Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i NZ4WD

Key 4WD sector supplier (and regular NZ4WD advertiser) Boss Air Suspension is set to back promising 19-year-old Kiwi driver Madeline Stewart’s campaign in a Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore in the Kumho Tyre V8 Touring Car Series across the Tasman this year. From its beginnings in a small factory in Queensland in the 1990s, to a global company with manufacturing and distribution around the world, Boss Air Suspension is a true success story. The company now has more than 1,500 dealers and resellers across Australia and New Zealand, delivering world-leading load assist kits, compressors and air suspension components for light vehicles, trailers, machinery and custom cars. CEO of Boss Global, Dave Mason, is proud to back a talented, young athlete like former kart star Madeline Stewart, originally from Wellington. “We…

When you’re living out of your vehicle for a weekend, a short holiday or an extended period of time, having a sheltered area is vital. Awnings provide shelter from both the sun and the rain. Here in New Zealand where the sun is fierce, it’s great to be able to pull out an awning and get some welcome shade. If – on the other hand – it’s raining, you will have a dry place to live, cook and socialise. There are many types of awnings made by a variety of companies and at different prices. Some can be mounted on the side of the vehicle, others at the rear. IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) the best type of awning is one, which is side mounted and covers a full 270…

Canopies have been around for many years, but for some reason we’ve put up with the inherent restricted access, poor security and delicate build for just as long! For anyone in construction or who uses their ute as a serious trade or recreational vehicle, the new Utemaster Centurion Canopy is a breath of fresh air. A new way to look at Canopies Constructed in aluminium the Centurion Canopy allows for versatility never seen before – for example, the cantilever rack which utilises the strength of the canopy to extend over the cab of your ute, removing the need for roof racks and catering for chassis flex off-road. Key features of the new Utemaster Centurion Canopy include: • Easy access through full side opening doors. • Heavy duty construction with 200kg…

As our campsite was right on the banks of the Aorere River, my day started with a walk along the riverbank, or beach at low tide, enjoying the very early sun and the associated birdlife. It was then on to breakfast and a reasonably early start for the day’s trip. The primary focus was to explore the tracks from the main highway over to the West Coast, starting from Pakawau Bush Rd at Seaford, about 10km from the base of Farewell Spit. This was a track that Ashley had heard about on an earlier visit to the area and exploring it had been a big part of our trip planning. We were not far into Pakawau Bush Rd before the seal ended leaving us with a reasonably substantial, but very…

Your 4s Our monthly feature showcases 4WDs doing just about anything except rolling over or burning! We will award a grand prize of a set of four Kumho 4x4 tyres in the NZ4WD Annual issue. This contest is open to all readers who are not professional photographers.IMPORTANT: Photographs must have been taken by the person entering them, or have the photographer’s written permission.Email your digital images and a detailed caption to: editor@NZ4WD.co.nz Send your prints and detailed captions to: Your4s with Kumho, PO Box 65-092, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0754. Be sure to include your postal address!Submitting photos The basics: as with any photo, there’s no substitute for an image that’s sharp – in focus and free of camera shake. It should be well-exposed.Size and type The ideal submission would be…

Forgive us for being one of the last media outlets (put on booming Jeremy Clarkson voice) “in the world!” to run a story on it, but this is Elon Musk’s latest electric ‘plaything’ the futuristic-looking but apparently close to production-ready Tesla Cybertruck. Designed to have the utility of a truck and the performance of a sports car, Tesla says that the Cybertruck ‘is built to be durable, versatile and capable, with exceptional performance both on-road and off-road.’ It will come in three variants: single motor rear-wheel drive, dual motor all-wheel drive, and tri motor all-wheel drive. The REALLY BIG news here though, is that the single motor RWD version is due to be released (in the US first) late NEXT YEAR (2021) and the other two in late 2022. Final…

It’s hard to imagine how quickly the Covid-19 virus came upon us and how quickly our lives have changed since. A week into lockdown (as I write this) our trip into the Wilberforce seems like a lifetime, rather than just two weeks, ago, and at the time we were still planning a big Easter trip to Central Otago and beyond… Strange days indeed, though no use dwelling on them I suppose. For instance, there’s just something about heading off for a weekend trip knowing that you are on your way to ‘the Wilberforce.’ It’s certainly a great trip, but I think there’s more to it than that. Like the very name, Wilberforce, which conjures up images of something powerful and remote. Throw in Fang Hill Hut and you’ve got something…

FORD RANGER By Sean Willmot. Ford’s Ranger has consistently set the standard by which all ‘new-generation’ TD/DC (turbo-diesel/double cab) utility vehicles must be judged. The Ranger nameplate’s history dates back to 1998, when it replaced ‘Courier’ in the local lexicon, Ford here having been hitchhiking on Mazda’s tailgate to bring a ‘compact truck’ to market. Ford and Mazda’s partnership in the 80s and 90s is well documented, and Ford’s version of the very successful B-Series ute – both produced by Mazda – was badged the Courier, the first turning up (way) back in 1972. By 1977, Ford’s Courier was ready for the next generation internationally, which saw a larger 2-litre engine in the entry model and a more desirable Ford-built 2.3 litre. This model stayed on sale here until the…

Terrain Tamer have joined with Multidrive Technology to create a range of vehicle specific GVM upgrades for popular 4WD models. The Gross Vehicle Mass, or GVM, is a rating set by the original manufacturer, and refers to the legal maximum weight of the vehicle. This rating incorporates the wheels, as well as everything sitting atop – that is everything from the vehicle itself, bull bars, winches, fuel, people, water, food and yes, even the family dog if he or she is considered a regular passenger! Built into the GVM is also the imparted Tow Ball Mass when towing, and a Rated Axle Capacity, a limit set for how much weight should be distributed to each axle. Terrain Tamer have partnered with Multidrive Technology to develop an upgrade solution for popular…

We’d had a marvellous time exploring Tashkent, but it was time to move on. Seriously, it really was time to move on! Our departure from Tashkent on the 14th of November 2019 was about six weeks behind my original plan, even if that was never set in stone. It’s worth briefly mentioning that one of the things we love most about this style of independent overland travel is precisely that nothing is set in stone. We don’t know much in advance where we’ll spend most nights. Whilst we stay in apartments, hostels or guesthouses when exploring cities, the vast expanse of unoccupied land across Central Asia means that stopping just about anywhere along our routes to set up an impromptu camp for the night is not only possible, but usually…

Being restricted to home over the month of April certainly was a unique challenge and among the tasks that were suggested for me, one was to reduce the pile of old magazines stacked under the house. Some were well thumbed, but were not what some are assuming; they were editions of Land Rover World and Land Rover Owner International from the 1990’s … a time when such publications still had a focus on maintaining the ubiquitous Series One. The plan was to look for the relevant ‘workshop’ articles, cut them out and file in a ring binder. I suppose the logical way would have been to go to the index at the front of the magazine to locate the specific articles, but… I am afraid the pattern was to flip…

Spending the day on the beach and in the sand dunes whilst on the Kauri Coast Safari was an interesting day, mostly as I observed the various techniques many used whilst driving on sand. Some drove the dunes easily while others struggled, probably because sand driving is not as easy as it looks and the driving techniques differ from normal four wheeling. So here are a few basic tips and techniques to help you along. Even before venturing onto the sand ensure you have engaged your freewheel hubs and or centre diff lock. You would be surprised at how many people don’t, and end up stuck requiring assistance. If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) then press the button to turn it off. Sometimes…

Over the years I have done a lot of towing around the country, learning the skills from my father at an early age. Don’t let anyone tell you different either. There is definitely both skill and technique required for correct, safe towing. I have towed vehicle transport trailers loaded with vehicles, tractors, small diggers and silage bales, furniture trailers, tandem and single axle trailers with logs, timber, hay, and concrete and much more besides. I have even towed caravans, but don’t recall ever towing a decent sized boat. Whatever the load, it is all about getting the balance right to ensure safe towing. An important lesson learnt in my teenage years was correct loading of the trailer and to ensure the balance is ‘just right.’ Towing a single axle trailer…

The sun was beating down and all that could be seen in any direction was sand and sand dunes and I began to think this was what it would be like driving through the Sahara Desert. However, we were much closer to home, at Pouto in Northland on the second day of the Kauri Coast 4WD Safari making our way through the dunes. The Kauri Coast 4WD Safari is organised by the Kauri Coast 4WD Club and raises funds for the Northland Rescue Helicopter and this year there were a little over 60 vehicles in attendance. The base camp this time was at the Kauri Coast Holiday Park with camping down beside the confluence of the Waima and Kaihu Rivers. Camping here gave a range of amenities including BBQs and…

Want the best looking truck in town or just a truck that gets the job done? Ironman 4x4 have the right gear for the job and all you need to make your work, farm or play 4x4 do the job! The full range of automotive accessories includes bull bars, suspension upgrades, side steps and rails, rear bars, underbody protection, lights, winches, snorkels and camping gear. So check out your local Ironman 4x4 outlet for helpful advice and over 50 years of 4WD industry experience. Why Are Our Bars So Good? Ironman 4x4 offers a range of replacement winch bull bars, designed, engineered and carefully crafted from premium grade materials and components in Australia to deliver the most comprehensive frontal protection and styling available. Ironman 4x4 bull bars are carefully modelled…

We are undoubtedly all getting a little restless, as NZ emerges from the wake of what's been a global health phenomenon. After all these weeks indoors, here at Rugged Valley we are itching to get outdoors to embrace our beautiful country. We think this will see Kiwis planning road trips, escaping to their favorite 4WD tracks, or taking their wagon down to their local beach to dust off their fishing rods or go for a surf. Work hard play hard Kiwis – it’s been in our blood for generations. Designed for the Kiwi lifestyle Rugged Valley knows the way Kiwis live and we have designed our seat covers for the good ole Kiwi lifestyle. Whether that involves carrying work tools to the trade site, taking your dog to a mountain…

YOU ARE NOW ENTERED TO WIN A GRAND PRIZE OF FOUR KUMHO 4X4 TYRES TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NZ4WD ANNUAL ISSUE. A camera is never far away when Paul Richards heads out in his Mazda BT-50 to explore the South Island High Country which he is fortunate enough to live within cooee of (in Geraldine). Last year one of his shots won our Your4s comp outright, and last month we ran the feature he both wrote and photographed on one of John Mulholland’s High Country Journeys’ Grand Slam tag-along trips from Blenheim to Cardrona. On that trip he kept an eye out for three pics of his BT-50 ‘in situ’ with this month’s Your4s col in mind. They are (from top to bottom) on the track from Buster goldfield…