Western 4W Driver Ebook 107

what not to do though. mustering down in the desert. Happily, In a way, I know how the driver felt. we had a couple of lengths of chain Only once did I fool with moving water, and a long rope that was used to pull the drowned Landy free. It was too late trying to cross a flowing stream, well in the afternoon to try to dry out the actually it was the Fitzroy River, on a flooded unsealed crossing. Yes, we had engine, so we decided to camp right beside the vehicle and proceeded to walked it first, but it seems that there was quite a hole on one side just off the light a fire to dry ourselves out and cook dinner. The punishment edge of the crossing for my indiscretion that we had not “.. Down went the left in crossing the discovered. I was side of the Land Rover with swollen crossing slowly edging a lurch that was copied by was a hot night my way across spent on the river when down my confidence.” bank being attacked went the left by the special large- side of the Land sized mosquitos that Rover with a lurch lived there. Somehow, they even found that was copied by my confidence. Of worn places in the canvas swag covers course, the engine flooded, and no through which they forced their long movement was possible except the noses to sting us. It was too hot to be teeniest drift sideways, which was not covered with anything more than the good! Fortunately, just at the right swags, and to add insult to injury, the moment the cavalry arrived. Well, not worn swag covers were just a mass of exactly, it was a group of Aboriginal ‘Bogan Fleas’ in the morning. I can tell people from the station returning from $115 LANDCRUISER SPLIT CV BOOTSincpost Suits 79, 80, 100, 70 series QUTIOCFKIT with solid axle front. Prevent sand and grit abrasion, water corrosion, pitting and seal damage to the swivel housing. Gearless Centre Differential eliminates wind up... the best mining driveline. PH: 0352 722 844 E: [email protected] www.gearingdynamics.com Western 4W Driver #107 99

you that we didn’t wait until dawn to swales that could really prove hard to get up and light a big fire to drive the see and impossible to avoid because mozzies back to their daytime hideouts a few revs had to be used to climb the and begin picking the ‘Bogan Fleas’ back of the dune, crashing through off the swags. Moving back out to the some of the scrub. The tops of the coast, the rest of that trip was done in dune were often not as wide as the a helicopter from a comfortable ‘dry’ wheel-base was long. This meant that camp with no mozzies and involved a although you wanted to back-pedal close encounter with a crocodile. But when you hit the surprisingly narrow I’ve told that story before. top of the dune, the vehicle took no Plotting a track from a famous northern track into the coast north of Derby in “... The vehicle took the Kimberley proved to be another interesting job. Mustering teams no notice of shouted had used a few cattle tracks to find mobs feeding around wet-season directions and slid down waterholes along the proposed route, and we followed these when they led the face, burying the in the right direction. But the last few kilometres to the coast were much bumper and grille in the more difficult to sort out because of the luxurious re-growth of vegetation half hidden water...” that had followed a couple of good wet seasons. What was surprising was the notice of shouted directions and slid amount of water ponding in interdunal down the face, burying the bumper and grille in the half-hidden water in If you ever need the swale. Only good thing was that A RECOVERY because there was little movement in the VEHICLE, water pools, the fresh water tended to remember sit on top of the denser salty water. That this one . . . was until the whole front of the Landy plunged in. Interestingly, a File Snake Check this out or two sometimes inhabited these little waterholes, which was unexpected. And 100 Western 4W Driver #107 on one occasion we found a paddle- tailed Sea Snake floundering about in the dunes close to the ocean. It was not unexpected in the region as we had seen thousands of them on a trip that we did on a fishing boat in the adjacent patch of ocean – but we kind of wished that they would stay in their nominated element. I think that they followed boats along to scoop up any suitable prey that the progress of the boat disturbed, but couldn’t they just stay at sea making one less bitey thing to look out for? Putting all these experiences together, I became even more convinced that boats are for water and 4WDs are for land. Simple really isn’t it?

The IRON MAN 60 Years on Gunter Jacob really started something back in 1958. DID you know that if the springs on your fourbie conked in on your approach to Mt Everes t, you can get a set of much better ones at Yeti Gar Ltd, in Kathmandu, Nepal? Yep, they’re agents for Australia’s Ironman 4x4 accessories. From Latvia and Vladivostok in Russia to Iraq, Romania, all of Africa and Hong Kong, you will find the bit you need for your ailing from an outlet linked to an empire founded by Günter Jacob. He set up shop in the backyard of his home at Moorabbin, 15km from Melbourne, back in 1958, making leaf springs by hand for all manner of cars, utes, trucks and 4WDs. Those days most cars also had leaf springs, whereas today the strong blades are used mainly in commercial vehicles and fourbies – and hasn’t that market grown! Word of Günter’s superior springs soon got around and before long he had to move to commercial premises at Oakleigh, two suburbs up the road, where, from 1982, he operated as JSW (Jacob Spring Works). The move coincided with the arrival of the Toyota Landcruiser FJ25, which was pretty soon joined by Nissan Patrol, Jeeps, Land-Rovers and later many more brands. JSW morphed into Ironman 4x4 in 1988, just as the fuse was lit on the explosion of 4WDs and muscly utes on the world market. Next, Günter figured that the standard suspensions on most of those vehicles were not really designed to handle the added mass of things vital to the Oz Outback or our farming and mining industries: bull bars, winches, long-range fuel tanks, extra batteries, water tanks and a myriad other accessories. Similar needs applied to vehicles in other countries too, and today, 60 years after Günter’s one-man band went into business, it has grown to a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of 4x4 accessories, with agents and outlets all over the show. Still run by the same family, Ironman 4x4 is still headquartered in Melbourne, and operates six distribution warehouses across Australia, exports its range throughout the world and employs hundreds of staff globally. Take five and hit the Ironman website for a look at their extensive product line-up. Happy anniversary Guys. Western 4W Driver #107 101



A LOAD OF HOT AIR? In this three-part look into emissions control systems on modern four wheel drives, Ben Broeder pins down the history of pollution control and what’s currently in place to ensure today’s vehicles meet stringent Euro standards We all have that mate who likes to tinker with his 4x4, often vehicle beyond the perceived shackling buying this and that gadget of engine performance by authorities. or gismo from online stores In this series, we initially look at what emission control systems are and and installing various ‘upgrades’ that the various systems you may come promise more power and performance across. In the next instalment we by bypassing various emissions control take an in-depth look at how these systems on your vehicle. systems work and then conclude Some may think many of these with evaluating the possible risks you devices, such as EGR blanking, DPF expose yourself and your engine to by and Catalytic Convertor removals are bypassing them. a good thing, but there may be more Firstly, what are emissions? Put simply, to these systems being fitted to your emissions are pollution emitting Western 4W Driver #107 103

from your vehicle. These The ‘cat’ does an excellent job of can be from sources such breaking down exhaust gases. as evaporative emissions reduce the emission of harmful from fuel tanks, crank case NOX (Nitrogen Oxides) as well emissions from engine blow as resulting in cooler combustion by and of course exhaust gas temperatures and minimising the need and particulate emissions. for retarded timing, resulting in greater power output with lower Where did we start? vehicle emissions. In the early days of emissions control only fuel vapour Modern Emissions Requirements: and crankcase emissions Fast forward and as you would expect, were dealt with. This was in things have become a little more the form of simple systems advanced. Over time, more stringent such as Evaporative Control Valves and Positive Crankcase Ventilation standards for the control of vehicle Valves. The systems essentially routed emissions have been developed. these vapours back into the engine The tightening of these standards intake system instead of allowing have been undertaken with the aim them to ventilate to the atmosphere. of reducing the impact of vehicle Such systems have been widely used emissions on the environment. in vehicles since the early 1960’s and were developed in the USA, in particular to combat rising smog and pollution levels in California. The next real step forward in emission control systems worked to address exhaust emissions. The first step in this process was the Catalytic Convertor, or ‘Cat’, The main job of the Cat is to reduce the emission of harmful CO (Carbon Monoxide) and NOX (Nitrogen Oxides). The Cat achieves these reductions by utilising rare metals, such as Platinum, Palladium and Rubidium as ‘catalysts’ to start a reaction breaking the harmful exhaust emissions down to less harmful gasses normally found in the environment. Along with the introduction of Catalytic Convertors also came another system known as Exhaust Gas Recirculation, or EGR. Put simply, EGR systems divert some of the exhaust flow back into the engine intake via an EGR cooler. This is done to further 104 Western 4W Driver #107

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Most countries work from the Inside a DPF showing silicon European Union’s (EU) emission carbide honeycombing. standards. These started in 1992 with EURO 1. The EURO standards particulate matter such as soot, stipulate the maximum emissions of from your exhaust emissions. The NOX (Nitrogen Oxides) and particulate particulate matter collects within the matter that an engine may produce DPF and is burnt off through one of whilst performing a standard three regeneration processes. testing cycle. Until recently, it has been relatively easy for automotive Selective Catalytic manufacturers to meet the EURO Reduction (SCR): standards. However, with the Lastly the SCR (Selective Catalytic implementation of EURO 5 (2009) Reduction) systems, more commonly and EURO 6 (2014), it has become known in Australia as Ad Blue systems. extremely difficult for manufacturers These systems are similar to the to meet the requirements, particularly Catalytic Converter, but use a DEF with diesel engines. Most of us (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), such as Ad have heard about the Volkswagen Blue, as part of their reduction process. controversy, which related to the DEF is essentially purified water with manufacturer cheating the testing aqueous urea. This DEF solution is process. The current standards used used to start a reduction process with in Australia for all light vehicles, 3.5T the exhaust gasses to convert the or less, are the EURO 6 standards. For hazardous NOX to Nitrogen, water and diesel vehicles, these standards permit a small amount of CO2, the natural only 0.08g/Km of NOX, which is a 65% elements of the air we breathe. reduction from the EURO 5 standard of 0.18g/Km of NOX. Similarly, the How do these systems work? requirement for the maximum total If what we have discussed has piqued HC (Hydrocarbon) + NOX emissions your interest, or you’d like to better have dropped from the EURO 5 limit of understand some of the voodoo in 0.23g/Km to 0.17g/Km, a 27% decrease. your 4x4 vehicle, be sure to grab the next issues of Western 4 Wheel Driver. Modern emissions We will take an in-depth look at how control systems: these systems work and help to dispel From these dramatic reductions some of the myths surrounding their in the allowable emissions limits, use and abuse. you can well understand why some manufacturers have looked long and Western 4W Driver #107 107 hard at their ability to offer diesel vehicles in countries that require EURO 6 compliance. To meet these tight standards exhaust filtration systems are being fitted to more and more vehicles, such as DPF (Diesel Particulate Filters) or Ad Blue systems that use SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems. Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF): The DPF in your vehicle acts as a self-cleaning filter to remove heavy

STILL AUB means different things to different people. C CUBIn its most liquid form, it stands for Carlton and United Breweries was appointed last year in the form but in our neck of the woods, Cub of Simon McMillan. translates to camper trailers, just like Roger named the company Cub Campers Gopher turns one’s mind to motorised and built his first basic one, but realised scooters and Bobcat to skid-steer future models had to offer more. loaders. But you can’t beat the original Cub, which emerged in the early 1970s, although it was then known as the Trailer Camper. It all started when retired pharmacist J K Fagan bought a block of units in Lakemba, and with it came a box trailer business. J K didn’t want that sort of thing interfering with his brain which was already awash in medical stuff, so he reckoned to just leave the trailer business in the hands of a manager. But his son, Roger, then just 23, wanted Cubonda - the innovative soft to try his luck building trailers rather floor camper of the early 70s. than just selling ready-made products. Roger has now retired after 50 years in Early days. the business, but the company is still run by his own three children, Michelle, So he came up with the soft- Fiona and Shane and a chief executive floor camper, the first of its kind, and it was essentially a 108 Western 4W Driver #107 box trailer with a platform on top and a folding canvas tent. In 1973 the much more refined Cub Camper was launched, known as the Cubonda - but it didn’t necessarily mean you needed a Honda to tow it. A Landie or a Patrol could also easily manage. It was a winning formula, similar to today’s Escape and the Cubonda was followed by more models such as the Sunwagon, Topagee, Bushwacker and Drifter. By 1979 Cub Campers’ property at Lakemba battled to handle the

50AT YEARS volumes demanded by the growing several container-loads of Cub camper market and expanded to Camper products plus many specially premises in Prospect. designed ones that could be towed by The Drifter was the one for the outback. motorbikes - a popular combination in Its low profile giving drivers clear the US. Cub Campers faced increasing rearward vision and its tough steel competition in the camper market it body helped the trailer easily cope with pioneered in Australia, but innovation rough tracks. and bulldog commitment kept the firm There was also the Kamparoo, a more going. It employs about 60 people at compact one in the 1980s that was the its North Rock facility in Sydney and, forerunner of the company’s hard-floor like a True Blue Oz outfit, keeps all its campers of today, plus Roger designed manufacturing in Australia. Another them with a built-in kitchenette and the facility at Campbellfield is where the easy to use ‘ezi-wind’ system to open units are assembled. Roger has retired and close the lid. to his farm, but the younger Fagans Older folk appreciated that, ‘cos the keep the family business rolling along cantilever thingo was a bugger for behind 4WDs, and, getting back to tired muscles. When things got tough Carlton and United Breweries, it’s safe and the economy in Australia went to bet more than a few of its products downhill, Roger capitalised on the have been carried and consumed in the success of the Crocodile Dundee cosy confines of a Cub Camper in just movie in the US, and shipped over about every nook of Australia. Today’s CUBs are technological leaps and bounds ahead of the early models.

THE BULBOUS BOAB Kimberley travellers almost research suggest the boab’s DNA certainly encounter the boab tree changed much faster than it’s African (Adansonia gregorii) a curious relatives, and that its actually about looking and mysterious plant 2.5 million years old. Genetics also found only there and western parts of tells us that the distribution of boabs in the Northern Territory. Its dry-season appearance is bizarre - a Pic: Linda Bloffwitch smooth-barked, swollen trunk topped by a crown of scrawny, leafless branches, a feature that earned one of its (many) common names ‘upside down tree’. The bulging trunks can be enormous, sometimes nearly spherical, swelling as the fibrous wood within stores water. In the wet season, boabs have a canopy of hand-shaped leaves. Velvety flowers form in summer and autumn, opening at night to be visited by moths and bats. The fruit is large, and contains multiple seeds surrounded by a floury pulp. Both seeds and pulp are edible, if a little acidic. The odd appearance of the boab is echoed in the mystery of its origin. Ferdinand Mueller, the botanist on the Gregory expedition, recognised that the boab’s only close relatives live far away in Africa and Madagascar - which, of course, begs the question ‘how did it get here’. This question teased scientists for some time, as they argued about whether the explanation lay in continental drift, fruits floating across the ocean or the movements of people. The local species is quite different in ecology and pollination, and so continental drift was a candidate because of the length of time needed for these kinds of changes. But recent 110 Western 4W Driver #107

northern Australia has probably been Popular heavily influenced by people. This is not Botanics surprising, given the plant’s incredible utility. Not only the seeds and pulp, but with also the leaves, flowers and roots can be Doctor Kris eaten, and the fibrous bark, wood and roots used to make string. Some parts number still have medicinal uses and the spongy, carry blazes and marks made by porous wood stores water. When old European explorers in the mid-1800s. wood breaks down, the trunks hollow The species is named after one of these, out and several famous ones have been Augustus Gregory. large enough to be used as ‘prison trees’ in days gone by. The bark of boabs is slow to heal after scarring, and a Dr Kristina Lemson is a botanist and keen camper lecturing at Edith Cowan University where she teaches biology, evolution and taxonomy. Western 4W Driver #107 111

THE NOBLE I remember casting a keen eye over what must have been one of the first iterations of the Patriot X1 camper trailer. I was drawn to the unique, rather military styling and the impressive amount of ‘everything’ they had managed to squeeze into such a small package. The X1 is the camper that started the Patriot Campers journey; and while it has gone through five years of revisions; the latest models I have along for this test maintain much the same design and layout. 112 Western 4W Driver #107

PATRIOT TESTING - Alex Garner explores an award-winning camper trailer. Western 4W Driver #107 113

he models under review are X1 Wilbinga Road. It’s a horrific limestone Grand Tourer models. This is track; rather like the one into Steep important to note, as a good deal Point for those familiar. Like most camper trailers these days, the X1 Tof the features here are optional rides on independent suspension with twin shock absorbers each side. The or not available at all on the lower spec difference here is while most trailers Tourer unit. use coil springs to carry the load, the X1 rides on airbags. These are tuned The Patriot green example belongs to to suit the weight of your camper via my good friend Steve McCarthy, who a digital control panel, with a small purchased his in 2017 and drove all onboard pump to increase the pressure. the way over to Queensland to fetch it! The Pacific Blue X1 is fresh off the showroom floor, and is towed by Jake Doyle from Caravan & Camper Megastore – the official Patriot dealer of Western Australia as of late March 2018. With the 2018 model hooked up to Jake’s monster GU Patrol, and Steve hauling his 2017 model behind a brand new 200 series Landcruiser, we departed our meeting point at Hillarys en route to Wilbinga. A set of airbags and a brace of shockies keeps the X1 stable over rough ground. At 3.3 metres from tow hitch to tailgate; Just like those with similar and weighing a measly 940kg dry (ATM suspension setups; the X1 is 1600kg), it’s no surprise that it tows soared beautifully across the like it’s not even there. Electric brakes corrugations (see the video if are fitted, a pretty standard inclusion you’re reading the E-mag on most camper trailers and caravans. I right now). dare say that even if it was unbraked – As the tracks thinned out into a you’d still not know it was there behind network of paint shredding horror, a big cruiser. the convenience of the short drawbar Soon we hit the alarmingly chopped up became apparent. The trailer follows the cruiser closely around tight corners. 114 Western 4W Driver #107 Over the rough wombat holes and sharp peaks, the pretty galvanised chassis didn’t scrape a bit. Decent articulation between the vehicle and

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trailer can be attributed to the use of Excellent storage in the a Hitchmaster DO35 – one of the best rear access. offroad hitches out there. After Steve somehow became bogged cavernous storage space on flat, firm ground – we thumbed from which we pull our through the hundreds of pages that is chairs. It’s ideal for bulky a 200 series owner manual, figured out gear; swags, tables or why low range wouldn’t activate, and duffel bags. In the same decided that was enough. Time to set compartment lies a large up camp and crack a few bevvies. roller drawer to organise Behind the large rear door is the the smaller bits. The massive drawer really makes this space 110% more useable, but if you want it – purchasing the Grand Tourer is your only option. It can’t be added onto the lower spec Tourer model. Once the trailer is disconnected from the vehicle, I discover a second massive drawcard for airbag suspension; you can easily level your trailer at camp. This was the first thing Steve did as he showed me through the setup process. 116 Western 4W Driver #107

With the total profile of the Queen-size mattress is zipped to fold in camper so low down, I knew half when packing up. there had to be some secret to making that awning more boat pole; something he reckons would functional. Sure enough, it be a good inclusion in the package. pops up on some clever strut Inside the tent I found everything assisted scissor mechanism. surprisingly simple! A PVC bucket floor The awning itself is a version is pretty well standard on everything of the Supapeg 270 degree these days to keep the water out. A side awning, specially designed by Supapeg for this trailer. Very shady (in a good way). The soft floor tent on Steve’s model is all Aussie canvas, but not made in the Patriot warehouse – a process which Patriot have just switched to for the 2018 model. Whichever one you look at, the canvas is excellent quality 14 OZ and the tent setup is easy enough. Having the long term owner of an X1 along is great for me, as the only issue Steve picks is that he finds it tricky to fold the tent over without the use of his Western 4W Driver #107 117

panel unzips to access trailer storage, Forward of this; there’s an LED light in the roof and is a massive underside of the bed, midgee proof slide which rolls mesh all round, and a roof panel so you out in multiple can gaze at stars all night. stages. On top There is one part that’s a bit flashy in sits the optional here though; the bed setup. The queen 60 litre fridge, size mattress is joined in the middle designed by by a zip, allowing it to fold in half. The Evakool to Patriot metal base of the bed holds it all tightly specs. Slide it out packed up, and when folded out – the further to reveal most rugged ladder I have ever seen a hinged storage drops down to the floor. compartment, Aside from sleeping, all of your main cutlery drawer, camping activities are going to occur on and kitchen sink. the left hand side of the trailer. Behind a Up the front is large drop down table is located your stove, cutlery and crockery drawers, a small two speaker audio system, what I would use as a pantry drawer, and what could be called an ‘electrical command centre’ which is where the airbag controls are housed. Slide-out stove features two burners and a griller. Electrics are easily accessed next to kitchen storage drawers. my favourite part, as this is where my bacon and eggs came from in the morning. Inside what Patriot calls the ‘Man Cave’ lives an optional Weber Baby Q on an articulated swing arm. Bloody genius! The remaining space here is open to store whatever your heart desires. The final two luxuries lie behind a smaller hatch on the driver’s side. There’s another slide here where a small chemical toilet normally lives; and a hot water shower system should things get too messy on the loo. Packing up to depart that morning 118 Western 4W Driver #107

Slide-out Baby Q for a big barbie breakfast. Innovative use of space in with the Evakool. was a little slower than setup had been, but that’s always the case. Setup is possible in three minutes, pack up was maybe more like 10 to 15 minutes with the extra lifting, tucking, folding. Still very reasonable, and I set off that FIT OUT YOUR 4WD TO MAKE TOWING A BREEZE With a Hayman Reese Towing System your caravan or camper will follow you safely and effortlessly outback and home. We also fit: Towbars, Bullbars, Roobars, Sidebars, Steps, Roof racks, Custom-built racks, Trade racks, Cargo barriers. Distributors for Flexiglass Canopies & trays. Major Fitter & WTeOsWtcoBttA R S Supplier of www.westcotttowbars.com.au (08) 9362 2902 - 1800 630 601 27 Welshpool Rd, Welshpool, WA 6106 We provide a FREE, NO Obligation appraisal of your towing system Western 4W Driver #107 119

morning thinking to myself “Yep! and Camper Megastore in Midland. The Patriot X1 certainly lives up to You can’t miss them, just look for the its reputation”. big bloke on the roof waving a flag! Want to see one for yourself? Go and Alternatively, give em’ a call on see Jake Doyle and his team at Caravan (08) 9250 1755 WiTi Wireless Trailer Interface Prior to setting off, we organised to try out a wireless trailer interface between the X1 and the cruiser. With a trailer unit, and a vehicle unit permanently paired to one another, the signal for all tail lights and electric braking systems is transmitted wirelessly. The trailer unit also boasts an anti- theft function. When activated, a gyroscope detects any bump or movement and will sound a siren, flash the lights, and lock on the electric brakes. The setup functioned great, although we did think it had locked the brakes on at one point. Turns out it was just user error with fancy Landcruiser terrain modes. We’re all used to the old high/low stick! Check it out at www.witi.com.au 2018 X1 Grand Tourer. What’s different? As mentioned, the tent is now made in house at Patriot (it was still Aussie made before, just not in house). There have been a few minor tweaks to the tent frame but nothing major. The chassis has been lightened by replacing non-bracing sections with aluminium, and the layout of the shock absorbers is changed a little. Get ready to geek out when you see the new battery management system. A Redarc TVMS, licensed exclusively to Patriot with full smartphone control! As long as it’s connected to the TVMS, you can switch it on and off remotely. Nuts ‘n’ bolts Patroit Campers X1 Grand Tourer Price: $49,990 • 3x 285/75 Federal M/T tyres on 16 inch Speedy Total Length: 3.3 Metres alloys (can be chosen to suit vehicle pattern) External Width: 1.85 Metres Height (Closed): 1.75 Metres • Gas, Water & Electricity: Tare: 940KG • 2x 120Ah AGM Batteries (lithium upgrade Aggregate Trailer Mass: 1600KG Chassis & Running Gear: optional) • Hot dipped galvanised steel chassis • Onboard inverter • Hitchmaster DO35 coupling • Redarc ‘The Manager’ battery system. • Independent suspension. 2 shock absorbers per arm. Height adjustable airbags Upgraded to Redarc TVMS touch screen with • 10 inch electric brakes with cable handbrake smart phone control for the 2018 model • Twin 4.5kg gas bottles • Two 70 litre water tanks with pressure pump • Led strip lighting hard wired throughout the trailer 120 Western 4W Driver #107

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A LAKE OF THE THINGS DISAPPOINTMENTSravellers on the CSR around the YOU SEE! top end of Lake Disappointment With (Truthful) in mid 2016 came across four Phil Bianchi Tbehemoths; all bogged, some Merek set off first. Part of the way at precarious angles. Was a ratbag at across the Mog went down listing work avoiding tip fees? Maybe it was severely to one side. It looked like one of the equivalent of; we’ve got the biggest those Star Wars creatures rising up from banana. Even that exalted magazine the surface of the lake. Western 4wdriver’s Silly Snaps of Mike set off to help; his Mog bogged Edition 101 had photos. and became Star Wars creature number 2. Now before the experts among us say I’ve now got the goss; Mike Yarrow things like ‘They didn’t stay on the wheel hailing from NSW and owner of one of pad’, ‘No experience’ etc, be aware the beasts told me there was a Unimog Unimogs have a wheel track some 8 1300 (Mike’s), a Unicat Mercedes Zetross inches wider than a Cruiser or Patrol and 1833, a Komatsu WA 500 and a Positrac have tyres 17 plus inch wide tyres. Also loader all bogged. Merek has travelled extensively in his He was travelling with fellow Mog Mog in Africa, Middle East and Asia. owners Merek and wife in their Unicat, which by the way cost north of seven figures or the GDP of a small country. Approaching one of the flats on the upper reaches of Lake Disappointment, Western 4W Driver #107 123

With the nearest tree being out of sight, attempt a Positrac loader arrived; I’ll bet they dug a hole 200 metres out, in you didn’t guess that it also got bogged. which they were going to bury a tyre Seeing the positive, unflappable farmer, for winching from. Then puffing and Mike reckoned they now had a number blowing they got a wheel to the hole to of excellent ground anchors. Using find it filled with water. Winching from a Mike’s Winchmax, at the break-neck floatie was pointless. speed of one foot per minute, the WA ‘Let’s use Mike’s Mog as anchor and winch Merek out’ was their next idea. It was “While winching, a hydrologist told Mike the bottom of the lake was between 100m and 150m straight down. Now that’s a lot of goop!” a struggle getting the cable out, ‘That’s 500 was out. Celebrations, the first win weird, the winch has just been serviced’. in five days. By using the WA 500 as an Investigating, they found that the idiot anchor, next rescued was the Zetros. servicing the winch forgot to refill it with Presumably Merek and wife could now hydraulic oil! No winch. sleep better rather than hang bat-like in Deciding that help from the outside world their almost toppling over bed. It took was the next option, Merek rang his son five days, but eventually all the vehicles in Poland, son rings friends in SA, they were rescued. Failure to get the vehicles rang the Newman Police who in turn out could have resulted in the loss of rang an Exploration Camp 25 kms away $1.6m plus of equipment. On the positive at the top end of Lake Disappointment. side the establishment of a theme park Willing to help, John from the Exploration was a possibility or making it available Camp arrived with a Komatsu WA 500, as the set for the next Star Wars film a 34 ton monster loader. You guessed it; or establishing a garden by planting it too got bogged; yet another Star Wars potatoes in the ploughed hectares monster joining the gathering. John were possibilities. While winching, a waited for the camp cook to drive out and hydrologist told Mike the bottom of collect him. Darkness descended, still no the lake was between 100m and 150m driver. John called the camp asking her straight down. Now that’s a lot of goop! whereabouts, ‘There’s been an accident Was intrepid explorer Frank Hann way on the way to pick you up, the driver’s back in 1897 predicting the future when being helicoptered to medical help.’ naming Lake Disappointment? The next day a 15 ton truck arrived, Maybe Lake Despair would have been delivering urgent supplies of gaspers for more suited. Merek, a carton of cider and Hydraulic oil. Also to help with the next rescue 124 Western 4W Driver #107

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EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 3 EDITIONS APPY DAYZ Send us a happy snap Simply email us a happy snap* with no more than 50 words telling us where you were and what you were up to and you’re in the running to win one of ten Hema HX-1 Navigators. YWOIUN’RNEERA! Mark Norris Tamala Station Shark Bay is our escape camp where we often don’t see anyone else for days. Kayaking, fishing, swimming and just soaking up the serenity and sunsets is what this spot is about. If only we had a Hema Navigator we could find more top spots like this! 126 Western 4W Driver #107

EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 3 EDITIONS WITH and you could WIN!Nail a 1of 3 Navigator in each edition or a 2 year subscription: Explore a new frontier 2 Year Sub! John Backo Flicking lures around for flathead in the pristine waters of Withnell Bay, Dirk Hartog Island - as seen from our “luxury” accommodation. Does not get much better than this. *email your entries to: [email protected] Western 4W Driver #107 127

2 Year Sub! Matt Pearce 2 Year Sub! Myself and my better half Kerrie, have just got back from a sensational 4 week trip across The Anne Beadell Highway, east to west and down the Connie Sue to Rawlinna. The mighty D-Max completed the trip without a hassle, we did lose the CB aerial, it got up a really bad case of the “WOBBLES”, and just broke off. The rear number plate fell off as well. 2 Year Sub! Helen Miller Jennifer Sherwood The Lone Ranger, Silver ‘n’ me...in the heart of the Many readers would have come across this Pilbara, having fun off-road and learning all about structure east of Cue. No-one has been able 4w driving by myself, and having a ball doing so. to tell me who constructed it, when and for what purpose. I don’t think it was built for the 3 MORE locals to dance naked Midsummers Eve as HEMAS one wag suggested. Any clues, anyone? TO WIN! KEEP ‘EM COMING 128 Western 4W Driver #107 FOLKS

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HOW TO SPEAK 4 By Susie Underwood W Pics by the Ed Every industry has its own secret language. I work in radiology, so spondylolytic spondylolisthesis is a phrase I come across practically every day at D work, but it’s not something you’ll hear at the local cafe over a flat white. The 4WD industry is likewise endowed with a rich vein of vocabularic delights, to which I had a very quick introduction when I met the Man of My Dreams. casually mentioned that he was getting the rag tyres put on split rims for the There are innumerable phrases you trip. “Rag tyres?”, I thought, “I can’t see will come across in the course of your camping and 4W driving experiences that are never heard in polite society. I have to admit to doing a double take the first time I heard “snatch strap” thrown into the conversation when we were doing a bit of beach driving early on in the piece, and it only got weirder from there. For example, while preparing for our first cross country desert trip Nick Sometimes you need to invite friends over to hold bits. “A what kind of strap?” them performing very well on the bitumen”. I had visions of the rags mum used to roll my hair in when I was a wee gal Western 4W Driver #107 131

to torture my hair into ringlets for a big The only hiss they night out (they never worked and were want to hear is the excruciatingly painful to sleep on). Why air going in. on earth would you wrap perfectly good Only six? tyres in rags and then cut the rims in Lightweight! half? Rag tyres are only the half the deal around split rims. When you have applied to leaking tyres but the reality split rims you need a bead breaker to is just so much crazier. First you take get the tyres off the rims, and to effect a length of sticky rubber and thread it rag tyre repairs you also need talcum through a large needle which is pushed powder, a clean sheet, some glue and through the hole in the tyre. When I a bucket of water. Sounds to me like say “pushed”, this means collecting as something you do in a birthing suite. many men as there are in the convoy Once the tyre is repaired, there is the and getting them to stand around the reverse process of getting the tube poor hapless “plugger” while he (or back inside the tyre, doing something she) grunts, sweats and heaves at this complicated with the valve and needle until the sticky bit of rubber is then the safety rims which involves hanging out of the hole a bit like a badly crowbars and a lot of jumping about mended sock. This apparently then on the tyre. Sometimes you need to “vulcanises” when you start driving invite friends over to jump about with and hey presto the leak is sealed. you to achieve the desired result, and Apparently it is not enough in the 4WD then everyone has to hide behind world to have just one plug in your tyre. something substantial while the tyre If you’re going to cut it with the guys is re-inflated in case of accidental you have to have at least 25. decapitation. Tremendous fun. After Then we get to vehicles - this is where all that, you can take your tired talcum- conversations can get quite heated. scented body into your “30 second tent” There is a subgroup of 4WDrivers to change, though why on earth you who are very attached to their iconic would only want your tent to stay up for vehicles. My understanding of iconic 30 seconds is beyond me. Tyres provide in this setting is a vehicle which breaks the average 4wdriver with hours of down constantly, leaks oil from the absorbing conversation. It usually starts with something like “Geez your muddies look the goods. Are they noisy on the bitumen?”, followed by hours of comparisons with tread patterns, the inability of some manufacturers to provide customers with 16” rims (wink wink), types of stud patterns, quality of spares, where you keep your spares, demonstrations of where you keep your spares, rag tyres vs 16 ply tyres and so on and so forth. Then there are the hero stories of how many patches have been applied to tubes, which then were driven on for thousands if not millions of kilometres no worries and the application of plugs. The first time I heard someone talking about plugging tyres I had visions of bath plugs 132 Western 4W Driver #107

bottom and lets rain in from the top, Refugees from the Mechanic’s institute was made somewhere in England gather round while Plugga tries the ‘one leg sometime in the 1950s and hasn’t in the air’ under the bonnet manoeuvre. changed since (apparently not even the English language. First of all you the tail light design) and is prone to need to have your hubs in; well I don’t falling over when put on a steep slope. think it’s anyone else’s business where The people who drive these iconic you keep your hubs as long as you vehicles are very very passionate about don’t frighten the kiddies. Depending their icons and are usually resigned to on your destination, this exercise being the butt of many a joke. Then is usually accompanied by “airing there are the Toyota vs Nissan vs down”,. Before my introduction to Ford vs Holden arguments. I have 4WD speak, this was a phrase I usually lost count of the number of “Toyota/ heard in a Pilates or Yoga class. Airing Nissan recovery vehicle” bumper down is a multilayered process, which stickers I’ve seen but the jokes provide involves multiple discussions about tyre hours of entertainment to those who pressure, PSI, footprint (not yours, sit up the front on the right of said the tyre) and something about vehicles. Then there’s the big one: the checking the bulge in the walls of last of the GU/GQ - when one of these your tyres. Or it can be as simple as models is either seen or mentioned, it is plugging in a set of Staun deflators, accompanied by a collective sigh, manly which take the air out of your tyres, hands dug deep into jeans pockets and not your self confidence. Once wistful gazes either at said GU/GQ or aired down and safely ensconced the horizon, followed by a long and back in the vehicle (except for convoluted conversation about 4.2 litre drivers of iconic vehicles, who at diesels (apparently they don’t make this stage are usually under their car with a spanner), the fun really Ah, the last of the GU 4.2 turbo diesel starts. On sandy tracks heading wotsits and its proud owner with moi. to a beach you can engage high them anymore, who knew), Brunswicks, range (there are two ranges, high chips, mapping, torque, Newton metres and low- more later) and punt along and ladder chassis. Not necessarily in quite happily until you reach your that order. Keeping your 4WD upright destination. Add steep hills or sand and moving forward off road is also dunes, however, and all vocabularic the subject of a bewildering subset of hell breaks loose. A bit of axle tramp doesn’t mean we’re about to drive through the 4WD equivalent of Kings Cross and people who are “crossed up” don’t need the toilet, they’ve just got themselves into a bit of bother on Western 4W Driver #107 133

a hill. The iconic vehicle by this time is iconic vehicle driver if the handle flies lying on its side on a hill with its driver loose while energetically pumping. It energetically pumping a kangaroo does have its downsides. Coming jack. And that doesn’t mean skippy is across a steep gully provides a rich lending a hand. A kangaroo jack (not a vein of 4WD speak. First we have an kangaroo, Jack) is a long skinny piece earnest discussion about departure of steel which has a handle on one end and approach angles, which is usually and somebody desperate on the other. followed by worried consultations With the example of the sideways-lying about tow bars, trailer plugs, bash iconic vehicle in mind, the jack can be plates and ramp over angles. This is attached to the roof sill while efforts followed by “gear selection”. This is are made to get the vehicle back on where high and low range come into Helping Nick with his ramp over angle. play. Those new to the 4WD game will then huddle together trying to figure out how to select low range, is it a dial, a lever or simply a button on a complicated dashboard display. At the mention of “low range”, the iconic vehicle driver sighs and reaches for his tool kit. For him, getting into low range will involve some kind of fiddling under the vehicle and the application of a thin layer of oil to his body. The reverse applies when it’s time to head back to the bitumen. First we “air up”. Airing up usually involves unpacking the rear of the car to find the compressor, lifting the bonnet (always a time-consuming exercise when there is a group of men involved) and puttering around the car with a hissing hose doing complicated things with valve caps and gauges. Depending upon the organisational .......only sometimes. Check out the 50s tail light. Getting the iconic vehicle fit for purpose. all four. This can result in an interesting scalloped effect in the aluminium roof (as we witnessed once down south). It can also result in decapitation of said 134 Western 4W Driver #107

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ability of the driver, this can take Helping the iconic vehicle driver recover anything from 15 minutes to an after a hard day on the road. hour and is accompanied by much whine of handles debouching camper gesticulating and shouting at ankle trailers. Once night falls, there are the biters if there are any about. Once gentle glugging sounds of wine being the bitumen is reached there is much poured into glasses, bottle caps being frantic button/dial/lever pushing ripped off and the crackling of the fire. until the little green light goes out Chairs are unfolded and tall tales and on the dash. Communications are true are shared around the convivial very important when you’re out circle, and we all fall sleep at night to in the bush and when travelling in the gentle “plink plink plink” of the convoy. It’s vital to be able to keep iconic driver’s spanner, making sure his in touch with your fellow travellers, vehicle is fit for purpose the next day. especially when there is important information to convey, ie “Just stopping to put a couple of pies in the oven”, or the more important “Just remembered there’s no beer in the fridge! Stopping to stock up”. These transmissions are usually followed by a “Roger that”. The first time I heard that I thought to myself “no thanks”. There’s is also the “got a copy (insert name here)?”. Well no, there’s only one of me. On reaching camp, there is much frenzied unpacking, zipping up of 30 second tents and unfolding of roof tops and the gentle Web: toodyayautocentre.com.au Heading Off? Registered Repairer MRB6464 Email us for our extensive list of 136 Western 4W Driver #107 pre-trip checks. Avon Valley Supplier of TIRES Email: [email protected]

GEAR TO GO CAMPING Your Kitchen rules WHAT’S for dinner tonight? Spaghetti bolognaise, baked barramundi, perhaps veal cordon bleu? All, or any, are possible, provided you stocked up with some supplies at Woolies before setting out on your trans-Oz safari – and invested in either a Long Haul, an Overlander or a Squatter. They’re all camp kitchens from Top Warwick and Steph, on their way End Campgear, made of either powder- round Oz when we met them at coated aluminium or stainless steel and Ningaloo, reckon their Top End beautifully finished and presented. kitchen is the duck’s guts. They look so smart that some folk might mistake them for a modern-day safe or any kind, they’re carpet-lined to a mystery box to enhance the value of minimise noise and each comes your vehicle. with a quartet of canisters, a All exterior fittings are sealed to custom-fitted bamboo cutting discourage moisture or dust, which board, a wash-up dish and not one, really don’t do much for dishes of but three LEDs so you can see if the fish is done and where you’ve put the salt shaker. The Long Haul, at $1850 in aluminium and $100 more in stainless steel, has a double burner high output Primus stove which slides away under the kitchen when it’s not in use. Then there’s the Overlander, which has a stainless steel shelf big enough for your own stove or a small Weber, or you can just use it as a table. The lid is lower in the Overlander than that of the Long Haul so it can be fitted into more confined spaces. It costs from Western 4W Driver #107 137

$1450. Or you might prefer the Squatter, most situations, or they’ll custom build a smaller version of the Overlander, but one to suit your conveyance. still able to accommodate a wee Weber, One of these beauties, and perhaps and it’s priced at $1350 in aluminium an extra passenger, maybe like Jamie or a hundred more folding ones for Oliver, or (preferably) Justine Schofield stainless steel. They can all be set up or Poh, suddenly makes a major safari a with the stove or shelf opening to either lot more appealing. left or right and can be mounted facing To feel the real, head down to Medicar you or side-on. Top End has a range 33 port Kembla Dr, Bibra Lake or of slides and mounting brackets to suit call 9434 2211. RX-4 - the tent, not the car System, which creates a larger, private, weatherproof sleeping or living area. MENTION RX-4 and the minds of old Also, SkyMesh is built into the roof of fogeys instantly shoot back to the 1970s the main tent and unzips to give you when Mazda had a sedan called the an insect- free full view of the stars and RX-4, also called the RX-4 Luce in great ventilation. some markets. It was quite luxurious, had very The Oztent RX-4 now includes a fly strong performance from its then outer layer as part of the package to revolutionary Wankel rotary engine, reduce condensation in colder weather and it had quite an appetite for fuel. and keep the tent cooler in summer. But these days it applies to camping, It’s priced from $1999 and yes, if you’re which some Mazda RX-4 owners of lucky enough to still own a (Mazda) the era might have had to do if their RX-4, it will certainly accommodate an lovely car ran dry in the middle Oztent RX-4. Check it out at of nowhere. The Oztent RX-4 is a oztent.com.au tall, two-room, waterproof tent built Toyotas generally cover vast distances on the strong base of the original and therefore need some good 30-second tent. It’s tall enough for music en route, otherwise they’d adults to stand up in, which is handy die of boredom. when you’re getting in or out of your When you drive the Gunbarrel Highway undergarments and has a lot of new and stop to take a picture of a withered features, among them a zip-in entry tree, you know you need Christina floor, SkyMesh skylight and it’s made of ModCan, a flame retardant, waterproof, UV resistant and incredibly strong material. It still sets up in less than 30 seconds, sleeps up to eight people - more if it’s really cosy company - and the zip-in floor encloses the entry area when used in conjunction with the Complete Panel Listen to the Doors WHAT’S the use of a genie in a bottle or a message in a bottle if you have no place to park any bottles in your 70 series Land Cruiser? People who cruise the land in their 138 Western 4W Driver #107

Aguilera and/or The Police to sing about gone on the blink. things in bottles. The good-looking speaker pods are Which brings us to the Cruiser Console, made of injection moulded plastic with which not only has space for Midnight a solid backing plate and they fit all 70 Bottle (by Colbie Caillat) and Bottle of Series ’Cruisers. Wine (The Fireballs) but also has a pair Also, in a break from modern trends, of front door speaker pods. they’re not made in China, Japan, The custom made pods fit snugly inside Korea, The Philippines or Upper Volta. your Cruiser’s doors and apart from Nah, cobber, they wear a ‘Made in Oz’ securely holding a 600ml bottle there’s badge. Cruiser Console can also supply also space for your copy of Western pockets for workmate/GX that don`t 4WDriver and/or Playboy or National have them as standard. Geographic, or a map if the satnav has Fitting instructions and mounting hardware are all supplied for you, or you can get your local car audio experts to do the job. Either way, Devil in a Bottle will sound real good with the mellifluous voice of Hank Williams Jr comin’ from the left and right doors of your Cruiser Consoled vehicle as you sail along past Menzies en route to Ayers Rock. Or you might prefer to listen to the Doors. Check out the entire range of Land cruiser consoles at www.cruiserconsole.com.au A real Hottie WERE you around in 1958? That’s when Bobby Darin recorded his hit, Splish Splash. Strangely, nobody sang it around the campfire those days. Why not? Maybe because there was no hot water in the Outback, and nobody sings a cheerful song like Splish Splash while having a wash in a muddy stream or under an improvised hosepipe shower. But times change and today you certainly can break out in a melody of your choice while enjoying a shower, shave or other function with the pleasure of water – as hot as you’d like it. That’s thanks to Bushranger and its classy Portable Gas Hot Water Shower. It takes just a few minutes to set up before you have access to 360litres of water per hour via the LPG bottle. Water is precious stuff, especially since it seems the southern hemisphere is running out of it at an alarming rate, so the Bushranger shower disperses it at only 6 Western 4W Driver #107 139



litres a minute, without compromising batteries, a water source to operate, shower head pressure. and 12V power sources for the pump. So, whether you’re camping, The unit will last more than five hours caravanning, 4x4 driving, boating or just operating on a 9kg gas bottle, so the needing to give the shih tzu a bath, this whole clan can get ready for a formal shower is the answer. dinner, or just get the dust off. Easily connectable components The shower is certified to Australian make set-up simple and the controls, Standards and comes with everything temperature gauge and shower head but the batteries, power source, gas are clearly labelled. bottle and, of course, you have to find The heat exchanger needs two ‘D’ cell water somewhere. Jump to it! seconds their car is emitting clouds of condensation in appreciation for WINTER is upon us, and with it the boost you’ve given comes the opportunity for its battery. you to become a hero. Driver too, will be eternally Yes, lads, no need to go grateful, and your day, and buy a Batman outfit as Clint Eastwood once but it would definitely famously said, will be made. be a good idea to get Designed as a must-have yourself one of Uniden’s travel companion, the new jump-start kits. The compact jump start latest one is called kit is more than a UPP 136. powerful 12-volt You see, with winter portable battery comes cold, with pack. cold comes It’s a versatile unhappy power bank batteries, that can and they, in also charge turn, leave up laptops, many a smartphones, driver tablets and it comes in distress. Many with all the cables and connectors for drivers are known for their lack of its many functions, plus a LED flashlight sympathy (it might be understanding) and gauge that shows how much juice for things electrical and mechanical. it has left. The light also has a flashing They get into their motorised mode in case you need to warn other conveyance, turn the key or push the folk or draw attention in the event of an button and expect it to obey. emergency. But said conveyance, left out in the cold, For less than $150, it’s a very worthwhile might well have a frostbitten battery thingo to keep in the boot, or even and be unable to set pistons, camshafts under the seat of your vehicle. and related mechanical bits into motion. To find out more, hit the Uniden website As they throw their arms in despair and or go straight to your friendly auto reach for the mobile phone, you rock up accessory shop. with your UPP 136 and within Western 4W Driver #107 141

WiTi it down? to get Netflix on your TV, and once you’ve pressed the button to activate IT’S a fact of life that it, it detects movement if some what isn’t nailed down badass is trying to hook up your tends to disappear. caravan/trailer to his vehicle. It has a Especially if it’s sensitive gyroscope and whatever an valuable –and has accelerometer is, so if your new Jayco wheels. Yup, things like is interfered with, the WiTi immediately caravans (and don’t applies the brakes, flashes all the lights they cost a dollar these and sounds an alarm. That makes your days?) and trailers get property impossible to tow – and lets spirited away daily in our land of the free, a phrase which some folk seem to take literally. Of course you can insure against theft, but premiums go up every year, commensurate with the increase in theft, but there is a smart way to outfox the thieves. Just out from Leisure Technologies is the WiTi anti-theft device. We’re not sure how to say it: WhyTye or WheeTee? We’ll favour whytye since it rhymes with WiFi . The WiTi is a remote control, much like the thing you use DIRECT TANKSFACTORY hMeWraeAdhMeienWraeAdien FOFROWRAWTEARTE, DRI,EDSIEELSAELNADNWDAWSTAESTE Water Tanks now available for Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 142 Western 4W Driver #107

you and all your neighbours know Take your pick of what you want to there’s a rotter on the prowl. The WiTi call it, but it seems to be a great way is also sensitive enough to detect an of ensuring what you parked in your attempt to swipe just the toolbox, driveway will still be there tomorrow. or spare wheel from your property. Check it out at www.witi.com.au What the Deuce! 173mm long. Its engineered design lets you dig down and carve like a sculptor A DEUCE is (usually) a playing card or domino with a rank of two. It is also due to its thin profile, and it can do a slang word for number two - the a heck of a lot more than provide latter most likely the source of an aperture in the terrain to a neat little trowel, or mini- accept nature’s body-flushing spade, of that name. waste: it’s also useful for Called the Deuce of siting tent stakes, it can cut Spades, the brilliant clean through small roots, little US-designed tool bury a sand anchor, act as claims the title of being a boot or shoe horn, create the world’s coolest, most the greatest sand castle on effective potty trowel. the beach, open beer bottles, Made of aerospace grade and, like WD40, 7075-T6 aluminium it it will certainly have also has a mind-bending many more uses. stealth feature in that you Its elegant, minimalist design can reverse your grip on makes it a great gift, it comes it for four times the digging with a lifetime warranty and power in hard ground. So it’s so cute it needs there’s no excuse for leaving no packaging. evidence of where Wait, there’s more: Pick your you’ve been. The Deuce of colour: Fire (sort of reddish) or Spades, sold here by Helinox, Sky (sort of bluish). the lightweight adventure A Deuce of Spades costs $32 gurus, is said to out-dig every and there’s no charge for other trowel, stick, or stake mailing it to you. Find out more and anyone who needs to do a on www.helinox.com.au Number Two in the woods Western 4W Driver #107 143 should have this baby in their pack. Every camper does, or should do, the right thing, but a regular spade or a pick is a comparatively heavy, clumsy thing whereas the Deuce of Spades weighs 17 grams, same as three and a third teaspoons of water, and is only

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Long Live look fairly similar and are regarded as the Emperor inshore demersal emperor species that rarely get bigger than 30 centimetres. Knowing the different species Most anglers simply call them “nor and names of fish can be westers” and they’re common in places confusing at times. There’s the like the Ningaloo stretch and upwards. scientific biological name, the The red spot (which has a distinct red common name – often with three or section near the gill plate or cheeks) four variations, shortened nick names and the yellow tail emperor are very and even made up, marketing labels prevalent, stocky little fish that are not that are different again and in some that hard to find with a baited hook cases quite misleading. near broken coral ground and bombies. However, with familiarity we get better The blue spot has more distinct, dark at fish ID and knowing the differences. vertical banding that distinguishes it One worth knowing about is the from the others especially once out of commonly named “emperor” family, a the water where the bands darken even wide ranging fish group that are prized more with stress. for their edibility and being good fun All of them are relatively easy to find to catch. Along WA’s coast from the and catch if near any coral country shoreline and offshore, there are a number of emperor that anglers are and as a consequence need to familiar with and pursue because of be protected from overfishing. these qualities. A minimum size limit of 28 A number of the smaller emperor centimetres applies and with lots of smaller, even 20 centimetre The beautiful variegated markings of ones easily enticed by a piece of the small blue spot emperor squid or octopus bait intended for something bigger, sees anglers species can be caught from shore release these small, feisty little along our more northern coastline guys to fight another day. from Kalbarri upwards. The red spot, Blue - lined (as opposed to blue yellow tailed, and blue spot emperor all spot) emperor are the start of the bigger cousins and tend to be found in reasonably shallow waters off shore. Solid through the body, they’re rarely found bigger than 65 centimetres in length and are most prolific in areas around Shark Bay and the Pilbara. Mostly yellow / tan in colour these guys are characterized by small, neon blue, intermittent lines radiating out from the eye and are often confused Western 4W Driver #107 145

A great angling target, especially in shallow waters, spangled emperor fight hard and dirty, readily using their surroundings to quickly run around coral when hooked, snagging the angler who’s not wary of their tactics. They’ll happily take a variety of lures such as soft plastics if presented in the right spots and are most at home over sandy areas right next to coral grounds. Anchoring and berleying the shallower areas will bring these spanglies within casting distance and a well - presented piece of squid or The darker markings of a solid, mature spanglie caught further offshore.” This juvenile spangled emperor pilchard with little or no weight, often couldn’t resist a Halco Twisty does the trick. retrieved in the shallows. If you want to see one close up in its native habitat, take a walk at Coral with their bigger brother, the Bay right in front of the settlement spangled emperor. (called Bills Bay) where a dozen big “Spanglies” as they’re typically resident spanglies up to two feet long called, are arguably the most will come mooching up around your widespread of the emperor shins looking for a free hand out. They group, distributed far and have been a feature of the bay for wide around our western and northern years and as it’s a sanctuary zone and coastline, from close inshore through they are very much the resident pets, to more mature fish that can be caught often scaring young kids as they brush in deep, offshore waters. They are more around feet. And spanglies do grow golden in colouration and again with to reasonable sizes with the biggest light blue bands across the face and recorded in Australian waters topping gill plates. Closer inspection will also highlight that each scale has a blue spot, giving the fish an attractive sheen with the blue against the yellow. It’s not unusual to find the odd ones caught as far south as the metro area these days, as warmer water temperatures become more consistent all the way down our west coast. 146 Western 4W Driver #107

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90 centimetres which would take them colouration on the scales, they’re one to over 7 or 8 kilos. of the best emperor going when it Another close relative but much comes to the palatte and far better rarer to capture is the long - nosed eating than spangled emperor, emperor. Bluish grey in colour it for example. has an unmistakable long snout and Found in offshore reef areas the slenderer body shape, although still red throat can be found along the characteristically emperor-like. Again west coast in lots of spots now from it’s at home around coral grounds and Carnarvon right down to Kalbarri, the offshore islands. The Monte Bellos is Abrolhos and even as far as Rotto. one of the few places I’ve caught them Unfortunately, as consumer demands in any number. change and reflect what is available, Much more common and interestingly, red throat are now more targeted by more widespread further south almost commercial fisherman because of to Perth and Rottnest these days is their growing reputation as a strong marketable retail species. Without doubt, the King of the emperor castle is the iconic red emperor. Growing larger than all John Bormolini with the beautifully The author displaying the striking coloured sweet lip or red throat colours of a young red emperor emperor, this one from Kalbarri waters. before release. the sweetlip emperor or what most the others, “reds” are a more sub commonly call the red throat. In our tropical species found from Kalbarri Australian waters their maximum northwards, typically in deeper size tops out around 60 centimetres waters from forty to a hundred but in my book they’re a great catch. metres in depth. Easily identified by the bright red fins Like many fish that have unusually and red inside the mouth with brown 148 Western 4W Driver #107