Winches are a really important bit of kit on any 4WD.  Whether you put one on as a bit of insurance, hoping to never use it or if you go offroad expecting to winch out - you need your winch to work.  One of the things that I have been amazed with is the number of times winching has been needed and the winches have failed.  Some winches have a notorious "Water Clause" in them, which means that the warranty is invalidated if they go under water, which means you can't do creek crossings!  Find out which winches are good and which ones have issues in our interview with Swaggie, 4x4earth moderator and winch expert.

Track 8 - 4WD winches and winch warranties - which one to buy?

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We continue our conversation with Matt from MadMatt 4WD after the tragic death of Ryan Woods.  This episode looks at correct techniques and alternatives to snatch strap recoveries. Here is the link to the original  post on 4x4earth.  WARNING - graphic images. Check out MaddMatt's video. Robert Pepper's video looking at forces generated by these kinds of dynamic rescues. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast.

62 - Tips for safe snatch strap recoveries

Ryan Woods died in tragic circumstances while 4 wheel driving in Arizona last week.  We talk to Matt from MadMatt 4WD about what happened and what lessons we can all learn. Here is the link to the original  post on 4x4earth.  WARNING - graphic images. Check out MaddMatt's video. Robert Pepper's video looking at forces generated by these kinds of dynamic rescues. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast.

61 - A 4WD death in Arizona - Lessons for all 4WD drivers

We talk to Jason Lock, one of the Judges for the 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year competition. Which vehicles won and why? What vehicles should be in the running next year.  There are some pretty exciting vehicles coming out that will make the competition very interesting. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast.  Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.  If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

Track 60 - 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year and what we want to see next year

We talk to Jason Lock, one of the Judges for the 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year competition. Jason scored a dream job, heading out with the 4x4 Australia team to judge the 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year. What vehicles where on the long list and how did they narrow the field done to the short list?  Jason talks about the entrants and the judging process.  All of the vehicles were stock, so there were no after market mods, including tyres! This obviously makes a big difference because some of the vehicles would really struggle with roadies on. Which 4x4s where on the long list? Which 4WDs made it to the short list? How did they run their tests?  A really interesting story about determining the best 4WDs in Australia. The 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year is a major milestone for vehicle manufacturers, so it is great to get an insiders view of the judging process and what makes the grade and what doesn't.  Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.  If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

Track 59 - 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year judging with Jason Lock

What will EV 4WDs be like in 5 or 10 years time? Whether climate change is real or not (it is!), there is an undeniable trend away from fossil fuel vehicles, so what will EV 4WDs look like?  We talk to Robert Pepper about the EV 4WD myths and possibilities. Obviously range is going to be an issue.  How will long-range trips be managed where there is nowhere to recharge? Can a 4WD recharge with panels on the roof?  Will improvements in efficiency and battery power to create vehicles with 1000km range? What about hydrogen fuel cells for 4x4s?  Will the technology enable this cheap, but dangerous, fuel to provide the kind of range and power required to go offroad?  Hydrogen's energy density. Diesel has an energy density of 45.5 megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg), slightly lower than gasoline, which has an energy density of 45.8 MJ/kg. Hydrogen has an energy density of approximately 120 MJ/kg, almost three times more than diesel or gasoline.  Will Hydrogen be the answer for everyone heading offroad?  This is a big opportunity as we look for a solution that provides the range we need before filling up / refuelling. I've still got an oiler, which every time I see what comes out the exhaust when I hit the accelerator, I think there has to be a better long term solution.  Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.  If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open. For more information on Robert Pepper, check out L2SFBC.  

Track 8 - 4WD winches and winch warranties - which one to buy?

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