[Weekend Warrior brand ambassador, Andre de Villiers, provides tips to make your off-roading holiday a success this December.]
Preparation
It is important to obtain a map of the area you wish to explore and determine which areas are open for use before planning a trip/journey. Make sure you contact the manager for more information on the venue such as area restrictions and special permission when driving on private property. Also check the weather forecast which can make or break your trip.
Safety on the road or trail:
Traveling in a group of two or more vehicles increases the chances of safety in the event of an emergency. All passengers must buckle up. Drinking and driving will only spell disaster for the adventure.
Rules and common courtesy:
Drivers must adhere to the rules of the trail and be considerate of others. Leave entrances and gates as you find them, there is a reason for gates being closed. Off-road trails also accommodate cyclists, bikers, horses and hikers, always give them right of way.
Andre’s five rules to T.R.E.A.D. lightly:
- Travel only on designated routes. Never blaze your own trail.
- Respect the rights of others to also enjoy their activities undisturbed
- Educate yourself. Use maps, stay in contact with the local governing agencies and comply with signs and barriers. Obtain land owner’s permission to cross private property.
- Avoid wildlife and fragile environments such as streambeds, lakeshores, meadows, muddy roads, trails and steep hillsides.
- Drive responsibly to protect the environment and preserve the opportunity to enjoy the use of public lands.
Check list of must have winching and 4x4ing items:
- Gloves: Wire rope can develop “barbs” which will slice the skin. It is therefore important to wear protective gloves when operating the winch or handling the wire rope. Avoid loose fitting clothes or anything that could become entangled in the wire rope and other moving parts.
- Hook Strap: Use this to hold the hook and keep your fingers away from the fairlead when the wire rope is being spooled in. Winches develop tremendous pulling forces and can easily remove fingers and limbs that are placed in pinch points. Put the hook into the loop and hold the strap between the thumb and forefingers.
- Snatch Block: When used properly, the multi-purpose snatch block allows you to: (1) increase your winch’s pulling power; and (2) change the pulling direction without damaging the wire rope.
- Clevis/D-Shackles: The D-Shackle is a safe means for connecting the looped ends of cables, straps and snatch blocks. The shackle’s pin is threaded to allow easy removal. Alone, the winch is not much more than a simple tool but when used with certain accessories and enhancements, your winch can become a versatile and productive.
- Choker Chain: This can be used to hookup to another vehicle or sharp objects for an anchor point. Chains, however, will damage trees.
- Tow Hooks: Secured these properly to your vehicle’s frame, tow hooks provide an attachment point for wire hooks, straps and chains.
- Tree Trunk Protector: Typically made of tough, high-quality nylon, it provides the operator with an attachment point for the winch rope to a wide variety of anchor points and objects, as well as protecting trees.
- Heavy Blanket: In certain situations you may decide to throw a heavy blanket or similar object over the wire rope. A heavy blanket can absorb energy should the wire rope break. Place it on the wire rope midway between the winch and the anchor point. Do this before the wire rope is put under tension. Do not approach or move the blanket once the tension is applied. Do not allow the blancket to get pulled into the fairlead. To move or remove the blanket, slack the tension on the wire rope first.
- Recovery Strap: Never use a recovery strap in a winching operation. Because it is designed to stretch, it stores energy and could react like a rubber band should your rigging fail. Use the recovery strap to “snatch” out a stuck vehicle.
- Shovels & Hand Tools: Quite often during winching activities, you will find yourself in need of some additional help. You may want to stow equipment such as a shovel, an axe and a Hi-Lift jack for additional assistance when needed.
- Backup Parts: Important backup parts to carry for off-road travel are an extra screw-pin shackle, snatch block, and remote control unit. For severe and continued winch use, consider including an extra wire rope and winch hook.
- Toolbox Items: Items to bring along include hand wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and other tools to change wire rope as well as Booster Cables – Many roadside emergencies stem from a dead battery. To prevent exhausting your electrical source, you can install a dual battery system and a battery isolator kit.
4×4 enthusiasts who still want to join the Weekend Warrior club can do so by liking the Facebook page www.facebook.com/wkndwarriorsa and join at www.theweekendwarrior.co.za. Members can follow on Twitter@WkndwarriorSA, Instagram: WkndwarriorSA.
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