Using the last of the British autumnal warmth to work outdoors in late September.

Overland Support

Running an effective overland vehicle really needs a broad range of multidisciplinary skills. To keep the rig roadworthy requires mechanical repairs and cyclical engine servicing. To maintain on board lifesupport systems of clean water, sleeping kit and galley cooking needs a different set of tasks to be completed. Technically, running navigation and communications equipment is a wide third category full of knowledge and activities. In short, keeping a truck ready for a prolonged expedition takes significant inputs of time and energy. Equipment and technology is constantly evolving, constantly needing new integration and learning cycles to set up and use alongside existing kit.

Continuous Running

Most of us therefore go through pulses of set up prior to a trip and then either deep maintenance or storage after a trip. This season has been trying to maintain a continuous use pattern, forcing maintenance and administration to stay in date rather than go through a sine wave of hasty development peaks and neglected lows. This has allowed really useful refinement and development of expedition support techniques, kept the vehicle in a better condition, and sets the conditions for safer operating.