Vehicles
Route and transmission: The terrain to be encountered on the route governs choice of vehicles with four-wheel-drive (4x4) or two-wheel-drive (4x2). On tracks, for example, you may get by with a rugged 4x2 vehicle. Off tracks anywhere, take a 4x4.
Petrol versus diesel: Fuel availability en route can affect this but not often; although kilometres per gallon and overall fuel costs favour diesel, the preference in the Gulf is for petrol. Diesels are heavier with less power output than equivalent petrol-engine vehicles, but have a very wide torque band for slogging in deep sand.
Oil: The basic functions of an engine oil are to cool, clean and protect the engine. There are specially manufactured engine oils developed with special base oils and additives to ensure better viscosity and superior engine protection. Off-road vehicles require these oils because of the rough terrain and driving conditions they have to negotiate.
Ask your trusted mechanic. Find out how an ideal combination of the right selection of engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, grease and coolants can synchronise a consistent high performance. By using the right mix you may even be able to reduce fuel consumption.
Make sure you change the engine oil according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended specifications and check for any leakages at the same time, that you check the level of engine oils before you embark on a journey.
Tyres: Be fastidious about tyre pressure. As a guide, use the manufacturer’s
recommended road pressures on rock and stones, 75 per cent of this on/off road, and 50 per cent on very soft sand. Drive slowly at sand pressures on deflated tyres to avoid overheating them. Reinflate when on hard ground. Be careful not to damage sidewalls on rocks and stones.
Vehicle spares: You can’t take everything so restrict your list to non-repairable items over which you have no control. The need for spares is most often caused by poor driving, so drive carefully to safeguard your suspension and transmission. Concentrate on fuel pumps and filters, fan belts and hoses, small non- repairable electrical items such as coil, condenser and points. Take lots of ‘botching’ kit — Araldite, Hermetite, rolls of tape, selection of jubilee clips, nuts, bolts etc. And always bear in mind a thorough pre-expedition service is better than a big box of spares.
Tools: Know your vehicle and take only what’s needed. There’s no shortcut to devising a tool kit and knowing your vehicle is the key factor. Include two good jacks (and a small square of wood to prevent them from sinking into the sand). Include a good set of jump leads. Loading: Never overload. On 4x2 vehicles try for not more than 75 per cent permitted payload if you’re planning much rough going. If you use a roof-rack, keep the load to within manufacturer’s recommended limits.
Maintenance: Since the vehicle is your lifeline, treat it accordingly. Check levels in the morning when the engine is cool. Driving: Drive gently and sympathetically. There are hundreds of rules but the most important are:
Never spin the wheels when you start to bog down in soft sand — if you do, the tyres will act like milling cutters to scoop out ground until you are resting on the chassis. - Know when to quit and reverse out — a proud driver is one who generally does a lot of digging and earns the undying irritation of his peers.
- Anticipate and use the correct gear to avoid unnecessary gear changing in difficult sand conditions. In general, high range will give best results in sand but judicious use of low range may be required in the heaviest going. Descents should always be undertaken in a range and gear that provide adequate engine braking to avoid use of brakes.
- Reduce tyre pressure in difficult going and reinflate when conditions permit. Don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front — it may need space to reverse out of a tricky situation.