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Rocky ground This type of terrain is one where vehicle type is
very important. Ground clearance and suspension travel are two of the main criteria. High
ground clearance allows the larger rocks to pass underneath without contacting vulnerable
vehicle parts while good suspension travel allows the wheels to remain in contact with the
ground.
Independent suspension usually provides a
smoother ride in this type of terrain, but its design limits the wheel travel
and ground clearance available. It goes without saying that rocky ground should
be attempted at low speeds to minimize vehicle contact with the terrain.
While independent front suspension generally
provides a smoother ride, it has a variable ground clearance to the front diff. As the
front wheels hit a bump, the wheels rise up to absorb the bump. However the diff remains
in the same relative position, effectively reducing the ground clearance under the diff.
This can result in the diff hitting the ground, even though the obstacle under the diff
was only half the height of the static ground clearance.
Live axle front suspension generally does
not provide as smooth a ride as independent front suspension. However many live
axle suspensions are now fitted with coils rather than leaf suspension,
which significantly improves ride comfort. The advantage of live
axles when off road is that when the wheels hit a bump, the whole axle rises
with the wheels to absorb the bump. This maintains the same clearance from the
diff to the ground.
While this is an advantage off-road, the
fact the weight of the entire axle and diff is constantly moving with any
bumps leads to a rougher ride, compared to independent front suspension.
When large drop-offs or ledges are encountered, they
can be tackled at an angle to allow one wheel at a time to mount the obstacle. Bear in
mind how this will affect the position of the vehicle as turning at an angle to a down
hill ledge may result in the side rollover angle being reached.
Gravel roads
Traveling on long straight stretches of
gravel roads can lull the driver into a false sense of security. Modern 4WD's
can make a relatively rough road seem smooth with their long travel suspension
and sound deadened interiors. Speed creep can occur in these circumstances and
when a bend is encountered the high centre of gravity in most 4WD's may cause
you to cross to the other side of the road or it can lead to a high risk of
rollover.
If a sudden obstacle e.g. a kangaroo, appears it is
very important not to swerve while braking. This goes for any road surface and not just
gravel roads. However it is more critical on gravel roads as once a skid or slide starts,
it is very difficult, if not impossible, to regain control. There are exceptions to this
rule such as a truck heading straight for you at high speed. It is better to avoid a
collision with the truck and take your chances hitting a roadside object than to have a
head-on collision. However, neither of these options are particularly attractive and it is
for better to be travelling at a safe speed for the conditions.
In part-time 4WD's it is best to use 4WD on gravel
roads to gain the better traction and road-handling of 4WD. Gravel roads provide enough
slip not to cause any transmission windup problems. It is not necessary to use the centre
diff lock of permanent 4WD's on gravel roads.
Corrugated gravel roads can cause severe vibrations
that con cause vehicle damage as nuts rattle off and vibrations damage
electrical components. It is quite common for glass food containers to shatter
even when stored in eskies. The key to minimize these problems is to find the
right combination of vehicle speed and tire pressures.
Increasing vehicle speed until it 'planes'
over the corrugations con reduce vibration significantly, but the planing speed
may be too high for the driving conditions. Depending on the corrugations,
planing speed is around 60-80 km/h. Lowering tire pressures reduces vibration as
the tire sidewalls act as shock absorbers. However this causes the tire to heat
up and can lower tire life or even cause tire failure. It is sometimes better to
sacrifice tire life and lower tire pressure to reduce the damage being caused to
the vehicle, as well as the comfort of the vehicle’s occupants.
After driving long distances on poor quality roads,
it is a good idea to check all nuts and bolts to see they haven't vibrated loose. It is
especially important to check all suspension components. The easiest way is to use an
adjustable and when a loose nut or bolt is found, use the proper size wrench or socket to
tighten it rather than risk rounding the head.
Dust Control
When driving on dusty roads, its a good
idea to have all your windows closed and the ventilation control set to outside
air with the fan on high. This pressurizes the vehicle interior slightly and
helps reduce the amount of dust sucked into the vehicle. When another vehicle
approaches, move the ventilation control to "recirculate" to stop
dusty air coming in. Remember to move the ventilation back to outside air once
you have passed through its dust trail or else the pressurization effect will be
lost. In hot weather, vehicles without air-conditioning have to make a choice
between minimizing dust intake or winding the windows down for the (cough) fresh
air.
The biggest problem area for dust intake is from the
rear tailgate. Check that the rubber seals are in good condition and that they seal when
closed.
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