Traveling by 4WD

Turning on the 4WD propulsion

The free-wheel-hubs on the front wheels of the vehicle are turned on lock position, and the gearshift in the vehicle interior (next to the normal gear lever) is put on H4 (high-range-four-wheel-drive) modus. Now one has turned on the 4WD modus, and the engine power is transmitted onto all four wheels. Should you now put the gearshift on H2, then only the hind wheels will be propelled by the engine power. Should you frequently need to change between 4WD and 2WD, then it is all right to leave the free-wheel-hubs in the lock position, and change gear lever between H2 and H4 and vis versa (don't forget to use the clutch). If you can foresee that you won't be needing the 4WD for a while, then you should change the free-wheel-hubs back to the free position.

The gear lever in the vehicle interior has a further position: L4 (low-range-four-wheel-drive). This is a gear reduction, which reduces the velocity of the vehicle considerably, but increases the energy (power). You would use this modus for example at steep inclines, river crossings and rocky pathways. Here it is always very important that the free-wheel-hubs are turned on lock position. In the H4 modus the vehicle would survive a trip if forgotten, but in L4 modus the rear axle would not be able to withstand the energy transmitted, and damage would be done. The L4 (in comparison to the H4 modus) may only be turned on when the vehicle is in standing position.

Sand roads

On sand roads the tyre pressure should be reduced to get the same effect as with broad tyres. The pressure in tubeless tyres can be reduced up to 50%, and in tyres with a tube about 60%. Since most of the weight of the car is carried by the rear axle, the pressure in the front tyres can be reduced a further 10%.

On most routes one will cross a sandy section. This can be a section with deep, fine-grained, loose sand. Should this happen unexpectedly, vehicle control is of utmost importance. Just like on icy roads, the vehicle starts lurching and starts to break out. This can be quite dangerous, especially since sandy sections are mostly on brims that are quite high and sloping, and a barrel roll is preprogrammed. An important factor is the power of the vehicle's engine. Due to the fact that the tyres sink into the sand, they need to overcome elevation differences. This takes much power so that the vehicle becomes slower. One can encounter this by shifting down gears. Should you switch into a wrong gear, then you will have lost the battle when the vehicle stops altogether. By accelerating the tyres will dig in deeper, and the situation will only get worse. In this case mostly only a spade or a winch will do the trick. One can also try placing twigs, boards, rocks or even gras under the tyres. If this does not work, one should then try and reverse out of the sand by using the already made tracks, and retry the section with more impetus and maybe even in L4 modus.

Dune crossing

One of the principles for crossing dunes could be: Screw up one's courage, give full throttle and to hope that one will make it on the first go around.

Before one crosses the really difficult dunes, one should practice on a smaller one to get a feeling of the right speed. The same rules apply as on sandy sections - is the dune too steep or the sand too loose, then the tyre pressure should be reduced. Should the first take be unsuccessful, then there will be nothing left to do other than to startup once again and begin with a longer runway. This will not only cost you more nerves, but also petrol. Should you still be unsuccessful after the sixth or seventh turn, it will probably be better to start up camp and try again in the morning. This is the time when the sand is the coolest and the surface significantly firmer. Should you still not be successful, then you can try unloading the vehicle, carrying the luggage and equipment over the top of the dune, clearing the tip of the dune away by shovel (good luck), or to wait until other travelers pass by to help. Should someone still not have made it over the dune, then it will be better to turn back home.

After you have reached the tip of the dune, it is important to break straight away, otherwise it could happen that you fly over the top and land ungently or even barrel roll.