The Overland Collective - Issue One

THE

OVERLAND 2021 | ISSUE 01

COLLECTIVE

DON’T BE FOOLED BY SANDRA THE 78 TROOPY’S CLASSIC VIBE FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROWS NEST REVIEW GET THE LOW DOWN ON THE MAVORA LAKES TRACK

FUEL YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE OVERLAND COLLECTIVE E-MAGAZINE IS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE OVERLANDING ENTHUSIASTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE BY MEANS OF SHARING WAGON BUILDS FROM FELLOW ADVENTURERS, PRODUCT & TRACK REVIEWS, AND OVERLANDING TIPS & TRICKS. WE’VE CHOSEN A DIGITAL FORMAT FOR THE MAGAZINE THAT IS EASILY DOWNLOADED AND ACCESSIBLE ON ALL DEVICES. THE REASON FOR GOING DIGITAL OVER TRADITIONAL PRINT IS TO GIVE YOU THE MEANS OF ACCESSING A QUALITY READ WHILE OUT OF RECEPTION ON YOUR OVERLAND ADVENTURES, OR WHILE KILLING TIME DURING YOUR WORK WEEK.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including print, electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the editor.

For permission requests write to the address below.

Michael Job overlanderexpeditions@gmail.com

CONTENTS overland collective

EDITOR’S NOTES THE FIRST OF MANY

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GALLERY 8 A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

PRODUCT REVIEW

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WAGON FEATURE

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FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST SANDRA 78

EQUIPMENT 41 PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

DRIVING TECHNIQUES

45

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS

53

COOKING RECIPE

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WATER CROSSINGS BASH PLATES

RUSTIC PAN BREAD

CONTENTS

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THE FIRST OF MANY...

Words by Michael Job

Firstly, I’d like to thank you for downloading a copy of our very first issue of The Overland Collective E-Magazine!

The Overland Collective has been created to help educate, inspire and connect a community of likeminded overlanding enthusiasts from around the globe. A place to share wagon builds, adventure stories from fellow explorers, gain insight through product and track reviews, and acquire new skills to apply while out on the tracks. Our reason for choosing a digital format for the magazine, is to give you the ability to dive into an exciting read whenever you find yourself with time to put your feet up.

In this issue of The Overland Collective, we have an awesome troopy build from Western Australia that is known by many as Sandra. Ken has put a lot of thought into the functionality and performance of this wagon, while maintaining Sandra’s classic vibe. We also give you a rundown on how we’ve found the Feldon Shelter Regular Crow’s Nest roof tent, provide you with some delicious campfire recipes, and tips for tackling river crossings.

I really hope you enjoy this first edition, and I look forward to seeing you back here for round number two. Until then get out and soak up those camp vibes, and don’t forget to tag us on your socials to score a chance of featuring in the gallery section! @_theoverlandcollective Thanks again!

Michael

EDITOR’S NOTES

THE FIRST OF MANY

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overland collective

YOU COULD ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

GREAT NEWS! WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO BUSINESS ADVErSTISING. Need help developing your AD? We’ve got you covered, just ask.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH WWW.OVERLANDEREXPEDITIONS.CO.NZ

COMMUNITY MEMBER @SAL.THE60 GALLERY A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

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COMMUNITY MEMBER @BRIWOOLNOUGH GALLERY A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

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COMMUNITY MEMBER @REDRIG_ADVENTURES GALLERY A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

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overland collective

YOU COULD ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

GREAT NEWS! WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO BUSINESS ADVErSTISING. Need help developing your AD? We’ve got you covered, just ask.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH WWW.OVERLANDEREXPEDITIONS.CO.NZ DRIVING TECHNIQUES WATER CROSSINGS

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FELDON

REGULAR CROW’S NEST ROOFTENT

REVIEW PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

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While traveling New Zealand a few years back Jess and I came across a couple who were camping out of their Feldon Shelter Rooftent at Purakaunui Bay on the Catlins Coast.

After chatting to this couple briefly, it became very clear that this was an epic way to see parts of the country that many don’t have the means to experience.

PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

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FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST ROOFTENT | $2199.00 | michael job Jess and I purchased our Feldon Shelter Rooftent about a year ago. Since mounting the rooftent to our vehicle we’ve put it thought its paces, travelling a stack of kilometres and thrashing it through all seasons with our two young kids and four-legged friend Bindi.

opinion easier to setup and pack away.

When it comes down to the build quality and design of the tent, it is plain to see that a lot of thought has gone into the functionality and durability of these tents. The shape of the rooftent has been specifically

The rooftent we opted to run on our short wheelbase Landcruiser was the Feldon Shelter Regular Crow’s Nest.

Our reasoning for this tent over the Extended Crow’s Nest was due to it being slightly cheaper, lighter and in our PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

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designed to be aerodynamic in high winds, while also working to prevent water from pooling on the canvas while at camp. Little features like the interior storage pouches, shoe pocket conveniently placed next to the ladder and the pocket for storing the rain fly spring poles, make life much easier when camping for long

THE ROOFTENT HAS NEVER LET US DOWN ON THE TRACKS periods of time.

Feldon Shelter have built the tent from the highest quality materials to ensure that your investment will stand up against New Zealand’s harsh weather. The outer shell of the rooftent has been constructed using waxed stitching and heavy duty UV resistant, ripstop poly cotton canvas. The canvas has been PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

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waterproofed, and all double stitched seams have been tapped to prevent water from making its way in.

Supporting the main body of the tent is an aluminium skeleton and sturdy hinge system which is pieced together using marine grade hardware. We’ve found the hinge design to be excellent as it gives you the ability to store your bedding (we also store a fold up table) in the rooftent rather than stuffing it into the back of your wagon.

which I can report, has saved our rooftent on numerous occasions!

In a year of owning our Feldon we feel we’ve put it to a pretty good test, of which we can confidentially say it has passed. There have been

Lastly, the travel cover has been constructed from a heavy duty PVC material, PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

GAME CHANGING WHEN TRAVELLING IN A SMALLER WAGON. 16

countless nights getting absolutely punished by howling winds, torrential rain and harsh frosts, and to our amazement the tent has shown no signs of damage.

no means specific to Feldon Shelter, but more rooftents and heavy objects in general.

Firstly, and most importantly in our opinion, is the increased risk of rollover due to the increased centre of gravity.

It’s not uncommon to find yourself on ugly angles while out on the tracks, and having been on two wheels a couple of times, it all happens very quickly and doesn’t take much

THE BUILD QUALITY IS SECOND TO NONE While out on the tracks there have been many occasions where we’ve come in contact with low hanging branches and thankfully, due to the heavy duty PVC travel cover our home away from home has come away unscathed.

While travelling with a rooftent is bloody amazing, I can’t deny there are a few downsides to having a 65kg tent on the roof of your vehicle. This is by

to go pear shaped. Secondly, it’s worth mentioning that although the tents are quick to setup and pack away, having a base camp to explore from is not really an option like it would be if you were to use a traditional swag tent. Although this is not a deal breaker, it’s something to consider if you plan to frequently head out with others who can leave their gear behind for the day.

PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

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Lastly, Jess has found it challenging at times to fold out the tent due to it being so high from the ground. Not having the reach to undo the zip and flip open the travel cover often makes setting up a little more challenging.

is second to none and they’re sure to stand the test of time.

With stockists worldwide and free delivery throughout New Zealand, getting set up for your next overlanding adventure has never been easier!

To summarise, our Feldon Shelter Regular Crow’s Nest has been an absolute treat to camp from, it’s not let us down once and they hold their value at resale. It’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea to squeeze a family of four and a dog into a two man tent, but for us it’s added to the adventure, and the locations you get to wake up at make up for any lost sleep. Whether you’re a fair weather camper or a sucker for mid winter missions, rooftent camping is an awesome way to go.

If you find yourself in the market for a rooftent we’d highly recommend getting in touch with the team at Feldon Shelter or West Supply.

Although their tents may be slightly more expensive than competing brands, the quality PRODUCT REVIEW FELDON SHELTER REGULAR CROW’S NEST

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overland collective

YOU COULD ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

GREAT NEWS! WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO BUSINESS ADVErSTISING. Need help developing your AD? We’ve got you covered, just ask.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH WWW.OVERLANDEREXPEDITIONS.CO.NZ

MAVORA LAKES 45.2202° S, 168.1700° E

A DREAM DESTINATION FOR THE OVERLANDING ENTHUSIAST TRACK REVIEW

MAVORA LAKES

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MAVORA LAKES, NEW ZEALAND

Surrounded by native Beech forest, tussock grasslands and situated between the Thomson and Livingstone mountain ranges, lie the two lakes that make up the Mavora Lakes area.

These two lakes known as North Mavora & South Mavora are as a crow flies, only 45km south west of Queenstown. It is highly likely you’ve seen scenes of Mavora Lakes as they were used as a location in the filming of Lord Of The Rings.

fragile land. Fortunately 4wd access has remained possible, and rather than opting for permanent closure DOC have installed a steel gate at the beginning of the track. As of 30th June 2021 you must register your vehicle with DOC and you will require a code to access the valley.

Combined with it’s expansive landscape and abundance of outdoor activities including 4wding, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing and hunting, this Southland gem is an ideal place for outdoor and overlanding enthusiasts. With access being available year round, Mavora Lakes is an epic location to explore no matter the season.

For many years there has been discussion as to whether DOC (Department of Conservation) make the Mavora Lakes track inaccessible by 4wd, as many users have abused the privilege to explore this area by going off the main tracks and tearing up

TRACK REVIEWS

MAVORA LAKES

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TRACK REVIEW

MAVORA LAKES

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MAVORA LAKES, NEW ZEALAND

The 14km four wheel drive track begins from the steel gate located at the top carpark of the Mavora Lakes DOC Campground, and takes you up the eastern side of North Mavora Lake. The track starts by leading you through beautiful beech forest before opening out onto the lake edge and taking you up the beach. When planning your trip, something to keep in mind is that during times of heavy rain and snow melt the lake level can rise making the beach impassible, ultimatley meaning you may need to turn around after only travelling a kilometre or so.

Once you’ve made it to the end of the beach section, the track opens up and makes it’s way up through tussock grasslands until you reach Careys Hut. This leg of the track is a fun section that offers a number of obstacles, although none of which are very difficult. I guess this is where those who have gone to Mavora seeking challenging sections for their 4wd could get a little bored and venture up where they shouldn’t be. All of the waterholes between the access gate and Careys Hut have solid bases, and depending on the time of year

TRACK REVIEWS

MAVORA LAKES

and how much rainfall there has been, you may or may not require a snorkle.

Beyond Careys Hut the track becomes a little more challenging especially during the wetter months, as it gets boggy towards Boundary Hut. After climbing the short pinch up and out of Careys Hut you then begin to traverse along the side of Thomson mountain range (if you don’t like bush rash this section ain’t for you) before dropping back down into Mararoa Valley.

At this point the track splits off in two directions, giving you the 23

TRACK REVIEW

MAVORA LAKES

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option of hanging left and taking the Grade 5 track up Winton Burn until you reach a basic 4 bunk hut known as The Forks Hut, or carrying on straight ahead towards Boundary Hut. Once you’ve dropped into Mararoa Valley the landscape opens right out and it is truly breathtaking!

The track through this section becomes very slippery and boggy in places, and if you choose there are some serious ruts to put your 4wd to the test. At the end of this leg you will be greeted by Boundary Hut, and the beginning of the 4 day, 50km hike through to Lake Whakatipu via the Greenstone Walking Track.

Although the Mavora Lakes 4wd Track is not all that challenging, TRACK REVIEWS

MAVORA LAKES

it is a dream destination that has something to offer those seeking adventure in their vehicle regardless of how heavily modified their 4wd. The landscape that surrounds you is truely captivating and brings about a sense of vulnerability especially through winter months. Having the ability to get a fire going and camp in a hut is excellent given the temperatures that can plummet overnight and become bitterly cold. There is one thing you do not want to forget when heading out to Mavora Lakes and that is your mozzy spray! But don’t be deterred by the sandflies, Mavora Lakes is absolutely stunning and is a must see while out on your next overlanding adventure!

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MAVORA LAKES, OUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO ESCAPE IN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.

TRACK REVIEW

MAVORA LAKES

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THE SEVENTY EIGHT DON’T BE FOOLED BY HER CL ASSIC VIBE

INSTAGRAM HANDLE @SANDRA.78__ PHOTOS AND WRITING BY KEN WHITTINGTON EDITED BY MICHAEL JOB WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

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The colour of Ken’s Troopy combined with the windscreen visor and decals immediately captured our attention. It also left us wondering what else had gone into this epic overland build? With Ken being a diesel mechanic in the mines of Australia, a lot of thought has gone into getting the most out of the 1VD-FTV, not only in terms of power but also maximising the longevity of the engine.

WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

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VEHICLE MAKE: SUSPENSION: TYRES: ENGINE:

2019 TOYOTA VDJ78R Troopcarrier GXL. FRONT: PSR 3” flex coils REAR: Tough Dog leaf springs + 500KG MAXXIS RAZR | 315/75/R16 1VD-FTV | 5-SPEED MANUAL

WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

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Firstly, why don’t you start by telling us what sparked the passion for overlanding?

Growing up in the Australia’s north west you quickly find interest in outdoor activities.

I’d say I’ve tried nearly all of the hobbies that can be found in my area, but I’d say the ocean going activities such as fishing, spearfishing and surfing really found home in me. The best spots were always off the beaten track which meant you needed a 4x4 to get to them.

Naturally wheeling and camping came about as we wanted to spend more than a few days up at these spots while the weather was fine.

We’ve always loved the Landcruiser Troopy but what is it about them that you love so much, and what drew you to choosing the beige colour?

Well I guess you could say it started for me at a very young age, my dad owned an early 80s Beige Toyota HJ47 troopcarrier, of which I don’t recall as I was so young. I always loved Landcruisers as a kid growing up, especially troopies. Landcruisers just seemed to go on, and on, and on!

WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

My first 4x4 was a 2006 RA Holden Rodeo which I purchased as an apprentice. It definitely did the job, but I always knew I was going to end up with a solid axle bus at some stage in the future. When I finished my diesel mechanic apprenticeship I purchased my first “real” fourby, a white 2000 HZJ78R Toyota Landcruiser Troopcarrier. This old girl had 310,000km on the clock with an aftermarket turbo and a basic drawer system in the back.

Everything a young lad like myself could ever want for bashing up the Quobba coastline.

Curiosity fuels my fire!

I love everything about visiting new places.

How long have you owned Sandra for, and how did you come across her?

I ordered Sandra brand new 30

I’m a sucker for a timeless vintage look in 2019! After four months of waiting she arrived at my local dealership (shout out to Travis at Carnarvon Motor Group). I could not have timed it better with the pandemic inbound. The wait times and inflated prices these days are absolutely mental but I’m not complaining!

Sandra has an awesome vibe going on with the visor and decals! Where have you WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

found your inspiration for her?

Thanks! I’m a sucker for a timeless/vintage look. The visor was one thing I had to have on my troopy, it just adds that retro feel. The decals were gifted to me by a good friend from across the paddock in ACT! Shoutout to my boy Jakey xx We’ve seen from your Instagram that there’s a lot going on under the bonnet?

What mod’s have you made to give Sandra a few extra beans, and to keep her running sweet?

Today in Australia you can only buy a current Toyota 70 series with the 1VD-FTV, which in standard form is extremely 31

underpowered but is a super strong engine with a lot of potential, and in Toyota fashion, is reliable with some supporting mods. The first issue being the dust getting past the air filter. I’ve combatted this issue by installing a Unifilter which is a washable twin layer oiled foam filter, which also uses a thicker rubber seal. I’ve got 100% confidence in these filters, even when sitting behind other 4x4s in the fine dust we get here in WA. The stock airbox flows enough air for me at this stage so I’ve not found the need to replace it just yet. I’ve replaced the stock intake with a Fatz fabrication WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

4” - 3” stainless intake pipe, which then feeds a G-turbo G350. The stock intercooler was swapped out for a PDI MK3 front mount intercooler, which completely changed the appearance of the stock 1VDFTV as it removes the original top mount intercooler from the engine bay.

G-turbo G350 The OEM clutches in a 70 series do not handle any more power than stock. So the clutch was replaced with an NPC 130.

They’re the most trusted clutch in the Australian v8 70 series realm. Out back there’s a super 32

WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

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snug, custom 4” stainless steel exhaust built by the guys at Dynamic Diesel Performance in Perth.

The engine itself is unopened, but is brought to life by the ECU remap by KPN diesel in Karratha. The engine in it’s current form makes 275hp, and 850nm to the rear wheels. This is a big step up from the stock 162hp and 360nm. I’ve also installed a fuel pre filter and diff/gearbox breather kit from Perth Diesel Performance.

What suspension upgrades have you made to Sandra?

Up front she is running PSR 3” flex coils, Comp Rods 3” radius arms and adjustable pandhard rod. A Fox 2.0 IFP steering damper is fitted, along with 10” travel Superior Engineering 2.0 remote res adjustable shocks. I’m currently trialling some custom made sway bar disconnects for when I hit the tracks, troopies need all of the stability they can get!

The rear end is the business end, there isn’t anything fancy going here. I have 500kg constant load Tough Dog leaf springs, combined with the same Superior Engineering adjustable 2.0 shocks that are WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

up the front. I wasn’t aware of any sway bar extensions that could be purchased so I bought a set of Nissan GU patrol (sacrilege, I know) heim link extensions that seem to fit ok.

SUPERIOR ENGINEERING ADJUSTABLE 2.0 SHOCKS And Sandra’s shoes, she’s running Maxxis Razr M/T’s.

What size are they, what was your reasoning for choosing the Razr’s, and how’ve you found the tyre so far?

These are 315/75R16. This is my first set and I’ve not yet done much testing, but thus far I’m extremely happy with them.

Prior to the Razrs I had a set of Toyo R/T’s which were great, but Razrs seem to tick the boxes that the old R/Ts didn’t for me.

The Razrs seem to have a softer sidewall meaning they ‘bag out’ far more, and create a larger footprint. This is exactly what you want when deflating your tyres for different terrain.

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Most of the terrain I’m using them for is touring over corrugated rocky gravel roads, sand dunes and bitumen. The reason I opted for mud terrains was for tread depth and cut resistance, which I’m sure the Razrs will provide.

You’ve got an epic setup in the back of the Troopy!

Can you tell us what modifications and/or items you’ve added to make living from Sandra possible?

The rear setup in Sandra was custom designed by myself, and built by Jon at Black Label Storage in Perth. I wanted something that would take little time to setup and still be able to carry all of my dive gear, cameras, camping gear, and food.

WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

The 12v setup is relatively simple and inexpensive compared to some. Behind the passenger seat I had a hatch built into the drawers which houses a 176ah gel battery.

Voltage to the battery is supplied by a CTEK D250SE dc/dc charger, and a 130w solar panel. The battery sends power to a fuse block and all of my house accessories receive power from that. There is no over-hyped battery management jargon, just a basic setup which was simple to install and has given me no issues since.

For fridges I have a Waeco CFX50 in the back on a pull out slide, which also has a sneaky inbuilt pull out table. Between the drivers and passengers seat I have a KickAss 13L console 35

fridge, which keeps those onroad refreshments crispy cold.

To the right of the fridge is a pair of twin stacked drawers, which almost run the entire length of the drawer system.

The top drawer is where I hold all of my cutlery, dry foods and cooking gear. In the bottom draw is where I store my tools, recovery gear, camping equipment and general odds and ends.

In the right hand corner I have installed a switchboard. This switchboard is an on/off for the roof rack mounted camping lights, and also my fresh water pump. The freshwater tank fits nice and snug up between the diesel sub tank and towbar.

We all know our wagons are never quite finished. Are there any mod’s or items that you’d like to add or alter on Sandra?

There’s always room for improvement isn’t there?

At this stage I like to “fantasise” that it’s finished haha!

where I don’t NEED anything else to be able to travel around the country, and possibly across the pond into kiwi land one day!

What has been your most memorable overlanding adventure to date?

I definitely have to mention a small leg on our last big 5500km round trip, which was deep down in the southwest region of WA. It wasn’t a challenging one but more memorable for us. This trip was with my partner Molly aboard our troopy, my sister Jo and her husband Dave, and my nephew Scott following in their graphite Toyota 79 series dual cab with a Patriot X2 camper in tow.

We were probably on our 8th or 9th day into our trip and we had already been through Esperance and surrounding

I am an enthusiast and I’ve always loved modifying or improving things where it can be done, or if it serves a purpose. Maybe I’m just a tinkerer? I think it’s at the point WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

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areas, heading clockwise and west towards Bremer Bay. Researching the area to find a new site to camp each night can be a little daunting if you haven’t been through that area before, not to mention if you’re touring in convoy and on a schedule to be at a certain place at a said time. We picked our spots by loosely scanning our Hema HN7 or Wikicamp maps to find sites that were in the area we’d planned to arrive that afternoon. Most nights

I JUST KNEW THE DAY WAS GOING TO BE SPECIAL WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

were spent “winging it”, of which we found very rewarding.

We had seen all of the photos on Instagram of the south region, the incredible white sand, and water so clear and blue. Esperance on a sunny summers day was no exception, but I couldn’t wait to see some elevation change and for the clouds to swallow the mountain tops. It’s such a polarity swap to what we experience in the northwest.

We live in such an arid climate missing out on a lot of rain, meaning endless sunny clear days for months on end which to be honest gets a bit boring!

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One stand out day was when we gained altitude after climbing the windy blacktop road up to East Mt Barron.

With views of the southern ocean we knew we were headed for some special country.

At the top of East Mt Barron we pulled into the park information bay, taking note and crossreferencing a few campsites on our Hema before entering Fitzgerald River National Park.

From the top the road made it’s way down and around the hill side, bitumen road turned to corrugated yellow-ochre pea gravel. The terrain went from open wattyl bush and banksia covered hills with exposed grey boulders and thick scrub, of which often blocked what little sunlight we had due to heavy cloud rolling in. We aired down to approx 28psi and continued following the track that darted in and out of sunlight as we continued west toward Bremer Bay. Along the way we came across a few river crossings and tracks we noted down from the information bay. We found some tracks had been closed for maintenance so we continued in the general WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

direction of Bremer bay. I recalled seeing a couple of track names from the information bay, one of which, Quoin Head, really stuck with me!

Next to Quoin Head on the info board were the words “HIGH CLEARANCE 4WD ONLY”, usually meaning it’ll be less travelled, and most likely a lot more fun! We kept moving along the main track and finally came to the sign indicating Whalebone Beach and Quoin Head, of which we turned down and headed toward the coast. This is where the real excitement started for me.

I REMEMBER READING THE SIGN SAYING “HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES ONLY” As we tracked towards the coast the thick scrub cleared, we climbed down the last of the steep banks and washed 38

out track to cross the dry creek bed. The clouds were starting to fill the sky as we got to the top of the escarpment, but we could see the ocean and weren’t going to let a little drizzle put a dampener on the trip! We continued following a clifftop track for a further 5km or so, before heading down the long decent into the valley floor.

Ahead of us we could see the tree lined creek mouth that met with rich turquoise water, and in the distance was the massive bluff type structure which we would now know as Quoin Head.

The water was incredible and got deeper in colour as the depth increased. As we got further down the track we really began to appreciate how clean and pristine this white sand really was. Eventually the track led us to a small campground WAGON FEATURE SANDRA 78

where there was not a soul in sight, just how we like it! With a turn around point and a few camping bays to choose from, we decided on our spot and set up camp for the night.

To this day I would say that Whalebone Beach is my favourite spot on the West coast. It was not the hardest to get to, but the journey in, and out was just so cool!

Right, why don’t you leave us by sharing what Ken’s ultimate overlanding trip would look like in Sandra?

My dream trip would definitely be one with a few mates and fam in convoy, and living on the road for a few months.

I don’t care where we go! But if you had to ask, I’d say the places I’m yet to tick off my list which include, Queensland, Tasmania and down your way, New Zealand.

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overland collective

YOU COULD ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

GREAT NEWS! WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO BUSINESS ADVErSTISING. Need help developing your AD? We’ve got you covered, just ask.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH WWW.OVERLANDEREXPEDITIONS.CO.NZ

LEFT FOR

DON’T LEAVE IT TO CHANCE

PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS WHAT THEY ARE AND WHY WE CONSIDER THEM AN OVERLANDING ESSENTIAL ITEM

EQUIPMENT PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

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EQUIPMENT PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

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This little device could very well be the cheapest yet most valuable, piece of equipment money can buy. Firstly, let’s start by establishing exactly what the three letters stand for, and how this device works.

You may have heard the letters ‘PLB’ in the past and wondered what the heck they stand for?

Well here it is, PLB stands for ‘Personal Locator Beacon’, and as the name suggests, it is used to track your location while in the wilderness. A PLB works by sending a signal to satellites and to ground based stations via UHF. The Rescue Co-ordination Centre of New Zealand (RCCNZ) will then log the units location, match the unique identifier code to their database and initiate a search and rescue operation upon activation. The accuracy of GPS embedded devices can be within a few metres of your exact location giving you a far greater chance of being found.

Although the initial outlay may set you back a few bucks, we consider the PLB to be an essential piece of equipment to carry with you when exploring the backcountry by foot, four wheel drive or mountain bike.

A PLB is something that you hope you never have to hit the go button on, but you never EQUIPMENT PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

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know when you, or someone in your convoy may get seriously injured and require an immediate rescue.

Now a PLB is not to be confused with a communication device like an inreach or satellite phone, and is not normally something you’d activate if you’re stuck in a bog hole or have run the car battery flat. Of course the exception to this is if your life is at risk, for example if you’ve broken down at high altitude, not made anyone aware of your intentions on the trip, and the weather conditions take a turn for the worst....this might then be a time to consider calling for help!

in an easy to find, or easy to reach location, and to familiarise yourself with the device. We like to store our PLB in the front glovebox of our four wheel drive while out on the tracks. When hiking we fix it to a chest strap on our pack, so that should you go down and injure your back, the PLB is not in your bag which you can no longer reach.

PLB’s come in various shapes and sizes, and are available in most outdoor sports stores. You never know when it’s to late, so if you haven’t already purchased one we highly recommend consider doing so before your next adventure.

It’s important to have your PLB EQUIPMENT PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

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HOW WE APPROACH RIVER CROSSINGS

TIPS FOR RIVER CROSSINGS HOW WE SAFELY CROSS RIVERS AND REDUCE THE RISK OF SUFFERING VEHICLE DAMAGE

DRIVING TECHNIQUES WATER CROSSINGS

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Water crossings are a load of fun and are all part of overland exploration. They’re also the very reason we’re often able to camp in epic locations with no one else in sight. Water crossings are not something you want to take lightly, but with a little pre-planning and a few inexpensive vehicle modifications we can avoid heading home on the back of a tow truck.

DRIVING TECHNIQUES WATER CROSSINGS

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Assessing the river crossing When approaching a river crossing, the first thing we like to do is get out of our vehicle and assess the challenge ahead. Pay special attention to how deep and swiftly the river is flowing, and to any obstacles that may prevent us from getting our vehicle in and out of the crossing safely.

Providing we’ve ticked the boxes above, it’s time to pull up those shorts and get the feet wet.

Whilst walking the crossing we want to be taking note of any boulders, deep holes, logs, the base conditions, and most importantly the depth. In fast flowing deep water, there is an increased risk of floating, and being pushed down stream due to the force applied to the side of your vehicle. In these scenarios it is vital to have a good understanding of your vehicles capabilities.

From walking the crossing we will have determined whether or not it is passable in our vehicle. Remember the old saying, “if you can’t walk it, then don’t drive it”.

If the crossing is doable, we should have a pretty good idea of the line we wish to take to avoid any obstacles ahead.

Preparing to enter the crossing Before we take the plunge in our vehicle, there may be a few things we can do to help us get through and avoid finding ourselves in a spot of mischief. Firstly, would be to set our tyre pressures to suit the terrain that is found under water, whether it be soft sand, mud, or a riverbed filled with large boulders. Altering the tyre pressures will allow the sidewall to “bag out”, increasing the contact

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area, while also increasing the vehicles “float” across soft surfaces. Secondly, we might like to hook up a snatch strap or run out a winch rope if the crossing is soft, or fast flowing. Should you become stranded, having easily accessible recovery gear will ultimately reduce the amount of time spent sitting in water. It is also wise to have any valuables up from the floor to avoid them getting drenched should you have water come into your vehicle.

Entering the water crossing As we advance towards the crossing, we want to select a gear that allows us to keep steady momentum and minimises the risk of getting bogged down.

Usually, but depending on your vehicle and the ground conditions, 1st or 2nd gear in low range should get you out the other side. Although ploughing headfirst into the water looks cool and can be fun, it is not ideal for your vehicle as it increases the chance of damage and water ingress.

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Walking pace is a preferred speed when entering crossings as it allows water to be pushed ahead, creating a bow wave that wraps around the front of the vehicle.

The bow wave then works to reduce the amount of water that is forced up into your engine bay, while also reducing the resistance against you.

Driving the water crossing Now that we’re surrounded by water, we want to keep up the momentum and remember any obstacles found below the surface from our initial walk through. As best you can, avoid stopping, and if you get bogged call on those pre-planned measures you took earlier, and get the recovery gear hooked up as quick as you can. Sitting in water for even the shortest period of time can result in water wreaking havoc on your vehicle, as it makes it’s way into your diffs, gearbox, transfer case and electronics.

DRIVING TECHNIQUES WATER CROSSINGS

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Arriving on the far side Now that we’ve made it to the far side of the crossing our vehicle is going to be wet, potentially inside and out, the brakes will most likely be a little spongy also. We want to allow the vehicle to drain excess water, and remove water from the brakes by gently applying pressure to the pedal while moving slowly. From this point we are good to carry on our way to the next challenge that lies between us and our destination.

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Modifications to consider There are a couple of modifications you can make to your vehicle to reduce long term, and potential catastrophic damage. The cheapest item you can add to your 4wd would have to be a Diff Breather Kit. The reason for installing a breather kit is due to the temperature dropping rapidly in the diff, transfer case and gearbox which then creates a vacuum effect as they hit cold water. A breather kit replaces the factory breathers, and increases the height of the inlet to the top of your engine bay and above the water level. If you plan to frequently take on deeper rivers and bog holes, a snorkel would be worth serious consideration. Fitting a snorkel will increase the height of your air intake, usually this is up to the roofline of your 4wd. Increasing the wading depth of your 4wd greatly reduces the risk of water finding its way into your engine, and potentially saving you a hefty repair bill.

DRIVING TECHNIQUES WATER CROSSINGS

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overland collective

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PHOTOS AND WRITING BY DAN WYLIE

a cheap form of insurance WE EXPLORE THE REASONS WHY QUALITY BASH PLATES ARE A VALUABLE ASSET TO YOUR VEHICLE WHEN HITTING THE TRACKS VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS BASH PLATES

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Bash Plates, aka underbody protection, are one of those modifications that you don’t need, until you really do. Most vehicles come out of the factory with a very basic and light weight form of underbody protection designed for the average road user. The downfall to factory bash plates is that, as we get further and further off-road they start lacking the protection that we require.... imagine smashing your sump in the middle of nowhere!

“one of those things you don’t need, until you do VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS BASH PLATES

On modern IFS vehicles you have a lot of expensive and vulnerable parts hanging nice and low waiting for rocks and branches to intrude, parts such as the radiator, oil sump, gearbox etc. On a solid axle vehicle the diff provides you with a touch more protection, and although it prevents you from bellying out on your sump, objects can still find their way into unwanted places.

Next time you crawl under your 4WD take note as to how thin the bash plates are from the factory, assuming you have them that is. Now imagine smashing them on rocks when crossing through rivers, or on the centre of a rutted out section of track.

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VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS BASH PLATES

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Factory bash plates just don’t stand up to the punishment we throw at them, and before long they become deformed and push up against your chassis offering far less protection.

Swapping to a set of aftermarket bash plates like those of AC Fab’s, offers far more than just a thicker piece of steel. Aftermarket underbody protection tends to go right back to the gearbox/ transfer case, while also offering a relatively flat surface for your vehicle to slide over objects and obstacles. Having a flat surface under your vehicle may seem like a fairly minor benefit, but when you’re belly deep in the mud it makes a huge difference to your vehicle moving forward while also reducing the chance of getting hung up.

When choosing a set of aftermarket armour there are a few things to take into consideration. Strong bash plates weigh more than those from factory, and if you’re already running a bullbar and winch you may require heavier springs due to further increasing the weight over the front axle. Getting a set of bash plates that have been well designed makes a huge VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS BASH PLATES

“sliding through ruts and protecting the underbody difference to the installation process, there is nothing worse than having to redrill/ cut the plates because the manufacturer didn’t quite get it right. Choosing a thickness can be tricky too, though most people run with 4mm steel as it provides a good compromise between strength and weight.

While it may not be important to everyone, at Overland NZ we love supporting Kiwi companies doing cool stuff, so when it came time to upgrade our factory bash plates, AC Fab was right at the top of the list. The bash plates they produce are incredibly well thought out, super strong, and offer all the protection we need for exploring New Zealand. We’ve used AC Fab bash plates on our vehicle for almost a year now and they’ve performed flawlessly, sliding the vehicle over ruts and protecting the underside of our Hilux far better than anything we’ve run previously.

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RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA MAGILL

CAMPFIRE RECIPES THAT’LL TANTALISE THE TASTEBUDS

COOKING RECIPE RUSTIC PAN BREAD

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RUSTIC PAN BREAD RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA MAGILL

Ingredients

1 cup warm water 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp yeast ½ tsp salt 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour Olive Oil

Toppings Rosemary Olives Flakey Salt

Recipe 1. Dissolve the sugar and yeast in 1 cup of warm water.

2. Wait 10mins until the yeast begins to foam.

3. Mix 2 ¼ cups of flour and ½ tsp of salt together, then slowly add to the water and yeast mixture.

4. Dust your working surface with flour, then kneed the dough until it springs back when lightly pressed.

5. Coat dough in oil then place in a covered bowl and leave to rise in a warm space.

6. Once the dough has doubled in size, place in a heated pan with a generous amount of olive oil.

7. Spread the dough evenly across the pan with your fingers and add toppings of your choice.

8. Place pan on heat and allow the bottom to brown.

9. Once the bottom has begun to brown, flip and repeat on the top side until both sides are crispy and golden.

Enjoy!

COOKING RECIPE RUSTIC PAN BREAD

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WORDS FROM JESS This dough recipe is a camping staple for our family, so we thought it’d be fitting for it to be the first recipe in the cooking segment of The Overland Collective e-mag.

We love to quickly prep the dough before we head out on the tracks so that it’s ready for the fire when we return to camp. The kids also love to wrap the dough around the end of a stick and cook it over the campfire, so much so that it’s been given the name “stick bread”.

We hope you enjoy this campfire recipe, there is plenty of room to get creative with your toppings if you feel like spicing it up.

COOKING RECIPE RUSTIC PAN BREAD

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