Touring Behaviour

Tassyclark · Newbie

Touring Behaviour

Southern Cruizer · Guru

Think I'll put the kettle on and grab a bag of popcorn, might need it here

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to GN's Tassyclark.

As you have discovered there are many selfish people out there, with little or no respect or manners - but; the majority of Nomads we've met don't bend, break or throw away the rules;

and then you can catch 1,000 elevators and no one notices - fart just once every body remembers.

Kebbin · Guru

TassyClark, I don't know how you can fix these problems other then waiting another 10 years or so to get rid of those that think they are privileged & everything should be free. Go to some of the larger free camps like out from Gladstone QLD see if you stay after a walk through.

diggerop · Senior Member

Another 15 minutes on a 768km, 8 hr 19 minute trip is just horrible.

Kebbin · Guru

That's nonsensical.

Whenarewethere · Guru

We supply our own toilet paper in public toilets for hopefully reasons clearly obvious!

vanTas · Veteran Member

I must admit to, on occasions, parking the tug and van over about five parking spots. Usually where there is no where else to park.

I try to be away from the venue (supermarket, picnic spot, toilet block, etc.), make the stop short, and make it so I cannot get blocked in.

I find it very irritating that those who design such places almost never allow for longer vehicles.

My combination comes in at thirteen metres, but is not the longest out there.

How can we stop to get supplies mid journey, use a toilet, visit a chemist, or just buy lunch if there are not suitable parking bays?

(It is no fun carrying a load of provisions some hundreds of metres back to the tug and van, to some out of the way "long bay" parking spot. Even if you do use them, finding such in the first place can be a nightmare. Then getting out again can be worse.)

We have only seen a few such extended bays for the touring rigs in proximity to the action, but some of those were occupied by vehicles not towing anything.

The greenshed mob have finally seen fit to allocate some long spaces to tradies and those towing trailers, but I often see them being occupied by a sedan, or people mover, with nothing behind.

I do however, agree with your other points.

Farmhat · Senior Member

Another Troll ??

86GTS · Guru

Don't know why you've posted your complaint on GN, none of us do any of the things that you've listed.
By the way, we don't go on TOUR, we TRAVEL, we're not royalty.

-- Edited by 86GTS on Friday 4th of November 2022 10:33:27 AM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Southern Cruizer wrote:
Think I'll put the kettle on and grab a bag of popcorn, might need it here

Here ya go mate, I'll share mine wif ya. See you in a few days.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Farmhat wrote:
Another Troll ??

He'll have to join the cue mate smile

Keep safe out there.

Magnarc · Guru

Methinks that the poster is in the bullet manufacturing business???????

I often wonder whether some newbies are old comrades under a new guise??????? Very simple to do.

-- Edited by Magnarc on Friday 4th of November 2022 09:12:47 AM

Cuppa · Guru

Tassyclark wrote:
Hi all, I am a late 50s guy with a similar aged partner. We love touring our fantastic country, currently with a 4wd and tent. We have seen some great spots, will keep doing it, but inevitably after being on the road we get tired of seeing the selfish behaviour of others. I would like your thoughts on the below and how people can be educated to cease this behaviour:
1. why do people towing drive at 80 k in a 100 k zone then speed up to 100 k in the overtaking lanes to minimise the amount of people who can overtake. Legal overtaking still requires the speed limit to be adhered to. As an example locals at Airlie Beach said they now add 15 minutes travel time to get to Bundaberg due to van owner behaviour.
2. why do people towing campers or caravans insist on parking across single car angle parking spots taking up 6 or 7 spots ?
3. why is every road side stop deemed to be a bush dunny that is scattered with poo & dunny paper? Disgusting.
4. why do some travellers feel they can take all the toilet paper from public toilets? I have seen people walk out with multiple rolls, obviously not their own. Should we make all public toilets BYO paper or gold coin entry.
is their any justification for this behaviour ?

Welcome to the forum.

I think some of the responses you have received are predictable given what you've posted. You have told us how much you love touring our wonderful country & your intention to keep doing so, but on your very first post choose to focus upon the negative activities of others, asking if there is any justification for what you have observed. I'm not sure what response you expected? A communal agreement saying what a bunch of ignorant morons THEY who do such things are? I don't think there is a lot of doubt about that, but would you rock up to a camp fire surrounded by folk you don't know & first thing you do is start up a similar conversation? I reckon most folk would be far more interested to learn a bit more about you & the wonderful adventures you've enjoyed.

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have seen it on other forums. People who's first post is to come in swinging instead of building long term constructive points of view always seem to disappear like dead birds deflected off the windscreen.

Hitting the road · Senior Member

I think we could all grizzle about many things experienced every day..but those experiences make the journey what ever you want it to be. I am sure too all here could fill a page with their gripes and complaints, but why bother as we all likely share the same complaints anyway.
While traveling and sharing space with strangers, being a bit precious will only make your journey miserable.

FMC · Veteran Member

Except for the speed?? We have never done any other things on your list. The speed question is one of safety, our rig is 100 series land cruiser (petrol/gas) towing 23ft van, the most economical speed for us is 80-90kms per hour any faster, safety is the prime concern, I always where safe to do so pull over and allow traffic to pass.

I have had 200 series land cruiser pass me with a big van doing an estimated 115-120 km in an overtaking lane, south of Port Augusta, never seen again except for him being at a servo filling up about 30kkms down the track.

Adding 15 minutes to a trip means you can still listen to some more nice music.

Cheers and happy travels

Whenarewethere · Guru

We live on the water front in Sydney, people diligently put their dog's number twos in a doggy bag which is great.

But then they can't drop it off in the next public bin, so toss the bag & contents over the fence when no one is looking. I have seen it happen from our top floor apartment, tapped on the window grabbing their attention, but they do a runner.

& people are complaining about white roses in rest areas!

Whenarewethere · Guru

FMC wrote:
Adding 15 minutes to a trip

...allows you to buy two coffees & still have change after filling up.

goldenyears · Senior Member

Just want to say tassie i agree with all your issues unfortunately this sort of behaviour experienced by many !! and i have no reason to make any smart ass comments about your very valid points ! Hope it doesn't deter you tooo much from travelling !

Southern Cruizer · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Southern Cruizer wrote:
Think I'll put the kettle on and grab a bag of popcorn, might need it here

Here ya go mate, I'll share mine wif ya. See you in a few days.

Ok, I'll buy a couple of extra bags, might need it Doug

Are We Lost · Guru

The photo of the woman answering the call of nature is a creation to make a point.

Can anyone here believe that the woman is obliiviously unaware that the photographer is standing right there? The perspective shows it was taken from quite close and not from a distance with telephoto lens.

Whenarewethere · Guru

At my age I have to stab the spade in the ground just in front to pull myself up. The knees can't do it by themselves anymore.

Southern Cruizer · Guru

You could always sit on a log and hope to hell you don't fall backwards or you'll be in the S!!t

yobarr · Guru

Southern Cruizer wrote:
You could always sit on a log and hope to hell you don't fall backwards or you'll be in the S!!t

Or purchase a "Bumper Dumper" if comfort is important to you. Cheers

rgren2 · Guru

As a kid we used to play tip-n-run, different to knock-n-run. It appears that someone is playing the same game.

landy · Guru

Yep, looks like they are biting well.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

If I cant find a spot to park with the van I have no issues taking up five car parks while I spend money in the town.

Possum3 · Guru

It is not unusual (when parking in country towns when angle parking is prescribed) that I will proceed to end of designated angle parking, drive into the penultimate spot then turn hard right to exit in the last space, parking the combination in a "V".

TheHeaths · Guru

Tassyclark wrote:
Hi all, I am a late 50s guy with a similar aged partner. We love touring our fantastic country, currently with a 4wd and tent. We have seen some great spots, will keep doing it, but inevitably after being on the road we get tired of seeing the selfish behaviour of others. I would like your thoughts on the below and how people can be educated to cease this behaviour:
1. why do people towing drive at 80 k in a 100 k zone then speed up to 100 k in the overtaking lanes to minimise the amount of people who can overtake. Legal overtaking still requires the speed limit to be adhered to. As an example locals at Airlie Beach said they now add 15 minutes travel time to get to Bundaberg due to van owner behaviour.
2. why do people towing campers or caravans insist on parking across single car angle parking spots taking up 6 or 7 spots ?
3. why is every road side stop deemed to be a bush dunny that is scattered with poo & dunny paper? Disgusting.
4. why do some travellers feel they can take all the toilet paper from public toilets? I have seen people walk out with multiple rolls, obviously not their own. Should we make all public toilets BYO paper or gold coin entry.
is their any justification for this behaviour ?

Well Tassy, a controversial start I must say.

Unlike others I dont suggest you have made your first post like this to stir the pot, just to make comment on what you have seen.

That said, the behaviours you talk about are those of a very small minority of travellers in my observations over 16 years and a 100000 kms of towing. Yes it happens, but most are just good people having a good time harming or annoying no one and doing the right thing.

So enjoy your travels and meeting people.