FAQ
General
When is Opposite Lock Darra open?
Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Do you accept credit cards at Opposite Lock? Can I pay with Eftpos?
Yes, we accept major credit cards and we also have Eftpos.
Is there free parking available at all Opposite Lock stores?
Our store has limited parking available.
I bought an item and want to have it fitted to my vehicle. Can you do that for me at Opposite Lock Darra?
Opposite Lock Darra has its very own professional workshop. We normally only fit products that are sold by us. However if you do need help, you can always contact us to see whether we can help. Please give an adequate description of your vehicle and the product that needs fitting.
I am running an event which might be interested for Opposite Lock. Does Opposite Lock do sponsoring?
We are always interested in sponsor opportunities as long as there is a good publicity around the event to promote Opposite Lock Darra. Please contact us with the event details (number of participants, expected visitors, publicity around the event etc.) and we will take your request into consideration.
Looking for a career at Opposite Lock Darra?
Feel free to send your resume and cover letter to careers@oldarra.com.au
Recovery
How many recovery points do I need to have on my vehicle?
Depending on your vehicle, we can fit one or two (rated) front points and one or two (rated) rear points. Sometimes the presence of a receiver‑type, or Hayman Reese tow bar, can take the place of additional rear points.
What are the basic items I should bring if I go off‑roading?
At Opposite Lock Darra we sell different snatch kits, from a basic snatch recovery kit, containing a snatch strap and two bow shackles (you can add to as you get more serious about 4WD) to professional winch kits for frequent or heavy‑duty recovery work.
I am thinking of fitting a diff‑lock. Is it better to have a diff‑lock on the front or back? Or both?
In the perfect world you may well fit both front and rear ‑ subject to models being available, but choosing front or rear to fit will vary from vehicle to vehicle based on where your vehicle gets the greatest wheel articulation.
Is it easy to repair my own puncture if I need to?
With Tubeless Tyres a roadside repair can easily be carried out using a Safety Seal or a Bushranger Plug Kit. This can be done without removing the wheel from the vehicle. If you have Tubed Tyres, or if your repair necessitates removal of the tyre from the rim, this can be done using the Tyrepliers bead breakers and repair kits. These Bead Breakers are efficient to use, and compact to carry in your vehicle, which means long distance trips can be manageable and stress‑free.
What kind of winch is right for me?
At Opposite Lock Darra we can help you with a winch that’s right for the kind of recoveries you’re likely to have to tackle, right for your vehicle and right for your pocket too. A hand winch is a good place to start. It’ll help you help give you the confidence you need to take on the tough stuff or venture out on your own. And if the worst comes to worst, it’ll make getting out of trouble that much easier. A power winch is the ultimate 4×4 accessory and at Opposite Lock Darra we’ll guide you through the intricacies of line speed, load ratings, gear systems, power draw, spools, rollers, wires and ropes, and make sure you make the choice that’s right for you.
There are a lot of air‑compressor for sale. How do I know what is the right one for me?
The way we approach matching a compressor to a customer is by ensuring we understand the customer’s needs for speed of inflation, size of tyres, frequency of use, climatic conditions, number of vehicles and finally budget. From there we can make our recommendation from the range of pumps available to us.
Should I get a Bull bag air jack instead of a hi‑lift jack?
A hi‑lift jack is a must for four‑wheel‑driving, but why not try a Bullbag Airjack? Running off your exhaust it’ll lift you out of sticky situations quickly and easily. Also useful when travelling with a camper trailer.
Travel
What is the right tyre pressure for my car?
Tyre pressures must vary for different terrain to get the best traction. The pressure depends on your vehicle weight and the size of the tyre. Please follow the following guidelines for the best tyre pressure:
- Check vehicle placard
- Increase to maximum for heavy‑load bitumen
- Reduce to approx 70% of the placard for dirt‑road driving, and slow down!
- 60% for low‑range work
- Hot and cold pressures differ by about 4psi at road pressures
- Choose an appropriate tread pattern
What is the right tyre pressure for beach driving?
A simple rule is to start at 18psi. Once you have deflated to 18psi, drive onto the beach gain a little momentum and do the following:
- In a manual vehicle, push clutch pedal to disengage drive
- In an automatic, back off the accelerator
- If your vehicle rolls smoothly to a stop, your tyres are at the correct pressure
- If your vehicle stops suddenly or digs into the sand, your tyres are too hard. Let some more pressure out of your tyres in 2psi intervals. Repeat the process until you achieve a rolling smooth stop. You can safely deflate most 4WD tyres to 12psi with out any problems. But remember you need to keep your speed down and avoid any sharp turns when your tyres are deflated.
I am thinking of doing a big trip across the Simpson Dessert. Can I get more information on that or other tracks at my local Opposite Lock store?
At Opposite Lock Darra we love four‑wheel‑driving and we make a point of getting out there, getting around, and getting dirty absolutely every chance we get. There is a big chance we did the trip you’re thinking of already, so please contact us to discuss your big trip.
How much water should I bring if I travel into the outback?
As general rule you should carry 30‑50% more water, food and fuel if you travel to remote areas. Now it’s easier than ever to take along the water you need with Opposite Lock’s poly water tanks. Available in a range of useful capacities, and cleverly formed for convenient mounting on your roof rack, behind the rear passenger seats, or in the back of your UTE or wagon, these food‑grade polyethylene tanks will keep your water clean, clear, fresh smelling and within easy reach. Simple to install, and easily removed when you don’t need to carry water along, they’re tough, durable and will last a lifetime.
Can I rent a Satellite phone at Opposite Lock? Or do you sell EPIRB's?
It is not possible to rent Satellite phone at Opposite Lock Darra, but we do sell EPIRB’s. We also have a large range of UHF CB radio’s.
Do you also sell insect screens to keep bugs and grass seeds out of my radiator?
Yes, we sell insect screens to protect your vehicle. Please have a look in our webshop to our range of screens.
I want to bring a GPS on my trip. Do you also sell GPS‑systems with off‑road maps?
Opposite Lock Darra has access to two brands of GPS which combine voice guided street navigation with outback map coverage for the entire Australian land mass. Customers have the opportunity to include specific map areas in greater detail.
If I carry a GPS do I still need to bring a map?
While a GPS can give you excellent fine detail, and route guidance, maps of the region you are travelling through help to give you perspective of your progress, and information about features to see along the way.
Is a safety flag pole compulsory if I go sand driving?
Whether a flag pole is compulsory will vary from region to region, but the safety benefits afforded by a flag pole when travelling through undulating dune country, and desert tracks are enormous. We offer excellent flag poles which are telescopic, which means they are very manageable during long highway stages.
Product
What is the advantage of having a snorkel?
Clean air and fuel are important for your engine. Water entering air intakes during a creek crossing, or even water in your fuel, can cause a major engine failure. At Opposite Lock we carry air intake snorkels to suit all popular models and recommend high performance replacement air, fuel, and oil filtration systems to handle the extremes in Australia’s tough conditions. If clean air and clean fuel go in you’ll get more power and more economy out of your vehicle.
What is the reach of an UHF‑CB radio?
UHF CB radios are limited by law to 5 Watts of output power. This, combined with your choice of aerial, and allowing for atmospheric variables, means you can achieve reliable communications in the range of 5 to 30 kilometres (without the use of repeater‑stations).
Can you get an UHF CB into my dash‑board?
Yes, we have a number of model options, including some which have all the controls in the microphone, so there is no need to make holes in the dashboard.
Do you also sell a GPS with off‑road maps?
Yes, we do sell GPS with off‑road maps. On both the HEMA Navigator as well as on the VMS touring series there are 4×4 maps available besides the normal street navigation maps.
I am looking at buying a travel fridge. What different sizes are there to choose from?
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a long cool drink after a day in the bush, and there’s nothing like having fresh food with you on a long trip. With a fridge/freezer it’s easy to make sure that you can enjoy both. At Opposite Lock you’ll find everything from compact units you can slip between the front seats and carry with one hand, through a big 100 litre plus unit with separate fridge, freezer and dairy compartments, and handy 31 and 40 litre ‘weekends away’ models. Don’t forget, if you’re going to be running a fridge for any length of time you really should have a dual battery system installed.
Towing & Boating
I am towing a heavy camper trailer/van, do I need to adjust my suspension?
At Opposite Lock Darra we believe that every vehicle deserves a suspension tailored to the type of terrain to be covered, the load carried, and the style of each individual driver. That’s why, instead of selling ‘one‑size‑fits‑all’ kits we draw on a huge range of aftermarket springs, shocks and suspension components to put together custom made suspension systems that really will suit your vehicle and the type of driving you do. So don’t settle for an off‑the‑shell kit, visit Opposite Lock Darra, discuss you needs, and get the suspension you deserve!
When do I need an electric brake controller?
When towing trailers which are fitted with electric brakes, a Brake Controller is required for the brakes to function. This means you can control the amount and the rapidity of the trailer brake operation, and know it will all happen automatically when you apply the foot brakes.
I have got LED lights on my trailer, but seem to have troubles. Is there a problem with Dynamic Stability Control and how can I solve this?
A lot of modern vehicles are equipped with Dynamic Stability Control which is an enormous boon in avoiding accidents. One function, which the vehicle ECU is constantly checking for, is to see whether there is a trailer attached to the vehicle. This is so that the DSC response is adjusted accordingly. This constant checking by the computer can cause LED trailer lights to flicker and fluctuate whenever they are connected to the car. We now have a device which acts like an adaptor between the trailer plug and the car socket, which overcomes this reaction whilst retaining all the OE functions of the trailer wiring circuit.
Do you also sell trailer winches at Opposite Lock?
Our electric winch supplier has a great range of models which can also do service as trailer winches. We select the most appropriate model to suit your specific needs.
Suspension
I want to lift my suspension, but there is a lot to it. Can Opposite Lock do that for me?
Whether you have a coil, leaf or torsion bar, we can raise your ride height, adjust your geometry, and provide perfectly matched springs and shocks to give you longer suspension travel, better articulation and better off‑road performance.
What is the function of a steering stabiliser?
Fitting a steering stabilizer will help tame kickback (which occurs when big heavy wheels and tyres tackle uneven terrain) but the benefits go beyond making your vehicle more comfortable and controllable in off‑road situations. On a long trip a steering damper will cut down drive fatigue caused by front‑end shimmy and wander, help extend tyre and front‑end component life, and significantly reduce the hazard of potholes and blowouts. If you are serious about your off‑roading we strongly recommend the 4way ‘Return to Centre’ stabiliser.