Accessories & Electrical

NEW SNATCH RECOVERY KIT

Made by 4WDers, for 4WDers

4WD 24/7 says there’s no recovery kit on the market with the unique combination of gear and a bag like that offered by the new Snatch Recovery Kit developed by 4WD 24/7’s Shaun ‘Shauno’ Wale and Snatch Outdoors. Having spent two decades of 4WDing all over the country and undertaking thousands of recoveries using all types of 4WD recovery gear, Shauno and Snatch Outdoors has developed what they call the perfect recovery kit, with everything you need to get you out of trouble and nothing that you don’t need. “No one sells a recovery kit with everything I wanted in it,” Shaun said. “So, we put together a 4WD recovery kit that will let you safely do almost any type of recovery, there isn’t another kit like it on the market.” After two decades and thousands of recoveries, the Snatch Recovery Kit was developed with a clear goal in mind – it must have everything you need for almost every recovery situation, but nothing that’s not needed, so you aren’t paying for gear you’ll never use. Soft shackles have been used instead of metal ones to remove weight and make this kit “so much safer.” Instead of a snatch or pulley block, included is a heavy-duty aluminium winch ring. Removing metal and moving parts from a recovery kit makes the actual recovery safer – but also makes your kit lighter, easier to store and carry. Even the winch extension is a synthetic rope, which is much lighter and easier to store than a traditional strap, especially when it gets wet. Recovery gear needs to last and perform when you need it, so high-quality snatch straps have been used along with big, thick, tree trunk protectors and premium winch rope for the winch extension strap. It all comes in a recovery bag like no other – the heavy-duty canvas and PVC recovery bag doesn’t just hold all your gear; it also doubles as a winch blanket which is an essential for every recovery. “We hate it when the blanket slips down the winch rope, so we added a retention strap to the bag - so you can attach it to your winch hook, stopping it from sliding down mid recovery!” Shaun said. “No recovery kit on the market has these inclusions (soft shackles, heavy-duty bag, winch ring) - do your own research and you’ll see why the gear and quality we’ve packed into this kit make it one of the best value for money recovery kits money can buy!”

MAXLINER VENTURE LAUNCHED

“The most versatile canopy ever” launches in Australia

Since relaunching in Australia in 2019, Maxliner Australia says it has shaken up the 4WD and SUV automotive aftermarket accessories market in Australia. In 2022 the team is set to take it a step further with the launch of the Maxliner Venture canopy. The new canopy has been engineered from the ground up by automotive industry stalwarts Maxliner Australia’s parent brand Vandapac Pty Ltd, and reportedly features groundbreaking specifications combined with electrifying styling. “Over the last twelve months, we have been working closely with our in-house R&D team to engineer a new canopy from the ground up,” Vandapac Australia and Maxliner Australia Managing Director, Nigel Brownscombe, said. “Our brief was to build a canopy that takes away the niggle points from canopies and combines it with SUV-like styling. The result is Venture.” Maxliner says the new Venture canopy design addresses issues that canopy customers don’t love and replaces these features with well thought out functional and stylish elements. An example of this is large side windows for optimal accessibility. Another is the addition of handle-free entry on the rear and side windows that open with a push of your vehicle’s key fob. An additional way the Venture is challenging traditional canopy offerings is by presenting customers with two product styling options: a traditional colour-coded painted body or a modern and an aggressive black-accented version. Either style can be matched with black door moldings, flares, weather shields, side steps, and crossbars. These additions allow customers to further personalise their vehicles and offer dealers further profit opportunities. The Venture features a spoiler for good looks, but a fully reinforced steel structure roof allows a robust load carrying capacity, perfect for work or play. “We are excited to have a range of new products in 2022. The first of these products will be our new canopy. This range expansion underlines the commitment from Vandapac in developing appealing, innovative products for the Australian market,” said Johan Van Loosdrecht, the Director of Australia and Europe for Vandapac and Maxliner. What’s in the kit:

• One 11,000KG 9m Snatch Strap • One 12,000KG 3m Tree Trunk Protector • One 9,500KG 15m Winch Extension Rope • One 12,500KG Winch Ring • Two 15,000KG Soft Shackles • All stored in a recovery bag that doubles as a winch damper “Every recovery I’ve done helped me make the ultimate recovery kit for 4WDers - so this is everything you need for almost every recovery!” Shaun said. For more information, visit www.4wd247.com

The Venture canopy product line-up launch will start with Australia’s most popular ute: the Toyota Hilux canopy will be available in March 2022, followed by the much anticipated Next-Generation Ford Ranger. Closely following this will be Isuzu-DMAX and Mazda BT-50, while other models are currently being considered. Maxliner dealers across Australia can take preorders for the Hilux now. For more information, to place a fleet order or become a distributor or stockist, please contact the Maxliner Business Development team on 1800 592 192.

CENTURY OVERLANDER 4X4 NOW SEALED MAINTENANCE FREE

The Century Overlander, one of Australia’s most popular batteries for 4WDs, has undergone a redesign

While most standard 4x4 batteries are purely designed as a starting battery, the Overlander 4x4 – which Century says is now a battery of choice for true heavy duty off-road vehicles – is a sealed maintenance-free dual-purpose battery combining starting and semi-cycling capabilities. Today’s modern 4WD vehicles demand a lot from the starting battery and in off road conditions we require even more from our battery, especially while driving at low speeds in rough terrain and using essential accessories such as winches. These accessories draw power from the starter battery and as you’re driving slowly, chances are the battery won’t be getting enough charge back from the alternator at these speeds. Ultimately, this will drain the battery, possibly leaving you stranded and causing serious long-term damage to the battery. The secret behind the Overlander 4x4 battery is the hybrid technology design, incorporating both calcium and antinomy plates producing dependable starting power plus added semicycling capabilities. This allows the battery to handle the discharge from additional accessories without damaging the internal components and affecting the overall life of the battery. Furthermore, 4x4 batteries are subjected to some pretty terrible conditions and not just extreme hot and cold temperatures, but also endless road corrugations and bumps. Century has addressed this with thicker full frame cast plates improving the strength and durability of the battery. Additionally, the Overlander has Century’s exclusive Platelock Technology – an adhesive that binds the battery plates securely together to provide superior vibration and impact resistance. This is a vastly different construction to your normal car battery. Century states it also has a comprehensive range of batteries to suit road-based 4WD and SUV vehicles, with its Ultra Hi Performance and Hi Performance batteries offering exceptional starting power and improved durability for those who don’t take their vehicles quite as far off the beaten track. Choosing the right secondary Deep Cycle battery

In situations where high-current draw accessories are being used (such as lighting, fridges, or recharging mobile devices) fitting a secondary Deep Cycle battery is a must to keep the starting battery isolated and at full charge. Choosing the right Deep Cycle battery is vital, and Century says it has a battery available to suit most situations and requirements. If it is going under-bonnet, Century says a Flooded Deep Cycle battery offers superior heat tolerance and vibration resistance to ensure it will be able to handle the extreme conditions often experienced within your vehicle’s engine bay. Century’s N70T is a popular choice for 4x4 dual-battery systems located under-bonnet, and offers a maintainable design to allow the electrolyte levels to be topped up for extended battery service life. For confined spaces such as in the rear of a 4x4 or inside the battery compartment of a caravan, Century says an AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) battery would be the preferable choice. One such battery is Century’s C12-105XDA, which is an AGM battery offering fast recharging capabilities and long cycle life. AGM technology acts as a sponge like material to suspend loose electrolyte within highly porous glass fibre mat separators. They’re also sealed maintenance-free and non-spillable, providing greater flexibility with mounting options – even side-mounting on angles up to 90°. An even more exciting prospect is said to be Century’s new Dual Force+ AGM multi-purpose battery, which is designed to go where no other Deep Cycle AGM battery can – right in your vehicle’s engine bay. This dual-purpose starting and deep-cycling battery features a special polypropylene case which assists with heat dispersion – something essential for the underbonnet temperatures Aussie 4x4s can get to – along with providing up to 20x greater vibration and impact resistance for extreme off-road conditions. Regardless of which battery type and mounting location you opt for, keeping your Deep Cycle batteries fully charged when not in use is vital to maximising their service life and future performance. Deep Cycle batteries are not designed to be kept in a low state-of-charge, and will begin to degrade internally the longer they are left in that state. So, always ensure you recharge your batteries if their open circuit voltage (OCV) drops below 12.5 volts. To make battery monitoring easier, Century recently released its new BM12V Bluetooth battery monitor tool, providing a live view of how your vehicle’s battery is performing at any given moment. It monitors the battery’s charge percentage, cranking capacity during engine start up, and the amount of charge being put back into the battery once you hit the road. It can also provide warning notifications when your battery is critically low on power, so you can organise a replacement before you are left stranded. The Century Overlander 4x4 MF and N70T Deep Cycle batteries are both made and engineered in Australia especially for our climate and conditions. For more information, visit www.centurybatteries.com.au or call 1300 362 287.

HULK 4X4 DELIVERS INNOVATION FOR OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIASTS

Hulk 4x4 says its core mission is to supply the best products for the off-roading community

CoolDrive Auto Parts says its own Hulk 4x4 brand is one of the fastest growing players in the Australian off-road and 4WD market, with a massive range of the latest hard-wearing innovative gear. A perfect example of this innovation at play is the recent accolade received by the team at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, which saw Hulk 4x4’s Adjustable Vehicle Door Step being named the Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product in the 4WD category. The Adjustable Vehicle Door Step is the only patented product of its kind that universally works on both the front and back doors of most vehicles, giving its users more access to the roof. With its long extendable platform, it allows for a safe, flat grip, all while being strong, yet compact and easy to transport. Also a stand-alone in the industry is Hulk 4x4’s new Six Way 12/24V DC Control Box, which makes it incredibly easy for owners to wire up accessories for their vehicles, caravans or camper trailers quickly and safely. Included within the control box are six 20amp rocker switches, three accessory power sockets, a Quickcharge QC3 dual USB socket, two Anderson Style 50amp plugs (input and output) and a DC voltmeter. What really sets this unit apart in the market is the industry leading Quickcharge QC3 dual USB socket, with its three amps of power capable of charging items significantly faster than standard USB sockets. Earlier this year, Hulk 4x4 also introduced its new Tailgate Assist Kits in direct response to the team recognising the inconvenience of difficult to manage weighty tailgates. Easy to fit with all the mounting hardware supplied, the Hulk 4x4 Tailgate Assist Kits consist of two struts - one assisting with the soft slow down direction of the tailgate, while the other side assists with the lifting in the up direction. Hulk 4x4 has also recently introduced a new range of LED Driving Lights, built tough and perfectly suited for the outback environment. These new round LED Driving Lights are 9-36 volt compatible and available in seven-inch and nineinch sizes, in either black or chrome. The product categories covered by Hulk 4x4 include Air, Wheel and Tyre Accessories, Caravan and Trailer Equipment, Cargo Management, Electrical, Lighting, Recovery Equipment, Touring and Camping, Underbody, as well as Vehicle Protection. The team at Hulk 4x4 will be at the upcoming National 4x4 Outdoors Shows in Sydney (22-24 July) and Melbourne (19-21 August). For further information and to find your nearest stockist, visit www.hulk4x4.com.au

SNATCH STRAPS VS KINETIC ROPES

Carbon Offroad explains the difference

There’s a new player that’s been making its way into the recovery scene: kinetic rope. The snatch strap has been a recovery staple for many and with many successful vehicle recoveries over the years, it is included in most people’s recovery bags. So, what’s the difference between a snatch strap and a kinetic rope, and why should you pay extra for it? “Well as technology improves over the years with most things – mobile phones, televisions and so on – the humble recovery kit has also had some improvements as well,” Carbon Offroad’s James Don said. “Firstly, let’s define their use: both are used by attaching a bogged vehicle to a recovery vehicle by the use of a strap or rope to rated recovery points. “And both use kinetic energy stored in the rope when the recovery vehicle uses a ‘yanking’ method to assist the vehicle that is bogged while the recovery vehicle uses motor power to assist with the recovery. “This style of recovery has been very effective for a long time in 4WDing and off-roading. So, why would we change?” James explains that there are a number of differences between the two to consider in making this decision. Manufacturing differences:

• Snatch Strap: made from 100 percent Nylon which gives it its stretch abilities (20 percent stretch); sewn end loops; and woven flat Nylon material. • Kinetic Ropes: made from a combination of Nylon6 and Polyester (29 percent stretch); woven end for greatly improved strength and durability; inner Nylon core for stretch; and woven outer core for abrasion resistance. Pros and Cons

• Snatch Strap Pros: good on price and value; less bulky once rolled up; less weight (1kg lighter). • Kinetic Rope Pros: lasts longer; has inter-woven ends for better strength; more abrasion resistant with dual layers; has increased stretch for softer recover (29 percent); floats; faster pack away; can be used multiple times due to its design. • Snatch Strap Cons: has stitched ends (weakness that can fail); has 20 percent stretch rate; can only be used safely a few times; doesn’t float; not as compliant on both vehicles during the recovery (only 20 percent stretch); slower to pack up – you could just throw it in a bag, but winding it up makes for a neater recovery bag. • Kinetic Rope Cons: cost; weigh more than a snatch strap (approximately 1k heavier); slightly bulkier to store. “To summarise, both the kinetic rope and snatch strap have both good pros and some cons for you to consider when upgrading or purchasing a new recovery rope/strap,” James said. “For me, I would upgrade to a kinetic rope personally as it is more compliant on both 4WDs (recovered/recovering) which could see you save money in the long term with less stress on the chassis and its associated components. “It is also much easier to pack away, especially if it is caked up with mud or sand.” For more from Carbon Offroad, visit www.carbonoffroad.com.au

TAKE IT EASY

With Yakima

Living it up in the outdoors doesn’t have to be hard work. For over four decades, Yakima says it has been transforming the way people travel with their trusted solutions; packing safety, design sensibility and street smarts into every product, so you can ‘Take It Easy.’ Yakima recently launched two new products into the Australian and New Zealand markets – the Yakima RoadShower and the Yakima StageTwo bike carrier. For sandy feet, dirty paws, and muddy gear, the Yakima RoadShower is a trusty sidekick that provides a little bit of luxury in the outdoors – the convenience of pressurised water in the middle of nowhere. Available in two sizes – 15 litres or 26 litres – the RoadShower heats up from the sun’s rays, delivering you warm water anytime you need it. The unit has two locations for universal fitment on roof racks/ platforms or side mounting for campers and trailers, comes standard with the 140cm long hose and optional FlexHead Showers (long or short) available. Next to take the stage, is the Yakima StageTwo bike carrier. This all-new hitch mount bike rack is not only designed with modern bike geometry in mind covering wheelbases up to 132cms /52” and wheel sizes 16” to 29”, but it is also offroad and camper rated*. It also covers a huge range of bikes including kids to mountain bikes, road and gravel bikes, BMX to heavy e-bikes up to 27 kgs per tray (with a two-bike capacity*) and add the StageTwo + two option to carry up to four bikes. The stadium seating tiered architecture increases ground clearance on rutted trails or steep driveways, while the offset tray design further minimises biketo-bike interference and maximises functionality. The StrongArm hook quickly secures your bike with zero frame contact and the tool-free locking SpeedKnob 2.0 makes install easier than ever, while the forward-facing remote tilt lever means fast access to the rear of your vehicle and integrated locking cables, combined with the ability to add your own lock for added security. Available in two colours, Vapor and Anthracite, and offering Yakima’s exceptional Limited Lifetime Warranty, the StageTwo is a perfect accompaniment to those who will be riding for years to come. For more information, visit www.yakima.com.au or www.yakima.co.nz *Some size and load restrictions apply

NEW SOLUTIONS FROM NORWELD

Norweld has substantially reinvested in equipment and technology

Norweld Australia says this reinvestment has helped put the company at the forefront of tray and canopy production at its Cairns-based manufacturing site. With the addition of a custom-made CNC router, additional welders and third brake CNC, the team has been able to increase productivity and efficiencies during the 4x4 industry boom. Further to this, Norweld has employed 15 people since COVID-19 first hit our shores, growing the local manufacturing job opportunities for locals of the Cairns Region. To capitalise on this rapid growth, Norweld also added fleet tray and canopy packages to its tool bag with dedicated trade orientated products launching in mid-2021. This included a partnership with Milwaukee to deliver its ever-popular Packout kits to Norweld customers. This tool solution allows for easy and organised tool storage that locks to the canopy floor for transit. With this and a few other tool focused products, Norweld is now supplying vehicles to large commercial customers within the resource and energy industry. With this increased capability and production output of its manufacturing facility, the Norweld team says it is dedicated to delivering larger orders on time around the country. To help support this, Norweld has expanded its national footprint with six new agent locations now offering the Norweld product throughout regional Australia. Norweld explains that its products are backed by an “industry leading unconditional guarantee for life against faulty workmanship.” Finally, Norweld has also been busy exporting to the United States, with a number of containers being sent to the USA. Like Australia, the United States is experiencing a dramatic increase in local travel and in turn, the hunger for high quality products such as Norweld Australia trays paired with a Four Wheel Camper Pop Up Camper has grown. With great feedback from the states, and support from Four Wheel Campers as a distributor, Norweld says it is continuing to grow their export capabilities. For more information, visit www.norweld.com.au