Taking the family on a road trip
Taking the family on a road trip can be a great getaway and a 4WD adventure with off-road aspects to it is a fun way to embark on a holiday that will be memorable for all the right reasons. It can also help to impart your love of the great outdoors to your kids.
Why Take Your Kids on Off-Road Adventures?
Travelling with kids on adventures in the Outback is a great way to bond as a family and create lasting memories. It helps foster a love of travelling and it gives your kids unique new experiences. They get to see their beautiful and diverse country and learn invaluable lessons along the way. Kids also benefit by learning patience, becoming more adaptable, and they can experience different landscapes, ecosystems, environments, and even climates. They can learn map skills, discover their own adventurous spirit and feed their curiosity. It is also a great way to build on family relationships and bonds.
If you’re thinking about an extended trip which may mean that the kids will miss some school, don’t forget they can incorporate some of their schoolwork into practical life skills:
- Geography - read the map and get them learning to navigate
- Maths - calculate fuel consumption or how many kilometers you’re travelling each day
- English - write a family blog or send postcards to friends back home
There’s nothing better than applying some of their education into real life scenarios.
Travel Safety with Kids
4WD-ing can truly be a fantastic family affair – but the key to having a great time is to plan ahead and make safety your top priority. You need to understand that 4WD-ing has its own set of challenges and hazards and that having kids along for the ride requires an extra level of care and attention.
Let’s face it: kids are naturally curious. They need a bit more supervision than normal when they’re in the great outdoors, and you need to consider some things specifically when you’re going on any road trip, but even more so with kids:
- Driver Safety: driving off-road always requires adherence to traffic laws. Everyone must wear seatbelts even when travelling in the most remote areas. Younger children must be restrained properly in their car seats. All body parts must be kept within the vehicle while travelling and adventure 4WD-ing, so keep kids’ windows rolled up – this also prevents scratches from vegetation and bugs and dust from entering the 4WD.Always check the area around your vehicle prior to starting your vehicle as kids can be difficult to see. The driver should always be the last person out of the vehicle and the first one in, just in case it rolls unexpectedly. Also, keep kids well away from the vehicle during activities like winching.
- Personal Safety: Be very aware that kids can easily get lost, especially in the bush. Kids should be given a device for signalling – this includes a whistle worn around the neck, and a mini torch. Even the youngest kids should know their own names and their parents’ names, and ideally, their address and phone number for a parent. Teach kids not to wander off and to stay with their sibling or buddy. Make it clear which areas are “out-of-bounds”. Every child should also have his or her own water bottle. If you’re in the bush, remember a warm jacket, sun protection, a hat, insect repellent, and closed in shoes. It’s also a good idea to dress kids in bright colours so they can be easily seen in the bush or when swimming.
- More Safety Tips:
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- Plan your trip to include stops for facilities and time out for the kids to run and play. Try not to spend all day driving from A to B and avoid driving at night.
- Make kids aware of potential hazards like ant nests, snakes, mine shafts, cliffs, other vehicles, spiders, etc.
- Plan ahead to have plenty of fresh water, snacks, etc.
- During challenging parts of the trip (both off-road and in heavy city traffic), the kids need to be quiet and calm.
- Take plenty of rest stops.
Keeping Kids Entertained on a Road Trip
Not all parts of a road trip are fun for passengers, especially kids. Keeping them happy and entertained is essential! Some ideas include:
- Puzzles – including dot-to-dot and crossword puzzles. Or you could take travel jigsaws.
- Driving Games – for example, Eye Spy, Twenty Questions, Count the Cars, or even card games.
- Have a story-telling contest or a joke-telling competition.
- Play music from everyone’s playlists. Have a singalong!
- If your kids don’t suffer from travel sickness, they could use a tablet or smartphone for entertainment. But keep in mind, there’s a big world to see out there and time away from digital devices can be a great thing during a family holiday.
ARB’s website has a Kid’s Corner page with printable games and puzzles that are ideal for a road trip – including colouring in, crosswords, mazes, dot-to-dots, spot the difference, and word searches.
Visit ARB Maroochydore
If you’re planning a road trip with the kids, your first stop should be ARB Maroochydore! Owners Nick & Lara, who have many years of personal experience road-tripping around Australia with their son, are very proud to welcome you and share their expertise when it comes to all aspects of 4WD and adventuring – and they have the know-how to get your trip with the family off to a great start.
Contact us via our contact form, call us on (07) 5475 4011 or visit ARB Maroochydore in person six days per week. We look forward to meeting you!
4x4 Culture Live - New Event
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re interested in the 4×4 lifestyle; whether it be camping, fishing, touring or 4WDing, ARB is right there with you.
On the 21st and 22nd March 2020, ARB is hosting a national off road event open to all ARB customers and friends. 4×4 Culture LIVE will be based around all the diverse aspects of 4WDing covered in the pages of the 4×4 Culture magazine: family travel, new products, vehicle set-ups, education, camping and everything that goes along with it.
Hosted at Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park in South Australia, attendees will be spoilt with a weekend full of adventure including tag-along tours of the 8,000-acre park, scavenger hunts, prize giveaways, camp cooking, fishing classes, special guests, product experiences and industry experts.
As night falls, the park’s licensed tavern will come to life with live music, catering and hours of socialising with other campers. For those with young tackers, a grassed yard adjoining the tavern will keep the youngsters entertained with a host of kids’ activities and entertainment.
Tickets for the event will go on sale on 3rd of September 2019 and will be available in Adult, Teen and Child passes.
Your ticket to adventure will include:
> Park access and camping fees
> Saturday night tapas and dinner (kid-specific meals available)
> Sunday night tapas and dinner (kid-specific meals available)
> Access all areas (classes, demonstrations, tours, etc)
> Evening entertainment
> Kids’ entertainment
Attendees will be responsible for their own camping equipment, fuel and meals (outside of included meals).
Things to note:
> There will be an on-site cafeteria and chef where meals can be purchased
> There are on-site amenities
> No dogs are allowed during this event
> No unregistered vehicles are allowed during this event
To register your interest in attending the event, please click the link below
It pays to use protection! ARB Promotion
ARB’s excited to announce the launch of our ‘It Pays to Use Protection’ promotion!
From the 15th of July to the 15th of September 2019, customers who purchase an ARB Summit or Summit Sahara Bar, Summit Side Steps and a Summit or Summit Raw Rear Step Tow Bar in one transaction from any ARB store or participating stockist located in Australia will be eligible to redeem a $500.00 ARB gift card!
The ARB gift card can be redeemed at ARB stores and authorised stockists nationwide. An ARB gift card will expire 36 months after the purchase of the card.
For more information about this promotion click the link below!
R&D Testing ARB Products and Zone RV Caravans in the Outback
Safety is of the utmost importance when you travel. You need to understand safe towing practices as well as the importance of having lightweight towing know-how.
Zone RV is one of the best Australian manufacturers of premium off-road and semi-off-road caravans. Their caravans are second to none both in terms of technicality and luxury. Research and development, or R&D testing, is a huge part of what they do before their vans make it to you, and their process for this is what makes their final product so superior to others on the market.
The Triple Crown Tour Zone RV Trip
The most recent ZONE RV trip for R&D testing was called the “Triple Crown Tour”, and saw the ZONE RV Directors David Biggar and Matt Johns travel with an entourage of ARB personnel in their rigs and caravans travel for an epic adventure over two weeks. They traversed the country from Australia’s west coast to their Coolum headquarters in Queensland, via the Gibb River Road, Tanami Highway, and Plenty Highway.
The trip was sponsored by ARB, Cooper Tire, Cel-Fi, Hema Maps, Dometic, and Cruisemaster.
These roads can be challenging for even the most experienced caravanner, and the purpose of this expedition was to test and identify any issues relating to towing caravans across these three roads. These caravans were specifically the:
- Z-16.6 Off-Road
- ZV-20.6 Venture
- Z-21.6 Off-Road (only for part of the trip)
The team also ventured into areas where caravan-towing isn’t usually attempted, namely Mitchell Falls in The Kimberly WA and the top of the Big Red Sand Dune in NSW’s Birdsville.
The Australian Outback has a reputation for being relentless, thanks to challenges including thick dust, deep-water crossings, natural obstacles, and relentless corrugation of tracks and roads. Add to this the scarcity of supplies available and the distance from the nearest facilities.
The ZONE RV trip, however, found these roads to be the perfect ground for testing their caravans and rigs to their limits. Thanks to the trip, the team was able to personally experience the unforgiving conditions and unpredictable obstacles along the way, and as such, common issues with lightweight towing and more were identified and were able to be rectified with the assistance of the expertise of the expedition’s sponsors.
The ZONE RV Directors are delighted to know that all caravanners and off-road enthusiasts will benefit from their experience on this trip, and they can share this themselves - the ZONE RV Trip had been made into a short YouTube documentary and it is full of exclusive tips and advice. The documentary offers not only a wealth of technical know-how and guidance but also the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way and the entertaining and at times funny banter amongst the team members.
Visit ARB Maroochydore
Nick & the team are very proud to welcome you to ARB Maroochydore. They have many years of practical experience 4wding, camping, and touring Australia’s wide brown land, and they are delighted to share their expertise with their clients. With the real-world experience they have of road-tripping and getting off-road in Australia and overseas, they have the right inside knowledge that could be of enormous benefit to you. When it comes to customer service, the sales team at ARB Maroochydore is second to none.
Be inspired! Call or visit ARB Maroochydore today.
Need A Canopy? Get One Now!
Every 4WD tray or ute needs a top-quality canopy to provide weatherproofing, storage space, and security for its cargo. It is an investment that is well worth the financial outlay and there is no better time to invest in a canopy for your vehicle than right now, especially if you use your vehicle for business or work purposes.
What is a Canopy?
A fantastic accessory and addition to any dual-cab Ute, a canopy maximises the tray’s potential as a load space. Without a canopy, the tray has no security, no protection from the elements, and is limited in what it can offer. With the addition of a canopy, however, the tray becomes a flexible storage space that can even be lockable. It can safely be used to haul work tools, camping gear, sporting equipment, even a camp fridge. The canopy will also provide protection from wind, rain, sun, dust, sand and mud. It protects your cargo wherever you go, whether you’re driving highways, outback dirt roads, or even on sand dunes.
Additionally, a top-quality canopy can also create extra useable storage space.
Why Purchase a Canopy?
A 4WD Ute is an incredibly versatile vehicle and is the favoured choice for everyone from tradies to commercial drivers and recreational vehicle owners. A Ute also provides the added safety of keeping the cargo of the vehicle separate from the vehicle’s passengers. Without canopies, the cargo in the tray of the Ute is susceptible to the elements, as well as to the potential for theft.
A high-quality canopy offers much more than simply protection from the elements for your cargo. It provides security (especially if it is lockable) and also maximises the space available for storage separate from the vehicle’s cabin.
Canopies have customised options available so owners can tailor their vehicle to their individual needs. also provide various customisable options for vehicle owners to tailor their vehicle to their own individual needs. Canopies may have sliding windows and vents (ideal for safely transporting animals like pet dogs) and may incorporate shelving, tie-down points, drawer systems, and roof rails inside the canopy or the option of roof racks on top of the canopy or racks, and much more.
At ARB, we have an array of traditional canopies as well as Ute lids and associated accessories. The right choice will integrate seamlessly with your vehicle and protect your precious cargo no matter where you are.
Why Purchase Your Canopy Now?
With the end of the financial year (EOFY) fast approaching, right now is the perfect time to invest in a canopy for your work vehicle. If you require a canopy (or ute lid) for tool storage or other work-related needs including security, you can claim your new canopy as a tax deduction. Additionally, there are great deals to be had on awesome products as the financial year winds down. So don’t waste any time – purchase your canopy at ARB Maroochydore before the end of June! Remember personal situations are different, so remember to consult your accountant.
Get Canopies at ARB Maroochydore
When you come to ARB Maroochydore, you know you’re getting the very best in products and advice on all things related to your 4x4.
Here at ARB Maroochydore, we are the Sunshine Coast’s largest 4wd accessories store. Our team have more than 20 years of experience 4wding, camping, and touring Australia’s most beautiful and remote places, and they share their expertise with their clients. Their real-world experience of travelling in Australia and beyond, and the knowledge and service that their sales team at ARB Maroochydore has to offer, makes them stand out from the rest. They are, quite simply, the best at what they do.
Get your canopies and all other 4x4 accessories at ARB Maroochydore today.
Struggle no more thanks to tailgate assist
Trying to juggle whatever you’re carrying is a feat in itself, let alone managing the weight of the tailgate. Wouldn’t it be useful if you had a little helping hand? ARB’s new Tailgate Assist is here to be that hand.
Using two different struts, the Tailgate Assist reduces the effort required to operate the tailgate. The passenger side strut helps to slowly lower the tailgate and the driver side facilitates raising it. The struts have been co-developed with Stabilus, the world-renowned strut manufacturer and ARB has designed a unique mounting system to ensure longevity.
“Tailgates vibrate a lot and tubs move when you’re driving in rough conditions, so we’ve put these struts through rigorous tests. We’re confident in the product and know all the components are going to last,” says ARB Product Manager, Rhys Brown.
The ARB Tailgate Assist is now available for Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-MAX, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton with more models under development. Contact the Maroochydore ARB store for pricing and availability.
WATCH THE TAILGATE ASSIST IN ACTION!
ARB Experience Day Coming Up - 7th April Landcruiser Mountain Park
We’re about to take ‘try before you buy’ to a whole new level.
With such a vast array of aftermarket accessories available on the market, when it comes to choosing the right ones for your vehicle, having an abundance of choices can make the experience a lot more difficult than expected.
That’s why, in a bid to help customers make more informed decisions when selecting accessories suited to their needs, lifestyle and fourby, ARB is launching a series of state-based events designed specifically to give customers the chance to experience the market-leading innovation ARB is ultimately renowned for.
ARB Experience Days will give you the chance to participate in demonstrations highlighting the comfort and safety advantages of Old Man Emu BP-51 shock absorbers on a diverse and tailored off road course. There’ll also be in-car experiences for those who appreciate traction – showcasing the full potential of a vehicle fitted with front and rear Air Lockers will negotiating a steep and unlevelled climb.
In addition to live demonstrations, each experience day will be hosted by a team of industry experts who’ll assist with a range of questions across not only the products on display, but each and every 4WDing product available through ARB’s national network of stores.
ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS:
When: Saturday 7th April 2018
Time: 9:15am until mid-late afternoon
Where: Land Cruiser Mountain Park
Limited Numbers: Spaces Limited to 10 people from each store
Cost: $45pp (day pass) or $70pp if you want to stay overnight
Hot lunch provided!
ARB’s Got You Covered
Aluminium Encased Awning
Complementing the design and sophistication of modern 4WDs, ARB’s aluminium encased awning offers a sleek and contemporary alternative to traditional awning covers while adding improved functionality.
The three quick release bungee cords and flip-up lid provide unmatched simplicity for unpacking and setup. Inside is our proven 300gsm, PU coated, fully waterproofed and UV protected canvas to ensure your protection from both the sun and rain. The awning is supported by heavy duty 1.2mm gauge x 25mm diameter expandable aluminium poles, anodised for greater corrosion resistance and perfect for setting up by the beach.
ARB Alloy bar range expands
The ever popular ARB Alloy bar range continues to grow with the latest addition of the 2016 Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series GX and GXL models.
The ARB Alloy bar range has been a popular option for a host of models for which it has previously been available, including:
- Toyota Prado 150
- Nissan Navara NP300
- Ford Ranger PXII
- Ford Everest
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT FOR THE LC200 GX & GXL
The 200 Series Alloy bar adds to ARB’s range of Alloy bars and is based upon a few key characteristics. To achieve the weight saving expected of an alloy bar, ARB’s engineers have concentrated on strength through design. Three different alloys and tempers are used in production of the ARB Alloy bar. These specific grades of alloy have been chosen to provide excellent corrosion resistance and high fatigue strength.
Due to the size and weight of the vehicle and the requirement for fitment of winches up to a 12,000lb in capacity, bar uprights and the separate winch cradle have been specifically designed and tested for the 200 Series. Thickness of the materials used has been increased to suit the additional loads.
Due to headlight washers, original equipment LED fog lights, parking sensors and Multi Terrain View Camera this bar does not suit the VX or Sahara model 200 Series.
PROTECTION & STYLING CHARACTERISTICS
- Vehicle specific design for the 200 Series GX and GXL
- Engineered, air bag compatible mounting system secures to the chassis via high tensile bolts
- Extensive steel protection panels under the pan and wing panels
- Will accommodate Warn, Magnum, Bushranger and Smittybilt low mount model electric winches up to 12,000lb, excluding Warn M12,000 (separate winch mount is required)
- 5mm alloy used for bar uprights. 4mm alloy used for wings and pans. 3mm wall thickness used in both 60mm and 48mm tubular outer frames and cross piece.
- Incorporates ARB’s renowned multi fold upswept and tapered wing design for optimum strength and approach angle
- 30mm radius on wings and centre section
- Split pan design for maximum strength and airflow
- 2 piece grill design for split pan
- Pressed form top pan and polished aluminium winch cover panel
- Durable two piece buffers
- Provision to accommodate ARB Intensity LEDs and a range of Bushranger and IPF lights
- Provision for optional ARB fog light
- Includes ARB LED indicator and clearance light
- Two aerial brackets located on the top of the centre cross tube
- Bar adds approximately 210mm to the overall length of the vehicle
WEIGHT:
Weight has been an important consideration when developing ARB’s range of Alloy Bars. The bar assembly of the 200 Series alloy bar compared to the ARB Summit bar equivalent bar assembly is approximately 50% lighter..
Bar chassis mounts and under wing panels between alloy and steel alternatives are similar in weight.
ALLOY AND WELDS:
Like with steel, alloy comes in different specifications and different resultant strengths. How alloy is processed through the manufacturing process can also affect the mechanical properties and strength of the alloy.
Three different alloys and tempers are used in production of the ARB Alloy bar for the 200 Series. The bar to chassis bracket mounts and uprights use a 5mm 5083-H116 alloy. Centre pans and wings use a 4mm 5052-H32 heat treated alloy. The outer and centre tubes use 6063-T4 heat treated to T4 temper for strength and workability. Outer frame is 60mm x 3mm tube and the cross piece is manufactured from 48mm x 3mm tube.
BUFFERS, SPLIT PAN GRILL AND FOG LIGHT SURROUND:
ARB’s Alloy bar range features two piece buffers, split pan grill and ARB’s fog light surround (fog lights are optional). All three components are designed to integrate with each other and the bar design.
The upright section of the two piece buffer has a style line to complement the fog light surround.
To assist with valuable air flow to the radiator the split pan has a two piece grill for an integrated appearance.
An access door on the left hand side allows access to the winch clutch handle. Overcoming clutch lever access issues when larger lights are fitted to the top pan.
FOG LIGHTS:
ARB’s new fog light surround is featured in the Alloy bar for the MY16 200 Series. The fog light surround accepts ARB’s 51W fog light. The surround is supplied standard with a screw in cover if no fog light is to be fitted.
A clear fog light cover has been developed separately.
The fog light surround will be supplied in a natural black finish to complement the buffer design. Whilst colour coding is available as an option, it isn’t recommended due to the polished finish of the bar.
PRESS FORMED TOP PAN AND WINCH COVER PANEL:
The top pan of the 200 Series Alloy bar features a press form to add strength and allow for the winch cover panel to be recessed.
For when no winch has been fitted, a 4mm press formed winch cover panel is supplied. When fitted the winch cover panel is recessed in the press formed top pan to give a level and integrated appearance.
WINCH MOUNT:
ARB’s Alloy bar range features separate winch mounts to keep the overall bar weight down (for non-winch applications) and ensures that the full weight of the winch and control box are on the bar mounts rather than on the bar assembly itself.
The lower pan of the bar features a knock-out panel for when a winch is to be fitted.
To suit the load and physical weight requirements of a 12,000lb winch, the winch cradle is manufactured from 5mm steel. The mount enables the winch control box to be recessed lower in the pan. Different mount holes and control box mount brackets are provided to suit different winches.
ANTENNA MOUNTS:
Two aerial mounts are welded to the centre cross tube to allow fitment of UHF/AM radio and mobile phone aerials/antennas.
Synchro pulse controlled welding is used for a visually appealing weld with seam quality that is comparable with that of a TIG weld.
LED CLEARANCE LIGHT / TURN SIGNALS:
Press formed apertures in each wing are provided to fit ARB’s LED clearance / indicator assembly.
DRIVING LIGHT MOUNTING:
The press formed top pan includes laser cut holes for fitment of a range of compatible driving lights including ARB Intensity, Bushranger and IPF 800, 808 and 900 Series lights.
Pinning holes for ARB Intensity lights are also included.
It is recommended that driving lights are fitted at the time of bar fitment. If driving lights are being fitted after the bar has been fitted, the centre lower stone tray will need to be removed to provide access to the right hand side driving light mount.