Three must do tyre tips and checks that may well save your life.
With the road toll already mounting for 2017/18 summer school holidays, doing a quick tyre check may just save you and your family’s life. Pat and Toyo Tires have teamed up to bring you these ‘ Three tyre tips to do before heading off on…
Engineering Explained: 5 Things you should never do in your 4X4
Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained has done a quick video explaining 5 things you should never do with your 4X4. The beauty of the videos that these guys upload is that there’s not just a bunch of rules without explanation. You get a pretty good…
4X4s and grass fire risks. What you need to know.
Ford has just issued a recall of their hugely popular Ranger because of the risks of fire from grass collecting under the vehicle. Mazda has also acknowledged the problem on their BT-50, but this is a problem that goes well beyond just these two 4WDs….
4X4 Driving Tips: Bulldust
Bulldust is one of those strange phenomenon that you get when travelling out in the bush. Often, it will catch you by surprise, and can lead to potential problems. Bulldust is ultra-fine powder, which kicks up in a spectacular cloud as you drive through. It’s…
Why you shouldn’t let your fuel tank run down too low
Did you just drive past that servo, and then nervously stare at your fuel gauge? I do it all the time, with that internal dialogue always happening: “She’ll be right, I’ll make to the end of the highway before needing more”. And then, moments later:…
Common Rail Diesel – Terrain Tamer Masterclass Episode 5
Common rail diesel engines require some extra maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Terrain Tamer’s Alan Gray gives us the low down on what you can do to improve the reliability of your common rail diesel engine. Few people know 4WDs as well as the…
Learn how to change your wheel bearings: Terrain Tamer Masterclass Episode 3
We don’t need to tell you how important it is to keep an eye on the wheel bearings on your 4X4. Worn bearings can be identified by a grinding, humming or rumbling sound when driving. The easiest way to check, is to jack the wheel…
Camping Hotspot – Horseyard Flat, VIC High Country
Nestled along the banks of the Moroka River in the Victorian High Country is a beaut little campsite that’s called Horseyard Flat. It’s a bit of a misnomer, as there is no provision for horses there anymore (although the old hitching posts and split rails…
Pat’s Five Tips for Maintaining and servicing your Generator
Generators are one of those things that often lead a pretty tough life: operating for hours on end, bouncing around the tough tracks in your 4X4 or camper, and sucking in all kinds of dust and muck in the bush. And at the end of…
OffRoad Systems Drawers – And Why You Need Them
Drawers are broadly misunderstood in the 4X4 community. There’s a bit of a misconception that they’re purely for storage and simply provide a place to put your stuff, however we’re not sure we necessarily agree. They’re more than that. Sure, you can throw your dirty…
Recipe: Yabbies in Herb Butter
Summer’s here for a little longer yet, and nothing beats cooking fresh food on an open fire after a day behind the wheel with your family or mates. Try out this recipe from Pat Callinan’s Recipes from the Road Glovebox Guide book, which is full of…
How To: The Truckie’s Hitch
When it comes to securing your gear safely and securely, you need to know a failsafe method of tying it down with some rope. So we thought we’d show you one of the handiest and most versatile knots in the business: the venerable Truckies Hitch….
Approach, Departure, Rampover Angles & What They Mean
“See Season 8 Trailer Here” The approach, departure and rampover angles refer to the angle from horizontal your 4X4 can safely negotiate without your panels coming into contact with the terrain. When driving your four-wheel drive it’s a good idea to be aware of your…
4X4 Tips: 5 Tips for Stress-Free Mud Driving
Mud Driving would have to be one of the most fun forms of off-road driving, but it’s not without risks. The chance of becoming bogged is quite high, as you know mud is not exactly a high traction surface. If you do make it to…
SNOW DRIVING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
Throttle control is very important when driving on snow. While it is similar to driving on sand, you need to use your right boot to steer the vehicle rather than using sharp steering movements. Back off the throttle before a corner, gently steer…
Driving Tip: Giving Way
When you travel through outback Australia there are a few things you’re almost guaranteed to encounter: animals, insects, tough sections of track and, of course, plenty of amazing scenery. However the one I want to talk about is road trains and other heavy vehicles. …
Driving Tip: Water Crossings While Towing
There’s no doubt that water crossings are one of the most potentially hazardous obstacles encountered when out in the bush, and when you’re towing a camper behind you the risks can be multiplied so extra care must be taken. Here are our tips for water…
Driving Tip – Keeping Dust Out Of The Trailer
When you’re towing a hard floor camper trailer behind you through bulldust country (of which there is a lot in Australia) it’s not uncommon to unfold it at the end of a long day’s drive only to find the interior covered in talcum-like dust. But…
Driving Tip: Timing The Tides
While this Pajero has definitely seen better days, it also highlights the importance of driving in favourable tide conditions when travelling on the beach. In this case, we had to wait until the tide was out so we could sneak around this headland, and…
How to use a snatch block.
4X4 Technique: snatch blocks are one of the most versatile tools in your recovery kit. They work as a pulley point that can redirect your winch line for a multitude of uses. For example: say you come across a downed tree blocking the track….