off-road trail Swartberg

Next up was the Chev Blazer. On the second try the Blazer jumped into the air. When it came down something did not sound right. On closer inspection we found that the front prop shaft was broken and oil was running from the transfer case.

We tried to go up the steep embankment but after a couple of attempts decided the go for the not so steep one. The problem was that deep holes formed in the sand as the other vehicle tried to get up. Just as one reached the top, the right rear wheel fell into the deep hole which lifted the left front. On the photographs above you can see that we made it to the top and it was just that last bit that prevented us from going over.

The not so steep exit went very well and we all got to the top rather easily.

We left the Blazer there as it could not drive any further.

From there the road went up the little hill in a sandy track. All of the sudden I saw the Isuzu in front had difficulties getting through the sand which was not that thick. We then learned that the Suz's right hub was stripped and it was only driving with the rear wheels. Casualty No 2 in the first 2km of the trail.

Next up was another sand hole with less steep embankments. This one was rather easy and I think just about any 4x4 vehicle would be able to get out here.

After reaching the top of this embankment our friend Niel took the left turn with to much enthusiasm. When he returned we heard this blowing noise and found that his right front wheel almost went off the rim and got sand between the rim and the tyre. We decided to just pump the wheel and see if it seated again.

It did not seat again but we learned a valuable lesson here. The owner of the farm, Nico said he must drive it for a while it should get better. We decided that the next obstacle is not far from there and that he will drive there and replace the wheel if it is not better then. Just as Niel started to drive I just heard this one blowing sounds and saw how the sand blows from the rim. It was fine after that and did not loose more air.

Lesson: If you get sand between the rim and tyre and the tyre was not de-beated yet, just pump the wheel and drive it for a while and see if the sand will get out. If not, change the wheel.

Swartberg off road trail