Where to hire spare gear

[angussprott]

Hi,
Any advise on the best place to hire a second spare wheel and a satellite phone.

We live in Cairns and are heading up to the Cape in about four weeks time. (leaving cairns between 12 and 19 May). We don't intend going off the main route too far but any advise would be appreciated.
thanks Angus

[batesy72]

G'day Angus

I'm not too sure on this one... give me a few days and I'll see what I can find out.



Cheers
Batesy

[ant]

Angus,
What vehicle are you driving? I may have a spare here that you can borrow ( I live in Cairns)

As for the sat phone, most of the outdoor adventure places have them for hire. Failing that, you can try some of the communication business here in Cairns as well.

Depending on where you are going, it may not be necessary, particularly at this time of year as the main roads will be busy.

[angussprott]

Hi Ant,

We're taking a Nissan Pathfinder, I'm not sure of the wheel size but can find out tommorrow.

We are not intending to go too far off the main routes so as you say a sat phone may not be necessecary but I will check out the camping stores.

cheers Angus

[jimbo69]

i don't think you really need a second spare if your tyres are in good nick,
if you get caught there's plenty of people that would take a tyre in for you and help you out

[batesy72]

Yeah, I reckon I agree with you on that front Jimbo.

I only run with one spare - but make sure I always have a repair kit with me, along with my dodgy Big W tyre compressor.

That said, I run cross-ply off roaders.

My advice,
Carry at least a spare regardless of what brand of tyre you are using. I did a trip in January this year and blew three tyres from a well known brand. Given the make of your vehicle, I would definitely carry spares as the most common vehicle up this way are the Toyota's not Nissan, therefore you are less likely to have others help you out with their own spares.

Grab a copy of the newest Cape Yorker as there is an article in there on tyres which will help point you in the right direction- how do I know- I wrote the bloody thing!

As for Sat phones, save your money, particularly if you are not going too far off the beaten track and also given the time of year you are traveling.

Hope this is of some help.

[Lushy]

Is it a good Idea to carry a couple of tubes regardless if tubless or not??

[Nedly]

Is it a good Idea to carry a couple of tubes regardless if tubless or not??

Bit like 'do I need to carry a tyre repair kit if I carry 2 spares', the answer is yes if you puncture 3 tyres.
Tubes can get you out of trouble and they don't cost that much.
I'll be carrying 2 tubes, they cost me $30, as well as a tyre repair kit.
If you cut the tyre, the tubes will help keep pressure on the tyre patch.

That's my reasoning any way.

[campdog]

You should be able to get a spare wheel from a wrecking yard and sell it back when you get home, even if you only get half back. Dont take a next g mobile phone, there useless past lakeland.

[bushpig59]

Does the Telstra Mobile work up to the Cape?

[campdog]

Definetly better than next g. Just a matter of finfig the right spot, up high in an open area.My daughter found servive by standing on the roof rack of the patrol one night. Next G was useless in April this year.

[peter]

Next G is very good, if you are standing next to the transmission tower, otherwise CDMA is ok.
With either NextG or CDMA the handset you use has a lot to do with it, if time allows get a car kit installed this will increase your range. Nothing will give 100% coverage on the Cape -arent we lucky.
Cheers Peter

[campdog]

Next G is very good, if you are standing next to the transmission tower, otherwise CDMA is ok.
With either NextG or CDMA the handset you use has a lot to do with it, if time allows get a car kit installed this will increase your range. Nothing will give 100% coverage on the Cape -arent we lucky.
Cheers Peter
I think you could be swinging from the tower and next G would not work. Left my phone on for 3 weeks and didnt work on the cape, even took it out to sea away from trees etc,Not that I missed the phone.CDMA worked pretty good.

[Lushy]

I will be leaving my mobile in the glovebox turned off, if the world wants me they knew they aint got a hope if I am not in a town lol.
Have they fitted the traffic lights at Coen yet??;)

[Lushy]

When and how do I get upgraded from a hatchling?

[Googy]

When and how do I get upgraded from a hatchling?

When you become annoying like me :)