GUIDE - PRO PACKING TIPS - ROBSON BROTHERS 4WD

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PERTHS 4WD SPECIALISTS

FOR ALL THINGS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL

The performance of your four-wheel drive and its ability to handle off-road conditions and carry loads are heavily influenced by its suspension system. A well-functioning suspension system ensures the safe and comfortable operation of your vehicle, determines its load-carrying capacity, and affects the durability of its mechanical parts. On the other hand, an insufficient suspension system can compromise these factors.

If you plan to load your vehicle or venture off-road, it is highly likely that you will require an aftermarket suspension upgrade. This will ensure that your vehicle is prepared for any terrain or additional weight you encounter. To determine whether your 4WD needs a suspension upgrade, consider the following factors:

BELOW AVERAGE PERFORMANCE

When you're on the road or off-roading, the primary aspect to consider is the way your vehicle handles. Pay attention to signs such as excessive body roll during cornering, nose-diving when braking, or a bumpy ride when carrying a load. These indicators strongly suggest that your current suspension system may not be functioning optimally. Additionally, if your vehicle bottoms out even on minor ruts, it indicates that it is hitting bump stops when encountering uneven surfaces, which is not ideal for navigating difficult terrains with your vehicle.

SAGGING IN THE REAR

If your vehicle's rear sags when towing or carrying a heavy load, it indicates an overstressed suspension. This sagging accelerates the deterioration of mechanical components and makes driving more challenging with reduced stability. This unmistakable indication implies that your rig needs an airbag suspension kit or another form of suspension upgrade to enable secure towing and handling of heavier loads.

SUSPENSION OVERLOAD

If you have made any additions to your vehicle, such as accessories, it is crucial to have your suspension system inspected. When it comes to your suspension, it is important to ensure proper fitting, taking into account the installed accessories and the typical weight of the loads you usually carry. In fact, an upgrade may be necessary, particularly if you have long-range fuel tanks, bull bars, or winches installed.

NOSE DIVES WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES

That's correct! Worn-out shocks or struts can lead to a phenomenon known as "nose diving" when you apply the brakes firmly. When you brake, the weight of the vehicle shifts forward, and the front suspension should compress to maintain stability and control. However, if the shocks are worn out, they won't be able to effectively dampen this movement, causing the front end of the vehicle to dive downward excessively.

This diving motion can negatively impact your ability to stop the car quickly in emergency situations. With worn-out shocks, the weight transfer to the front end of the vehicle can cause a decrease in tire traction and braking efficiency, increasing the distance required to come to a stop. This can be particularly dangerous when you need to stop suddenly to avoid a collision.

EXCESSIVE TYRE WEAR

Uneven wear or bald spots on your tires can indeed be an indication of suspension issues. When the suspension system of a car is not functioning properly, it can lead to uneven weight distribution on the tires, resulting in uneven wear patterns.

There are several suspension-related problems that can cause uneven tire wear:

Misalignment: Improper wheel alignment can cause the tires to wear unevenly. If the wheels are not properly aligned, it can lead to excessive wear on certain areas of the tire. Worn suspension components:
Worn-out suspension components such as ball joints, control arms, or bushings can affect the alignment and stability of the wheels. This can result in uneven tire wear.
Shock absorber or strut issues: Faulty or worn-out shock absorbers or struts can fail to provide proper support and damping to the vehicle's suspension. This can lead to excessive bouncing or uneven weight distribution, causing uneven tire wear.
Improper tire inflation: Incorrect tire pressure can also contribute to uneven wear. Overinflated or underinflated tires can cause the tread to wear unevenly, particularly in specific areas.

BLOG POSTS

PART 1 PRO PACKING TIPS

Organizing the essential items in your 4WD is akin to playing a game of Tetris, demanding strategic thinking and patience to ensure efficient packing and the safety of all passengers during travel. By approaching the task with a well-thought-out plan, you not only save time but also avoid the hassle of disarray when packing up at the campsite.

DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT

We understand the allure of impulsively throwing everything in and embarking on a journey, but such a hasty decision could result in a highly precarious scenario, particularly when navigating uneven terrain. By evenly distributing the weight of your belongings, you significantly enhance the safety of your trip, minimizing the risk of harming your car's chassis, differential, and brakes, while also reducing the strain imposed on these components.

INSTALL A ROOF RACK

By incorporating roof racks into your vehicle, you immediately enhance your cargo-carrying capacity by effectively doubling the available space for accommodating cumbersome items like swags, eskys, and camp chairs.

INSTALL A CANOPY

By adding a canopy to your utes tray, you effectively increase the overall storage capacity of your vehicle, enabling optimal utilization. This protective cover guarantees the safety and organization of your camping equipment by shielding it from various weather conditions. Additionally, it offers extra space inside the vehicle, allowing more room for the occupant

DONT OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE

The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of your vehicle represents the utmost weight it can bear, encompassing both its own weight and the load it carries. Exceeding this limit by overloading your vehicle not only poses a risk of damaging its chassis but also violates the law. To ensure your safety, it is advisable to visit a local weigh bridge when your vehicle is fully loaded, providing you with the certainty of staying within the permissible limits.

ITEMS YOU NEED FIRST SHOULD BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE

Utilizing crates or easily detachable boxes significantly simplifies the process by allowing for faster packing and unpacking without the need to rearrange numerous smaller items.

PUT HEAVY GEAR DOWN LOW

Maintaining a good center of gravity is crucial, which entails not only placing lightweight items on top of heavier gear but also ensuring that any heavy objects are positioned as low as possible.

CARRY FUEL OUTSIDE YOUR 4X4

Carrying fuel inside your vehicle is not ideal. Diesel seems to be ok, but if you can avoid it, don’t carry it inside your car.

DONT TAKE WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT USE

I'm certain that all of you have experienced the error of overpacking. Just because you anticipate using an item doesn't necessarily make it wise to bring along! If you don't plan on using it frequently, it's best to leave it at home, unless you have ample space and weight capacity available.

Certain individuals opt to leave behind items that serve only one purpose, as the greater the versatility of your equipment, the lesser the need for constant loading and unloading at each stop!

SECURE YOUR ITEMS

Engaging in 4WDing challenges your capacity to effectively secure and fasten your belongings. Even while inside a vehicle, minor collisions and jolts have the potential to launch your equipment into the air. Thus, it is vital to have a reliable method of securing everything, ensuring their preservation and preventing any harm to your vehicle. Unfortunately, our old Land Cruiser suffered extensive damage to its roof liner due to the previous owner's apparent negligence in properly tying down items.

Moreover, the consequences of not properly securing your possessions can be catastrophic in the event of a severe accident, a scenario nobody wishes to confront.

FIND THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES

We have developed a knack for locating and utilizing the often overlooked nooks and crannies within our vehicle and canopy, where most individuals wouldn't typically think to store items. These spaces, such as the concealed area beneath the false floor in your canopy or the rear jack compartment, provide ample room for storing infrequently needed gear. Within these compartments, we keep various essentials like radiator hoses, vee belts, emergency repair materials, as well as miscellaneous items like rags and odds and ends, ensuring we are prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

YOU CANT FIT EVERYTHING

If you've ever packed a 4WD for a significant journey, you're well aware that it's physically unfeasible to carry an extensive amount of gear due to limited space. However, in addition to the spatial constraints, exceeding the permissible weight limit is also against the law. It's imperative to adhere to the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) regulations, as it is remarkably effortless to surpass the limit. Being in such a predicament means your vehicle is technically unlawful, and in the unfortunate event of an accident, you may encounter serious repercussions with both insurance coverage and legal consequences.

When it comes to packing your 4WD, above all else, the key is to practice repeatedly, as it is through practice that perfection is achieved. The more you pack your vehicle, the easier and more time-efficient the process will become.