making it a success.

Just quickly:
* Consider knowing where it is you’re going. This can perhaps be in the broadest sense - but if you don’t have any idea, you could be a burden if you lose contact with the group.
* Help the whole group by being at the agreed start point at the time agreed or, at least, let people know where you are or when you’ll get there.
* Driving with your headlights on can help those in front keep an eye on you.
* Keep an eye on those in front so you don’t miss a turn.
* Keep an eye on those behind you to check that they don’t miss a turn.
* Slow down so those behind you can see you take a turn.
* Know your car number (if one is issued) and keep in any agreed position in the convoy.
* Consider carrying a CB and keep conversation polite - and listen.
* Be courteous and respectful of other road users.
* Have fun.

Keep safe and follow the leader.

Several vehicles head out in separate vehicles, but as one group. This is a convoy. A recipe for disaster, unless you have some rules and contingencies in place.

19/10/2020

Great news for those lucky enough to be there! Send your photos if you are.

How beautiful is this, it's raining on the rock! 😍

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park says they've had more rainfall in the last 24 hours than over a total of seven months!

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Yulara recorded 30mm of rain.

📸: ABC Darwin

28/09/2020

Camping Tips and Hacks for 2020
#39 - Loads of Camping Luxuries

We all have them - electric kettles; coffee machines; toasters; hair dryers; washing machines; air conditioners and even pop corn machines.

But, can you take them camping and run them off your battery?

Well.... yes.... 🤔 ...but....

First, you need to convert (using an inverter) the 12 volts in your battery to the 240 volts that’ll power the appliance.

You’d do this through an inverter.

Then, it’s a matter of drawing from your battery to provide the amps required to run the appliance.

This is where the fun begins. You see a 1000 watt appliance (say) will draw about 4 amps when plugged into a 240 volt supply. But, it’ll draw about 80 amps when powered from a 12 volt supply (like a battery).

Amps = Watts / Volts

Now, if you have a 100 amp hour battery, you’d be flat out powering that 1000 watt appliance about 30 minutes. This is because you don’t want to draw all the power from your battery - wet batteries, AGM and Lithium will vary.

So you can power some high watt appliances for short periods of time through the right inverter. Your inverter size will need to match or exceed your wattage demand.

Other factors you need to consider:
• charging the battery (by solar or while driving) while it’s being used will help to ‘top up’ the battery;
• the size of your solar panel/s in watts will determine how fast your battery will be charged (replenished);
• the charge from the solar panel/s during the day will depend on the season, clouds and shade;
• similarly, if you’re using the appliance at night or in cloudy conditions, you won’t be charging the battery from solar while it’s being used;
• running two or more appliances at the same time (eg your toaster and coffee machine) will have a compounding effect that needs to be considered;
• the inverter will not be 100% effective (through design and temperature) and some power (watts) will be lost in the process.

So, have a look at the wattage of the appliance you intend using (it’ll be marked somewhere) and how long you intend using it for.

I’ll be posting a more detailed blog shortly on my website - www.campandtravel.com.au

Keep safe and power on - and perhaps leave the more ‘power hungry’ appliances at home.

12/09/2020