ACCESSORISING YOUR 4X4

Plenty of South African drivers are switching to 4x4 SUVs and double-cab bakkies to cover their everyday and leisure-based motoring needs. Many find the standard vehicle will meet these requirements just fine, but an increasing number will look to accessorising their vehicles to further improve their functionality and better support their specific requirements.

- Graham Eagle T

In today's competitive market, reducing costs and improving efficiency is key to vehicle manufacturers achieving profitability. To do so, they maximise the sales of each model range by offering derivatives at various price points and specification levels to increase their appeal and sales potential. This approach enables them to offer products that meet differing customer needs. However, in the 4x4 market, customer requirements are often too diverse, and sometimes too specialised, for this approach to be practical.

Manufacturers cater for common 4x4 customer requirements by presenting a range of approved accessories. Typically, these include items like nudge bars, towbars, tonneau covers, bonnet- and headlamp protectors, load-box liners and rubber mats. Beyond these items, customers can select accessories from a range of aftermarket specialists. Canopies are a good example, with almost endless alternatives-ranging from fibreglass to steel or aluminium construction with or without windows, a high or low roof, horizontally or vertically hinged tailgates, and some are specially configured for off-road camping.

GRAVEL ROAD ACCESSORIES

Tyres are perhaps the starting point for fitments to improve a 4x4's off-road performance. The original-equipment tyres on most 4x4s are a compromise designed to cater for the everyday or typical motoring needs. As a result, they have an on-road bias, meaning noise, wet grip and on-road handling have been prioritised over sharp-stone-penetration resistance and performance in sand or mud. This does not mean they are unsuitable for use off tarred roads, but if a high proportion of driving is on gravel, a set of all-terrain (A/T) tyres will be a better solution.