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4 wheel Overland Travel NON-technical 4 wheel forum, for subjects specific to TRAVEL with 4 (or more!) wheeled vehicles. e.g. Driving Techniques, Shipping etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 11 Jan 2008
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Advice on Equipment
Has anybody had experience of Grip Track from W4 limited in sand?



I'm planning on taking a small camper across Mongolia and the Stans and the sand bothers me because I lack power to keep going if it gets too soft. I realise they're not for the big boys, but at £9 a pair they may be worth taking "just in case".

Also, are Air Jacks worth taking, or should I stick to a mechanical jack and a few blocks?
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  #2  
Old 11 Jan 2008
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dont look very long
they dont look very long or wide! maybe a few sets needed and hook em together, then tie them with some 1/"8 cord to the bumper so you can keep moving and not stop till you get to firmer ground ( the cord tows them behind you)

Air jacks are Ok, but take a Puncture outfit!
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  #3  
Old 11 Jan 2008
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air jacks ! don't be so lazy !!!!!
Hi 'Wrinkly'

I took the 'fibreglass/resin' sand/bridging mats, about 4ft long.
From UK to Korea used them just twice. But boy oh boy you appreciate them when you need em.

These 'griptrack' look a good (and cheap) idea, easy to store n carry and easy to use. I agree with Marty that perhaps buy 2 or 3 sets.

'Air Jack' - I would class tha as a luxury item !!! simple, solid bottle jack or if you can make use of the maybe a hi-lift jack.

My issue always with jacking was the bloody thing wanting to sink into the mud. Find a handy piece of timber to act as a foot.
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Old 11 Jan 2008
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Looking at those grip track they look like a good idea you would need a few together to be any good. you know you already have a device in your vehicle which works exactly like them, the floor mats are ideal and do the same job also a good option would be to take Carpet buy off cuts in 5 or 6 foot lengths and 1 or 2 foot wide would work the same.
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Last edited by Brian E; 11 Jan 2008 at 22:56. Reason: bad spelling
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Old 13 Jan 2008
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Thanks for the advice guys. I thought they looked a sensible compromise but it's nice to have the opinion of others.

Phil, you're right about the luxury status of an air jack, but I have fond memories of being 7500 feet up in Mongolia, snowing, dusk approaching, half shaft hanging out of the Transit and the bloody thing fell off the jack!! All ended well though - without an air jack. I think if I did have one the exhaust system would have given up before the jack inflated!
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Old 13 Jan 2008
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Phil,
I am still chortling at the slogan "adventure before dementia" - super!!!
I cannot really comment from personal use of these things, but lack of rigidity and size makes me wonder, although no doubt better than trashing your floor mats (which I have personal experience of!). a more expensive but probably better option is maxtraks (I think that is how you spell it) which are very highly rated in Oz, Devon 4x4 sell them in UK.
Gil
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  #7  
Old 30 Jan 2008
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Air Jacks
If you're going to be in the sand a lot then a good quality air jack will save you lots of sweat and tears.Try Powerjack and Bushranger from Oz.

Under stuck wheels I would not recommend things like cerpet strips as they end up cioled around the axles and then its another problem.The bottom line is when u r stuck in sand you can always get out by jacking and digging.Ah,the ease of air jacks.

Make sure your exhaust fits the jack before buying.
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