Do as the locals do - why I don't carry a winch or 2nd spare wheel on expeditions

This video shows the advantages of doing what the locals do when on an overland expedition. Save money, weight and complication by not taking too much recovery equipment. You will still complete your journey, just like the locals.

[@MikeRatcliffe24]

Really like the locating lugs on the front bumper for the high lift jack.

[@offtrackfamily]

Loved it! Yes we do have a fully equipped Defender but absolutely meet your point here :)

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Thanks for the kind comment. I enjoy your videos too.

[@salvadorg4127]

hi Bill, I have a winch on my Def 90 td5 and thinking for a long time about a wheel carrier. After seeing your video no more doubts, no winch, no spare wheel on the rear door, in fact I needed it just one time in 20 years. So before it goes away, hilift and tyre repair kit the way you pointed out. Simple as that. Great videos, you are a genius. Thanks

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Pleased to hear it. My observation is that there a very few hard working winches for the serious off roaders, many carried as an insurance policy (like yours), and many more purely for show. I do fine without one.

[@thomaspanjshiri9663]

Hallo Sir! I´m working currently on converting a 11o 300tdi hardtop ex-mil into an overlanding vehicle for a long tour.There is so much very expensive and not necessery gimicks taking a lot of payload. I absolute agree with your logic tackling the problems you show not only this but also in your other videos. Back to basics, like using a hilift, also makes a "quite cheap and lighter" alterlative to a 3k or more euro winch and doesn´t need exessive elektric nonsens which can cause more problems then you think of when buying. If you see some overlanders on youtube they should have filled the whole car with sparetires and winches..! I really apreciate your way of looking at "travel and equipment" problems and the way you solve them!! I think you were not only engineer but you also spent some time in army...greets from germany

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Hi Thomas, you should have a great time with your Def 110 300Tdi which is a good base vehicle. If you are on a tight budget then spend the money on good maintenance rather than expensive upgrades. Even the standard vehicle is extremely capable and will take you to most places, but if it breaks down your trip is badly affected. Nope I have never been in the military, just a simple engineer.

[@philhealey449]

Go and study Britannica Restorations and Steamwally for great Land Rovet guidance getting it in fully working order rather than "improving".

[@antonioblanco2217]

I guess two spare tires make sense in truly remote places. I once saw a traffic sign in Botswana indicating potholes for the 1,000 km ahead. Same happens with additional fuel tanks. Touring in Europe makes absolute no sense for extreme equipment.

[@justinwynn7299]

Great advice as always 👍 The only time I regretted not having two spare tyres was when a hyena chewed throught BOTH my back tyres while we were hiking North Corner in the Chimanimanis (Zimbabwe). It was a long walk

[@johnlee8318]

I'm new to overloading and really appreciate this point of view. I'm planning to drive the panamerican highway and have a hard time justifying the weight of a winch.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@johnlee8318 Well don't try to justify a winch. If you are using tracks which are also used by the locals then any competent 4x4 will be able to make it too. You see locals getting to the most inaccessible places in beaten up old saloon cars. Good luck with the trip. I am headed in the same direction next time.

[@adelarsen9776]

Wrong Wrong Wrong !!! Everyone knows that overlanders need 500 amps of Lithium, an espresso machine and 19 inch wheels. You also need all the Chinese gadgets and accessories. I cannot express enough how refreshing this channel is. And it's not just because I'm an Engineer, worked in the north sea and love Borneo. I laugh at all the overlanding experts who just speak drivel and whom live in their own little fantasy world of praise and glory. It's so fake.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Once the overland experts start talking about their coffee machines, induction cookers and hot showers I know they have lost it. On this channel I try to present an alternative approach, in my small way. If' you haven't seen Tom Sheppard's Overland Handbook it's highly recommended reading - he has a really functional, austere approach. We seem to have a certain amount in common. I think you were a driller? My background was design / construction of fixed platforms and later floating production systems. It's a good training for many things.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@defendermodsandtravels 1) Propulsion Engineer. First platform was Maersk Giant, last was Sedco 714. I have also visited many FPSU too. 2) I shall look for Tom Shepherds book. It sounds like common sense practical advice. 3) Your alternative approach is appreciated by me and others however there is many who copy and paste everything in their lives including building 4x4's and fitting them with trinkets. For them, it's all about keeping up with the Jones'. 4) To me, a skinny cross ply tyre is much better looking than an inflated party balloon. Keep up the good work. Your advice, wisdom and experience is not lost on some of us.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@adelarsen9776 Hi Ade, you will find the Expedition Guide at www.desertwinds.co.uk/ It's a bible, full of authoritative information with no bs written by one of the true pioneers.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@defendermodsandtravels I take your word as authority on this subject. I am looking at the website for these 2 books now. I will order the 4x4 and Expedition now. Thanks.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@adelarsen9776 As you will see from the contents list it covers a wide range of subjects, but with very little about bolting accessories to your 4x4 :-) All of it is relevant, although the chapter on navigation may be a bit out of date because this field has changed out of all recognition in recent years. It's essential reading if you are serious about overlanding.

[@johnson36herbalife]

Fantastic tipa,thank you

[@Ghanim.M]

I have not owned owned a 4x4 with a winch and I always told myself that the next 4x4 WILL have a winch. I've been programmed that a winch is a MUST, and just thinking about going on a solo off-roading trip without a winch makes me feel nervous haha. However, one can always use the hi-lift jack as a winch in the worst case scenario. As for the 2nd spare tire. I always figured if a person is driving on "odd" tire size, they can always have a spare wheel/tire of the same size and a spare tire (without wheel) as a 2nd spare. You'll at least be able to save weight not carrying a second spare wheel.

[@mozartheart2958]

Good information, thanks. I am contemplating a Bush Winch along with a Pulpal anchor as an effective recovery tool set, but never tried them.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

It depends on your requirements. If you go to really remote areas a winch can be helpful however a high lift jack, spade and waffle boards cope with most recoveries. If you go on tracks used by others everyone helps each other when there's a bogging. The locals rarely use winches.

[@bimble7240]

The option I prefer is to use a Tirfor winch to attach to the rear tow bar or front shackle. It's light and can be stowed away easily and no fitting required.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

I have one too (or at least a Samson equivalent). The winch itself is reasonably compact but the cable is v. bulky even though I have a custom made cover for it. Coiling it is like fighting with an angry python (and yes I do know there's a correct direction to wind it) and it needs to be cleaned and oiled if it gets wet or muddy. I find it usually stays at home.

[@jantamanini8583]

Would love to hear about your travel to Borneu! Cheers

[@defendermodsandtravels]

I am afraid there wasn't much to report. Covid hit, lockdowns started and I was stranded there for 5 months. I do have some footage available but it would take some imaginative editing to make a good video from it.

[@רוןאד]

והכי חשוב אני ממש אוהב את הגישה הפשוטה והטכנית שלך

[@ailo4x4]

One 'halfway measure' if you are traveling to an extremely remote area where a second spare would actually be a good idea (if not lifesaving!) is to carry a second tire, sans rim. If you tear two tires (main and spare) you can use a little elbow grease to change out the secondary spare from the roof. The second tire is a little more weight than just having a single spare and less weight than having two on rims. Perhaps the best compromise. And to be fair, tire technology has come light years from where it was 20 years ago. But if you are headed to the pans of Botswana or the vast Outback, etc, it's still a good idea to have second option.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Yes to carry a spare tyre without rim is a sensible compromise however I still maintain that it would take gross damage to make a tyre completely unrepairable.

[@solarbuduk]

I’ve never had to change one wheel, let alone two.

[@fmestre1976]

Hello Bill. Fernando from Baixo Alentejo - Portugal here (i'm a Mechanical Engineer). I' ve been watching videos from overlanding and in fact never understood the logic of most of them (comercial motivations maybe?). Keep up on the good "work" and producing more videos. I'm thinking of buying a Defender SWB (90 like yours) from the year 1996 to 2002 and a few acessories like a roof tent to sleep in my travels (Pyrennes, Picos de Europa, Gerês, Gredos Mountains, Sierra Nevada...). Then i can start to explore dirt roads and some other places that i never went. Sorry about my terrible English and of course...grande abraço, Fernando

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Que parte do Alentejo? Fico parado entre Ourique e Odemira agora sem possibilidade de voltar para Inglaterra :-(

[@defendermodsandtravels]

PS seu Inglês é melhor do que meu Português

[@fmestre1976]

@@defendermodsandtravels Beja. I think our gouverment will only open the roads to Spain (border) in March.

[@fmestre1976]

@@defendermodsandtravels PS:) Your Portuguese is ok Bill.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@fmestre1976 It was like this last year in Borneo. The government imposed lockdown and then kept on extending it. I finally managed to leave after 5 months.

[@philhealey449]

A massive dilemma in acquiring a vehicle with an existing 13,000 lb hydraulic industrial Superwinch, powered from OEM hydraulics rather than a dubious setup interfering with the power steering pump is "do I remove it ?" For better or worse, the engineer gadget bias in me is over-ruling risk analysis processes and new hoses have been fitted! I wouldn't have retrofitted it though.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Depending upon the type of trips you do I'd be inclined to keep the winch, provided you don't exceed the GVM. Hydraulic winches are so much more robust than retail electrical winches.

[@philhealey449]

@@defendermodsandtravels I've actually also swapped it over for a slightly heavier rated line pull unit. Yes it would be sacrilege to remove capability, even though we know anchorages are rarely in the right place and I've previously always managed to self extract from sticky situations. Tried to find you on LinkedIn.

[@WhosAGoodDogue]

Another excellent video - but not to keen on the hairy-arsed wind-chimes at 1:11 - They would drive me up the wall in a matter of days listening to that constant clanging. Hope yer still keeping on. All the best. Dogue.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

They are goat bells. The goats would visit once a day and were very welcome, adding to the rural atmosphere.

[@WhosAGoodDogue]

@@defendermodsandtravels - hihi - Honest Guv', I _did_ know they were ''the bells'' (as Quasi used to say). We had neighbours who kept a few pet goats, and they had cheap tinny (purely decorative) bells fitted. (the animals never roamed but just hung around the garden) - so the sound of the bells would not fade away and come back later in the day like the ones wherer you are - it was constant! I have to admit I loved the sound of the Maasai cow bells. Being a tad bigger than a goats bell (a fairly large tad!) they have a nice low 'clangy tone' (much easier on the ears sound wise). I still have my Maasai bell and rope collar in the attic that I took back from Kenya 33 years ago. Kind regards, and ever onwards and upwards! Dogue.

[@Danielfixit]

Hello Sr, I'm converting my 109 into an overland vehicle and I completely agree, the engineer's conversion is the way to go!! It'll be very nice if you could give me some advice on the roof rack, I don't have one in my 109 and I very much like the one you have, did you custom build it? Thanks for your help!, great videos by the way, excellent job.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Hi Daniel, I covered the roof rack in the General Walkaround video at kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHOXdJWgeNeAaNE These roof racks are a good choice for Series Land Rovers. I hope that helps.

[@Danielfixit]

@@defendermodsandtravels Thank you so much! and great job with the videos! I've seen them all, keep up your great job!

[@tobychristian4741]

Keep it simple. As you say, the locals manage just fine. Winches are at least cheap nowadays. Most overlanders seem always to say they only used them to help others rather than themselves. There is a big distinction between overlanding and off roading.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Yes there is and I know which camp I'm in.

[@sueneilson896]

Two spare wheels pretty mandatory in most of Australian.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Why? Unless a tyre has a large rent in it or has lost its tread it should be possible to repair it, at least to get as far as a workshop. This would have to happen twice for you to be in real trouble. In other parts of the world where there aren't the same support services as in developed countries you invariably find the locals don't carry two spare wheels. I wonder why.

[@sueneilson896]

@@defendermodsandtravels .. torn sidewalls are extremely common here. And with hundreds, if not a thousand kilometres to anywhere with even basic services, a second spare makes a lot of sense, and could be a life saving matter. In fact, for remote travel, most would take at least two spare wheels, and spare tyres, and plugs/tubes etc. I think you under estimate the conditions and distances involved in outback travel. You are very welcome to come over and experience the utter remoteness for yourself. There are tracks that take 2 or more weeks to cover, with no civilisation and very little use. The Canning Stock Route comes to mind.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@sueneilson896 Thanks for the advice. The exchange of views is good. In 20 years of varied overland travel (Europe, N Africa and Asia) I have managed to tear one sidewall and that was my own stupid fault. Even then it was repairable with an internal patch which lasted to the end of the trip (and I still had the spare). If one is going to do extremely long stages a Defender 90 like mine isn't ideal owing to limited payload. You really need a bigger vehicle. Yes I could carry another tyre (lighter than a complete wheel) but would have to take something else out to stay within the GVM. Back in the 90s I did a trip from Darwin to Sydney through the centre so I have some Idea of the conditions. I was very inexperienced and unprepared then so I was lucky to get away with it. I wouldn't tackle it the same way today. Good travels.

[@sueneilson896]

@@defendermodsandtravels .. even though we are extremely careful , and use 8 or 10 ply LT tyres on everything, inflated for the conditions, torn sidewalls are just one of the facts of life here away from the cities. We average 2/3 per year, and that is less than most.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@sueneilson896 Wow that' bad! People travel all over Africa and only get one or two routine punctures from thorns and nails. Thanks for warning me.

[@andrewjjhalliday]

More sensible advice Bill, 👍

[@garyallen4486]

I have just found your broadcasts. I like your thinking.

[@rovytv4170]

you're right I have a tire repair set I took the winch down again on a longer trip I would take a good rope and the high lift with me and I still have hoses Jens

[@defendermodsandtravels]

I am not a big fan of winches except for heavy off roading. On my way over to Spain in the ferry I was surrounded by a group of immaculate Defenders going on a club outing. They were of course equipped with winches which had clearly never been used. I don't see the point.

[@vonhewittfilms2668]

Dear Sir, I appreciate this video is a couple of years old but im just getting interested in overlanding and I found your advice so refreshingly simple and common sense. I've suddenly realised that most recoveries can be done with a hand winch, stropes and steel cable or chains. I dont know where you are but I'm in eastern Austria near the Hungarian border. Ive seriously taken your advice on board, your experience clearly shows. Thank you.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

I do overlanding all over the place (the vehicle is currently in S Africa). I usually go on roads and tracks, however rough, which are used by others. Given that my Defender is more capable offroad than about 98% of other vehicles I find that I almost never get bogged down. Recovery gear is a low priority for me.

[@vonhewittfilms2668]

@@defendermodsandtravelsThank you for your reply ! If I may ask a question do you have diff locks on the Defender and what are your thoughts on them in general ?

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@vonhewittfilms2668 For the hard core offroader who likes challenging his 4x4 locking diffs are nearly essential. For me they are an added expense and complication I can do without. I am more interested in simplicity and reliability, At the rear I have an Ashworth limited slip diff which seems to give great traction in slippery conditions, .It's very simple, it has a strong core and it has been pegged for extra strength. There used to be a strong 4 planet wheel diff at the rear which I moved to the front to replace the weak 2 planet wheel type previously installed. I am unlikely to suffer a broken diff on my travels.

[@philiplange428]

Once you have used a 12 volt winch for self recovery or clearing fallen trees you will not bother with a dangerous highlift jack or waffle boards, which together weigh as much as a modern 12 winch running dyneema rope..

[@defendermodsandtravels]

You may be right however I need to carry a high lift jack which I use as a bead breaker (with an adapter so as not to damage the tyre). I only need to do a recovery very occasionally (< every 5 years) so for me it isn't worth the time or money to fit a winch. I cut fallen trees into smaller pieces and pull them out of the way with the Defender.

[@philiplange428]

@@defendermodsandtravels most of my travel is in the Victorian High Country, steep, rutted roads and lots of fallen trees. In 6 years of pretty rough roads including several runs through deserts in the Outback, I have never had any tyre problems. My Pajero / Montero is running stock size 265/65R17 light truck tubless All Terrains. Often I am towing a camper trailer. Roads in Outback and High Country are pretty unforgiving. I don't even carry a second spare. I run either BFGS or more lately Toyos. I am very fussy to adjust the tyre pressures to suit terrain and speeds.