Observations from the Sahara

[timax]

So i was recently in Morocco and ventured down to the edge of the Sahara at Merzouga.
A few things i noticed...
Defenders out number every other 4x4 by far. Locals and tourists.
In 2 weeks i saw only about 3 landcruisers. 1 a troopy and 2 others. I saw 3 RR classics a few VW Amaroks and 1 Toureg. 1 Hummer H3 and a few pajeros plus a smattering of others. No Patrols that i can remember. Heaps of Evoques and 1 Barabus Mercedes G Wagon in a city.
The other thing i really noticed was tyre width. So Morocco is very rocky and also very sandy. I saw a Rav 4 with fat mud terrains and a Pajero with big tyres also. Everyone else and all locals run skinny tyres that most serious Aussie Simpson Desert prepped cars wouldnt be seen dead in.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/234.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/timphoto83ec/media/DSC03411_zpsapokdkpg.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/235.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/timphoto83ec/media/DSC04261_zps10x9yhcb.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/236.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/timphoto83ec/media/DSC02675_zps0cpf1ukm.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/237.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/timphoto83ec/media/DSC01942_zpsk8rpegqu.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/238.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/timphoto83ec/media/IMG_2776_zpsjj5eogog.jpg.html)

[PAT303]

It's funny how the Europeans don't smother their vehicles in a ton of ARB crap yet travel all over the 3rd world without bursting tyres and snapping chassis. Pat

[weeds]

First pic looks like a run down town run about, bet it doesn't overland

Second pic, could be an overlanders, sleeping arrangements don't look much chop

Third pic, the series that has never been off road...another town runabout

Fourth pic...again not a touring defender

Fifth.....it's got a heap of crap hanging off it and doesn't look like it's overland ever

You're on the money Pat....although I've been researching pretty hard of late as I'm setting out up for a 3rd world country overland trip.....your only about cars covered in ARB Crap, suppose I better ditch my Compressor as it the only ARB branded bit I have...all should be good eh??

A quick google search 'overland defender 110' shows me most have lots of fit for purpose accessories

[Beery]

We'll eventually realise why Land Rover has always said you dont need wide tyres. It's just the consumer market that loves the look of wide tyres.

[weeds]

We'll eventually realise why Land Rover has always said you dont need wide tyres. It's just the consumer market that loves the look of wide tyres.

Yep, agree...235's are wide enough.

[timax]

First pic looks like a run down town run about, bet it doesn't overland

Second pic, could be an overlanders, sleeping arrangements don't look much chop

Third pic, the series that has never been off road...another town runabout

Fourth pic...again not a touring defender

Fifth.....it's got a heap of crap hanging off it and doesn't look like it's overland ever

You're on the money Pat....although I've been researching pretty hard of late as I'm setting out up for a 3rd world country overland trip.....your only about cars covered in ARB Crap, suppose I better ditch my Compressor as it the only ARB branded bit I have...all should be good eh??

A quick google search 'overland defender 110' shows me most have lots of fit for purpose accessories

These are all just local work trucks except the green series.
The first image can you see the sand dune poking up in the background?
Second was a tourist with a bed in the back.
The green one is in Ouarzazate in the High Atlas Mountains. Pretty stony area off the main drag.
The Blue one is a cop car and the red is a tow truck that i saw in use every day i was there.
The Tourists i saw just nick down from Spain or France for the xmas holidays to play in the desert. They are not living in them while they travel around the world. Did see many with roof tents though . Mainly the James Baroud ones.

[weeds]

These are all just local work trucks except the green series.
The first image can you see the sand dune poking up in the background?
Second was a tourist with a bed in the back.
The green one is in Ouarzazate in the High Atlas Mountains. Pretty stony area off the main drag.
The Blue one is a cop car and the red is a tow truck that i saw in use every day i was there.
The Tourists i saw just nick down from Spain or France for the xmas holidays to play in the desert. They are not living in them while they travel around the world. Did see many with roof tents though . Mainly the James Baroud ones.

I was repling to Pats post....based on the pics posted I cannot get my head around his comment.

[DiscoMick]

I think some people go for wider tyres thinking they are increasing their footprint, not realising they are just causing a wider wall of sand to build up in front of their tyres, making progress harder. Taller tyres give a longer footprint and that is what counts.

[karlz]

I rode my motorbike across the Sahara (morocco -> Dakar)
Met a bloke in a series 3 who kindly agreed to carry my gear so I could carry a girl pillion :)

120862

Notice the skinny tyres in the series 2. This was in Morocco down south.

[scarry]

I was repling to Pats post....based on the pics posted I cannot get my head around his comment.

In three of those pics the vehicles had a bar and rack...

The police vehicle has a bar and some kind of window covers as well

[PAT303]

I was repling to Pats post....based on the pics posted I cannot get my head around his comment.

If you like your vehicle to be at it's GVM before loading it for a trip go for it,it seems to be an Australian thing.

[bee utey]

I think some people go for wider tyres thinking they are increasing their footprint, not realising they are just causing a wider wall of sand to build up in front of their tyres, making progress harder. Taller tyres give a longer footprint and that is what counts.

The thing to understand with wide tyres is that to achieve better flotation on sand they must be run at lower pressures. That makes then more likely to puncture via the sidewalls. Narrow tyres may bog a little faster but last a lot longer in mixed terrain, usually because they are built tougher than poser treads. No good having better flotation if you're constantly getting flats.

[DiscoMick]

Very true.

[weeds]

If you like your vehicle to be at it's GVM before loading it for a trip go for it,it seems to be an Australian thing.

I was just a little confused as I thought your first reply was in relation to the pics posted.....

As mentioned above my research into overland setups most seem to have

Front bar
Roof rack
Spare wheel carrier
Side steps
Driving lights

These items seem to be the standard across all makes and model. Sure I found some very basic/stock setups, each to there own.

[strangy]

..and of course the availability and cost of anything in other than first world countries has absolutely nothing to do with it [bigwhistle]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

[bigrolf] you are such a cynic Strangy,,

[timax]

Maybe i should have taken pics of the tourists cars also.
Plenty of them down there. The Sahara for many Europeans is just a couple of days drive to get to, so its very popular.
..and of course the availability and cost of anything in other than first world countries has absolutely nothing to do with it [bigwhistle]

[DiscoMick]

So how was the Sahara anyway - is it safe and interesting?

[PAT303]

I was just a little confused as I thought your first reply was in relation to the pics posted.....

As mentioned above my research into overland setups most seem to have

Front bar
Roof rack
Spare wheel carrier
Side steps
Driving lights

These items seem to be the standard across all makes and model. Sure I found some very basic/stock setups, each to there own.

I do casual work for a 4wd aftermarket supplier,you really should see some of the things I fit to vehicles,they drive out of the workshop like up armored Humvee's.I get paid by the hour so shrug my shoulders and move on. Pat