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#154 - The wave is dead, Dangerous overtaking & Kalbarri camping

#154 - The wave is dead, Dangerous overtaking & Kalbarri camping

The 4WD Podcast Jul 16, 2026 51 min
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About this episode

A mix of practical 4WD know-how and road-safety talk, starting with Terrain Tamer’s “tip of the week” and then shifting to camping logistics—using your vehicle as a windbreak, avoiding “widow makers,” and dealing with cash-only sites near Kalbarri. The hosts also run a “wave” experiment and debate why some drivers don’t return it. Later, they call out dangerous overtaking (especially near blind corners) and discuss towing speed limits. The episode closes with camping power and cooking debates, including induction versus gas.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

terrain tamer fuel filter

"offer we've tested them i literally just put a terrain tamer fuel filter um into my car when [120.3s] on the weekend"

A fuel filter cleans the fuel so the engine doesn’t get clogged or damaged by dirt. “Terrain Tamer” is a brand that makes aftermarket filters for off-road use.

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Term

prevailing winds

"he says use your vehicle as a windbreak uh park it so it shelters your tent or cooking area from prevailing winds but avoid parking"

Prevailing winds are the dominant wind direction and pattern for a particular region over time. In camping, using them helps you position your vehicle to block the wind more effectively.

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windbreak

"he says use your vehicle as a windbreak uh park it so it shelters your tent or cooking area from prevailing winds but avoid parking"

A windbreak is something placed to block or reduce wind flow. Here, the host is describing using the vehicle as a windbreak to protect a tent or cooking area from gusts.

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widow makers

"but avoid parking under dead branches or widow makers as he calls them and i thought that's a great tip"

“Widow makers” is a slang term for dead or hazardous tree branches that can fall unexpectedly. The advice is to avoid parking under them because they pose a serious safety risk.

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Term

max tracks

"but the wind was coming underneath the car like you're saying yeah um actually i think i had a camper trailer when i was up there so it might have been the camper trailer that it was going [224.9s] on anyway the wind was going under one thing so i had to stack max tracks"

“Maxtrax” (spoken here as “max tracks”) are traction boards used in 4WD recovery to provide grip when a vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, or soft ground. They’re commonly stacked under the driving wheels to help the tires regain traction.

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Company

Bosh

"did you know that they're 94 owned by a charitable foundation and nearly all of the dividends from their company go to that foundation i no i had no idea about that no idea robert bosh he set it up in his will before he died in 1942"

Bosch is a big company that makes parts and tools for cars. Here, they’re talking about how Bosch is set up so that money from the company helps a charity.

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charitable foundation

"did you know that they're 94 owned by a charitable foundation and nearly all of the dividends from their company go to that foundation"

A charitable foundation is a nonprofit group that uses money to support good causes. In this story, it’s where the company’s dividend money is supposed to go.

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dividends

"nearly all of the dividends from their company go to that foundation"

Dividends are profit payments that go to the people or entities that own shares in a company. Here, they’re saying Bosch’s dividend money mostly supports charity.

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Car

200 series land cruisers

"y62 patrols um and a couple of older 200 series land cruisers now i don't know the weight or the size of the the van that you're telling"

The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series is a tough 4WD that’s commonly used for long trips and towing. In this discussion, it’s one of the main alternatives being considered for someone shopping under a set budget.

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Car

everest

"what about an everest hang on sorry let me get sorry no i'm getting ahead of myself you go yes an everest the everest has popped up the the newer um three liter six cylinder everest yeah you do lack a little bit"

The Ford Everest is a family 4WD SUV that can tow and handle road trips. The host is considering a newer version with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine as a possible alternative.

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Car

Volkswagen Multivan

"accessories on them too like these aren't just stock standard still the ones that like now they're coming out of the key carnival so the ones that popped up were like the Volkswagen multi-vans and stuff like that like later model multi-vans i couldn't remember the size of the van but they"

The Volkswagen Multivan is a van designed to carry people and gear comfortably. Many owners add accessories to make it better for trips, like extra storage or camping-style setups. It’s mentioned because it can be a practical base for travel, not just a basic stock van.

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Term

V8 engine

"nissan patrol ti l 40 grand down 125 000 k's obviously it's the auto it's got that that beautiful v8 [696.2s] engine in it um the luxury it's a luxury model like the l like it's the the top the top end of the"

A V8 engine is a gasoline engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. In simple terms, it usually means strong, smooth power—something people like for big SUVs.

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Term

Auto

"nissan patrol ti l 40 grand down 125 000 k's obviously it's the auto it's got that that beautiful v8 [696.2s] engine in it um the luxury it's a luxury model like the l like it's the the top the top end of the"

“Auto” here means the car shifts gears by itself. It’s generally easier to drive day-to-day than a manual, especially in a large SUV.

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Car

2013 Nissan Patrol

"top end um but there's another one 45 in w a for 2013 nissan patrol with bull bar snorkel roof rack"

A Nissan Patrol is a big 4WD SUV that’s built for rough roads and long trips. This one is described with gear like a bull bar, a snorkel, and a roof rack, which are common add-ons for off-road and camping.

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Part

bull bar

"top end um but there's another one 45 in w a for 2013 nissan patrol with bull bar snorkel roof rack"

A bull bar is a strong protective bar on the front of a 4WD. It helps protect the front of the car if you hit something like an animal or debris on rough roads.

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Part

snorkel

"top end um but there's another one 45 in w a for 2013 nissan patrol with bull bar snorkel roof rack"

A snorkel is a tube that raises where the engine takes in air. It helps the car breathe better in dusty areas and can reduce the chance of water getting into the engine when driving through water.

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Part

roof rack

"top end um but there's another one 45 in w a for 2013 nissan patrol with bull bar snorkel roof rack"

A roof rack is a frame on top of the car for carrying extra stuff. It’s useful for camping because it gives you more space for gear.

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Term

vdj engine

"i mean you get that that vdj engine but i don't know like i still think the patrols are"

“VDJ” is shorthand for a particular Toyota diesel engine used in some Land Cruisers. Diesel engines like this are often chosen because they make strong pulling power for towing and long trips.

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Holden Suburban
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Holden Suburban

"check out this 98 99 holding suburban so if bogie's into it i am all for this it's 192 000 k's"

The Holden Suburban is a big SUV that’s built for carrying lots of people and gear. The host specifically likes the petrol V8 version with seven seats for fitting everyone in and doing long trips.

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Term

V8

"yeah it's a petrol it's a v8 and it's it's got seven seats like you're gonna fit everyone in"

A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders. It usually gives strong pulling power and feels smooth, which is why it’s common in big SUVs.

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seven seats

"yeah it's a petrol it's a v8 and it's it's got seven seats like you're gonna fit everyone in"

“Seven seats” means the vehicle can carry up to seven people. That matters for camping trips because everyone can ride together in one car.

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Car

70 series

"it's not apparently it is but yeah no i disappointed in some 70 series didn't get didn't get some waves back from the 70 series um and i noticed that it was a lot of the older blokes in the 70 series"

“70 series” is a Toyota Land Cruiser model line that’s built for off-road use. Here, they’re mainly discussing how drivers of that model wave (or don’t wave) to each other.

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facelift model

"whether it's uh like yeah um 2013 model or or my facelift model or a troopy or yeah whatever it might be there is there's good connection there"

A “facelift model” is an updated version of the same car made a few years after launch. It usually looks a bit different and may get some improvements, but it’s still the same overall vehicle.

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Car

troopy

"whether it's uh like yeah um 2013 model or or my facelift model or a troopy or yeah whatever it might be there is there's good connection there"

“Troopy” is a nickname for a long-wheelbase Land Cruiser variant used a lot in Australia. The speaker is saying that even different versions of the Land Cruiser tend to connect and wave to each other.

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Term

2.8

"they don't want to wave at me because they're like oh look at this prick with a new one yeah new two point eight later i've got the old i've got the proper yeah"

“2.8” is shorthand for the engine size—2.8 liters. They’re using it to describe a newer version of the Land Cruiser compared with older ones.

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Term

key attachment

"“he reckons there's key attachments everywhere in sydney see i got the same fee so we put up i put up a reel… did the key attachment fail… i haven't seen any of them or barely any of them”"

A “key attachment” is a small extra piece you put on your key (like a tag or accessory). The hosts are basically saying they don’t see many of these around, and they’re comparing what they saw in different states/cities.

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Car

Byd Sharks

"...sted tried or anything like that but a lot of byd sharks mate yeah a lot of byd sharks out there they're a..."

The BYD Shark 6 is an electric vehicle made by BYD. People mention it because you can see a lot of them around and they’re becoming more common. It’s part of the wider BYD lineup that drivers are talking about.

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Term

under the tray

"they're also under the tray first one i've seen with the like i take the tub off and put a tray on it so yeah actually yesterday..."

“Under the tray” means stuff mounted underneath the pickup’s cargo bed. It’s a practical place to store gear or fit accessories without taking up space on top.

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Term

custom canopy

"and a lot of them with the custom byd canopy yeah have you seen those it's cool that yeah i like that it's good that's it looks sleek..."

A custom canopy is a fitted cover over the back of a ute. People use it to protect gear from the weather and sometimes to set up camping storage.

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Car

Byd Seal

"...here as well and a lot of the byd i think they're seals seals byd seals or sea lion or something yeah yea..."

The BYD Seal is an electric car made by BYD. It’s mentioned because people are seeing and talking about a lot of BYD electric models. It’s one of the BYD cars that’s becoming more common to spot while driving.

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Car

Tank Gwm Tanks

"... out there driving it driving around and a lot of gwm tanks mate are the tanks yeah the tanks are out there y..."

The Tank 500 is a 4-wheel-drive SUV made for tougher driving. People talk about it because you can see them around and they’re being used like real 4WD vehicles. It’s mentioned in the context of other similar Tank models that are out on the road.

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Term

road train

"People overtaking like three to five vehicles on the road at once including a road train, so that's a that's a fair distance..."

A road train is a very long truck setup with multiple trailers. It’s harder to pass because it takes longer to speed up and slow down, so risky overtakes are especially dangerous.

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Term

blind corners

"people overtaking literally just before blind corners so as they finish the overtake they're on the corner..."

A blind corner is a turn where you can’t see clearly around the bend. Passing right before one is dangerous because you might not see an oncoming car or where the road goes.

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Place

coast road

"you've gone the coast road haven't you i've gone the coast road yeah it's a which is a dangerous road mate it's not there's been a lot of accidents..."

They’re talking about the coast road they drove on. They’re saying it’s known for being dangerous and having lots of accidents.

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Term

overtaking lane

"a hundred still 110 yeah so it goes from 110 yeah but yeah like um overtaking literally just before [1721.5s] an overtaking lane yeah like doing a shitty overtake just before an overtaking lane"

An overtaking lane is an extra lane meant for passing. You use it to go around a slower car, then move back when you’re done.

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Term

speed limit

"and then you [1746.1s] get into that right lane overtaking and all of a sudden they want to go the speed limit literally [1749.6s] all of a sudden that frustrating when that happens"

The speed limit is the maximum speed you’re allowed to drive on that road. The hosts are talking about how the car being passed seems to speed up to the limit right when someone tries to overtake.

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Concept

convoy

"and especially [1832.0s] because like this happened a couple times where you're in like a convoy kind of almost thing like [1839.6s] with a car in front who's doing 90 in 110 zone and then the car behind them will go to overtake"

A convoy is just a line of cars driving close together. If the front car is slow, it can make it hard for cars behind to overtake.

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Term

inverter

"so ideally if i if i'm probably going away and it's just the car for you know and i need to use the the canopy space i don't really want to fill it with a barbecue but i've got uh obviously the inverter that i can run 240 volt appliances from"

An inverter is a gadget that turns your car’s battery power into the kind of electricity normal home appliances use. That way you can run things off the car while camping.

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induction cooker

"but i've never used an induction cooker while camping i've always gone to your gas options whatever it might be so i'm basically like what what do people reckon out there like what are they finding if if i've got the inverter and my best off bringing an induction that packs up nice and tidy sort of you know it's easy to use not a lot of mess"

An induction cooker heats the pot or pan directly using a magnetic field. It usually means quicker control and less mess than cooking with gas.

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Brand

Colman fire night

"um or do i go something like your your colman fire night yeah i i really love if i was going to go gas it's quite expensive"

Coleman (spelled “Colman” here) makes camping stoves. They’re comparing that kind of gas cooking setup with induction to see what’s easier for camping.

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Brand

Jet boil

"but the jet boil um genesis like base camp set up is like that foldable it folds out to two burners yes"

Jetboil makes compact camping stoves that are good for fast cooking. The host is saying the fold-out “base camp” setup is easy to pack and use.

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Term

240 volt

"and use that 240 volt because at the moment what are you doing for what are you using that 240 volt for now"

“240 volt” is the electrical power level from a wall outlet in some countries. It can affect how much power your car/power system needs to supply to run a device.

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Concept

hold their value

"will people still love the v8 then and will they still hold their value uh the fuel ... if they become more and more rare and like harder to get and harder to afford i think they probably would hold their value"

“Hold their value” means the car doesn’t get cheap quickly when you go to sell it later. They’re saying older V8 and 4WD models could stay valuable if they become rarer.

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Concept

fuel graph

"the fuel crisis of the 70s shocked everyone every world conflict raises the fuel price and the fuel graph has been on a steady incline since the 70s"

A “fuel graph” is basically a chart of how gas prices go up and down over the years. They’re using it to say fuel has tended to get more expensive for a long time.

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Concept

fuel crisis of the 70s

"the fuel crisis of the 70s shocked everyone every world conflict raises the fuel price and the fuel graph has been on a steady incline since the 70s"

The “fuel crisis of the 70s” was when oil and gas became much more expensive because of global supply problems. They’re using it to explain why fuel prices have been trending upward and why that could affect car choices later.

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Car

old land rovers

"range rovers old land rovers sorry like yeah"

Land Rover is the brand that makes many famous off-road 4WDs. They’re talking about older Land Rovers as examples of vehicles that might become harder to buy later.

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Car

Land Range Rovers

"... series 80 series 100 series patrols gq's g us um range rovers old land rovers sorry like yeah i think they they..."

The Range Rover is a luxury SUV that also has four-wheel drive for rougher roads. It’s designed to feel comfortable day-to-day, but it can still handle off-road conditions. People bring it up when they’re talking about 4WD vehicles that are meant to do more than just commuting.

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Term

diesel

"then yeah because everyone's like it's okay for it to be dropping yeah it's great for it to be celebrating a day well what is it i'm sort of seeing it around $1.80 to $1.85 for diesel"

Diesel is a type of fuel used in many diesel-powered cars and 4WDs. When diesel gets cheaper or more expensive, it changes how much it costs to drive your vehicle.

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Brand

zempire air tents

"all right next one quarry carpenter uh take a look at the zempire air tents i have two of them and they're pretty easy to set up and pack up you just have to pump them up do the pegs and guide ropes and you're set"

Zempire makes inflatable camping tents. They’re usually quicker to set up than pole tents, but you may need to think about space inside (like how much headroom you have).

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Term

awning module

"[2684.8s] awning module oh it's just the awning module so i can't actually buy the tent um all right well"

An awning module is basically a built-in add-on shade/cover that you can deploy for camping. It’s being discussed as something you can purchase separately from the rest of the tent setup.

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Term

twin arb compressor

"yeah so i'm glad um you got the twin arb compressor no i need to go and get that [2709.9s] you haven't got one i'm getting um it's on the list"

This is a 4WD air pump (from ARB) that can fill your tires. “Twin” means it’s stronger/faster than a single compressor, which helps when you’re changing tire pressure for off-road driving.

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Term

inflatable swag

"um this is [2726.5s] probably the way potentially if i don't get a camper that we end up camping like oh yeah we work [2729.9s] perfectly for you yeah so i'm glad um you got the twin arb compressor no i need to go and get that ... [2731.6s] i have an inflatable swag oh yeah that i've never used i've set it up before to see what it was like"

A swag is like a compact camping bed/shelter. “Inflatable” means the sleeping part uses air, so it can pack smaller—though you still need to see if it’s comfortable and easy to set up.

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Term

air mattresses

"yeah had an inflatable mattress in it too just didn't do the trick for me it was yeah two yeah [2742.2s] just yes yeah basically laying on the floor i go about air mattresses aren't for everyone"

An air mattress is a bed that you inflate with air. For camping in a vehicle, the big question is whether it packs down small and stays comfortable once you’re lying on it.

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