Vehicle Problems

VEHICLE PREPARATION

We have some new content for 2021!!

    It is a good idea to do as much preparation as possible. That's one of the reasons it takes a while to get ready for a long range desert trip. The more you can get done, the better your trip should be. This is a brief of the most basic things you should look for before every trip.

    The most obvious is vehicle choice. Please click the links to Mick's articles explaining what to look for & why -: Vehicle Suitability for Long Range Desert Work;  Driving Tips for the Western Deserts  &  Road Conditions.

    For some idea of why it is all necessary please click the link to Mick's season Vehicle Reports. You will see what problems actually occurred during those seasons and how they were fixed. For the most ignored vehicle problems that we see in regard to maintenance please click this link...Vehicle Problems. For tips on what to leave at home (or not buy in the first place) click here -:  Gear You Don't Need.

    New for 2021 are Mick's articles on   Basic Types of Camper Trailer and   Land Rover 130 Suspension Results over 12 years.

    For more detail follow the links at the bottom of the page.

MECHANICAL

    If you can, get hold of a copy of the repair/workshop manual for your vehicle. If something unusual goes wrong they become very handy. In fact read it before you leave home as well.

• Give the radiator a blow out with compressed air to get rid of the bugs and rubbish that is collected driving on normal roads.
• Service the vehicle; change all of the oils, grease everything, check all belts & hoses, have a look at everything, if it looks dodgy no doubt it will be under desert conditions far from home.
• If something leaks; water, oil, fluid of any kind. Fix it.
• Check your wheel bearings, repack and tighten if they haven't been done in the last six months

ELECTRICAL

    Modern vehicles have more electrical bits & pieces, makes sense to carry a few more spares for such things.

• Vehicle batteries either cranking or deep cycle should be tested properly by a good Auto Electrician as part of your preparation.
• If your batteries are a couple of years old, might be a good idea to fit new ones for the trip.
• If your vehicle is over five years old or does a lot of miles get the Alternator and Starter Motor serviced.
• Include in your spares; Relays, fuses and fusible links suitable for your vehicle. You may need that Auto Electrician to help with those.

SUSPENSION

    Vehicle suspension is one of the most misunderstood aspects of long range desert travel. The springs on your vehicle will not normally stand carrying up to a tonne of gear on roads that haven't been maintained for forty years in the western deserts.

• Load up your vehicle with all of your gear; fuel, water, tucker, people, everything. Now stand back and have a look, if the rear is sitting lower than the front, YOU NEED BETTER SPRINGS
• Measure the distance between your "Bump Stops" and your rear axle housing when loaded. If you have less than 75 - 100mm; YOU NEED BETTER SPRINGS.
• Fully loaded the vehicle should sit level or slightly high in the rear if your suspension is good enough.

SHOCK ABSORBERS

    Shock absorbers do not last forever. They are an expensive consumable item much the same as tyres.

Gas Shocks

• Check your shock absorbers. The best way is to remove them from the vehicle.
• Gas shocks in good condition should extend on their own, if a Gas shock is in good condition it should be very difficult to compress it to its shortest length.
• If a Gas shock compresses easily or doesn't extend strongly it is worn out or damaged and should be replaced.

Hydraulic Shocks

• Hydraulic shocks are the other type of unit and they work the same but use oil instead of gas. (They look the same as a Gas shock).
• Remove from the vehicle, hydraulic shocks have stiff resistance in both directions.
• If they are difficult to extend and compress they should be OK.
• If they are easy to push or pull, new ones would be good.

TYRES

    Best tyre choice will depend on what type of trip you are doing. Make sure your tyres are in good condition and have more than 60% of the tread left on them. If you are unsure about tyres give us a call or email to have a yarn about it. We spend much of our time devoted to tyres.

Tours

• An "All Terrain" tyre of "Light Truck" construction will be the best tyre option for general off-road desert travel.
• There are many such tyres on the market. Pick a reputable brand and you should be fine.

Expeditions

• Tyre preparation is critical, for our long range expeditions it will be compulsory to fit the heavy duty tyres we specify.
• You can either purchase a set (they are not expensive)
• Or you can hire a set of rims and tyres for the trip

Mick Hutton & Connie Beadell
Copyright : October 2009

TOURS

EXPEDITIONS

BEADELL TOURS

Mobile : 0408 841 447
Email : Beadell Tours

ABN : 40 947 959 130

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