Regulars - SA 4x4

Shop Talk

Shop Talk: Tyre construction basics

Tyres look simple enough from the outside, but the mix of components inside is the result of extensive (and expensive) research and development by the tyre manufacturers. Each tyre type and profile is designed to meet a specific and exacting set of requirements, either set down by the vehicle manufacturers (when the tyre is specified as Original Equipment) or to meet a defined range of demands that make it attractive as an aftermarket fitment. All the components of a tyre work together to meet a specific set of requirements, and consumers need to know what their requirements are, and what…

Trail Savvy

Trail Savvy: High-lift jacks

A controversial picture was recently published in SA4x4 showing a reader using a high-lift jack, but not in the correct manner under load. (The jacking handle was at the halfway position, not fully up, while he changed a tyre.) Because of this oversight, we thought the timing right to talk about high-lift jacks and how to use them, as they are a very useful overlanding tool but can also be highly dangerous when used incorrectly. Because they are relatively low priced and have a myriad of uses, they have become a mainstay in the overlanding community and are standard kit…

Subscribe and win an on-board charging system

This ENERTEC offer is the perfect solution for the travelling outdoor enthusiast, and includes the following … 1. CTEK D250SA DC-DC charger (R5643 incl. Vat) 2. CTEK Battery Sense Bluetooth battery monitor (R1594 incl. Vat) 3. EV31A-A Discover Dry Cell Battery R6559 incl. Vat) The D250SA is a fully automatic 5-stage DC-DC charger from CTEK that supplies up to 20A of power to charge, condition and maintain any 12V lead-acid service battery of 40–300 A/H (including Wet, MF, Gel, AGM, EFB and Ca/Ca). The S250SA can draw its power from DC sources from smart alternators and other DC sources. Its…

Overland Images Competition

Our October Overland Images Winner!

Congratulations to Joubert Tulleken (@joubert_tulleken), the fourth winner of our fantastic #SA4x4OverlandImages competition! His photo captures the camping vibe, and has us itching to get outdoors. He has a pretty impressive overlanding setup, too. Just look at that kitted-out defender! His photo garnered the most likes, and he walks away with an awesome camping gear hamper from Ironman 4×4, including camping chairs, head lamps and collapsible containers. Check out some of our other entries below: View this post on Instagram The best part about road travel is bumping into other #explorers and this happens a lot more often than you…

The Wild Guide

The Wild Guide: Rainbow colours

In last month’s article, we looked at the ingenious adaptations that enable the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) to survive, and thrive, in its arid savanna home. This month I would like to explore a different type of survival stratagem, namely colour, which is employed by a wide variety of animals you are likely to see in the bush. And we are not talking only about ‘fifty shades of grey’, but also vibrant, bright, ‘out-there’ colours! Many predators search for their prey visually. As a result, numerous prey species have evolved special body colouration to reduce their chances of being eaten. For…

Shop Talk: Under the skin

Tyres are designed, manufactured and tested to meet strict governmental requirements, manufacturer requirements, vehicle performance characteristics and consumer expectations. That is a lot of expectation. Modern tyre technology blends a unique mix of chemistry, physics and engineering to give consumers a high level of tyre performance in the areas of safety, reliability, efficiency, long wear and comfort. Tyre use however is to some degree out of the hands of the manufacturer, so if consumers want their tyre service life to match the cost, it’s best to maintain a proper schedule of tyre care, which means regular balancing and rotation. Construction…

Bush Craft

Bush Craft: Condom-wise

Recently I looked at several alternative uses for tampons, and this month I felt it only right to let one those little packets of rubber shine. Yes, the humble condom. Something which causes a lot of young men to go bright red when they go to pay and there’s a young lady at the checkout − but this piece of latex has very many uses in a survival situation. There are some that you may be aware of, but at least one may surprise you. For almost all of the uses I am about to describe, unlubricated condoms work better.…

Overland Images

Our September Overland Images Winner

Congratulations to Gareth Thomas (@gareth_maverick_thomas), the third winner of our fantastic #SA4x4OverlandImages competition! His stunning photo captures the essence of Southern African overlanding perfectly: blue skies, lush, green waterways and makeshift crossings! His photo garnered the most likes, and he walks away with an awesome camping gear hamper from Ironman 4×4, including camping chairs, head lamps and collapsible containers. Check out some of our other entries below: Sunset over the Masai Mara 🌅 – – – 📸 Gordon Stewart 📸 – – – It’s almost time to select our next #sa4x4overlandimages winner! Who will it be? 😯 – – -…

The Wild Guide

The Wild Guide: Survival 101… the wild way!

Mention the words ‘survival expert’ and the first name that comes to mind for most people is Bear Grylls or Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Whilst both men have demonstrated remarkable survival skills in extreme conditions, I would dare to suggest that the ultimate survivalists are found in nature. The dictionary defines survival as “the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of difficult circumstances or adverse conditions”. As environments have changed over the millennia, animals and plants have had to adapt to challenging circumstances; and nowhere more so than in the arid savanna. The Kalahari, a…

Trail Savvy: Emergency puncture repair

This month’s column may be a bit controversial and against the advice of some of the tyre experts, as it includes some tricks that should really only be used in the case of a dire emergency. Fact is, countless times we’ve been stuck on the roadside with a torn sidewall, or marooned in a dune with a tyre off its rim. What do you do in these situations, and how can you get home safely? Torn sidewall Let me first be clear that once a tyre has a torn sidewall, it is ruined and must be replaced. However, the problem…

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