Leaderboard

With the summer coming closer, we will go a little deeper into the dangers of being exposed to the extreme heat UAE brings to us. During off-roading, some activities such as recovery work, replacing tyres, and dealing with pop-outs, are physically demanding, and many of us who are in office jobs are not trained to cope with this amount of heat. Luckily with the help of some basic things, we can minimize the risk of below mentioned issues. The following risks are identified: Heat exhaustion: Warning signs: A person may suddenly look pale. Heart rate will increase and the victim may complain of feeling dizzy and nauseous. A feeling of weakness is also common. What to do: Seek shade immediately and lie down, especially if you’re feeling lightheaded. Apply a cold compress to the forehead and remove extra layers. Heat Stroke: Warning signs: Heat stroke is a type of hypothermia where the body temperature is greatly elevated. If not treated immediately it can be fatal. Symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, along with nausea, headaches, hallucinations, difficulty in breathing, and agitation, What to do: apply cool water to the skin and place ice packs under the arms to reduce the temperature quickly. Preventive Measures: • Sip some water all day long, rather than just when you are thirsty. If you are thirsty it means you are already dehydrated. • Wear light clothing that can "breathe", but also wear sunblock and keep your head protected with a cap or hat. • Some fruit and vegetables can re-hydrate the body even more than water. Carry some in your cooler. • Water is important, but too much water can be dangerous as it can cause electrolyte depletion. Limit yourselves to 2-3 liters per day. • When recovering a vehicle in full sun, limit your exposure time and take some rest every couple of minutes. Because you are focused on the task at hand, you might completely forget the heat and become dizzy and exhausted. • If at some point you feel unwell, inform your club members immediately. When driving, inform immediately over the radio so the convoy can be stopped. • Keep an eye out for your fellow club members. It is relatively easy to recognize above symptoms in somebody else. Let them take appropriate rest. Please do share your tips, hints, experiences !

this is a bit disturbing, but very important lesson... it shows the importance of having a solid recovery points and soft shackles and the kinetic rope. i got this on whatsapp, you probably got it somehow, since it went viral over whatsapp.

Last wednesday I got in my car and saw the light below go off on my dashboard. I noticed the cruise control was not working. According to the manual, the light indicates the ESC is malfunctioning. (Oh oh) I get home and run the scanner and I got code C123F-Steering Angle Sensor comparative performance One Google search later and found that the possible causes for C123F are the following and started assessing which are more likely to be. Vehicle damage - Not very useful Steering column/intermediate shaft damage - Not likely Steering wheel alignment - Aha! this might be Steering Angle Sensor loose - Although this is possible it is less likely - this was going to be my next option after wheel alignment. Clockspring (SAS) improperly installed (wrong mounting position) - Not likely Clockspring (SAS) - Not likely Antilock Brake System (ABS) Module - This sounds expensive I did noticed the steering wheel was a little misaligned after the last offroad trip, I was going to mention to the shop on the next maintenance so they can have it sorted, since now I had a code I started troubleshooting from the steps listed here. Since the Steering wheel misalignment was more than 15° degrees I decided to take it to the shop for alignment. Twenty minutes and 300 aed later the car was ready. I take it out, pulled over the car and erased the code with the scanner and started driving, as a precaution I prefered to sit out the next off-road drive. As I did not want any issues while I was off-roading. So far that seemed to do the trick, it's really a pain with all of this sensors nowadays in all cars, they are there for a reason but they could be a burden sometimes. Anyway, I hope this helps for any other Jeep owner outhere in the future.

One more car to go! Haha @G.huz @Frederic let’s go! @Emmanuel find a solution! haha

My own reflections on this: - What have failed in this case is not the tow hook, it seems the bolts. Then I see a locally fabricated bar, like the one on the land cruiser, I always get worried. I have too many times seen bars being fixed using the bolts of the regular tow points. If that is the case, the high-tensile rated factory bolts might have been too short and did not have enough of threads. The bolts might even have been replaced with local none rated longer bolts. The bolt might not have been tightened and therefore bent before ripped off. - Even if it seems not have been the issue in this case, the factory front hooks on the 100 series land cruiser are rubbish and should be replaced. It bends after a few recoveries. Unless you like to go after market recovery points, both the 105 and the 70 series have factory recovery points with the same bolt pattern. The 100 series cruiser is not the only car with bad factory points. Possibly something the club could support and recommend? - I do fully agree on using soft shackles were possible. The less iron that comes flying, the better it is. - Many of us knows very well the strengths and the weaknesses of our own cars. We know what point to use and we have ensured the bolts are high tensile rated. But how can we ensure the car you are recovering are properly setup? If it fails in the other end, you get it in your wind screen. - We often have the debate on recovering from the front or the back. Some time you have no option depending on how the car is stuck. From the recovery vehicle point of view, you also have weaknesses and benefits. Pulling from the back going forward might put less strain on your drive train. It might also provide some better safety. Pulling from the front reversing on the other hand provides better visibility and control. - I also have a good experience using bridle. The main benefit is that you divide the force on two points and the risk for failure is less. But if you get a failure, the friction is high enough to take the tension away. It only takes a moment longer to rig (picture stolen from the WEB) - A safety strap also comes handy. It doesn’t divide the force, but it stops things from flying. Will be pleased to share my experiences if anyone would be interested.

Heat stroke is not cool. Last time it happened to me I ended up in bed for a week and I couldn’t move. It feels like flu but worse. Water isn’t always enough if you’re sweating so much. Pocari sweat or another isotonic drink is a better option sometimes.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to @Gaurav, @Frederic, @Emmanuel and rest of the participants!. You made me feel like at home and I really enjoyed the convoy. It was a real pleasure to meet you all.

Excellent write up and at a great time @Frederic much appreciated.

Apna time ayega😀 (My time will come).

U guys are awesome.. U guys fixed the silencer like real pro.. reached home without any trouble.. Goona soon get it welded... Edouard hope the steering issue got sorted.. Thanks @luwaimn@Gaurav @Srikumar@edouard

For future reference, I wouldn’t recommend resetting a steering angle sensor fault code without carrying out the calibration procedure first. Realigning the steering is only part of the job, the system needs to be recalibrated afterwards. It might be as simple as driving in a circle one way then driving in a circle the other way, all cars are different but the diagnostic tool guides you through the process. SAS has an input on a lot of other systems and you could find your ABS or traction control or something else doesn’t work properly when you need it to.

@G.huz great share, we shout this from Newbie level and stress the importance as we have seen so many cases in our years. I can't say that specific Pathfinder needs any changes for the tow points. I was lucky to get mine from a friend who used it off road only once and it was properly protected against rust. Each car bought second hand must be checked for rust and corrosion as you never know how the previous owner has taken care of his ride or not. We try to take all precautions and that is why till a certain level we don't allow recoveries to be done by newbie or Fewbie level. Those observing the recovery should also be away from the radius of the rope. A sand bag is a good idea and in extreme recoveries we have used those or the sling to protect in case of breakage. So far Shukar Alhamdolillah there have been no such cases in the Carnity club and we would like to continue it that way.

A sandbag is a good option, but in this case the recovery point flew in rocket speed. As am thinking, maybe another rope holding the main one would somehow work like a sandbad, it would hold back the main rope and whatever it's carrying from flying. Idon't know, am just thinking of work arounds to prevent this from happening.

I’ve seen crazy accidents after being 20 years working in manufacturing industry. Taking into account the crazy amounts of stress load that comes into play when recovering a vehicle, EVERY possible step in minimizing the risk should be considered, and the soft shackles are i god gift in such situations. i would like to add that it’s advisable to use a sandbag over the tow rope while doing a recovery. I don’t often see that being done here. In this case above, the OEM tow hook would have been dragged to the ground instead of going through the windshield. @Gaurav it’s pretty difficult doing a load or stress test to assess your OEM tow hook. But severe corrosion should have been noticed by the owner of the vehicle. A test rig could be built by attaching a winch to a tow hook, with a load scale in between like they use on cranes. But this would be only partly accurate or reliable, as the kinetic pulling energy is far more than a steady buildup of force. As I mentioned before, kinetic ropes are a fantastic tool, but as you feel the jerking feeling less, people often pull like crazy, and the kinetic snap-back is really extremely forceful and puts great stress at factory tow points. Again stressing the fact that kinetic pulling should be slowly built up in 2-3 attempts. Very sad to see what happened there and makes me realize again the forces at play🤕

Yes man, everyone talks about how importance the kenitic rope and soft shackles, but never imagined it until now. Super scary, I hope it won't drive off-roaders away from this sport. This is a core lesson stresses on the very core of Carnity. @Rahimdad, you're a better expert than I am with Pathfinder, do I need to work on my recovery points? Front and rear? If they need some work, I need to fix them ASAP. If there's such a thing, that would be awesome

Brilliant share @G.huz I have received this yesterday while I was out and until now it was in the back of my mind to share and you did it before me. Like these days soft shackles are must, I think we regularly need to check our tow points for internal corrosion over time. @Frederic is there any stress test available to see if existing tow hook can be rated against 4-5 tons pull? Just a thought

@amir.rophail welcome back. Hope you have sorted out your rear recovery points. Since its expected to be a short convoy, its important that every vehicle should have a proper industrial shovel, and recovery ropes (soft shackles are preferred).

You managed perfectly @vsmano , very impressive for tipping your toes in the sand the first time with your very capable FJ See you back soon !

I registered for the Newbie drive on the same day, to support @Rahimdad. Now I’m trying to find a way to drive 2 cars at the same time so I can also join this one.

@Frederic Thank You for the much needed advice.

That's the main art every offroader here have learned and mastered before the offroading. Good luck and may the force be with you.

Thanks to all, much appreciated. Will be back as soon as the minister of interior will allow. Will also make sure to contribute to the drive breakfast party. Again thanks!

Thank you to everyone at the Carnity Offroad Club. Its a privilege to be part of such a great group of people who share the same passion for offroading. After a certain time I realized that its not just the drive that brought me joy, but more importantly the people with whom I have been offroading that really brought a smile to my face. Special thanks to @Asif Hussain and @Emmanuel. Its always a pleasure to drive in your company. As @Rahimdad rightly said what started as an outlet to get away from the city stress, turned into a full blown passion. And for that, no amount of thanks would be enough to both you and @Gaurav for teaching me the beautiful art of desert driving. Offroading with CARNITY is truly a Way of Life!!

Thanks again @Rahimdad and @Srikumar. It was great fun and I learned a lot, especially that I have still had to learn much more 🤣. It's always a big pleasure to drive with you guys, it's a wonderful break from the city and the stress of the week! @AKR showed us his real side by going completely badass with no exhaust - hope you managed to get it fixed. @yogic72 these moments are really great with your son, I'm sure he will remember them fondly as a young adult and even later.

Big Red area have some nice medium and big size dunes that provide plenty of opportunity for the Intermediate level drivers for a fast paced dune bashing session. We shall start at Big red and shall trace our path along some nice rolling dunes all the way to Pink Rock. There would be a lot of side slopping, ridge riding and ridge cutting involved. This drive would proceed upon minimum 4 cars registering for the drive by Thursday (April 25, 2019) morning. When: 26 April 2019 Meeting time: 6:30 AM, the convoy will move at sharp 6:45 AM Where: Big Red GPS Coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/YQMmsGjDKwEkcZeU6 Level: Intermediate and above (Min 4 cars need to be registered by Thursday, 25 April 2019, morning) Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 10 inches of ground clearance. Plan: Drive, train and enjoy till about 11:00 AM What to bring along: Snacks, Breakfast - whatever you like with little extra to share, water, liquids, smiles, stories, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 11:00 AM Please RSVP the below calendar event

Wow that’s a massive amount ! I always learned about the rule of thumb which was 0,03 times your body weight = recommended water intake per day.

Very nicely written @Frederic, just like to add two more points: Water intake is dependent on your body weight And also the number of mins you are exercising https://goodcalculators.com/water-intake-calculator/ For same body weight, 3.83 litres is required for 30 mins workout, but 4.9 litres is required if you work out for 2 hours

i'll try and join this one buddy, it's a morning and intermedia drive, got everything am looking for

Thanks, @Javier M for sharing such problem with its solution, makes a perfect example of how anyone can contribute there car owning experience and it's little problem as they happen on a daily basis. Every thread need not to be 10,000 words long or bringing some special feature or crazy angle. If everyone shares this little experiences then it will help a lot of other car owners in the future.

heavy metal bumper would only add weight which would affect in long hill climbs. Unless you are taking the vehicle name literally as 'Pathfinder' and intend to break some fences in the desert with that steel bumper I would also not recommend it

No Yeah will do. Wanna do it like the same with my friend.

Great write up @Javier M. This is definitely going to help lots of people around.

@M.K congratulations on your promotion. It was a nice quick chat with you. Love the fact charley you are with WFP you guys are doing a great job and helping the community, thank you for joining our community. Looking forward to many more drives with you. Regarding the permission from home ministry, join the course for Ministry of foreign Affairs 101, will teach you some lessons and excuses to get away. Hope to see you again soon.

For all ultra expensive parts above 3K price, better to bet on used parts as even if you get half life with 1/10 or 1/20 of price, still make better sense.

Well that's exactly the problem with older cars. Instead of absorbing the impact. They transfer all that energy to its occupants.

huh? i dont follow.. thanks buddy.

Congrats @M.K

Congrats @Shamil !!

@Rahimdad thanks for pinging the experts. @Gaurav ok, I will get on my phone in the morning!

Well written @Frederic. @srini62 it's a pleasure to have you around. Good to see you jelling well with your FJ and discovering it well. See you this Friday again.