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29/08/2010
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Bushranger invited us to a demonstration of its off-road gear on a beach in 2008. Now, in 2010, we have just spent a hard day working with the off-road equipment specialist in a variety of conditions to review ways of staying out of trouble – or of getting out of strife if everything else has gone wrong. The tests included working on rocky outcrops, steep slopes and on tight twisty sections.
This off-road testing wasn’t done with big truck-like vehicles, but using compact SUVs. Though these are generally bought as handy station wagons rather than 4WDs, some owners do get a hankering for the real thing and are pleased to find their vehicles are surprising competent if driven correctly. Indeed, there are some situations where a small, relatively light SUV can go places where the big boys simply can't squeeze through, or are bogged down due to their weight.
Beaches tend to be the natural habitat of many small and compact SUVs, but narrow forest trails that include steep climbs and declines can also be tackled with the right preparation.
Compact SUVs seldom have a two-range transfer case. Ground clearance is another factor as some of them only ride 20 or 30 millimetres higher than cars. But others retain clearance that’s close to that of a dedicated 4WD. If you are in the market for a vehicle that may be taken off-road look for about 200 mm clearance as a minimum, also check the ramp-over, approach and departure angles.
Bushranger is an Australian company that has been deeply into the 4WD field in design, manufacture and importation of aftermarket equipment since the early 1980s. It is promoting equipment that can let these vehicles make the best of their abilities.
Good traction by way of correct tyres is important. This doesn’t mean you have to use hard-core off-road items, some of today's compromise on-road/off-road tyres work surprisingly well. What is important in off-road driving is the pressures at which the tyres are run.
Novice off-road drivers want to be given an easy answer, either a single recommended pressure or a percentage drop from on-road pressures. But there's a lot more to it than that. Pressures may have to be adjusted several times during a day’s driving in harsh conditions; depending on air temperature, ground temperature, speed, the type and condition of the surface being traversed and the slope of the terrain. Obviously this frequent changing of tyre pressures requires a quality pressure gauge and a portable air compressor.
Various items of recovery equipment were then demonstrated to us: recovery straps to let another vehicle pull your out of trouble; manual winches to let you operate independently if need be; inflatable ‘jacks’ that let you lift the vehicle to clear soft ground underneath; and portable tracks. Also included were details on safety precautions and equipment on how to use this and other gear.
To make the end of a hard day’s driving even more pleasurable we had a demonstration of a Bushranger hot water system that operates off a vehicle’s cooling system. That gives you the opportunity to have a nice shower and wash your clothes.
Once you have settled down for the evening you can use the Bushranger’s ‘Power Tank’ to charge mobile phones, satellite navigation systems, power a fridge – perhaps even fire up the kids’ Playstations and your laptop and PDA.
If you are still hesitant about tackling the great Australian bush in your compact SUV, an ideal way of making the first venture is to join a ‘tag-a-long’ trip. There, experienced guides lead the way on major off-road excursions while you drive your own vehicle. They are not only a great way to gain experience but can also be pretty sociable occasions from which new friendships often result. Indeed, one of our favourite things in life is talking to a variety of people from all different areas who have a common love of something.
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