They're at it again - Anti-modification laws

I personally don't have much confidence in the 4wd association to represent the interests of, for want of a better term, the more extreme 4 wheel drivers. Although not a member, I do have a close association with a 4wd club. When I recently made a query on their forum of possible illegal closures of a couple of the more hardcore tracks in my region, I was advised by the clubs board member of 4wdVic Association, that If I felt my brand of 4 wheel driving was not being properly represented, then i should nominate myself for a position on the board. Now that's fair enough, but it was clear this board member at least was only representing the interests of the touring/camping sector of the membership. How many 4wd association board members from other clubs have a similar attitude? Most I would hazard a guess. Oh well, at least Big Brother can't stop me from having fun on my own land. Can he? :nazilock:
Wagoo.

Not that I'm one to go out on a limb but Stevo you're a tool.

I/most of us started out on 7.750/16's, even the toyos on split rims. You could get them everywhere, easy to change, just a staple tyre. Then they designed something called a sunraysia, and then you "needed" for some reason big wide fat "floatation" (the term at the time) tyres to drive on sand. Then ruts started appearing, I remember the difference between Fraser Is from '79 to '81, and the Simpson/Inaminka/Birsdville/Strezlecki tracks back in the same eras. Then 31's appeared and we needed 15's to fit (again why? 'cause they started at that size). And from there as each tyre size dug out tracks more and more tyres got larger and larger.

My question, if tyres ARE NOT the cause of the ruts, why are tyres the only things that are changing in this equation. Tyres get larger then next year we need bigger tyres, lather, rinse, repeat.

If it was rainfall/runoff then we'd all have been on the portal bandwagon and we'd still have 31's and portals.

I think my Landy needs to stay in the garage and I'll take the JCB instead.

Cheers Arthur

http://www.fastrac8000.com/lib/images/gallery/12.jpg

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCB_Fastrac"]JCB Fastrac - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:JCB_Fastrac_8250.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/JCB_Fastrac_8250.jpg/220px-JCB_Fastrac_8250.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/3/38/JCB_Fastrac_8250.jpg/220px-JCB_Fastrac_8250.jpg[/ame]

I don't know how much articulation it would get, but a 150mm lift would be good!

The Canadians would put the front tyres on that JCB the other way around, but being Brit they put them on the way the manual says.

Not a lot of room for the Engel camping gear and family though!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

I don't know how much articulation it would get, but a 150mm lift would be good!

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"
Full suspension

The Fastrac is the only heavy draft tractor with full front and rear suspension, ensuring unparalleled ride comfort and traction, so you can work faster and safer both in field and on road for ultimate productivity"

Cheers Arthur

Personally, I think the increases in horsepower has affected track conditions more so than tyre size. Driving a 2.25 2a, I have no choice but to approach obstacles gently and do my darndest to keep my wheels tractive. But with plenty of power on tap one can easily plant the foot and spin the wheels to overcome obstacles. Hence, the tracks get destroyed.

There is some great discussion on this thread about the laws, I haven't paid much attention to them personally so it is good to get some varied opinions.

And FWIW, stevo I think you would make your point better if you werent so brazen.

Sam

I was'nt going to post, but alot of you guys just DONT GET IT!!!!
its about having the wright to choose ! if I want big tyres & a 4" lift, it
should be my choice, long as its done safely. not some government nerd
telling me what i can & can't do. same as joining a club, i dont want to
join a club, why should i have to just so i can have a 2" lift & 33's, what
crap!! & if this goes through whats next ?? banning bull bars ?? banning
all offroad access ?? as stevo68 said we need to ban together as 4wdrivers
not them [on 35's] & us [on 31's] who gives a toss what you drive or what
mods you think are cool or not cool, its about this government crap that
they have the wright to make decisions about what i should or should'nt
do, buy, look, add, drive, etc. some of you guys just need to look past
your own taste etc, & think about what might be next if this goes through!!!!!!

rant over.....Jeff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KarlB

It is my understanding that you can essentially have any modification you like, provided you get an engineer's certificate.

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You should chat with an engineer, they typically wont engineer anything over a 6in lift, and if you go above 2in larger diameter in tyre size you need to have specialised brake and lane change testing done, this costs more then the vehicle+ mods would cost so its not likely anyone would do it.

You all may not think these new laws are all that bad, but what comes next if we let this through?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clubagreenie

Not that I'm one to go out on a limb but Stevo you're a tool.

If it was rainfall/runoff then we'd all have been on the portal bandwagon and we'd still have 31's and portals.

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I don't think portals with 31" would work well at all.

Its the 50 profile tyres that cant be aired down that are stuffing the tracks.
But dont worrie, while we're argueing over this sort of stuff, Bob Brown and his Greenie mates are closing the tracks.