Top Ten Vehicle Modifications for Overland Travel

[micko]

I'm one for redundancy, particularly when right off the beaten track. I have a twin compressor system mounted in a under tray bin. These feed to a custom built pressure tank of roughly 24 cf (a bit over 3200 Cubic Centimetres) capacity which is mounted under the tray body. I've found that the dual compressors make short work of airing up 33" and the big 35" muddies. The reserve is also handy for air tools and reseating tyres although the thicker walled off-roaders often require some more "non-traditional" methods to coax them to seat.

I also carry a portable Bushranger "Airmax" compressor as both a back-up, for use on the quads and where I can't get the ute close enough to the job at hand like another vehicle.

 

[luangwablondes]

And with that little bit, the 1st justification to overload the vehicle.

 

[rezdiver]

I am a little surprised how many have mentioned having two compressors. that is a lot of extra baggage. is this discussion for just wheeling trips or overlanding? if you have time to overland you have time for this, 100% duty cycle:

 

[Overland Hadley]

I carry the ExpeditionAir, a small dual compressor setup with a 100% use cycle. Made by ExtremeAir.

 

[Overland Hadley]

if you have time to overland you have time for this, 100% duty cycle:

This is a good point, and something I would be open to. It would take a lot of work to get four big tires aired up, but like you say it is about the journey not the destination.

Do you have a link for that foot pump?

 

[micko]

"And with that little bit, the 1st justification to overload the vehicle".


Not really. It's horses for courses. I existed with one compressor for quite a few years but as my preferred type of travel changed to the less pedestrian so did my needs. In purpose building a vehicle for remote travel, I've found the dual compressor system is a must. As to overloading the vehicle well that's a matter of common sense really. I'd be the first to admit that at times I probably carry too much but then I'm not engaging the hubs to slip the vehicle up on the bark garden for the missus to wash. I'm generally out for two to three months in remote areas with little or no tracks to speak of so preparation for a mishap is a real necessity. It's like carrying a HF radio, an epirb and a satphone. Do you really need them all? I'd offer to say that you feel a lot safer if you do and as we all know, excrement happens when you least expect it. Balancing vehicle, terrain of the intended trip and GVM are always the most important considerations.

 

[rezdiver]

This is a good point, and something I would be open to. It would take a lot of work to get four big tires aired up, but like you say it is about the journey not the destination.

Do you have a link for that foot pump?

I dont have a link for it but i have one in the back of my truck. just google foot pump and a million of them come up.

i have used mine after plugging flats and it works great. if you are going to air up and down twice a day then not a good option, but otherwise it works well and gives you some exercise from sitting on your *** all day behind the wheel.

i got mine when i bought an old rusty 2 door rangerover from a couple that had gone from alaska to the tip of south america. it was in the back of the truck with all the spare parts still in a crate from their expedition. I figured if they used it then so can I.

i guess it depends on how much of a minimalist you like to be. heck for everyone that is worried about flats and sidewall tears and getting home, one of these and a can of expanding foam will get you home no problem and doesnt take any room.

 

[Scott Brady]

I carry the ExpeditionAir, a small dual compressor setup with a 100% use cycle. Made by ExtremeAir.

Great unit. I used it with the Discovery for years and now it sits in the J8

 

[luangwablondes]

Boer mak a plan!

Preaching to the wrong guy.

I threw just about 70% of the crap I used to tote around in a LWB landy, and downgraded to a swb series landy. I'm used to traveling around for 6 months to 1 year in Africa, to some remote areas. I try to maintain my equipment as best as possible, and service more frequently then recommended. This practice has served me well. Since I have been freed of all that excess weight of things I may or may not need like duplicate/backup gear, extra jerry cans of fuel, etc., I would say that my travel experiences have been enhanced dramatically.

However, I always bring a couple rolls of duct tape, baling wire, and of course, chewing gum.

 

[micko]

Know what you're saying. Don't leave home without a few rolls of gaffer tape, a tube of araldite (epoxy glue) and the Maverick Bond.

 

[Antichrist]

I don't know which is the chicken and which is the egg, but it seems to me that the popularity of CO2 went hand in glove with taking air tools out on the trail.
Neither seems appropriate to me for the average overland vehicle, for the reasons mentioned, and the added weight of the air tools.
I find one of these works very well if I feel the need for speed.

 

[David Harris]

I am a little surprised how many have mentioned having two compressors. that is a lot of extra baggage. is this discussion for just wheeling trips or overlanding? if you have time to overland you have time for this, 100% duty cycle:

This also links in with the Expo Belly off club activities as well . . . Anyway, I agree on the foot pump idea, at least as a backup. Those dual piston ones pump up pretty fast. What kind is this one here, rezdiver? (Never mind, didn't read down far enough . . .)

David

 

[Scott Brady]

I think redundancy can make sense depending on the route. I like the little expeditionaire for that. However, in nearly a decade of use, I have never experienced a failure with an ExtremeAire either - so YMMV

 

[locrwln]

My two most favorite addtions to my 80 were the Auxillary Fuel Tank and the York OBA system. I used both of those more than probably anything else. It would have been very hard to carry that much fuel in gerry cans (24 gallons), especially down low. Spressomon and I (both with aux tanks, roughly 50 and 49 gallons respectively) made it back to civilization in central Nevada on fumes. Not hard to do if you are in the right area.

Jack

 

[David Harris]

For those of you interested in the foot pump idea, this Michelin one rates as one of the best.

http://reviews.halfords.com/4028/248807/reviews.htm

David