I know, I know I shouldn't have been driving at night but did my Grandson and daughter a favour and had to drive through the Adelaide Hills to get him to his Scout week-end. I didn't want to stay in Adelaide so drove back to Victor Harbor and guess what? 5 klms out of Victor hit a huge Kanga. Had a car up my backside and knew the golden rule about swerving to miss an animal but had to brake suddenly as the Roo took the front of the van off. I could still drive and didn't want to get out and look at the damage until I got home. Not sure of cost to fix it but I joined Apia only last week so hope they are kind to me.
Anyway not good for my confidence and said to myself - sell it, sell it. Maybe I still will and get something smaller as it feels like I am driving a truck.
Poor Kanga felt more sorry for him as don't think there are that many left down here.
Think I might stay in bed today and recover as I still feel a bit shaken up.
Helen
Cruising Granny said
08:40 PM Sep 14, 2013
Don't sell it! Don't sell it!
Think it through. You bumped into a wild animal over which you had no control. You chose to drive at night which exposes you to this sort of fact of life.
You survived unscathed, except for the shock of impact, and the damage to your pride and joy which can be fixed. You survived. Not your fault.
So don't sell.
It can happen in the day time as well.
That's llife on the road. We expose ourselves to all sorts of things on the road, and sometimes we're involved in an incident. The more you're on the road, the higher the chance of incident involvement.
Don't sell.
Unless you really want to, and don't want to travel and explore the land of kangaroos, wombats, echidnas (bags of nails), koalas, bustards, etc etc etc.
Don't sell!
adreamer said
01:11 AM Sep 15, 2013
I feel a bit better now. I rang Apia and the Lady on the other end was really nice. Thankfully, I had taken my van to a mechanics the day before and had a service and the motor cleaned and the mechanic had taken some photo's of it, so he said I could tell Apia that!! I sought of felt like I was actually committing a crime after only being insured for a couple of weeks. Anyway after I had calmed down and went out and had another look at the front of vehicle the damage didn't seem so bad. My head always seems to magnify things.
Anyway won't sell it (not yet anyway) and am going to get it fixed and get into this asap.
Thanks for your encouragment.
Helen
Gerty Dancer said
02:33 AM Sep 15, 2013
I hit an emu a couple of years ago while towing the caravan. Pulled up as soon as was safe to do so and checked out the damage. Van ok, small damage to mudguard of Prado, but Emu poo all over the side and front of vehicle! I never saw the emu again, was very upset, hoped he died quickly.
When we got to Coober Pedy, it was necessary to wash the vehicle but their water is so precious, couldn't use a hose. Emu's revenge!
I can relate to how you feel Adreamer, I didn't want to tow again, but really what can you do when the animal just jumps in front of you!!! Get back in and drive in daylight hours, and enjoy your van!
GaryKelly said
04:57 PM Sep 15, 2013
Sorry to hear of your nasty shock, Helen. Makes me glad I spent a few bob on a used bull bar for my old tug. Nonetheless, I won't be driving at night. I remember seeing a pic of a car that hit a deer in the US, and the deer went straight through the windscreen and out the back, leaving a trail of entrails inside. It only just missed the driver, lucky for him. Now that would shake you up good and proper.
Bryan said
10:23 PM Sep 15, 2013
Thanks Sheba, I'll have to relocate them. Because of poor weather I was travelling at max 80 kph.
-- Edited by Bryan on Sunday 15th of September 2013 10:26:34 PM
Bryan said
01:08 AM Sep 16, 2013
Helen, sometimes you have to travel at night and there's nothing you can do about it. It happened to us yesterday. We planned to spend the night at Bruce Rock but got a message from our son that his back was so sore that he was planning on going to the emergency hospital. That's very unlike him as he keeps away from hospital and doctors as much as he can. We knew it was serious so we decided to pack up and head back to Perth. Not nice, in driving rain and heavy wind. I drove carefully though with the adage of getting there safely than not getting there at all. I did hope that the 2 "kangaroo whistles" mounted on the bull bar was working.
Sheba said
03:20 AM Sep 16, 2013
Bryan wrote:
I did hope that the 2 "kangaroo whistles" mounted on the bull bar was working.
They're supposed to be mounted on the Highest point of the Vehicle to work properly Bryan. And they don't start working 'till you reach 60 kph.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Ginger said
11:23 AM Sep 16, 2013
Cruising Granny wrote:
Don't sell it! Don't sell it! Think it through. You bumped into a wild animal over which you had no control. You chose to drive at night which exposes you to this sort of fact of life. You survived unscathed, except for the shock of impact, and the damage to your pride and joy which can be fixed. You survived. Not your fault. So don't sell. It can happen in the day time as well. That's llife on the road. We expose ourselves to all sorts of things on the road, and sometimes we're involved in an incident. The more you're on the road, the higher the chance of incident involvement. Don't sell. Unless you really want to, and don't want to travel and explore the land of kangaroos, wombats, echidnas (bags of nails), koalas, bustards, etc etc etc. Don't sell!
Adreamer,
Listen to CG, she is spot on. I take it this is your first time you have hit an animal. It happens. Don't beat yourself up. There is NO rule to say you cannot drive at night, it is just safer not to.
I have hit kangaroos and yes I was upset for days but it will pass. The worse one I hit was on the main road at dusk in a small town, he came from no where in a built up area on the higway, houses everywhere, I had vehicles behind me and coming towards me, I could do nothing, I hit him or he ran into me, whichever way you want to look at it. The worse part was, the truck behind me went straight over the top of him, he had no chance.
APIA are great, they will not give you any hassles, you will be ok. Hang in there.
Ginger
-- Edited by Ginger on Monday 16th of September 2013 12:08:52 PM
adreamer said
06:23 PM Sep 16, 2013
Wow bryan, never heard of kangaroo whistles but will look into it.
I have heard of Kangaroo feathers though!! My Brother went to Vietnam in 1965 and he and his mates sold some Kanga feathers to the Yanks for $5 each! lol. (must have my sense of humour back)
Helen
Sheba said
06:56 PM Sep 16, 2013
Hi Helen. If you look directly above the sticker on the Passenger window, you'll see one of them on top of the Campervan. Bottom Pic. is a close-up of the one on the other side.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 16th of September 2013 07:25:09 PM
Wow bryan, never heard of kangaroo whistles but will look into it.
I have heard of Kangaroo feathers though!! My Brother went to Vietnam in 1965 and he and his mates sold some Kanga feathers to the Yanks for $5 each! lol. (must have my sense of humour back)
Helen
Helen, I actually don't know if they are called that. Its just how I describe them.
herbie said
03:53 AM Sep 17, 2013
Also use the Kanga whistles on the vehicle,. they work regarding emu's/goats and camels ..... .must be a loud secret noise they omit .
Ginger said
07:29 AM Sep 17, 2013
Bryan wrote:
adreamer wrote:
Wow bryan, never heard of kangaroo whistles but will look into it.
I have heard of Kangaroo feathers though!! My Brother went to Vietnam in 1965 and he and his mates sold some Kanga feathers to the Yanks for $5 each! lol. (must have my sense of humour back)
Helen
Helen, I actually don't know if they are called that. Its just how I describe them.
Please excuse me for butting in but they are called kangaroo deterrents
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 08:29:58 PM
Sheba said
08:29 PM Sep 17, 2013
I believe Shu-roo is a different thing altogether Darrel. Larger more expensive unit, that is run off the vehicle, usually mounted low down on the front .
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 08:34:20 PM
I believe Shu-roo is a different thing altogether Darrel. Larger more expensive unit, that is run off the vehicle, usually mounted low down on the front .
Shu Roos are the electronic verstions. WE have Hopper Stoppers, like the ones further down the thread. Have been using them for close to 20 years for both motor bike, sedan and now 4WD. Have never yet hit a roo. Have seen them stop on the side of the road and watch us pass.
Cannot guarantee, however for goats, camels and especially emus.
-- Edited by Dunmowin on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 12:25:17 AM
oldboar said
02:06 AM Sep 18, 2013
Shu-roo
Bryan said
06:01 AM Sep 18, 2013
I just googled Kangaroo Whistle, surprisingly thats what they're called
I have 2 of the 'Hopper Stopper' on the front of my bull bar and have actually seen Roos look up as I approach and hopped off into the bush, I have also noticed cowes look up too.
The work on wombats as well because our wombat disappeared until they got broken when some one backed into me. I spose he will go into hiding again soon as the car is in getting fixed now and I got new bigger ones to put on when the tug comes home.
A friend has the electronic ones and reckons they work too.
Cruising Cruze said
04:23 PM Sep 18, 2013
I feel sorry for you Doug
It did not work on our black cat
Cheers John
adreamer said
12:39 AM Sep 19, 2013
Thanks Sheba, Where did you buy it and how much. Everything is starting to cost dollars now and might have to get a real job soon lol.
Helen
Sheba said
12:46 AM Sep 19, 2013
adreamer wrote:
Thanks Sheba, Where did you buy it and how much. Everything is starting to cost dollars now and might have to get a real job soon lol.
Helen
No, Helen. I've got the small less expensive ones. I just Googled the Shu-roo, to show you the difference. Been using the others for years. The only time anything has hit me using them, was when I had slowed down on a dirt road so as not to spray an old man with dust, who went walking early in the mornings. I hadn't gotten up to speed, when a 'roo hopped from the grass on one side, straight into me.
When I went to Cairns, the girl who was coming along behind me in her own vehicle, was amazed to see them stop and hop the other way when we went past. [She told me when we stopped for the night.]
Cheers,
Sheba.
Sheba said
03:57 AM Sep 20, 2013
adreamer wrote:
Thanks Sheba, Where did you buy it and how much. Everything is starting to cost dollars now and might have to get a real job soon lol.
Helen
Hi Helen. Just got an Autobarn Catalogue. They're on page 3, [ Hopper Stopper Animal Repeller] for $19.99 a pair at the moment. Normally $29.99 according to this.
Boy. When I first bought them, they were only around $5.99 a pair.
Cheers,
Sheba.
adreamer said
02:01 AM Sep 21, 2013
I think I might get an old postman's whistle instead, but will never drive at night again.
PS. I was born 'out bush' and lived there until I married and guess what? Never hit a roo in 20 years.
Hope to meet you on the road one day Sheba. My car is booked in for 8th October for repairs. That old Roo caused $4,800 damage but still wished he had lived.
Helen
countryroad said
02:02 AM Sep 22, 2013
How are they attached, I've never heard of them, but seems to be a good idea.
Robyn
Sheba said
07:09 PM Sep 22, 2013
They have adhesive on the bottom of the foot Robyn. Very easy, just stick on. Please read the instructions first. A lot of people put them too low on the vehicle.
They tell you to put them on the highest point. There has to be nothing behind them, so that the wind can go right through, and the noise can be most effective.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 22nd of September 2013 07:16:08 PM
countryroad said
08:00 AM Sep 23, 2013
Must be dashed good glue to hold that little contraption there for a long time...:))
I know, I know I shouldn't have been driving at night but did my Grandson and daughter a favour and had to drive through the Adelaide Hills to get him to his Scout week-end. I didn't want to stay in Adelaide so drove back to Victor Harbor and guess what? 5 klms out of Victor hit a huge Kanga. Had a car up my backside and knew the golden rule about swerving to miss an animal but had to brake suddenly as the Roo took the front of the van off. I could still drive and didn't want to get out and look at the damage until I got home. Not sure of cost to fix it but I joined Apia only last week so hope they are kind to me.
Anyway not good for my confidence and said to myself - sell it, sell it. Maybe I still will and get something smaller as it feels like I am driving a truck.
Poor Kanga felt more sorry for him as don't think there are that many left down here.
Think I might stay in bed today and recover as I still feel a bit shaken up.
Helen
Think it through. You bumped into a wild animal over which you had no control. You chose to drive at night which exposes you to this sort of fact of life.
You survived unscathed, except for the shock of impact, and the damage to your pride and joy which can be fixed. You survived. Not your fault.
So don't sell.
It can happen in the day time as well.
That's llife on the road. We expose ourselves to all sorts of things on the road, and sometimes we're involved in an incident. The more you're on the road, the higher the chance of incident involvement.
Don't sell.
Unless you really want to, and don't want to travel and explore the land of kangaroos, wombats, echidnas (bags of nails), koalas, bustards, etc etc etc.
Don't sell!
I feel a bit better now. I rang Apia and the Lady on the other end was really nice. Thankfully, I had taken my van to a mechanics the day before and had a service and the motor cleaned and the mechanic had taken some photo's of it, so he said I could tell Apia that!! I sought of felt like I was actually committing a crime after only being insured for a couple of weeks. Anyway after I had calmed down and went out and had another look at the front of vehicle the damage didn't seem so bad. My head always seems to magnify things.
Anyway won't sell it (not yet anyway) and am going to get it fixed and get into this asap.
Thanks for your encouragment.
Helen
When we got to Coober Pedy, it was necessary to wash the vehicle but their water is so precious, couldn't use a hose. Emu's revenge!
I can relate to how you feel Adreamer, I didn't want to tow again, but really what can you do when the animal just jumps in front of you!!! Get back in and drive in daylight hours, and enjoy your van!
Thanks Sheba, I'll have to relocate them. Because of poor weather I was travelling at max 80 kph.
-- Edited by Bryan on Sunday 15th of September 2013 10:26:34 PM
Adreamer,
Listen to CG, she is spot on. I take it this is your first time you have hit an animal. It happens. Don't beat yourself up. There is NO rule to say you cannot drive at night, it is just safer not to.
I have hit kangaroos and yes I was upset for days but it will pass. The worse one I hit was on the main road at dusk in a small town, he came from no where in a built up area on the higway, houses everywhere, I had vehicles behind me and coming towards me, I could do nothing, I hit him or he ran into me, whichever way you want to look at it. The worse part was, the truck behind me went straight over the top of him, he had no chance.
APIA are great, they will not give you any hassles, you will be ok. Hang in there.
Ginger
-- Edited by Ginger on Monday 16th of September 2013 12:08:52 PM
Wow bryan, never heard of kangaroo whistles but will look into it.
I have heard of Kangaroo feathers though!! My Brother went to Vietnam in 1965 and he and his mates sold some Kanga feathers to the Yanks for $5 each! lol. (must have my sense of humour back)
Helen
Hi Helen. If you look directly above the sticker on the Passenger window, you'll see one of them on top of the Campervan. Bottom Pic. is a close-up of the one on the other side.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 16th of September 2013 07:25:09 PM
Helen, I actually don't know if they are called that. Its just how I describe them.
Also use the Kanga whistles on the vehicle,. they work regarding emu's/goats and camels ..... .must be a loud secret noise they omit .
Please excuse me for butting in but they are called kangaroo deterrents
Double-up.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 08:29:58 PM
I believe Shu-roo is a different thing altogether Darrel. Larger more expensive unit, that is run off the vehicle, usually mounted low down on the front .
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 08:34:20 PM
-- Edited by Dunmowin on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 12:25:17 AM
I just googled Kangaroo Whistle, surprisingly thats what they're called
http://www.noelsautoparts.com.au/hopper.htm
The work on wombats as well because our wombat disappeared until they got broken when some one backed into me. I spose he will go into hiding again soon as the car is in getting fixed now and I got new bigger ones to put on when the tug comes home.
A friend has the electronic ones and reckons they work too.
It did not work on our black cat
Cheers John
Thanks Sheba, Where did you buy it and how much. Everything is starting to cost dollars now and might have to get a real job soon lol.
Helen
I think I might get an old postman's whistle instead, but will never drive at night again.
PS. I was born 'out bush' and lived there until I married and guess what? Never hit a roo in 20 years.
Hope to meet you on the road one day Sheba. My car is booked in for 8th October for repairs. That old Roo caused $4,800 damage but still wished he had lived.
Helen
Robyn
They have adhesive on the bottom of the foot Robyn. Very easy, just stick on. Please read the instructions first. A lot of people put them too low on the vehicle.
They tell you to put them on the highest point. There has to be nothing behind them, so that the wind can go right through, and the noise can be most effective.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 22nd of September 2013 07:16:08 PM
Thanks Sheba, will add it to my list.