27 - Why Caravans Crash

We talk about the introduction of electric 4x4s and how soon they will be on the tracks with Robert Pepper. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

18 Apr 201929min

We talk about the future of 4 wheel driving and the politics of 4 wheel driving with Roothy. What are the changes that are occurring in the political field that are going to impact the track changes. Check out the show notes for all of the details and photos from the podcast. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

20 Mars 201933min

There is something special about 4 wheel drive out in the bush and away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.  Roothy talks about why he loves 4 wheel driving and how he is seeing an increase in the number of tracks that are opening across the country. We talk about his time at 4WD Action and why he decided to leave and what he thinks the future of the 4x4 aftermarket industry will be. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

4 Mars 201931min

Roothy has a big announcement about what he is going to be doing for Milo as he plans Milo’s big last trip.  Milo is one of Australia’s most recognisable 4 wheel drives, it’s probably done nearly all of the iconic 4 wheel tracks throughout Australia.  I have always been amazed at the queue of people at 4 wheel drive shows lining up to see Milo.  Roothy has had Milo for over 20 years. We talk about Roothy’s adventure in Milo 2.  Out on the tracks with the hand brake and he managed to roll Milo 2.  We discuss about how everyone needs to be vigilant – driving on the tracks can be really dangerous and if someone as experienced as Roothy can have a bit of a whoopsy whilst driving then it can happen to anyone.   I tell my story about my little adventure in Talbotville and the snorkel that I needed in a creek crossing gone wrong.  We look at the difference in set up between Milo and Milo 2 and why Milo is better set up and wouldn’t have rolled like Milo 2.  There are some important lessons here for everyone heading offroad in setting up your 4x4 so that it is safer and more stable when on the tracks.  Rollovers can happen at very low speeds and a lot of it depends on what modifications that you have done with your 4WD.  Centre of Gravity is something that everyone need to understand if they want to avoid rolling over.  Some great safety tips for making sure that everyone comes home safely from their trips whether a day trip or a 2 month trip to the Cape. Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

23 Feb 201928min

Pete has been working as the Chief Engineer on the Jeep Gladiator.  Pete has a great job, as an engineer for Jeep, working on some of the most iconic 4WDs of all time. We talk about the history of Jeep trucks and what the reasoning was behind creating a new Jeep truck now. Where did the Jeep Gladiator come from? When then start to talk about the engineering process that lead to the Jeep Gladiator, looking at the issues that needed to be managed by putting the 5 foot box at the back of the truck.  How do you maintain the approach and departure angles for the vehicle. Jeep has worked to maintain offroad capacity whilst creating a great on road performance.  What engines will be available when the Gladiator comes out?  How will it compare with the global trend that we are seeing in vehicle like the Nissan Patrol with less power? We talk about the front facing camera designed specifically for drivers to be able to pick the line a lot better as they will be able to see where the wheels are going on the track.  We talk about availability and most importantly when it will be available in Australia. With Australia's love of 4WD utes, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is probably going to be one of the hottest new vehicles available in the Australian market.  Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

21 Dec 201818min

The difference between air lockers and eLockers is one of the most popular discussion points on the 4x4earth forum, so we decided to get an expert in to discuss the difference. Heath is the General Manager at Harrop Engineering.  He drives a Harrop Superado, an Holden Colorado with an upgunned V8 Harrop supercharger engine.  Harrop was started in 1955 by Len Harrop in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.  His son had the Harrop Howler, a very fast quarter miler. Heath talks about how Harrop has transitioned about from supporting the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry to exporting components for vehicles like the Toyota Tundra. We discuss what exactly an eLocker is and how it works with the diff.  Heath talks about how the eLocker passes the 300,000 km durability testing.  Originally developed by Eaton for the military, the eLocker is designed for reliability and durability.  An electromagnet is actuated to engage the diff locking mechanism. Harrop has developed a range of 4 pinion designs for a large range of vehicles.  The gears, splines and internal housings are manufactured in Australia. We talk about what kinds of driving conditions and tracks you would use a selectable locker for.  We also talk about the difference between front and rear lockers and when you would choose either.  We discuss the next innovations for Harrop, like the PX3. How hard is an eLocker to fit?  We look at whether it is a DIY solution or if it should be fitted professionally. A great Aussie manufacturing story with some great innovation and big export wins. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

10 Dec 201835min

We discuss with Robert Pepper the new towing laws that are being bought in.  How do the GCM and GVM impact the caravan towers? We talk about one of the things that Russell Coight  did on one of his episodes.  Should you use a tow ball for snatching?  Russell did.  What could possibly go wrong? Should you put nitrogen in your tyres? What about snatchblocks? Where is the new 4WD design concepts going?  We discuss the new Mercedes Utes and the Suzuki Jimny and the Wrangler.  Are the older vehicles going to become classics becasue of the way that they drive? Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

12 Sep 201830min

Robert recently drove the new Ford Raptor recently and he gives us his opinion on what it is like to drive.  We talk about the engine and where you could drive the Raptor.  What would it be like towing?  Would Robert buy one? Jeep Wrangler Ute!  This will be due out next year and looks really interesting.  A ute will fix one of the big problems with the Jeep - lack of space in the cabin, so it will be very popular.  I am pretty keen on checking it out. What does Robert think about the Colorado ZR1?  Is it something that is worth a look or is it a skip? What is it that is causing the recent spate of utes that snap their chassis?  Is it related to overloading? We also discuss tyre pressure management systems.  TPMS are becoming increasingly popular - are they worth the money.  Navarra D40s - is there an issue with the automatic transmission on them when you take them offroad? Lastly, we bid farewell to Pete Brett, AKA Mr Rum, a regular around a lot of campfires around NSW, Victoria and South Australia.  Mr Rum was out driving through the Victorian High Country when he went around a blind corner and there was a tree across the road.  Despite traveling very slowly, the icy road meant he slid of the side of the road and down the gully.  Our condolences to Jen and Steve and the rest of his family and friends.   Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

29 Aug 201828min