4WD learning

It dawned on me yesterday afternoon that the last time I put diesel in the car was before we left home. That was a lazy 400km ago, plus yesterday’s trekking through the easy 4WD track. Whilst I could survive the next day or so, it did mean that I probably wouldn’t make it back to the nearest bowser with the van in tow. 

So this morning, Tyler and I decided to head into Orroroo which was a not so pleasant 50+km away on a very dusty dirt road that took nearly 3/4 of an hour each way. 

We did eventually get back mid-late morning and everyone piled into the car(s) and we took off to do some real 4WD’ing. There was no holding back by the Hardy’s and they led us straight into one of the medium hard tracks

Despite some serious looking rocks and branches blocking our way, followed by some fairly decent slopes, Jerry the Jeep crawled over it all as easily as if it was bitumen. 

The views from the top of the hills were spectacular and thankfully there was enough of a breeze to keep the flies away. 

The trip back to camp was down the steepest of hills that gets closed when wet to avoid cars ending up sliding into the bottom of the mountain. I tried out the Descent control in the Jeep where the car drives itself downhill with my feet off all pedals - majorly impressed. 

What I wasn’t impressed about was going over a blind crest, rolling over a large rock that had a hidden hole on the other side. The sound of that rock hitting the underside of the car was enough to make a proud Jeep owner cry. Turns out it was just the brackets holding the side step rails onto the car, but they are now horizontal instead of the required vertical, so I am going to have some repair work to do soon I guess. 

Definitely earned a bourbon or 3 tonight. 

Think the Hardy’s might have struck a major blow however with their MUX no longer able to engage 4WD High or Low. 

Should have bought a Jeep!