Finance Company, Club Money, sent in these suggestions of things to be prepared for when planning your next big road trip and how to access some fast cash in an emergency if things do go wrong.
The best way to avoid things going wrong when you’re out exploring Australia is to prepare for them anyway. There are any number of unexpected challenges that can come up while you’re on the road, so you’ll never be able to prepare for every possible eventuality.
The trick is to identify the problems that are the most likely to come up and prepare for those. So here are some common problems and how to prepare for them.
Break downs
If you’re planning a long road trip over rugged terrain, it’s possible that you’ll have to deal with a break down. Hopefully, you won’t be in the middle of nowhere if or when it does happen. Depending on where it happens and the severity of the problem, you could end up being stranded for days.
To prepare for this, you need to make sure that your vehicle is serviced before you go and along the way as well if you’re doing a longer trip.
Things like wheel bearings, brakes, timing and fan belts don’t need replacing often but if they fail while you’re on the road then you could be stuck.
It’s worth considering replacing them before you go instead of along the way when it will be more difficult and potentially more expensive.
It will also help if you have a toolkit and some basic knowledge so that you can fix minor issues yourself or at least identify what the problem is for major breakdowns.
If you’re able to do some diagnostics, you might be able to make sure that the mechanic will have the parts you need when they come out. A service manual for your vehicle will help this.
Flat tyres
A flat tyre can happen anywhere and is almost inevitable on a long trip that includes unsealed roads .
Make sure your spare tyre is in good condition and consider taking two spares if you’re planning to travel in remote areas.
Include a tyre plug repair kit, an inner tube and tyre levers so that if it comes to it you can put a tube in a damaged tyre that a plug won’t fix and possibly still get to the next town.
Of course you’ll need a compressor and tyre pressure gauge to manage your tyre pressures.
Illness
Getting sick while you’re on a holiday is the last thing that anybody wants. But unfortunately, it can happen anywhere. If you’re rushing around a lot and eating foods that you don’t normally eat while you’re on the road, this can even increase your chances of getting sick.
Make sure you are prepared with a variety of over the counter medications for common illnesses that can happen when you’re travelling. Things like cold and flu tablets, painkillers, and medication for stomach problems can get you out of a bind if you’re nowhere near a pharmacy when you start feeling sick.
A comprehensive first aid kit is a must.
Car accidents
Getting into a car accident is certainly the most dangerous situation that you could encounter will on a road trip. If you’re driving long distances on unfamiliar roads, this can increase the chances of getting into an accident as well.
There’s not a whole lot you can do prepare for the possibility of car accidents since even if you do everything right, you could still get in a car accident that someone else causes.
If you’re driving long distances on unfamiliar roads, this can increase the chances of getting into an accident as well. If you have been involved in an accident, then use DingGo to find affordable smash repair specialists in your area.
However taking regular breaks (at least 15 minutes every 2 hours) and switching drivers throughout the day will make sure that the driver is as alert as possible and best prepared to deal with anything that comes up.
This is especially important when towing, driving on unsealed roads and driving around dusk or dawn when animals like kangaroos are most active and likely to appear in front of you suddenly on the road.
It’s also a good idea to have a satellite communication device like a Personal Locator Beacon(PLB) on board so that if things go wrong and you’re out of mobile phone range you can call for help via satellite.
Heading home early
There are any number of things of things that can go wrong at home while you’re out on your trip. In some cases you might have to drop everything you’re doing and come straight home. There could be a family emergency or extreme weather warnings for your destination that could force you to change your plans at a moment’s notice.
There’s nothing you can do to prepare for this except to expect the unexpected. If you’re ready to roll with the punches, then you might avoid some of the stress involved. Just like many of the other points on this list, changing your plans at short notice could end up being quite costly. In an emergency, getting a fast loan could help you deal with the situation.
Club Money
Club Money provide fast emergency cash loans to help you through the tough times.
If you are looking for payday loans or a quick cash loan and you need it approved quickly, Club Money could be perfect for you!
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