GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #19 | Page 58

OFFROADING 101 JASE ANDREWS IS THE HOST OF AUSTRALIAN 4WD AND ADVENTURE SHOW, ALL 4 ADVENTURE. There’s nothing better than exploring the outdoors and venturing off the beaten track, but I know from experience that an offroad adventure doesn’t come without risks. That’s why it’s important to be knowledgeable and prepared for all of the bumps you might face along the way. PREP FOR EMERGENCIES When embarking on your adventures, don’t forget to pack the necessities so that you are prepared for anything unexpected that comes your way, in particular a shovel, an air-compressor and Maxtrax. While not many would think to keep a shovel in the boot, when you’re offroading there’s nothing better to keep on hand. Buy a quality shovel that won’t break when you need it the most – the one from Rhino-Rack is great. Installing a winch and having Maxtrax as part of your kit is a great investment. Using Maxtrax with sand or leaves work well to create traction where there is none. 58 gorv.com.au LOW PRESSURES FOR INCREASED GRIP To prevent the need to put that shovel to work or whip out the bog boards, an air-compressor will allow you to adjust your tyre pressure to the terrain you’ll be conquering. Very low pressures of 20psi and under will provide more contact with the ground for increased grip and lessen the risk of punctures when driving over rocky surfaces. On sand, a lower tyre pressure allows you to remain on top of the sand instead of sinking into it. KNOW YOUR GEARS Knowing your driving gears and their different uses is important when offroading. 4H, which is high-range, is suitable for the easier unsealed tracks; however, once you reach more difficult terrains and steep inclines, you’ll want to use 4L, which is low-range 4WD. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE AND KEEP IT SLOW We all love to hit the road and escape the city, which means it’s likely you’ll be sharing the road