Hints and Tips
It is all too easy to become complacent about safety. We all go through life with the notion, "It won't happen to me". I bet every single person who's ever had an accident thought that also - where did that attitude get them - in need of assistance, injured, or killed? Please take the time to read the following Hints & Tips - it just may save you some grief later on.
Although a description, and in some cases diagrams, have been provided of certain techniques, nothing replaces seeing these techniques demonstrated in person. The easiest way to see these demonstrations is to attend the regular 4WD exhibitions in each State, or to ask the place where you're buying the equipment to demonstrate its use for you. If the shop/outlet can't or won't demonstrate the equipment, simply take your business elsewhere (how much faith would you put in equipment purchased at an outlet that can't or won't demonstrate it for you!?).
Where the use of the male gender term is used, for
example he, his, or him, the female gender is equally appropriate - I use the
male gender purely for readability and common usage. Truth be known, my
wife does most of the 4WD driving and has completed more driver training courses
than me. I like to navigate and am relegated to jump out to inspect
hazards (see "What not to do in a 4WD" below to see how badly I do
that!).
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Share our experiences on our first 4WD adventure. |
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Connecting snatch 'em straps, tow cables, chains, shackles, and related information. |
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What signs to look for when driving, so you lessen the chance of becoming stuck in a bottomless water-filled bog. Also, techniques to use to aid you in negotiating these bog-holes, and techniques to use in extricating yourself if all the preceding advice failed. |
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What signs to look for when driving, so you lessen the chance of becoming stuck along a gooey, slippery track. Also, techniques to use to aid you in negotiating these tracks, and techniques to use in extricating yourself if all the preceding advice failed. |
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What signs to look for when driving, so you lessen the chance of becoming stuck axle-deep in sand. Also, techniques to use to aid you in negotiating sand, and techniques to use in extricating yourself if all the preceding advice failed. |
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What signs to look for when driving, so you lessen the chance of becoming a rather expensive raft. Also, techniques to use to aid you in negotiating river crossings, and techniques to use in extricating yourself if all the preceding advice failed and you find that 4WDs don't do well as boats. |
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A high-lift jack is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can carry. It can raise your vehicle from the front, rear, or by using a tyre. It can be used to move a vehicle sideways. It can be used as a winch. |
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The snatch recovery is used to extricate a bogged vehicle. It can also be used to aid in getting another vehicle up a steep hill. |
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Various techniques for winching. Includes how to make your own winching point when a tree or other natural object is not available. |
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Improperly stored gear in a 4WD can cause more than just an annoyance if things start moving about. Over rocky ground and steep inclines, gear that is unstable can shift and cause injury to the passengers or lodge itself under the driver's feet hampering control of the vehicle. This section offers advice of how to store gear, safely and that allows convenience to you when stopping for short breaks. |
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