The HU 4wd Forum and what does it need to make better?

[twenty4seven]

Fantastic guys well done, but just my thoughts

Don't miss out Members Overlander vehicles (or whatever)

Maybe's
Repair shops and spare parts
Bush mechanic
Driving techniques 4x4 and 2x4

The rest really good, just IMO

[twobob]

Hey 24/7 "Members Overlander vehicles" Included in Photos/travel ?
This a generally accepted framework to help the Admin create a voting list Keep your eye out for the poll we'll all decide then

[rclafton]

3.5 tonnes is a european wide split point and also a good indicator of shall we call them 'standard' 4x4 (LR/LC/Trooper/Patrol/Pajaro) , above that they are small truck upwards to a man kat ! (even a landrover 101 is plated higher than 3.5 tonnes). With trucks I wouldn't get hung up on all wheel drive or 4x2 etc etc as it just gets to complex

I prefer 2.3 to 2.3a , I still think a softroader section should be seperate, don't really care what people class modern rangerovers as cos I wouldn't take one further than the AA (other rescue organisations are available) can get to you.

But I think we are pretty close, i'm off for the weekend now so i'll read comments with interest on sunday/monday

[twobob]

The list 2.4 (a work in progress)
(a little brevity and "possible" headings)

Two Wheel Drive
Half the traction, twice the talent
Four Wheel Drive
General questions/discussions
Landrover tech
Landcruiser tech
Big Rig tech
Driving techniques 4x4 and 2x4
Mud, sand, clay and rock, either uphill or down and tyre/wheel selection
Generic vehicle accessories Home From Home and essentials-
Roof racks, winchs, lift kits, diff locks, snorkels, twin batteries, long range fuel tanks, cargo barriers, water tanks, turbos, jacks. cooking, storage drawers, refrigerators chairs, bedding, toilets, awnings, air compressors, snatch-straps,puncture repair, first-aid kits, toolkits etc.
Bush mechanic, Repair shops and Spare parts
Don't panic, make a cup of tea and lets see what weve got in our bag of tricks.
Truck and 4x4 mechanics/suppliers list and recommendations
Shipping
Photos/Tales
Post photos and travel stories here
Uulanbataar or Sainsburys, where have you been?
For sale and wanted
You look my shop? for you very good price

arbitrary headings
Weight >3.5 tonne
Awd/softroaders

what have I missed ?

[rclafton]

Had a few days away from this now so fresh eyes - Version 2.5 ?

Bold titles are the headings i suggest

Two Wheel Drive tech- new addition
Landrover tech - all models(no change)
Toyota tech - so it includes the whole model range (no change)
Other 4wd overland tech (no change,), vehicles and generic technical questions like how do i get that slit rim apart

truck tech - needs defining hence my suggestion of over 3.5 tonnes

Driving techniques 4x4 and 2x4
Mud, sand, clay and rock, either uphill or down and tyre/wheel selection

Generic vehicle accessories Home From Home and essentials-
Roof racks, winchs, lift kits, diff locks, snorkels, twin batteries, long range fuel tanks, cargo barriers, water tanks, turbos, jacks. cooking, storage drawers, refrigerators chairs, beilets, awnings, air compressors, snatch-straps,puncture repair, first-aid kits, toolkits etc.Don't like this one, doesn't feel right, i think vehicle stuff like snorkels, tanks, turbos, tools etc is actually vehicle tech and splitting it off is confusing, I think going back to my origional idea , see below

Touring gear & Comfortable travelling - bedding, mattresses, swags, cookers, gas chairs, tents, fridges, medical kits,awnings, storage solutions

Bush mechanic, Repair shops and Spare parts
Don't panic, make a cup of tea and lets see what weve got in our bag of tricks.
Truck and 4x4 mechanics/suppliers list and recommendations

Shipping

Photos/Tales
Post photos 0f vehicles and travel stories here - already exisits as 4 wheel travel reports , maybe needs making a little less formal title

4wd overland travel - existing area for non techical questions that don't fit elsewhere, may lose traffic due to other forums such as shipping but worth keeping as a catchall - could it be renamed 4 wheel overland travel

For sale and wanted - 4 wheels
You look my shop? for you very good price

I still like the idea of a softroader area but the name is slightly derogatory so what about lifestyle 4x4 / awd to cover the use of subaru's, nissan x trails, volvos, freelands rav4's , kias etc etc as there issues are different from the more traditional 4x4's and having there own area will actually attract questions and stories in the long term

That gives us 7 new titles, how much traffic they get will be interesting , will we just see the same traffic but split across the new titles or this change may give Grant an opportunity to market the hubb as an area of interest not just for bikers but 4 wheels + as well so increase traffic. Ive suggested keeping the existing forums to make it easy for Grant and Google as the last thing the site needs is a load of broken links pointing to it

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by rclafton

Had a few days away from this now so fresh eyes - Version 2.5 ?

Bold titles are the headings i suggest

Two Wheel Drive tech- new addition
Landrover tech - all models(no change)
Toyota tech - so it includes the whole model range (no change)
Other 4wd overland tech (no change,), vehicles and generic technical questions like how do i get that slit rim apart
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, should be "no change" = include the X Trails etc here (except Freelanders which are LRs). I agree don't call it lifestyle or softroader - just stick with "other than" Toy/LR.

Could do with a forum that deals with wheels and tyres technology incl the Slit rims and whatever - stuff that is generic to all vehicles

truck tech - needs defining hence my suggestion of over 3.5 tonnes

Driving techniques 4x4 and 2x4
Mud, sand, clay and rock, either uphill or down and tyre/wheel selection
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Put the tyres/wheels separately, as above comment.

Generic vehicle accessories Home From Home and essentials-
Roof racks, winchs, lift kits, diff locks, snorkels, twin batteries, long range fuel tanks, cargo barriers, water tanks, turbos, jacks. cooking, storage drawers, refrigerators chairs, beilets, awnings, air compressors, snatch-straps,puncture repair, first-aid kits, toolkits etc.Don't like this one, doesn't feel right, i think vehicle stuff like snorkels, tanks, turbos, tools etc is actually vehicle tech and splitting it off is confusing, I think going back to my origional idea , see below
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Keep the stuff specific to vehicle types with those vehicles - LR kit for LR etc

Touring gear & Comfortable travelling - bedding, mattresses, swags, cookers, gas chairs, tents, fridges, medical kits,awnings, storage solutions
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Is this title "Fitting out your vehicle"? -basically stuff internal to the vehicle.

Bush mechanic, Repair shops and Spare parts
Don't panic, make a cup of tea and lets see what weve got in our bag of tricks.
Truck and 4x4 mechanics/suppliers list and recommendations

Shipping

Photos/Tales
Post photos 0f vehicles and travel stories here - already exisits as 4 wheel travel reports , maybe needs making a little less formal title

4wd overland travel - existing area for non techical questions that don't fit elsewhere, may lose traffic due to other forums such as shipping but worth keeping as a catchall - could it be renamed 4 wheel overland travel
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, needs to be non 4x4 for new area of 2WD

For sale and wanted - 4 wheels
You look my shop? for you very good price

I still like the idea of a softroader area but the name is slightly derogatory so what about lifestyle 4x4 / awd to cover the use of subaru's, nissan x trails, volvos, freelands rav4's , kias etc etc as there issues are different from the more traditional 4x4's and having there own area will actually attract questions and stories in the long term
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, as above, Lifestyle would turn me off immediately and I would go look elsewhere.

That gives us 7 new titles, how much traffic they get will be interesting , will we just see the same traffic but split across the new titles or this change may give Grant an opportunity to market the hubb as an area of interest not just for bikers but 4 wheels + as well so increase traffic. Ive suggested keeping the existing forums to make it easy for Grant and Google as the last thing the site needs is a load of broken links pointing to it

I've put in a few comments into the quote, but it is late and I may not be thinking too straight!!

[silver G]

Sorry folks, I've come to this a little late and might not have much new to add but here are a few thoughts in addition to the above.

A FAQ. might be useful for newcomers, either marque specific or '4 wheels' wide.
Basic maintenance before a trip.
A list of marque specific forums for serious technical stuff.
(we're never going to do it as well and why try)
Recovery equipment
etc etc
A category for tyres would be good. Why bury all the good info deep in the land rover section - we all need tyres, even on a 2cv.
A readers car section - lets show off - this is likely to provoke some lively discussion.
A 4 wheels 'Bar' for the perennial mine's smaller and I can travel without looking like a christmas tree banter. I'd like to think this could go in the general 'Bar' but in practice we are on 4 wheels and that's that.

Don't forget that your local is someones expedition destination so show us where you go if it might be interesting to far off friends.

As I say, just a few thoughts, might find some more if you're lucky.

Thanks for everyones hard work.

[TheWarden]

I'd like to see a readers rides type section so we can show off our vehicle's of choice without getting in the way of trip report, technical sections etc.

It wouldn't need to be 4 wheel specific maybe a new cross board forum subdivided into

Readers Rides
Show us your transport of choice
2 Wheels
Bikes a place for those short of 2 wheels
4+ Wheels
Cars, 4x4's, Trucks. If it's got more that 2 show it here
Non Wheeled
Across Mongolia by Rollerskate, Poland by Pogo stick? Non wheeled modes of transport

[Mandarax]

Originally Posted by TheWarden

Non Wheeled
Across Mongolia by Rollerskate, Poland by Pogo stick? Non wheeled modes of transport

Rollerskate without wheels?

Why not call it non-motorized travelling?

Hans

[TheWarden]

I wasn't thinking

[twobob]

List 2.6 (a work in progress)

FAQs and Photos- Frequently asked questions and readers rides
(nice one silverG) note- A faq section doesn't generate much traffic so I thought it a good place for photos to hang around longer
The Campfire- Y'know, the place to tell your stories that start with " No sh!t, there I was, thought I was going to die....." ( just throwing it in there guys)
All vehicles 4x4 and 2x4- General questions/discussions and driving techniques
Two Wheel Drive tech-
Landrover tech - all models
Toyota tech - all models
Truck tech - over 3.5 tonnes
Comfortable travelling and essentials-
New products and stuff you just love - bedding, mattresses, swags, cookers, gas chairs, tents, fridges, medical kits, awnings, storage solutions etc.
Tyres and wheels- the endless discussion
Bush mechanic, Repair shops and Spare parts
Don't panic, make a cup of tea and lets see what weve got in our bag of tricks.
Truck and 4x4 mechanics/suppliers list and recommendations
Shipping & 4 wheel overland travel stories (mmm.. needs work)
For sale and wanted -
You look my shop? for you very good price

Stop Press new suggestion
Non motorized- .. err.. I think they're called legs

[Mervifwdc]

I like the way this is going.

One thing that may be missing is how we live while travelling, and tips and tricks around that. Much of this is covered in the bike sections, but for 4x4 overland travel, it's very very different. For example, we try to never stay in towns, and have the capacity to go for a good few days between fuel/food stops. This is VERY different to most bike trips, and therefore has different dynamics in a trip. Also our pace of travel is typically slower, with less KM covered per day.

I'm wondering where we cover stuff like, What's in your larder? How do you sort our getting Laundry done, where do you carry rubbish, what gas bottle connecter you need in this country etc? Do you carry hichhikers? What roads are too small for large trucks?

These questions probably have no relevance to bike trips.

Maybe we need something to handle this kind of stuff?

Merv.

[Grant Johnson]

Lots of great stuff here guys, thanks!

Any last comments? I'm going to get this done early next week, so last chance to get YOUR thoughts listened to! Oh alright yes I'll ALWAYS listen, BUT this is the time to get it actually DONE!

What about Merv's thoughts on "what's in your larder" etc? Does it fit in with the above categories - nicely summarized by twobob?

Any thoughts on his descriptions / headings?

thanks for your input! Remember you'll have to live with any changes...

[twobob]

Guys, please copy the list below, add/subtract what you want, give it a new number and paste/post, it's not precious
List 2.7 (a work in progress)

FAQs and Photos- Frequently asked questions and readers rides
(nice one silverG) note- A faq section doesn't generate much traffic so I thought it a good place for photos to hang around longer
The Campfire- Y'know, the place to tell your stories that start with " No sh!t, there I was, thought I was going to die....." ( just throwing it in there guys)
All vehicles 4x4 and 2x4- General questions/discussions and driving techniques
Two Wheel Drive tech-
Landrover tech - all models
Toyota tech - all models
Truck tech - over 3.5 tonnes
On the road - Safety, comfort, cooking and essentials-
Recipes, new products and stuff you just love - bedding, mattresses, swags, cookers, gas chairs, tents, fridges, medical kits, toilets, awnings, storage solutions etc.
Tyres and wheels- the endless discussion
Bush mechanic, Repair shops and Spare parts
Don't panic, make a cup of tea and lets see what weve got in our bag of tricks.
Truck and 4x4 mechanics/suppliers list and recommendations
Shipping & 4 wheel overland travel stories
For sale and wanted -
You look my shop? for you very good price

[Mervifwdc]

Got for it as per 2.7. Once we start using it we will know where we went wrong, which is a bit like building and using an overland vehicle, and we learn pretty quick to make do with what we have built.

So, as more than one person said to me when I was planning to start overlanding, just do it!

Merv.