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4X4

Starlink: official availability map

29 March 2022 Robert Pepper

Starlink, the new satellite Internet system that offers speeds of around 300Mpbs, has just released an official availability map: https://www.starlink.com/map This is what it looks like as of the date of this post: The plan is, in time, to have worldwide coverage. There is also a map of known users which you can find here. […]

4X4

Roller fairleads are good for synthetic rope, so maybe reconsider your use of a hawse!

25 March 2022 Robert Pepper

Everyone runs a hawse for synthetic rope, right? Because “the rope gets stuck in the corners” and “you don’t need roller fairleads with synth rope”. Both of those statements are wrong. In the video below I winch with synth rope in the corner of a roller, and it works. The rollers also…roll. Ever seen a […]

4X4

Do you need a Red Winches RR30 “Bearing Ring”?

19 March 2022 Robert Pepper

We’ve had snatch blocks, then came snatch rings, and now there is the Bearing Ring. The idea is simple; take the snatch ring and add a bearing to make a snatch ring with two parts, a static outer shell and a sheave that rotates on a bearing. Here it is in comparison to a Red […]

4X4

ECU tuning – a pro tuner’s honest view

16 March 2022 Robert Pepper

Modern vehicles have lots and lots of computers controlling every part of the vehicle’s systems and operation. And these computers have software which can be modified, and that changes the vehicle – power, efficiency, driveability and much more. Sounds good, right? Well, this is life and there’s no upside that doesn’t also have a downside. […]

4X4

I can’t find appropriately speed-rated tyres for my 4×4 in Australia!

15 March 2022 Robert Pepper

Every tyre has a speed rating and a load rating. The speed rating is the maximum speed the tyre should be run at, and the load rating is the maximum load the tyre can take, and complying with these ratings can cause problems when you change tyres. The speed ratings are letters, e.g. V = […]

4X4

Tyre Extinguishers – who and what are they?

10 March 2022 Robert Pepper

Here in Australia we don’t really have a strong anti-4×4 sentiment, aside from a bit of a sneer at Toorak Tractors and the like. Personally, I’ve been told my ownership of a 4×4 “is okay” because I use it for camping and towing. Well, that’s a relief! But over in Europe, and particuarly the UK, […]

4X4

Why “turn into the skid” is wrong

25 February 2022 Robert Pepper

If you do any car control course, and you should if you’re into any form of motorsport of offroading, then you’ll need to learn the art and science of skid recovery. You may be told “turn into the skid” or “countersteer” or “turn out of the skid”. This isn’t wrong, but it’s not that helpful. […]

4X4

The best 3 things you need for sand recovery

23 February 2022 Robert Pepper

I’ve done a lot of sand recovery of all sorts of vehicles on beaches, inland deserts and even in different countries. There are just three bits of kit I need for any sand recovery situation, at least so far in my experience. Tyre pressure gauge Tyre pressures are the key to sand driving. You simply […]

4X4

How expensive must petrol be to make owning an electric vehicle cost-effective for the average Aussie?

22 February 2022 Robert Pepper

The ABC recently published an article claiming that petrol prices would need to jump to around $3.85/L for EVs to be cost-effective. I think that’s understating it, and also missing the point. The real point is this. EVs cost significantly less to run than ICE cars, but are presently significantly more expensive. Right now, the […]

4X4

Brake traction control vs electronic stability control vs engine traction control – know your electronic traction systems

19 February 2022 Robert Pepper

Electronic traction systems have been around for 25 or so years now, so it’s about time everyone learned how they work and what they are. The term traction control is an umbrella term used for several different, but related traction technologies. It is important to understand the differences: There is Brake Traction Control (BTC) which […]

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