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4-wheel driving tips
Plan your trip well.
Take a 4WD course before you depart.
Take maps, appropriate recovery and communications equipment, adequate spare parts, tool kit and service manual.
Have a fatigue management plan.
Reduce tyre pressure by +-10% when driving on formed dirt roads; by +-20% on soft sand. When driving with deflated tyres, drive at slower speeds and keep turning circles large to reduce the risk of rolling tyres off the rims or rolling your vehicle.
Don't drive on vegetated sand dunes – this causes erosion.
When driving down a steep hill drive in a straight line (if possible), use the lowest gear possible and drive as slowly as you can.
When driving over a ditch or logs, cross at an angle to ensure that only one tyre goes over the obstacle at a time – the other three wheels will help get the vehicle over.
Before negotiating a steep descent or a water crossing, get out of the vehicle and have a look. Better yet, walk the area first.
Keep hands at ten-to-two position on the steering with thumbs outside the wheel. When going through washouts or over severe bumps, the steering wheel can swing back suddenly causing injury to hands.
Ensure all tyres are the same size, preferably the same make and tread pattern. If driving in mud, consider getting self-clearing tyres.
Ensure that everyone always wears seatbelts.
If braking when 4-wheel driving, apply light steady pressure. If the brakes lock up, ease off then reapply gentle pressure.
If performing a snatch strap or winch recovery, check that recovery points (not tie downs) are fitted on the front and rear of your vehicle and that they are attached to the chassis, NOT the bumper bar or bullbar.
For maximum fuel efficiency, fry and maintain a steady speed as constant speeding up and slowing down uses more fuel.
towing tips
Get comfortable in your seat, relax and enjoy the experience. Drive with both hands on the wheel, with your thumbs outside the rim.
Be considerate – remember that you'll be going slower than most other vehicles and will be harder to pass; consider pulling over when safe to do so to enable other traffic to get past.
Don't overload your caravan or 4WD – stick to the recommended or legal weights.
Take special care when sharing the road with trucks and road trains – not only are they difficult for you to get past, but they can create sudden cross winds when they pass you.
Concentrate on what you're doing – keep distractions to an absolute minimum.
Have a fatigue management plan – stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs and never drive when you're tired.
Don't drive at night.
Overtake with caution; remember you won't have as much grunt with a caravan behind you.
Allow more braking distance than normal.
In spite of what some people may tell you, travelling faster over bumpy roads is NOT better for your caravan!
Ensure that your caravan is correctly hitched to your vehicle and that safety chains are attached correctly.
Ensure that gas bottles are turned off.
If travelling in a convoy, leave a healthy distance between you and the next vehicle.
If you get hit by a cross wind, resist the temptation to overcorrect – you could end up in the soft surface of the road or across the white line.
Drive within posted speed limits at a consistent speed.
When cornering, allow yourself more leeway than with a motor car; you have a large, wide unit travelling behind you that can bash into signs or trees and jump over kerbs.
Do some practice turns and become familiar with the placement of your caravan wheels.
Do not allow inexperienced persons to tow your caravan – even for brief periods
Take a towing training course with a reputable company or get some practice with a caravan club before you set out on your adventure.
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