UNSEALED 4X4 ISSUE 011 by UNSEALED 4X4

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NOT YOUR DAD’S BULL BAR HOT NEW DESIGNS

THE ESSENTIAL

ALL TERRAIN

A DAY’S DRIVE FROM PERTH

5 TRACKS ULTIMATE XPLOR CAMPER TRAILER REVIEW

GUIDE

TYRES TIPS PAT CALLINAN’S

BEGINNERS

Everything You Need To Know About

CAPE YORK + HOW TO RUIN YOUR 4X4

ISSUE 011 0BITCOIN

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aled 4X4, you love it o get it sent to you, each month? Because you’ve heroically chosen to download your copy of Unsealed 4X4, you can’t see what’s on this page. But trust us - it’s well worth looking at. To see it in all its glory go to unsealed4X4.com.au

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GEAR NEWS

Because you’ve he chosen to downlo copy of Unsealed you can’t see wha this page. But trus well worth looking see it in all its glor unsealed4X4.co

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eroically oad your d 4X4, at’s on st us - it’s g at. To ry go to om.au

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All dual battery chargers are the same...

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Because you’ve heroically chosen to download your copy of Unsealed 4X4, you can’t see what’s on this page. But trust us - it’s well worth looking at. To see it in all its glory go to unsealed4X4.com.au

Some bulldust you shouldn’t have to swallow. Like all dual battery chargers are created equal. Redarc’s range of BCDC in-vehicle dual battery chargers are designed, built and tested in Australia for our unique conditions to make sure they won’t let you down. On top of that there is an Australian wide back up after-sales service to answer any questions that may arise. With features like fully sealed construction and fan-free cooling to keep the dust out, Redarc’s knowledge of Australian conditions is engineered into every unit. If you want a dual battery charger you can really rely on, see the Redarc range…and that’s no bull. Visit redarc.com.au/bcdc for info.

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TRACK REPORTS If you see or hear of any road or track closures due to weather or restricted vehicle access, get in touch with us so we can let the rest of the four-wheel drive community know. editor@unsealed4x4.com.au

TRACK R

WHAT’S H IN YOUR NECK with the old track. Things are picking up in terms of tourist numbers, and we are preparing for our 25th anniversary shindig that will be held on the last weekend of May.”

CAMERON CORNER STORE: FENN MILLER

“It’s dry up here; we have had only 15mm of rain which was soaked up straight away. The Old Strzelecki Track is in great nick and has recently been graded. The New Strzelecki is very ordinary at the moment though, especially towards the bottom, so we keep telling folk to avoid it and stick

BIRDSVILLE ROADHOUSE: PETER BARNES

“We have only had 6mm of rain, which didn’t make a dent. Being late in the season, we’re not expecting any more either, but we would sure love some more rain. We haven’t heard of any dangerous track conditions – everything is open and running smoothly according to our visitors – so get up here and say g’day.”

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REPORTS

HAPPENING K OF THE WOODS? NORTHERN TERRITORY:

Reynolds River 4WD Track is closed between Litchfield Park Road and Daly River Road. Kurundi Road is closed between Canteen Creek turn-off and Murray Downs at the Elkedra Road intersection. Also, closures are in place for Dorisvale Road between the Daly River causeway and Wombungi Station. Butterfly Gorge is also closed due to flooding. For more information visit: http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/ roadreport/obstructions-closures.jsp

ARCHER RIVER ROADHOUSE: BRAD ALLAN

“We are starting to see people come through now, even though things don’t generally open up ’til April. We had a fairly dry and warm wet season, so there is reasonable access through the Telegraph Track and Bamaga as they have started grading already.”

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TRACK REPORTS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Imintji Roadhouse and store on the Gibb River Road is closed. It was one of only two fuel stops on the Gibb River Road. If you are driving from Derby the closest fuel stop is at Mt Barnett – over 300km away. It is advised to carry enough food, supplies and fuel for the duration of your journey. For more information visit: https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/ Pages/Alerts.aspx

NEW SOUTH WALES:

Severe storms have resulted in flooding across the state causing havoc for motorists, with the MidNorth Coast and Hunter Valley experiencing severe flooding. It is advised to avoid the area until floodwaters subside, as there are many road closures still in place including the New England Highway between East Maitland and Maitland which has lanes closed. Extensive delays are expected. For more information visit: https://www.livetraffic.com/

› WARNING! This road and track guide is as up to date as possible, but weather conditions can change in the space of minutes. Before venturing into the bush, check with local police, National Parks or managing authority for the area you are travelling in before leaving.

hemamaps.com.au

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10 TH

THAT WILL RUI

Don’t worry, we’re just

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HINGS

UIN YOUR 4X4

t as guilty as you are.

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›1 SALT WATER BATHS (Your 4X4 prefers a fresh water bath)

Driving through salt water can look like fun on TV commercials, and there may be occasions while touring where it is unavoidable. But actively choosing to drive your 4X4 in the surf is as smart as sticking a fork in an electrical outlet. New vehicles often arrive with surface rust on low-lying components such as chassis rails and driveshafts from simply sitting on the transport boat. Imagine how nasty things would look in a year or so if they had been dunked through the ocean a dozen times.

›2 ONE MORE INCH SYNDROME

So you have a two-inch lift kit installed, but you want your four-wheel drive to sit even higher. How is that going to make your 4X4 better? Seriously, think about it. Will 25mm (half a match stick just so you know) of additional lift really make your 4X4 that much more capable? Is the strain on expensive components like CV joints, ball joints and steering arms going to be worth it? Not to mention the cost! For every inch of lift, experience dictates you will need to add $1000 to the overall figure. Now I don’t know about you, but that’s money I would prefer to spend on fuel, stocking the fridge and going exploring.

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FOR EVERY INCH OF LIFT, EXPERIENCE DICTATES YOU WILL NEED TO ADD $1000 TO THE OVERALL FIGURE

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›3 D.I.Y. BULL BARS

Let’s hope this shovel can actually be used.

Just like owning paper and crayons doesn’t make you an artist, owning a welder and a pipe bender doesn’t make you a fabricator. I’m not here to stop you making stuff in the shed, and if you have the skills go for it. Heck, I’m jealous! However, bull bars are safety items not fashion accessories. In addition to being designed to take a good hit, they need to be designed with pedestrian safety as well as occupant safety in mind. You don’t need a bull bar just because you have to find somewhere to mount that LED light bar you bought online, they are actually far more important that that.

YOU DON’T NEED A BULL BAR JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIND SOMEWHERE TO MOUNT THAT LED LIGHT BAR YOU BOUGHT ONLINE

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›4 FITTING CHEAP ACCESSORIES

Speaking of cheap light bars, just because you picked up a 40-inch LED light bar, a winch and an awning for the cost of a few cases of beer doesn’t mean you have the right equipment for your needs. Don’t hang stuff off your truck just because you think you need it or because it looks good…it needs actually needs to be good! You wouldn’t trust your life jumping out of a plane with an unknown parachute, so why do the same by heading bush with a second rate badge-engineered product, with no real-world testing and dubious quality at the best of times.

› 5 OVERLOADING

You don’t need to carry a high lift jack, front and rear winches, jerry cans or a roof top tent if you only go four-wheel driving once a month on some easy gazetted tracks. Add a loaded fridge, a full tank of fuel and a few passengers, and you may find yourself close to or ever over your legal GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass). This added weight increases fuel consumption and places unwanted strain on your suspension, brakes and driveline. Pack accordingly for each trip, and remember you’re going camping and four-wheel driving not moving the contents of your house into the bush for the weekend.

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WHICH TYRES SUIT THE TERRAIN YOU DRIVE ON?

You need a round edge all-terrain tyre

Serious dirt, gravel & rocks

You need a square edge all-terrain tyre

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›6 HAND-ME-DOWNS

(Just because it’s free, it doesn’t mean you should take it) Taking something free and making it fit for free can be two very different things. If someone gives you a set of wheels and tyres for example, but you need to fit a suspension lift kit and re-power the vehicle to turn them, it’s hardly a good investment. The same applies with the winch found in your friend’s shed that just needs a rebuild and some new winch rope, only to find the rope costs more to buy than the winch is worth. Knowing when to walk away from a freebie could actually save you money, while putting you into a compromisefree, reliable 4X4.

6 It's pretty simple – don't put tyres made for a Unimog on a Patrol!

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WHY SHOULD I BUY A . . . S T E I N BAU E R P E R F O R M A N C E M O D U L E ?

HOW‘S IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MODULES? WHAT‘S THE PERFORMANCE INCREASE? WHAT DO OUR CUSTOMERS SAY? HOW IS IT INSTALLED?

SEE TESTING RESULTS

Photo by: Rob Drummond

HISTORY TIMELINE

www.steinbauer.com.au

FREECALL

1800 733 159

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›7 KEEPING THINGS CLEAN

Cleaning your vehicle after driving through mud or on sand is vital if you want it to last. It’s actually a good practise to wash them after every 4X4 trip so you can inspect thoroughly for any damage that could have occurred. Mud contains salt just like sand, which obviously causes rust. A 4X4 covered in mud only looks good on the tracks, not baked on from the last trip a few months ago. Remember, the sooner you wash your vehicle after using it, the easier it will be to clean, too. And your paint will stay looking newer for longer as a result.

›8 PAINTING FACTORY COMPONENTS

Sorry, painting your flimsy factory bash plate look-at-me bright red won’t impress the opposite sex, or take your 4X4 from zero to hero. Nor will it do anything for your off-roader other than attract attention and subsequent ribbing from your mates. The same goes for painting brake drums, steering arms, leaf springs and diff housings. For the love of paint, just please stop! Here’s some other things you should stop doing.

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MAXTRAX is the innovative, lightweight vehicle recovery device that’s Australian designed & engineered, and rigorously tested and proven in the world’s toughest offroad events and expeditions as the SAFE, SIMPLE, QUICK and EASY method of 4WD vehicle recovery.

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› 9 NOT USING THEM

Not using your 4X4 is doing it damage! Internal components such as differentials and 4X4 activation actuators are designed to receive regular use and lubrication. If you read the owners manual supplied with your 4X4 it will more than likely specify using the 4X4 system every month or so for this reason. Too much time puttering around the suburbs will result in seized bearings, busted locking hubs and rusted diffs. The moral of the story? Get out there more and use your 4X4.

›10 LAZY SERVICING

Sure, brake pads aren’t sexy. And you’re hardly going to put a social media update about your new timing belt. Having a bunch of new accessories fitted and being stuck in the bush without a working 4X4 though is about as much fun as a politician’s wardrobe. First things first, get your vehicle running to potential before modifying it. No one wants to spend time in the bush fixing a broken 4X4. On the flip side you can still see some amazing places in a reliable, stock-standard vehicle. See what we’re getting at?

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THE

HISTORY OF THE TOYOTA

LANDCRUISER IN AUSTRALIA

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The short wheel base 70-series wasn't terribly well-received, but the 60-series wagon shown below is on its way to be a modern classic.

Once upon a time there was a huge public works called the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. The venue lived up to its name being horrendously mountainous, and when it wasn’t muddy or slushy, it was snowed in. Railways couldn’t go all the way, and somehow the materials and workers had to get to and around the construction sites. From the start of construction in 1949, the vehicles of choice were the Dodge Power Wagon and the little Land Rover Series 1. The Brits were well known for not listening to their customers, yet the little 4X4 manufacturer couldn’t keep up with demand. Progress to 1959 when one of today’s construction giants, Thiess Brothers (now part of Leighton Holdings), were contracted to build some of the largest sections of the scheme. With Land Rover now unable to supply enough vehicles or improve their product, Les Thiess went looking for an answer … from Japan. Toyota were keen to enter the Australian market, however they met serious prejudice, and needed a well known local backer.

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› 20 SERIES

Thiess had already used a small number of FJ25 short wheelbase and FJ28 mid wheelbase LandCruisers in the Snowies, finding the six-cylinder petrol engine of larger capacity than the competition to be an advantage. Probably due to not having a low range transfer case and only three gears, Thiess only used them on the made roads, leaving the unmade road duties to the Rover and Dodge products. Thiess however saw the great arid regions of Queensland as the LandCruiser’s prime market –and that’s where ’Cruiser history was made.

FJ25

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FJ2

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Whilst the three speed gearbox was a carry-over from the earlier model, low range and a more powerful petrol engine were added. Various wheelbases and body shapes were eventually available such as the popular FJ45 wagon and FJ47 troopy, and from the mid ’70s a diesel engine was introduced (with BJ and later HJ as the model prefix), making it ideal for long distance travel.

› 40 SERIES

Come 1960 and Thiess Brothers had 22 dealers appointed across QLD, and a major marketing campaign under way to sell the new LandCruiser, the now legendary FJ40. The 40 Series was the big start Toyota needed in Australia, quickly becoming the farmer’s friend and being utilised by mine exploration companies, geoscience agencies and seemingly everyone that travelled remotely!

In 1978 the Australian Army purchased a small number of HJ47 soft top utes to supplement its Land Rovers for remote work in the top end. Even the Bush Tucker Man, well known as a Land Rover devotee, used one in his earliest documentaries.

The 40-series is starting to become highly collectible, with pristine units fetching over $100,000 in the United States.

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› 55 SERIES

The FJ55 of 1967 brought some rudimentary comfort to the LandCruiser range, with a new four door body on an updated and lengthened chassis, albeit with the old 40 Series running gear. The late ’60s and early ’70s was an era when bus trips through Australia were popularised, and the early eco-tourism ventures ousted mining and logging from locations such as Fraser Island. Recreational 4X4 touring was rising in prominence, and magazines for fourwheel drivers were launched in the early-to-mid ’70s. It was none other than the FJ55 that Mum and Dad drove the kids all over Australia in.

The 55s had the 3.9-litre six cylinder petrol engine of the 40 Series, but no diesel or automatic transmission options. You don’t see many around these days!

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› 60 SERIES

Somewhat ironically, the 60 Series was introduced in the ’80s, though it still had 1960s era suspension technology, so maybe it wasn’t completely ironic... The 60 Series brought the option of an automatic transmission, airconditioning, better ergonomics and saw the introduction of that lovely simple 2H and sought after 12H-T diesel engines. These days the Sixties are popular amongst the budget four-wheel drive crowd, as they are simple, robust and easily modified, yet comfortable enough to sit in half a day at a time. The Sixties are quite capable 4X4s, however the rear departure angle is somewhat awkward.

› 70 SERIES

The last of the farm hacks, the rough and ready vehicle we all know and love today dates from 1984, with various iterations and improvements since. Ubiquitous to Territory Police, backpackers, mine sites and the United Nations, the 70 Series has endured longer than any other LandCruiser model, and the earliest examples are now suitable for Historic registration! With the 1HZ series of 4.2-litre straight six diesels, the 70 Series cemented its name in the reliability stakes. In the late ’90s the 70 Series gained a coil-sprung front end, and since 2007 have benefited from 4.5 litres of turbocharged V8 diesel music lugging them around.

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Just think

of the consequences { of not subscribing to Unsealed 4X4. } Glen opted not subscribe, and chose a vehicle unsuited to the terrain. Don’t be another statistic. Subscribe to Unsealed 4X4 now for free, and avoid poor life choices.

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ABS

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› 80 SERIES

The 80 Series brought a soft, rounded look to the ‘Cruiser, aimed at the road user more than the off-roader, yet with whole host of technological gains, most of which are good off-road too. Constant 4WD, fuel injection, even ABS and ai bags later in life. Creature comfort was again improved over the Sixty, and off-road capability took a step up too with the long awaited introduction of coil springs. The 80s are a great compromise; they have fairly simple mechanics with a minimum of electronics, whilst having good interior comfort. Pity about the fuel bill!

OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY TOOK A STEP UP TOO WITH THE LONG AWAITED INTRODUCTION OF

COIL SPRINGS

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SOLID

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› 100/105 SERIES

To some, the 100 Series is a poor advertisement for mid-life bloat. Bigger, heavier, more complex, and less capable – off-road at least. Thankfully, our market also gained the 105 Series, which kept the solid axles over the 100’s independent front end, but didn’t get the pick of the engines – the 1HD-FTE was reserved for the 100s only. The interior was upgraded from the 80 to compete with the European antagonists, and when combined with the on-road prowess it forms a great touring package.

OUR MARKET ALSO GAINED THE 105 SERIES, WHICH KEPT THE SOLID AXLES OVER THE 100’S INDEPENDENT FRONT END, BUT DIDN’T GET THE PICK OF THE ENGINES

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AXLES

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› WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE LANDCRUISER MODEL?

› 200 SERIES

The 200 Series has some of the most advanced technology seen on any Toyota off-road product, with the ingenious Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), developed here in Australia, keeping the wheels on the ground. Crawl, Turn Assist and Hill-start Assist Control further enhance the off-road capability. The twin-turbo V8 diesel, peaking 195kW and 650Nm over a huge range of revs, urges the behemoth along with gusto. Unfortunately for those who prefer clutch pedals, the V8 diesel only comes with automatic transmissions. The V8 petrol is no slouch, either!

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TIAL IAL GUIDE TO

RRAIN TYRES

SET ET OF HOOPS FOR YOUR FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE? ERRAIN TYRES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.

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The tyres fitted to your fourwheel drive as it first rolled off the production line were designed with three purposes in mind. Firstly, they must provide a soft, quiet and compliant ride during your initial test drive, so you are convinced the vehicle is smooth enough to want to park it in your driveway. Secondly, they must be built to a price point, as the saving of just a few dollars per new vehicle can save manufacturers millions of dollars over a production run. Lastly, they need to hold air. Simple, right? Well, things start to turn when you begin looking at upgrading rubber to something more aggressive, such as an all-terrain tyre. Modern all-terrain

tyres have the hardest life of any tyre in the spectrum, and are responsible for a seemingly impossible task. They need to perform strongly in arduous off-road conditions as well as maintain respectable on-road manners and tread wear rates. All-terrain tyre owners want to be able to drop the kids off to school on a Monday and head away camping or four-wheel driving on a Friday. But is this too much to ask of something that is essentially a rubber donut? Of course not! If you are considering replacing the factory fitted rubber for something more up to the task, here is our list of the top twenty all-terrain tyres on the market today.

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› WHAT IS UTQG?

Take a closer look at the sidewall of the tyres fitted you your vehicle, and you will notice more than the size or manufacturer’s name stamped there. In the case of American made tyres, they must meet Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) before being deemed fit for road use. What this covers is the tread, traction and temperature grades, meaning you can compare apples with apples when it comes time to go tyre shopping. TREADWEAR: The higher the number stamped here on the tyre’s sidewall, the longer they should last. Tyres are tested under controlled situations, and once they

have driven a total of 11,520km, an average is determined and the tyre can be graded accordingly. TRACTION: Traction is graded from highest to lowest, with AA being the tyre with the most ability to stop quickly on a wet surface, down to C, which would be about as controlled as ice-skating in tenpin bowling shoes. TEMPERATURE: Tyres get hot, which is why having them temperature rated makes plenty of sense. Tyre temperature grades are rated from highest to lowest with A being able to take more heat than a C grade tyre, for example.

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â&#x20AC;ş LIGHT TRUCK OR PASSENGER

Light truck or LT tyres are more suited to four-wheel driving, thanks to a heavy-duty construction. Rather than the focus being on a smooth and quiet ride, LT tyres are responsible for delivering traction and strength off-road, as well as having a higher load rating, which comes in handy for those who tow or are regularly loaded up. Passenger Construction or P-metric (also known as light duty) is designed with on-road handling, fuel economy and low noise levels in

mind. Being a softer construction, they are not as suited to tough off-road driving. The choice is yours; do you want dependable off-road traction or a quieter ride on-road?

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50%

OFF-ROAD

70%

30%

ROAD OFF-ROAD

50% ROAD

BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2

BFGoodrich have been making allterrain tyres since 1976, and it seems like the old All Terrain T/A KO tyre has been around … well, forever! Which is why it is refreshing to see a new allterrain in the BFGoodrich stable, but at the same time it’s not too dissimilar from the old tyre on face value. Which is great for those who have issues dealing with change. The most notable mention though for the T/A KO2 is the tyre sidewall, which BFG claim is 20 per cent stronger than the previous A/T thanks to their CoreGard technology. We aren’t too sure what that means exactly, but it sounds like fancy tech talk for a sidewall with split and bruise resistance. It also claims up to 50 per cent longer tread life on gravel, which is impressive.

For more info

BFGOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A

The Rugged Terrain T/A from BFGoodrich is for those chasing something less aggressive in a tyre, but still want puncture resistance and a beefier sidewall over a passenger construction tyre. If the idea of exploring forestry tracks and beaches gets you excited, then the 70/30 tread pattern could be more suitable. But don’t for a minute think this is a pretend off-road tyre. While it might not be the most aggressive looking product in the BFG range, it still features tread cleaning elements to eject mud and stones, and two deep circumferential grooves that evacuate water for claimed superior wet weather handling.

For more info

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30%

OFF-ROAD

70% ROAD

30%

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70% ROAD

BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 697

The Bridgestone Dueller 697 is another example of a less aggressive all-terrain tyre. For some four-wheel drive owners, chip and cut resistance is one of the most important aspects of selecting a tyre, over wide-open lugs and sidewall biters, for example. If you live on or near gravel roads, or the local council insists on laying a shale-based road surfaces, then you will fully appreciate this fact. Conditions like these are incredibly hard on a tyre! So instead of going for a chunky all-terrain design, Bridgestone claim they have focused on attempting to create a tough tyre, with a cut and chip resistant tread compound with the aim of providing a balance between grip and resistance to tearing and chipping.

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COOPER A/T3

The Cooper A/T3 has been around for some time now, and seems to have put some decent runs on the board with the off-road touring fraternity. This could be due to the large amount of sizes available in the AT3 range that make for direct replacements of worn out original equipment tyres, or due to the less aggressive tread pattern aimed at providing a quiet ride onroad. One thing is for sure, Cooper have included an impressive amount of useable tyre technology into the AT3, such as an anti-chip chemically treated silica compound, and the use of 2000 denier cord in the carcass for a claimed 33 per cent increase in strength over the previous Cooper AT.

For more info

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40%

60%

ROAD OFF-ROAD

50% ROAD

50%

OFF-ROAD

COOPER S/T MAXX

The next step up in terms of aggressiveness from the Cooper all-terrain line-up is the S/T Maxx. Cooper tells us that this product took three years of testing in the Australian outback before it was released into the market. The yin to the aggressive tread pattern and sidewalls yang is the use of microgauge sipes, which are contained within the tread blocks. These help to push water out from the tread blocks in wet or greasy conditions where traction is low. As the sipes are contained within the tyres tread blocks, this is said to reduce the chance of cuts or chipping off-road.

For more info

DICK CEPEK FUN COUNTRY

So we decided to take the high road and not mention how unfortunately named this tyre is, nor the fact that your mates will be making non-stop jokes every time you stay home to give your tyres a good polish. But once you get past the dick jokes, the tyres actually have plenty of good things going for them. The original Dick Cepek FCII all-terrain was known as being a tyre that almost refused to wear out, making it a popular choice with desert tourers. The latest incarnation now known as the Fun Country retains many of the features of the original FCII, such as the stout three-ply sidewall, but now incorporates a computer designed tread pattern to reduce road noise, and a secretive tread compound that the Dick Cepek team insist offers improved cut and chip resistance.

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20%

80%

OFF-ROAD

ROAD

40%

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DUNLOP GRANDTREK AT3

FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T

The Grandtrek AT3 is the replacement tyre for the aging Dunlop Grandtrek AT2, and as you can see from the images it’s still a road-biased all-terrain tyre. Being a Japanese engineered product, Toyota actually approves the Dunlop Grandtrek as an official aftermarket dealer fitted tyre option. We have to admit that for an all-terrain tyre they are about as inspiring to look at as a wet Monday morning, but when you combine a well known OE manufacturer with a Japanese engineered product that was extensively tested in Australia, so you can imagine why Dunlop are proudly making noise about the AT3.

If you look closely at a few different all-terrain tyres, you will notice a common trend of having five tread blocks running across the tyre carcass. This is what is known as a five-rib tyre design, and the Falken WildPeak A/T certainly stays true to this design. The reason for this according to Falken is to improve durability, and provide a delicate balance between on-road handling and traction when off-road. These days it seems like every vehicle comes with a different size of tyre fitted from the factory, so it’s refreshing to see Falken offer the WildPeak A/T to suit rims diameters from 15 inch to 24 inch, and up to a 37 inch overall tyre diameter.

For more info

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30%

OFF-ROAD

70% ROAD

40% ROAD

60%

OFF-ROAD

FEDERAL COURAGIA A/T

GENERAL GRABBER AT2

Coming in at the budget end of the all-terrain tyre scale is the Federal Couragia A/T. While the Federal Couragia mud-terrain is a common sight out on the tracks, you don’t see the all-terrain as often. On paper, the Couragia all-terrain delivers some impressive specs, such as siped tread blocks and wide channels to assist with mud and water ejection. Interestingly, the Couragia A/T is available in both passenger and lighttruck construction, so if you’re seeking a quote from your local tyre shop, ensure you are comparing apples with apples. If you enjoy off-road driving, it would be wise to avoid the passenger tyre and stick with the tougher LT construction, even if it costs a few dollars more.

General Grabber sounds more like a Ninja Turtles character than a tyre manufacturer, but the AT2 has some serious tyre technology and off-road cred behind it. You see, many high-speed four-wheel drive based competitors race on General Grabber products, and if they survive blasting through a desert at 200km/h the manufacturer must know a thing or two about tyre construction. We aren’t saying that the AT2 is a desertracing tyre. In fact, it could be considered the complete opposite, as it’s snowflake approved (meaning it was tested and approved for snow performance) as well as incorporating holes for snow studs. So if you live near the snow or enjoy snow driving or skiing, that could be a handy feature to consider when shopping for your next set of all-terrain tyres.

For more info

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LONGER LASTING TYRES Here are three easy things anyone can do to extend the life of their tyres:

Comes with a

Firstly, the way you drive your vehicle will affect how long the tyres last. If you are accelerating or braking rapidly, or cornering hard, you are doing damage.

Secondly, correct inflation will reduce heat build up and uneven wearing of the tread area. Many tyre blowouts are the result of under inflation, which causes the tyres to quite literally fall to pieces from the inside out.

Lastly, correct tyre rotation will reduce uneven wear. This enhances tyre performance as well as extending the life of the tyre.

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50% ROAD

50%

OFF-ROAD

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GOODYEAR WRANGLER ALL-TERRAIN ADVENTURE

HANKOOK DYNAPRO AT-M

Tyres that are bulletproof? Sorry to get your hopes up, but all-terrain tyres aren’t that advanced yet, even though we would love to see it. So while the Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventure might not actually be the masked bulletproof superhero of the tyre industry, they do incorporate kevlar technology into the construction of the tyre, in a process Goodyear refer to as Durawall Technology with DuPont Kevlar. What this is claimed to do is increase the overall strength of the tyre, and resist cuts, chipping and punctures. Does it work? We don’t know… but if Goodyear is prepared to back the Wrangler AT Adventure with a mileage warranty of up to 95,000km they certainly must believe every word of it.

Traditionally, an all-terrain tyre would feature larger open tread lugs when compared to a highway tyre, and would also incorporate square shoulder lugs to cut through mud and keep the tyre tracking straight. Hankook obviously see nothing wrong with this mantra, and continue the trend with their Dynapro AT-m. The big selling point with for the Dynapro is the wraparound sidewall tread that Hankook tell us has been included not just because it looks tough, but mostly due to the additional protection it offers against cuts and bruising. The sidewall isn’t the only area that Hankook paid attention to with the AT-m, as it appears they have increased carcass strength over previous models, too.

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60%

ROAD 40% OFF-ROAD

20%

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80% ROAD

MAXXIS AT-980

MICKEY THOMPSON BAJA STZ

Maxxis have a wide variety of tyres on offer, and not just for the four-wheel drive scene. They are manufacturers of all things tyre related, from bicycle to ATV tyres. The AT-980 is one of the least aggressive four-wheel drive tyres in the Maxxis range, but it is still quite aggressive for an all-terrain tread pattern. It must be said; the tread pattern looks mighty similar to a certain other all-terrain that has been extremely popular in this country for many years, which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t earn it points for originality. What the Maxxis AT0980 can offer though is all-seasons weather ratings. The tyre also features a spiral wound cap ply, which Maxxis claim improves ride comfort and highspeed stability.

For a long time, Mickey Thompson Tires (yes, American spelling) have been the pride and joy of hairy-chested fourwheel drivers who like their tyres to be big and chunky and their meat cooked on a fire. Well, thanks to the racing and performance background the Thompson family is known for, a less aggressive performance based all-terrain was born to provide an option for those who drive their four-wheel drive daily. Replacing the aging block-like ATZ 5-Rib design, the STZ incorporates plenty of usable features such as internal tread block sipes for wet weather performance, and a revised compound that the manufacturers claim is more resistant to chipping. Sure, it might not be cool to look at like a Baja Claw, but that really isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t what the STZ is about.

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50%

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40%

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MICKEY THOMPSON BAJA ATZ P3

The ATZ P3 is one of the most aggressive all-terrain tyres on the market, and what some refer to as a genuine all-terrain tyre. Rather being a cross between an all-terrain and a highway terrain tyre, it is a mixture of a mud-terrain tyre and an all-terrain. Take one mud-terrain tyre carcass, put an all-terrain tread pattern on top and you have a strong foundation for puncture resistance, with a tread area that should work well on sealed roads, too. Mickey Thompson is credited with being an innovator of aggressive sidewall tread back in 1977, so it is no surprise to see an almost retro sidewall with plenty of extra rubber for grip in muddy ruts featuring prominently in the ATZ P3.

For more info

NITTO TERRA GRAPPLER G2

Nitto are a relatively new player on the Australian four-wheel drive tyre market, but they have carved a huge name for themselves overseas. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good thing Nitto decided to venture to our shores, as they have an exciting range of tyres. The Terra Grappler G2 is a plain looking tyre appearance wise, but like many things in life, beauty is more than skin deep. What the G2 lacks in goolies, it makes up for in technology as it features coupling joints for tread rigidity, full depth sipes for wet weather handling and aggressive shoulder lugs for a bit more bite off-road.

For more info

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50%

OFF-ROAD

50% ROAD

80% ROAD

PRO COMP XTREME ALL TERRAIN

The main drawcard for the Pro Comp Xtreme A/T is the aggressive directional tread pattern. A directional all-terrain tyre? Really! So it turns out directional tyres aren’t just for the performance car scene or competition tyres these days. The claimed benefits of a directional tyre is that they can expel water at a greater rate compared to non-directional tyres, and in most cases offer better handling characteristics as they ‘track’ existing grooves or ruts. So there is some science behind this design. Where they are limited is the fact you will need to carry either two spares (one for each side) or make the call and risk the chance of having to run a tyre backwards in the event of a puncture.

For more info

PIRELLI SCORPION ATR

20%

OFF-ROAD

Pirelli seems to be known as a company that only makes performance passenger tyres, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Scorpion ATR of many years ago was actually a spirited performer offroad thanks to the soft, almost sticky tread compound chosen. Now, Pirelli has gone back to the drawing board with the latest Scorpion ATR with very similar design attributes. To call the Scorpion ATR aggressive would be like calling your grandmother attractive… Just wrong! So if mud is your thing, the Scorpion ATR simply isn’t aggressive enough to offer self-cleaning properties. But rather than relying on brute force, it seems Pirelli have taken a more even approach in an attempt to offer a product that they say will brake on-road and still grip off-road.

For more info

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70% ROAD

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40%

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TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T II

YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR A/T-S

Toyo are another brand that is sometimes forgotten when thinking about tyres, but the Open Country AT definitely deserves a place in this guide. Like other tyres in this category, it features a five-rib tread design for off-road grip, as well as an aggressive sidewall for additional protection and traction. Stone ejector blocks have been built into the deep tread groves to avoid stone drilling; something that is common on tyres with larger tread voids. The Open Country A/T II is another tyre available in both passenger and light truck construction, so ensure to ask the question before opening your wallet.

Yokohama has long been a player in the all-terrain and mud-terrain sector. The A/T-S has been designed to be aggressive enough to grip in snow or on rocks, but not so aggressive that they will dig into soft sand, according to Yokohama. They also claim one of the main advantages of the Geolandar A/T-S is the anti-chip properties of the (secretive) tread compound, and that the tyre has been designed with straight line stability in mind. The idea here is to keep the vehicle tracking true rather than veering up onto the mound of a rut at speed. And while it might sound a bit like marketing gibberish, the fact manufacturers are listening and putting effort into tyres with anti-chip properties is enough to be happy about.

For more info

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NOT

YOUR DAD’S

BULL

ARE YOU SICK OF TRADITIONAL LOOKING BULL BARS? HERE ARE SIX OF THE COOLEST BULL BARS YOU CAN BUY IN AUSTRALIA. Bull bars in Australia have not traditionally been the most visually appealing of products. Some scrub up with a coat of paint, a winch hanging off them as well as some nice driving lights. But if you can honestly say the look of a fiveposter on a brand new 200 Series LandCruiser (for example) makes you jump up and down with joy, you need help. Well, the good news is that help has arrived! Thanks to modern four-wheel drives becoming rounder than Buddha’s stomach, the rulebook on traditional bull

bar designs has been thrown out the window. The current trend is leaning towards building replacement steel bumpers that actually enhance the look of the vehicle, rather than transfer your pride and joy into the automotive equivalent of a pimply teenager wearing thick rim glasses and braces. But what do you guys think – is a traditional bull bar with top hoops better suited to Australian conditions, or would you prefer to see one of these modern designs on the front of your four-wheel drive?

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WHAT DO YOU PREFER,

OLD SCHOOL OR NEW SCHOOL BULL BARS?

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BULL

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IRONMAN DEFENDER TUBE STYLE Tube bars and Land Rover Defenders just look kind of right don’t they? The tough, straight lines of the vehicle are complimented nicely with the rounder tube front end. Ironman have seen that Landy fans are going crazy for this design, and released their own commercial tube bull bar to suit (sorry, only to suit the Defender). If you don’t like the traditional ‘farm gate’ design you often see on older models, this tube bar could give your old friend the birthday it needs in the looks department. And it’s not all about looks, with Ironman saying this bar is winch compatible as well as having aerial mounts to install other accessories too… such as aerials.

PRICED FROM:

$1125

(available for Defender)

For more info

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BARS

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MCC ROCKER

MCC might not be a household name yet, but they were actually responsible for manufacturing many bigger name brands before deciding to take the bull (bar) by the horns and stand on their own two feet. Which is pretty cool, as the range on offer is nothing short of huge. The Rocker is the least conservative bull bar in the MCC lineup. It’s not just a copy of another manufacturer’s traditional looking bull bar offered at a different price point. No sir, the Rocker is a bad arse unit that really suits modern, aggressively designed four-wheel drives. There are three design options in the range too, the bumper alone, a middle hoop and finally a full top hoop design. It isn’t just about looks though, with MCC including twin driving light and aerial mounts, high lift jack points and what MCC call pulling mounts… not recovery points.

PRICED FROM:

$1990

(depending on vehicle make and model)

For more info

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BULL

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RHINO 4X4 EVOLUTION BUMPERS

I’ll be the first to admit this bull bar won’t work for everybody. If you are craving a slick looking bar to enhance the front end of your four-wheel drive however, the Rhino 4X4 bumper is in a category of its own, aesthetically speaking. And while they might look more metro than masculine to some, these bumpers are actually constructed from solid 3mm steel with an included 5mm alloy bash plate. Rated recovery points and LED fog lamps are also standard inclusions, and if you want to fit a winch the bumper comes ready to take one – no additional mounting frames or parts are required. Rhino 4X4 might be a relatively new player in the Australian

market, but it already has bumpers to suit Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, VW and Holden utes, and wagons such as the current Jeep Wrangler and Mitsubishi Pajero.

For more info PRICED FROM:

$2450

(depending on optional extras)

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BARS

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UNEEK 4X4

Uneek 4X4 products are manufactured in-house by Uneek Bending Co in Dandenong Victoria, which has over 50 years manufacturing experience in the metal industry. It really is good to see more Australian companies such as Uneek 4X4 design and manufacture their products here in Australia. It damn near brings a tear to the eye! Not only does it mean more Aussie four-wheel drivers have jobs, but consumers are benefiting from products made to suit local conditions. We aren’t going to talk about one specific bull bar from Uneek 4X4 as the range covers popular Jeep, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota models with each vehicle receiving an individual (I’m trying to avoid the word unique) design. What we can say, is if you

are looking for a complete Australian made frontal protection system including winch mounts and recovery points, Uneek 4X4 incorporate these features as standard.

For more info PRICED FROM:

$990

(depending on vehicle make and model)

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BARS

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For more info VPR BUMPERS

VPR have been manufacturing bull bars since 1998 from their head office facility in Venezuela. Again, not yet a household name here in Australia, they have a surprisingly large range of bull bars available to suit vehicles found here in this sunburnt land. Everything from the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler and even classics like the Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series and original Land Rover Discovery make the grade. What we like about VPR front bars, is that they are more of a steel bumper replacement than a traditional bull bar, much like the offerings from Rhino 4X4. Where the Rhino 4X4 bumper imitates the smooth lines of the factory bumper, VPR take the more aggressive

This VPR bumper may not be ADR compliant but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awesome

PRICE ON APPLICATION (depending on vehicle make and model)

approach. They will comfortably house up to a 12,000lb winch, and the lightweight steel construction reduces weight over the front axle compared to a full traditional steel bull bar. Definitely food for thought if you are seeking frontal protection that is just that little bit different.

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BARS

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XROX BARS

XROX is a bit of a strange one, because they suffer from an image complex thanks to that aggressive tube design. The ‘comp inspired’ XROX design is drawing in those who think they drive ‘comp inspired’ four-wheel drives. Which is a shame, as the product is not only Australian owned, built and designed, they’re actually built really well. If you think I’m putting dirt on them, I’m not. Hell, I owned an XROX bar on an older HiLux and really liked it. Especially for the amount of tabs for lights and accessories included, and the modular design, which allows you to replace side wings if they are damaged. Just don’t think your vehicle

is a rock crawler simply after bolting one on, and things will work out peachy for you and your XROX in the long run.

For more info PRICED FROM:

$1200

(depending on vehicle make and model)

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GET IN QUICK Time is limited! Manufactured in Australia from the highest quality materials, TRED 4X4 ramps are designed to handle intense levels of torque, flex, weight and impact. Intense reviews of every fine detail in the design process make TREDs the best self-extraction device regardless of price! With a designated shovel feature, extreme hex grip nodules, four-channel under-body, aggressive ramp entry teeth and ultimate wear resistant properties, TRED will allow you to explore with confidence, without letting traction disrupt your journey.

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Est. 1976 4WD1 is a leading 4x4 suspension specialist and also distributes select general 4wd accessories. NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

BARS

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RASLARR ENGINEERING

Raslarr Engineering has been in business since 2007, producing Australian made four-wheel drive products such as rear bars, snorkels and bull bars. They mainly offer bull bars for classic four-wheel drives such as the Nissan Patrol GQ and Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series, but have more recently developed pre runner style tube bars to suit current Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota HiLux and Nissan Navara D40 models. These tube bars are designed to accommodate two small LED lights as well as a 30-inch LED light bar, and even a low-mount winch. So while this is good news for modern four-wheel drive owners, the bad news is these bars have not been approved for road use as of yet.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be too disappointed though, as according to the Raslarr team, they are in the process of obtaining Air Bag Certification as we speak.

For more info PRICED FROM:

$1100

(depending on vehicle make and model)

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Everything You N

Abo

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Need To Know

out

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T TO GO CHECKLIST WHERE TO GO / NO

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The best four-wheel drive trips I’ve taken have all had a goal at the end of the journey – a destination that not just anyone can reach with a normal vehicle. Few trips exemplify this as well as Cape York. The adventure to the Tip isn’t just one of the best four-wheel drive adventures in Australia, it’s one of the best in the world. For me, Cape York was a writer’s dream. It had all of the elements that make a great story. Technical off-road tracks, beautiful destinations, and a colourful fraternity of four-wheel drivers; most of them willing to bend over backwards in the hope that everyone reaches their ultimate goal of standing at the northernmost point of Australia. These elements translate into what could be the perfect experience – it’s a journey of omnipresent challenges, great risk, and even greater reward.

Cape York puts man against machine in one of Australia’s most remote locations, and one of the world’s last remaining wildernesses. No matter if you’re towing a caravan across the Peninsula Development Road or tackling the Old Telegraph Track, you’re bound to have a good time.

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PLANNING

› How To Get There By far, the most common starting point for a trip up the Cape is Cairns – trust me, there’s worse places to start an adventure. Some say you’re in Cape York the moment you get out of town, but if I could make a suggestion, be sure to head north to Cooktown along the Bloomfield Track (or the CREB Track if it’s open) before heading west to the Peninsula Development Road (PDR).

› How Long Will It Take? I took three weeks to do the trip, but it’s a bit of a rabbit hole because there’s always something new to see!

› Permits and Ferries If you’re planning on going to the Tip, you’ll need to get a permit from the Injinoo people to access their land. Luckily this is all included with the cost of a return ferry ticket across the Jardine River. Unfortunately, prices have recently increased significantly for the 40m crossing, currently at $99 return ($129 with a trailer). It’s probably the most expensive five minute ferry in the world.

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Also, don’t forget that if you’re going to camp in National Parks, you’ll need an E-Permit that has to be booked ahead of time, which in typical government fashion makes perfect sense in a place with no internet. If you’re planning on crossing the Daintree River on your way north to Cooktown (and hopefully the Lion’s Den for a beer) you’ll have to pay a one-way fee of $13.50 for the privilege of riding the ferry. Trailers are an extra $4. Return prices offer a discount, but most travellers will take the PDR back through Laura.

Find your way: download the maps here.

› A Note On The Consequences Of (Very) Remote Travel Cape York isn’t just remote by Australian standards, it’s remote by world standards. This means that you’re far away from a good mechanic, and even further from a major hospital. The consequences of rolling your 4X4 are much more significant in the Cape.

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CAPEYORK

CHECKLIST Is Fuel Available In Cape York?

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Are Groceries Available In Cape York? What Kind Of Vehicle Should I Take? Modification Requirements Water Crossings

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Love the Cape? Try these from MR4X4. Because you’ve heroically chosen to download your copy of Unsealed 4X4, you can’t see what’s on this page. But trust us - it’s well worth looking at. To see it in all its glory go to unsealed4X4.com.au

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Nolan’s Brook water-crossing claims many unprepared vehicles each season. But don’t worry there are easier options as well.

› THE OLD TELEGRAPH TRACK It’s one of Australia’s most iconic fourwheel drive adventures, and some of the most fun you can have offroad. The Old Telegraph Track is the most popular track in the Cape, and one of (if not the) most challenging. Originally built in the late 1800s as … you guessed it – a telegraph line, it saw operation as a telephone line until 1987 when it was dismantled. You can still see the metal telegraph poles lined throughout the track.

Fuel is available a few hundred metres from the start at Bramwell Station, and near the end at the Jardine Ferry. Total distance without any detours is around 150km – but remember that most of that is in low range.

Steep muddy and sandy entrances and exits positioned at each creek crossing are the main challenges of the track, with little issue in between except for the occasional sandy spot. NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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› Palm Creek The first obstacle on the OTT and certainly one of the muddiest. It’s a steep decent followed by a long muddy track before you get to the relatively shallow creek. Getting up the other side can be a bit of a challenge as it’s usually quite muddy as well. Don’t be surprised if you’re pulling out the recovery gear for this one – even if it’s just a few k’s into the adventure.

would be hard to see anything but a comp truck get through. Luckily, there are plenty of chicken tracks, which while still steep can be conquered by your usual touring 4X4. › Nolan’s Brook

› Gunshot Creek You’ve probably seen a video or two of Gunshot. It’s psrobably the scariest, white-knuckle crossing of the entire Tele Track. Its hardest crossing is a near vertical drop which shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. In fact the last time we went through there we decided it

Nolan’s Brook is the scariest part of the OTT for many because of its infamously muddy and deep creek crossing. It’s the last major obstacle on the route but it’s one that will surely keep you on your toes. If you want to get through unscathed, you’ll need to get wet and walk the crossing – learn the bottom of it better than you know your own behind. If you or your vehicle (always blame the vehicle) just aren’t up to the challenge, there’s a bypass that takes you back to the PDR.

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› THE PLACES THEY TELL YOU TO GO › Lion’s Den

› The Tip

My favourite pub, and a great place to relax before the long haul up the Peninsula Development Road. Depending on how you travel, it’s a day or two outside of Cairns and close to the end of the Bloomfield Track and the CREB Track. Be sure to take a picture with the lion out front and search for the lone orange MAXTRAX we all signed and then screwed to the roof of the pub.

The northernmost point of Australia and potentially the most epic spot for a selfie. The Tip is the ultimate destination for all Cape York adventures, and a place you won’t want to miss. Just be sure to get there as early as you can, because there’s nothing quite like a sunrise at the top of Australia.

› Fruit Ball Falls and Twin Falls

› World War II Plane Wrecks

After a dusty dirty drive north, you’ll be looking for a shower. Luckily Cape York provides this in the form of two beautiful waterfalls for swimming. Fruit Bat Falls will come first on your journey and is the perfect place to take the family for a swim. Twin Falls has a few bigger waterfalls that are perfect for the bigger kids and adults.

› Rock Art Near Laura

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› THE PLACES THEY DON’T TELL YOU TO GO TO Far too many Cape York trips end up doing the exact same route, which while good, still leaves a lot to be seen. Here’s a few tips that’ll extend your trip and give you a closer look at some of the Cape’s lesser-known gems.

Vrilya Point Lightship Somerset Ruins Sharp Point Elim Beach

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Vrilya Point lightship

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› FOUR THINGS YOU MUST DO › Fish off the pier in Seisia The centre of commercial activity for one of Australia’s northernmost cities, and probably the only official border entry point you can pull up a chair and fish at. You’ll probably end up there with the same group of four-wheel drivers you’ve been criss-crossing paths with over the last few weeks. › Works Burger Archer River Roadhouse When in the Cape, treat yourself to a good feed at the Archer River Roadhouse. Their ‘Works’ burger is one of the best in Cape York, hands down. But don’t worry, if a beef burger isn’t your style, there’s plenty of other options, too. › Magnetic Termite Mounts Even though they’re located throughout Cape York, the best magnetic termite mounts seem to be located in Lakefield National Park. What makes them so special? They’re all aligned in a north-south direction to help regulate the temperature inside the mound. Unfortunately, the termites don’t actually have magnets or compasses built into their brains.

› Hang Out At Nolan’s Brook Even if you’re not going to drive through the infamously deep water crossing, it’s worth showing up to at an absolute minimum for a good time. Four-wheel drivers flock to the creek for a bit of entertainment and camaraderie, always willing to lend a hand to a mate in need – and trust me, you’ll see one or two vehicles drown while you’re here. Just don’t be the tosser who doesn’t offer a helping hand.

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THINGS I WISH I KNEW:

Cape York is an amazing journey, and it might just be one of the most challenging adventures you’ll ever undertake in your entire lifetime. That being said, along with that comes some tall tales. It might be portrayed as an intensely difficult challenge, but with a little bit of knowledge and a bit of prior preparation, any slightly modified vehicle should be up for the trip. While I was there, I saw a slightly modified Grand Vitara successfully complete the OTT. That being said, here’s a few things I wish someone told me before:

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› There’s almost always a chicken track. So if you’re not comfortable, just turn around. › Bring your own firewood. Foraging isn’t allowed, and there isn’t much to grab anyway. › Be careful on how much alcohol you bring, because restrictions are in place for most of Cape York. › Pack extra groceries and supplies if you don’t plan to snack on burgers. The IGA in Bamaga is very remote (and expensive). › Watch out for cows (especially at night). They have a habit of covering themselves in road dust, rendering them virtually impossible to see.

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S P I T ’S R E D REA & PICS › Show us your selfies from the tip

› What was your favourite part of the Cape?

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SOL

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SOLAR:

IS IT FOR YOU, AND HOW IT WORKS

WHY WOULD YOU BOTHER WITH SOLAR WHEN YOU’VE GOT A BIG INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND A COUPLE OF LARGE 12-VOLT BATTERIES?

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LAR

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ADRIAN MERINO WOOL HEAV Y WEIGHT JUMPER

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QUICK FACTS • When planning your solar needs, it’s best to work on a 50 per cent efficiency margin. If you require 90 watts, plan for 180 watts. • Solar is a power supplement, not a primary power source. • A solar panel’s output is measured in watts per PSH (Peak Sun Hour) which is only a few hours per day.

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But let’s look at the downsides. Solar is unreliable over a period of days, and prone to voltage fluctuations minute by minute. One minute the sun will be bright and you’ve got power, and the next minute it’s behind a cloud and the charge drops – although solar works off light, not heat, and panels still function (just) when it’s overcast. This variation is no good for charging electrical gear which requires a nice, steady charge – too much and they can’t use it, too little Solar is also now the perfect and nothing happens. Even in perfect combination of cheap, light and lowconditions it takes a long time to charge maintenance and is becoming more devices on solar, so you might not want efficient year on year. Now the question to leave your device on charge for that is really why not, not why. length of time. Batteries are great, but they need to be charged. If you’re a light camper moving on every day then your car can do the charging, but settle into a base camp with a few people and the demands of fridges, lights, coffee makers and gizmos start to mount up. That’s why generators exist, but we all know how popular they are at campsites, not to mention the weight, cost and fuel storage.

SOLAR

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A fixed solar panel may not always be facing the sun, where it will get peak efficiency, but it's constantly running and doesn't require daily setup. They're also a lot harder to steal. The solution is to add a battery into the mix. You charge your battery via the solar panels and use a regulator to even out the voltage fluctuations, then hook up your gear to the battery. The battery offers a nice, steady output, can be charged all day long while you use your gear, and it can be charged more quickly from 240V AC or 12V DC power sockets. So, you’re sold on solar, but then there’s the cost. Solar gear isn’t dirt-cheap, but it isn’t way off the scale either. You’re not going to be able to recover the cost of your 4X4’s diesel or petrol any time soon, and it may not always be costeffective compared to a generator. But the panels will work fine and be maintenance-free – more or

less forever – and certainly outlast batteries. The major reason to upgrade will be when solar efficiency improves again in a few years. Then we come to how much solar power you actually need. What you need to do is figure out the power required from your device(s), which is measured in watts, or amperes multiplied by volts. Have a look on the device’s charger or in its manual, and you should either find the watts or the amperes and voltage which you can then multiply. This will give you a base figure, and of course how you use the device will change the power required. For example, a laptop screen on bright with a DVD playing sucks a lot more juice than having the screen down on idle.

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Let’s take an example. My laptop needs 45 watts, and I’m going to work on Unsealed 4X4 articles for two hours a day so I’ll get one done every, well, that’s a secret! Anyway, 45 x 2 = 90 watt hours. I have a battery that I’ll run the laptop from and I want to recharge it. In theory there may be between five and seven useable sunlight hours per day, but let’s run with just three. Solar panel output is measured in watts per PSH (Peak Sun Hour), so in theory I need a 30 watt panel – 30 watts x 3 hours = 90 watts. Unfortunately, solar is only around 70-80 per cent efficient, and there’s further charging and storage losses, so let’s go for 60 per cent. Even trickier, the current and voltage that manufacturers like to measure their wattage at is generally not what you’ll use to charge the battery, so maybe we’d best go for 50 per cent, which means 60 watts worth of panels is a reasonably safe bet in this case. Redarc has a handy solar calculator which helps you calculate your solar requirements

Refrigerators are often the largest power draw. Keeping them in the shade and running them a degree or two cooler can reduce power consumption.

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LAR

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The bottom line is that solar is only going to become more useful as time goes on, but at least for the moment you’re best off ensuring your batteries can power your needs and can be recharged at will, then using solar as a convenient top-up as and when it can work. But let’s revisit the topic in a few years, perhaps when we’re driving solar powered 4X4s!

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THE ULTIM CAMPER

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TE ST ED

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MATE XPLOR R TRAILER

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Camper trailers are an incredibly competitive market in Australia; we obviously love the capability of touring our vast, rugged continent without leaving all of home’s creature comforts behind. Not all are made equally, however. Some are plain rubbish, others are very, very good. This camper is an Ultimate XPLOR, specced up with a few fancy options like alloy wheels. It’s Ultimate’s main camper trailer, now joined in the stable by the über-lux Nautlius. The Xplor is their bread and butter camper though, which has brought a distinctly different option to prospective camper trailer owners.

The Ultimate camper trailer is a unique setup, made by people with a different skillset and frame of mind in comparison to other camper trailers. Their history is as boatwrights, and rather than build a camper trailer according to the usual rulebook, they have applied their own.

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There are many advantages to their idea of construction. Fibreglass is lightweight and strong, and their skills with the material more than apparent. Although the camper sits fairly high, the way it tows indicates that the centre of gravity is quite low. Above the steel chassis, it’s all fibreglass and canvas, keeping the 840kg tare weight low and central, translating to good dynamics on- and off-road. Unloaded, the towball weight is a measly 45kg. You’ve got a bit of scope here to load the cavernous nose area with your goods and chattels, and doing so won’t adversely affect the way the camper tows. Setting up the camper is, once again, a different experience, but quite easy and manageable for one. Latches along the passenger side of the camper are released, and the ladder at the back is also deployed. The lid flips over to the driver’s side, the canvas tent forming up by itself. There are four spreader bars that need to be installed in the roof to make structure, which takes only a few minutes. Assemble the cushions into a (very comfortable) bed, and you’re all done.

Because the side flips over to create the sleeping space, there is space to sit around at a table, cook inside and escape the weather if needs be. For things to be kept at an even keel, you will have to drop down two stabiliser legs on the starboard side. This adds a bit of time to the otherwise rapid setup, and a tow vehicle with a lower ride height can cause complications and will need to be unhitched to get things dead level. If you want the full-fat setup, there is an extra awning that zips onto the main part of the tent, and does need some guy rope-wrangling to erect. It takes time, but makes for plenty of space. Interestingly, the part under the flipped section of the camper works well as an extra shelter, too. It would be great for the kids to roll out swags under. Underneath, the suspension of the Ultimate is serious business. Koni shock absorbers dampen Lovells Coils springs, on a big, trailing A-arm. And the camper does tow very nicely, even with a reasonable load.

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SPECIFICATIONS SUSPENSION Independent trailing arms, coil springs and shock absorbers. TARE 840kg GTM 1,300kg WATER 110-litre underbody tank. GAS 1x or 2x 3.8-litre LPG bottles.

Storage on the Ultimate is handy and aplenty. Aside from the nosecone being able to imbibe plenty of your bulky wares, there are few extra places for stowage, both inside and outside. The kitchen has quality drawers and cupboards, which provide plenty of room for a week or two worth of tucker.

GROUND CLEARANCE 570mm DEPARTURE ANGLE 32 degrees RAMPOVER ANGLE 18 degrees.

Two 110 AH AGM batteries give a terrific bank of power in the camper, which is rechargeable via a Redarc 1225 LV system, and peppers the camper with half-a-dozen 12V outlets. There’s a fancy sound system as well, along with a hot water system, gas heater and electric water.

FRIDGE Waeco 110 Litre Upright. PRICE AS TESTED $52,000

Inside, the kitchen is as good as one out of a small caravan. You’ve got a two-burner stove, and a 110-litre Waeco upright fridge. You have the option of alfresco catering as well, with a stainless steel bench that slots onto the side of the camper. BYO barbecue for this one, but it works wonderfully. I like that the latches fold down to a flat level, meaning they can be used as temporary bench space; one example of how well thought-out this camper is. It’s good quality, strong and comfortable – three big ticks that you want from a camper trailer. You will pay a premium for this camper, and we’re talking fifty large. But, such is life: the best products of their breed will more often than not empty your pocket more than other options, and maybe faster than you may like. But, that’s the cost. By Sam Purcell and Matthew Scott

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HOW TO USE A

TYRE DEFLATOR Put down the stick; there are better ways of doing things. I’m as guilty as the next person; often the one at air down time scrounging around in the bush for small foliage to let down my tyres. Nowadays, I have emerged from the cave, and regularly use a tyre deflator to do the job better and faster. It’s a great little device; what it can do is safely remove the valve core out of the valve stem, allowing you to air down quickly, accurately and easily. NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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TYRE DEFLATO

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There is a little bit of a technique that comes with this kind of deflator, so here’s a quick how-to.

When this is done, the end rod will pop out under pressure from the air within the tyre. Now, you’re ready to deflate.

First things first, remove the valve cap. Then, mount up the deflator by screwing it over the outside thread of the valve stem. Leave your herculean muscles at home though, over tightening things will just damage the valve stem and cause you troubles.

Grab onto the collar of the deflator, and pull it back to deflate. Every few seconds, push the collar back and check the pressure on the gauge. Take your time, ensuring you don’t overshoot it and have to pull out the compressor.

Tighten until it’s firm, but no more. Next, we are looking to loosen and remove the valve core from the stem. It stays within the brass housing of the deflator, but gets moved out of the way so air can escape as quickly as possible. To do this, gently push and turn the end rod counter clockwise, and you will feel it grab onto the valve and unscrew.

When you have your desired pressure, it’s a case of reversing the process. Use the rod to engage the valve core into the inner thread, and screw it on until finger-firm. With that secure, you can then unscrew the housing from the stem, and put your valve cap back on.

ARB and Ironman 4X4, amongst others, make great tyre deflators.

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OUTBACK GOURMET

THE OUTBACK CLASSIC:

BACK TO BASICS GOURMET DAMPER If you were to choose one dish that’s most associated with camp oven cooking, there’s no doubt it would be damper. An easy to make alternative to bread that has been a staple for many outback travellers in the past.

• Will feed four • Prep time – five minutes • Cooking time – 25-35 minutes.

With few ingredients and almost no preparation time, it is possible to have a piping hot loaf of damper ready to have with dinner to sop up the gravy or be smothered in butter and golden syrup for a simple yet filling dessert.

Add enough water to combine ingredients to form a soft, but not sticky dough.

The basic ingredients have not changed all that much through the generations, but these days people are starting to get quite inventive with what they’re adding, which can quickly change the flavour and edibility of what was once a very plain dish. Some perfect partners for savoury damper are sundried tomatoes, chopped black olives, cheeses, salami, lightly cooked bacon and dried or fresh herbs . This basic recipe is all you need to get you started on your very own damper adventure.

METHOD

Place flour and salt into a bowl, mix to combine. Make a well in the middle of the flour and pour in oil and a small amount of water. Cut the ingredients together with a butter knife, adding a little more water if needed until the dough is of a firm consistency. Only work the dough until all the ingredients are combined. Do not knead the dough as it will become tough. Place the disc of dough on a baking tray that will comfortably fit inside a camp oven, caravan oven or home oven at a temperature of about 190

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See Jo cook this

degrees Celsius. Cook for 25-35 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped and is deliciously golden brown and crunchy on the outside. From here it is up to you to decide what other ingredients you add to make the humble damper recipe your own family's favourite.

INGREDIENTS 2 cups of Self-raising flour 2 tablespoons of oil 1 good pinch of salt

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TRACKS A DAY’S DRIVE FROM PERTH

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› LANE POOLE

Can’t face a long drive for just a night › LANE POOLE or Can’t two of camping? You can’t get much face a long drive for just a night closer than the Lane Poole Reserve, or two of camping? You can’t get much around 100km south of Perth. closer than the Lane Poole Reserve, around 100km south of Perth.

Location, location, location. You can choose fromlocation, seven camping Location, location. areas You can – maybe a cosy couples’ corner in choose from seven camping areas amongst the jarrah, blackbutt, marri – maybe a cosy couples’ corner in and wandoo forests, or nestled on the banks amongst the jarrah, blackbutt, marri and wandoo forests, or Or nestled on the banks of the Murray River? the big open of theofMurray spaces NangaRiver? Mill. Or the big open spaces of Nanga Mill.

Play in the white water on the river in Play in whitegently water in onsummer; the river in spring, orthe paddle spring, orwalking, paddle gently in and summer; enjoy bush fishing enjoy bush walking,bike fishing and awesome mountain riding. awesome mountain bike riding.

You will get the hill chill, so spring and You will get the hill chill, so spring and autumn are top times to visit – or dress autumn are top times to visit – or dress warm and enjoy plenty of space while warm and enjoy plenty of space while thethe mollycoddlers stay home in winter. mollycoddlers stay home in winter. BEST DRIVE – The BEST DRIVE – Thehistoric historicCaptain Captain Fawcett Track – easy to medium Fawcett Track – easy to mediumgrade grade butbut very scenic, with very scenic, witha anice nicewatering watering hole destination (Quindanning hole destination (QuindanningPub). Pub). BEST CAMPING Welike likeNanga Nanga BEST CAMPING – –We because there’s roomtotospread spreadout out and and because there’s room soothing soundofofrunning runningwater. water. thethe soothing sound FIVE THINGS TO TAKE– –The Thefur-kid fur-kid FIVE THINGS TO TAKE (dogs permitted leash);firewood firewood (dogs permitted ononleash); bush collection);warm warmclothes clothesor or (no(no bush collection); swimming costume;fishing fishingrod rodand and swimming costume; permits; canoe mountainbike. bike. permits; canoe orormountain

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Take a sand flag and explore the narrow, winding coastal tracks to your own spot of beach fishing paradise. There are some coastal tracks to explore, but make sure you have a sand flag flying as the tracks are often very narrow and winding. Be prepared for strong coastal wind – brilliant for wind or kite surfing.

› LANCELIN

Sun, sand and surf. At around 130km north of Perth, Lancelin offers a great day out or perfect salt water weekend. Lancelin is best known for its spectacular shifting sand dunes that offer endless dune dancing for bikes, buggies and fourbies – or the energetic sand-boarders. Climbing those dunes on foot sucks, but the ride down is a total blast! It’s a perfect way to exhaust hyperactive kids of all ages.

BEST DRIVE – Dune play just north of Lancelin township. BEST CAMPING – Free camping is prohibited and regularly patrolled. You need to head further north, south or inland, stay at a caravan park or day trip. FIVE THINGS TO TAKE – Air compressor and gauge, snatch strap and a mate, fishing rod, surf/sand/sail or kiteboard and plenty of sunscreen.

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› MUNDARING

If you haven’t driven the Powerlines Track you haven’t driven a 4X4 in Perth. It’s just up the hill, so you can enjoy a big brekky on the way and still have a full day of track tackling. The beauty of the Powerlines Track is you can expect the unexpected – some parts are perfect for newbies or soft roaders looking to play with the big boys. Particularly in summer, you can take the easy path around the tougher obstacles, and sit back and watch the tough trucks tackle the toe curling terrain. It’s ideal for a group of vehicles with a varied range of capability, as you can challenge yourself according to your personal limits. Be careful in winter – the track is clay based and you can slip and slide your no claim bonus away very easily. The track is maintained by Western Power but open to four-wheel drivers – meaning that it will stay open only as long the gung-ho warriors stay within some respectable boundaries and don’t cut up the track impossibly during heavy winter conditions.

BEST DRIVE – Track difficulty varies; allow five or six hours end to end.

YOU CAN TAKE THE EASY PATH AROUND THE TOUGHER

Head in on the track next to the Sawyers Valley Tavern, 40km east of Perth. There are several other connecting roads if you decide to make an early exit back to the Great Eastern Highway.

BEST CAMPING – No camping along the track – this is day trip territory. FIVE THINGS TO TAKE – A winch, a mate to footprint or help you winch, diff lockers (handy, but not essential), all food and drink, ...and don’t forget some firewood!

OBSTACLES,

AND SIT BACK AND WATCH THE TOUGH TRUCKS TACKLE THE TOE CURLING TERRAIN.

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› HARVEY HILLS / WELLINGTON NATIONAL PARK Follow the hills inland from Harvey, past Brunswick Junction and down to the Wellington National Park near Collie –there are enough hilly tracks to take your breath away. They can also get you unequivocally and totally lost as they twist and turn onto well graded forestry tracks and back on themselves. Follow a few and you’ll be constantly checking the sun for directions. Take a GPS and make sure you know how to log waypoints or you’ll reach camp way after dark.

Watch out for timber trucks on the logging roads and be prepared for rocky scrambles that can require winching. Be warned that tracks can deteriorate and peter out without warning, so a reversing camera and confident footprinting skills are very useful.

PRODUCTS

The dams at Harvey, Logue Brook and Wellington provide a variety of water sports and camping options. Wellington doesn’t permit motorised water activities. There are defined walking trails in Wellington National Park and the trek along the Collie River is particularly scenic. BEST DRIVE – Tackle Lennards Track in Wellington NP in summer. In winter, get lost in the hills. BEST CAMPING – Potters Gorge (for caravans and campers) or Honeymoon Pool. FIVE THINGS TO TAKE – Winching gear, back up vehicle, GPS; firewood, water sports toys.

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If you need a roof rack, new rubber or anything in between and quality counts. You can rely and trust the experience of Perth 4x4

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BEST DRIVE: Follow the Moondyne Track and soak up the history of our locally infamous bushranger Moondyne Joe. Only one optional section requires engaging 4X4. BEST CAMPING: Homestead – 4X4 access only.

FIVE THINGS TO TAKE – Camera, warm clothes, all food and water, insect repellent (don’t forget to check for ticks), GPS or area maps.

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› MOONDYNE COUNTRY

The Avon Valley National Park, some 80km north east of Perth, provides a soothing feast of undulating green for the eye at any time of the year. It’s more about kicking back and relaxing than engaging the short stick, but it rates a mention as it’s close enough to the city that there’s no excuse not to use it as the perfect overnighter or dry run for the new camper. For the less experienced, summer and autumn is a good time for reconnoitring the occasionally steep and rutted tracks under dry conditions, with most roads suitable for 2WD. It’s soft roader heaven. Winter can see easy tracks offer a bit more bite. There are no open vehicle access roads to the river.

IT’S CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE CITY THAT THERE’S NO EXCUSE NOT TO USE IT AS THE

PERFECT OVERNIGHTER, OR DRY RUN FOR THE NEW CAMPER.

The spring rush of the local white water Avon River dwindles to tranquil pools that provide welcome relief to the park’s bird, reptile and animal life in summer. The park is a great spot for wild life watching. Rising early on a cool morning, you may be able to quietly stake out a river pool and keep watch for western grey kangaroos, echidnas, or some of the species reintroduced in 2002 by the DEC such as the black flanked rock wallaby, tammar wallaby and quenda (southern brown bandicoot).

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4X4 ETIQUETTE PLACES TO GO, PEOPLE TO SEE; THAT’S WHAT FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING IS ALL ABOUT. BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO DO IT AND RULES TO BE OBSERVED, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE ON THE ROAD.

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TRACK CUTTING

IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST BEEFS WITH NATIONAL PARKS AND DSE AND IT IS WHY THEY GATE OFF SOME TRACKS THAT HAVE

BEEN DESTROYED

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Sustainable four-wheel driving is all about taking the ‘live and let live’ philosophy not only into the bush, but on the road as well. For the sake of the reputation of the 4X4 fraternity, the bush, and for other travellers, here are a few examples of how to keep your nose clean. Let’s call it the ‘Nice Guy’s Guide to 4X4 Etiquette’.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE BIG, DOESN’T MEAN YOU ARE BETTER

Say, for example, you’re being held up by some ageing driver on a long stretch of double-whitelined road. Please don’t use the greater bulk of your vehicle to menace the smaller one in the hope it will persuade him to go faster. It won’t; you will merely confirm a contra conviction. Little things like sitting slightly back at intersections so the car next to you has a clear view of the coming traffic on your side, and angling your side mirrors and rear-view a little lower (most sports cars are no higher than a bee’s knees) go a long way to making us considerate road users. Take extra care when checking for motorbikes and smaller vehicles; look over your shoulder if you need to. NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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Particularly in the city, if you have a UHF radio fitted, don’t indulge in a lot of worthless chatter like our kids do on Facebook. You’ll probably be preventing other people from having genuinely necessary conversations by clogging up the airwaves … and you should be concentrating your efforts on driving, anyway. You’re better off temporarily removing your aerials, and it will prevent damage when you are entering and exiting car parks. On the subject of car parks, make sure you know exactly how high your vehicle is before heading into them. Getting your 2.4 metre 4X4 wedged in a 2.1 metre car park entry is not a great way to endear yourself to the cars behind you.

RESPECT RURAL DWELLERS

Let’s move out to the bush where we’re more at home. There are a few ‘niceties’ to observe here as well. The first one may seem obvious, but it’s disregarded so many times that it bears repeating: When travelling on access roads through rural properties, leave gates as you find them. Sorry to state the obvious … but that means, if they’re open, leave them open; if you have to open them, close them again. Some rural properties have the homesteads situated near dirt roads. If you’re passing, keep the speed – and the dust – down; particularly if you can see washing flapping on the clothesline.

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CAPTURED

Matthew Scott

1/160 sec; f/8; ISO 100 Cape York

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While on the subject of dust, travelling roads like the Plenty Highway (which you’ll more than likely be sharing with road trains), if you see a long vehicle approaching move to the shoulder of the road and stop. This is for two reasons: One, the driver will know you’re aware of the oncoming juggernaut; and two, you will be safer because the dust thrown up by a road train is absolutely blinding. In some places, access roads are privately maintained; so if it’s raining, stay off them. The cost of repair can run into thousands of dollars. It’s also illegal to drive on public roads that have been declared closed, and the fines can be horrendous – depending on which state you’re in. In South Australia, for example, it’s a grand a wheel. Work that out if you’re towing a tandem axle trailer and have two spare tyres on your 4X4. The fines will apply even if you were unaware of the closures – so make sure you have your radio on ABC National, which regularly broadcasts news about road closures. If in doubt, check in at the local tourist information centre for road closure information.

› SOME PARKS ALLOW DOGS, BUT DON’T LET YOURS ANNOY OTHER CAMPERS.

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DON’T MAKE NEW TRACKS

… and don’t destroy old ones. Tracks are there for a purpose; getting from point A to point B. Whilst many are challenging in an enjoyable way, don’t cut them up by repeatedly roaring through them and digging holes. Track cutting is one of the biggest beefs with National Parks and DSE and it is why they gate off some tracks that have been destroyed – they don’t want you driving over vegetation they are trying to preserve.

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UHF380

UHF300

When choosing a radio it’s important to consider the space in the vehicle for mounting. The UHF380 and UHF300 are compact units with the transceiver of the UHF300 being only 22.5mm x 100mm x 84mm and having a flip LCD function which is perfect for a roof mount. The UHF380 has all the controls in the speaker mic so the transceiver can be tucked away under a seat.

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TAKE YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU

Would you like to turn up to a campground covered in litter and refuse? Neither does anyone else. We here at Unsealed 4X4 headquarters have a policy of cleaning up and even taking anything other people have left behind and disposing of it properly. It’s not much fun, but if everyone did it we wouldn’t have a lot of the access problems we have these days. In relation to human waste, we’ve spoken about this a fair bit in past but it’s just not sinking in. If there are toilet facilities available, use them and don’t be a grub. If it’s only bush camping, dig a hole (minimum 30cm deep) well away from everyone and everything; and burn, then bury, your waste. An even better option is a Portaloo – take your waste away with you.

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PUBLIC IMAGE

Those of you who are new to 4X4 ownership may not know that over the years there have been instances of anti-4X4 feeling. So unless you want to run the risk of everything being cut out, walk the talk. Courtesy is a quality everyone should exhibit while driving … but for those of us in the 4X4 fraternity, it’s critical.

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Where can you learn more about the rights and wrongs of owning a 4X4? Join a club! Not only will you learn valuable new information, be given helpful advice and make new friends, you’ll be taught how best to publicly represent your new lifestyle. Many clubs are also vehicle make specific, making them a great place to discuss issues and find solutions to questions you may have about your own 4X4.

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THE EDITOR

Much to the disda this is where we let M

INNOVAT MATT SCOTT

I’d venture to guess that the majority of ‘new’ four-wheel drive parts coming out onto the marketplace are a knock-off of some sort. Or at least, they’re not exactly what I would call innovative.

It seems four-wheel drive manufacturers, for the most part, are just building copies of each other’s parts. Company ‘A’ will introduce something new, only for company ‘B’ to release a slightly cheaper yet nearly identical product at a lower price point. We won’t get into the versions released by companies ‘C’, ‘D’ and even ‘E’.

there’s really no competition other than creating the cheapest product, which means the drive for innovation is nil. This is a bad thing. It’s this drive for innovation makes fourwheel driving more accessible, safer, and more enjoyable. How many lives have been saved by the introduction of longer-reaching spotties and bettergripping off-road tyres? How many more places are we now able to access thanks to advancements in vehicle capability and ride quality? How many more new four-wheel drivers are out there seeing the country now because you don’t have to be bushtucker man anymore thanks to fridges and compact camping gear?

Innovations can start off as a small thing, but they often grow much larger than what they originally were. There are a few companies at the top Unfortunately, a lot of those small pushing hard to innovate, and plenty beneath them just reaping the rewards companies can’t get the coverage they need to let people know they’re an of someone else’s hard work. We see it with bull bars, lights, roof tents; actually, option on the market. And often times they can’t even compete because before there are few segments we don’t see they even know it, someone’s copied it in. This presents a problem, because NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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R’S COLUMN

ain of the publisher, Matt say anything he wants.

TE, OR DIE WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU THINK ARE DIRECT COPIES OF INNOVATIVE AUSTRALIAN-MADE GEAR?

THERE’S A FEW COMPANIES AT THE TOP PUSHING

HARD TO INNOVATE,

AND PLENTY BENEATH THEM JUST REAPING THE REWARDS OF SOMEONE ELSE’S HARD WORK.

their idea and sent it overseas for cheap manufacturing. That sucks, and I’m tired of seeing it. One of the things you’ll notice with Unsealed 4X4 is that we try to highlight the innovator and the little guy as much as we can in our gear pages. So if you have a cool, innovative product or you’ve seen something that you think people really need to know about, give me an email and I’ll see if we can’t help – a rising tide raises all ships.

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4X4 BOX OFFICE

4X4 ADVENTURE CINEMA Just like you, we’re always looking for the coolest four-wheel drive videos on the web, so we figured that it’s about time we started sharing them with you. Here’s what we’ve found this month!

YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THIS DEFENDER DOES NEXT. Because you’ve heroically chosen to download your copy of Unsealed 4X4, you can’t see what’s on this page. But trust us - it’s well worth looking at. To see it in all its glory go to unsealed4X4.com.au

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HOW TO KILL A LAND ROVER LANGUAGE WARNIN G

DRIFTING A SUZUKI JIMNY

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T 4X4

SO THIN

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AT’S

TOP 10 TIPS FOR THE X4 BEGINNER

O YOU THINK THIS 4X4 NG LOOKS ALRIGHT, HEY?

e are some beginner’s tips that’ll have you ying with the big boys a nd girls in no time.

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BULL BARS

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REAR BARS ROCK SLIDERS & SCRUB RAILS

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Our products not only withstand the test of time and the roughest terrain, they still look TOUGH, MODERN AND ORIGINAL.

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› DO A COURSE

If your 4X4 is in any way reliable, it’ll cost you thousands. Yet a good 4X4 course costs just hundreds. What that one-day course will do for you though, is genuinely open the doors to one of the world’s finest recreations. And there’s a bonus – think of a course as cheap insurance. By doing a course you’re theoretically far less likely to drown your vehicle in an ocean or river, or up to the windows in mud. There are excellent accredited operators that run all manner of courses around Australia, so you can take your pick. But be aware that most 4X4 clubs also run regular driving and recovery courses as well.

› 2. BUY AN AUTO

In steep terrain, the control afforded by low range and a manual transmission is hard to beat. But other than devilishly steep hills, an automatic transmission is better for the beginner. While the beginner in a manual transmission is busy shifting gears, losing momentum, and getting bogged, the driver with the auto just felt some slippage, tapped the right pedal and sailed right through. And the same goes for momentum sapping sand. When your vehicle starts to bog down in soft sand, your best bet is to accelerate. In an automatic, that’s as simple as leaning on the gas pedal some more. Not so with the manual. If you’re really quick at shifting you might save it and not bog, but if not, say hello to your recovery kit. NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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› 3. STOP SPINNING WHEELS

4X4 magazines are littered with examples of wheels up in the air, and tyres spinning. And to the uninitiated, they do look kind of cool. But when you know what you’re looking at, you’re actually looking at a driver that has fluffed it. Wheels up means no traction, and the wrong line. Try and keep your tyres on terrafirma where possible. And if you do start spinning your wheels in soft terrain like sand and mud, stop immediately. Many beginners keep their foot on the gas until long after the vehicle has stopped, burying the vehicle even further into the mire. Oh, and there’s a serious side benefit to not spinning wheels; you’ll be keeping the track in good condition for the next soul that drives through.

› 4. INSIST ON LOW RANGE

New 4X4 ads will bombard you with their dazzling array of ‘electrickery’. And the big one these days is some sort of Hill Descent Control, or Assist. All of this is fine, but at the end of the day it works off the vehicle’s brakes. Under extreme use, or with a camper trailer on the back, brakes can fade, and fail. Far better to rely on a low range gearbox, which uses the engine braking on the vehicle to slow it down. Plus, the low range lever (or button) allows you better control of the vehicle on all off-road surfaces – sand, mud, snow and rocks – so it’s a serious long term bonus.

› 5. GRAB A SHOVEL

It’s hardly the sexiest accessory, but it is probably the most used and cheapest that you’ll buy (that is, if you don’t already own one). The shovel has many and varied uses from digging sand out from under your bogged vehicle, to throwing coals on the top of your camp oven for roasting, to going to the loo in the bush. It’s for this last reason that I prefer the long-handled shovel! Somebody say ‘de-bogging’? Curse my ‘dad’ joke…

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› 6. START EASY AND THEN WARM UP

It sounds obvious to start on easy tracks, and then warm up, but exactly what constitutes an easy track? Personally, I reckon that coastal sand driving is a real trap for beginners. Particularly over the warm dry summer months, sand can be very light and fluffy, and extremely boggable (yes, that’s a word I just invented). And then, if you get stuck below the low tide mark, you can say goodbye to your vehicle. Trust me, as a 19-year-old I did this and saw a king tide rip the body off the chassis of my Land Rover.

So stick to formed trails with a firm base, and definitely don’t drive slippery clay-based tracks after rain. Once you’re comfortable with light duty hills and terrain and have done some more reading, then it’s time to hit the harder stuff.

› 7. GO WITH A FRIEND, OR JOIN A CLUB

If you were on a race track, it would make sense to follow Craig Lowndes to work out the best racing line. It’s no different with four-wheel driving. Following a friend through an obstacle, or even better, having them guide you through is a great idea. This way, you’ll get the sensation of driving some serious terrain, without the damage bill. And when the inevitable happens and you do get stuck, a snatch or winch recovery with another vehicle is always the quickest and easiest. Four-wheel drive clubs are also brilliant when it comes to remote travel, as the sharing of spare parts and sat phones, etc can really save the hip pocket.

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› 8. BUY SOMETHING RELIABLE

(WHICH COULD ALSO BE SLIGHTLY BORING) If it’s exciting to look at and gets your blood pumping, then it’s almost certainly not reliable. This is the sad truth of most 4X4s. If it’s built in an Asian country then it’s probably as reliable as the day is long. If it’s built in a third-world country with a name you can’t pronounce, then the law of averages says it won’t last in the Aussie bush. Also, beware of the 4X4 that advertises in Vogue magazine – that’s never a good sign.

“IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS” CERTAINLY APPLIES TO

4X4 ACCESSORIES › 9. STEER CLEAR OF ABSOLUTE BARGAINS

The old saying “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” certainly applies to 4X4 accessories. Think about it. If you demand that a company in China builds your awning for a price, how can they grow their company and their profits? Easy. Simply strip some weight out of those already skinny poles. Use lightweight plastic joints. Lighten the weight of the canvas, etc etc. I’d recommend sticking to the known brands whenever possible. And beware of the seemingly good looking brands that have no history. Many dodgy companies are simply rebranding the same dodgy gear nowadays, after social media slams their products. Sad really.

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› 10. UNDERSTAND BASIC COMMS

Telstra will tell you that their mobile phone coverage extends to 99 per cent of the population. But 99 per cent of the population lives nowhere near where you and I like to go. Obviously you would never want to rely on your mobile phone for communications, which means you’ll need to look for something more. For car-to-car communications in a convoy, you’ll need a five watt UHF CB radio. But for emergency communications in remote locations, a satellite telephone is the go. And don’t worry, you can hire them rather than buy.

What’s your best advice for beginners? If you are one, what would you like to know?

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› 11. (BECAUSE I CAN’T COUNT) FRIDGES BEAT ESKYS

You don’t realise just how reliant you’ve become on fridges, until you hear the esky sloshing around the back of your fourby, with the bangers floating in the unholy broth. The fridge at first seems expensive – particularly when compared to your stand up house fridge – but it’s usually better built and will be able to take a pounding off-road. NON-INTERACTIVE VERSION | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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Want to see your pride and joy featured in Unsealed 4X4? All you have to do is email evan@unsealed4x4.com.au with a few pictures of your four-wheel drive, and a couple of words letting us know what you have done to it, and where you like to take it.

THE RIDES OF U

GLEN’S LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110

Glen has had his Defender for a few years now, and has been methodically building it up from the showroom floor. The Defender has the usual list of goodies such as Xray Vision HID driving lights, Mulgo steel rock sliders and a TJM bull bar, but things start to get seriously cool once you look up. Yep, the roof flips up to make for one pretty amazing camper. Glen is very active amongst the Land Rover and four-wheel drive community in general, so be sure to wave and say g’day if you see the grey beast coming your way.

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UNSEALED 4X4

MATT’S TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 80 SERIES

Matt loves his weapon of an 80 Series, but doesn’t get the chance to use it as much as he would like to thanks to being busy with his playground business. But when the opportunity arises, Matt loves nothing more than heading away with his family through the Blue Mountains in NSW, and further afield. Matt tells us he has just returned from a trip to the Victorian High Country with nothing but good times (and a broken engine mounts… oops) to report.

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THE RIDES OF U

BRETTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JEEP WRANGLER JK

Brett is the owner of Jeep City down in Canberra, and some of you might recognise this truck from its former life as the Mickey Thompson promo vehicle. The camouflage sticker work has been replaced with the cool vintage Jeep vinyl wrap, but the long arm kit, supercharger and Mickey Thompson tyres remain. Actually, Brett has just swapped out the old Baja Claws for a set of the new MT Deegan 38 tyres, which serves as the best excuse to head away from the office. All in the name of testing, right mate?

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UNSEALED 4X4

NICK’S NISSAN PATROL GU

It is pretty easy to see the good stuff that has gone into Nick’s GU Patrol, but the best thing about it is a little harder to see. He was sick of the ZD30 engine causing issues. It even left him stranded a few times on the side of the road, which is not what you want with a newborn baby at home. So he ripped out the 4-cylinder engine to replace it with a TD42 engine from a GQ Patrol. The difference? Chalk and cheese according to the man himself.

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