Flags Should Be Mandatory
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I’ve always been insecure about going up dunes, always dreading that someone else maybe coming up the other side… or worse may actually jump that crest into my backseat.
Having just got an ATV flag, I feel alot more confident that at least the tiny flag will be visible to anyone thinking of going up that same dune with me on the other side.
Though it may be wise to attach to hood rather than behind the car…
I think flags should be a minimum requirement for all drives. They’re cheap, easy to fix and if necessary, we can have a few on hand for newbies (they can purchase at end of trip if they want).
great idea Sahmed, i was thinking on getting one too.
though i just dont know why they fix a short one at the rear of the 4×4 (like you mentioned), makes no sense unless you drive up dunes in reverse? just visualise it?
oh dear god.
flag on the rear of your car is for the CAR FOLLOWING YOU TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE CLEARED THE DUNE OR NOT.
quote Albertho555:unless you drive up dunes in reverse? just visualise it?hahahaha….dude gud one !!! =))
It’s clear what the purpose the flag on the rear of the 4×4 is – that was never the question.
My concern was: when going up a dune, your visibility aid (flag) will become visible after your front bumper comes into view. If anyone is coming up the other side, he won’t see your flag until after he rams you head-on.
Assuming:
Car length 5m
Car height 2m
Angle of ascent 35degYour flag must be 2.87m from the ground at the rear of the car (or 0.87m if attached to roof rack) to be visible at the SAME TIME as the hood of your car, as you go over a crest.
If you want the flag to be visible only ONE car length before your nose goes over the top, you need a 3.74m tall flag pole attached to your roof rack at the rear.
The length requirement is halved if you place the flag at the front of the car.
This would mean that if your flag is less than 3.74m, it is best to attach to the front rather than the rear. When going over a dune, your flag would be visible until you had travelled almost a car length from the crest.
yes the track leader will also wash your bum after you take a visit to the toilet.
guys, understand this, a team leader is not a nanny, it is YOUR responsibility to know what you are ahead of and it is YOUR call wether you want to take the risk of whats behind the dune or not.
A flag’s position is ON THE REAR SIDE OF THE CAR for the following reasons:
1- Know wether the car in front of you has cleared, and if not, you will have better clearance when u find out it if it hasnt.
2- if you are going up a dune, and another car is sidesloping, you WILL see the flag.
in case of worry from head-to-head collisions, then you need to be careful while crossing dunes till you are comfortable knowing which side to drive and what speed.
Follow previously made tracks and not against them.
Hope that helps.
The leader has responsibilities, but that does not give you an opportunity to forget yours.
What’s a good flag height – from the roof rack to tip of pole?
the higher the better and nicer it looks.
mhmdyamout, thanks for your feedback. learned quite a lot from this thread, im
very very new to the sand so excuse my stupidness & dont shout at me !! 😛 eheheSahmed, thanks for the input too … makes a lot of sense when you sit down and get it on paper.
By the looks of it, it’ll be wise to have a flag in front and at the rear ???? eheheh
if not, a long one mounted in the middle on the roof would be wise(est) EH?
Or, get AXA and drive like Jessil 😛 (fear no man, fear no machine, fear no sand)
quote Albertho555:great idea Sahmed, i was thinking on getting one too.
though i just dont know why they fix a short one at the rear of the 4×4 (like you mentioned), makes no sense unless you drive up dunes in reverse? just visualise it?also what i wanted to tell you guys was not clear, i have seen 4×4’s with about 2.5 meter antennas fixed around the rear bumper but actually comes up around 1 foot or so above the roof. its better than nothing, but so short? this is what i wanted to say !!! sorry for not being more clearer.
also now i understand the reason why its on the rear and the benifits of it too. thanks ya’ll. This thread will be a very useful thread to newcomers and should be ‘stickied’.
One more small question to the Seniors, in flying planes we usually steer right if we are in a head-on event. Is there such a rule-of-thumb in the dunes? I know at that point of crossing the dune your steering will not be that affective, it wont be affective at all if you’re jumbing the dune … but is there such a general rule of thumb in the sand?
and yes, this is coming from a stupid newbee who hasnt been in the sand only 6 times 😛
Not sure about rule-of-thumb, but I usually indicate which way I’m turning before I turn.
It might delay your turn a little, but at the cost of turning away closer, you’ll be sure the other guy knows which way you’re going.
For anyone who wants to buy a flag:
Dragon Mart – Machinery Section
For suction cup: ‘Zheij Ang Yong Kang Laode Welding Tools Co Ltd – Shop # EAD06’ – Dh12 for single cup.
For fishing rod: ‘Ocean Fly International Business Co Ltd – Shop # FAF01’, ask for a broken one – Dh25
(one of the two guys there knows what you want it for – he’s the younger one, in the pic at the back, speaks english quite well)Single suction cups are rare, but you can get the triple cup for Dh35 in the same section.
Also, for those of you who prefer ATV flags, there’s a small shop just a few shops away from Zheij Ang that has bike helmets in the display. He has ATV flags – Dh25 for white 7ft, Dh35 for black 10ft.
Just keep in mind that you can’t fold the ATV flags (unlike telescopic fishing rods which are easier to carry ‘cos they retract).
FYI – You can also get shackles in the machinery section – Dh25/pc for 4.75tons. Tow ropes are also available, but for the same price (Dh150+) you can get a ‘snatch’ strap from Bushranger at ACE.
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quote Albertho555:Or, get AXA and drive like Jessil 😛 (fear no man, fear no machine, fear no sand)=))
Shan, you actually took pics??
Next time, If you come across chinese air-jacks, do let me know.
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