Nomad fellowship

Dame Markalot · Member

Nomad fellowship

goinsoon · Guru

Same thing happened to me on the Blackbutt range in Qld some time ago. smoke pouring out of the engine, van on the back and about 25 vans sailed past, it is a case of I am ok Jack, I will say hello at happy hour, but don't involve me with your problems on the road.

pauline · Guru

That is such a shame, I know if we passed someone in trouble we would stop and have done in the past, as I have said a lot lately, what has happened to this once great country.

Happywanderer · The Master

So sorry that has happened to you Shaz, I can imagine it would be that way at times. In my travels north I never came across anyone from this forum at all. But must say when I had my problems the other caravanners who were parked in Kumbia where I limped into where the most helpful bunch I could imagine.
I had the husbands crawling all over my van with their instruments while the wives were offering a cuppa and cake. They couldn't do enough for me.
On the way home stopping at the same place, a different set of caravanners did exactly the same, going over the van finding other bits that needed fixing.
I couldn't thank them enough.
I think it is the time and place, not every time are you going to get the help you are hoping for.
I would be damned brassed off too and don't blame you.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Being a solo traveller myself, I have to be very mindful of the dangers of stopping for someone on the side of the road. Especially in that area. Also you see a lot of vans stopped presumerably for a cuppa. When I broke down, the first thing I did was call NRMA. I would be a bit worried if someone had stopped to help and the other thing is I would be completely useless in helping out. Few tools on board and probably couldn't use them to fix anything anyway.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Geez Dame Markalot, thats terrible. Did you stand out side and wave at them? People usually wont go past if you let them know you need help.

After we'd stopped on the Stuart Hway because I'd hit and killed an emu I used the UHF radio to warn other traffic. 4 other vans stopped to check we were ok, and we subsequently met and had morning tea at the next rest stop with 2 of them.

Dame Markalot · Member

Bonnet up. Hazards lights on i wasn't going to lie on the road geezzz.... bah bah bah

Sheba · Guru

Maybe every-one thought that you were waiting for the NRMA to arrive ? Did you try to flag any-one down ?

I usually stop just to make sure every-thing is under control. Only don't if it looks a bit suss.

Got here a bit late, didn't I ?

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 13th of October 2011 10:02:58 PM

goinsoon · Guru

Dame Markalot wrote:
Bonnet up. Hazards lights on i wasn't going to lie on the road geezzz.... bah bah bah

Same here, the smoke coming out of the engine should have been a clue or maybe two kids crying might have been a give away, but no one stopped even to ask "are you ok, can we call someone"

blaze · Guru

I stop if possible. Stopped to help a aborignal family on a remote road (great Central Road) and I met a bout 10 caravans and 20 other vehicles prior to coming across the vehicle. Thyey had been there from 7 am until I stopped at 2 pm with a very ill dibetic child. Was I worried about stopping, dam right I was. I dont know what the answer is but it could have legal implimantion if you stopped and something went wrong. I think its good to stop but will not put my family at risk to do so. Fors the people that expect people to stop the likes of RAC ect is cheap insurance and I think we should all have a membership if travelling. I would also be more inclined to stop in remote areas. Its also not easy to pull a van up on the side of the road (not knowing the area in question). Just my thoughts
cheers
blaze

-- Edited by blaze on Thursday 13th of October 2011 10:42:11 PM

Cruising Granny · Guru

It's a two way street. Stop and offer assistance - to a potential criminal or a genuine break down? Which is it?
Stop and offer assistance to a grateful motorist?
It's a big decision. I, as a woman try to assess the situation as I approach. I would imagine blokes would also be nervous about stopping.
If you had a huge Grey Nomad sign somewhere the decision would be easy. The little sticker is only good at close range.
Unfortunately there are some crooks out there who pretend a breakdown to commit a crime against the unwary good samaritan.
Then there are the genuine break downs. It's a tough one, but I'm sure you can see the dilemma.

goinsoon · Guru

Cruising Granny wrote:
It's a two way street. Stop and offer assistance - to a potential criminal or a genuine break down? Which is it?
Stop and offer assistance to a grateful motorist?
It's a big decision. I, as a woman try to assess the situation as I approach. I would imagine blokes would also be nervous about stopping.
If you had a huge Grey Nomad sign somewhere the decision would be easy. The little sticker is only good at close range.
Unfortunately there are some crooks out there who pretend a breakdown to commit a crime against the unwary good samaritan.
Then there are the genuine break downs. It's a tough one, but I'm sure you can see the dilemma.

Yeah right, all the crooks are going to the trouble of buying caravans worth 40 grand plus just to rob passing motorists, now I have heard everything, just admit it, most people are just apathetic

Cruising Granny · Guru

Not being too cynical or suspicious, you'd be surprised how the crooks present themselves to inflict themselves on the unwary. The spoils of crime against the unwary traveller can be very lucrative, especially these days with electronic equipment on board.
It's because of these unscrupulous mongrels the rest of us have become so cautious.
I do slow down or stop and ask from the car, but usually they wave me on with a thank you wave.

goinsoon · Guru

Cruising Granny wrote:
Not being too cynical or suspicious, you'd be surprised how the crooks present themselves to inflict themselves on the unwary. The spoils of crime against the unwary traveller can be very lucrative, especially these days with electronic equipment on board.
It's because of these unscrupulous mongrels the rest of us have become so cautious.
I do slow down or stop and ask from the car, but usually they wave me on with a thank you wave.

I didn't even get that

Dame Markalot · Member

heard it all before Goinsoon is right, and the I am only a woman excuse well.... I am too, never been an excuse for me see someone in trouble, just a are you ok is all it takes. as i said before all hot air

goinsoon · Guru

Dame Markalot wrote:
heard it all before Goinsoon is right, and the I am only a woman excuse well.... I am too, never been an excuse for me see someone in trouble, just a are you ok is all it takes. as i said before all hot air

You are right there, those kids I had with me must have posed a threat, we must have looked real dangerous, a pair of 63 plus oldies with two young grandies - what a scary sight.

ChiChi1 · Guru

After having a couple of experences over the years I am very wary of stopping for anyone. Used to travel over the Hay plains from Adelaide to Hay quite often. Pulled over for someone one night and suddenly three other people appeared out of the bushes on the side of the road. Certainly appeared like they were up to no good to us. At least I had my husband with me. Now, by myself, I just won't do it unless theres been an accident or I can clearly see and assess the situation.

goinsoon · Guru

Excuses, excuses, excuses

All I can say is "wait till it's your turn"

justcruisin01 · Guru

Dame Markalot wrote:
I have been on the road now for 7 weeks and all i have heard from fellow travellers and on these forums is how we are there for each other, giving all the right advise and how we help each other when its needed. Well today i broke down, (Luckily only) 5kms outside Coonabarabran in the over 4 hours i sat there waiting for help at least 40 Vans and such passed, not "one" even slowed down for a look. I guess its all hot air. BOOO
Shaz

The number of members on here is minute compared to the numbers out thereon the road. Maybe they dont all share the same good will as we try to do.

I've had many years in the motor trade & been called out to break downs & recoveries, & you never know just what you are going to be faced with when you get there, there is always a little bit of that unknown factor.

Dave83 · Senior Member

I have to say goinsoon, I can't help but notice that you're being a tad rude to some people who are simply offering different opinions.

It would be a shame to think that some of the people who have been talking about negativity on the forum lately might be right.

goinsoon - it really sucks that nobody stopped to help. But unless you're suggesting that the people on this forum were the ones driving past, I don't really think it's fair that you should be taking your frustration out on them.

Father Ted · Senior Member

Hit the nail on the head Dave.There are a few petty minds who really have not lived much life but they are the ones who bemoan anyone who has.I go out of my way to help people if I see the need,my theory is that if the person I helped can do the same for someone else,then I have served my purpose.Not everyone can afford the fee for a motoring service so they are left to accept help from a good Samaritan.Reading back through the comments it seems as though we have a few Scared Samaritans.Then of course we have "Kharma". disbelief

lyn-n-ken · Senior Member

gee shaz sorry you broke down did you call the nrma for help, and what finally happened. how long are you in coona for.

chi chi were like you , wouldnt be any help and would be worried about stopping, we have a few tools but hubby is useless he can change a tyre (with his brawn and my brains).
even a bit wary about some rest areas.
its sad times have changed to make us overcarfull, i recall many years ago about 30 years ago travelling along the pacific hwy and running out of petrol, me sitting on a rock with 3 crazy kids running around it in circles and hubby with a can, thumb out for a ride to gosford ,a south african couple stopped to give him a ride and didnt want to leave me and the brats because in their country it just wouldnt be safe to do so took a while to explain that it was ok here. but now ....well. sweet poeple gave him a ride back to.
lyn

Landfall · Guru

Common courtesy?

Not so common any more!

When I am teaching students how to drive, I often get asked? "Shall I let that car in?"

My answer is simple, "If you were in that car, would you like someone to let you in? That's your answer."

Most students let the other car in!

There fore, if you see someone broken down, ask the same question.

"Would you like someone to stop and render assistance?"

You don't have to be a mechanic, a simple "Are you OK?" is rendering assistance.

Just being there, is a huge moral booster.

Dusty

animalcarer · Senior Member

Sorry you had such a s.... time, its happened to us , a couple of times,

but generally the good weighs out the bad. we now avoid altogether driving at night.

Which helps. Pull up early . We help other travellers generally 80% of the time.

Fairy-Nuff · Veteran Member

Like the other females, I would be useless. I have some tools but wouldn't know how to fix anything. How pathetic is that in this day and age. And I am wary of stopping, but I have pulled up next to a broken down vehicle and, with doors locked and window down just a little, asked if they were ok. To be a good samaritan in any situation, always ensure your own safety first. As for legal implications if something went wrong, Blaze, there are laws in QLD to protect good samaritans if something does go wrong,

goinsoon · Guru

Dave83 wrote:
I have to say goinsoon, I can't help but notice that you're being a tad rude to some people who are simply offering different opinions.

It would be a shame to think that some of the people who have been talking about negativity on the forum lately might be right.

goinsoon - it really sucks that nobody stopped to help. But unless you're suggesting that the people on this forum were the ones driving past, I don't really think it's fair that you should be taking your frustration out on them.

not worth a reply

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

I have no hesitation in pulling over to assist when someone with a van appears broken down (bonnet up or hazard lights on). We have pulled over quite a few times to check people are OK. Often we get a thank you, but we are OK. One time we responded to a call over the CB from a vehicle that was about 5km ahead of us, whose jack was useless in changing a tyre on their van.

Not being mechanically mind we can at least provide moral support and basic assistance where we can. We provided water to one vehicle and followed them to the next town. Another occasion it was the use of our NextG phone as they did not have a signal with their mobile. Once we stayed with the couple for an hour whilst they were waiting for roadside assistance to arrive as she was having a bit of a panic attack, so we had morning smoko and gave them a cuppa.

Whether it is Karma or whatever, when our Patrol handgrenade did its thing mid way between Peak Hill and Dubbo a couple with a van followed as we limped, blowing smoke, to a parking bay. We found we had no Next G Phone reception to get roadside assist so was going to use our HF Radio. However this couple took our details and drove on to near Dubbo and summoned roadside assist for us. Whilst waiting we had a number of vans slow down but we waved them on. Then a policeman pulled in and checked our welfare and confirmed via his radio that the tow truck was on its way.

Since our breakdown we have stopped a few times to offer assistance to others, so we reckon that we have a few more Karma credits that hopefully we dont need.

Dave83 · Senior Member

Mum's already posted saying that she probably couldn't fix a mechanical problem herself. When we were out buying bus "accessories" I suggested that she buy a cheap set of spanners and screwdrivers to keep in the bus regardless. I figure that if a good samaritan offers to help, the tools will be available. Worse case, I could probably talk her through some issues on the phone. For the twenty odd dollars that it costs to keep some basic tools in the vehicle, I figure it's not a bad investment regardless of your mechanical ability.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Our first big event left us on the roadside out of Merriwa, heading to Dubbo. Lucky to have phone signal and the NRMA premium paid for itself that day and the following week! Straight forward situation,not many vans passed us that day, but no one even slowed to see if we were OK.

Next one: big weather event, rain and wind, on a windy bit of highway coming back across into Singleton. Passed a van with the awning blowing around and ripped. Couple pulled over and were trying to secure things despite wind and rain. I said "If it wasn't so wet and windy I would stop and help." ..... now came the karma!!!! About 20 kms further along, the mirror told me our awning had done exactly the same thing ! .... served me right!!

There is good karma coming to the couple in a van who waved us down one morning on the Newell Highway to signal a problem with the pop-top. I (yes, my fault) had not done the final check properly, and the clips weren't secured. Thankfully we were only a few kms along that morning and there was no damage..... their kindness saved a lot though.

My theory is, you have to look out for yourself, and if you can't manage to deal with, or fix, the problems that will arise on the road, pay for the insurance or do a course to learn the mechanical skills etc.... or buy karma ahead of time by playing good samaritan, random acts of kindness etc.

When all of that doesn't work, just know that you are the opportunity for some one else to do a good deed.... which they may or may not do.

Bottom line... no point whinging.

the rocket · Guru

well said landfall. the rocket and strop