Adventure Advice

We – off-roading tourers, campers, bushwalkers and basically anyone who enjoys the outdoors – have all become increasingly sophisticated in our demands for reliable on-the-go power sources while out in the bush or along a beach.Proper care and maintenance of vehicle batteries, on which many passionate outdoors people put at least some of their faith in during trips away, is crucial.To that end, the company CTEK has introduced the latest in its battery-charging and power-management technologies: the new D250SE and Smartpass 120S, both "designed to maximise the performance of leisure batteries", CTEK states.The D250SE is an evolution of the D250SA but, as well as being able to charge regular and AGM battery types, it can charge lithium (12V LiFePO4) batteries."Its dual input capability means it can also draw power from solar sources, allowing an easy connection to solar panels, harnessing the sun’s rays for the ultimate off-grid camping set up," CTEK reckons.The D250SE is smart alternator-compatible and has three charging modes: normal (14.4V), AGM (14.7V) and lithium (12V LiFePO4).It is claimed to still operate even when there is low alternator output, and "maintain a stable output of up to 20A to fully charge the battery in the shortest time".The Smartpass 120S, an evolution of the Smartpass 120, is a fully automatic 120A power-management system that distributes power between the starter battery, the service battery and on-board equipment, separating critical equipment from non-critical equipment to ensure the radio, emergency lights and navigation systems always have power. It is also  smart-alternator compatible and uses power from the service battery to help get the engine started if the starter battery is flat.  The new CTEK D250SE ($499) and Smartpass 120S ($530) each have a two-year warranty and are available to buy from Repco.

Off-roading, four-wheel driving, 4WDing – whatever you want to call it – can sometimes seem like a dark art, a dirty science, especially to those starting out in the wonderful world of “wheeling”.It’s a passionate sub-culture full of mechanical terms, seemingly difficult-to-grasp skillsets, and it’s also a community peppered with words and phrases that may be tough to decipher, at least at first.Case in point: often you’ll see in any of our reviews on SUVs, AWDs, 4WDs – or really any vehicles that are even remotely marketed as “off-roaders” – that we'll make reference to a vehicle’s approach, departure and ramp-over angle (sometimes referred to as break-over angle or ramp break-over angle), usually when we're writing about a vehicle's suitability for off-roading – in theoretical and, more importantly, practical terms.I bet some of you are thinking: “What the bloody hell are those and why are they important?”They're crucial because they're measures/values that give a direct indication of how well your vehicle is suited to be driven up, over and down obstacles or irregular terrain – and whether it can do those tasks without sustaining damage.So, just what do these terms refer to, what are these angles, what’s a good measure for each when it comes to off-roading, and why are they so important to safe, sensible and comfortable off-roading? Read on.What is your vehicle’s approach angle?Imagine this: While off-roading, you’re faced with a steep hill. You stop at the base of the incline and prepare to drive up it, but the hill is so steep that the front of your vehicle touches it before your tyres even get a chance to – the angle of the hill is greater than your vehicle’s approach angle. If you persist and try to drive up the hill, you may get stuck and/or do some damage to the front and undercarriage of your vehicle in the process.Note: A vehicle with a short overhang at the front will have a greater approach angle than one with a longer overhang. Also, if your vehicle has a bullbar, winch etc that will affect your approach angle, by effectively reducing it. What is your vehicle’s ramp-over angle?Ramp-over angle refers to the angle between your tyres and the centre of your vehicle’s underbody; if your vehicle has too shallow a ramp-over angle for the terrain it is driven on, then it will scrape over or even get ‘hung up’ on minor obstacles.Imagine this: you’ve driven up the steep hill I mentioned above. Your approach angle was enough to get you up the incline but as you proceed over the hill your vehicle’s undercarriage becomes well and truly grounded on the crest. If you try to drive off of it you risk significant damage to your vehicle’s underbody. The angle of the crest is greater than your vehicle’s ramp-over angle.Note: A standard vehicle with a longer wheelbase is more inclined to have a shallower ramp-over angle than one with a short wheelbase. What is your vehicle’s departure angle?The departure angle is simply the same principles, as mentioned above, but applied to your vehicle’s rear bumper and rear tyres.Imagine this: you’ve driven up a hill, you’ve crested it without grounding out at the top and you’re driving down the other side. As you drive slowly back onto flat ground, the rear of your vehicle just clears the downslope. Congratulations: your vehicle’s departure angle is greater than the angle of the decline. A vehicle with a short overhang at the rear will have a greater departure angle than one with a longer overhang there.Vehicles with short wheelbases, such as the Suzuki Jimmy, fare rather well in terms of all of these measures and it shows in their performance in low-speed off-roading.Note: A tow bar will affect your vehicle's departure angle, by effectively reducing it. How to improve your vehicle’s approach, departure and ramp-over anglesThis involves modifying your vehicle from standard with bigger off-road-suited tyres and lifted suspension – doing this will instantly improve any vehicle’s off-road prowess. Keep in mind though that any vehicle must only be modified within legal limits and that throwing this gear on a low-riding AWD will not turn it into an all-conquering off-road weapon.That doesn’t mean you’re not able to have great adventures in a standard 4WD, AWD or even a 2WD with far-from-ideal ground clearance measures and approach, departure and ramp-over angles. You simply need to drive to suit the vehicle, the terrain and the conditions and, at all times, use your commonsense and err on the side of caution. Don’t take an AWD with low ground clearance into ‘4WD only’ territory, and don’t take on any obstacle you have not properly scrutinised first.A good general rule with regards to approach, ramp-over and departure angles is: smaller double-digit figures are fine for light-duty AWD off-roading – for example, a Mitsubishi Outlander AWD has rather modest approach (19.5 degrees), ramp-over (19) and departure angles (21). For moderate to difficult off-roading, figures more in the vicinity of the Jimny's approach (37 degrees), ramp-over (28) and departure (49) angles are much better.If you know your vehicle’s capabilities, drive to suit them and drive sensibly, you’ll be better equipped to go off-roading and avoid delays, damage and any strife. 

Despite what a lot of SUV advertising and macho Youtubers try to tell everyone, a true off-road vehicle needn’t look like a go-anywhere tank and it does not need to be driven fast and aggressively to get through sand, dirt, mud or up a rocky hill.In fact, a true off-road vehicle can be a stock-standard vehicle or one that has had some subtle aftermarket modifications. And it can – and should – be driven s-l-o-w-l-y when it's taken off-road.What makes a good off-road vehicle is an extremely contentious issue and one guaranteed to generate differing – and strong – opinions between keen off-road enthusiasts. For some, an AWD is more than enough; for others, a 4WD is the be-all and end-all.I'd always prefer to take a 4WD off-road but that's just me and, for the purpose of this yarn, we won't get bogged down in arguing over whether an off-road vehicle should have 4WD or AWD – that’s down to your own preference and lifestyle – and, besides, we’ve detailed the differences between the systems before which you can read about below.No, for this yarn we’re sticking to what basic attributes a vehicle needs to have to be considered capable off-road.Of course, there are myriad things that could be focussed on – including, but certainly not limited to, low-range-gearing (that will be mentioned), drivetrains, diff locks, wheel travel, suspension, chassis, underbody protection, and heaps more – but some of the main factors which make a vehicle capable off-road can actually be boiled down to only several bare essentials.Here are, for your delectation, the top five characteristics of a good off-road vehicle.TorqueNo matter how tough your off-roader looks if it doesn’t have great initial low-down torque, then it’s the wrong side of ideal when it comes to being an all-conquering terrain tackler. Optimum low-end torque is all about delivering maximum control, not speed. A great torquey engine for off-roading would ideally be one that does away with the need for much throttle input from the driver.Ultra low-range gearing and oodles of torque on tap is an ideal combination for low-speed off-roading and, in most purpose-built vehicles, that should be plenty enough to get you over/through/across almost anything you’re likely to face in the bush or on a beach drive.High-tech driver-assist aids are all well and good, but gutsy old-school torque is one of the keys to off-roading success.TyresTyres are your vehicle's point of contact with the ground. Your choice of tyres – and, more importantly, the pressures you run them at – will likely determine how easily and safely your vehicle handles any off-road terrain.Many new SUVs and 4WDs are sold with HT (Highway Terrain) tyres. These tyres – skinny and without offering as much protection against off-road damage as other tyres – are well-suited to long-distance bitumen touring, not off-roading. A set of good All Terrain (AT) tyres – a good all-round tyre – will save you strife on the beach or in the bush. They are tough, less susceptible to sticks-and-stones damage than HT rubber and provide plenty of off-road grip.Mud Terrain (MT) tyres – big and knobbly and made for getting through mud – are for hardcore 4WDers. They are noisy on-road and can add to your fuel bills if you do a lot of highway travel on them.Light Truck (LT) tyres are stronger than passenger car tyres, but so is my supermarket aftershave.LT tyres have thick sidewalls and are built to carry loads and run at high pressures. They can be noisy on-road but are great performers off-road.Buy a set of top-quality ATs or LTs – they'll set you back between $250 and $450 per tyre, depending on how hard-core you want to get.Ground clearanceIt’s no good if your vehicle has ample torque but its body is so low that you’re continually belly-scraping the ground as you go and getting stuck on minor irregularities in the terrain, or, worse still, you’re getting ‘hung up’ on the tall centre sections of deep wheel tracks in the sand.To give you an idea of variance in SUVs: a city-focussed vehicle such as the Hyundai Tucson has 172mm of ground clearance, the Subaru XV (an AWD) has 220mm, while the Nissan Navara ST has 226mm, and the Ford Ranger Raptor has a best-in-class ground clearance of 283mm.If you drive an AWD off-road, tread very carefully because they generally have less ground clearance than their 4WD rivals and, as such, are more prone to getting bogged or sustaining mechanical or body damage because of their low and exposed undercarriage.Approach, departure and rampover anglesBecause AWDs are generally lower than their 4WD counterparts, their approach, departure and ramp-over angles are also generally less off-road-friendly than those of their taller, purpose-built rivals. “What are approach, departure and ramp-over angles? What are these mystical things you speak of?" I hear you ask. In a nutshell, a vehicle’s approach angle is the maximum degree measure that an incline can have from the horizontal ground and that your vehicle can still drive up without its front end, bumper or bull-bar becoming stuck on the incline or sustain damage in doing so.The departure angle is the same principle but applied to the fact that you will be driving off of the obstacle or terrain.Ramp-over angle refers to the angle between your tyres and the centre of your vehicle’s underbody; too shallow an angle and your vehicle will scrape over or even get ‘hung up’ on minor obstacles.Vehicles with short wheelbases, such as the Suzuki Jimmy, fare rather well in terms of these measures and it shows in their performance in low-speed off-roading.Rated recovery pointsSorry to burst your big ego bubble but, if you’re doing any off-roading, you will get bogged – no matter how great your vehicle is, no matter how much khaki you’re wearing at the time and no matter how many Instagram followers you have. And if you get bogged, you need to be able to recover your vehicle sensibly and safely. And for that to happen, your vehicle must have rated recovery points. A rated recovery point is engineered and built to “safely withstand and distribute the loads of a recovery – which is something stock tow points aren’t designed to do,” according to Ironman 4x4.Don’t use a vehicle’s factory underbody tie-down points as recovery points because those are just to secure the vehicle when it’s being shipped and they won’t withstand the forces generated when your vehicle is dragged out of the mud or sand or snow and they will either bend, buckle or snap off, endangering nearby bystanders and vehicles.Also, putting a snatch strap or – heaven forbid – a tow rope over a tow ball to haul a stuck vehicle out of its boggy predicament is not an option; it is simply asking for trouble – and it can be fatal. (We’re not being melodramatic here – it’s happened before on several occasions.)Invest in rated recovery points (either factory-fitted options through your car dealer or the aftermarket via Ironman 4x4 or ARB), have them fitted by respected professionals and remember to take all the right gear with you when you do go off-roading.Obviously a lot more factors go into making a good all-round off-road vehicle, so tell us your ideas in the Comments section below.

Choosing your camping accommodation can be daunting. There’s a huge variety of swags – single and double – as well as tents – single, multi-person, family – but have you ever considered throwing a rooftop tent on your ute?

Buying a dog cage for your ute is one of the best things you can do for your furry old mate. If you have a ute and a dog, transporting him or her as safely and securely as possible in your vehicle should be a top priority.

Whether you have a Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux or Mitsubishi Triton – or any ute really – your trusty workhorse will benefit from a high-quality set of ute drawers.

The VW Amarok, especially the V6, has an ever-growing group of fans but it still holds a peculiar spot in the Aussie market – it doesn't sell in massive numbers, as something like the Hilux does (then again what does?), but you see plenty of Amaroks around, being used as tool-hauling trucks or as recreational tourers, being driven and being enjoyed.The Amarok is a rather quiet success story – a real dark horse workhorse, if you will.But, as with any ute, it can benefit from having a canopy installed, thus turning its tray into a more versatile, lockable and secure, protected load space that can be accessorised to your heart’s content.There are myriad VW Amarok canopy styles and there’s a choice of materials used, including canvas, UV-stable ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic polymer), fibreglass, steel or aluminium, and there’s also a wide array of add-ons from which to choose. For our tips on how to track down the best Amarok canopy for you, read on. Different types of Amarok canopiesSo, what’s the best Amarok canopy? The one that suits what you do with your Amarok, of course. Your lifestyle – and budget – will dictate the body style and configuration of, as well as the materials used in, your canopy. If your focus is work then a tool-lugging steel, ABS, or Amarok aluminium canopy will suit you; if you’re a keen outdoor sports fan then a canopy that can be fitted and accessorised to fit your chosen leisure activity is right for you; and if off-roading is your passion you’ll want to gear up your canopy with drawers, a fridge slide and more.Designs will vary but the focus on primary function will remain.Genuine canopies from vehicle manufacturers, such as the Volkswagen Amarok canopy, are fine but ute owners are increasingly chasing even more versatility in their canopies.Main materials used in an Amarok dual cab canopy include canvas, ABS plastic, fibreglass, aluminium or steel.Budget-friendly examples are available but, while designs may vary, a top-quality canopy – such as one available from Ironman 4x4, ARB, Norweld, Carryboy, Flexiglass, Opposite Lock, TJM etc – will benefit from features such as lockable side windows and rear-access window, canopy vent (to reduce dust ingress by positively pressurising the canopy’s interior), tinted safety glass (5mm tinted and tempered), central locking, push-button side opening windows, and more.Other features – such as keyless entry, high-spec adhesive, LED interior lights, stylish interior and an anti-entrapment dial (so people can get out of the canopy if inadvertently closed inside) – are all great additions.An easy-access ladder should also be part of a canopy set-up if you want to get to your rooftop tent or grab gear from your roof rack.If your dogs are an important part of your family, congratulations I now like you even more and you should think about getting a dog pod added to your Amarok’s canopy.Some want functionality in their canopy, such as an aforementioned drawer system, a fridge slide and more, while others are keen to fit out their canopy with an accomodation option, such as a rooftop tent*. (*Note: a rooftop tent will soak up at least 50kg of your ute’s payload, so that will affect how much other stuff you can legally carry in your Amarok.) Some people make full use of their canopy by installing their Redarc pure sine wave inverter or in-vehicle battery charger, onboard air compressors and more in it. What are your Amarok canopy options?Take your pick from used canopies, DIY jobs, ready-made off-the-shelf examples, through to a highly-personalised custom canopy. Beware: if a canopy is so cheap it seems too good to be true, chances are numerous corners have been cut in terms of workmanship and materials used. Apply brutal logic here: how good do you think a canopy is if short-cuts were taken during its design and manufacturing?Thankfully, Australian companies make some of the world’s best ute canopies because we Aussie off-roaders demand a lot from our canopies.In today’s aftermarket there’s a canopy for an Amarok double cab to suit every lifestyle and budget. As mentioned earlier, some ute canopies have interior lay-outs designed to incorporate tool boxes, or are purpose-built for camping, with roll-out drawers and more.The basic structure of ute canopies may not change a lot between models – each one has a roof, walls, and likely a flip/lift door at the rear, a fixed-shut window at the front, and sliding or flip/lift windows on the sides – but each canopy’s capacity to be flexible, in terms of accessibility and storage, may vary widely.Options for features include extra tie-down points, central locking, climate control, in-built lighting, soft-close windows, built-in storage systems (such as slide-out drawer systems) and even a slide-out kitchen.Some canopies are bolted onto a ute's tray and can be removed without too much fuss.How much does a Amarok canopy cost?An Amarok canopy price can range from a couple of hundred dollars for a DIY canvas-and-steel-frame job (I’ve seen them), to more than $3000 (fitted).Prices of fibreglass or ABS plastic ute canopies start from around the mid-$2000s mark (including fitment). Prices range anywhere from $1500 for an aluminium ute half canopy you will have to fit yourself, to more than $2000 (fitted) for off-the-shelf canopies or even custom, build-your-own versions.The Flexiglass Sport canopy pictured at the top of this page cost around $3000 and that included installation. An ARB Amarok Canopy, the Classic (also pictured in this feature), costs from $2080 and from $300 extra for fitment.A Carryboy canopy for an Amarok will likely cost from $2500 (not including fitment), but that’s a guesstimate so contact Carryboy for a quote.Warranties for a ute canopy can range from one year, three years or a lifetime, depending on the materials used and the brand/manufacturer involved. Who are the leading brands & manufacturers? Best places to buy?Focus your shopping research on local well-respected aftermarket brands and manufacturers, including Ironman 4x4, ARB, Flexiglass, NorWeld, Carryboy Australia, Opposite Lock, and TJM.Contact any of these mobs for a canopy:Find your nearest ARB store here. Find your nearest Ironman 4x4 store here.Visit the Norweld website for your nearest stockist.Visit CarryBoy to find your nearest stockist.Visit Flexiglass (and go to 'Locate a Distributor') for your nearest stockist.Find your nearest Wolf 4x4 store here.Visti OppositeLock to find your nearest store.Find the nearest TJM store here. 

The Mitsubishi Triton is one of Australia's quiet achievers in terms of sales and popularity, and it remains one of the best value-for-money utes on offer.It's a highly functional ute but it can be improved with the installation of a lockable canopy. You could opt for a genuine Mitsubishi Triton canopy or a feature-packed canopy designed to suit your lifestyle.There are canopy styles to suit every kind of Triton and the canopies are made from a wide variety of materials, including canvas, UV-stable ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic polymer), fibreglass, steel or aluminium. For our tips on how to track down the best canopy for your Triton, read on. Different types of Triton canopiesThe right canopy for your Triton depends largely on what you want to do with it – if work is your ute's focus, then a tradie set-up suited to storing and carrying tools is your best bet (i.e. tool boxes, deep drawers etc); for outdoor activities, such as mountain-biking or kayaking, the canopy will need to fit in with your chosen sport (i.e. bike carriers, drawers for bike spares, a kayak rack etc); and for keen 4WDers a canopy, purpose built to meet camping needs, will be required (i.e. fridge slide, cooker space, drawers for kitchen gear etc). Designs will vary but function-focus, specific to your Triton's main activity, will remain.(Note: Before you get stuck into your search for a Triton canopy there are a few other mods you might want to sort out, such as tyres, for instance, but don't worry, hit the 'Read More' link below and check out that yarn – that'll put you on the right track.)A genuine Mitsubishi Triton canopy is an adequate unit, but ute owners want their canopies to have even more versatility.Main materials used include canvas, ABS plastic, fibreglass, aluminium and steel and there are model-specific canopies: a single cab canopy, extra cab canopy, and a dual cab canopy. Budget-friendly examples are available but, while designs may vary, a top-quality canopy – such as one available from Ironman 4x4, ARB, Norweld, Carryboy, Flexiglass, Opposite Lock, TJM etc – will benefit from features such as lockable side windows and rear-access window, canopy vent (to reduce dust ingress by positively pressurising the canopy’s interior), tinted safety glass (5mm tinted and tempered), central locking, push-button side opening windows, and more.Other features – such as keyless entry, high-spec adhesive, LED interior lights, stylish interior and an anti-entrapment dial (so people can get out of the canopy if inadvertently closed inside) – are all great additions.A sturdy easy-access ladder should also be part of a canopy set-up if you want to access your rooftop tent or grab some gear from your roof rack.If your dogs are an important part of the family like mine are, then a canopy with a dog pod might be the right thing for your ute.Some want functionality, such as a drawer system, a fridge slide and more, while others are keen to fit out their canopy with an accomodation option, such as a rooftop tent*. (*Note: a rooftop tent will soak up at least 50kg of your ute’s legal payload, so that will affect how much other stuff you can legally carry in your Triton.) Some people make full use of their canopy by installing their Redarc pure sine wave inverter or in-vehicle battery charger, onboard air compressors and more in it.A Triton ute canopy can also function as a great platform for a roof-top tent. What are your Mitsubishi Triton canopy options?If you're keen to put a canopy on your Triton then you're in luck because there are myriad options: second hand canopies, DIY jobs, ready-made off-the-shelf examples, through to a highly-personalised custom canopy. Remember though that the same rule applies here as should to any purchase: if a canopy is so cheap it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.Luckily for us, Australian companies make some of the world’s best ute canopies because we Aussie off-roaders demand a lot from our gear.In today’s aftermarket there’s a ute canopy to suit every lifestyle, vehicle and budget. There are variations to suit every kind of ute and tub or a tray canopy, and some ute canopies have interior lay-outs designed to incorporate tool boxes, or are purpose-built for camping, with roll-out drawers and more.The basic structure of ute canopies may not change a lot between models – each one has a roof, walls, and likely a flip/lift door at the rear, a fixed-shut window at the front, and sliding or flip/lift windows on the sides – but each canopy’s capacity to be flexible, in terms of accessibility and storage, may vary widely.Options for features include extra tie-down points, central locking, climate control, in-built lighting, soft-close windows, built-in storage systems (such as slide-out drawer systems) and even a slide-out kitchen.Some canopies are bolted onto a ute's tray and can be removed without too much fuss. How much does a Triton canopy cost?Canopy prices range from a couple of hundred dollars for a DIY canvas-and-steel-frame job, to more than $5000 (fitted) for an off-the-shelf canopy or even custom, build-your-own versions.A genuine Mitsubishi Triton canopy – made of ABS plastic, body coloured to match your Triton's paint and with a lockable, gas-lift rear window, sliding side windows and a front window – costs from about $3700 each.Prices of fibreglass or ABS plastic ute canopies start from around the mid-$2000s mark (including fitment).  Prices range anywhere from $1500 for an aluminium ute half canopy you will have to fit yourself, to more than $5000 (fitted) for off-the-shelf canopies or even custom, build-your-own versions.A Flexiglass FlexiSport canopy for your Triton MN dual cab – prices available from your preferred manufacturer or stockist on request, but expect to pay more than $3000.A Flexiglass FlexiEdge canopy for your Triton MQ and MR dual cab – prices available from your preferred manufacturer or stockist on request, but expect to pay more than $3000.Warranties for a ute canopy can range from one year, three years or a lifetime, depending on the materials used and the brand/manufacturer involved. Who are the leading brands & manufacturers? Best places to buy?Australia's well-respected aftermarket brands and manufacturers include Ironman 4x4, ARB, NorWeld, Carryboy Australia, Flexiglass, Opposite Lock, and TJM.Contact any of these mobs for a purpose-built canopy:Find your nearest ARB store here. Find your nearest Ironman 4x4 store here.Visit the Norweld website for your nearest stockist.Visit CarryBoy to find your nearest stockist.Visit Flexiglass (and go to 'Locate a Distributor') for your nearest stockist.Find your nearest Wolf 4x4 store here.Visti OppositeLock to find your nearest store.Find the nearest TJM store here. 

Toyota's HiLux is one of Australia's top-selling vehicles so it only follows that there is a massive variety of ute canopies available for it. The legendary workhorse's tray space, if covered with a lockable canopy, becomes secure, more versatile and a camping-friendly cargo area.

A ute is a supremely useful and versatile vehicle but, if its tray space is not covered and lockable, it could benefit greatly from the installation of a canopy.