When it comes to off-roading, avid Maxxis 4×4 enthusiast Kade Wiseman doesn’t do anything in halves – knowing some of the country’s most intense tracks like the back of his hand! And, when it comes to making the most of his 4WD’ing experience while minimising his environmental footprint, Kade is proving he’s more than up for the challenge!
Driving a 2003 GU Nissan Patrol, with coil cab chassis (and a seriously endless mods list!) Kade runs either 40″ Maxxis Trepadors for intense 4x4ing or 315 RAZR’s for touring.
“Having the versatility to choose between these two awesome Maxxis tyres allows me to literally tackle whatever terrain I am planning to do. You can’t go past Trepadors for hardcore 4×4’ing and you definitely can’t beat RAZRs as the perfect all-rounder for dirt, mud, sand and bitumen. It really is a great combo.”
Leaving no destination unturned, Kade and his 4×4 mates often explore their home-town greater Sydney area (one to three hours from the city centre) – an area that has some of the most intense tracks he’s driven across Australia. Further afield, Kangaroo Island was a highlight destination during a recent trip taken by Kade and his girlfriend to South Australia and Victoria.
“Not only were we fortunate to visit heaps of quiet areas with very few people around, but we saw a seal pup be born on the rocks, went to wineries and breweries, bush-camped and saw firsthand the devastation the recent bushfires caused. I was glad to spend some money there and contribute to getting local tourism going again,” he says.
An essential item on all of Kade’s 4×4 travels is a backpack that wraps over his spare wheel which he uses for rubbish storage.
“I use rubbish bags to put my rubbish in when cooking and cleaning, then place it inside the backpack bag when I’m done. Simple and mess-free. Doing this keeps touring destinations great for your trip next time you go, and for future travellers and maybe even your kids down the line! To me this is really important as it helps to keep our tracks, state forests and national parks open and pristine, and in the condition they should be.”
While adamant that he’s not a “Greenie”, Kade says that basic respect for the great Australian outdoors (and each other) is something the 4×4 community really can’t do without.
“4×4’s aren’t race cars — they’re slow and used to go places street cars can’t. When campgrounds and beaches are destroyed by a few minority doing burnouts or circle work (just to get Social Media “likes”) – this is the sure way we’re going to locked out of the very places that we can and want to go. It is as simple as mutual respect for the environment (from the streets to the bush) which lets us all keep doing what we love doing.”
With his Uni studies keeping any long trips in check for the moment, Kade’ sights are set on Cape York, Victoria High County or Tassie as the year unfolds (so watch this space!)
And… if you’re still wondering (and want to know a bit more) about Kade’s pretty awesome rig and its mods – here’s the short list:
- 215hp td42 with UFI: 21L and 230hp pump
- 5″ lifted with every arm upgraded superior or buds customs
- 40″ Maxxis Treps on pro-comp beadlocked rims / 315’s on steelies
- Touring / camper style CUT Fabrications canopy
- Twin air locked with 4.6 diffs with RCV 300m axles and CV’s
- Ultravision Maxx 180 Spotties and 50″ lightbar
- 176L 4WD Systems main tank (261L total w/sub)
- Gme uhf, Polaris headunit, Autometer gauges, Aurora headlights
- Yeah! And, actually there’s lots more, this list could just keep going…
