Grand Erg sand plates
 

Hi,
I've heard some good stories about the Grand Erg composite sand plates, and I'm thinking about getting some. Anyone like/dislike them?

Cheers,
Nick.

------------------
www.nickt.com
96 BMW F650
97 NAS D90
98 Camel Trophy 110

Hi Nick,
I just got them delivered by Chris. Look well made, are very light and have one specific advantage over alu plates - will always stay in shape. That means for transport they can be slided into C-channels between the roof and the roofrack

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

Hi Roman,
Under the roofrack is something I was thinking about.

How do they deform under load? More or less than the ally ones?

Cheers,
Nick.

Nick,
They are much too flexible to use as bridging ladders (even if used in pairs). They just provide a rolling surface for the wheel, stiff enough to spread the downward pressure over a large area. IMHO they could be roughly described as twice as flexible and twice as light as alu plates. They will however spring back to shape.

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

Roman,
Do you feel the need for 4, or do you think it is sufficiant with 2?
I'm thinking of buying from Grand Erg but havn't decided. We have their 700 watt compressor and think it's great. Good quality. I know that it's been mentioned that with a compressor, sand plates aren't "needed". But with Michelin XZY for trans-africa, I'm thinking it might be a good idea. Even though they can be deflated pretty low.
With XS maybe things are different. But we don't have them...
I'd appreciate yor advice!

Erik D.

------------------

Erik,
Two is enough for solo recoveries if you have diff locks, more than enough if you get a pull. Plates or not, first you have to do the digging anyway. I hope you are not using those pathetic Camel Trophy style mounting brackets with which taking four plates off and putting them back would take more time than diging out the car completely. You should be allright with the XZY's, just don't drive too fast when they are fully aired down.

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

Roman,
mountingwise, I don't have any system yet. I'm not sure what the Camel Trophy way is...
I have thought though of trying to place them between the roofrack and roof, some sort of slide-in system. Perhaps it would be an idea to also have 2 "hooks" on the side of the roof rack so that the person on the ground can easily hang them up while on the move. Then transfer them to the correct place when traction/ground allows. What do you think?

Erik

------------------

Erik,

If you are talking about the Grand Erg plates, I'm going to fit them the way you describe. You can't achieve this with alu plates because when they are bent, they won't go into the channels. Camel Trophy mounting style relies on two oversize washers and two bolts with regular nuts to fix the plates to the sides of the roof rack (two each side).

For alu plates I have fabricated a system whereby the plates are first hanged on two hooks and then bolted down in the middle with a single large screw (without the use of a spanner) that is secured by a padlock.
Never tried using this while on the move, but if you are concerned about having to retrace your route to recover the plates, tie them to the rear bumper with a piece of string.

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

Roman,

re. the hooks, I was thinking of "oversized" hooks that you could easily slide/hook a Grand Erg plate onto (through one of the holes)while "on the run".
Grand Erg says on their website that they make a 5 and 7 layer type, depending on vehicle size. Do you know what the differance in weight capasity is?

Erik D.

ps. nice article about your disco in the magazine! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------


[This message has been edited by Erik D. (edited 15 May 2002).]

Hi

I've also heard good things about the Grand Erg stuff but if you are wanting to use the plates as bridging ladders etc then you need to get something a bit more rigid - try Scorpion Racing or Dave Bowyer

cheers
Chris


------------------
ChrisC

Erik,

I don't quite follow why you are concerned about refitting the plates on the run. Any quick release bracket will do (and a padlock when you stop in villages). Ask Chris Scott about some brackets he advertised the other day in the Sahara Travel Forum.

I guess mine are the thicker type (as they have been ordered for a Lancruiser 80) but I don't thing the difference in weight is dramatic.

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

Thanks chaps, I've ordered a set so I'll let you know how it goes.

Nick.

Ordered 2 Grand Erg's.
Thanks for the help!

Erik D.

------------------

Chris, Do you have links for scorpion racing of David Bowyer?

Thanks

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com

I'm not Chris, but here it goes:

http://www.scorpion-racing.co.uk

http://www.dborc.demon.co.uk/


------------------
Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif Thanks. I apreciate it.

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com

Stefano also sells some very useful black plastic knobs which are 7cm in diameter with a metal thread, two big lugs and a spanner fitting. They fit a size M12 (12mm) bolt, ie spanner size 19mm.

The plastic knob makes a snug fit into the round holes drilled along the centre of the Grand Erg plates. All you need to do is to make up two brackets with an M12 bolt sticking out. Put the plates over the bolts and screw on the plastic knobs by hand. Easy to get on and off, they held my four plates in place through everything Algeria could throw at me.

I believe they are a standard part from a European car - Chris Scott knows which one.

its the spare wheel retaining device from a fiat uno or smth like...

CS

Hi erik,

you mention trans africa rather than just saharan travel

Are you sure that sand plates is what you really need. I can send you a nice photo of my friends 110 (she carries the south african rubber mat stuff for sand recovery) stuck where only a rigid ladder would get the truck out easily and that was in morocco. Luckily I carry 2 steel ladders (not PSP) and yes they are heavy BUT they were the only thing to help in this circumstance. Further south you may find the grand erg are just a little lightweight for your needs

Rich
LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

After two trips to my far from local Fiat dealer and help from Stefano I’ve identified the plastic knob, it’s the spare wheel retaining knob for a Fiat Fiorino van from 1993 to 2001. Its proper name is - wait for it - “plug”.

The UK part number is S0006587, and it costs GBP2.62 including VAT.

Stefano can mail them for EUR7.20 (approx GBP4.60).