Don’t waste annual leave waiting for a tow.
The Christmas break is upon us and that means adventure time.
This may be the only time of year to get the 4x4 in low range. Getting stuck, or worse, is no way to spend hard earned annual leave.
Venturing from the beaten track and discovering Australia is something everyone should do, so here are a few hot summer tips from off-road weapon David Wilson at Adventure 4WD that will keep you on course for those scenic social media snaps.
1. FAIL TO ADJUST TYRE PRESSURE
“Tyre pressure is critical. We drive around on bitumen roads most of the time, in which case paying attention to your tyre placard is your starting point. Most wagons and utes start at about 200kPa/29psi and go up to around 250kPa/36psi when laden,” David says.
“These pressures will work on the blacktop but off-road I see over-inflation all the time and it’s stupidly unnecessary, wearing tyres out prematurely, increasing puncture susceptibility and extending emergency braking distances.
“When you venture onto a dirt road those bitumen pressures will be too high and can contribute to a loss of control. We’ve coined our '20% Rule' and it works a treat when travelling big distances on dirt roads.”
The rule is simple: when transferring from on road to to off-road, drop tyre pressure 20 per cent from the placard recommendation, and reduce speed 20 per cent.
“You’ll have a tyre that’s flexible and able to absorb the bumps and defeat punctures and give you a more comfortable ride and shorter braking distances. Always reduce speed with lower tyre pressure, so the tyre doesn’t get hot and bothered,” he says.
Of course, in between every roughened track and piece of unspoiled country is a road. Once off the gravel and back to bitumen, tyre pressures need to change to suit the surface.
2. LOSE YOUR COOL
The fastest way to guarantee a walk through the bush stalking for phone reception? Succumb to the red mist and try and rev out of every situation.
“The moment you recognise forward momentum has ceased, get off the accelerator pedal quick,” David says.
“Stop, stand back and have a look at it. Get out of the car; take the opportunity to make further tyre pressure reductions if needed. Spend a little time thinking about how you can escape.
“More often than not reverse gear is your ticket to freedom. Certainly in sand or mud, if the gradient allows for it, you can use the same tracks you came in on.
“Air out as much as if you are in an emergency, say stuck on a beach with rising tide lapping your doors. Anything sub 15 psi might spin the tyre off the rim, so slow and steady is the key,” David says.
3. DISREGARD TREAD PATTERN
Australia is as beautiful as it is tough. Go bush with the wrong tread pattern and you will know about it.
“H/T’s might just be OK on a beach, but in an outback situation they are aren’t ideal. By the same token, taking an M/T tyre onto a sandy beach might just lead to digging holes – the tread is too aggressive for the sand,” David says.
“An A/T light truck tyre is an all-rounder that will do a multitude of jobs, and do most of them justice. They are perfect on the beach, in sand and over rocky conditions that most summer adventurers encounter.
“The Open Country A/T II is as tough a tyre as I have ever used and takes the abuse of amateurs and pros alike without a problem,” David says.
