Inflate your tyre knowledge

Basic rules about tyre safety:

Always spend time to ensure you have correct, safe tyres on your vehicle:

• Tyres should always be replaced with the same size designation as recommended by the vehicle or tyre manufacturer.
• Tyre brand, size and tread pattern must be the same on each axle.
• All four tyres should be of the same size, speed rating and construction (radial or cross ply).
• Guard against used tyre imports, many of which are beyond retreading but are retreaded and sold illicitly. Similarly watch out for counterfeit tyres – illicit copies of respected brands. The advice is to always look for the SABS stamp of approval.
• When two radial tyres are used with two cross ply, put the radials on the rear axle. In some cases (especially commercial vehicles) the manufacturer might recommend different-sized tyres for the front and rear axles.
• Never assume that the tyres on your vehicle are correct, even if you have newly purchased it. Unless you bought new from an authorised dealer your vehicle may already be fitted with potentially lethal tyres.

Over inflation/ Under Inflation

• Over and under-inflation reduces tyre to road contact and shortens tyre life.
• The tyre responds in the same manner to under inflation as to overloading.
• The same applies to over inflation / under loading.
Over inflation / under loading: Reduces cushioning power of tyre. Tyre is more susceptible to impact, penetrations and abrasion. Reduced road-tyre contact, negatively affects the handling characteristics of the vehicle. (Excessive centre wear.)
Under inflation / Overloading: The biggest single cause of “burst” tyres. Under inflation causes excessive flexing of the tyre sidewall which leads to overheating and ultimately, causing break-up and tread separation. Reduced tyre-road contact leads to poor handling and faster wear. (Excessive shoulder wear.)

Tyre Pressure

The importance of the correct pressure cannot be over-emphasised.
• Check tyre pressure, including the spare, once a week or before undertaking a long journey – or before 10 km have been driven.
• Check tyre pressure early morning (low ambient temperature)
• Always use a reliable pressure gauge
• Only use tyre sizes recommended by the manufacturers at the recommended inflation pressure
• If the pressure is too low it affects the tyre in a number of ways.
As speed rises, excessive contact patch deformation leads to a wave being formed in the tread, which generates excessive heat, causing structural damage or even tyre failure. The extra flexibility will affect steering behaviour, directional stability, durability and rolling resistance. Even occasional low pressure driving, or periodic vehicle overloading, may cause damage that only shows up much later as a blowout.

Vehicle wrapping to protect your wheels

Maretha Swanepoel
POLOKWANE – As most 4×4 tracks are in the bush where your car can get scratched, it is a good idea to get your vehicle wrapped. Vehicle wrapping not only protects your car’s paint, but is also an excellent way to advertise your business or service.
The best place in the city to get your vehicle wrapped is at MDI Graphics. MDI Graphics uses high quality vinyl to do the wrapping and this wrapping could last up to seven years. They print the graphics on the vinyl with latex ink and then use their hands to ensure perfect sticking to the vehicle. They also use a heat gun.
Danie Bouwer, owner of MDI Graphics, explains they can basically put anything on the vehicle. “Just make sure the art- work is of high quality. Vehicle wrapping is most probably the best way to advertise your business as it will be highly visible. We at MDI Graphics strive to offer a good quality product, along with good service.”
maretha@nmgroup.co.za

Camping with ease

Maretha Swanepoel
POLOKWANE – When camping you need many items such as a tent and camping chairs. If you have a bakkie you will need a canopy, but choosing the right canopy for your needs might seem challenging.
At Roamer Rand Canopies you can get a variety of canopies to suit your needs.
Fred de Witt, owner at Roamer Rand Canopies Polokwane explains they offer a full range of steel as well as fibre glass and aluminium canopies.
“The aluminium canopies are stronger than the fibre glass. We also offer canopies that have doors on the sides along with the half door and full door canopies.”
For those that would like to courier items, there are specialised canopies too. So if you would like to transport bread, chickens or parcels, there is a canopy to suit your need.
“We also offer canopy refurbishing and we can even paint your canopy the same colour as your vehicle. For customers who do not want a canopy, we offer securi-lid where we cover the back of the bakkie with a roller shutter system.”
Fred explains further that steel canopies are mostly used for vehicles transporting prisoners.
Other items they offer include roll bars, bull bars and tow bars. Roamer Rand Polokwane is an agent for Beekman. They also offer rubberising services.
maretha@nmgroup.co.za

Finding the perfect fishing spot

Maretha Swanepoel
POLOKWANE – One activity that goes hand-in-hand with 4×4 and camping is fishing. Review spoke to Richard Partridge from Brilliant Bass Boats about this relaxing activity.
Richard explains that the most popular dams in Limpopo have always been Doringdraai Dam, Tzaneen Dam and Ebenezer. Unfortunately, due to the drought, fisherman have had to look elsewhere. Albasini, Nandoni and Arabie Dams are worth going to for a fishing experience.
A true fisherman knows the different type of bait and hooks you get, but for the new fishermen, Richard gave some advice.
“There are various types of baits to use but the most popular baits are plastic worms and crank baits for bass fishing and for other facets of fishing, mealies and dips used with dry feed for carp and kurper fishing. You get wide gap-straight shank bass hooks along with a wide variety of hooks for kurper and other facets of fishing.”
A fishing rod is most probably the most important tool you need. Naming just a few, you get Bass-, carp-, kurper-, sea- and fly fishing rods, this all depends on what type of fish you are planning to catch.
Fly fishing is another type of fishing that is even more relaxing according to fishing fans. Specifically tied “flies”, in other words artificial baits and long whip type rods, are used for fly fishing. In Haenertsburg and private dams in George’s Valley and Lydenburg there are wonderful fly fishing spots.
maretha@nmgroup.co.za

Venturing where others dare not

Henel Distributors (Pty) Ltd, trading as ECO 4×4 is a 4×4 and outdoors company founded in 2006. ECO 4×4 is located in Polokwane, Limpopo. The company was formed by Luttig Cronjé driven by his passion to improve and optimise 4×4 vehicles for venturing where others dare not. The company has grown to a team of 5, ensuring that personal touch resulting from hands on involvement at all times by all involved.
ECO 4×4 specialises in the upgrade and all-round improvement of 4×4 and related vehicles ensuring optimum performance and customer satisfaction every time. Slogans such as “Raising your standards” and “Adventure Drive” have arisen from a proven track record of satisfied customers and suppliers in the industry.
Our team’s expertise caters for all makes of 4×4 vehicles and trailers kitted for the harsh outdoor environments of Africa. Over the years, a demand for a quality product and the effect of the economy allowed the company to locally develop their own suspension kits, and a range of 4×4 accessories at an affordable price, without ever sacrificing on quality.
This has grown the company from a 4×4 fitment centre only to an accessories manufacturer as well. This has allowed the company to build relationships with various other suppliers of quality products complementing the full range of 4×4 requirements. Only the best products are fitted ensuring customer’s only return to spoil themselves, and their vehicle’s, again.
ECO 4X4’s specialities include, but are not limited to; suspension upgrades (mild to wild), front and rear replacement bumpers, bash plates, rocksliders, winches, vehicle lighting, portable power systems, portable fridges, roof racks and much more. The manufacture of steel products for off-roading as well as the upgrade and improvement of off-road trailers is what makes the team perform at their best. Customers range from dealers across the country and outside the borders, to thousands of repeat customers. Once you are a ECO 4×4 customer, you become a friend for life. ECO 4X4 is built on business integrity and long-term customer relationships. ECO 4×4 will take you places you have never dreamed of.

Die perfekte 4×4 een-stop winkel

Maretha Swanepoel
POLOKWANE – Die oomblik wanneer jy ‘n 4×4 uitstappie of selfs ‘n kampvakansie beplan, moet jy seker maak om by 4×4 Mega World ‘n draai te maak. Hier sal jy alles en nog meer kry vir jou 4×4 en ook jou kampterrein.
Die span by 4×4 Mega World Polokwane het ‘n hart vir mense en ook vir besigheid en spesialiseer hoofsaaklik in 4×4 produkte vir voertuie. Soms vat ‘n kampterrein of 4×4 roete jou in ‘n bosserige area en hiervoor is daar bosbrekers beskikbaar. Daar is ook dakrakke vir die ekstra bagasie. Om in ‘n tent te slaap kan lekker wees, maar die omgewing laat jou nie altyd toe om op die grond te kamp nie. Hiervoor het 4×4 Mega World ‘n verskeidenheid daktente beskikbaar asook rame vir enkel en dubbel kajuit bakkies.
Alhoewel dit lekker is om in die somer te kamp, bly kos nie vars en koeldrank nie koud nie, maar met die volledige reeks 12/220 volt vries- en yskas kombinasie in die National Luna, Indel B, Engel en ARB produkte, kan jy enige avontuur aanpak.
4×4 Mega World kan jou ook voorsien van suspensies, skokbrekers vir jou 4×4 en langafstand brandstoftenks.
Loer gerus in vir ‘n gratis kwotasie.
maretha@nmgroup.co.za