Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > 4 wheel Overland Travel
Advice on Equipment Advice on Equipment
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 24
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?
__________________
Phil
www.wrinkliesontherun.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
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!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 284
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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 185
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.
__________________
Home of the UK Coast 2 Coast off-road Challenge
www.C2CChallenge.co.uk www.4X4Safari.co.uk
Last edited by Brian E; 11 Jan 2008 at 23:56. Reason: bad spelling
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 24
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!
__________________
Phil
www.wrinkliesontherun.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ghana
Posts: 289
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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 352
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.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
South America Trip - Advice Wanted ImNotLost South America 11 10 Jul 2007 11:48
A bit of basic advice about tracks... Sly-Fox Australia / New Zealand 5 25 Oct 2006 04:07
africa route advice please (border crossings) deebee Route Planning 8 29 May 2006 23:11
Securing equipment at stops furious Equipment Reviews 7 18 May 2006 23:41
Overland equipment for sale moppie1 TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 28 Dec 2002 15:07

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:01.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top