Please read what others have said about our site and leave your comments, or share with us a recent 4WD experience, using the form at the bottom of the page.

 

On Fri Nov 18 17:33:11 2005, Neil Bisset visited and said:

David ,

Thanks very much for the training course on Wednesday with Rob & myself we both found it very educational, exciting & bloody good fun.Mark was excellent & i think he enjoyed himself especially putting the Porche through its paces as long as he can remember how to use the keys !!!!!!! (Private joke , just ask Mark)

Have enclosed a couple of photos with the Porche one is with Mark driving , the other Rob.

Look forward to doing some more training , hear from you soon.

Regards

Neil

 

On Mon Nov 07 13:31:05 2005, Nat and Kym visited and said:

Jenny, Kelly, Chris, Trevor, David, Tait,

Greetings everyone, and hope that you are all in good health, not too much strain from getting mud from vehicles, although I noticed that Orroroo had another day of rain yesterday, remembering we had mud on the Saturday morning and bull dust on Sunday afternoon.

Have scanned some print photos that Nat took on the weekend. Brings back some top memories.

Thanks to Jenny and Kelly for the piccies.

Again thanks to David and Tait for looking after us and imparting some of their wisdom. Hopefully it will stick and save us getting into a bind in the future. (And thanks to Rose for 'helping' with the evening meal on Saturday!)

And to everyone, continue to enjoy the 4WDing.

Cheers Nat and Kym

 

On Mon Oct 31 12:34:43 2005, Natalia Zacharko visited and said:

Hi Dave,

Once again a huge thank you for such a great weekend. Apart from learning a whole lot of new skills on how to handle the "truck", great friendships were established and lots of laughs were shared by all.

Must admit, the "old Clacker Valve" (as you call it) was a little twitchy doing the razorback section but we had to come out smiling, even if it was trying to conceal gritted teeth. Will try my hardest to remember all that was instilled into my mind.

Digressing slightly, thought I would send you this site and give you the bad news..........................someone else has written the Recipe book before you. Oh well, we tried.

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/listmania/list-browse/-/TKOJCLY2PJF1/ref=cm_lm_detail_ctr_full_2/102-6955860-6506533

Once again, heaps big thank you to yourself and Tait and to the family for the great dinner on Saturday night.

Take care and regard to all.

Natalia Zacharko

 

On Tue Jun 07 23:00:59 2005, Brita & Jürgen visited and said:

Hi David,

back from our wonderful vacation in Australia we certainly can tell you that everything went really fine. We felt secure with the “Britz” from the very first moment – thanks to the excellent training we obtained through you. The attached photos will show that we managed to survive also really nasty parts (which Juergen had to do), but you would have been proud of me (Brita) as well if you could have watched. The Flinders were really great and we experienced the Echo Camp Trail which was not easy.

So, again, thank you very much for everything you tought us! We will recommend Adventure 4WD whenever and wherever we can.

Kind regards from Germany,

Brita & Jürgen

no

 

On Tue May 29 23:22:23 2005, Jill visited and said:

Hi David and Rose

Just to let you know that I was able to find the canned dolmades and the anchovy- stuffed olives at our supermarket. Thanks for broadening our culinary horizons as well as our 4W Driving.

In exchange, here is the recipe I was telling you about Rose. We made it while we were camping and it was delicious (and easy).

Chickpea stew with tomatoes and green chilli

Olive oil

1 red onion, finely sliced

3 cloves garlic, finely sliced

2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

1 or 2 green chillies, to taste, seeded and finely chopped

¼ to 1 teaspoon salt (depending on how salty you want it)

2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon turmeric

freshly ground black pepper

500g (2 punnets) cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Heat oil in pan and add onion, garlic, ginger chilli and salt. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft. Add the chickpeas, ¼ cup of water, cumin, turmeric and pepper and cook for 5 minutes, or until the water evaporates. Add the tomatoes and cook for a further 2 minutes to soften. Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning. Serve with plain yoghurt.

Thanks again for the weekend. It was a great way to end a great holiday.

Regards

Jill

Serves 4 as a main or 8 as a side.

 

On Wed May 15 02:30:58 2005, David Wibrow visited and said:

Hi David & Rose.

Thanks for the great weekend. I have attached the 'photo's from my NSW days circa 1988, (I"m in the Suzuki). I thought you might be interested in the shots of my mates Defender.

By the way, how much are the Blue Apple Power Packs to buy and where would I get one from?

Thanks again, I'm sure we'll be in touch re a trip to the dunes!!!!!

David & Cate.

 

On Tue May 24 18:25:11 2005, Nick and Jill visited and said:

Hi David and Rose

Attached is my snap from the weekend of South Australia’s answer to Bush Tucker Man!

Thanks again for a great weekend

Cheers

Nick and Jill

 

On Mon Nov 01 08:14:29 2004, Tony Lewis & Trudie Jaques visited and said:

Hi David,

I'm looking for a good 4wd mechanic for 1997 Pajero. Do you have anyone in mind that you could possibly recommend.

Your course has helped Trudie & myself greatly in just giving things a go & if stuck getting out of most situations.

We have also used our membership card to almost everyone recommended on the sheet given to us at the course, so heres hoping you can do something with the request above.

Thanks for your help,

Tony Lewis & Trudie Jaques

Membership No. 690.

 

On Thu Sep 16 20:22:21 2004, Graham Stretch visited and said:

Thanks David and team...

After the 1st time out course we put theory into practise and spent a fabulous 6 months doing (amongst others..) The Simpson Desert (French), Birdsville track, Gary Junction, Sandy Blight, Gunbarrel Highway, Gary Highway, Canning Stock Route (middle section), Talawana, Gibb River Rd (inc. Mitchell Plateau), Bungle Bungles, Gulf Track, and Cape york (Up and down on OTT, frenchmans to Iron Range).

All in the Hippo!

Thanks for giving us the skills to stay safe

Graham and Rachno

 

On Wed Aug 18 16:52:29 2004, Michael Ellis visited and said:

David

Thanks for a great day on Saturday. The Terracan is still a mess but will attempt to clean tomorrow.

Speaking with you, you thought you might have an idea of who makes long range tanks for Terracans. At 75 litres its a bit small especially on longer trips.

Can you email me his contact details.

Kind Regards

Michael Ellisno

 

On Wed Aug 18 10:09:29 2004, Brett nimmo visited and said:

To david and mark

Cheers for a great day yesterday,had a awsome time,and no i wasent a sleep during the theroy bit just resting my eyelids.

But could you please send me some costs and info for my customers who are buying 4wds from me as the first one i spoke to today is very keen to do what we did.

Also what cost to do a promo vcd on what we did using footage from the prados etc,im thinking of including one on delivary of each vehicle as the benifits for the customers would be great or would you be able to send me a copy of the day that i cuold burn to give to each customer.

Once again thanks for a great day.

regards

Brett nimmo

 

On Mon Aug 02 19:41:00 2004, David Wilson visited and said:

Thanks for your comments, pleased to be of service for the family trip and hopefully at work too!

We've enjoyed enhanced safety for years now by using H4 on all dirt roads and as you've identified, the difference in handling security is amazing. In exactly the conditions you describe (loose dirt, maze of tracks criss-crossing the main body of roadspace, soft and deep windrow) H4 and 80kph maximum speed is a godsend.

Hope you found the info on tyres and pressures useful too as we don't suffer punctures anymore following the advice we've developed.

Hope to see you again soon.

Regards,

David

 

On Mon Aug 02 17:44:57 2004, Ian Steer visited and said:

Good morning David, Rose & Staff,

FYI and "Pats on the Back" for you all.

My wife and I had a glorious two (2) week trip basically chasing wildflowers in the "desert" or at least outback pastoral regions - well the green garden after the earlier floods.

Basically the route was Adelaide, Morgan, Yunta, East side of the Flinders to Strzelecki Highway, Merty Merty, Old Strzelecki Track to Innamincka, Coongie Lakes, Cordillo Downs, Birdsville, Kalamurina, Marree, home via west side of the Flinders. About 3250 K all up of which about 2600 was dirt!

We towed a trailer as well with our camping gear this trip and put to use information and knowledge picked up on your course.

The suggested maximum 80kph speed factor on dirt roads, tracks etc which so impressed me on the course was so helpful.

Where the roads were smooth as and wide straight etc we kept to that rule, although on the roads Morgan to Yunta and Arkaroola to the Strzelecki Track had some extremely rough stony corrugated stretches where we slowed to 25 or even less to safely pick our way along.

There was no commonly called "real 4WD" stuff other than a couple of tracks in and out of some of the side trips with dry sand and some rocky creek bed crossings where towing made it easier to use LR 2nd & 3rd in order to just about idle through and make sure wheels of the Tojo and trailer were placed best between the deep erosion channels. But the basic principal of dirt requires 4WD was adhered to.

This meant that in the places where the windrows were quite substantial with up to 4 different sets of wheel tracks to choose from we naturally chose the best set to use for smoothness and when on coming rigs were sighted it was so safe to cross over to the left set of tracks with sure traction of the 4WD. Hence from this sense there was Real 4WD requirement in order to have the safest trip we could!

Happy to let you know your work is put to good use. I know Sally (my wife) was a little happier when I kept to the slower speeds on the wider straighter roads.

Thank you,

Ian Steer

 

On Sun Jul 25 05:51:49 2004, Neil Mawson visited and said:

Dear David,

A short message to say many thanks for a fantastic weekend, we both found it exciting and exhausting !! The jeep did well and it was good to see it being put through its true paces.

Hope the crew are all home and well.

We will be in touch re Robe weekend. ? presuming there is one in November as it is not on the original recreational programme you sent us ?

Also could you let us know at some point in the future who facilitates the camping weekends?.

Many thanks again.

Ravi and Neil.no

 

On Tue Jul 06 12:17:56 2004, Joan and Wayne Prosser visited and said:

Post participation in a private session to better understand their new Toyota Prado with DAT electronic traction and stability controls

Many thanks David for the day you spent with us last Thursday.We have come away feeling much happier about our forthcoming trip.It is amaizing what a little bit of info and hands on practise does for ones confidence.I especially feel happier about aspects of the car and different conditions I may find myself in. One never knows what may happen ,and suddenly I will need to be behind the wheel. Now I feel that it isn't totally impossible.

Thanks for a very worthwhile day,

Regards Joan and Wayne.

 

On Mon Jul 05 17:14:26 2004, Myrle Jackson visited and said:

Dear David,

Sorry for the delay in emailing you about our trip. The last week of term was extremely busy!

Unfortunately we did not visit Watarru as a funeral there meant our visit there could not take place. Also I considered it not diplomatic to take photos within the communities as it was my first visit and I was not sure what would be permissible. The trip itself went really well and my 4 WD skills were quite up to the task.

Thanks for your advice and training.

Regards,

Myrle Jackson

 

On Mon Jun 07 08:47:11 2004, David Wilson visited and said:

Thanks for your comments, pleased to be of service for the family trip and hopefully at work too!

We've enjoyed enhanced safety for years now by using H4 on all dirt roads and as you've identified, the difference in handling security is amazing. In exactly the conditions you describe (loose dirt, maze of tracks criss-crossing the main body of roadspace, soft and deep windrow) H4 and 80kph maximum speed is a godsend.

Hope you found the info on tyres and pressures useful too as we don't suffer punctures anymore following the advice we've developed.

Hope to see you again soon.

Regards,

David

 

On Sun Jun 06 07:08:32 2004, John Doherty visited and said:

Dear David and Peter,

Just to say how much Nan and I enjoyed the “First Time Out” programme yesterday and last Wednesday evening.

We learnt many things which I’m sure could be of assistance in our forthcoming trip.

Sincere thanks.

Regards.

John Doherty.

 

On Tue May 25 14:07:58 2004, Carpenter Rocks and Beyond Gang visited and said:

Hi David,

Just wanted to let you know our 2-day course was fantastic ... And what a great teacher Mark was.

We have all gained so much from it and we loved every second.

Once again thank you and a huge thank you to Mark!

All the best,

Kail, Steve, Mandy, Kelley and Stacey,

Carpenter Rocks and Beyond Gang!

 

On Wed May 05 18:40:59 2004, Arnold Gillespie visited and said:

Yes we had a lot of fun. We had about 30 in our group but there must have been 300 tents/campervans/caravans in the "camping area". Short Anzac Day Service on Sunday was impressive and very well attended. Thanks again for the advice re tyres. The pressures recommended in the Owners Handbook are much lower than your facts. I used yours. I am sure there is less oversteer now that the tyres are pumped to an appropriate pressure

Arnold

 

On Wed May 05 16:41:27 2004, David Wilson visited and said:

How did the Ball go, did the car travel OK?

 

On Thu Apr 22 08:48:00 2004, Arnold Gillespie visited and said:

Hello David

Yes I meant a 4.2 TD...dyslexia strokes again! Thank you very much for the tyre pressure info. We are off to the Beltana Ball this weekend. I feel comfortable now with reliable data re tyre pressure.

Regards

Arnold

 

On Wed Apr 21 14:27:50 2004, David Wilson visited and said:

Arnold,

From the TRA manual (Table BT-1) I have the following:

1300kg front axle loading (ie 650kg per wheel) = 250kpa/36psi (minimum pressure recommendation)

1800kg rear axle loading (ie 900kg per wheel) = 315-325kpa/46-47psi

I think you meant a 4.2 litre turbo diesel?

Hope that helps?

David

 

On Wed Apr 20 08:28:06 2004, Alana visited and said:

Howdy David,

Thank you for the last two days training. I know that everyone who went on the course learnt something. I know from an OHS&W perspective, I will now feel more comfortable that staff have been shown how not to panic, and to try to think logically if they get themselves in a bind. In particular I know that many of the staff have felt worried about changing a tyre and or inflating the bag to get themselves out of a bog.

I look forward to your's and Mark emails of the additional bits we need to address / purchase on the four wheel drive.

On a personal note I have an enormous amount of useful information to process and have learnt some techniques I would never have dreamt about.

Many thanks

Alana

 

On Mon Apr 19 10:00:15 2004, Arnold Gillespie visited and said:

Dear David

I attended one of your courses for "newbies" last year. On the theory night the topic of tyre pressure was discussed. You had a booklet which detailed recommended pressures. You also recommended a tyre sales business if info or sales were needed. I went there recently (I had the name of the guy then but I seem to have lost it now!) but he wasnt there at the time. The remaining staff tried but I dont think they had the information that I felt I could trust. I have a Toyota Landcruiser 2.4 turbo diesel ute with a slide-on camper weighing 350 kg on the tray. The tyres are Dunlop Road Grippers 7.5R16 8SP. The weighbridge weight on the front wheels is 1300 kg. On the back wheels the weight is 1800 kg. Can you help me? What are the recommended pressures for these circumstances?

Thanks

Arnold Gillespie

 

On Tue Apr 13 14:06:46 2004, Ross visited and said:

David,

Thought I would drop you a quick note to let you know that your excellent advice got me and the Prado to Palm Valley / Finke Gorge.

Having invested in lights, UHF, straps, air compressor and a shovel, my trip was uneventful except for the several people I helped out along the way.

I am amazed out how little equipped and prepared some people are!

Some snaps attached. I look forward to joining you again on one of your tag-alongs.

Kind Regards

Ross

 

On Tue Mar 18 17:02:42 2004, Al Sharpe visited and said:

David

I want to say again how much I enjoyed the Robe weekend, although I'm still pissed off that I was the only one that failed on the last hill test, that's like failing the final exam. Something that nobody mentioned at the debrief was the food. I was very impressed with the quality of the spread provided (if Rose is responsible pass on my praise please) in particular the steaks, which were perfectly cooked, by Chris I think. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think they were lamb. (where did you get them from by the way).

I have two questions for you.

Firstly, I have just realised my battery is in its 5th year so I would like to buy one now so I'm ready for the imminent failure. Where can you get those AC Delco ones that you recommend and what size would be best for my Prado (I think you said the biggest one you can fit in on the FTO course).

Secondly, in what situation would you be starting off in 2nd gear.

Al

PS. I will probably join you again for a Flinders trip later in the year, so see you then.

 

On Tue Mar 16 19:42:28 2004, Jordan Memorials visited and said:

Hi David!

Just want to thank you for a wonderful weekend of learning. I certainly learned lots of new stuff (including the less firma the more terror)! and you did boost my confidence in tackling sand dunes.

The food was wonderful, so pass on our thanks to your Wife and Mum (I hope I got that right) and both David and I will recommend you and your Company to anyone who wants to learn about 4 wheel driving.

We will let you know how we enjoy Blinman, Arkaroola and Wilpena Pound

Take care

Eva and David

 

On Sun Mar 14 15:09:02 2004, Beth Hassett visited and said:

Good morning,

I was part of the Saturday's Mercedes ML group of drivers to participate in the how to learn to use our vehicle, what our expectations are, our limitations, (not that we found any, .... yet) and what we as drivers can do. In this, a very short one day adventure, My brother and myself found the day extremely enjoyable exciting.

I would like to thank our very patient instructors for an enjoyable day's discovering what the ML can do. Their knowledge of these vehicles, what to do, their patience, their calming way of instruction us needs to be commended and held in high regard. We were never at any stage intimidated by knowledge, bombarded with the over use of technology. Our instructors encouraged us in a calm informative progression of stages to give us, more importantly me the 1st timer of 4WD, exactly how to do things with confidence and actually enjoy doing it.

What a Buzz.

Finding out the ML is more that a "Tourak Cruiser", more than a people mover, more than a vehicle to pull horses and equipment from A to B was an extreme and enjoyable surprise.

Our Sales rep touch on some of the technology of these vehicles, your instructors managed to show and teach us that we have to learn that technology is good, but we as drivers, need to know the limitations of technology and how to use this technology to our advantage. The cars can not do it all on their own.

Once again I would like to thank your impressive patient instructors for the day. I am sure that with more confidence I will do more 4WD with these vehicles apart form travel the bitumen and occasional dirt road

Once again Thank you

Beth

 

On Fri Mar 12 17:36:04 2004, Sascha Unger visited and said:

Hello David,

Thank you so much for the detailed answer! That's great news and we will certainly go on planning the trip with those information. Yes, it's the Toyota Landcruiser you mentioned. I can't understand, why they don't supply 4WD equipment with a 4WD-vehicle??!!?? Anyway, credit card-payment is no problem. Prior payment is ok; I might need a fax with the exact quote later this year. I think we'll be fine with compressor and UHF-radio.

Yes, we do pass Adelaide and can pick up the gear. This is the option I prefer. So we can have a quick chat because I might need some advice for the UHF-radio since I’ve never used that stuff. Although we plan some small off-road adventure on the way from Melbourne to Adelaide (e.g. Robe beach run, etc.), we will get along to Adelaide without this stuff, hopefully...

Thanks again - looking forward to January 2005!

Cheers,

Sascha

 

On Wed Mar 03 17:40:32 2004, Sascha Unger visited and said:

hello adventure4wd-team,

we are planning a 4WD-trip through central-oz. we start in melbourne end of january 2005, finishing in alice springs 22 days after. although KEA is providing a great vehicle with a simple recovery kit, satelite emergency bacon and simple GPS navigation we need some additional equipment for this trip. can you give us a quote for the following equipment for 22 days:

ARB Compressor (or similar)

HF-Radio (GME Electrophone GME3200 or similar)

(optional) Tirfor winch (only if supplied with an "anker" for sand)

(optional) Hi Lift Jack + (adaptor?)

(optional) Sat-Phone

best would be if we can pick up the gear in melbourne (maybe you can send it to KEA). difficult part might be the returning of the gear since we drop off the vehicle in alice and flying to sydney.

what can we do?

if you're not offering that service i gladly receive some advice on who in the area of melbourne or adelaide is able to do it.

thanks in advance and best regards from germany.

sascha unger

 

On Tue Jan 27 01:53:59 2004, Carmelita and Charles visited and said:

Hi David,

I forgot to include the poem I wrote about the eclipse.

Here it is:

Australian Eclipse Memories

Flies and winds, such pests

Sun and Moon, intersects

Outback and 4-wheel drive

Aussies and Americans jive

Color and shadow delight

Moon and Sun play hide-the-light

“Ohhs” and “Ahhs” abound

Cameras and telescopes all around

Time and location meet

Eclipse and friends, what a treat!

Written in 15 minutes (3:20p.m.)

12/5/02 (a day after the total solar eclipse)in the van in front of Wadlata Store

Port Augusta, Australia

While David Rose (our 4-wheel tour guide) was in talking to a friend of his that knew of a local person who sells opals from his house.

Written by Carmelita Miranda

Dec. 5, 2002

 

On Tue Jan 27 01:45:46 2004, Carmelita and Charles visited and said:

Hi David,

We finally got the final eclipse DVD edited and ready to send to you. Thanks for your CD with all the great images on it. It is so wonderful to review the images and have all the happy memories come flooding back.

We got a hold of everyone via email except for Graham and Sharon Gartshore and Dean (don't know his last name).

Is there anyway you can call them and ask them to send us an email message with their current address so we can send a DVD or tape to them? The last email address we had got bounced back.

I will be sending out your DVD real soon. Enjoy!

Carmelita and Charles

 

On Mon Jan 12 02:25:01 2004, Jenny Weston visited and said:

Dear David

You may remember us – Jenny, David and little bub Oliver who got you talking at the 4WD show in Adelaide – you recommended stacks of rescue equipment and we also purchased a couple of your videos which you dropped over to us. Thanks for all the great advice. We used everything you suggested.

We got ourselves into a spot of bother in sea weed on 7 mile beach at Coffin Bay national park. Luckily we had the equipment for the job even if we did lack the experience. The videos helped heaps, we were down quite deep and couldn’t open the doors to the Pajero but we stayed calm and had dug ourselves out quite well, the exhaust jack worked just like the video and we had branches under the wheels, when help arrived. We were lucky enough to have a couple drive by who had done one of your training courses – what more could we ask for. We were out in no time with the snatch straps doing there thing.

We were also lucky enough to also spend a couple of nights at Fowlers Bay and loved it.

We are keen to do one of your driving courses but may have to wait until Oliver is old enough to stay with Grandparents.

Could you recommend an area to camp in the Flinders Ranges that isn’t over run with people as we are thinking of a trip to the Flinders for Easter. Perhaps one of the private stations?

Thanks for the advice

Jenny Weston ( and David Cook )

 

On Sun Jan 11 17:47:25 2004, John Pink visited and said:

Hi David,

Good to speak to you the other night. David what I am after is some advice,

information, improvements etc. on my latest purchase of 2002 TD5 auto Discovery.

In the past I have always done my own vehicle servicing and would like to continue with the Series 2 Discovery. Previous to the series 2 I had a 1994 TDI manual which I set up for camping. I would be most grateful if you could put me in touch with some other owners of similar vehicles to mine so that I could learn some vehicle tips (servicing/setting up accessories etc)from them and perhaps I may be able to pass on information to them as well.

Unlike most off road vehicles (that don't go off road) our vehicle is used everyday on dirt roads and when we go on holiday it is usually "out bush" somewhere. We enjoy our camping very much and I am always looking at new ways to improve our camping and similarly looking at keeping my vehicle in top shape, to minimise any break downs (have had none so far).

I a would be most grateful if you could put me in touch with owners who are keen like I am to maintain these vehicles themselves, after all we live in the country and often advice/help is more that "just down the road" or around the corner. I would also invite yourself & family & my "new found vehicle advisors" to call in, camp if you wish should you travel this way to the Flinders Ranges. We are about 250kms from Adelaide.

John & Heather Pink

Pinky's Plumbing

Black Swamp Road

PO Box 84

Wirrabara SA 5481

Phone 86684355

My name is John Pink age 57, I am a self employed plumber, live at Wirrabara on a small property of 60 acres, prior to that we lived in Barmera then Alice Springs.

My wife and I enjoy camping and visiting new places. When I have some spare time I make camping sinks, light stands and fire buckets. I also have made my own snorkels for all of my diesel vehicles. We have had 4WD vehicles since 1984, enjoyed them all. they have taken us safely (and back) to many places in Australia, one day we would like to do and "around Australia trip".

I look forward to your reply David and thank you in anticipation.

Regards John & Heather Pink

 

On Sun Dec 21 09:27:01 2003, David Wilson visited and said:

Al,

Thanks for the memo. The tyre business needn't be complicated. You need to ignore the differences between hot and cold and set them according to how they are when you inspect/adjust them.

For example, the Prado's placard recommends 26 psi for the Dunlops (P) rubber on bitumen (which is right for a passenger car tyre). When you get to the dirt drop 20% of the air registered at that moment. Once done, slow down by the same margin <20% (important especially on bends, too fast on sharp turns runs risk that tyre rolls off rim). Once on the beach let them down to the 20psi or less (18psi) depending on the quality of the sand and then return them to either their dirt or bitumen settings according to the anticipated road surface.

The inconvenience thing will be for you not your friends. When they get their punctures because they didn't deflate you'll be twiddling your thumbs waiting for them to do the changeover with the spare!!! It is an acquired regime to get into, but with time you'll appreciate the lack of time lost through unnecessary punctures and the money saved for replacements.

Happy touring and Happy Xmas!

David

 

On Sun Dec 14 16:30:07 2003, Al Sharpe visited and said:

I have just completed the FTO course and need a little further advice re tyre pressures. It seems the more I think about it the more complicated it seems to get. For example I have embraced the idea of normal fully pumped up tyre pressure for the bitumen (more pressure if fully loaded, about how much more do you think), 20% less for the dirt and about 18-20 psi for sand. It seems to me that if you stop to adjust your tyre pressures to go on sand after having been driving for sometime, the tyres will be hot and the pressure well up on what it was when the tyres are cold. So if you let the tyres down say to 18 psi at that time then go fishing on the beach for the night, by the morning your tyres are cold and your 18 psi might be considerably lower (how much lower I'm not sure) so you would have to pump them back up to 18 psi cold. The same going back again, you get off the sand, the tyres are hot, you pump them up to say normal pressure, once they cool down after getting to your destination you will need to pump them up further. This seems like a lot of pumping and inconvenience, especially if travelling with others in convoy. Am I over complicating this, please advise.

By the way my Prado has recommended pressures of 26psi for the grand trek tyres fitted, which are the exact same as the originals, is this a bit low.

If forgot to mention I learned a lot on the course and thoroughly enjoyed it, I have recommended it to friends.

Thanks

Al Sharpe, member no. 657

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