Back to Back Issues Page
4x4 Newsletter, Issue #027 -- 4x4 Handling In Water
November 29, 2006

Practical 4x4 Off Roads Information

Subscribers: 5793

Hi

Welcome to this edition of the 4x4 Newsletter!
Remember that your opinion matters and I am open to suggestions and ideas regarding the web site and the contents of this newsletter.
If you like this e-zine, please do your friends and me a BIG FAVOR and forward it to them.

TOPICS:

  1. A Note From The Editor
  2. On The Drawing Board
  3. Original 4x4OffRoads.com Apparel!
  4. Readers Rigs Are On!
  5. New 4x4 Articles And Off Road Stories
  6. ARTICLE: 4x4 Handling In Water
  7. Your Single Biggest Wish?
  8. Tip - SUV As Your 4x4
  9. Digital Photo Web

4x4OffRoads.com

 


daynainc.com
Because life is not a beach, the Hawaiian shirt alternative.
All the comfort and quality - including perfectly matched pockets and hand selected, sometimes handmade buttons - of a well made Hawaiian shirt without the foo-foo flowers of the tropics. Instead bold prints of a more mainland variety.
Come find your version of paradise at daynainc.com





  • A Note From The Editor
    If you live in America you have probably just been celebrating Thanksgiving. We don't have that here but I think it is good and necessary to stop once in a while and count your blessings. I am certainly thankful for your part in making the 4x4OffRoads.com site one of the most visited 4 wheeling sites on the web...

    THANK YOU!

    I have been doing some experiments with shooting video. You can see my early attempt at making a simple video - just promise not to laugh too hard :)

    I bought a small camcorder and am installing a permanent fixture for it in the Sport Trac. Hope to be doing some interesting stuff with it in the coming months. Also you may have noticed a new section with 4x4 videos. Check out the new 4x4 video section here.

    In the spirit of Web 2.0 I am working on a way to make it easier for you to contribute content to the 4x4OffRoads.com web site and hope to be able to tell you more about it soon...



     
  • On The Drawing Board
    "MySpace" for off-roaders
    eBook about 4 wheeling
    Forum for 4x4s

    Let me know what your biggest wish is by taking part in the SURVEY.




  • Original 4x4OffRoads.com Apparel!
    Original 4x4OffRoads apparel. Choose from a wide range of available essentials. Designs are made from some stunning 4 wheeling pictures from the site. Everything from bumper stickers and g-strings to sweat shirts and tracksuits. Proudly show your support for 4x4OffRoads.com!

    Please take a look at the new store and let me know how you like it.


     

  • Readers Rigs Are On!
    If you have a 4x4 you feel proud of and want to show others - please don't hesitate to submit pictures and descriptions.

    Already there are a number of nice trucks up. My plan is to make these pages high-quality and accessible and I need your help in doing so. Almost all 4x4's are unique and I am sure yours is in some way. Share your experience and allow the rest of the 4 wheeling world to see your truck and how it is used...

    Take some time in describing your 4x4 and how you enjoy it. Use as many words as needed. As more rigs are added I get more picky - choosing only interesting rigs with lots of information and an unusual story.

    Here is the page for submitting your 4x4 and looking at other readers trucks.



  • New 4x4 Articles And Off Road Stories

    Video: Porsche Cayenne Turbo
    Jeremy Clarkson takes the Porsche Cayenne Turbo out for a spin. First on the highway where he is impressed with the handling and stability and the raw horsepower under the hood. Then he takes it on a more challenging course where the British army tests its tanks!

    Toyota 4Runner on 44 Inch Tires
    Jon G. Snaeland is one of the most active 4 wheelers in Iceland. He is in the board of the Icelandic 4x4 club and owns this "slightly" modified Toyota 4 Runner. The 4Runner is fully equipped to handle the most demanding terrain and is supported by a set of 44 inch Dick Cepec tires.

    2006 British off road Championship
    Several drivers came to the final round of the Matador MSA British Off Road Championship at Driffield with a mathematical chance of walking away with the title...

    Mexico Ateskiwheels
    It was an event that realizes every 6 months here in Guadalajara. The competition in this case, were done in La Primavera forest, near to the city. There were competitions of 4x4 modified cars, stock cars and motocross.



     


    ARTICLE
     

    4x4 Handling In Water

    Rivers
    A river can be dangerous to cross. When you come to a river that you want to cross, carefully evaluate the situation. If it is shallow and has no strong current - you can be pretty sure you can cross it on almost any 4x4 - just go slowly with the 4x4 low range engaged. A little bit downstream is usually the best method if possible. If you see another truck crossing - watch how he handles the situation and try to imagine how your 4x4 will take the same depth of water and strength of current. Always be prepared to back away and try again later when there may be less water or when you are better equipped. If you are alone - nobody to help you out - take extra care. Best is to wade the river on foot - if you can't stand on you feet your truck won't be able to handle it either.

    Snow
    Snow is a beautiful and magical substance. Naturally it is made of frozen water but takes up a lot more space. It takes 8 parts of fresh snow to weigh the same as about 1 part of water. Time, wind and rain make the snow denser.

    Even the same snow covered land can change over a single day. In the beginning it is soft. Frozen snow gets a hard surface. Pressured snow gets slippery. Wet snow or slush makes it behave like mud. Sometimes a thin hard layer on the surface hides thick layers of powdery snow.

    Due to its nature snow can hide rocks or ice or other damaging objects.

    Snow is one of the most difficult terrains to get through on a 4x4. Thin layer of soft snow is easy to get through just by engaging your four wheel drive. As the depth increases and other factors come into play it gets increasingly more challenging. Airing down to 1-2 psi is sometimes just not enough. Slow speed and large tires that allow the extremely low pressure is a necessity. Knowledge of the underlying landscape and its inherent dangers can make or break the day. Lockers, winches and the old shovel along with a high-lift jack can help you get unstuck.

    Water is not your 4x4s best friend. It can get into various parts of your vehicle and cause problems. Things like the ignition, intake, fan belt, exhaust, vents and brakes. Water can shut down the engine. Getting water in a diesel engine will KILL it! Water in the axles brings with it sand and other small particles and you need to get it out at least when you get back.


    Thrandur Arnthorsson is a 4 wheeling enthusiast and the webmaster of 4x4OffRoads.com.

     


     

  • Your Single Biggest Wish?
    I am adding more and more content and value to 4x4OffRoads.com.

    Please... if there's anything IMPORTANT that you wish I would do, anything that will make your life easier and/or bring you better knowledge...

    Reply to this e-mail with your biggest wish for the site!

    Another option for you is to take part in a simple survey I set up. It should only take a couple of minutes to fill out. Also you get to voice your preferences regarding further development of the 4x4OffRoads.com web site.

    I review all wishes and use to build a list for the most wanted, which I then prioritize according to demand.


     
  • Tip - SUV As Your 4x4
    An open roof 4x4 is just not very practical in many rainy and windy countries. A good SUV is also a good usable 4x4 but with all the indoor space of a station wagon. Taking an expensive ride on some hard off roading trips can be and issue. You call the shots there. If you worry too much about your sheet metal stay in the city!



     
  • Digital Photo Web
    As you may have noticed there is a new logo visible on the 4x4OffRoads.com site. I discovered that I have gained experience in building web sites that are heavily supported by digital images. Also - being a visual kind of guy I enjoy taking pictures of various subjects. Therefore I started a new web site that I use as a hub or central station for all my web sites and also to share photos I gather through my other interests and travel. The web is of course named Digital-Photo-Web.com

    You are welcome to take a look and even send in a picture or two of your favorite subject in the reader photos section.

    It can be on any theme you are interested in.




    Best wishes and keep on wheeling,
    Thrandur Arnthorsson
    4x4OffRoads.com

  • Back to Back Issues Page